JP2006133858A - Image input/output device, its control method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling interrupting print without decreasing the operation rate of a printer engine even when the interrupting PDL print of heavy PDL data is requested in an image forming apparatus, that is, a multi-function peripheral(MFP) in which a print part is shared by a copying function, a PDL print function and a facsimile print function or the like. <P>SOLUTION: This image input/output device is provided with: an image input means such as a reader part 1 and a facsimile part 4; a storage part 5 for storing image data; an image output means such as a printer part 2 and a facsimile part 4; and a core part 10 for controlling an image input job for transferring an image from one of the image input means to the storage part 5, controlling an image output job for transferring an image from the storage part 5 to one of the image output means and controlling image input/output by combining the image input job and the image output job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming apparatus operation control method, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus having an interrupt function for PDL printing, an image forming apparatus operation control method, an image forming program, and a computer storing an image forming program It is related with the recording medium which can be read by this.

  In general, an image forming apparatus that is widely spread is provided with an interrupt copy or interrupt print function that temporarily stops a job that is currently being formed and interrupts image formation of a job that has been input later. For example, an interrupt copy function has been proposed for a copying machine that forms image data on a recording paper optically read from a reader unit. Also, an interrupt print function has been proposed for a PDL (Page Description Language) printer that receives and develops image data from an external host and forms it on recording paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Thus, these functions such as interrupt copying and interrupt printing have become common technologies in recent years.

  On the other hand, there is a multifunction machine in which a copier function, a PDL print function, a facsimile print function, etc. share a printer engine, and a copier function, a facsimile reading function, a scanner function, etc. share a reader part (for example, patents). Reference 2). These multifunction devices are provided with a function for storing image data on a manuscript read from a reader unit and image data received from an external host in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). Can be released quickly without being occupied by one job, and can respond to requests from other jobs. Further, the operation rate of the printer engine can be increased by sequentially forming the image data stored on the recording paper by the printer engine.

  Further, in the multi-function peripheral, a proposal has also been made such that when a copy job interrupts a PDL print job during printing, the copy job can be quickly interrupted and the copy job can be printed out (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

However, when a PDL print job interrupts during printout of a copy job, there are the following problems.
JP 2001-337810 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-4314

  In general, PDL printing receives PDL (Page Description Languages) data expressed in a description language from an external host, analyzes the PDL data to form intermediate data, and converts the intermediate data into RIP (Raster Image Processor). The image data is expanded to form bitmap format image data, and the bitmap format image data is formed on a recording sheet by a printer engine.

  The time required for the analysis and RIP development varies depending on the contents of the PDL data, and a lot of time may be spent on the RIP development. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the RIP processing interval in the RIP unit 8 is 1601, the processing interval 1602 in the downstream printer unit 2 is never shorter than 1601. For example, if the printer engine has the ability to print on 60 sheets per minute, but RIP development can only process 30 sheets per minute, the printer engine will print on 30 sheets per minute, and intermittent printing appear.

  On the other hand, in the case of copy printing, if the processing speed of the reader unit 1 is constant without changing depending on the image data if the document size is the same, if the processing capability of the reader unit 1 is equivalent to the capability of the printer engine, At the processing interval 1501 in the reader unit, the printer engine can also perform processing at the interval 1502, and the capability of the printer engine can be extracted.

  However, if a PDL print job interrupts during printout of a copy job, the output of the printer unit 2 can be maximized by continuing to output the copy job as shown in FIG. 15 (interval 1701). When a heavy data PDL print job is interrupted (interval 1702), the printer unit 2 performs intermittent printing (interval 1703), and the performance cannot be maximized.

  In particular, a copy job often has a user in front of an image forming apparatus, whereas PDL printing has a difference in that a job is submitted from a host machine over a network. An interrupt of PDL printing that does not know who entered before occurs, and intermittent printing occurs at the end of the phrase, so the user who is executing the interrupted copy job does not know when the job he has executed will end Problems arise.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention starts the printout of the job immediately after the interrupt PDL job is input, when there is no other printout job.

  If there is another job being printed out after the interrupt PDL job is input, the PDL rendering (RIP) is advanced and the generated bitmap is continuously stored in the HDD.

When the rendering of all pages of the interrupt PDL job is completed, other jobs that are being printed out are interrupted, and the printout of the interrupt PDL job is started.
If another job being printed out is completed before rendering of all pages of the interrupt PDL job is completed, the printout of the interrupt PDL job is started even if the rendering is not completed.

  By providing such an image forming apparatus, or a control method thereof, and a recording medium provided with the control method, an interrupt PDL job can be interrupted quickly when there is no other job to be printed. When the print job of the PDL job is started and the image input job (RIP job) of the interrupt PDL job is finished, the other print job is interrupted and the print job of the PDL interrupt session is started. Even if the operation of the image input job in the PDL interrupt session is slow (even if heavy PDL data is processed), the printer section can be fully utilized and the waiting time for the interrupted session to be printed Can also be minimized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image input / output device according to the first embodiment. The image input / output device is roughly composed of a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3. The image input / output control unit 3 further includes a facsimile unit 4, a storage unit 5, a hard disk 6, a computer interface unit 7, a RIP unit 8, an operation unit 9, and a core unit 10. A reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, a personal computer / workstation (PC / WS) 11, and a telephone line are connected to each other.

  The configuration of each unit will be described in detail along with the operation. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The facsimile unit 4 of the image input / output control unit 3 expands the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the expanded image data to the core unit 10, and also transfers the image data transferred from the core unit 10. The compressed image data is compressed and transmitted to the outside through a telephone line.

  The storage unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and stores it in the hard disk 6 together with an ID number for retrieving the image data. Further, the storage unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the hard disk 6 based on the code data transferred via the core unit 10, reads and decompresses the searched compressed image data, and decompresses the image data Is transferred to the core unit 10. The hard disk 6 is connected to the storage unit 5 and can temporarily store image data to be transmitted and received. The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between the personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and the core unit 10 and can be connected to the PC / WS 11 through a network even if it is connected through a one-to-one local interface. May be.

  The RIP unit 8 develops code data (PDL) representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The operation unit 9 includes, for example, a touch panel display and hard keys, and performs operation instructions and operation settings for the image input / output device through a user interface. The core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the storage unit 5, the computer interface unit 7, the RIP unit 8, and the operation unit 9. The core unit 10 will be described later. The PC / WS 11 is connected to the image input / output device via the computer interface unit 7 of the image input / output control unit 3, and transmits / receives data to / from the image input / output device.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of each mechanism unit of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 of the image input / output device according to the first embodiment.

  The document feeding unit 101 of the reader unit feeds the documents one by one on the platen glass 102 in order from the top, and discharges the documents on the platen glass 102 to the discharge tray 103 after the document reading operation is completed. When the document is transported onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 104 is turned on, and the movement of the optical unit 105 is started to expose and scan the document. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 110 by mirrors 106, 107, 108 and a lens 109. Thus, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD 110. Image data output from the CCD 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The configuration of each part of the printer unit 2 will be described in detail along with the operation. The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and outputs image data output from the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3. In response, the laser light emitting unit 201 emits the corresponding laser light. The photosensitive drum 202 is irradiated with the laser beam, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the portion of the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203.

  The printer unit includes a cassette 204, a cassette 205, a cassette 206, a cassette 207 each having a shape on the drawer as a paper storage unit, and a manual paper feed stage 208 on a tray exposed outside the apparatus. Conventionally, paper is replenished by pulling out the cassette, replenishing paper in the cassette, and closing the cassette except for the manual paper feed stage 208.

  The recording paper is fed from any of the cassette 204, cassette 205, cassette 206, cassette 207, and manual paper feed stage 208 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, and is transferred to the transfer unit 209 through the conveyance path 210. The developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to a recording sheet. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 212 by the conveyance belt 211, and the developer is fixed to the image paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 212. Thereafter, the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 212 passes through the conveyance path 213 and the conveyance path 214 and is discharged. Alternatively, when the print surface is reversed and discharged, the paper is guided to the transport path 215 and the transport path 216, and the recording paper is transported in the reverse direction, and passes through the transport path 217 and the transport path 214.

  If double-sided recording is set, after passing through the fixing unit 212, the recording paper is guided from the conveyance path 215 to the conveyance path 219 by the flapper 218, and then the recording paper is conveyed in the reverse direction. Thus, the sheet is guided to the conveyance path 216 and the refeed conveyance path 219. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 219 passes through the conveyance path 210 and is fed to the transfer unit 209 at the timing described above. The recording paper discharged from the transport path 214 is transported to the discharge bin 220 and stacked.

  3 shows a detailed configuration of the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 of the image input / output apparatus according to the first embodiment, the core unit 10 and the reader unit 1, the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, the storage unit 5, 2 is a block diagram showing a connection configuration with a computer interface unit 7, a RIP unit 8, and an operation unit 9. FIG. The core unit 10 includes an interface (I / F) 120, a data processing unit 121, an interface (I / F) 122, a CPU 123, and a memory 124.

  The configuration of each unit will be described in detail along with the operation. The image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 122. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing, and the image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is transferred to the storage unit 5 via the interface 120. Is done. Further, code data (PDL) representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 120, and then transferred to the RIP unit 8 and developed into image data. The image data is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the storage unit 5.

  Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the storage unit 5. The image data from the storage unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7. The CPU 123 performs the above control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the operation unit 9. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123.

  Next, the operation unit 9 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 600 denotes an LCD touch panel, and main mode setting and status display are performed here. Reference numeral 601 denotes a numeric keypad for inputting a numerical value from 0 to 9. Reference numeral 602 denotes an ID key which is used when a department number and a reef mode are input when the apparatus is under department management.

  603 is a reset key for resetting a set mode, 604 is a guide key for displaying an explanation screen for each mode, 605 is a user mode key for entering a user mode screen, and 606 is for performing interrupt copying. It is an interrupt key.

  Reference numeral 607 denotes a start key for starting a copy operation, and reference numeral 608 denotes a stop key for stopping a copy job being executed.

  Reference numeral 609 denotes a soft power supply SW, and when pressed, the backlight of the LCD 600 is turned off and the apparatus falls into a low power state. Reference numeral 610 denotes a power saving key, which is pressed to enter a power saving state and is pressed again to return from the power saving state.

  Reference numeral 614 denotes an adjustment key for adjusting the contrast of the LCD touch panel.

  Reference numeral 615 denotes a counter confirmation key. When this key is pressed, a count screen for displaying the total number of copies specified so far is displayed on the LCD.

  616 is an LED indicating that the job is being executed and the image is being stored in the image memory, 617 is an error LED indicating that the device is in an error state such as a jam or a door open, and 618 is that the main switch of the device is ON. The power LED indicates

  As described above, in the image input / output device according to the present embodiment, the original image is read, the image is printed, and the image is read through the storage unit 5 with the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 as the center. It is possible to perform processing that combines functions such as transmission / reception, image storage, and data input / output from the PC / WS 11.

  FIG. 5 logically shows a unit of job control in the image input / output apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, the facsimile unit 4 (reception and transmission) and the computer interface unit 7 are divided into two blocks. The unit of job control is input and output processing for a group of image data including a plurality of pages. Jobs controlled in this way are roughly divided into image input jobs and image output jobs.

  The image input job includes an image input job 411 that sequentially records image data read by the reader unit 1 to the storage unit 5, an image input job 412 that sequentially records image data developed by the RIP unit 8 to the storage unit 5, and a facsimile unit. 4 is classified into an image input job 413 for sequentially recording the image data received in the storage unit 5 and an image input job 414 for sequentially recording the image data input from the computer interface unit 7 to the storage unit 5.

  The image output job includes an image output job 401 that sequentially outputs image data read from the storage unit 5 to the printer unit 2, an image output job 403 that sequentially outputs image data read from the storage unit 5 to the facsimile unit 4, and storage The image data read from the unit 5 is classified into an image output job 404 that sequentially outputs to the computer interface unit 7.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a unit (hereinafter referred to as a session) in which a plurality of jobs are combined in the image input / output apparatus according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 501 denotes a PDL print session, which controls the image input job 412 and the image output job 401 in combination as a session. Reference numeral 502 denotes a copy session, which controls the image input job 411 and the image output job 401 in combination as a session.

  Reference numeral 503 denotes a facsimile transmission session which controls the image input job 411 and the image output job 403 in combination as a session. Reference numeral 504 denotes a facsimile reception session which controls the image input job 413 and the image output job 401 in combination as a session. A scan session 505 controls the image input job 411 and the image output job 404 in combination as a session.

  The session is a unit including one or more jobs. For example, the image input job 412 is treated as one session, the image output job 401 is treated as a session, the image input job 412, the image output job 401, and the image The output job 403 may be combined and handled as one session.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration of a session type table, a session table, a job type table, a job table, and a page table in the core unit 10 in the image input / output device according to the present embodiment.

  The session type table 700 includes a session type field 701 and a registered session pointer field 702. The registered session pointer field 702 stores a pointer 772 to the session table 710 belonging to the session type table 700.

  The session table 710 includes a session type pointer field 711, a session ID field 712, a session status field 713, an interrupt flag field 714, a linked job number field 715, a first job pointer field 716, and a second job pointer field 717. ing. The session type pointer field 711 stores a pointer 772 to the session type table 700 to which the session table 710 belongs. The first job pointer field 716 stores a pointer 777 to the job table 730 belonging to the session table 710. The second job pointer field 717 stores a pointer 778 to the job table 760 belonging to the session table 710.

  The job type table 720 includes a job type 721 and a registered job pointer 722. The registered job pointer field 722 stores a pointer 774 to the job table 730 belonging to the job type table 720.

  The job table 730 includes a job type pointer field 731, a job ID field 732, a job status field 733, a page number field 734, a page pointer 735, a registered next job pointer 736, and a job parameter field 737. The job type pointer field 731 stores a pointer 773 to the job type table 720 to which the job table 730 belongs. The page pointer field 735 stores a pointer 779 to the page table 740 belonging to the job table 730.

  The page field 740 includes a page 1 field 741, a page 2 field 742,... A page m field 74m.

  The job type table 750 includes a job type 751 and a registered job pointer 752. The registered job pointer field 752 stores a pointer 776 to the job table 760 belonging to the job type table 750.

  The job table 760 includes a job type pointer field 761, a job ID field 762, a job status field 763, a page number field 764, a page pointer 765, a registered next job pointer 766, and a job parameter field 767. The job type pointer field 761 stores a pointer 775 to the job type table 750 to which the job table 760 belongs. The page pointer field 765 stores a pointer 780 to the page table 740 belonging to the job table 760.

  FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a session type table, a session table, a job type table, a job table, and a page table in the core unit 10 in the image input / output apparatus according to the present embodiment. The data structure when three jobs are submitted in the order of copy job and PDL print job is shown.

  The session table 800 representing the first copy session includes a session type table pointer field 801 (related line 973) indicating a session type table 820 representing a copy session, and a session ID field 802 (here, a unique session ID). 0001 is stored), a session status field 803 (execution state here) indicating the execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) of the session, whether the session is an interrupt session An interrupt flag field 804 (in this case, OFF), a linked job number field 805 (in this case, 2 is stored) indicating how many jobs are linked, a first job, that is, an image input A job table pointer field 806 (related line 995) indicating the job table 850, a job table pointer field 807 (related line 996) indicating the second job, that is, the job table 930 for image output, and a session table 810 belonging to the same session type. It consists of a session type pointer field 808 (related line 972).

  A session table 810 representing the second copy session includes a session type table pointer field 811 (related line 974) indicating a session type table 820 representing a copy session, and a session ID field 812 (here, a unique session ID). 0002 is stored), a session status field 813 (execution state here) indicating the execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) of the session, whether the session is an interrupt session An interrupt flag field 814 (in this case, OFF), a linked job number field 815 (here, 2 is stored) indicating how many jobs are linked, a first job, that is, an image input The job table pointer field 816 indicating the job table 860 (related line 997), the second job, that is, the job table pointer field 817 indicating the job table 940 for image output (related line 998), and the session table belonging to the same session type does not exist. Therefore, it consists of a session type pointer field 818 in which 0x0000 is stored.

  The session type table 820 referenced from the first copy session and the second copy session includes a session type field 821 indicating a session type (here, a value indicating a copy session is stored), a session type table. 820 includes a session table pointer 822 (related line 971) representing the first session table 800 belonging to 820.

  The session type table 830 referred to from the PDL session which is an interrupt session is a session type field 831 indicating a session type (here, a value indicating a PDL session is stored), and the first session table belonging to the session type table 830 It consists of a session table pointer 832 (related line 975) representing 840.

  A session table 840 representing a PDL session that is an interrupt session includes a session type table pointer field 841 (related line 976) indicating a session type table 830 representing a PDL session, and a session ID field 842 (here, a unique session ID). 0003), a session status field 843 (execution state in this case) indicating the execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) of the session, whether the session is an interrupt session An interrupt flag field 844 (ON in this case), a linked job number field 845 (in this case, 2 is stored) indicating how many jobs are linked, a first job, A job table pointer field 846 (related line 999) indicating a job table 890 for image input, a second job, that is, a job table pointer field 847 (related line 1000) indicating a job table 960 for image output, and sessions belonging to the same session type Since there is no table, it is composed of a session type pointer field 848 in which 0x0000 is stored.

  The first job of the first copy session, that is, the image input job table 850 includes a job type table pointer field 851 (related line 979) indicating a job type table 870 indicating a scan job, and a unique job. A job ID field 852 (1001 is stored here) for storing the ID, and a job status field 853 (here, the job execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.)) The scan table has already ended (indicating that the scan job has ended), a page number field 854 (here, L pages) indicating how many pages the job table 850 has stored, and a page table 900 belonging to the job table 850 Page to store the pointer of Table pointer field 855 (related line 983), registered next job pointer field 856 (related line 978) for storing the pointer of the next job table 860 belonging to the same job type (here, scan job), number of copies, paper size, enlarged The job parameter field 857 stores parameters such as reduction ratio, duplex / single-sided, sort output, and stapling.

  The first job of the second copy session, that is, the image input job table 860 includes a job type table pointer field 861 (related line 980) indicating a job type table 870 indicating a scan job, and a unique job. A job ID field 862 (in this case, 1002 is stored) for storing an ID, and a job status field 864 (in this case) indicating a job execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) A page number field 864 (in this case, M pages) indicating how many pages the job table 860 has stored, and a page table belonging to the job table 860 Page page that stores 910 pointers Bull pointer field 865 (related line 984), because there is no next job table belonging to the same job type (scan job in this case), registered next job pointer field 866 storing 0x0000, number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio The job parameter field 867 stores parameters such as double side / single side, sort output, and staple.

  The job type table 870 referred to by the first copy session, the image input job of the second copy session, that is, the scan job tables 850 and 860, has a job type field 871 (in this case, a scan job). And a job table pointer 872 (related line 977) representing the first job table 850 belonging to the scan job type table 870.

  An image input job of a PDL session, that is, a job type table 880 referred to from the RIP job table 890, includes a job type field 881 indicating a job type (here, a value indicating a RIP job is stored), an RIP job type table The job table pointer 882 (relevant line 981) representing the head job table 890 belonging to 880 is configured.

  The first job of the PDL print session, that is, the image input job table 890 stores a job type table pointer field 891 (related line 982) indicating a job type table 880 indicating a RIP job, and a unique job ID. A job ID field 892 (here, 8002 is stored), and a job status field 894 (here, the RIP job is displayed) indicating a job execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) A page number field 894 indicating the number of pages stored in the job table 890 (here, N pages), and a pointer to the page table 920 belonging to the job table 890. Page table to store Pointer field 895 (related line 985), registered job pointer field 896 in which 0x0000 is stored because there is no next job table belonging to the same job type (here, RIP job), number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, The job parameter field 897 stores parameters such as double-sided / single-sided, sort output, and stapling.

  The page table 900 referred to by the first job table 850 and the second job table 930 of the first copy session table 800 includes a page 1 field 901, a page 2 field 902,... A page L field 90L. Has been.

  The page table 910 referred to by the first job table 860 and the second job table 940 of the second copy session table 810 includes a page 1 field 911, a page 2 field 912,... A page M field 91M. Has been.

  The page table 920 referred to from the first job table 890 and the second job table 960 of the PDL session table 840 includes a page 1 field 921, a page 2 field 922,... A page N field 92N. .

  The second job of the first copy session, that is, the image output job table 930 includes a job type table pointer field 931 (relation line 989) indicating a job type table 950 indicating a print job, a unique job A job ID field 932 (in this case 2001 is stored) for storing an ID, and a job status field 933 (in this case) indicating a job execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) Print is in an execution state indicating that the job is being executed), a page number field 934 indicating the number of pages output by the job table 930 (here, L pages), and a pointer of the page table 900 belonging to the job table 930 is stored. Page table pointer field Field 935 (related line 992), a registered next job pointer field 936 (related line 987) for storing a pointer of the next job table 940 belonging to the same job type (here, a print job), the number of copies, a paper size, an enlargement / reduction ratio, The job parameter field 937 stores parameters such as double-sided / single-sided, sort output, and stapling.

  The second job of the second copy session, that is, the image output job table 940 includes a job type table pointer field 941 (related line 990) indicating a job type table 950 indicating a print job, and a unique job. A job ID field 942 (in this case, 2002 is stored) for storing an ID, and a job status field 943 (in this case) indicating a job execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) Print is in an executable state indicating that execution is possible), a page number field 944 (here, M pages) indicating the number of pages output by the job table 940, and a pointer of the page table 910 belonging to the job table 940 Page table point to store Field 945 (related line 993), registered next job pointer field 946 (related line 988) for storing a pointer of the next job table 960 belonging to the same job type (here, print job), number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, The job parameter field 947 stores parameters such as double-sided / single-sided, sort output, and stapling.

  The image output job of the first copy session, the second copy session, and the PDL session, that is, the job type table 950 referred to from the print job tables 930, 940, and 960 is a job type field 951 (indicating the job type). Here, a value representing a print job is stored), and a job table pointer 952 (related line 986) representing the head job table 930 belonging to the print job type table 950 is formed.

  The second job of the PDL session, that is, the image output job table 960 stores a job type table pointer field 961 (related line 991) indicating a job type table 950 indicating a print job, and a unique job ID. A job ID field 952 (2003 is stored here), a job status field 953 (print is executable here) indicating the execution state of the job (executable state, execution state, interrupted state, end state, error state, etc.) A page number field 954 indicating the number of pages output from the job table 950 (here, N pages), and a page table for storing a pointer of the page table 920 belonging to the job table 950 Pointer fee 955 (related line 994), and there is no next job table belonging to the same job type (in this case, a print job), the registered next job pointer field 956 storing the value 0x0000, the number of copies, the paper size, and the enlargement / reduction ratio The job parameter field 957 stores parameters such as double side / single side, sort output, and stapling.

  Next, an example of the sequential processing mode of session control and job control of the image input / output device will be described. 9 to 11 show a PDL print session 501, an image input job 412 for sequentially recording image data developed by the RIP unit 8 constituting the PDL print session 501, and a data processing unit of the storage unit 5 or the core unit 10. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of an image output job 401 that sequentially prints out image data recorded in 121 to the printer unit 2. Note that the session, the image input job, and the image output job each perform a multitask operation.

  First, in step S801, the user performs print settings on the PC / WS11. Here, as an example of the operation in the sequential processing mode, it is assumed that the following print settings are made.

Number of copies: 10 copies (P11)
Single-sided printing: ... (P12)
Document size: A4 (P13)
Paper size: A4 (P14)
Enlargement / reduction ratio: 100% (P15)
Layout: None (P16)
Page output order: ascending order (P17)
Sort mode: Yes (P18)
Staple stop: Yes ... (P19)
After the above print settings, the user gives a print instruction on the PC / WS 11, and at the same time, the driver software installed on the PC / WS 11 converts the document data to be printed into so-called PDL and sets the print settings. Along with the parameters, the PDL data is transferred to the computer interface unit 7 of the image input / output device via a computer interface connected to the PC / WS 11.

  PDL data representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 of the core unit 10 and then transferred to the RIP unit 8. The RIP unit 8 sequentially develops (rasterizes) the transferred PDL data into image data. When the RIP unit 8 starts receiving PDL data, a processing request is issued from the RIP unit 8 to the core unit 10. In the core unit 10, the CPU 123 receives the issued processing request. Here, the print settings (P11) to (P19) set by the user are also transferred to the CPU 123.

  In step S802, a session is internally generated from the processing request issued from the RIP unit 8 and managed.

  In the session generation, the session table 710 shown in FIG. 7 and the session table 840 shown in FIG. 8 are generated on the memory 124 of the core unit 10, and various information is held until the session ends. The session type pointer field (711, 841) is a session type table (700, 820, 830) that identifies the type of session generated (PDL print session, copy session, facsimile transmission session, facsimile reception session, scan session, etc.). Since this is a PDL print session in this embodiment, a pointer to the session type table 830 indicating the PDL print session is stored in FIG. The session ID field (712, 842) generates and holds a unique session ID in the image input / output device.

  The session status field (713, 843) holds the execution state (executable state, execution state, interruption state, end state, error state, etc.) of the session according to the execution state. The interrupt flag field (714, 844) represents a flag indicating whether or not the session is an interrupt session. The link job number field (715, 845) holds the number of image input jobs and image output jobs constituting the session, and in this embodiment, the image input job (730 in FIG. 7, 730, FIG. 8). 890) and an image output job (780 in FIG. 7, 890 in FIG. 8) are set. The first job pointer field (716 in FIG. 7 and 846 in FIG. 8) is a pointer to the job management table (730 in FIG. 7, 890 in FIG. 8) of the image input job 412. The second job pointer field (717 in FIG. 7, 847 in FIG. 8) is a pointer to the job management table (780 in FIG. 7, 960 in FIG. 8) of the image output job 401. The registered next session pointer (718 in FIG. 7 and 848 in FIG. 8) stores a pointer to the session table when another session belonging to the same session type exists.

  In step S803, a job table (730, 890) of the image input job 412 is created on the memory 124 of the core unit 10, and various information is held until the job is completed.

  The job type pointer field (731 in FIG. 7 and 891 in FIG. 8) is a pointer indicating a job type table (720 in FIG. 7, 870 and 880 in FIG. 8) for specifying the type of the generated job. In FIG. 8, since it is a RIP job, in FIG. 8, a pointer to the job type table 880 indicating the RIP job is stored.

  The job ID field (732 in FIG. 7 and 892 in FIG. 8) is for generating and holding a unique job ID in the image input / output apparatus.

  The job status field (733 in FIG. 7 and 893 in FIG. 8) holds the execution state (executable state, execution state, suspension state, end state, error state, etc.) of the job according to the execution state. . The page number field (734 in FIG. 7 and 894 in FIG. 8) holds the page number of the job. The page pointer field (735 in FIG. 7, 895 in FIG. 8) is a pointer to a page table (740 in FIG. 7, 920 in FIG. 8) describing detailed information of each page managed by the job. The registered next job pointer (736 in FIG. 7 and 896 in FIG. 8) stores a pointer to the job table when there is another job belonging to the same job type. The job parameter field (737 in FIG. 7 and 897 in FIG. 8) holds various setting parameters of the job. In the present embodiment, the print settings (P11) to (P19) set in step S801 above. ) Settings are retained.

  In step S804, a job table (760 in FIG. 7, 960 in FIG. 8) of the image output job 401 is created on the memory 124 of the core unit 10, and various information is held until the job is completed. The job parameter field 737 holds various setting parameters of the job. In this embodiment, the setting contents of the print settings (P11) to (P19) set in step S801 are held. The session control task starts the image output job control task after creating a job table for image output jobs (760 in FIG. 7 and 960 in FIG. 8).

  In step S805, processing of the generated image input job 412 is started. In other words, the session control task instructs the image input job control task to start a job. In step S806, processing of the generated image output job 401 is started. In other words, the session control task instructs the image output job control task to start a job.

  In step S807, a job end notification is received from the image input job management task, and an image input job end process is performed. That is, the job status in the job management table of the image input job is set to the end state.

  In step S808, a job end notification is received from the image output job management task, and an image output job end process is performed. That is, the job status in the job management table for the image output job is set to the end state.

  In step S809, session termination processing is performed. That is, the job management table of the image input job and the image output job, the page management table, the image data for each page are discarded to release the resources, the session management table is also discarded, the resources are released, and a series of processing is performed. finish.

  In step S811, the image input job control task receives a job start instruction from the session control task, and starts the job.

  In step S812, one page of image data expanded by the RIP unit 8 is received. That is, image transfer from the RIP unit 8 to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 120 of the core unit 10 is performed.

  In step S813, the image data transferred to the data processing unit 121 is temporarily stored in the page memory.

  In step S814, a page output request is transmitted to the image output job management task. When the image output job management task finishes reading the page from the page memory, the process advances to step S815.

  In step S815, the image data temporarily stored in the page memory is stored in the hard disk 6 of the storage unit 5.

  In step S816, it is determined whether all pages to be processed developed in the RIP unit 8 are stored in the hard disk 6 as image data. As a result of the determination here, if there is a page that has not been processed, the process returns to step S812. If all pages have been processed, the process proceeds to step S817.

  In step S817, an image input job completion notification is transmitted to the session control task, and the image input job control task is terminated.

  In step S821, the image output job control task receives a job start instruction from the session control task, and starts the job.

  In step S822, it is determined whether an output request for image data temporarily stored in the page memory has been received from the image input job control task corresponding to the page to be output. If already received, the process proceeds to step S825, and if not yet received, the process proceeds to step S823.

  In step S823, an output request for image data temporarily stored in the page memory is received from the image input job control task.

  In step S824, reading of image data from the page memory is started.

  In step S825, the image data for each page recorded in the hard disk 6 of the storage unit 5 in step S815 is sequentially read out and transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 120 of the core unit 10. The data processing unit 121 holds the transferred image data for one page on the page memory.

  In step S826, the image data of the read page is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the interface 122 of the core unit 10, and the printer unit 2 forms an image as described above and prints it out.

  In step S827, it is determined whether the page output request from the image input job control task is the last page. As a result of the determination here, if there is a page that has not been processed, the process returns to step S822. If all pages have been processed, the process proceeds to step S828. With the processing so far, one of the ten copies set in (P11) is completed.

  In step S828, it is determined whether or not all the print copies set in step S801 have been printed out. If the number of unprocessed copies remains as a result of the determination here, the process returns to step S822. If all the copies have been processed, the process proceeds to step S829.

  In step S829, an image output job completion notification is transmitted to the session control task, and the image output job control task is terminated.

  As described above, the mode has been described in which image information is transferred as PDL data from the PC / WS 11 according to the print settings created on the PC / WS 11, and the PDL data is developed into image data and printed out by the image input / output device. The same applies to the case where image information read by the reader unit 1 is printed out.

  In the above example, the form related to the PDL print session has been described. However, as shown in the extended example of the session in FIG. 6 above, an arbitrary session is configured by combining an arbitrary image input job and an arbitrary image output job. However, it can be similarly applied.

  Next, a method for session control and job control for PDL interrupt printing in the image input / output apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 shows a PDL interrupt print session 501, an image input job 412 that sequentially records image data developed by the RIP unit 8 constituting the PDL interrupt print session 501, and a data processing unit 121 of the storage unit 5 or the core unit 10. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of an image output job 401 for sequentially printing out recorded image data to the printer unit 2. Note that the session, the image input job, and the image output job each perform a multitask operation. FIG. 13 shows a graphic user interface (GUI) used when the user performs print settings on the PC / WS 11.

  First, in step S901, the user performs print settings on the PC / WS 11. The print setting contents include the number of copies, the document size, the paper size, the enlargement / reduction ratio, single-sided / double-sided, layout, page output order, sort mode, presence or absence of stapling. Further, by selecting 1301 in FIG. 13 which is a GUI on the PC / WS 11, the user sets that the session to be input is a PDL interrupt print session. Further, after the print setting, the user gives a print instruction on the PC / WS 11, and at the same time, the driver software installed on the PC / WS 11 converts the document data to be printed into a so-called PDL and sets the print setting. Along with the parameters, the PDL data is transferred to the computer interface unit 7 of the image input / output device via a computer interface connected to the PC / WS 11.

  PDL data representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 of the core unit 10 and then transferred to the RIP unit 8. The RIP unit 8 sequentially develops (rasterizes) the transferred PDL data into image data. When the RIP unit 8 starts receiving PDL data, a processing request is issued from the RIP unit 8 to the core unit 10. In the core unit 10, the CPU 123 receives the issued processing request. Here, the print settings set by the user and the interrupt print settings are also transferred to the CPU 123.

  In step S902, a session is internally generated from the processing request issued from the RIP unit 8 and managed. In the session generation, the session table 710 shown in FIG. 7 or the session table 840 shown in FIG. 8 is generated on the memory 124 of the core unit 10, and various information is held until the session ends. The interrupt fly field (714 in FIG. 7 and 844 in FIG. 8) corresponds to 1301 in FIG. 13, and since this session is an interrupt print session, it is set to ON. Since the session management has been described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S903, a job table (730, 890) of the image input job 412 is created on the memory 124 of the core unit 10 and managed. Since job management has been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S904, a job table (760, 960) of the image output job 401 is created on the memory 124 of the core unit 10 and managed. Since job management has been described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S905, processing of the generated image input job 412 is started. In other words, the session control task instructs the image input job control task to start a job.

  In step S906, it is confirmed whether or not the session generated in step S902 is an interrupt session. If the interrupt flag field (714 in FIG. 7, 844 in FIG. 8) is ON in the session generated in step S902, the process proceeds to step S907, and if it is OFF, the process proceeds to step S911.

  In step S907, it is determined whether the session generated in step S902 is a PDL print session or a FAX print session. Among the sessions generated in step S902, the session type table (700 in FIG. 7 and 830 in FIG. 8) pointed to by the session type pointer (711 in FIG. 7 and 841 in FIG. 8) has a session type of PDL print session or FAX print session. If yes, go to Step S908, otherwise go to Step S912.

  In step S908, in addition to the job table (760, 960) of the image output job 401 generated in step 904, whether there is a job table for another print job, and if it exists, the job is being executed. It is determined whether or not. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the job table 960 generated in step S904, there are two image output jobs belonging to the print job, job tables 930 and 940. Further, the job status field 933 of the job table 930 is being executed. As described above, when another print job exists and the job is being executed, the process proceeds to step S909, and when it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S914.

  In step S909, it is determined whether or not the job table (730, 890) of the image input job 412 generated in step S903 has ended. That is, if the job status field (933, 893) of the job table generated in step S903 is in the end state, the process proceeds to step S913, and if not, the process proceeds to step S910.

  In step S910, a job end notification is received from the image input job management task, and an image input job end process is performed. That is, the job status in the job management table of the image input job is set to the end state. Here, for the sake of convenience, the image input job end process is performed in this part. However, because of multitask control, the job end notification is received from the image input job management task from the image input job start step S905 to the image output job end process. Note that any step up to step S915 may be executed. Then, the process proceeds to step S908.

  In step S911, in the same manner as in step 908, in addition to the job table (760, 960) of the image output job 401 generated in step 904, whether or not there is a job table for another print job, and if it exists. Determines whether the job is running. If another print job exists and the job is being executed, the process proceeds to step S911, and if not, the process proceeds to step S914.

  In step S912, in addition to the job tables (760, 960) of the image output job 401 generated in step 904 as in steps S908 and S911, whether or not there is a job table for other print jobs exists. If so, it is determined whether or not the job is being executed. If another print job exists and the job is being executed, the process proceeds to step S913, and if not, the process proceeds to step S914.

  In step S913, the currently executed image output job (print job) other than the job table (760, 960) of the image output job 401 generated in step 904 is suspended. That is, in FIG. 8, 930 which is currently being printed becomes the print job, the job is temporarily stopped, and the job status field 933 is changed to an executable state.

  In step S914, processing of the generated image output job 401 is started. In other words, the session control task instructs the image output job control task to start a job.

  In step S915, a job end notification is received from the image output job management task, and an image output job end process is performed. That is, the job status in the job management table for the image output job is set to the end state.

  In step S916, session termination processing is performed. That is, the job management table of the image input job and the image output job, the page management table, the image data for each page are discarded to release the resources, the session management table is also discarded, the resources are released, and a series of processing is performed. finish.

  As Example 1 of the flow shown in FIG. 12, when a session that is not an interrupt session is input in a state where no other print job exists, the process proceeds from step S901 to step S905. In step S906, the session is not an interrupt job. Proceeding to step S911, since there is no print job being executed in step S911, the process proceeds to step S914 to start the image output job, and the process proceeds to step S916 to end the session.

  As an example 2 of the flow shown in FIG. 12, when a copy interruption session is input in a state where another print job exists, the process proceeds from step S901 to step S905. In step S906, since the session is an interruption job, In step S907, since the copy session is not a PDL print or FAX reception session in step S907, the process advances to step S912. In step S912, there is another print job being executed. In step S913, the process advances to step S913. After interrupting the job, the process advances to step S914 to start the image output job. Then, the process proceeds to step S916 to end the session.

  Up to this point, the operation is similar to that of a conventional interrupt session.

  As an example 3 of the flow shown in FIG. 12, when a PDL interrupt session is input in a state where another print job exists, the process proceeds from step S901 to step S905. In step S906, since the session is an interrupt job, The process advances to step S907. Since the PDL print session is a PDL print or FAX reception session in step S907, the process advances to step S908. Since there is another print job being executed, the process advances to step S909. Here, in step S909, it is confirmed whether the image input job (RIP job, FAX reception job) of the interrupt session has been completed. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, in the case of an interrupt session for PDL printing or a FAX reception job, PDL printing is performed without interrupting other print jobs being executed (the image read in 1801 is continuously output in 1804). The image input job of the interruption session of the FAX reception job is continued (1802), and continues to be stored in the hard disk 6 via the storage unit 5 (1803). Thereafter, the process returns to step S908 via step S910. As described above, because step S910 is a multitask control, reception of a job end notification from the image input job management task is executed in any step from step S905 of image input job start to step S915 of image output job end processing. There is a possibility that.

  As an example 4 of the flow illustrated in FIG. 12, a case where another print job being executed from the step S909 in the flow of the example 3 is completed will be described. In step S909, since the image input job (RIP job, FAX reception job) of the interrupt session input in step S901 has not ended, the process returns to step S908 via step S910. In step S908, since another print job being executed has been completed first, the process advances to step S914 to start the image output job of the interrupt session, and then advances to step S916 to end the session. That is, since the other print job 1804 shown in FIG. 16 is completed, as shown in FIG. 17, the image reading job 1901 of the interrupt session is continued, and the image is stored in the hard disk 6 via the storage unit 5. (1902), simultaneously with the accumulation, the print job is started, and output of the image data accumulated as 1903 is started.

  As an example 5 of the flow shown in FIG. 12, the image input job of the PDL print or FAX reception print interruption session input in step S <b> 901 without completing another print job being executed from step S <b> 909 of the flow of example 3. Will be described first. In step S909, since the image input job (RIP job, FAX reception job) of the interrupt session input in step S901 is completed, the process proceeds to step S913. In step S913, the print job being executed is interrupted, and the image output job of the interrupt session is started in step S914. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, when the image input job of the interrupt session is completed, the print job that has been executed so far is interrupted, and the image output job (print job) of the interrupt session is started. The image data 2002 continuously stored in the hard disk 6 via the storage unit 5 can be output as 2004. The interrupted session image input job continues (2001), continues to be stored as image data 2003 in the hard disk 6 via the storage unit 5, and the interrupted session image input job operates so as not to be interrupted. Continue.

  With the above operation, when there is no other print job as shown in FIG. 17, the PDL interrupt session immediately starts the print job of the PDL interrupt session, and as shown in FIG. When the image input job (RIP job) is completed, the other print jobs are interrupted and the print job of the PDL interrupt session is started. Even if the operation of the image input job of the PDL interrupt session is late, Even if heavy PDL data is processed, it is possible to maximize the capability of the printer unit and to minimize the waiting time for printing of the interrupted session.

  In the present invention, a storage medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments (flows shown in FIGS. 9 to 12) is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer ( This can also be achieved by a CPU or MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM or the like is used. be able to.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input / output device of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the structure of each mechanism part of the reader part of the image input / output device of this invention, and a printer part. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the core part of the image input / output device of this invention, and the connection structure of a core part and each part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the operation part of the image input / output device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the input / output of the image input job of the image input / output device of this invention, and an image output job. It is explanatory drawing of each session of the image input / output device of this invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a session management table, a job management table, and a page management table of the image input / output device of the present invention, part 1 thereof. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of a session management table, a job management table, and a page management table of the image input / output device according to the present invention, part 2; It is a flowchart which shows an example of the session control in the image input / output control of the image input / output device of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image input job in image input / output control of the image input / output device of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an image output job post-storage mode in image input / output control of the image input / output device of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing interrupt print control in image input / output control of the image input / output device of the present invention. It is a figure which shows GUI of PC / WS11 used when performing the print setting of the interruption print session of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the processing content of the PDL print session of a prior art. It is explanatory drawing which shows the processing content of the PDL interruption print session of a prior art. It is explanatory drawing 1 which shows the processing content of the PDL interruption print session of this invention. It is explanatory drawing 2 which shows the processing content of the PDL interruption print session of this invention. It is explanatory drawing 3 which shows the processing content of the PDL interruption print session of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Reader part 2 Printer part 3 Image input / output part 4 Facsimile part 5 Storage part 6 Hard disk 7 Computer interface part 8 RIP part 9 Operation part 10 Core part 11 PS / WS

Claims (6)

At least one input means for inputting image data, storage means for storing input image data, at least one output means for outputting stored image data, and a job submitted from the image input / output device or from outside the image input / output device An image input / output device having a receiving means for receiving a control means for allocating a right to use the input means and the output means for each job,
Processing of the input means used by the second interrupt job when the first job using the output means exists and the second interrupt job using the output means is accepted by the accepting means The generated image data is stored in the storage means, and after the processing of the input means is completed, the first job that is using the output means is interrupted, and the output means is assigned to the second interrupt job. An image input / output device characterized by control means for allocating the right to use the image.   At least one input means for inputting image data, storage means for storing input image data, at least one output means for outputting stored image data, and a job submitted from the image input / output device or from outside the image input / output device An image input / output apparatus having a receiving means for receiving the input means, and a control means for allocating the right to use the input means and the output means in units of jobs, wherein there is a first job using the output means, and the output When the second interrupt job using the means is received by the receiving means, the processing of the input means used by the second interrupt job is continued, and the generated image data is stored in the storage means and stored. When the first job that uses the output means ends, the control means for allocating the right to use the output means to the second interrupt job Image input and output apparatus according to claim.   At least one input means for inputting image data, storage means for storing input image data, at least one output means for outputting stored image data, and a job submitted from the image input / output device or from outside the image input / output device An image input / output apparatus having a receiving means for receiving the input means, and a control means for allocating the right to use the input means and the output means in units of jobs, wherein there is a first job using the output means, and the output When the second interrupt job using the means is received by the receiving means, the processing of the input means used by the second interrupt job is continued, the generated image data is stored in the storage means, After the processing of the input means is completed, the first job that is using the output means is interrupted, and the right to use the output means is assigned to the second interrupt job. Image output control method comprising a control unit that.   At least one input means for inputting image data, storage means for storing input image data, at least one output means for outputting stored image data, and a job submitted from the image input / output device or from outside the image input / output device An image input / output apparatus having a receiving means for receiving the input means, and a control means for allocating the right to use the input means and the output means in units of jobs, wherein there is a first job using the output means, and the output When the second interrupt job using the means is received by the receiving means, the processing of the input means used by the second interrupt job is continued, and the generated image data is stored in the storage means and stored. When the first job that uses the output means ends, the control means for allocating the right to use the output means to the second interrupt job Image output control method comprising.   A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing the image input / output control method according to claim 3.   A program for realizing the image input / output control method according to claim 3.

Images