JP2008195041A - Image formation system, information processing method, information processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation system capable of performing a suitable handling when interrupted printing is carried out for resource data to be utilized for printing. <P>SOLUTION: The image formation system comprises a resource data acquisition means for downloading the resource data to store in the predetermined referent of a memory device according to a printing command, a first lithographic means for generating a print image using the resource data stored in the predetermined referent according to the printing command and second lithographic means for generating the print image using the resource data stored in the predetermined referent according to the printing command of the interrupted printing wherein the first lithographc means saves the resource data concerning the interrupted printing command in a position different from the predetermined referent in the memory device, the saved resource data are reset to the predetermined referent according to completion of the interrupted printing and processing concerning the interrupted printing command is restarted, thereby solving the above problem. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of executing interrupt printing.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an invention related to interrupt printing. According to the interrupt print function, even when a print job related to a document having a large number of pages is being executed, a print job with a high degree of urgency can be executed first without waiting for the completion of the print. .

  By the way, when the printer executes drawing processing based on a print command such as PDL (Page Description Language), various resource data such as font data is used. Resource data can be commonly used for a plurality of jobs. For example, the same font data can be used for print jobs that use the same font. Therefore, it is not efficient to download the resource data every time a print job occurs. Once downloaded, the resource data is saved in a storage device (RAM, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc.) in the printer, and it is efficient to use already downloaded resource data for subsequent print jobs. Is.

However, the printer has a smaller storage capacity than a general-purpose computer. Therefore, it is preferable that the resource data is downloaded and stored as much as necessary. For this reason, in the case of resource data held as a file in the HDD of the printer, the storage area for the resource data is limited to a predetermined area (hereinafter referred to as “resource data area”). . Therefore, when a print job is executed using resource data (for example, font) having the same identification name (for example, file name) as the previous print job, the existing resource data in the resource data area is newly downloaded. It was overwritten by resource data.
JP 2005-267176 A

  However, when interrupt printing is considered, depending on the resource data used by the interrupted print job (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt job”) in the middle of the interrupted print job (hereinafter referred to as “original job”) The resource data in the resource data area is updated. As a result, when the original job returns after completion of the interrupt job, resource data having a different content from that before being interrupted is used, and for example, printing may be performed with a different font from an intermediate page. . This is because the contents of the resource data may be updated by the interrupt job.

  On the other hand, there is also resource data held in the process space of the process that processes the print job. Since print jobs processed in order are processed by the same process, the same resource data in the process space can be shared. However, since the interrupt job is started as a process different from the original job, the resource data in the process space of the original job cannot be used. In other words, the resource data held in the process space of the original job has a problem that the interrupt job cannot use the resource data even though it has already been downloaded to the printer side.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus that can appropriately handle interrupt data for resource data used for printing. The purpose is to provide an information processing program.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing, and downloads resource data according to a print command and stores the resource data in a predetermined reference destination of a storage device A first drawing unit that generates a print image using resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination according to the print command, and the predetermined reference according to the print command for the interrupt printing. Second drawing means for generating a print image using previously stored resource data, wherein the first drawing means uses the resource data acquisition means to output a print command corresponding to the interrupt print command. Before the one resource data is stored in the predetermined reference destination, the second resource data related to the interrupted print command is stored in the storage device. And saves the saved second resource data to the predetermined reference destination in response to the end of the interrupt printing, and performs processing related to the interrupted print command. It is characterized by restarting.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing, and is activated as a process, and the first resource data included in the print command is stored in the process space of the process. And a first drawing unit that generates the print image by sharing the first resource data for each of a plurality of print commands, and is started as a process for the interrupt print, and the print command for the interrupt print Second drawing means for generating a print image in accordance with the first drawing means, wherein the first drawing means stores the first resource data as a file in a storage device, and the second drawing means includes the second drawing means, By reading the file into the process space, the print image is generated using the first resource data stored in the file. And wherein the door.

  Such an image forming apparatus can appropriately handle resource data used for printing when interrupt printing is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can appropriately handle resource data used for printing when interrupt printing is executed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, a network interface 15, and an operation panel 16.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes functions to be described later by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 is used as a storage area for various data and a virtual memory (storage) area for programs.

  The scanner 12 is hardware for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing image data (printed image) on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The network interface 15 is hardware for connecting to a network (regardless of wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The operation panel 16 is hardware including a button, a liquid crystal panel, and the like for receiving input from the user and notifying information to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control service 110 and various applications that operate using the control service 110.

  The control service 110 is a program that provides a service that is commonly required for an application to realize each function. The control service 110 performs, for example, mediation of network communication, control of hardware, control of memory (RAM 112, ROM 113) and HDD 114, control of the operation panel 16, management of user information, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows a printer application 120, a FAX application 130, and a copy application 140 as various applications. The printer application 120 is an application for causing the image forming apparatus 10 to function as a printer. The FAX application 130 is an application for causing the image forming apparatus 10 to function as a facsimile. The copy application 140 is an application for causing the image forming apparatus 10 to function as a copy machine.

  Note that the control service 110, the printer application 120, the FAX application 130, and the copy application 140 operate as different processes on the OS (Operating System) 150, respectively.

  The printer application 120 will be described in more detail. The printer application 120 executes a print job based on print data (print command) transferred from a host computer such as a PC (Personal Computer).

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of print data related to one print job. In FIG. 3, the print data 50 includes job control command units 51 and 53 and a drawing command unit 52.

  The job control command part 51 is a part in which a command (job control command) group for controlling a print job is described. The job control command includes, for example, designation of a paper size, designation of a paper feed tray, designation of a paper discharge tray, designation regarding a finisher function (punch, stapling, sorting, etc.), and the like. The job control command unit 51 can also include a resource data download command 511. The resource data download command 511 includes resource data and a command for instructing extraction of the resource data. The job control command unit 51 is described in, for example, PJL (Printer Job Language).

  The drawing command part 52 is a part in which a command (drawing command) group for drawing (rendering) an image (print image) to be printed is described. For example, the drawing command includes a command for specifying the color, coordinates, shape, and the like for each drawing element. The drawing command part 52 may also include resource data 521 (resource data entity). The drawing command unit 52 is described in a printer language such as PCL (Printer Control Language) or PS (Post Script). In the present embodiment, the printer language is a general language for describing a command for drawing a print image.

  The job control command part 53 is a part in which a command indicating the end of the print job is described, and is described in, for example, PJL.

  In order to process such print data 50, the printer application 120 includes a job control unit 121, a drawing processing unit 122, a printer system 123, and the like.

  The job control unit 121 interprets job control commands in the job control command units 51 and 53 in the print data 50 and executes processing according to the job control command. That is, the job control unit 121 controls a print job. If the resource data download command 511 is included in the job control command unit 51, the job control unit 121 acquires the specified resource data and stores it in the HDD 114 as a file with a predetermined file name (that is, the HDD 114). Save it in a predetermined reference location).

  The drawing processing unit 122 interprets the drawing command in the drawing command unit 52 in the print data 50 and executes processing according to the drawing command. That is, the drawing processing unit 122 generates (draws) a print image on the memory. When the drawing command unit 52 includes resource data 521, the drawing processing unit 122 displays a process space in which the drawing processing unit 122 operates (a storage area assigned to the process of the drawing processing unit 122 in the virtual storage area). The resource data 521 is stored in a predetermined area.

  The printer system 123 controls the operations of the job control unit 121 and the drawing processing unit 122. The job control unit 121, the drawing processing unit 122, and the printer system 123 are activated as different processes.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. First, the processing procedure of the image forming apparatus during normal printing (when interrupt printing is not performed) will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing of the image forming apparatus during normal printing.

  When the print data 50 generated in the printer driver of the host computer 20 is transferred to the image forming apparatus 10 via the network (S101), the printer system 123 outputs the print data 50 to the job control unit 121, The execution of the print job is instructed (S102).

  The job control unit 121 interprets the job control command unit 51 in the print data 50 and executes processing according to the job control command (S103). When the resource data download command 511 is included in the job control command 51, the job control unit 121 stores the resource data included in the download command 511 (resource data downloaded together with the print data 50) in the HDD 114. File) (S105).

  When the processing of the job control unit 121 ends (S106), the printer system 123 outputs the print data 50 to the drawing processing unit 122 and instructs execution of the drawing processing (S107). The drawing processing unit 122 interprets the drawing command unit 52 in the print data 50 and executes processing according to the drawing command. When the resource data 521 is included in the drawing command unit 52, the drawing processing unit 122 acquires the resource data 521 and stores (copies) it in a predetermined area in the process space of the drawing processing unit 122 (S108). Subsequently, the drawing processing unit 122 executes drawing processing (rendering) using the resource file downloaded to the HDD 114 and the resource data stored in the process space (S109). Note that not all the data included in the resource file or the resource data are used. Data specified by ID (identification information) in the drawing command is searched from the resource file or resource data and used.

  A print-to-image is generated in the RAM 112 by the drawing process. In response to the generation of the print image, the printer 13 prints the print image. When the drawing process is completed, the drawing processing unit 122 notifies the printer system 123 of the completion of the process (S110).

  Thereafter, when the print data 50 relating to a new print job is received, the above-described processing of steps S101 to S110 is executed for the print data 50. When the newly received print data 50 does not include the resource data download command 511, the resource file already generated in the HDD 114 is used in the drawing process. On the other hand, when the newly received print data 50 includes the resource data download command 511, the job control unit 121 newly extracts the resource data (S103) and stores the resource data as a file in the HDD 114 (S103). S105). At this time, when the resource data having the same file name as the existing resource file is extracted, the job control unit 121 generates a new resource file with the same file name as the existing resource file. In other words, the existing resource data stored in the HDD 114 is overwritten with the newly downloaded resource data. By doing so, the consumption of the HDD 114 can be saved. However, since the resource data is overwritten after the start of a new print job (that is, after the previous print job is completed), the output result of the previous print job is not affected.

  Note that the drawing processing unit 122 processes a new print job in the same process (that is, the same process processes a plurality of print jobs), so resources stored in the process space Data can also be used (shared) for new print jobs.

  Next, a processing procedure of the image forming apparatus when interrupt printing is performed will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the printing process of the image forming apparatus when interrupt printing occurs. 5 that are the same as those in FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Note that interrupt printing is described in detail in JP-A-2005-267176.

  For example, while drawing processing is being executed for one print job (S109), when print data 50 (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt print data 50a”) related to an interrupt print request is transferred from the host computer 20 (S201), the printer. The system 123 issues an interrupt request to the drawing processing unit 122 that is currently executing processing (S202). If the processing can be interrupted, the drawing processing unit 122 interrupts the processing, and notifies the printer system 123 of interrupt permission (S203). Note that the data structure of the interrupt print data 50 a is the same as that of the normal print data 50.

  When the interrupt is permitted by the drawing processing unit 122, the printer system 123 outputs the interrupt print data 50a to the job control unit 121 and instructs execution of a print job (interrupt job) related to the interrupt print data 50a ( S204). However, the job control unit 121 does not recognize whether the print job is an interrupt job.

  The job control unit 121 interprets the job control command unit 51 in the interrupt print data 50a and executes processing according to the job control command (S205). When the resource data download command 511 is included in the job control command 51, the job control unit 121 stores the resource data included in the download command 511 as a file (resource file) in the HDD 114 (S207). As described above, the job control unit 121 generates a resource file with the same file name for resource data associated with the same file name even in different print jobs. Therefore, in this case, the resource file generated in step S105 for the interrupted print job (that is, the interrupt job whose processing is interrupted in the drawing processing unit 122; hereinafter referred to as “original job”) is the step S207 for the interrupt job. Overwritten by the resource file created in.

  When the processing of the job control unit 121 is completed (S208), the printer system 123 activates the process of the drawing processing unit 122 for interrupt jobs (hereinafter referred to as “interrupt drawing processing unit 122a”) (S209). In other words, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122 a operates in a process space different from that of the drawing processing unit 122.

  Subsequently, the printer system 123 outputs the interrupt print data 50a to the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a and instructs execution of the drawing process (S210). The interrupt drawing processing unit 122a interprets the drawing command unit 52 in the interrupt print data 50a and executes processing according to the drawing command. That is, when the drawing command unit 52 of the interrupt print data 50a includes the resource data 521, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a stores (copies) the resource data 521 in a predetermined area in the process space of the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a. (S211).

  Subsequently, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a executes drawing processing (rendering) using the resource file downloaded to the HDD 114 and the resource data stored in the process space (S212). A print image is generated in the RAM 112 by the drawing process. In response to the generation of the print image, the printer 13 prints the print image. In other words, the print result of the interrupt job is output in a form that interrupts the original job. When the drawing process is completed, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a notifies the printer system 123 of the completion of the process (S213).

  When the processing of the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a is completed, the printer system 123 sends an interrupt completion notification to the drawing processing unit 122 related to the original job (S214). The printer system 123 may terminate the process related to the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a before or after the interrupt completion notification.

  In response to the interrupt completion notification, the drawing processing unit 122 resumes the interrupted drawing process (S215). At this time, however, the resource file stored in the HDD 114 may be overwritten by the resource file related to the interrupt job. Therefore, the printing result of the original job may be affected as it is. For example, when the original job and the interrupt job use font data relating to the same file name, the font data of the interrupt job is used for the drawing process of the original job. Note that even resource data with the same file name does not necessarily match. This is because it may be updated by processing in the job. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment solves such a problem by executing the following processing, which is omitted for convenience in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing for avoiding inconvenience due to overwriting of a resource file of an interrupt job. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a change in the state in the HDD in accordance with inconvenience avoidance processing due to overwriting of the resource file of the interrupt job. In FIG. 7, each rectangle indicates a storage area of the HDD 114. In addition, the reference numerals in parentheses on the left of each rectangle indicate the corresponding step numbers in FIG. 6. When the drawing processing unit 122 related to the original job receives an interrupt request (S <b> 301, step S <b> 202 in FIG. 5). The resource file (original job resource file) of the original job saved in the HDD 114 is saved (S302). For example, the file name of the original job resource file is changed, or the original job resource file is copied or moved to another directory (folder) on the file system. FIG. 7 (S302) shows a state where the original job resource file is copied from the area A on the HDD 114 to the area B. In FIG. 7, the area A indicates the storage position of the resource data to be used. That is, the resource file on the HDD 114 is always referred to the area A.

  Thereafter, an interrupt job is executed in response to the interrupt permission from the drawing processing unit 122 (S303). At this time, in step S 207 of FIG. 5, the job control unit 121 saves the interrupt job resource file (interrupt job resource file) in the HDD 114. FIG. 7 (S303) shows a state in which the original job resource file in the area A is overwritten by the interrupt job resource file.

  Subsequently, when receiving the interrupt completion notification (S304, S214 in FIG. 5), the drawing processing unit 122 saves the interrupt job resource to a position different from the save position of the original job resource file (S305). FIG. 7 (S305) shows a state in which the interrupt job resource file is moved from the area A to the area C.

  Subsequently, the drawing processing unit 122 restores the saved original job resource file as a usage target (S306). Specifically, the original job resource file is restored to a directory where the resource file to be used is stored with a predetermined file name indicating that it is a resource file to be used. FIG. 7 (S306) shows a state where the original job resource file saved in the area B is moved to the area A.

  Subsequently, the drawing processing unit 122 resumes the processing of the interrupted original job (S307, S215 in FIG. 5). At this time, the resource file referred to as a use target after execution of the interrupt job is the resource file of the original job. Therefore, the drawing process is appropriately executed by the resource file corresponding to the original job.

  When the original job drawing process is completed, the drawing processing unit 122 restores the saved interrupt job (S308). FIG. 7 (S308) shows a state in which the interrupt job resource file saved in the area C is moved to the area A. In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, if the resource file is not downloaded in a print job that is executed later, the resource file of the print job that is requested to be executed last is also used in the subsequent job. It is based on the idea that the user will expect that it is possible. However, the resource file of the original job may be left in the area A. In that case, the interrupt job resource file in area C may be deleted in step S308.

  Incidentally, the resource data 521 in the drawing command unit 52 of the print data 50 is held in the process space of the process of the drawing processing unit 122. Therefore, if the print job is executed normally, the resource data held at the time of the previously executed print job can be shared. However, in the case of interrupt printing, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a is activated as a new process, and therefore cannot share resource data with the process of the original job. Such a situation is not preferable from the viewpoint of convenience for the user. That is, the user makes a print request with the expectation that the resource data that has already been transferred to the image forming apparatus 10 can be used in a subsequent print job. The job resource data cannot be used because it is difficult for the user to understand. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment solves such a problem by executing the following processing, which is omitted for convenience in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a process for sharing resource data held in the process space with an interrupt job. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changes in the state of the process space and the HDD according to the processing for sharing the resource data held in the process space with the interrupt job. 9, rectangles denoted by reference numerals 1121, 1122, and 114 indicate the process space of the drawing processing unit 122, the process space of the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a, and the storage area of the HDD 114, respectively. Further, the reference numerals in parentheses indicate the corresponding step numbers in FIG. 8. When the drawing processing unit 122 related to the original job receives an interrupt request (S 401, step S 202 in FIG. 5), the process space 1121 of the drawing processing unit 122. The resource data (original job resource data) of the original job held in is stored as a file in the HDD 114 (S402). FIG. 9 (S402) shows a state where the original job resource data in the process space 1121 is copied to the HDD 114.

  The drawing processing unit 122 manages the resource data stored in the HDD 114 based on the following information.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a resource data management table. In FIG. 10, the resource data management table manages the file number and resource data ID for each resource data stored in the HDD 114 from the process space 1121. The file number is a number assigned in accordance with the order of saving. The file number is used as the file name as it is. Therefore, the file name of the resource data can be specified by the file number. The resource data ID is an ID assigned to each resource data in order to identify each resource data. That is, the difference between the resource data is identified by the resource data ID. The resource data management table is created in the HDD 114, for example. FIG. 10 shows a state immediately after step S402 is executed.

  Subsequently, after being started as a process (after S209 in FIG. 5), the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a refers to the resource data management table and stores the original job resource data stored in the HDD 114 in the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a. The process space 1122 is read (S403). FIG. 9 (S403) shows a state in which original job resource data is read from the HDD 114 into the process space 1122.

  Subsequently, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a acquires the resource data 521 (interrupt job resource data) of the drawing command unit 52 of the interrupt print data 50a and stores it in the process space 1122 (S404, S211 in FIG. 5). FIG. 9 (S404) shows a state in which interrupt job resource data is newly added to the process space 1122.

  Subsequently, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a executes drawing processing (rendering) (S405, S212 in FIG. 5). At this time, the original job resource data is also stored in the process space 1122 of the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a. Therefore, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a can execute the drawing process by using the resource data acquired in the previous print job as well as the normal print job.

  When the drawing process ends, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a stores the interrupt job resource data in the HDD 114 (S406). FIG. 9 (S406) shows a state where the interrupt job resource data in the process space 1122 is copied to an area different from the original job resource data in the HDD 114. When saving the interrupt job resource data, the interrupt drawing processing unit 122a adds a record corresponding to the saved interrupt job resource data to the resource data management table.

  Next, when receiving the interrupt completion notification (S407, S214 in FIG. 5), the original job drawing processing unit 122 resumes the interrupted original job drawing process (S408, S215 in FIG. 5). At this time, only the original job resource data is stored in the process space 1121 of the drawing processing unit 122 of the original job. Therefore, the original job drawing process is not affected by the interrupt job.

  Subsequently, the drawing processing unit 122 refers to the resource data management table and reads the interrupt job resource data stored in the HDD 114 into the process space 1121 (S409). FIG. 9 (S409) shows how interrupt job resource data is read from the HDD 114 into the process space 1121. Thereby, the resource data of the original job and the interrupt job can be used for subsequent print jobs. That is, the interrupt job resource data can be shared in subsequent print jobs.

  Next, details of the process of saving the interrupt job resource data in the HDD 114 in step S406 of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a process of saving interrupt job resource data in the HDD by the interrupt drawing processor.

  First, it is confirmed whether or not the original job resource data is stored in the HDD 114 (S501). The confirmation may be performed based on the resource data management table. That is, when a record is registered in the resource data management table, the original job resource data is stored in the HDD 114.

  If the original job resource data is stored in the HDD 114 (Yes in S501), only the resource data that does not overlap with the original job resource data among the interrupt job resource data in the process space 1122 is obtained by the processing in steps S502 to S505. Is stored in the HDD 114.

  That is, one of the interrupt resource data in the process space 1122 is set as a processing target (current resource data), and resource data (hereinafter referred to as “same ID resource data”) having the same resource data ID as the current resource data is a resource. It is confirmed whether or not it is registered in the data management table (S502). If not registered (No in S502), the resource data overlapping with the current resource data does not exist in the HDD 114, so the current resource data is stored in the HDD 114 as a file (S504). At this time, a record corresponding to the current resource data is added to the resource data management table.

  On the other hand, when the same ID resource data is registered (Yes in S502), it is determined whether or not the contents of the current resource data and the same ID resource data stored as a file in the HDD 114 are the same (S503). That is, for the same ID resource data, the contents of the resource data may be updated during the print job drawing process.

  If the contents are different (Yes in S503), the current resource data is saved as a file in the HDD 114 (S504). If the contents are the same, the current resource data is not saved. When the processing from step S502 to S504 is performed for all the resource data included in the interrupt job resource data (No in S505), the processing ends.

  If the original job resource data is not stored in the HDD 114 (No in S501), all the interrupt job resource data is stored in the HDD 114.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately handle resource data used for printing when interrupt printing is executed. The resource data may include various data such as macro data and pattern data designed by the user in addition to font data.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of print data related to one print job. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing of the image forming apparatus during normal printing. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing of the image forming apparatus when interrupt printing occurs. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process for avoiding inconvenience due to overwriting of a resource file of an interrupt job. It is a figure which shows the change in the state in HDD according to the inconvenience avoidance process by overwrite of the resource file of an interruption job. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process for making an interrupt job share the resource data hold | maintained in process space. It is a figure which shows the change of the state of process space and HDD according to the process for sharing the resource data hold | maintained in process space with an interruption job. It is a figure which shows the example of a resource data management table. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of saving interrupt job resource data in an HDD by an interrupt drawing processor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Network interface 16 Operation panel 110 Control service 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 120 Printer application 121 Job control part 122 Drawing process part 122a Interruption drawing process part 123 Printer system 130 FAX application 140 Copy application

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing,
Resource data acquisition means for downloading resource data in accordance with a print command and storing it in a predetermined reference destination of a storage device;
A first rendering unit configured to generate a print image using resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination in response to the print command;
Second drawing means for generating a print image using resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination in response to a print command of the interrupt printing,
The first drawing unit includes a second drawing unit that relates to an interrupted print command before the first resource data corresponding to the print command for interrupt printing is stored in the predetermined reference destination by the resource data acquisition unit. The resource data is saved to a position different from the predetermined reference destination in the storage device, and when the interrupt printing ends, the saved second resource data is returned to the predetermined reference destination, An image forming apparatus, wherein processing relating to an interrupted print command is resumed.   The second rendering unit generates the print image using the first resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination by the resource data acquisition unit after the second resource data is saved. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The first drawing means saves the first resource data to a position different from the predetermined reference destination in the storage device before restoring the second resource data in response to completion of the interrupt printing. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after the processing related to the interrupted print command is completed, the saved first resource data is returned to the predetermined reference destination. An image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing,
The first resource data that is started as a process and is included in the print command is stored in the process space of the process, and the first resource data is shared for each of a plurality of print commands to display a print image. A first drawing means to generate;
A second drawing unit that is activated as a process for the interrupt printing and generates a print image in response to a print command of the interrupt printing;
The first drawing means stores the first resource data as a file in a storage device,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the second drawing unit generates the print image using the first resource data stored in the file by reading the file into the process space.   The second drawing means stores the second resource data included in the print command of the interrupt printing in the process space of the process, and performs the print image using the second resource data as well. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The second drawing means stores the second resource data as a file in the storage device,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second drawing unit reads the second resource data from the file after the processing for the interrupted print command is completed, and stores the second resource data in the process space. . An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing,
Resource data acquisition procedure for downloading resource data in response to a print command and storing it in a predetermined reference destination of the storage device;
A first drawing procedure for generating a print image using resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination in response to the print command;
A second drawing procedure for generating a print image using resource data stored in the predetermined reference destination in response to a print command of the interrupt printing,
In the first drawing procedure, the second resource related to the interrupted print command is stored before the first resource data corresponding to the print command for the interrupt printing is stored in the predetermined reference destination by the resource data acquisition procedure. The resource data is saved to a position different from the predetermined reference destination in the storage device, and when the interrupt printing ends, the saved second resource data is returned to the predetermined reference destination, An information processing method characterized by resuming processing relating to an interrupted print command. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus capable of executing interrupt printing,
The first resource data that is started as a process and is included in the print command is stored in the process space of the first process, and the first resource data is shared for each of a plurality of print commands and printed. A first drawing procedure to generate an image;
A second drawing procedure that is started as a process for the interrupt printing and generates a print image in response to a print command of the interrupt printing;
The first drawing procedure stores the first resource data as a file in a storage device,
The information processing method according to claim 2, wherein the second drawing procedure generates the print image by using the first resource data stored in the file by reading the file into the process space.   An information processing program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute the information processing method according to claim 7.   An information processing program for causing an image forming apparatus to execute the information processing method according to claim 8.

Images