JP2006256168A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which a received command can be applied certainly to a print job. <P>SOLUTION: In a printer 1 performing print processing based on a print job received from a host computer 13, the print job has print data and an identifier corresponding uniquely to the print job. The printer 1 comprises an information management means for storing the identifier and associated operational information in a job operation list and storing a job operation list in a nonvolatile storage section 7 upon receiving a command for designating the processing on the job and including the operational information for specifying the processing on the job and the identifier corresponding uniquely to the print job from the host computer 13, and a means for performing a predetermined processing on the print job by acquiring the operational information associated with the identifier from the job operation list and specifying the predetermined processing from the operational information thus acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that performs a printing process based on a print job received from a host computer, and more particularly, to a printing apparatus that can instruct a process for a print job before completion of printing including in a job spool.

  Conventionally, some printers equipped with a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk have a job spool function. The job spool function is a function for temporarily storing a print job sent from a host computer in a storage device and then turning the print job to a printing process in accordance with the printing progress of the printer.

  Each print job is given a job ID in the printer. The job ID is used not only for the printer device to uniquely identify each print job, but also for the user to give an instruction to delete the print job that has already been sent to the printer. .

  However, when the job spool function is installed, the target job can be actually specified after receiving the job deletion request when processing the print data, which is considerably later in time. A printer for solving such a problem has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The printer described in Patent Document 1 temporarily stores a received command such as a job deletion request in a queue.

JP 2003-208280 A

  However, even if the printer device has already received a command such as a deletion request for a job spooled print job, if the printer device is turned off before the target job is specified, the command for this deletion request is It was erased from the printer. When the power is turned on again, the printer device prints the target job. As described above, when the power is turned off, the command transmitted by the user is not applied to the printing process.

  In addition, a plurality of commands cannot be received for the same print job. Therefore, a plurality of processes such as resuming printing after temporarily suspending printing cannot be performed continuously.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a printing apparatus that can reliably apply a received command to a print job.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is a printing apparatus that performs print processing based on a print job received from a host computer, and the print job includes print data and print data A command having an identifier uniquely corresponding to the print job, and a command for instructing a process for the print job, operation information for specifying a process for the print job, and an identifier uniquely corresponding to the print job; An information management means for storing the operation list in a non-volatile information storage means in association with the identifier and the operation information when the processing command is received from the host computer; and the operation list The operation information associated with the identifier is acquired from the operation information, and a predetermined process is specified from the acquired operation information. And, wherein further comprising a command executing means for performing the predetermined processing on the print job.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the information management unit acquires the operation list stored in the information storage unit when the printing apparatus is powered on. It is characterized by.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the information management means is configured such that the identifier of the newly received command is the same as the identifier already registered in the operation list. In some cases, the operation list corresponding to the identifier registered in the operation list is changed to operation information of the newly received command to update the operation list.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the first or second aspect, the information management means is configured such that the identifier of the newly received command is the same as the identifier already registered in the operation list. In some cases, an identifier and operation information of the newly received command are associated with each other and additionally registered in the operation list, and the operation list is updated.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the operation information for specifying the processing for the target job and the identifier uniquely corresponding to the target job are associated with each other and registered in the operation list, so that the target job is recognized. At this point, the process specified from the operation information is reliably executed for the target job. Therefore, even when the print job is job spooled, the job operation from the host computer can be executed. Further, since this operation list is stored in the nonvolatile information storage means, even when the printing apparatus is turned off, the operation list information is not lost, and the command processing for the print job is surely performed. There is an effect that it can be executed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the printing apparatus is turned on, the operation list stored in the non-volatile information storage means is read, so that the printing apparatus is once turned off. Even when it is turned on again, the command for the print job is not lost, and the processing of the command for the print job is performed reliably.

  According to the invention of claim 3, when a plurality of commands are received for the same job, the command corresponding to the corresponding job in the operation list is updated by overwriting or the like every time a new command is received. Only the latest command is applied to the corresponding print job. Therefore, even if the user has transmitted an incorrect command, the user can achieve execution of a desired command for the print job by transmitting a new command.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of commands are received for the same job, all the commands are registered in the operation list. Therefore, all the commands are applied to the corresponding print job. . Therefore, even if the corresponding print job is already in print processing and a predetermined command has already been executed for the job, the user applies the new command to the job by sending a new command. Can be made.

  Exemplary embodiments of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the printing apparatus described as an example in the present embodiment is a printing apparatus that receives print data from a host computer on a network and prints the received print data, but may be a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus and a system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this system, a host computer 13 such as a personal computer or a workstation and a printing apparatus 1 that prints out a print job received from the host computer 13 are communicably connected via a network 14 (here, a host computer 13). The computer 13 and the printing apparatus 1 correspond to a host computer and a printing apparatus, respectively, in the claims).

  The printing apparatus 1 includes a print engine 3, a controller 2, and an operation panel 4. Among these, the controller 2 receives the print job output from the host computer 13, interprets the received job, and outputs it to the print engine 3. The print engine 3 forms an image on the recording paper according to a predetermined image forming process. Further, the operation panel 4 has a display function for displaying the status of the printing apparatus 1 and various input functions for switching the mode of the printing apparatus 1.

  The controller 2 includes a network I / F 6, an information storage unit 7, a print engine I / F 8, a RAM 9, a ROM 10, an operation panel I / F 11, and a CPU 12 on the system bus 5 (here, The information storage unit 7 corresponds to the information storage means in the claims). Among these, the network I / F 6 is an input / output control unit that is connected to the host computer 13 via the network 14 and transmits / receives information such as a print job and a command for instructing predetermined processing for the print job. is there. The information storage unit 7 is information storage means for storing information such as a print job, and is configured using a non-volatile recording medium such as a hard disk. The print engine I / F 8 is input / output control means for outputting image data to the print engine 3. The RAM 9 is used as a working memory, and the ROM 10 stores a control program executed by the CPU 12, various types of fonts used for printing, and the like. The operation panel I / F 11 transmits and receives signals for switching the state and mode of the printing apparatus 1 to and from the operation panel 4. The CPU 12 is a control unit that controls each part of the controller 2 in accordance with a control program.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the function of the CPU 12. As shown in the figure, the print processing performed by the CPU 12 is performed by the print job management module 15, the interpreter module 16, and various drivers (here, the print job management module includes information management means and command execution means in the claims). Corresponding to). Among these, the print job management module 15 is a control unit that controls the interpreter module 16 and various drivers. The print job management module 15 is an information management unit that manages a print job received from the host computer 13 and a command for the print job. An instruction for storing the received job or command in the information storage unit 7 or the RAM 9 Instructs to retrieve stored jobs and commands. The print job management module 15 is also a command execution unit that executes a command received from the host computer 13.

  The interpreter module 16 is an image interpretation unit that interprets print data and generates image data. The various drivers are specifically an operation panel I / F driver 17, a network I / F driver 18, an information storage unit I / F driver 19, and a print engine I / F driver 20.

  Hereinafter, the printing process by the CPU 12 will be roughly described. The print job management module 15 receives a print job from the host computer 13. Here, the print job includes print data and an identifier for uniquely identifying the job. Then, the print job management module 15 instructs job spooling for the received print job. Specifically, the received print job is temporarily stored in the information storage unit 7. The print jobs stored in the information storage unit 7 are sequentially read according to instructions from the print job management module 15, and the read print jobs are interpreted by the interpreter module 16 to generate image data. Is done. When the interpreter module 16 interprets the print data, the identifier added to the print data is registered in a predetermined list stored in the working memory and managed by the print job management module (this predetermined data) The list is hereinafter referred to as a job management list). That is, the job management list lists print jobs that are currently being printed.

  The image generated by the interpreter module 16 is sent to the print engine 3 where it is printed on recording paper. After the printing is completed, the print job stored in the information storage unit 7 is deleted. Although the printing process by the CPU 12 has been roughly described above, the process performed by the print job management module 15 will be described in detail below.

  First, command management processing performed by the print job management module 15 will be described. The user of the host computer 13 may further send a command for the print job after sending the print job to the printing apparatus 1. This command instructs a predetermined process for the print job, and is, for example, a delete command for deleting the print job.

  This command management process shows a method of registering and managing commands received by the printing apparatus 1 in a list stored in the working memory. The list in which this command is registered is hereinafter referred to as a job operation list (here, the job operation list corresponds to the operation list in the claims). By managing in this way, the received command can be reliably applied to the corresponding print job. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing command management processing by the print job management module 15.

  First, the print job management module 15 monitors whether a command sent from the host computer 13 has been received (step S101). The command received from the host computer 13 includes an identifier for uniquely identifying the target print job and operation information for specifying processing for the target print job. For example, an identifier “A” for identifying a target print job and operation information “B” for specifying processing are included.

  If a command is received (step S101, Yes), the print job management module 15 determines whether the same identifier as the received identifier already exists in the job operation list (step S102). If it already exists (step S102, Yes), the operation information corresponding to the same identifier in the job operation list is updated (step S103). If it does not exist (step S102, No), the received identifier and operation information are associated and registered in the job operation list (step S104).

  For example, when the identifier “A” already exists in the list and the operation information corresponding to this identifier is “C”, the operation information in the list is updated to “B” that is the operation information of the received command. On the other hand, if the identifier “A” does not exist in the list, the received identifier “A” is associated with the operation information “B” and registered in the job operation list.

  Next, the print job management module 15 instructs to store the job operation list in the information storage unit 7 (step S105), whereby the list is stored in the information storage unit. After the list is stored, the print job management module 15 determines whether or not an identifier exists in the job management list (step S106). If it exists (step S106, Yes), the print job management module 15 executes a print job operation process described below (step S107). If it does not exist (step S106, No), the print job management module 15 performs the process. finish. The print management processing by the print job management module 15 has been described above.

  Next, the print job operation process of the print job management module 15 will be described. The print job management module 15 executes a process associated with the same identifier as the registered job among the processes listed in the job operation list described above for the print job registered in the job management list. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print job operation processing by the print job management module 15.

  First, the print job management module 15 refers to the job management list and acquires a registered identifier (step S201). Here, the registered identifier is an identifier (hereinafter referred to as a target identifier) corresponding to a print job (hereinafter referred to as a target job) processed by the interpreter module 16. Next, the print job management module 15 determines whether or not the same identifier as the target identifier exists in the job operation list (step S202). If it exists (step S202, Yes), operation information associated with the target identifier is acquired using the target identifier as a key (step S203). On the other hand, if it does not exist (step S202, No), the print job management module 15 ends the process.

  For example, when the target identifier is “A”, the print job management module 15 determines whether or not the same identifier “A” exists in the job operation list. If it exists, the print job management module 15 acquires the operation information “B” associated with the identifier “A”.

  Next, the print job management module 15 executes processing corresponding to the acquired operation information for the target job (step S204), and ends the processing. For example, if the process corresponding to the operation information “B” is “Delete the target job”, the print job deletion process shown in FIG. 5 is performed. The above is the print job operation processing by the print job management module 15, and the print job deletion processing for the target job by the print job management module 15 will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print job deletion processing by the print job management module 15. In this print job deletion process, the print job management module 15 first determines whether the target job is being printed (step S301). If printing is in progress (step S301, Yes), the print job management module 15 instructs the print engine to suspend printing (step S302).

  Next, the print job management module 15 determines whether or not the interpreter module 16 is processing the target job (step S303). If processing is in progress (step S303, Yes), the print job management module 15 requests the interpreter module 16 to cancel the processing of the print job (step S304).

  Finally, the print job management module 15 determines whether image data exists (step S305). If it exists (step S305, Yes), the print job management module 15 deletes the image of the target job (step S306). Further, the print job management module 15 prints the target job stored in the information storage unit 7 and the target identifier, the target identifier registered in the job management list, the target identifier registered in the job operation list, and the related items. The operation information is deleted, and the print job deletion process is terminated. The above is the print job deletion process by the print job management module 15.

  Here, when a predetermined error or the like occurs in the printing apparatus 1, there may be a situation where the power of the printing apparatus 1 must be turned off. However, once the power is turned off, data such as the job management list and job operation list stored in the volatile memory such as the working memory is deleted. The processing performed by the print job management module 15 when the printing apparatus is turned off and then turned on will be described below.

  First, the print job management module 15 reads the stored job operation list from the information storage unit 7 and stores the read list in the working memory. Next, the print job management module 15 creates a job management list from the stored print jobs, and saves the created list in the working memory.

  If there is a print job registered in the job management list, processing by the interpreter module 16 is started, and reprinting of the print job remaining when the power is turned off is started. At the same time, the print job management module 15 executes print job operation processing for the registered print job. Accordingly, the corresponding command registered in the job operation list is executed for the registered print job. For example, when a command that instructs deletion of a registered print job is registered in the job operation list, the print job is deleted by executing the print job operation process.

(Effect of Embodiment 1)
According to the present embodiment, since the operation information for specifying the processing for the target job and the identifier uniquely corresponding to the target job are associated with each other and registered in the job operation list, the target job is recognized. At this point, the process specified from the operation information is reliably executed for the target job. Therefore, even when the print job is job spooled, the job operation from the host computer 13 can be executed. Further, since this job operation list is stored in the non-volatile information storage unit 7, even if the printing apparatus 1 is turned off, this job operation list information is not lost, and the command for the print job is not lost. There is an effect that the process can be reliably executed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the printing apparatus 1 is turned on, the job operation list stored in the non-volatile information storage unit 7 is read, so the printing apparatus 1 is temporarily turned off. Even if the command is input again after that, the command for the print job is not lost, and the processing of the command for the print job is surely performed.

  Also, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of commands are received for the same job, the command corresponding to the job in the job operation list is updated by overwriting or the like every time a new command is received. Only the latest command applies to the corresponding print job. Therefore, even if the user has transmitted an incorrect command, the user can achieve execution of a desired command for the print job by transmitting a new command.

  In the first embodiment described above, the print job management module 15 executes print job operation processing when an identifier is present in the job management list. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is subject to interpretation by the interpreter module 16. When the creation of the first page image of the print job is completed, the print job management module 15 may execute a print job operation process. At this time, the interpreter module 16 sets a job valid flag to indicate that the creation of the first page image has been completed, and this job valid flag is recognized by the print job management module 15.

  In the first embodiment described above, the print job management module 15 determines whether or not the same identifier as the received identifier already exists in the job operation list, and if it already exists, the job operation list The operation information corresponding to the same identifier is updated. Regardless of whether the same identifier as the received identifier already exists in the job operation list, all received commands are registered in the job operation list. May be. Accordingly, when a plurality of commands are received for the same job, all commands are registered in the operation list, and all commands are applied to the corresponding print job in the order in which they are registered. Therefore, even if the corresponding print job is already in print processing and a predetermined command has already been executed for the job, the user applies the new command to the job by sending a new command. Can be made.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a printing apparatus and a system configuration thereof according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing functions of a CPU 12. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating command management processing by a print job management module. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job operation processing by a print job management module. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print job deletion processing by a print job management module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Controller 3 Print engine 4 Operation panel 5 System bus 6 Network I / F
7 Information storage 8 Print engine I / F
9 RAM
10 ROM
11 Operation panel I / F
12 CPU
13 Host Computer 14 Network 15 Print Job Management Module 16 Interpreter Module 17 Operation Panel I / F Driver 18 Network I / F Driver 19 Information Storage Unit I / F Driver 20 Print Engine I / F Driver

Claims (4)

A printing apparatus that performs print processing based on a print job received from a host computer,
The print job has print data and an identifier uniquely corresponding to the print job;
When a processing command for instructing processing for the print job is received from the host computer having operation information for specifying processing for the print job and an identifier uniquely corresponding to the print job, Storing the identifier in association with the operation information in an operation list, and storing the operation list in a non-volatile information storage unit;
Command execution means for acquiring the operation information associated with the identifier from the operation list, specifying a predetermined process from the acquired operation information, and performing the predetermined process on the print job;
A printing apparatus comprising: The information management means acquires the operation list stored in the information storage means when the printing apparatus is powered on;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. If the identifier of the newly received command is the same as the identifier already registered in the operation list, the information management means may store the operation information corresponding to the identifier registered in the operation list. Updating the operation list by changing to operation information of the newly received command;
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the identifier of the newly received command is the same as the identifier already registered in the operation list, the information management means associates the identifier and operation information of the newly received command with the operation information. Adding to the list and updating the operation list,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

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