JP2004188677A - Print controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller which can eliminate absurdity, to the utmost, by which a print job, wherein rasterization processing is finished in a short period of time, is forced to wait. <P>SOLUTION: A job management part 20 accepts a high-priority print job and a low-priority print job. The print jobs in the same order of priority among the accepted print jobs are rasterized to an RIP (Raster Image Processor) part 24 in a first-in/first-out manner, so that raster data can be generated. The RIP part 24 enables the simultaneous rasterization of the three print jobs. The management part 20 outputs the raster data to a print engine 6 in the order of the completion of the rasterization. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print controller, and more particularly, to a processing technique when a plurality of print jobs are received at one time.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of OA (Office Automation), in many companies, one terminal device such as a personal computer on which document / image processing software is installed is assigned to one person, and documents and illustrations are created. I have.
The created document or illustration is transmitted to a shared print controller as a print job described in a page description language.
[0003]
The print controller temporarily stores the received print job in the memory, reads the print job from the memory, rasterizes the print job, and outputs the rasterized data (bitmap data) to the print engine. At this time, the print controller handles the received print job in the memory on a first-in first-out basis, and when rasterization of the print job that has been performed earlier is completed, the subsequent rasterization is performed in the order in which the print jobs are received. I have.
[0004]
The time required for rasterization varies depending on the data amount of a print job. For this reason, in the above-described conventional print controller, for example, due to rasterization of a print job having a large data amount of 100 pages, processing of a print job having only one page has to be waited for a long time.
[0005]
In order to solve the irrationality, a priority is given to the print job, and even if a print job received later has a higher priority than a print job received earlier, priority processing is performed. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-353060 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if priority is used, processing is performed in the order of acceptance between print jobs assigned the same level of priority, and therefore, the same failures as in the above-described print controller that does not use priority are performed. Rationality occurs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a print controller that can eliminate, as much as possible, the irrationality of waiting for a print job requiring a short rasterizing process for a print job having a long rasterizing process. With the goal.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a print controller according to the present invention is a print controller that rasterizes a print job transmitted from a terminal device and outputs raster data to a print engine. The image processing apparatus further includes a rasterizing unit that allocates an image processor and rasterizes the plurality of print jobs in parallel, and an output unit that outputs raster data to a print engine in the order of completion of the rasterization by the rasterizing unit.
[0009]
A priority is given to each of the transmitted print jobs, and the rasterizing means performs a raster image processing for rasterizing a high-priority print job faster than a low-priority print job. Is assigned.
Further, the number of levels of the processing speed of the raster image processor is determined according to the number of levels of the priority, and the rasterizing means allocates the processing speed levels of the raster image processors to be assigned in parallel during the rasterizing process. In accordance with the priority status of the print job and the priority of the print job to be newly assigned.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a system including the print system 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 2 includes a print controller 4 and a print engine 6. The print controller 4 and the print engine 6 are connected by, for example, a dedicated cable 8 conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. The print controller 4 is connected to a network 10 to which a plurality of terminal devices 12 to 18 are connected.
[0011]
The print controller 4 receives a print job transmitted from each of the terminal devices 12 to 18 via the network 10. The transmitted print job is given a priority represented by “H: high priority” or “L: low priority”. The print job is described in a page description language, and the print controller 4 rasterizes the print job described in the page description language to generate raster data (bitmap data). The print controller 4 outputs the generated raster data to the print engine 6.
[0012]
The print engine 6 has a bitmap memory (not shown) for temporarily storing raster data output from the print controller 4, and further includes a photoconductor drum, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a static eliminator, And a fixing device (both not shown), and prints on a recording sheet by a known electrophotographic method based on the raster data stored in the bitmap memory, and places the printed recording sheet on the tray 6a. Output.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the print controller 4.
As shown in the figure, the print controller 4 has a job management unit 20, a storage unit 22, a RIP unit 24, and the like.
The job management unit 20 receives a print job transmitted via the network 10 and stores the received print job in the reception data storage unit 26 of the storage unit 22.
[0014]
The job management unit 20 has a reception table 28. FIG. 3A shows the reception table 28. The job management unit 20 registers the priority of the print job stored in the reception data storage unit 26 and the storage position in the reception data storage unit 26 in the reception table 28.
The job management unit 20 refers to the reception table 28 and, if there is a high-priority print job, regardless of the presence or absence of a low-priority print job, the first print job (the first Instruct the RIP unit 24 to rasterize the old job). The print job management unit 20 sets the low-priority print job to be rasterized only when there is no high-priority print job, and sets the first among the low-priority print jobs registered in the reception table 20. The RIP unit 24 is instructed to rasterize the print job (the oldest job accepted).
[0015]
Returning to FIG. 2, a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 24 generates raster data (bitmap data) by rasterizing a print job described in a page description language by a raster image processor which is software. The RIP unit 24 reads the print job specified by the job management unit 20 from the reception data storage unit 26 of the storage unit 22, rasterizes the print job, and stores the raster data in the raster data storage unit 30 of the storage unit 22.
[0016]
The RIP unit 24 can rasterize three print jobs simultaneously. That is, rasterization can be performed by multitasking, and apparently, a plurality of (three in this example) raster image processors are simultaneously executed. Here, the three raster image processors assigned to the print job are referred to as “RIP1”, “RIP2”, and “RIP3” for convenience.
[0017]
The job management unit 20 checks the operation status of the RIP unit 24, and if there is a startable “RIP” (that is, if all the RIPs 1 to 3 are not in operation), the RIP unit 24 sends a new print job Specify rasterization. In this case, the job management unit 20 starts up with the same occupation ratio for the CPU in all of the RIPs 1 to 3.
[0018]
When the rasterization of one print job is completed, the RIP unit 24 notifies the job management unit 20 of the storage position of the raster data in the raster data storage unit 30 of the storage unit 22 together with a completion notification.
The job management unit 20 has a completion table 32 (see FIG. 3B), and registers the storage location of the raster data notified from the RIP unit 24 in the completion table 32. The job management unit reads out the raster data (storage position) registered in the completion table 32 on a first-in first-out basis, and reads out the corresponding raster data from the raster data storage unit 30 and outputs it to the print engine 6. That is, the job management unit 20 functions as an output unit that outputs the raster data to the print engine.
[0019]
Next, the processing of the job management unit 20 and the RIP unit 24 will be described with reference to flowcharts.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a job management process by the job management unit 20, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a rasterization process by the RIP unit 24.
First, as shown in FIG. 4, upon receiving a print job (Yes in step S2), the job management unit 20 stores the print job in the reception data storage unit 26 and registers it in the reception table 32 (step S4). ).
[0020]
Subsequently, the presence / absence of a job waiting to be processed is checked with reference to the reception table (step S6). Perform (step S8).
If “RIP” which can be started (allocated) remains (Yes in step S8), a RIP start instruction (RIP allocation instruction) is issued to the RIP unit 24 to start rasterizing the print job (step S10). .
[0021]
Referring to FIG. 5, when the RIP unit 24 receives a start instruction (allocation instruction) from the job management unit 20 (Yes in step S30), the RIP unit 24 allocates the specified empty RIP to the print job and executes rasterization (step S32). ). When the rasterization is completed (Yes in step S34), the RIP unit 24 notifies the job management unit 20 of the completion (step S36).
[0022]
Referring back to FIG. 4, when the job management unit 20 receives the rasterization completion message from the RIP unit 24 (Yes in step S12), the job management unit 20 registers it in the completion table 32 (step S14).
Then, referring to the completion table 32, it is checked whether there is any raster data waiting to be output (step S16), and if there is, it is output to the print engine 6 (step S18). Although not shown in the flowchart, the job management unit 20 monitors whether the print engine 6 is in the READY state or the BUSY state. Only when the print engine 6 is in the READY state, new job Is started, and the output of the raster data is suspended when in the BUSY state.
[0023]
According to the above processing, a plurality of (three in this example) print jobs can be rasterized in parallel, and the order of reception by the print controller 4 (terminal device) between print jobs having the same level of priority. Although the rasterization is started in the order of transmission from the printer, the output to the print engine 6 is performed in the order of the completion of the rasterization. As a result, after a print job that requires a long time for rasterization (hereinafter, referred to as “first job”), a print job that requires only a short time (hereinafter, referred to as “second job”) is accepted. Even if the rasterization of the second job is completed before the rasterization of the first job is completed, the print sheet of the second job is printed before the print sheet of the first job. Will be output. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate as much as possible the irrationality of waiting for a print job requiring a short time for rasterization due to a print job having a long time for rasterization.
[0024]
In the above-described embodiment, the processing speeds of the RIPs 1 to 3 are almost the same, but the processing speeds of the RIPs 1 to 3 may be different. That is, the CPU occupancy may be different between RIP1 to RIP3.
For example, "RIP1" always starts at a high occupancy, "RIP3" always starts at a "low occupancy", and "RIP2" can start either.
[0025]
"RIP1" processes only high-priority print jobs, and "RIP3" processes only low-priority print jobs. “RIP2” is activated at a high occupancy when processing a high-priority print job, and is activated at a low occupancy when processing a low-priority print job.
The above-described start management (starting with a high occupancy ratio or starting with a low occupancy ratio) performed by the job management unit 20 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, the order in which the job management unit 20 selects the print job to be rasterized from the reception table 28 is the same as described above.
[0026]
If the print job to be rasterized is a high-priority print job (Yes in step S40), and if RIP1 is not operating (No in step S42), RIP1 is started with a high occupancy (step S44). On the other hand, if RIP1 is operating (Yes in step S42) and RIP2 is not operating (No in step S46), RIP2 is started with a high occupancy (step S48). If both RIP1 and RIP2 are in operation (Yes in step S46), wait until either RIP1 or RIP2 can be used.
[0027]
If the print job to be rasterized has a low priority (No in step S40), and the RIP3 is not operating (No in step S50), the RIP3 is started with a low occupancy (step S52). On the other hand, if RIP3 is operating (Yes in step S50) and RIP2 is not operating (No in step S54), RIP2 is started with a low occupancy (step S56). If both RIP1 and RIP2 are in operation (Yes in step S54), wait until either RIP2 or RIP3 can be used.
[0028]
According to the startup management described above, a high-priority print job is assigned a high occupancy RIP, and a low-priority print job is assigned a low occupancy RIP. That is, it is possible to allocate a RIP for performing rasterization processing at a higher speed than a low-priority print job to a high-priority print job.
The allocation of the occupation rates to the RIPs 1 to 3 assigned in parallel is determined by the number of priorities of the print job being rasterized (the number of RIPs activated at a high occupancy rate or the number of RIPs activated at a low occupancy rate). ) And the priority of the print job to be newly assigned.
[0029]
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the following embodiments are also possible.
(1) In the above embodiment, the number of RIPs that can be operated at one time is three (RIP1 to RIP3). However, the number of RIPs is not limited to three, and may be two or four or more.
(2) In the above embodiment, the priority levels are set to two levels (two levels) of high priority and low priority, but the number of priority levels is not limited to this. There may be three or more stages.
(3) In the above embodiment, the occupancy of the RIP CPU is set to two levels (two levels) of a high occupancy rate and a low occupancy rate. May be changed.
(4) In the above-described embodiment, print jobs with priorities are handled. However, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where only print jobs without priorities are handled. That is, the print jobs are rasterized in parallel (in parallel) by the RIPs 1 to 3 in the order of reception, and the raster data is output to the print engine sequentially from the rasterized ones.
(5) In the above embodiment, the controller and the print engine are separated from each other, and both are connected by a dedicated cable. However, both may be housed in one housing and integrated.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the print controller of the present invention, rasterization is performed by the raster image processor assigned in parallel to a plurality of print jobs, and raster data is output to the print engine in the order of completion of rasterization. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which a print job having a short rasterizing time due to a print job having a long time is waited for as long as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram including a schematic configuration of an entire system including a printing system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print controller.
FIG. 3A illustrates a reception table. (B) is a figure showing a completion table.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a job management unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a RIP unit.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating RIP activation processing by a job management unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Print Controller 6 Print Engines 12, 14, 16, 18 Terminal Device 20 Job Management Unit 24 RIP (Raster Image Processor) Unit

Claims (3)

A print controller that rasterizes a print job transmitted from a terminal device and outputs raster data to a print engine,
Rasterizing means for allocating a raster image processor to a plurality of print jobs in parallel and rasterizing the plurality of print jobs in parallel;
Output means for outputting raster data to a print engine in the order of completion of rasterization by the rasterizing means;
A print controller comprising: Each of the transmitted print jobs is given a priority,
2. The print controller according to claim 1, wherein said rasterizing means assigns a raster image processor that performs rasterization processing at a higher speed to a print job with a higher priority than a print job with a lower priority. The number of levels of the processing speed of the raster image processor is determined according to the number of levels of the priority,
The rasterizing means changes the allocation of the processing speed levels of the raster image processors to be allocated in parallel according to the priority state of the print job being rasterized and the priority of the newly allocated print job. The print controller according to claim 2.

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