JP2004086766A - Interrupted job resuming method and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and selectively resuming a desired job from a large number of retained jobs, easily understand the retained state of interrupted jobs by being properly remained that the retained jobs are present, and allows each user to be able to operate the interrupted jobs under proper access control so that a large number of jobs can be comfortably retained. <P>SOLUTION: Information on the interrupted jobs are simultaneously controlled by a plurality of image forming devices, and a log-in processing is performed to specify the users who utilize the image forming devices. After the log-in processing is completed, based on the information on the interrupted jobs, the interrupted jobs are displayed, and the job selected from the displayed interrupted jobs is resumed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a suspended job resuming method for resuming a suspended job in an arbitrary image forming apparatus in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and an image forming system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been developed and provided an image forming apparatus capable of resuming a job that is being executed with respect to at least a limited function such as an interrupt copy and then temporarily resuming the job.
[0003]
Also, an image forming apparatus has been proposed in which print information relating to interruption and resumption of a job is stored in a movable medium so that a job interrupted by one apparatus can be resumed by another apparatus. In the system including the image forming apparatus, the print information relating to the suspension and restart of the job is transferred via the movable storage medium, so that the movement of the user to carry the physical storage medium corresponds to the movement of the suspended job. This provides a user-friendly and reliable operation model. According to this clear operation model, even if a plurality of users each interrupt a job at a certain point in time, the job of the user who operates the apparatus for resumption can be reliably restarted.
[0004]
On the other hand, offices, image forming apparatuses installed in stores such as convenience stores and used by a large number of users are designed on the assumption that they are shared by multiple users, but unlike computers such as engineering workstations, In many cases, a user management mechanism for identifying and controlling each user to which a job executed in an image forming apparatus belongs is not provided at all, and even if provided, it has not been fully utilized.
[0005]
For example, a copying machine used in a convenience store or the like is controlled so that money can be used by depositing money such as coins into a fee collection device connected to the device. However, in such a copying machine, the user associated with the input job has not been specified.
[0006]
For example, in a copying machine used in an office or the like, a mechanism for inputting a department code and a password for identifying a department such as a department or a section, or a department is identified from a card such as a magnetic card or an IC card. The system is controlled so that the device can be used after authenticating the department to which the user belongs. However, in such a copying machine, even if the department to which the user related to the input job belongs is specified, the specified department information is used for statistical processing for counting the amount of use of the device for each department, accounting for usage fees, Alternatively, it is merely used in a usage restriction process for not exceeding a predetermined usage restriction preset for each department. Similarly, even in copiers, printers, and fax machines that are shared by a plurality of customers at a business hotel or the like, even if the room number of the user involved in the job is specified, the specified room information is charged for the use of the device. Was only used to account for the billing per room at checkout.
[0007]
Further, for example, a printer used in an office or the like is generally used in combination with a computer such as an engineering workstation or a personal computer. A printer that receives user identification information in a user management mechanism of the above as additional information of a job has been proposed. In such a printer, the received user information is sometimes printed on a banner page for separating a print output paper bundle of a plurality of jobs, and is used to make it easier to collect a print result of a job submitted by the user. Was.
[0008]
In the secure print function, the print output paper is not discharged at the time of inputting the job, and the print output paper is controlled to be discharged only when the user later inputs the user identification information and the password to the printer. In some cases, user information received with the job was used.
[0009]
Alternatively, in a print server that spools a plurality of print jobs and enables scheduling of each job, operations of suspending, resuming, canceling, and changing the priority of each print job registered in a print queue (queue) are permitted. In some cases, the print server uses the user information received together with the job in order to give operation authority only to the job submitted by the user himself and to prohibit operations on the job submitted by other users.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image forming apparatus and the image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses have the following problems.
[0011]
In a distributed system capable of suspending and resuming jobs across a plurality of devices, the convenience of the distributed system can be enjoyed only by holding many jobs. However, pursuit of these conveniences results in an increase in the number of pending jobs.
[0012]
The above-described conventional image forming apparatus designed to be shared by a plurality of users does not include, or even does not include, a user management mechanism for identifying and controlling each user to which a job to be executed belongs. Since the job was not fully utilized, when resuming a suspended job, the user had to select a job related to him from other suspended jobs, and the operation tended to be complicated. . In other words, there is a problem that bothers are troubled by the hold job.
[0013]
In addition, there is a concern that others may improperly operate the job on hold.
[0014]
Also, it is difficult for the user to forget the existence of a pending job, so the system wants the system to automatically alert the user. It is rather complicated.
[0015]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and a desired job can be easily selected and resumed from a large number of held jobs, and a notice that there is a held job is appropriately issued to easily suspend the job. It is an object of the present invention to be able to grasp the hold status of a job, and to enable each user to operate a suspended job under appropriate access control, and to hold many jobs with ease.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a suspended job resuming method for resuming a suspended job in an arbitrary image forming apparatus in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the method comprising: A management step of managing information relating to a job, a login processing step of performing a login processing for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus, and an interruption based on the information about the suspended job after the login processing is completed. A suspended job displaying step of displaying a currently suspended job; and a suspended job resuming step of resuming a job selected from the displayed suspended jobs.
[0017]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses and capable of resuming a job suspended in an arbitrary image forming apparatus. Management means for managing information about the job, login processing means for performing a login process for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus, and interruption based on the information about the interrupted job after the login process is completed. An interrupted job display unit for displaying a suspended job and an interrupted job resuming unit for resuming a job selected from the displayed suspended jobs are provided.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
First, the configuration of an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses to which the interrupted job resuming method according to the present invention is applied, and the configuration and operation of each image forming apparatus will be described.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 110 has a scanner unit 113 as an image input device, a printer unit 114 as an image output device, a control unit (Control Unit) 111, and an operation unit 112 as a user interface. The scanner unit 113, the printer unit 114, and the operation unit 112 are connected to the control unit 111, and are controlled by instructions from the control unit 111. The control unit 111 is connected to a network transmission means such as a local area network (LAN) 100.
[0021]
Further, other image forming apparatuses 120 and 130 having the same device configuration as the image forming apparatus 110 are also connected to the LAN 100. The image forming apparatus 120 includes a scanner unit 123, a printer unit 124, and an operation unit 122, each of which is connected to and controlled by the control unit 121. The image forming apparatus 130 includes a scanner unit 133, a printer unit 134, and an operation unit 132, each of which is connected to and controlled by the control unit 131.
[0022]
The host computer 101 is connected to a network transmission means such as the LAN 100. The host computer 101 includes a Web browser, as described later, and displays the status of the image forming apparatus based on an HTML file received from the image forming apparatus.
[0023]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a user interface (hereinafter, “UI”) module that mediates between a device and a user operation when an operator performs various operations or settings on the image forming apparatus. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, and requests processing or sets data according to the operation of the operator.
[0024]
Reference numeral 202 denotes an address book (Address-Book) module, that is, a database module that manages data transmission destinations, communication destinations, and the like. The data managed by the address book module 202 is added, deleted, and acquired by the operation from the UI module 201. Also, the address book module 202 sends data and gives communication destination information to each module described later by an operation of the operator.
[0025]
Reference numeral 203 denotes a Web server module (Web-Server module), which notifies management information of the image forming apparatus in response to a request from a Web client (for example, the host computer 101). The management information includes an integrated transmission unit (Universal-Send) module 204 described later, a remote-copy-scan module 209 described later, a remote-copy-print module 210 described later, and a later described remote-copy-print module 210. It is acquired via a control API (Control-API) module 218, and is notified to a Web client via an HTTP module 212, a TCP / IP communication module 216, and a network driver (Network-Driver) 217 to be described later.
[0026]
Reference numeral 204 denotes an integrated transmission unit (Universal-Send) module, that is, a module that manages data distribution. This module distributes the data specified by the operator via the UI module 201 to the communication (output) destination similarly specified. When the operator instructs to generate distribution data using the scanner function of the present apparatus, the apparatus operates the control API module 218 described later to generate data.
[0027]
A printer module 205 in the integrated transmission module 204 is executed when a printer is designated as an output destination. An E-mail module 206 in the integrated transmission module 204 is executed when an E-mail address is specified as a communication destination. Reference numeral 207 denotes a database module in the integrated transmission module 204, which is executed when a database is specified as an output destination. A DP module 208 in the integrated transmission module 204 is executed when the same image forming apparatus as that of the present apparatus is designated as an output destination.
[0028]
Reference numeral 209 denotes a remote copy scan (Remote-Copy-Scan) module. This module is realized as a single image forming apparatus by reading image information using a scanner function of the image forming apparatus and outputting the read image information to another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like. This module performs a copy function using another image forming apparatus.
[0029]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a remote copy-print (Remote-Copy-Print) module. This module is a copy function realized by the image forming apparatus alone by outputting image information obtained by another image forming apparatus connected via a network or the like using the printer function of the present image forming apparatus. Is performed using another image forming apparatus.
[0030]
Reference numeral 211 denotes a Web-Pull-Print module. This module reads information of various homepages on the Internet or an intranet and prints the information.
[0031]
Reference numeral 212 denotes an HTTP module. This module is used when the image forming apparatus performs HTTP communication, and provides a communication function to the Web server module 203 and the Web pull print module 211 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0032]
213 is an lpr module. This module provides a communication function to the printer module 205 in the integrated transmission module 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0033]
Reference numeral 214 denotes an SMTP module. This module provides a communication function to an E-mail module 206 in the integrated transmission module 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0034]
215 is an SLM (Salutation-Manager) module. This module provides a communication function to the database module 207, DP module 208, remote copy scan module 209, and remote copy print module 210 in the integrated transmission unit 204 using a TCP / IP communication module 216 described later.
[0035]
216 is a TCP / IP communication module. This module provides a network communication function to the various modules described above using a network driver 217 described later. A network driver 217 controls a portion physically connected to the network.
[0036]
218 is a control API. This provides an interface to an upstream module such as the integrated transmission module 204 and the like to a downstream module such as a job manager module (Job-Manager) 219 described later. As a result, the dependency between the upstream and downstream modules is reduced, and the applicability of each module can be increased.
[0037]
219 is a job manager module. This module interprets various processes instructed from the above-mentioned various modules via the control API 218, and gives instructions to the modules (220, 224, 226) described later. The job manager module 219 manages hardware processes executed in the image forming apparatus in a unified manner.
[0038]
Reference numeral 220 denotes a codec manager (CODEC-Manager) module. This module manages and controls various types of compression and decompression of data in the processing instructed by the job manager module 219.
[0039]
Reference numeral 221 denotes an FBE encoder module (FBE-Encoder). This module compresses data read by the scan processing executed by the job manager module 219 and a scan manager (Scan-Manager) module 224 described later using the FBE format.
[0040]
Reference numeral 222 denotes a JPEG codec module (JPEG-CODEC). This module performs JPEG compression of read data and JPEG decompression of print data in the scan processing executed by the job manager module 219 or the scan manager module 224 or the print processing executed by the print manager (Print-Manager) module 226. Processing is performed.
[0041]
Reference numeral 223 denotes an MMR codec (MMR-CODEC) module. This module performs MMR compression of the read data and MMR decompression processing of the print data in the scan processing executed by the job manager module 219 or the scan manager module 224 or the print processing executed by the print manager module 226. is there.
[0042]
Reference numeral 224 denotes a scan manager module. This module manages and controls the scan processing specified by the job manager module 219. Reference numeral 225 denotes a SCSI driver that handles communication between the scan manager module 224 and a scanner unit internally connected to the image forming apparatus.
[0043]
Reference numeral 226 denotes a print manager module. This module manages and controls the printing process specified by the job manager module 219. Reference numeral 227 denotes an engine interface (Engine-I / F) module. This module provides an interface between the print manager module 226 and the printing unit.
[0044]
A parallel port driver 228 provides an I / F when the web pull print module 211 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.
[0045]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 111 is connected to a scanner 113 as an image input device and a printer 114 as an image output device, while being connected to a LAN or a public line (WAN), thereby obtaining image information and device information. It is a controller that inputs and outputs information.
[0046]
In the control unit 111, a CPU 301 is a controller that controls the entire system. The RAM 302 is a system work memory used by the CPU 301 to operate. Note that the RAM 302 is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. The ROM 303 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 304 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data.
[0047]
An operation unit I / F 306 manages an interface with the operation unit (UI) 112 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 112 to the operation unit 112. In addition, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user via the operation unit 112 to the CPU 301.
[0048]
A network (Network) interface 308 manages connection with the LAN 100 and inputs and outputs information to and from the LAN 100. A modem (MODEM) 309 controls connection to a public line and inputs and outputs information to and from the public line. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 307.
[0049]
An image bus interface (Image Bus I / F) 305 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 307 and the image bus 310 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts a data structure. The image bus 310 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.
[0050]
The following devices are arranged on the image bus 310. A raster image processor (RIP) 311 expands the PDL code transmitted from the network into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 312 connects the scanner 113 or printer 114, which is an image input / output device, to the control unit 111, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.
[0051]
The scanner image processing unit 313 performs correction, processing, and editing on input image data. The printer image processing unit 314 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. The image rotation unit 315 rotates image data. The image compression unit 316 performs JPEG compression / expansion processing on multi-valued image data, and performs JBIG, MMR, and MH compression / expansion processing on binary image data.
[0052]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. A scanner 113 as an image input device shown in FIG. 4 optically reads an image on a document by scanning it with a CCD line sensor (not shown), and generates and outputs raster image data. When the user sets a document on the tray 406 of the document feeder 405 and gives an instruction to start reading on the operation unit 112, the controller CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner 113, and the feeder 405 feeds the document one by one. The reading operation of the image on the document is performed.
[0053]
The printer 114, which is an image output device, is a part that prints raster image data on paper. The method includes an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, an ink jet method in which an image is printed directly on paper by discharging ink from a minute nozzle array, and any method may be used. The printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 301.
[0054]
The printer 114 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and has paper cassettes 401, 402, and 403 corresponding to the respective paper feed stages. The paper output tray 404 receives the printed paper.
[0055]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of the operation unit 112 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a touch panel sheet 502 is affixed to the LCD display unit 501 on the LCD. The operation screen and soft keys of the system are displayed, and when the displayed key is pressed, the key is pressed. The position information indicating the performed position is transmitted to the controller CPU 301.
[0056]
A start key 505 shown in FIG. 5 is used to start a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key 505, there is a two-color LED display section 506 for green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key 505 is in a usable state or not. A stop key 503 functions to stop the operation during operation. An ID key 507 is used to input a user ID of the user, and a reset key 504 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. As described above, the operation unit 112 is connected to the system bus 307 via the operation unit I / F 306. The CPU 301, the RAM 302, the ROM 303, and the HDD 304 are connected to the system bus 307. The CPU 301 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 307 based on control programs and the like stored in the ROM 303 and the HDD 304. Further, the CPU 301 reads input information from the scanner 113 connected via the device I / F 312, and outputs an image signal as output information to the printer 114 connected via the device I / F 312. The RAM 302 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 301.
[0058]
6, user inputs from the touch panel 502 and various hard keys 503, 504, 505, and 507 are passed to the CPU 301 via the input port 601. The CPU 301 generates display screen data based on the content of the user input and the control program, and outputs the display screen to the LCD display unit 501 via the output port 602 for controlling a screen output device. Further, the CPU 301 controls the LED display 506 as necessary.
[0059]
Next, a method of storing job control data and job data in an image forming apparatus so as to interrupt a running job and allow the interrupted job to be restarted will be described.
[0060]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of job control data and job data according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the job control data includes a job type, a user who is the owner of the job, job setting information, the number of scanned pages, the number of printed pages, the number of received pages, the number of transmitted pages, It includes the start date and time, the suspension date and time, the authority required to resume the job, the authority required to delete the job, and the authority required to display the job list. For example, in the case of a copy job, the above-described job setting information includes the number of copies setting, duplex setting, magnification setting, density setting, and sort setting. Further, when the image forming apparatus holds processing data available for resuming the job when the job is interrupted, this processing data is stored as job data, and reference information for specifying the corresponding job data is stored in the job. It is stored in the control data. Here, the job data includes, for example, original image data that has been scanned and not yet printed in a copy job, PDL data that has not been printed in a print job and a stored print job, and intermediate processed intermediate data. There are data, rendered image data, and untransmitted transmission data in a transmission job.
[0061]
If the stop key 503 is pressed during job execution, the running job is interrupted, and the job control data and job data are stored in a resumable format.
[0062]
Next, a description will be given of a functional configuration of a system for sharing information about a job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses so that a job interrupted during execution can be restarted by an arbitrary image forming apparatus.
[0063]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration when sharing information about a job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. First, FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating an example in which information about an interrupted job is shared by the NFS server function provided by the image forming apparatus. Note that the image forming apparatus 110 provides a known NFS server function by a program executed by the CPU 301. That is, a file system existing in the HDD 304 of the image forming apparatus 110 is disclosed as a virtual file system mountable from another image forming apparatus via the network interface 308. The image forming apparatus 120 and the image forming apparatus 130 realize a known NFS client function by a program executed by the CPU, and perform NFS mounting of the file system disclosed by the image forming apparatus 110 to perform the same function as the file system in its own HDD. Is accessible. Then, job control data and job data are stored in a file system shared by the image forming apparatuses by NFS.
[0064]
FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating an example in which information on a suspended job is shared by a dedicated NFS server machine connected to a network that can be reached from each image forming apparatus. That is, each image forming apparatus shares the job control data and the job data by NFS mounting the file system disclosed by the dedicated NFS server machine.
[0065]
FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example in which information on an interrupted job is shared by mirroring among a plurality of image forming apparatuses. That is, when a job is interrupted in each of the image forming apparatuses 110, 120, and 130, the job control data and the job data are stored in the HDD 304 of the apparatus in a resumable format, and the other images reachable via the network. The job control data and the job data of the interrupted job are copied to the HDD of the forming apparatus. That is, the respective image forming apparatuses copy each other, thereby storing a common copy of the job control data and the job data relating to the suspended job.
[0066]
In general, since the capacity of job data is expected to be large, a configuration is adopted in which only the job control data is mirrored among a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and the job data is stored only in the image forming apparatus in which the job is interrupted. Is also good. In this case, the reference information for specifying the job data included in the job control data to be mirrored is a URL including information for specifying the device storing the entity of the job data. Then, when the job is restarted, the image forming apparatus that restarts the job acquires and uses the job data specified from the reference information as needed.
[0067]
In this way, by sharing the job control data (and, if necessary, job data) of the interrupted job by a plurality of image forming apparatuses, the job interrupted by an arbitrary apparatus can be restarted by an arbitrary apparatus. It becomes possible.
[0068]
Here, job processing such as copy job processing, box job processing, and transmission job processing, including interrupted job resuming processing for resuming an interrupted job described later, will be described in detail.
[0069]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a standard operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the job processing. In FIG. 9, “copy” 901, “send” 902, and “box” 903 located at the top are buttons for selecting a plurality of function types of the image forming apparatus. First, in the copy function, original image data scanned and read by the scanner 113 is printed on the printer 114 to obtain a copy of the original. Next, the transmission function transmits the document image data read by the scanner 113 and the image data stored in the HDD 304 to various output destinations. The output destination is to select and transmit a plurality of output destinations from various output destinations that can be transmitted by various protocols via the network interface 308 and various protocols such as facsimile via the modem 309. Can be.
[0070]
Next, the box function is a function of browsing, editing, printing, and transmitting document files such as image data and code data stored in the HDD 304. The document files stored in the HDD 304 include original image data read by the scanner 113, data downloaded via the network interface 308, print data received from another device via the network interface 308, and data via the modem 309. And facsimile data received from other devices. That is, the box function can be used as an electronic mailbox in the user's office environment. In addition, by delaying print output on paper until a password is input, it can be used as secure print that enhances the confidentiality of a PDL print job.
[0071]
“Resume” 904 at the upper right corner is a button for starting the interrupted job resuming process. Note that when there is no resumable job, control may be performed so that this button is not displayed. The following part of the screen shows an example of an operation screen for operating the currently selected copy function.
[0072]
[First Embodiment]
Next, a description will be given of an operation in the first embodiment in which a suspended job list is displayed when the user logs in, and the suspended job resumption processing is performed when the user selects resumption of the suspended job.
[0073]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is in a steady state. First, in step S1001, a login process is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 12). Next, in step S1002, interrupted job resumption processing is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 14). Then, in step S1003, a standard standby screen is displayed according to the initial function set in the apparatus. When the copy function is selected as the initial function, for example, the contents as shown in FIG. 9 are displayed on the LCD display screen 501. Next, in step S1004, job processing is performed (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 15), and in step S1005, it is determined whether logoff has been selected. Here, the user selects logoff by pressing the ID key 507, and if it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1006, performs a logoff process, returns to step S1001, and repeats the above-described series of processes. If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1005, the process returns to step S1003, and a series of processing is repeated.
[0074]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a login screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the login process. As shown in FIG. 11, the login screen has two input fields named “user name” 1101 and “password” 1102. Here, when the user touches each input field on the touch panel, a virtual keyboard (not shown) is displayed on the LCD display screen 501 so that the value of each input field can be input. When the “login” button 1103 is pressed, the input value of the input field is determined.
[0075]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the login process. First, in step S1201, a login screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. Then, in step S1202, the process waits for input of user information such as a user name and a password. Next, in step S1203, user authentication is performed based on the input user information. The authentication may be performed by using an inquiry to a known directory service such as NIS or LDAP via the network interface 308, or similarly, performing user authentication by making an inquiry to various known authentication servers. You may comprise so that it may be.
[0076]
With such a configuration, it is possible to perform common user management among a plurality of devices included in the distributed system. On the other hand, in the case of a device that employs a multi-user management mechanism that is established as a stand-alone device, authentication may be performed using a password file stored in a nonvolatile memory (such as the HDD 304) of the device.
[0077]
Next, in step S1204, it is determined whether the authentication has been successful. Here, if it is determined to be true (T), a series of login processing is completed, and the process returns to the calling source. If it is determined to be false (F), the process returns to step S1201 to repeat the series of processing. The login process may be configured not only by an authentication method by inputting a user name and a password, but also by an authentication method by reading an ID card such as a control card or an IC card or an authentication method by biometric authentication such as a fingerprint. .
[0078]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job resuming process according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the center of the interrupted job list is constituted by one table. Each row of this table displays a record of jobs that can be restarted in the current context. For each row corresponding to each record, each column displays information of a job interruption date and time 1301, a job type 1302, a job execution user 1303, and a job name 1304.
[0079]
When the user touches the displayed rectangle in each row based on the coordinates selected from the touch panel 502, the record of the row touched by the user is highlighted. The record in the highlighted line indicates that it is selected. When a “resume” button 1305 is pressed in a state where a certain record is selected, a process of resuming a suspended job corresponding to the selected record is performed. When the “close” button 1306 is pressed, the display screen of the interrupted job list is closed, and the screen returns to the previously displayed screen.
[0080]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the interrupted job resuming process. First, in step S1401, a suspended job list is displayed as shown in FIG. Next, in step S1402, it is determined whether the resume processing of the interrupted job has been selected. Here, when the “resume” button 1305 on the display screen is pressed, it is determined that the resume processing has been selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1403 to read the job control data and job data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record from the file system and restart the job. The restart of the job is achieved by using the read job control data as a job scheduling target managed by the job manager 219. Next, in step S1404, job control data and job data relating to the restarted job are deleted from the saved file system.
[0081]
If the “resume” button 1305 on the display screen has not been pressed in step S1402, the process advances to step S1405 to determine whether or not the suspended job restart selection from the list has been completed. Here, when the “close” button 1306 on the display screen is pressed, it is determined that the restart selection has been completed. That is, when it is determined to be true (T), a series of interrupted job resuming processes is completed, and the process returns to the calling source process. If the determination is false (F), the process returns to step S1401, and a series of processes is repeated.
[0082]
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a job process performed by the image forming apparatus. First, in step S1501, it is determined whether the copy function has been selected. Here, when the “copy” button 901 displayed at the top of the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the copy function has been selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1502 to perform job processing of the selected copy function. Specifically, an operation screen like the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is displayed, and processing such as setting, activation, and interruption of a copy job specified by the user is performed.
[0083]
If it is determined in step S1501 that the box function is false (F), the process advances to step S1503 to determine whether the box function has been selected. Here, when the “box” button 903 of the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the box function has been selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1504 to perform job processing of the selected box function. More specifically, it processes the setting, activation, suspension, etc. of the box job specified by the user.
[0084]
If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1503, the process advances to step S1505 to determine whether the transmission function has been selected. Here, when the “send” button 902 in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the send function has been selected. That is, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1506 to perform job processing of the selected transmission function. More specifically, the processing of setting, starting, and interrupting the transmission job specified by the user is performed.
[0085]
If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1505, the process advances to step S1507 to determine whether or not the restart of the interrupted job is selected. Here, when the “Resume” button 904 in the screen example shown in FIG. 9 is pressed, it is determined that the resumption of the interrupted job has been selected. In other words, if it is determined to be true (T), the process advances to step S1508 to perform the interrupted job resuming process shown in FIG. If it is determined to be false (F), a series of job processing is completed, and the process returns to the calling source processing.
[0086]
According to the first embodiment, since the interrupted job resuming process is automatically started when the user logs in, the user can automatically browse the list of interrupted jobs every time the device is used, It is easy to keep track of pending jobs. In particular, in a distributed system in which a plurality of devices cooperate via a network, a mechanism that enables a job to be interrupted and resumed across a plurality of devices and a mechanism that performs common user management among a plurality of devices are effective. , A distributed system configuration can be realized.
[0087]
[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0088]
In the first embodiment, the interrupted job resuming process is automatically activated every time the user uses the apparatus. However, in the second embodiment, the interrupted job resuming process is interrupted only when there is a resumable job associated with the user. This is to start the job restart processing.
[0089]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is in a steady state. First, in step S1601, a login process is performed. Then, in step S1602, it is determined whether or not there is an interrupted job that can be restarted by this user. Here, if an interrupted job exists, it is determined to be true (T), and the process advances to step S1603 to perform interrupted job resumption processing. If the determination is false (F), the process advances to step S1604.
[0090]
Next, in step S1604, a standard standby screen is displayed according to the initial function set in the apparatus. When the copy function is selected as the initial function, for example, a display as shown in FIG. 9 is performed on the LCD display screen 501. Then, in step S1605, job processing is performed, and in step S1606, it is determined whether logoff has been selected. Here, the user selects logoff by pressing the ID key 507, and if it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1607, performs a logoff process, returns to step 1601, and repeats the above-described series of processes. If it is determined to be false (F) in step S1606, the process returns to step S1604, and a series of processes is repeated.
[0091]
According to the second embodiment, only when there is a resumable job related to the user who has logged in from the interrupted job, the interrupted job resuming process is automatically started immediately after login, so that a new job is simply executed. Can be reduced.
[0092]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0093]
In the third embodiment, only the jobs interrupted by the logged-in user are displayed in the interrupted job list.
[0094]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job resuming process according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the center of the interrupted job list is constituted by one table. Each row of this table displays a record of jobs that can be restarted in the current context.
[0095]
Compared to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 13, in the screen example of the second embodiment, only the records of the interrupted jobs executed by the currently operating user are filtered and displayed. In each row corresponding to each record, information of a job interruption date / time 1701, a job type 1702, and a job name 1703 is displayed in each column. In this table, the column of the user is omitted because the user who is currently focused on is clear. If a “display all” button 1704 is pressed here, all resumable jobs are displayed in a list, as in FIG. 13, regardless of the function currently being operated.
[0096]
When the user touches the displayed rectangle in each row based on the coordinates selected from the touch panel 502, the record of the row touched by the user is highlighted. The record in the highlighted line indicates that it is selected. When a “resume” button 1705 is pressed in a state where a certain record is selected, a process of resuming a suspended job corresponding to the selected record is performed. When a “delete” button 1706 is pressed while a certain record is selected, the suspended job corresponding to the selected record is deleted. When the “close” button 1707 is pressed, the display screen of the suspended job list is closed, and the screen returns to the previously displayed screen.
[0097]
According to the third embodiment, in the process of resuming an interrupted job of an image forming apparatus having a composite function, only a list of interrupted jobs relating to a user who is operating the apparatus is displayed, and the user is prompted to select a resumed job from the list. As a result, the user can easily and easily select a desired job from a large number of held jobs and restart the job.
[0098]
[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0099]
In the fourth embodiment, not only a suspended job can be resumed but also an operation of deleting a job without resuming the job can be performed. In addition, by restricting access (resumption, deletion, list display, and the like) to the interrupted job, the interrupted job can be operated under the appropriate managed right.
[0100]
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of the interrupted job operation process. First, in step S1801, a suspended job list display as shown in FIG. 17 is performed under management of access control for each user. The suspended job list display processing for which access control is performed for each user will be described later. Next, in step S1802, it is determined whether the resume processing of the interrupted job has been selected. Here, if the “resume” button 1705 on the operation screen is not pressed, it is determined that resumption processing has not been selected, that is, false (F), and the process proceeds to step S1806.
[0101]
When the “Resume” button 1705 on the operation screen is pressed, the resume process is selected, that is, it is determined to be true (T), and the process proceeds to step S1803, where the job control data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record is processed. Is read from the file system, and it is determined whether the operating user has the authority to restart the job. The authority is determined based on the attribute related to the access control in the job control data shown in FIG. If the determination is false (F), the process proceeds to step S1806, but if the determination is true (T), the process proceeds to step S1804 to read the job control data and job data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record from the file system. To restart the job. The job is resumed by setting the read job control data as a job scheduling target managed by the job manager 219. Next, in step S1805, job control data and job data relating to the restarted job are deleted from the saved file system.
[0102]
Next, in step S1806, it is determined whether the process of deleting the interrupted job has been selected. Here, if the “delete” button 1706 on the operation screen is not pressed, it is determined that the deletion process has not been selected, that is, it is determined to be false (F), and the process proceeds to step S1809. When a “delete” button 1706 on the operation screen is pressed, the delete process is selected, that is, it is determined to be true (T), and the process proceeds to step S1807, where the job control data of the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record is processed. Is read from the file system, and it is determined whether the operating user has the authority to delete the job. The authority is determined based on the attribute related to the access control in the job control data shown in FIG. Here, if it is determined to be false (F), the process proceeds to step S1809, but if it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1808 to save the job control data and job data relating to the interrupted job corresponding to the selected record. Deleted from the file system.
[0103]
Then, in step S1809, it is determined whether the interrupted job operation process has been completed. Here, when the “close” button 1707 on the operation screen is pressed, it is determined that the operation is completed. That is, when it is determined to be true (T), a series of interrupted job operation processes is completed, and the process returns to the calling source process. If the determination is false (F), the process returns to step S1801, and the above-described series of processing is repeated.
[0104]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a suspended job list display process in which access is controlled for each user. First, in step S1901, an attempt is made to read job control data for one interrupted job from the file system. Then, in step S1902, it is determined whether the reading of the interrupted job control data has been successful. Here, when reading is attempted after reading out the job control data of all the interrupted jobs, the determination is false (F), so this determination is used as an end condition for scanning all the interrupted jobs existing in the system. be able to. If it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1903, and if it is determined to be false (F), a series of interrupted job list display processes is completed, and the process returns to the calling source process.
[0105]
In step S1903, it is determined based on the read job control data whether the user who is operating has the right to list the job. Here, the authority is determined based on the attribute related to the access control in the job control data shown in FIG. As a result, if it is determined to be true (T), the process proceeds to step S1904. If the determination is false (F), the process returns to step S1901, and the operation is continued for all the interrupted jobs existing in the system. On the other hand, in step S1904, the read job control data is added to the list display memory and written.
[0106]
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the access control attribute of the interrupted job control data. Each line of “restart authority” 2001, “delete authority” 2002, and “list display authority” 2003 shown in FIG. 20 corresponds to the attribute related to access control in the job control data shown in FIG. Each is an attribute indicating the authority to perform each operation on the job.
[0107]
In the “user” column 2004, the user who is the executor of the job and the owner (the value of the “user” attribute of the job control data) has the authority to operate each row for the job. A boolean value for determining whether or not is stored. The “group” column 2005 has a list of IDs of groups having authority to operate each row for the job (conversely, group IDs having no operation authority can be held as a list). A group is a list that defines a set of users, and one user can belong to a plurality of groups. The list of groups to which the user belongs can be obtained by making an inquiry to a known directory service such as NIS via the network interface 308.
[0108]
With such a configuration, it is possible to perform common user management among a plurality of devices included in the distributed system. On the other hand, in the case of an apparatus that employs a multi-user management mechanism that is established in a stand-alone manner, the apparatus may be configured to use a group file stored in a nonvolatile memory (such as the HDD 304) of the apparatus.
[0109]
Further, the “other” column 2006 has the authority that other users, except for the user whose access control is specified by the “user” column 2004 and the “group” column 2005, operate each row for the job. A boolean value for determining whether or not is stored.
[0110]
In this way, by linking the user management mechanism of the multi-user compatible image forming apparatus with the access control mechanism of the interrupted job, it is possible to operate the interrupted job under appropriate managed authority.
[0111]
In particular, in a distributed system in which a plurality of devices cooperate via a network, a mechanism that enables a job to be interrupted and resumed across a plurality of devices and a mechanism that performs common user management among a plurality of devices are effective. , A distributed system configuration can be realized.
[0112]
It goes without saying that the first to fourth embodiments described above may be implemented alone, or may be implemented in combination if possible.
[0113]
Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), the present invention can be applied to an apparatus (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, etc.) including one device. May be applied.
[0114]
Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the recording medium in the recording medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code thus read.
[0115]
In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0116]
As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or the like is used. be able to.
[0117]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0118]
Further, after the program code read from the recording medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0119]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by combining the multi-user management mechanism of the image forming apparatus and the job suspending / resuming mechanism, it is possible to easily select and resume a desired job from a large number of pending jobs. It is possible to properly alert the user that a pending job exists, easily grasp the suspension status of the suspended job, and enable each user to operate the suspended job under appropriate access control. A large number of jobs can be suspended with ease.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit 112 shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 7 illustrates an example of job control data and job data according to the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration when sharing information about a job among a plurality of image forming apparatuses.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a standard operation screen displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in job processing.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment is in a steady state.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus is in a steady state.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a login process.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on the LCD display screen 501 in the suspended job resumption processing according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a suspended job resuming process.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a job process performed by the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a main loop executed when the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment is in a steady state.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a suspended job list displayed on an LCD display screen in a suspended job resuming process according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a suspended job operation process.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a suspended job list display process in which access control is performed for each user.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of an access control attribute of interrupted job control data.

Claims (11)

An interrupted job resuming method for resuming an interrupted job in any image forming apparatus in an image forming system including a plurality of image forming apparatuses,
A management step of managing information about a suspended job in the image forming apparatus;
A login processing step of performing a login process for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus,
After the login process is completed, a suspended job display step of displaying the suspended job based on the information on the suspended job,
An interrupted job resuming step of resuming a selected job from the displayed interrupted job. The interrupted job resuming method according to claim 1, wherein the interrupted job displaying step displays a list of the interrupted jobs. 2. The interrupted job resuming method according to claim 1, wherein in the interrupted job displaying step, only the interrupted jobs related to the user specified by the login process are displayed in a list. After the login processing is completed, the method further includes a determination step of determining whether there is the interrupted job,
2. The interrupted job resuming method according to claim 1, wherein the interrupted job displaying step and the interrupted job resuming step are not performed when the determining unit determines that the interrupted job does not exist. 2. The interrupted job resuming method according to claim 1, further comprising an interrupted job deleting step of deleting the interrupted job. 2. The interrupted job resuming method according to claim 1, wherein a user who can perform at least an operation including list display, resumption, and deletion of the interrupted job is restricted. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the restriction is performed on a group including a plurality of users. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information on the interrupted job is managed by a plurality of image forming apparatuses at the same time. An image forming system configured with a plurality of image forming apparatuses and capable of restarting a job suspended in any image forming apparatus,
Management means for managing information about a job suspended by the image forming apparatus;
Login processing means for performing a login process for specifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus;
After the login process is completed, a suspended job display unit that displays a suspended job based on information about the suspended job,
An image forming system comprising: an interrupted job resuming unit for resuming a selected job from the displayed interrupted jobs. A program for causing a computer to execute the suspended job resuming method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.

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