JP2004242120A - Department management control system of digital composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically apply an interrupt processing to a job with high urgency and a job with a high priority first if a plurality of jobs from a plurality of inputting means are simultaneously generated when a digital composite machine performs processings. <P>SOLUTION: In this digital composite machine 10 having the plurality of inputting means 14, 16, 36 and 40-1 to 40-5 and a plurality of outputting means 14, 16, 36 and 40-1 to 40-5, if the inputting means simultaneously input a plurality of jobs, a management code is uniquely determined about all combinations of department codes associated with the respective jobs, the inputting means and the outputting means, a priority is determined for the management code beforehand, and an output processing sequence is determined in accordance with the priority. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a department management control system of a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of input means and output means in an office or the like, and particularly to a case where a plurality of jobs from the plurality of input means are simultaneously generated when processing is performed in the digital multi-function peripheral. The present invention relates to a department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral, which can automatically execute an interrupt process from a job having a high urgency or a job having a high priority.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in offices and the like, digital copying machines have been increasingly used in place of analog digital copying machines. This digital copying machine normally stores image data read by a document reading unit (scanner unit) in a storage unit such as a hard disk HDD or a semiconductor memory once for each page, and stores the image data in a storage unit when outputting the image data to paper. And a memory copy mode for reading out image data.
[0003]
In the memory copy mode, for example, when printing a series of 10 originals of 100 copies, it is necessary to scan as many times as output to paper in a normal analog copying machine, so that 10 × 100 = 1000 times It is necessary to perform scanning, but if the memory copy mode of the digital copier is used, a series of ten originals is read once and stored in the storage means, and when output to paper, read from the storage means and output. Then, the scanner unit is opened thereafter. Therefore, even if a copy image of the first document is being output on paper, the next document can be read and the next job can be reserved if reading of the first document is completed. .
[0004]
Therefore, when a large amount of copying is performed in the previous job and it takes a long time to complete the job, even if the job has not been completed, the job of the succeeding job is set and the job is reserved, so that the jobs are sequentially processed. Being able to do so has allowed the user to leave the copier and do other work, etc., which has greatly helped to improve work efficiency in the office.
[0005]
As described above, the digital copying machine has come to be frequently used in offices because it is possible to efficiently obtain a large number of copies, but since it is a type of sequentially executing a plurality of reserved jobs, For example, when a job for a sudden meeting copy or a request from an important department is entered, if a previous job is being executed or a job is reserved, the job is terminated. A new copy could not be made.
[0006]
An invention for solving such a problem of the conventional digital copying machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. According to the present invention, in the digital copying machine as described above, a department management code is assigned to each department in the office, and the use status, for example, the cumulative count value or the limit count value in the printing process for each department is assigned by the department management code. In management, a priority is assigned to each department management code for each department, and when a reserved job is output, the job is executed according to the priority of the department management code associated with this job. Is what you do. By adopting such a configuration, it has become possible for the digital copier to output jobs in important departments with priority.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-310270 (Claims 2 and 4, paragraphs [0015] to [0017])
[0008]
However, due to the recent development of computer technology and packaging technology, digital multifunction peripherals that incorporate not only the functions of a digital copier but also a printer function, an image scanner function, a facsimile function, and the like are often used in offices. It is becoming. Therefore, for an understanding of the present invention, first, a basic configuration of such a digital multifunction peripheral will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 1, the digital MFP 10 includes at least an operation unit 12, a facsimile unit 14, a scanner unit 16, an external memory interface 18, an input image processing / generation unit 20, various host interfaces 22, a job control unit 24, An information storage unit 26, an output control unit 28, a printing unit 30, and an internal memory 32 are provided. In some cases, the facsimile unit 14 is not provided in the digital multifunction peripheral. Further, since it is impractical to simply limit the reception or transmission of facsimile, the digital multifunction peripheral is not necessarily managed by the department. However, if the received facsimile data is printed and distributed to each department, it may be subject to gate-by-gate management.
[0010]
The operation unit 12, the facsimile unit 14, the scanner unit 16, the external memory interface 18, and the various host interfaces 22 constitute an input unit to the digital multi-function peripheral 10, and an input image processing / generation unit 20 for managing these input data. Connected to
[0011]
The operation unit 12 includes at least a touch panel input unit, and also serves as an input unit for an administrator ID, a department ID, and the like, and a selection unit for various operations. The facsimile unit 14 is connected to a public telephone line 34, and transmits and receives facsimile data from outside and image data supplied via the input image processing generation unit 20 according to a predetermined communication system.
[0012]
The external memory interface 18 includes various interfaces such as a parallel interface, a serial interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), an IEEE1394, and a PC-Card bus, which are generally used. The external memory interface 18 includes a semiconductor memory, an HDD, and a CD. , CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, FD, and other external memories (storage means) 36 are connected, and only input / output of various image data via these external memories 36 is performed. It is also used as an input means for an administrator ID, a department ID, and the like.
[0013]
Furthermore, various host interface 22, the computer _PC 1 40-1 via the network 38 corresponding to each _{sector, PC 2 40-2, PC 3 40-3} , the server 40 for · · · PCn40-4 and administrators -5.
[0014]
The job control unit 24 includes an information storage unit 26 which is a recording unit including a HDD, a non-volatile memory, and the like provided with detailed department code information for managing detailed settings of various department information and an accumulated count value as needed. The information stored in the information storage unit 26 is added to the image data via the input image processing / generating unit 20 that processes the input data, and the image data is sent to the output control unit 28. Is normally completed, the process of counting up the accumulated count value of the information storage unit 26 is performed, and the information is stored in the information storage unit 26.
[0015]
The output control unit 28 prints the image data sent via the input image processing / generation unit 20 and the job control unit 24 on paper by the printing unit 30 or stores the image data in the unit memory 36 according to the purpose. Alternatively, the data is transmitted to the computers PC ₁ 40-1, PC ₂ 40-2, PC ₃ 40-3,... PCn 40-4, PCn 40-4 of each department via the various host interfaces 22. It has been made. The digital multifunction peripheral 10 is connected to a dedicated host PC 48 via an output control unit 28 to display image data being processed via the output control unit 28. In some cases, it has the function of 40-5.
[0016]
The operation of each process of the digital MFP 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When using the digital MFP 10, the user first inputs at least a department ID in step S1. The department ID may be input by a key from the operation unit 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 10, may be input by using an external memory 36 such as an IC card, or may be a computer of each department. -4 may be input via the network 38, and can be appropriately selected according to the function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 to be used. If the image data needs to be distributed to another department, the distribution destination is input at the same time.
[0017]
Next, in step S2, image data is input from various input means, and the data sent from the input image processing / generation unit 20 is processed according to the individual data. For example, if the data is written in an intermediate language such as PDL (Page Description Language), it is rasterized, compressed if necessary, and rasterized data such as scan data. In this case, compression processing is performed as needed, and in the case of data in a predetermined format such as file data, compression processing, rasterization processing, temporary storage in an internal file system, and the like are performed as necessary. The information source at the time of performing these processes is determined by the header information added to the header portion of each data. Further, additional information other than information necessary for generating data is used for entrusting management to the job control unit 24.
[0018]
Thereafter, in step S3, the job control unit 24 refers to the data recorded in the information storage unit 26, and uses the image data sent from the input image processing / generation unit 20 and the additional information to create a page-by-page Generate page information and job information for each job. Next, in step S4, output processing of predetermined image data is performed.
[0019]
Note that the output processing in step S4 is performed by the output control unit 28 to output data specified for the image data from the job control unit 24. At that time, data conversion processing is performed according to the output destination. For example, in the case of print processing to the print unit, expansion processing of compressed data is performed, and in the case of storage and storage in the external memory 36, conversion to a predetermined file format is performed. In the case of file transmission to E.40-40 or the like or transmission by E-Mail, after the data is converted into the specified file format, the actual output operation is started. When each output operation is completed normally, a completion report is sent to the job control unit 24. Next, after a normal output completion report is received in step S5, count-up output processing of a predetermined cumulative count value of each section is performed in step S6.
[0020]
The basic operation principle of the digital multifunction peripheral has been described above. As is clear from the description of FIG. 1, the input processing of the digital multifunction peripheral is not limited to image input from the scanner unit 16 but also to the facsimile unit 14. , various external memory (storage means) through an external memory interface 18 36, various host interface 22 and the computer _PC 1 40-1 to 40-4 and the server for the administrator for each sector via the network 38 40- 5, there are various data inputs, and in addition to output processing, not only printing processing on paper in the printing unit 30 but also storing in various external memories (storage means) 36 via the external memory interface 18 and various host interface 22 and the server _PC 1 _40-1~ computer and administrative via the network 38 corresponding to each sector The process of transmitting data to 40-5 is also frequently used.
[0021]
Therefore, in the digital multi-function peripheral 10, there is duplication of jobs between a plurality of input units and duplication between a plurality of output groups. It's getting more than things.
[0022]
[Solution to be solved by the invention]
However, even in such a case, in the conventional digital multi-function peripheral, for example, in the case of facsimile reception processing and use of a scanner function, except for a part of parallel processing, a job that has been executed or reserved first is executed. Since it is executed sequentially, if copying and output processing is urgently required, such as during document output during a meeting, or if there is a print request from an important department, such processing is performed. If the processing cannot be performed in parallel, it is necessary to go to the installation location of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to interrupt the job and interrupt the operation by the panel operation of the operation unit 12, which is troublesome and troublesome.
[0023]
Further, simply determining the priority order based on the department code as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 cannot consider the difference in the importance of the job due to the difference between a plurality of input means at all. There is a problem that the dissatisfaction of the parties becomes very strong because the job of the department that performs the job is always postponed.
[0024]
The present inventor has conducted various studies to solve the problems inherent in the conventional digital multifunction peripherals described above, and as a result, has found that all combinations between a plurality of input means and a plurality of output means in each department are required. By assigning priorities together with management codes, and then uniquely assigning all management codes and priorities among all departments, jobs can be performed in order of priority, except for those that can be processed in parallel. In this case, if it is necessary to urgently execute a job to which a low priority is assigned, the priority can be temporarily increased only during a period in which the job is executed by the administrator authority. It has been found that this makes it possible to respond to an emergency or a job request from an important department, thereby completing the present invention.
[0025]
That is, according to the present invention, in a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of input units and a plurality of output units, when a job request is issued from a plurality of input units at the same time, or a job output request is sent to a plurality of output units at the same time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a department management control system of a digital multi-function peripheral that can automatically and sequentially perform processing from a job with a high priority and a job with a high urgency when a job occurs.
[0026]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configurations. That is, according to an aspect of the present invention, in a digital multi-function peripheral having a plurality of input units and a plurality of output units, when a plurality of jobs from the input unit occur at the same time, a department code associated with the job And a department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral in which the order of output processing is determined according to a predetermined priority for all combinations of input means and output means. According to this aspect, even when a plurality of jobs are input from the input unit of the digital multi-function peripheral, the job with the highest priority is automatically executed, so that the user goes to the place where the digital multi-function peripheral is installed. This eliminates the need for interrupt processing, which leads to faster and more efficient work in the office.
[0027]
In this aspect, it is preferable that the priority is managed in association with a unique management code corresponding to all combinations of a department code, a plurality of input units, and a plurality of output units. In such an embodiment, a unique management code is assigned to all input / output processes of all departments, so that priority setting management can be easily performed.
[0028]
According to this aspect, the plurality of input units are a scanner unit, a facsimile unit, a computer via a network, and an external storage unit via an external memory interface, and the plurality of output units are via a facsimile unit and a network. Computer, external storage means via an external memory interface, and printing means on paper. With such a mode, most of the functions of the office equipment currently used in the office can be covered in addition to the function as the digital copier, so that the work in the office can be made faster and more efficient. You will be able to connect.
[0029]
In this aspect, it is preferable that the department code, the management code, and the priority are managed inside the digital multifunction peripheral, on a server via a network or on a host PC directly connected to the digital multifunction peripheral. With such a configuration, the input becomes easier than the management by the panel operation of the digital multi-function peripheral, so that the management can be more easily performed.
[0030]
Further, in this aspect, the setting information for department management including at least the department code, the management code, and the priority is transmitted via an operation unit, a computer via a network, or an external memory interface using an administrator ID. It is preferable that the setting can be changed by receiving a command from the external storage means. According to this aspect, when it becomes necessary to change the priority or other management information due to the review or change of the work of each department, it becomes possible to easily change it while maintaining confidentiality. .
[0031]
Further, in this aspect, when the jobs having the same priority are received at the same time, a mechanism is provided for selecting whether to give priority to the previously received job or to perform both jobs alternately by time division. Is desirable. According to this aspect, even if the priority of the job cannot be clearly defined, the priority can be changed or the concurrent processing can be selected as necessary. There is no need to set the upper and lower limits, the system can be flexibly configured, and the user's dissatisfaction due to the lower priority being forcibly reduced.
[0032]
Further, in this aspect, it is preferable that a priority can be temporarily changed only for the job by adding an administrator password to the job from the input unit. In such a case, for example, even when an emergency copy is required at a meeting or the like, even if the user normally has to wait due to a lower priority, the user interrupts and executes the job preferentially. As a result, the work in the office can be made faster and more efficient.
[0033]
Further, according to this aspect, the plurality of jobs are overlapped, and by inputting an administrator password for the waiting job, the priority of the designated job among the waiting jobs is changed. It is preferable to be able to temporarily change only the job. In this case, even if a job of another department that takes a long time to finish happens to be executed, the job is executed by interrupting a job that is temporarily required or a plurality of jobs that are temporarily waiting. As a result, the work in the office can be made faster and more efficient.
[0034]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the internal configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral. For the configuration performing the same operation as the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG. The same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.
[0035]
The digital MFP 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is different from that of FIG. 1 specifically in the configuration of the information storage unit 26 connected to the job control unit 24. That is, according to the present invention, an ID (password) is assigned to each section, and at the same time, a unique management code is assigned to all combinations of input / output means. A table 42, a process priority is assigned to management codes of all departments, and the same is stored in the priority table 44, and a count value management table 46 for storing various count values for each department code is provided. I am doing it.
[0036]
That is, priorities are determined and stored in advance for all input / output processes of all departments uniquely determined, and when a plurality of jobs overlap, processing is performed based on the priority of each job. Determine the order to do. In this case, it is not necessary to give different priorities to all the jobs, and the same priority may be given to a plurality of jobs.
[0037]
When urgent processing is desired to be performed from a department having a low priority, the priority of the job is temporarily increased only during the period in which the job is executed by administrator authority or by inputting an emergency processing ID. It is possible to respond to emergencies by preparing means that can perform the operations.
[0038]
The “department” in the present invention means not only an organization composed of a plurality of members such as a “department” unit, a “group” unit, and a “section” unit, but also an individual ID ( Password).
[0039]
The management of the management code table 42 and the priority table 44 in the present invention is performed by the server 40-5 on the network 38 to which the digital MFP 10 is connected and the host PC 48 directly connected to the digital MFP 10. Has been made able to manage.
[0040]
Next, the operation of each process of the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, but the detailed description of the same operation as that already described in FIG. 2 will be omitted. First, when processing the job 1 in the digital MFP 10, the user first inputs at least a department ID in step S11. If the image data needs to be distributed to another department, the ID of the distribution destination is input at the same time. Next, in step S12, image data is input from various input means, and the data sent from the input image processing / generation unit 20 is processed according to the individual data. Then, in step S13, the job control unit 24 refers to the data recorded in the information storage unit 26, and based on the image data and the additional information sent from the input image processing / generation unit 20, sets the page information for each page. And job information for each job. That is, the corresponding management code is obtained by referring to the management code table 42 of the information storage unit 26 from the input department ID and the input means to which the image data has been input, and then refers to the priority table 44 to obtain the management code. Get priority.
[0041]
Here, in step S14, it is determined whether or not there is an interrupt job. If there is no interrupt job, image data corresponding to job 1 is transmitted to the output control unit 28 in step S15, and then specified in step S16. A predetermined output process is performed on the output means that has been output. If it is determined in step S17 that the output is not normal, the process is repeated until the output is performed normally. If it is determined that the output is normally performed, step S17 is performed. Proceeding to S18, the count-up operation of the count value management table 46 provided for each department code in the information storage unit 26 is executed, and the processing of job 1 ends.
[0042]
On the other hand, when the interrupt job 2 is started while these operations are being performed, the interrupt job 2 is input in the same manner as the job 1 by inputting the department ID in step 21 and by inputting the image data in step S22. An operation of inputting and obtaining the corresponding management code by referring to the management code table 42 of the information storage unit 26 by the job control unit 24 in step S23, and then obtaining the priority of the corresponding department management code by referring to the priority table 44. Is performed. Next, in step S14, the presence or absence of the interrupt process is determined, and the process proceeds to step S24, where the priority of job 1 and the priority of job 2 are compared.
[0043]
If it is determined that the priority of job 1 is higher, the process proceeds to step S25, where the job controller 24 controls the image data of job 1 to be transmitted first, and then transmits the image data of job 2. Next, the process proceeds to step S16 to sequentially execute the output process. Conversely, if it is determined in step S24 that the priority of job 2 is higher, the process proceeds to step S26, where the job control unit 24 first suspends the processing of job 1, and then in step S27, After transmitting the image data, the control is performed so as to transmit the remaining image data of job 1, and then the process proceeds to step S16 to sequentially execute the output process.
[0044]
In the present invention, since the input image processing / generation unit 20 converts all image data input from a plurality of input units into page information of a page, even if the first process is interrupted by an interrupt process, Since the interruption and the re-processing are performed in page units, it is possible to avoid, for example, interruption in the middle of the page during the printing process or printing starting from the middle of the page.
[0045]
In addition, when a job having the same priority is set, the priority of both jobs may be the same. In such a case, although not shown, the priority is assigned to the previously received job. A mechanism is provided for selecting between giving (FIFO format) or alternately performing both jobs by time division (Round Robin format). The panel of the operation unit 12, the external memory 36, and the computers 40-1 in each department are provided. It may be possible to select from 40-4, the host PC 48 or the like.
[0046]
Further, when it is necessary to urgently execute a job to which a low priority is assigned, the administrator ID or a special ID assigned for urgent use is used to execute the job. Only the priority can be temporarily increased, so that even an urgent job can be executed with almost no waiting.
[0047]
Although the case where the processing of jobs 1 and 2 overlap is described here, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the processing can be sequentially performed in the order of priority by performing the same processing when three or more jobs overlap. Would.
[0048]
In addition, when a plurality of jobs are concentrated, there may be a case where a plurality of jobs are on standby while one job is being executed. By inputting the administrator password from the panel of the operation unit 12, the host PC 48, the computers 40-1 to 40-4 of the respective departments, etc., the waiting job can be executed. It is preferable to be able to temporarily change the priority of the job specified in the above.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, even when a digital multifunction device having many input / output means is shared and used by many people and multiple departments, even in the case of emergency input / output, Can be executed with priority, and jobs can be automatically executed in sequence, so that there is an excellent effect that it leads to speeding up of work and efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a conventional digital multifunction peripheral.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation principle of the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation principle of the digital multifunction peripheral of the present invention in FIG. 3;
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 digital multifunction peripheral 12 operation unit 14 facsimile unit 16 scanner unit 18 external memory interface 20 input image processing / generation unit 22 various host interfaces 24 job control unit 26 information storage unit 28 output control unit 30 printing unit 36 external memory 40-1 ..40-4 Computer 40-5 Server for administrator

Claims (8)

In a digital multi-functional peripheral having a plurality of input means and a plurality of output means, when a plurality of jobs are input simultaneously from the input means, all of the department codes, input means and output means associated with each job are output. A department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral, wherein the order of output processing is determined according to a predetermined priority for a combination. The plurality of input units are a scanner unit, a facsimile unit, a computer via a network, and an external storage unit via an external memory interface, and the plurality of output units are a facsimile unit, a computer via a network, and an external memory interface. 2. The department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the external storage means is a printing means for printing on paper. 2. The digital composite according to claim 1, wherein the priority is managed in association with a unique management code corresponding to all combinations of a department code, a plurality of input units, and a plurality of output units. Machine department management control system. 4. The digital device according to claim 3, wherein the department code, the management code, and the priority are managed inside the digital multi-function peripheral, on a server via a network, or on a host PC directly connected to the digital multi-function peripheral. Department management control system for MFPs. Setting information for department management including at least the department code, the management code, and the priority is stored in a command received from an operation unit, a computer via a network, or an external storage unit via an external memory interface using an administrator ID. 4. The department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 3, wherein the department management control system can be changed. If the plurality of jobs have the same priority, a mechanism is provided for selecting whether to give priority to a previously received job or to perform both jobs alternately by time division. 2. The department management control system for a digital multifunction peripheral according to 1. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an administrator password is added to the job from the input unit so that the priority can be temporarily changed only for the job. Departmental control system for digital multifunction devices. The plurality of jobs are overlapped, and by inputting the administrator password for the waiting job, the priority of the specified job among the waiting jobs is temporarily changed only for that job. 2. The department management control system for a digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the department management control system can be changed to:

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