JP2007219705A - Interrupt printing system, printer, interrupt printing processing method, and interruption issuance control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a user's feeling of unfairness to the utilization frequency of interrupt printing to a printer regarding an interrupt printing system. <P>SOLUTION: The printer 3 holds possession points of each of information processors 1a-1n, and consumption points used for the reduction of the possession points, and delivers these points to the information processors 1a-1n of demand sources in response to the demand. The printer 3 has an interrupt print processing part 41 that allows the interrupt printing demand from the information processors 1a-1n to be cut in given top priority over any printing demand in queue management, and that reduces the possession points of the information processors 1a-1n by the consumption point portion while increasing the possession points of the information processors 1a-1n given top priority, by the consumption point portion. The information processors 1a-1n have interruption issuance processing parts 20 acquiring the possession points and consumption points from the printer 3 and issuing interrupt printing demands to the printer 3 when the possession points of the own processor are larger than the possession points of the processors 1a-1n for the transfer of highest priority and not less than the consumption points. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an interrupt printing system, and more particularly to a technique for executing interrupt printing on a printing apparatus shared by a plurality of users on the basis of possession points previously provided for each user.

  Conventionally, there has been a printing system in which a plurality of users using an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer share a printing apparatus via a communication line such as a network. Some of them have an interrupt printing function that sets the priority of the print request to a higher level, for example, and gives priority to printing that is currently in print processing or waiting for print processing.

  In general, interrupt printing is one of the print orders of print requests already stored in a print queue (print queue) that stores the print requests in order of printing in order to sequentially print the print requests from a plurality of users. This is realized by interrupting a print request received thereafter at the position according to its priority. Generally, the print queue is provided in the printing apparatus, not on the information processing apparatus side.

  However, printing by a user who requests printing at a normal level without being conscious of priority may be postponed by printing according to these priority printing requests in an environment where there are many users who request printing with a high priority at all times. For this reason, printing may be waited for a longer time than expected. Therefore, in order to avoid such inconvenience, when all users always make a print request with a high priority set, the original function of interrupt printing cannot be achieved.

Therefore, conventionally, a predetermined point for managing priority printing to be processed in priority to other print requests is given in advance for each user, and the point is given to a user who has sent a print request for normal printing. However, for a user who has sent a print request for priority printing, a predetermined number of points are deducted from the point score, while the print request has accumulated a predetermined amount (or a predetermined time has elapsed). ) Waiting for printing until the user has sent a print request for waiting printing. By performing interrupt printing processing, such as increasing the number of points to be held, a waiting printing request in an urgent case. By increasing the number of points, it becomes possible to prepare for the shortage of points for priority printing requests in urgent cases, and the frequency of requesting priority printing by each user Rationalizing since can be achieved, there is to achieve the original function of the priority print (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-287425 A

  However, in the conventional technology, since the method of increasing the points of each user used for managing the priority print issuance is by issuing a waiting print request, it is necessary to issue the priority print immediately or soon. If there are not enough points, the user will be forced to issue a queuing print request, such as printing with low immediacy or printing with low printing necessity, to compensate for the shortage beforehand. However, such a usage mode not only reduces the usage efficiency of the printing apparatus, but also causes unfairness to users who are unreasonably interrupted and printed.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an interrupt printing system, a printing apparatus, an interrupt printing processing method, and an interrupt issuance control program that reduce a user's unfairness with respect to the frequency of interrupt printing usage to a printing apparatus.

  An interrupt printing system according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request for printing in priority to a print request that is being queued, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. An interrupt printing system having a printing apparatus that performs queue printing and sequentially prints the print request, and interrupts print processing by interrupting the received interrupt print request with priority over the print request being queue-managed, The printing apparatus holds an interrupt allowable index for each information processing apparatus used for suppressing the issuance of the interrupt print request and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index, and responds to the information request by the interrupt request. Including the print allowance index and the consumption index to the requesting information processing apparatus, and sending an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus to any print request in the queue management. The interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that has been interrupted with priority, reduces the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that issued the interrupt print request by the consumption index, and has transferred the highest priority during the queue management. An interrupt print processing means for increasing the consumption index, and the information processing apparatus obtains the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the printing apparatus, and the self-interrupt allowable index is the highest priority transfer target And an interrupt issuance processing means for issuing the interrupt print request to the printing apparatus when the value is larger than the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus and greater than or equal to the consumption index.

  A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is shared by an information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request for printing with priority over a print request that is being queued, and a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. A printing apparatus of an interrupt printing system comprising: a printing apparatus that sequentially manages a print request by queue managing the print request, and interrupting the received interrupt print request in priority to the print request being queue managed Management information storage means for storing an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used for suppressing the issuance of interrupt print requests, and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index, and the management information storage means Management information acquisition means for acquiring the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index, and the highest priority print request from the normal print request and interrupt print request during the queue management A print queue detecting means for detecting a queue, and in response to an information request from the information processing apparatus, the acquired interrupt allowance index corresponding to the information processing apparatus and the corresponding information processing apparatus of the highest priority print request queue; Management information response means for sending a consumption index to the information requesting information processing apparatus, interrupt print acceptance means for accepting an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus, and interrupt print request from the interrupt print acceptance means Print queue insertion means for preferentially interrupting the highest priority print request queue, and the management information storage means for reducing the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that issued the interrupt print request by the consumption index. In addition, the management information update for updating the information to increase the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the highest priority print request queue to which the highest priority is transferred by the consumption index. A structure including a means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, an interrupt issue control program for an information processing apparatus communicates with an information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request for printing in priority to a print request that is being managed by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. A printing apparatus that is shared via a line and that sequentially manages the print requests by performing queue management and interrupts the received interrupt print requests in preference to the print requests being queue managed. Management that obtains from the printing device the interrupt allowable index used to suppress the issuance of the interrupt print request of the information processing apparatus and the consumption index used to reduce the interrupt allowable index to the computer of the information processing apparatus of the interrupt printing system The interrupt allowance index of the own device acquired by the information acquisition function and the management information acquisition function is larger than the interrupt allowance index of the information processing apparatus subject to the highest priority transfer. If it is determined that Ku is and consumption index above, a configuration for realizing the interrupt print issuance function of issuing said interrupt print request to the printing device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the management information updating unit determines the print request frequency of one or both of the normal print request and the interrupt print request for each information processing apparatus. Print request frequency count means for counting and storing in the management information storage means, the management information storage means for each information processing device stored by the print request frequency count means, And a consumption index conversion information in which a consumption index is associated with each of a plurality of preset print request frequency range specifications, and the management information acquisition means is a print corresponding to the information requesting information processing apparatus. Request frequency information is acquired from the management information storage means, and a consumption index corresponding to the print request frequency information is obtained by collating the print request frequency information with the consumption index conversion information. Configuration to that Tokusuru.

  According to the first, second, and third inventions, the information processing apparatus acquires the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the printing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus whose own interrupt allowable index is the highest priority transfer target An interrupt print request is issued when the interrupt allowance index is greater than or equal to the consumption index, and the received interrupt print request is interrupted with the highest priority over any print request in queue management. Interrupt print processing is executed to reduce the interrupt allowance index of the information processing device that issued the interrupt print request by the consumption index, and to increase the interrupt allowance index of the information processing device to which the highest priority was transferred during queue management by the consumption index Therefore, users who are interrupted by printing can obtain a consumption index that is reduced by users who perform interrupt printing instead of giving priority to printing by users who perform interrupt printing. That.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the print request frequency information of the information processing apparatus is checked against the consumption index conversion information in which the print request frequency range and the consumption index are associated with each other. Since the index is acquired, when the consumption index conversion information is set to a smaller value for a print request frequency range having a larger print request frequency, for example, a user with a high print request frequency ( (Users who need it) can reduce the amount of reduction in the interrupt tolerance index more than users with low print request frequency (such as users who don't need high volume printing), so the former user has more interrupts than the latter user. It is possible to issue a print request, and it is possible to realize an interrupt printing operation in accordance with the usage status of the user's printing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, an interrupt print request issued is interrupted with the highest priority over any print request currently being queued, and the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that issued the interrupt print request is reduced by the consumption index. In addition, since the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus to which the highest priority is transferred during queue management is increased by the consumption index, the user who has interrupted printing by transferring the highest priority is consumed by the user who performed interrupt printing. By acquiring the consumption index to be used and increasing the interrupt allowable index, it is possible to reduce the user's unfair feeling with respect to the frequency of using interrupt printing to the printing apparatus.

  Further, the consumption index corresponding to the print request frequency information is obtained by collating the print request frequency information of the information processing apparatus with the consumption index conversion information in which the print request frequency range and the consumption index are associated, and the acquired consumption index Since interrupt print requests can be made with an interrupt allowance index that increases or decreases based on the user, interrupt print operations that match the usage status of the user's printing device can be realized, and unfairness due to differences in user environments can be reduced. .

Example 1
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an interrupt printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an ownership point table, a consumption point table, and a print request frequency table, and FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a consumption index conversion table.

  In FIG. 1, the interrupt printing system is shared by a plurality of information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n, which are computers such as personal computers, and the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n via a communication line 2 such as a network. And a printing apparatus 3 that performs print processing based on a print request from 1n.

  The information processing apparatus 1a is realized by an input unit 11 that is realized by a keyboard or a mouse and can be input by a user, a display unit 12 that is realized by a CRT monitor or a liquid crystal monitor, and displays a screen, and a hard disk device. A network connection for connecting the document data storage unit 13 for storing print data including document data to the printing apparatus 3 and the printing apparatus 3 and other information processing apparatuses 1b to 1n connected to the communication line 2. And an information processing control unit 15 that is connected to the input unit 11, the display unit 12, the document data storage unit 13, the network connection unit 14, and the like and performs overall control as the information processing apparatus 1a. The other information processing apparatuses 1b to 1n have the same configuration as the information processing apparatus 1a.

  The information processing control unit 15 uses an interrupt allowable index (ownership points described later, hereinafter referred to as “ownership points”) used to suppress the issuance of interrupt print requests to the printing apparatus 3 of the own device 1a and decreases the possession points. A management information obtaining unit 21 that obtains a consumption index (consumption points described later, hereinafter referred to as consumption points) from the printing device 3, and the owning point of the own device 1a obtained by the management information obtaining unit 21 is the highest priority transfer target. An interrupt issuance processing unit 20 comprising an interrupt print issuing unit 22 that issues an interrupt print request to the printing device 3 when it is determined that it is larger than the owned points of the information processing devices 1a to 1n and more than the consumption points. It is the composition which has.

  On the other hand, the printing apparatus 3 is realized by a network connection unit 31 connected to the communication line 2 and enabling communication with the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n, a hard disk device, a semiconductor memory, and the like, and from the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n. Connected to the print data storage unit 32 for storing the print data, the printer engine 33 for printing the print output data based on the print data in the print data storage unit 32, the print data storage unit 32, the printer engine 33, and the like. The printing control unit 34 is configured to perform overall control as the printing apparatus 3.

  In the print control unit 34, the printer engine 33 sequentially prints each of the clock timer 42 that measures time such as a repeated monitoring period and the print requests (interrupt print request and other normal print requests) from the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n. The configuration includes a print queue storage unit 43 that stores as a possible print queue, and an interrupt print processing unit 41 that is connected to the clock timer 42 and the print queue storage unit 43 to control interrupt print processing.

  The interrupt print processing unit 41 stores a management point storage unit 57 that stores a possession point for each of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n that is used to suppress issuance of interrupt print requests and a consumption point that is used to decrease the possession point. A management information acquisition unit 53 that acquires ownership points, consumption points, and the like from the management information storage unit 57, and the highest priority among the print requests that are being queue-managed by the print queue storage unit 43. In response to an information request from the print queue detection unit 52 for detecting the print request queue and the information processing devices 1a to 1n, the information requesting information processing devices 1a to 1n and the corresponding information processing device 1a to the highest priority print request queue. 1n and a management information response unit 51 that sends out possession points and consumption points corresponding to the respective devices to the information requesting information processing devices 1a to 1n. .

  The interrupt print processing unit 41 further includes an interrupt print accepting unit 54 that accepts interrupt print requests from the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n, and an interrupt print request from the interrupt print accepting unit 54 in the print queue storage unit 43. The print queue insertion unit 55 for interrupting the priority print request queue with priority, and the highest priority print request queue to which the ownership points of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n that issued the interrupt print requests are reduced by the consumption points and the highest priority is transferred. And a management information update unit 56 that updates the management information storage unit 57 to update information that increases the owned points of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n corresponding to.

  Specifically, the management information storage unit 57 has an ownership point table 57a in which possession points that are interrupt allowable indices for the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n are stored, and a consumption that is a consumption index for the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n. A consumption point table 57b for storing points, a print request frequency table 57c for storing print request frequency information for each of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n described later, and a plurality of preset print request frequency range specifications and consumption A consumption index conversion table 57d in which consumption index conversion information associated with points is stored.

  The owned point table 57a, consumption point table 57b, and print request frequency table 57c are preferably integrated into one table corresponding to each of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n (for example, a user ID) as shown in FIG. . Although the consumption points of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n in FIG. 2 are all set to the same value, these values may be freely set according to the operational convenience of interrupt printing. Further, the consumption index conversion table 57d may gradually decrease the value of the consumption point as shown in FIG. 3 as the print request frequency range increases, or conversely increase it gradually. Therefore, it can be set according to the operational circumstances of interrupt printing. Further, the consumption index conversion table 57d may be a table different for each of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n or a common table, and may be set according to operational convenience as described above ( For convenience of explanation, it is assumed here to be one common table shown in FIG.

  The management information storage unit 57 needs to retain the stored information even when the power of the printing apparatus 3 is turned off. Therefore, the management information storage unit 57 has a nonvolatile storage device such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory. (Flash memory, NVRAM, etc.) and a hard disk device.

  The management information update unit 56 counts the print request frequency of either one or both of the normal print request and the interrupt print request (both are here for convenience of explanation) for each information processing apparatus, and stores it in the print request frequency table 57c. The print request frequency count unit 561 for storing the print request frequency information corresponding to the information requesting information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n is further acquired from the print request frequency table 57c. The consumption index corresponding to the print request frequency information is acquired by collating the requested frequency information with the consumption index conversion table 57d.

  Further, the management information update unit 56 further stores the ownership stored in the possession point table 57a when neither the normal print request nor the interrupt print request is received within the repeated monitoring period measured by the clock timer 42 set in advance. This is a configuration having an allowable index changing unit 561 that decreases or increases a point by a preset increase / decrease value in a direction approaching the initial value of the possessed point for each repeated monitoring period. The increase / decrease value may be a specific fixed value, a fluctuating value depending on the value of the possession point, or may be a different value when decreasing and increasing. It may be determined according to the above circumstances (for convenience of explanation, a fixed value is used here, and the value is “5”).

  Next, the operation of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information processing apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention (part 1), and FIG. 6 is for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the print request frequency table, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the process of the possession point table for each monitoring time.

  In FIG. 4, the management information acquisition unit 21 of the information processing devices 1a to 1n (for convenience of explanation, here 1a is referred to as an interrupt device) determines whether or not there is an interrupt print designation from the input unit 11 by the user. (Step S1), and if it is determined to be present (Yes determination), the owning point and consumption point of the own apparatus 1a, the detection information of the highest priority print request queue, and the information processing apparatus 1a which is the highest priority transfer target An inquiry is made to the printing apparatus 3 in order to obtain interrupt management information such as the possession point of 1n (for convenience of explanation, it is assumed to be 1b here, and hereinafter referred to as an interrupted apparatus) (S2). The acquisition of the interrupt management information by the response is monitored (S3).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the interrupt management information has been acquired (Yes determination), it is determined whether or not the acquired information includes detection information for the highest priority print request queue (S4). If YES is determined, the interrupt print issuing unit 22 determines whether the possession point of the interrupting device 1a is larger than the possession point of the interrupted device 1b (S5). This determination makes it possible to prioritize interrupt printing, for example, for the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n having a smaller number of interrupt print requests.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the owned point of the interrupt device 1a is larger (Yes determination), it is further determined whether or not the owned point of the interrupt device 1a is larger than the consumption point of the interrupt device 1a ( S6) When it is determined that it is large (Yes determination), the user is caused to display an interrupt print designation confirmation screen on the display unit 12 (S7).

  On the confirmation screen in step S7, in addition to displaying the owned points and consumption points of the interrupt device 1a, an execution button for instructing to start interrupt printing, and an execution button for instructing to start normal printing instead of interrupt printing A print cancel button for canceling the print request is displayed. Of course, along with the identification of the interrupted device 1b, its possession points, consumption points, etc. may be displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is an interrupt print execution instruction (execution button press) from the input unit 11 based on the confirmation screen in step S7 (S8). If it is determined that there is (Yes determination), an interrupt print issuance is issued. The unit 22 issues an interrupt print request (S9), transmits the interrupt print request together with the print data from the document data storage unit 13 to the printing apparatus 3, and requests the printing apparatus 3 to perform print processing with interrupt printing (S10). ).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5 that the owned point of the interrupt device 1a is smaller (No determination), or it is determined in step S6 that the owned point of the interrupt device 1a is smaller (No determination). In the case where it has been detected, a notification screen indicating that interrupt printing cannot be designated is displayed on the display unit 12 (S11).

  On the notification screen in step S11, information on the relationship between owned points and lack of owned points (for example, a deficient value), an execution button for instructing start of normal printing instead of interrupt printing, and a print request are canceled. A print cancel button to be displayed is displayed.

  Next, it is determined whether there is an execution instruction (execution button press) for normal printing from the input unit 11 based on the notification screen in step S11 (S12). The control unit 15 issues a predetermined normal print request (S13), transmits the normal print request together with the print data from the document data storage unit 13 to the printing apparatus 3, and requests the printing apparatus 3 to perform print processing for normal printing. (S14).

  If it is determined in step S4 that there is no detection information in the highest priority print request queue (No determination), or if it is not an interrupt print execution instruction in step S8, that is, an execution instruction or print in normal printing. When it is determined that it is a cancel instruction (No determination), the process proceeds to step S12, and the same processing as in step S12 and subsequent steps is performed. However, if it is not an execution instruction for normal printing in step S12, that is, if it is determined to be a print cancel instruction (No determination), the process returns to step S1 and waits for the next print designation by the input unit 11 from the user.

  In FIG. 5, when the printing apparatus 3 receives the interrupt management information inquiry from the interrupt apparatus 1a (S21), it checks whether or not the highest priority print request queue exists in the print queue storage unit 43 (S22). If it is determined (Yes determination), the highest priority print request queue “present” is held as a part of response information to the interrupt device 1a (S23).

  Next, the owned point of the interrupted device 1b is acquired from the owned point table 57a and held as a part of the response information (S24), and the owned point of the interrupt device 1a is similarly acquired from the owned point table 57a and responded. It is held as a part of information (S25).

  Subsequently, the print request frequency of the interrupt device 1a is obtained from the print request frequency table 57c, and the consumption points corresponding to this print request frequency are obtained from the consumption index conversion table 57d and held as part of the response information (S26). . In step S26, the consumption index may be acquired from the consumption point table 57b without using the consumption index conversion table 57d. Of course, it goes without saying that one fixed value common to all the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n may be used regardless of the consumption point table 57b.

  The processing in step S26 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The print request frequency of the interrupt device 1a is the print request frequency value “20” associated with device-a that is the user ID. ”From the print request frequency table 57c, and then the consumption point value“ 5 ”associated with the print request frequency range“ 11-30 ”corresponding to the print request frequency value“ 20 ”is converted into a consumption index. It is obtained from the table 57d.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that there is no highest priority print request queue (No determination), the highest priority print request queue “None” is held as part of the response information (S23), and the process proceeds to step S25. And move the process. If the response information in steps S25 and S26 is not required for operation, the process may be shifted to step S27 described later.

  Subsequent to step S26, the response information held in steps S23, S24, S25 and S26 is sent as interrupt management information to the interrupt device 1a which is an inquiry device for interrupt management information (S27). The processing in the printing apparatus 3 for the inquiry of the interrupt management information from 1a is ended.

  The response information sent in step S27 is monitored for acquisition in step S3 of the interrupt device 1a in FIG. Further, the response information held in each of the steps S23 to S26 is held in the management information acquisition unit 53, the management information response unit 51, or any other component if there is no inconvenience in processing in each step. It doesn't matter.

  In FIG. 6, the printing device 3 receives the print request from the interrupt device 1a (S31), determines whether the received print request is an interrupt print request or a normal print request (S32), and determines that it is an interrupt print request. If (Yes determination) is made, it is confirmed whether or not there is a highest priority print request queue in the print queue storage unit 43 (S33).

  If it is determined in step S33 that there is a request (Yes determination), the print request frequency of the interrupt device 1a is obtained from the print request frequency table 57c, and the consumption points corresponding to this print request frequency are obtained from the consumption index conversion table 57d. Obtaining (S34), and subsequently obtaining the possession point of the interrupt device 1a from the possession point table 57a, subtracting the value of the consumption point in step S34 from the possession point, and using the value of the subtraction result as the possession point table 57a is updated (S35).

  Further, the owned point of the interrupted device 1b is acquired from the owned point table 57a, the value of the consumption point in step S34 is added to this owned point, and the owned point table 57a is similarly updated with the value of the addition result ( S36).

  Next, the interrupt print request received in step S31 is preferentially interrupted to the highest priority print request queue in the print queue storage unit 43 (S37). Subsequent processing is omitted because each print request queue stored in the print queue storage unit 43 is subjected to predetermined sequential printing processing by predetermined queue management.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that there is no highest priority print request queue (No determination), the interrupt print request received in step S31 is placed at the head of the print request queue in the print queue storage unit 43. Arrange (S41). If the highest priority print request queue located at the head of the print request queue array is not detected, it means that there is no print request queue in the print queue storage unit 43. Therefore, any print request queue to be arranged in this case It can naturally become the head, that is, the highest priority print request queue.

  If it is determined in step S32 that the request is a normal print request (No determination), one or more normal print requests received in step S31 are already arranged in the print queue storage unit 43. Are arranged at the end of the print request queue (S42).

  Next, update processing of the print request frequency table 57c will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 3 prints a print request queue that is queue-managed in the print queue storage unit 43 (S 51), and whether the last page printed by the print request queue has been discharged from the printer engine 33. If it is determined whether the paper discharge is completed (Yes determination), the print request frequency of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n corresponding to the print request queue is acquired from the print request frequency table 57c (S53). ).

  Next, “1” is added to the acquired print request frequency value, and the print request frequency table 57c is updated with the value of the addition result (S54). Although “1” is added here, subtraction may be used, and other numerical values may be used. In any case, it is only necessary to be able to count the numerical values of the print request queue that has been subjected to the printing process. Here, the print request queues for both the interrupt print request and the normal print request are counted. However, by synchronously managing the print processing of each print request and its discharge, either one of the print request queues is processed. You may make it count only.

  Furthermore, here, the print request frequency is counted in the print request queue (print job). However, if the number of printed sheets in the print request queue is more suitable for the actual operation, the number of printed sheets may be counted. In this case, for example, in step S52, the completion of paper discharge for each print page is monitored instead of the last page.

  Further, the print request frequency may be counted every counting period (for example, one day or one week) set in advance in the clock timer 42. This makes it possible to use interrupt printing in accordance with changes in the usage status of the printing apparatus 3.

  Next, the processing of the owned point table 57a for each monitoring period will be described with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, the information processing devices 1a to 1n associated with the timer interruption are triggered by the occurrence of an interruption (S61) from the monitoring period timer based on the repetition period set in advance in the clock timer 42. A check is made to recognize which of the information processing apparatuses 1a to 1n (S62).

  Next, the owner point of any one of the information processing devices 1a to 1n recognized in step S62 is acquired from the owner point table 57a (S63), and the acquired owner point is an initial value that is an initial setting value of the owner point. (S64), if it is determined to be greater (Yes determination), a preset subtraction value (eg, “5”) is subtracted from the acquired possession point, and the subtraction result The possession point table 57a is updated with the value (S65).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S64 that the value is smaller than the initial value (No determination), an added value set in advance is added to the acquired possessed point, and the owned point table 57a is added with the value of the added result. Update (S66).

  The subtraction value in step S65 and the addition value in S66 may be the same value or different values. Moreover, you may make it a different value for every information processing apparatus 1a-1n. These values may be determined in accordance with the usage status of interrupt printing.

  According to the above processing, if no print request is issued within the repeated monitoring period, the interrupt allowable index is decreased or increased by the set value in the direction of approaching the initial value of the interrupt allowable index for each repeated monitoring period. Even if the interrupt allowance index is reduced, the interrupt allowance index can be restored to its initial value at the maximum by suspending the issuance of print requests, etc. Recovery is possible.

  The operation has been described above with reference to the flowcharts. However, these flowcharts are examples, and the present invention is not limited to them. For example, steps S5 and S6 in FIG. 4, steps S23 to S26 in FIG. 5, steps S35 and S36 in FIG. 6, and the like can be obtained even if the order of these steps is changed in the figure. It ’s okay to replace it at your convenience.

The following notes are disclosed with respect to the above embodiments.
(Appendix 1)
An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. In an interrupt printing system having a printing device that performs sequential printing processing and interrupt printing processing by interrupting the received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
The printing apparatus includes:
Holds an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used to suppress the issuance of interrupt print requests and a consumption index used to reduce the interrupt allowable index, and the interrupt allowable index and consumption according to the information request The index is sent to the requesting information processing apparatus, the interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus is interrupted with the highest priority over any print request in the queue management, and the interrupt print request issuer information An interrupt print processing means for decreasing the interrupt allowable index of the processing apparatus by the consumption index and increasing the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus to which the highest priority is assigned during the queue management by the consumption index;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Obtaining the interrupt allowance index and the consumption index from the printing device, when the interrupt allowance index of the own device is larger than the interrupt allowance index of the information processing device subject to the highest priority transfer and greater than or equal to the consumption index, An interrupt printing system comprising interrupt issuing processing means for issuing the interrupt printing request to a printing apparatus.
(Appendix 2)
An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. In a printing apparatus of an interrupt printing system having a printing apparatus that performs sequential printing processing and interrupts printing processing by interrupting the received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
Management information storage means for storing an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used for suppressing the issuance of the interrupt print request and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index;
Management information acquisition means for acquiring the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the management information storage means,
A print queue detecting means for detecting a highest priority print request queue from the normal print request and the interrupt print request during the queue management;
In response to an information request from the information processing apparatus, the acquired interrupt allowable index and consumption index respectively corresponding to the information processing apparatus and the corresponding information processing apparatus in the highest priority print request queue are set to the information request source. Management information response means for sending to the information processing device;
Interrupt print accepting means for accepting an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus;
A print queue inserting means for interrupting an interrupt print request from the interrupt print accepting means in priority to the highest priority print request queue;
An information processing apparatus corresponding to the highest priority print request queue to which the interrupt priority index of the information processing apparatus that has issued the interrupt print request is reduced by the consumption index and the highest priority is assigned to the management information storage unit Management information updating means for updating information for increasing the interrupt allowable index by the consumption index;
A printing apparatus comprising:
(Appendix 3)
An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. An interrupt printing processing method for a printing apparatus of an interrupt printing system, which includes a printing apparatus that performs sequential printing processing and interrupts printing processing by interrupting a received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
A management information storage means for storing an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used for suppressing issuance of the interrupt print request, and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index;
A management information obtaining unit obtaining the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the management information storage unit;
A print queue detecting unit detecting a highest priority print request queue from the normal print request and the interrupt print request during the queue management;
In response to an information request from the information processing apparatus, the management information response means obtains the acquired interrupt allowable index and consumption index corresponding to the information processing apparatus and the corresponding information processing apparatus in the highest priority print request queue, respectively. Sending to the information requesting information processing apparatus;
An interrupt print accepting unit for accepting an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus;
A step of causing the print queue insertion means to interrupt the interrupt print request from the interrupt print accepting means in priority to the highest priority print request queue;
The highest priority print request queue in which management information update means reduces the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that has issued the interrupt print request to the management information storage means by the consumption index and assigns the highest priority. Performing an information update for increasing the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the consumption index; and
An interrupt print processing method.
(Appendix 4)
An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. A computer of an information processing apparatus of an interrupt printing system having a printing apparatus that sequentially prints and interrupts print processing by interrupting the received interrupt print request in preference to the print request being queued,
A management information acquisition function for acquiring from the printing device an interrupt allowable index used to suppress the issuance of the interrupt print request of the information processing apparatus and a consumption index used to reduce the interrupt allowable index;
When it is determined that the interrupt allowable index of the own device acquired by the management information acquisition function is larger than the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus subject to the highest priority transfer and is greater than or equal to the consumption index, the interrupt printing to the printing apparatus An interrupt print issuing function for issuing a request;
Interrupt issuance control program for realizing
(Appendix 5)
In the printing apparatus according to attachment 2,
The management information update means includes
A print request frequency count unit that counts the print request frequency of either one or both of the normal print request and the interrupt print request for each information processing device and stores it in the management information storage unit;
The management information storage means includes
The print request frequency information for each information processing device stored by the print request frequency count means;
Consumption index conversion information in which a plurality of preset print request frequency range designations and consumption indexes are associated with each other;
The management information acquisition means
The consumption index corresponding to the print request frequency information is obtained from the management information storage means by acquiring the print request frequency information corresponding to the information requesting information processing apparatus and collating the print request frequency information with the consumption index conversion information. The printing apparatus characterized by acquiring.
(Appendix 6)
In the printing apparatus according to appendix 2 or appendix 5,
The management information update means includes
When neither the normal print request nor the interrupt print request is received within a preset repeat monitoring period, the interrupt allowable index stored in the management information storage unit is set for each repeat monitor period. A printing apparatus comprising: an allowable index changing means for decreasing or increasing a predetermined value in a direction approaching an initial value of the interrupt allowable index.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an interrupt printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure explaining the possession point table, consumption point table, and print request frequency table The figure which shows an example of a consumption index conversion table The flowchart explaining operation | movement of the information processing apparatus of this invention. Flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention (part 1) Flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing apparatus of the present invention (part 2) Flowchart explaining processing of print request frequency table Flow chart explaining processing of owned point table for each monitoring time

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a-1n Information processing apparatus 2 Communication line 3 Printing apparatus 15 Information processing control part 20 Interrupt issue process part 21 Management information acquisition part 22 Interrupt print issue part 34 Print control part 41 Interrupt print process part 51 Management information response part 52 Print queue detection unit 53 Management information acquisition unit 54 Interrupt print acceptance unit 55 Print queue insertion unit 56 Management information update unit 57 Management information storage unit 57a Owned point table 57b Consumption point table 57c Print request frequency table 57d Consumption index conversion table 561 Print Requested frequency counting unit 562 Owned point changing unit

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. In an interrupt printing system having a printing device that performs sequential printing processing and interrupt printing processing by interrupting the received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
The printing apparatus includes:
Holds an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used to suppress the issuance of interrupt print requests and a consumption index used to reduce the interrupt allowable index, and the interrupt allowable index and consumption according to the information request The index is sent to the requesting information processing apparatus, the interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus is interrupted with the highest priority over any print request in the queue management, and the interrupt print request issuer information An interrupt print processing means for decreasing the interrupt allowable index of the processing apparatus by the consumption index and increasing the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus to which the highest priority is assigned during the queue management by the consumption index;
The information processing apparatus includes:
Obtaining the interrupt allowance index and the consumption index from the printing device, when the interrupt allowance index of the own device is larger than the interrupt allowance index of the information processing device subject to the highest priority transfer and greater than or equal to the consumption index, An interrupt printing system comprising interrupt issuing processing means for issuing the interrupt printing request to a printing apparatus. An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. In a printing apparatus of an interrupt printing system having a printing apparatus that performs sequential printing processing and interrupts printing processing by interrupting the received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
Management information storage means for storing an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used for suppressing the issuance of the interrupt print request and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index;
Management information acquisition means for acquiring the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the management information storage means,
A print queue detecting means for detecting a highest priority print request queue from the normal print request and the interrupt print request during the queue management;
In response to an information request from the information processing apparatus, the acquired interrupt allowable index and consumption index respectively corresponding to the information processing apparatus and the corresponding information processing apparatus in the highest priority print request queue are set to the information request source. Management information response means for sending to the information processing device;
Interrupt print accepting means for accepting an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus;
A print queue inserting means for interrupting an interrupt print request from the interrupt print accepting means in priority to the highest priority print request queue;
An information processing apparatus corresponding to the highest priority print request queue to which the interrupt priority index of the information processing apparatus that has issued the interrupt print request is reduced by the consumption index and the highest priority is assigned to the management information storage unit Management information updating means for updating information for increasing the interrupt allowable index by the consumption index;
A printing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. An interrupt printing processing method for a printing apparatus of an interrupt printing system, which includes a printing apparatus that performs sequential printing processing and interrupts printing processing by interrupting a received interrupt printing request in preference to the printing request being queued,
A management information storage means for storing an interrupt allowable index for each information processing device used for suppressing issuance of the interrupt print request, and a consumption index used for reducing the interrupt allowable index;
A management information obtaining unit obtaining the interrupt allowable index and the consumption index from the management information storage unit;
A print queue detecting unit detecting a highest priority print request queue from the normal print request and the interrupt print request during the queue management;
In response to an information request from the information processing apparatus, the management information response means obtains the acquired interrupt allowable index and consumption index corresponding to the information processing apparatus and the corresponding information processing apparatus in the highest priority print request queue, respectively. Sending to the information requesting information processing apparatus;
An interrupt print accepting unit for accepting an interrupt print request from the information processing apparatus;
A step of causing the print queue insertion means to interrupt the interrupt print request from the interrupt print accepting means in priority to the highest priority print request queue;
The highest priority print request queue in which management information update means reduces the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus that has issued the interrupt print request to the management information storage means by the consumption index and assigns the highest priority. Performing an information update for increasing the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus corresponding to the consumption index; and
An interrupt print processing method. An information processing apparatus that issues an interrupt print request or a normal print request to be printed in preference to a print request that is being managed by a queue, and is shared by a plurality of the information processing apparatuses via a communication line. A computer of an information processing apparatus of an interrupt printing system having a printing apparatus that sequentially prints and interrupts print processing by interrupting the received interrupt print request in preference to the print request being queued,
A management information acquisition function for acquiring from the printing device an interrupt allowable index used to suppress the issuance of the interrupt print request of the information processing apparatus and a consumption index used to reduce the interrupt allowable index;
When it is determined that the interrupt allowable index of the own device acquired by the management information acquisition function is larger than the interrupt allowable index of the information processing apparatus subject to the highest priority transfer and is greater than or equal to the consumption index, the interrupt printing to the printing apparatus An interrupt print issuing function for issuing a request;
Interrupt issuance control program for realizing The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
The management information update means includes
A print request frequency count unit that counts the print request frequency of either one or both of the normal print request and the interrupt print request for each information processing device and stores it in the management information storage unit;
The management information storage means includes
The print request frequency information for each information processing device stored by the print request frequency count means;
Consumption index conversion information in which a plurality of preset print request frequency range designations and consumption indexes are associated with each other;
The management information acquisition means
The consumption index corresponding to the print request frequency information is obtained from the management information storage means by acquiring the print request frequency information corresponding to the information requesting information processing apparatus and collating the print request frequency information with the consumption index conversion information. The printing apparatus characterized by acquiring.

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