JP2004186930A - Digital compound machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital compound machine enabling interruption copying which can be manufactured without using a mass memory. <P>SOLUTION: The digital compound machine, which consists of a scanner, a copy operating unit, and a printer, is constituted so that, when a user gives the operating unit an instruction to start interruption copying (step S206; a memory securing request received), the scanner is activated (step S211) only after an empty storage area necessary for performing the interruption copying is prepared in the printer (steps S202 and S209; YES). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digital multifunction peripheral having at least a function as a printer and a function as a copier.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As is well known, some digital multifunction peripherals having the functions of a printer and a copier start copying while printing is being performed (hereinafter referred to as performing interrupt copying). ) Exist (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-233864
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As existing digital multifunction peripherals having the above functions, various digital multifunction peripherals having different specific hardware configurations, functions, and operation methods have been developed. However, all of the existing digital multifunction peripherals are devices that perform the following procedures when an instruction to start an interrupt copy is issued.
[0005]
That is, the digital multi-function peripheral instructed to start the interruption copy generates image data representing an image on the original to be copied and stores the image data in the memory (the image data relating to the original is scanned using the scanner). In addition to starting the process of generating and storing it on the memory, the process of monitoring that the printing process being executed (the process for actually drawing on paper) can be interrupted is started. Then, when the print processing being executed becomes interruptible, the digital multifunction peripheral interrupts the print processing and starts the print processing based on the image data stored in the memory.
[0006]
In short, all of the existing digital multifunction devices perform processing that requires a large amount of free memory at the time of interrupt copying (interrupt copying ends with insufficient memory if a large memory is not installed) This is a device that performs processing that frequently occurs.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a digital multifunction peripheral capable of performing interrupt copying, having a configuration that can be realized without mounting a large-capacity memory.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a digital multifunction peripheral having at least a function as a printer and a function as a copier, for reading an image on a document and generating image data representing the image. Image reading means, print execution means for forming an image on paper based on print data in a predetermined format, print data storage means for temporarily storing print data to be processed by the print execution means, A receiving unit for receiving print job data representing several pages of printed matter, and generating print data for the printed matter represented by the print job data for each page from the print job data received by the receiving unit. Print job data processing means stored in the data storage means, operation means capable of performing an interrupt copy start instruction operation by a user, and image data The operation of the reading means is started, the print data having contents corresponding to the image data generated by the image reading means which has started the operation is stored in the print data storage means, and printing based on the print data is executed by the print execution means. Means for executing a copy control process to be performed by the print job data processing means when an interrupt copy start instruction operation is performed on the operation means while the print job data processing means is operating. After interrupting the process being executed, the process for waiting for the free storage area of the capacity required for the execution of the copy control process to be formed on the data storage means is started, and the process for executing the copy process is started. When a free storage area having a capacity is formed, the print execution unit suspends the processing for the print data generated by the print job data processing unit, and then executes the copy control. A means for initiating a process and a copy control means, keep the provided device.
[0009]
That is, in the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention, when the image reading means for converting the original into digital data is instructed by the user to start an interrupt copy (when the user performs an interrupt copy instruction operation on the operation means). At the time). Therefore, the digital multifunction peripheral of the present invention requires less memory capacity to manufacture than the existing digital multifunction peripheral, in which the operation of the scanner is started when the user instructs the start of the interrupt copy. It can be said that the device (device having a configuration that can be realized without mounting a large-capacity memory).
[0010]
In realizing the digital multi-functional peripheral of the present invention, as an operation means, a means that allows a user to perform an operation consisting of a print interruption instruction operation and a copy start instruction operation as an interrupt copy start instruction operation. As a copy control means, when a print interruption instruction operation is performed on the operation means while the print job data processing means is operating, the print job data processing means interrupts the processing being executed, When a copy start instruction operation is performed on the operation unit after the print interruption instruction operation is performed, a free storage area having a capacity required for executing the copy control process is formed on the data storage unit. Is started, and when a free storage area having a capacity required for executing the copy process is formed, the print job data generated by the print job data processing unit is sent to the print execution unit. Were allowed to interrupt the process for the printing data, it is possible to keep employing means for initiating the copy control process.
[0011]
Further, when the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention is realized as an apparatus capable of copying various contents (copies having different document sizes, resolutions, and the like), a user performs an operation of setting copy conditions as an operation unit. And a copy control means for calculating the capacity of the free storage area required for executing the copy control processing based on copy conditions set by a user operation on the operation means. It is desirable to adopt it.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a digital multifunction peripheral 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a scanner 11, a printer 13, and a copy operation unit 12 connected thereto. This is an apparatus (system) having the same appearance as a general copier / digital multifunction peripheral. The digital multifunction peripheral 10 is a device that is operated in a form in which the printer 13 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0014]
The scanner 11 used in the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is a device that reads an image on a document set in its own device and generates image data representing the read image. The scanner 11 is a device having the same hardware configuration / function as a general scanner.
[0015]
The copy operation unit 12 is a unit for causing the digital MFP 10 to function as a copy machine.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the copy operation unit 12 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, an EEPROM 24, an image processing circuit 25, an LCD control circuit 26, an input interface circuit (input I / F) 27, a communication control circuit 28, a touch screen 31 (element in which a transparent contact position sensor 36 is superimposed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) 35), a switch unit (SW unit) 32, and the like. As shown in FIG. 2B, the switch unit 32 includes various switches such as an interrupt switch 32I, a start switch 32S, a stop switch 32T, and a numeric keypad provided on the upper surface of the copy operation unit 12. A unit consisting of a group of push button switches.
[0017]
The CPU 21 constituting the copy operation unit 12 is a control circuit that integrally controls each unit (each unit in the copy operation unit 12, the scanner 11 and the printer 13) of the digital multifunction peripheral 10. The ROM 22 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs that define the operation procedure of the CPU 21 and various data used by the CPU 21. The RAM 23 is a memory for temporarily storing various information. The EEPROM 24 is a rewritable non-volatile memory for storing information and the like that determine operating conditions at the time of starting the copy operation unit 12.
[0018]
The image processing circuit 25 performs various types of image processing such as moiré removal and contour enhancement from the image data generated by the scanner 11, and performs processing of simple contents in the printer 13 during printing based on the image processing. This is a circuit capable of generating data of the following format (data of the same format as data prepared internally by the printer 13 that has received the print job data; hereinafter, also referred to as print data).
[0019]
The LCD control circuit 26 is a circuit that displays an image (screen) having the content specified by the CPU 21 on the LCD 35. The input interface circuit 27 is a circuit for notifying the CPU 21 of the operation performed by the operator on the switch unit 32 or the contact position sensor 36. The communication control circuit 28 is a circuit used by the copy operation unit 12 (CPU 21) to exchange information (transfer data and commands) between the scanner 11 and the printer 13.
[0020]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer 13 used in the digital MFP 10 is a device including a control unit 41, a control panel 42, and a printing mechanism unit 43.
[0021]
The control panel 42 provided in the printer 13 is an interface between the user and the printer 13 (control unit 41). The control panel 42 includes a plurality of push button switches that can be pressed by a user, a plurality of LEDs for indicating the operation state of the printer 13, a liquid crystal display for displaying various messages, and the like.
[0022]
The printing mechanism 43 is a mechanism that performs printing (image formation on paper) under the control of the controller 41. The printing mechanism unit 43 includes a print engine (in this embodiment, capable of performing color printing) that actually forms an image on paper, supplies paper to the print engine, and prints the printed paper on the printer 13. It is configured by a transport mechanism (mechanism including a paper feeding device, a paper discharging device, and the like) for discharging outside.
[0023]
When a significant operation is performed on the control panel 42 or when information of a predetermined format is received from an external device (a computer on the LAN, the copy operation unit 12), the control unit 41 It is a unit that performs control processing of contents according to the received information. As shown in the figure, the control unit 41 of the printer 13 includes a first interface circuit 51 ₁ , a second interface circuit 51 ₂ , a CPU 52, a RAM 53, an EEPROM 54, an input interface circuit unit 55, a memory control unit 56, a ROM 57, and the like. It is a unit composed of
[0024]
Of these components, ₁ first interface circuit 51, communication between the computers on the LAN (primarily the reception of print job data) is a circuit for performing. Second interface circuit 51 ₂ is a circuit for communicating with the copy control unit 12. The CPU 52 is a control circuit that integrally controls each unit in the control unit 41. The ROM 57 is a nonvolatile memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 52 and font data used by the CPU 52 (program).
[0025]
The RAM 53 is a memory used as a work area by the CPU 52 (a program executed by the CPU 52). The memory control unit 56, the process to pass information received by the first interface circuit 51 ₁ / second interface circuit 51 ₂ to CPU 52, the information received by the first interface circuit 51 ₁ / second interface circuit 51 ₂ RAM 53 And a signal corresponding to print data on the RAM 53 (data prepared from the received print job data, data transmitted from the copy operation unit 12) is supplied to the print engine in the print mechanism unit 43. It is a circuit that performs processing and the like. The input interface circuit unit 55 is a circuit used by the CPU 52 to control various devices in the control panel 42 and the printing mechanism unit 43. The input interface circuit section 55 is composed of several interface circuits for exchanging data between the CPU 52 and the control panel 42 and between the CPU 52 and a transport mechanism in the printing mechanism section 43.
[0026]
Then, even if the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is performing printing based on the print job data transmitted from the computer on the LAN by the printer 13, if the user presses the interrupt switch 32 </ b> I, Is interrupted, and can be used as a copy machine (a device for ejecting a copy of an original set on the scanner 11 from the printer 13 when the start button is pressed). Further, when the digital multifunction peripheral 10 presses the interrupt switch 32I and then ends the copy processing started by pressing the start switch 32S, the interrupted printing operation is not resumed, and the interrupt switch 32I Is pressed again (or when a predetermined time elapses without any operation by the user), the interrupted printing operation is restarted.
[0027]
Assuming the above, the operation of the digital MFP 10 according to the present embodiment will be specifically described below.
[0028]
First, the operation of the copy operation unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall operation procedure of the copy operation unit 12 (CPU 21 therein), and FIGS. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a screen that may be displayed on the LCD 35 (touch screen 31).
[0029]
As shown in FIG. 4, the activated copy operation unit 12 first performs an operation state confirmation process (step S101) for confirming that the scanner 11, the printer 13, and the own apparatus are functioning normally. . At the time of this operation state confirmation processing, the copy operation unit 12 checks whether or not the printer 13 is printing (by transmitting a status request (command) having a predetermined content to the printer 13, 13 to obtain status information indicating the operation state of the own apparatus, and if the printer 13 is not performing printing, the fact that the current operation mode is the normal mode is stored (for the current operation mode). Set the variable to a value representing normal mode). On the other hand, when the printer 13 is printing, the copy operation unit 12 stores that the current operation mode is the interrupt required mode.
[0030]
Then, the copy operation unit 12 that has completed the operation state confirmation process performs a process of displaying a copy basic screen on which a title character string according to the current operation mode at that time is set on the LCD 35 (step S102). Here, the copy basic screen is a screen having the configuration shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In addition, the title character string is a character string such as “can be copied” and “can be interrupt copied” shown at the top of the copy basic screen shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). “Can be copied” is the title character string set in the copy basic screen when the current operation mode is the normal mode.
[0031]
The copy operation unit 12 displaying the copy basic screen on the LCD 35 starts a process of waiting (monitoring) for the occurrence of various events (FIG. 4: step S103). More specifically, in step S103, the copy operation unit 12 periodically performs the process of acquiring status information from the printer 13 while operating the contact position sensor 36 / switch unit 32 with a valid operation at that time. Performs a process of monitoring that the process is performed.
If it is detected that an operation for setting copy conditions (an operation different from pressing the start switch 32S or pressing the interrupt switch 32I) has been performed (step S103; copy condition setting operation), the copy operation unit 12 Performs a process of displaying on the LCD 35 a screen having contents corresponding to the contents of the performed operation in step S104. That is, in step S104, the copy operation unit 12 displays a screen having a configuration different from the copy basic screen on the LCD 35, redisplays the copy basic screen on the LCD 35, and displays the screen being displayed. Perform the process of updating the contents. Thereafter, the copy operation unit 12 returns to step S103, and is again in a state of waiting for the occurrence of various events.
[0033]
If the copy operation unit 12 detects that the printer 13 has started printing (step S103; print start), the copy operation unit 12 performs a process of changing the current operation mode to the interrupt required mode in step S106. When the copy basic screen is displayed on the LCD 35, the copy operation unit 12 also performs a process of changing the title character string to “interrupt copy is possible”. Then, the copy operation unit 12 starts the process of step S103 again.
[0034]
When the printer 13 detects that the printing has been completed (step S103; printing completed), the copy operation unit 12 changes the current operation mode to the normal mode in step S107, and displays the copy basic screen on the LCD 35. If it is displayed, a process of changing the title character string to “can be copied” is performed. Then, the copy operation unit 12 starts the process of step S103 again.
[0035]
When detecting that the interrupt switch 32I has been pressed (step S103; pressing the interrupt switch), the copy operation unit 12 performs the following processing in step S105.
[0036]
The copy operation unit 12 first determines whether the current operation mode is a normal mode, an interrupt required mode, or an interrupted mode. Then, when the current operation mode is the normal mode, the copy operation unit 12 ends the process of step S105 without performing any processing, and when the current operation mode is the interrupt required mode, After performing the process of transmitting the interrupt request to the printer 13 and the process of changing the current operation mode to the interrupted mode, the process of step S105 ends. When the current operation mode is the interrupted mode, the copy operation unit 12 transmits an interrupt end request to the printer 13 and performs a process of changing the current operation mode to the interrupt required mode. Is performed, and then the process of step S105 ends.
[0037]
Then, the copy operation unit 12 that has completed the processing of step S105 starts the processing of step S103.
[0038]
Also, when the copy operation unit 12 detects that the start switch 32S has been pressed (step S103; start SW is pressed), the current operation mode is any one of the normal mode, the interrupt required mode, and the interrupted mode. Is determined (step S108).
[0039]
If the current operation mode is the normal mode (step S108; normal mode), the copy operation unit 12 sets the copy conditions at that time (set by the user by operating the copy basic screen) in step S116. A copy control process, which is a process for controlling the scanner 11 and the printer 13, is performed so that copying is performed under a copy condition (hereinafter, referred to as a current copy condition).
[0040]
Specifically, at the time of the copy control processing, the copy operation unit 12 first displays a copy execution screen as shown in FIG. Next, the copy operation unit 12 performs a process for causing the scanner 11 to start an original reading operation of the content according to the current copy condition. That is, the copy operation unit 12 performs a process of transmitting a command group for designating an operation condition (image reading condition) corresponding to the current copy condition and a command for starting the document reading operation to the scanner 11. . Next, the copy operation unit 12 performs a process of transmitting to the printer 13 a command group that specifies operating conditions (print conditions) according to the current copy conditions. Then, the copy operation unit 12 generates image data (printing data) on which image processing of the content according to the current copy condition has been performed from the image data transmitted by the scanner 11 that has started the original reading operation. Processing for supplying to the printer 13 (that is, processing for converting image data from the scanner 11 into print data using the image processing circuit 25 and transmitting the print data to the printer 13; hereinafter, image data supply ) Is started. Also, during the execution of the image data supply process, the copy operation unit 12 changes the contents of the copy execution screen displayed on the LCD 35 as shown in FIG. ) Is also performed.
[0041]
When the image data supply processing is completed, the copy operation unit 12 determines whether or not the original to be copied remains in the scanner 11 (in the ADF of the scanner 11). When the original to be copied remains in the scanner 11, the copy operation unit 12 performs a process for causing the scanner 11 to start an original reading operation for the next original (various commands to the scanner 11). After that, the image data supply process is started again. On the other hand, if there is no document to be copied remaining in the scanner 11, the copy operation unit 12 continues only the process of changing the display contents of the copy execution screen, and generates (prints) a copy by the printer 13. Is completed, the copy control process ends.
[0042]
Then, the copy operation unit 12 that has completed the copy control processing executes the processing from step S102 again.
[0043]
When the start switch 32S is pressed while the current operation mode is the normal mode, the copy operation unit 12 performs the processing described above. The printer 13 performs printing based on data transmitted by the copy control process (hereinafter, referred to as copy job data) (details will be described later). That is, when the current operation mode is the normal mode, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 functions as a device in which the copy process is started immediately by pressing the start switch 32S.
[0044]
On the other hand, when the start switch 32S is pressed while the current operation mode is the interrupt required mode (Step S103; Start SW pressed, Step S108; Interrupt required mode), the copy operation unit 12 Since the printing is currently being performed, an interrupt setting required notification screen display process (step S109) for notifying the user that copying is not possible unless the printing is interrupted is performed. Specifically, at the time of this interrupt setting required notification screen display processing, the copy operation unit 12 first displays, on the LCD 35, an interrupt setting required notification screen showing a message indicating that the above-described state is being displayed. indicate. Thereafter, the copy operation unit 12 waits for the user to perform a confirmation operation (in this embodiment, pressing the confirmation button shown in the interrupt setting required notification screen), and performs the operation when the user performs the confirmation operation. Then, the display content of the LCD 35 is returned to the same content as when the start button was pressed, and then the interrupt setting required notification screen display processing is terminated. Then, the copy operation unit 12 that has completed the interrupt setting required notification screen display processing starts the processing after step S102.
[0045]
When the start switch 32S is pressed in a state where the current operation mode is the interrupted mode (step S103; start switch is pressed, step S108; interrupted mode), the copy operation unit 12 After transmitting the memory reservation request including the copy content designation information to the LCD 13, a process of displaying a print stop wait screen on the LCD 35 is performed (step S 110). Here, the print stop wait screen is a screen for notifying the user that a process for starting copying (a process for causing the printer 13 to interrupt printing) is being performed, as shown in FIG. That is. Further, the copy content designation information is a memory capacity required for the printer 13 (the control unit 41 therein) to perform a process for generating a copy of the document to be subjected to the interrupt copy based on the information. Is information that can be calculated. The digital multifunction peripheral 10 removes, from the command group transmitted to the printer 13 during the copy control processing, commands unnecessary for calculating the memory capacity, such as commands for specifying a paper discharge device, as the copy content specifying information. It uses the information that has been used.
[0046]
The copy operation unit 12 that has completed the processing of step S110 (FIG. 4) starts processing (step S111) of waiting for the memory shortage notification information or the start instruction information to be transmitted from the printer 13.
[0047]
Then, when the start instruction information is transmitted from the printer 13 (step S112; NO), the copy operation unit 12 performs the copy control processing of the contents already described in step S116, and then performs the processing in step S102 and thereafter. Execute.
[0048]
On the other hand, when the memory shortage notification information is transmitted from the printer 13 (step S112; YES), the copy operation unit 12 displays a memory shortage notification screen having the contents shown in FIG. In step S109, a memory shortage notification screen display process, which is a process of waiting for an instruction input (depression of the start switch 32S / stop switch 32T), is performed.
[0049]
Then, when the user instructs a restart (step S114; restart), the copy operation unit 12 executes the processing from step S110. Further, when the user instructs to stop the process, that is, when the stop switch 32T is pressed (step S114; stop), the copy operation unit 12 executes the process from step S102.
[0050]
Although not shown in the flowchart, the copy operation unit 12 presses the stop switch 32T while the print stop wait screen is displayed on the LCD 35 (during the execution of the process of step S111). A predetermined time (a time that can be set by the user and stored in the EEPROM 24) elapses without any operation being performed on the contact position sensor 36 / switch unit 32 in the operation in the interrupted mode. In the case where the processing has been performed, the apparatus performs processing for transmitting an interrupt end request to the printer 13 and then starts processing from step S102.
[0051]
Next, the operation of the printer 13 will be described.
When the power of the printer 13 is turned on, the control unit 41 in the printer 13 performs an initialization process for confirming that each unit functions normally and initializing each unit. This is a state in which it responds to the request, and is in a state in which the processing whose procedure is shown in FIG. 9 is being executed.
[0052]
That is, the control unit 41 that has completed the initialization process starts a process of monitoring reception of copy job data and reception of print job data (step S201).
[0053]
When the copy job data starts to be received (step S201; start of copy job data reception), the control unit 41 stores the print data sent as an element of the copy job data in the RAM 53 in step S202. And a print control process for causing the printing mechanism unit 43 to perform printing in accordance with the print data stored in the RAM 53 by the process (hereinafter referred to as a copy generation process). )I do.
[0054]
Incidentally, in this step S202, the control unit 41 itself, during the execution of the processing (copy generation processing for a state of not accepting the received print job data during the execution of the copy generation processing, first interface circuit 51 ₁ To a busy state).
[0055]
On the other hand, when print job data starts to be received (step S201; print job data reception starts), the control unit 41 starts data interpretation processing and print control processing for the print job data in step S202. Here, the data interpretation process is a process of interpreting each drawing command in the received print job data and generating print data having a content corresponding to the print job data on the RAM 53. The print control process is a process of causing the print mechanism unit 43 to perform printing based on the print data generated on the RAM 53 by the data interpretation process (printing transmitted as an element of the copy job data at the time of the copy generation process). Process with the same content as that performed on the application data).
[0056]
After that, in step S204, the control unit 41 executes the data interpretation process and the print control process (after the data interpretation process is completed, only the print control process) while ending the print control process and receiving the interrupt request. Performs processing to monitor the occurrence of events. Although not shown in the flowchart in order to avoid complication, the control unit 41 determines in step S204 that a memory reservation request (the one transmitted by the copy operation unit 12 when the user instructs restart) is issued. ) Is also monitored, and when the reception of a memory reservation request is detected, the processing of step S205 described later is executed, and then the processing of step S208 and later described later is performed.
[0057]
When the print control processing is completed (step S204; print control processing is completed), the control unit 41 returns to step S201 and starts processing for monitoring reception of copy job data and reception of print job data. I do.
[0058]
On the other hand, when an interrupt request is received before the print control process is completed (step S204; reception of the interrupt request), the control unit 41 performs a process for interrupting the data interpretation process being performed in step S205. . After that, in step S206, the control unit 41 performs a process of monitoring the occurrence of two events, such as reception of an interrupt end request and reception of a memory reservation request, while executing the print control process. If there is no data interpretation process being executed (only the print control process is being executed), the control unit 41 does nothing in step S205. In step S206, the interrupt end request for monitoring reception by the control unit 41 is issued when the user presses the interrupt switch 32I to end the interrupt copy (when the user presses the interrupt switch 32I for the second time). This is an interrupt end request transmitted by the copy operation unit 12 at the time of the interruption.
[0059]
When an interrupt end request is received after the reception of the interrupt request (step S206; reception of the interrupt end request), the control unit 41 performs a process for resuming the interrupted data interpretation process in step S207. After performing, the process of step S204 is started.
[0060]
On the other hand, when a memory reservation request is received after the reception of the interrupt request (step S204; reception of a memory reservation request), the control unit 41 first proceeds to step S208 based on the copy content designation information in the memory reservation request. Grasps (calculates) the memory capacity required for executing the copy generation processing for the original document to be subjected to the interrupt copy (hereinafter, referred to as the required memory capacity). Next, the control unit 41 processes the print data in the RAM 53 by the print control processing based on the contents (paper size, resolution, presence / absence of printing of a plurality of copies, etc.) of the print job data to be processed by the print control processing. As a result, a process of monitoring (standby) until the empty capacity of the RAM 53 becomes equal to or more than the recognized required memory capacity (hereinafter, referred to as a memory capacity monitoring process) is started.
[0061]
The control unit 41 also starts a process of monitoring the occurrence of an event such that the elapsed time after the start of the memory capacity monitoring process exceeds a specified time, and when the event occurs, the empty capacity of the RAM 53 is equal to or larger than the required memory capacity. When it becomes, the process of step S208 ends. Note that the specified time is information stored in a specific area of the EEPROM 54, and the printer 13 transmits the specified information by operating the control panel 42 by the user (or from the computer to the printer 13). The device can be set (changed) by transmitting a predetermined command.
[0062]
Then, when the process of step S208 ends due to the elapsed time after the start of the memory capacity monitoring process exceeding the specified time (step S209; NO), the control unit 41 notifies the copy operation unit 12 of the memory shortage. After performing the process of transmitting information (step S210), the process from step S207 is started.
[0063]
On the other hand, if the free space of the RAM 53 becomes equal to or more than the required memory capacity before the elapsed time after the start of the memory capacity monitoring processing exceeds the specified time (step S209; YES), the control unit 41 determines in step S211 that the copy operation has been performed. After performing the process of transmitting the start instruction information to the unit 12, the copy generation process is performed on the copy job data transmitted from the copy operation unit 12 as a result of the process.
[0064]
Then, the control unit 41 that has completed the process of step S211 performs a process for resuming the interrupted data interpretation process and the print control process (only the print control process if the data interpretation process is completed). After returning to step S212, the process returns to step S204 to start the process of ending the print control process and waiting for reception of the interrupt request / memory reservation request.
[0065]
As described above in detail, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that when the user instructs the start of the interruption copy (after the user presses the interruption switch 32I of the copy operation unit 12, The scanner 11 is activated when the start switch 32S is pressed). Therefore, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 requires less memory capacity to manufacture than the existing digital multifunction peripheral in which the operation of the scanner 11 is started when the user instructs the start of the interrupt copy. It can be said that the device (device having a configuration that can be realized without mounting a large-capacity memory).
[0066]
<Modification>
The digital MFP 10 described above can perform various modifications. For example, the digital MFP 10 is a device in which the scanner 11 and the printer 13 are connected via the copy operation unit 12, but the digital MFP 10 is changed to the scanner, the copy operation unit, and the printer connected thereto. The apparatus may be modified to a device (system) in which a user's instruction to the copy operation unit is notified to the scanner via the printer.
[0067]
Further, in step S208 in FIG. 9, the processing is to predict the time when the free memory capacity exceeds the required memory capacity, and when the predicted time exceeds the specified time, the elapsed time after the start of the processing becomes the specified time. The printer 13 may be configured so that the processing to be completed before is performed. When the printer is configured in this manner, when the elapsed time after the start of the processing reaches the predicted time (when the free storage area of the RAM 53 becomes equivalent to the required memory capacity), the start instruction information is output. Instead of being transmitted to the copy operation unit 12, the elapsed time is “predicted time−“ the time from when the copy operation unit 12 receives the start instruction information until the transmission of one page of image data is completed ””. Or when the elapsed time becomes “predicted time−“ the time from when the copy operation unit 12 receives the start instruction information to when the image data transmission is started ””, The printer 13 may be configured to be transmitted to the copy operation unit 12.
[0068]
In addition, the printer 13 is provided with a function of outputting the free memory capacity, and the copy operation unit 12 determines whether or not the free memory capacity in the printer 13 is the amount necessary for executing the copy control process. The digital multifunction peripheral 10 may be modified as described above, and switches having functions as an interrupt switch 32I and a start switch 32S are provided on the copy operation unit 12, and when the switch is pressed, The digital multifunction peripheral 10 may be modified so that, when receiving a request to transmit, the printer recognizes the request as an interrupt request and a memory reservation request.
[0069]
Further, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is set so that the title character string is changed to “interrupt copy is possible” not when the printer 13 starts printing but when the interrupt switch 32I is pressed. Obviously, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 may be modified to a device having functions other than the printing function and the copying function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a copy operation unit used in the digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. 3 is a diagram of a printer used in the digital multifunction peripheral. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the overall operation procedure of the copy operation unit. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a copy basic screen displayed by the copy operation unit. FIG. 6 is a copy execution screen displayed by the copy operation unit. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a print stop wait screen displayed by the copy operation unit. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a memory shortage notification screen displayed by the copy operation unit. FIG. 9 shows an overall operation procedure of the printer. Flow chart [Explanation of reference numerals]
Reference Signs List 10 digital MFP, 11 scanner, 12 copy operation unit 13 printer, 32I interrupt switch, 32S start switch

Claims (3)

At least a digital multifunction peripheral having a function as a printer and a function as a copier,
Image reading means for reading an image on a document and generating image data representing the image;
Print execution means for forming an image on paper based on print data in a predetermined format;
A print data storage unit for temporarily storing print data to be processed by the print execution unit,
Receiving means for receiving print job data representing several pages of printed matter;
Print job data processing means for generating, from the print job data received by the receiving means, the print data for the printed matter represented by the print job data for each page and storing the data in the data storage means;
An operation unit that allows a user to perform an interrupt copy start instruction operation;
The operation of the image reading unit is started, and print data having contents corresponding to the image data generated by the image reading unit that has started the operation is stored in the print data storage unit, and printing based on the print data is performed. Is a means capable of executing a copy control process for causing the print execution means to perform the interrupt copy start instruction operation on the operation means while the print job data processing means is operating. Sometimes, after the print job data processing unit interrupts the process being executed, the print job data processing unit waits for a free storage area having a capacity required for executing the copy control process to be formed on the data storage unit. When a process is started and a free storage area having a capacity required for executing the copy process is formed, the print job data is generated by the print job data processing unit in the print execution unit. Were allowed to interrupt the process for the printing data, and a copy control means is a means for initiating the copy control processing, the digital multifunction peripheral, characterized in that it comprises. The operation unit is a unit that allows a user to perform an operation including a print interruption instruction operation and a copy start instruction operation as the interrupt copy start instruction operation,
The copy control unit interrupts a process being executed by the print job data processing unit when the print interruption instruction operation is performed on the operation unit while the print job data processing unit is operating. When the copy start instruction operation is performed on the operation unit after the print interruption instruction operation is performed, the space required for the execution of the copy control process is available on the data storage unit. A process for waiting for a storage area to be formed is started, and when a free storage area having a capacity required for executing the copy processing is formed, the print execution means is provided to the print execution means by the print job data processing means. 2. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising means for starting the copy control process after interrupting the process for the generated print data. The operating means is means by which a user can perform an operation of setting copy conditions,
The copy control unit is a unit that calculates a capacity of a free storage area required for executing the copy control process based on a copy condition set by an operation of the user on the operation unit. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1 or 2, wherein

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