JP2008288733A - Image processing device and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device for processing a next job even when a specific job cannot be processed, without increasing the memory capacity of the device. <P>SOLUTION: When a received job A is not executable at an MFP (multi-function peripheral) (S103:NO), or when an error occurs during the execution (S105:YES), processing of the job A is suspended, its task management information is updated, and suspension of the job A and its restart condition are stored in a task management table (S108). Then, image data related to the job A and a job processing information indicative of its process condition are associated with a job ID assigned to the job A, and transferred to a server (S109-S111) (when the image data are saved at the server, only the job processing information is processed). After that, if data of the job A are erased, firmware required for execution of the job A is canceled, and a storage region of a memory of the device is opened on stand by for receiving a next job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus to which an external storage device is connected, and more particularly to a technique for executing an image processing job rationally even if the storage capacity in the apparatus is small.

An image processing apparatus, for example, a single multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as copying, printing, and scanning is often used in offices.
In recent years, models that have the function of accumulating scanned image data in their own devices have also appeared, and such models store firmware for executing a plurality of functions and a large amount of image data files. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity storage device inside, and the cost of the device cannot be avoided.

On the other hand, MFPs used in offices are often used by being connected to a network. By using an external storage device on the network, the storage capacity inside the MFP can be maximized. Attempts have been made to reduce the cost of the apparatus by reducing it to a minimum.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for setting an expiration date of a folder in the device, transferring the data in the folder to an external storage device when the expiration date has passed, and releasing the storage area of that portion. In addition, in Patent Document 2, when data in the storage unit in the device is erased for a predetermined time, or when an erase instruction is issued by the user, the data is transferred to the external storage device. Yes.

In such a conventional technique, when a job is completed, the image data related to the job is transferred to an external storage device, or the firmware data of an unused application is deleted, so that the job is processed even with a small storage capacity. This can reduce the cost.
JP 2002-152477 A JP 2006-163470 A JP 2001-67228 A

  However, in the above conventional technique, image data and firmware data are transferred after the job is completed, and there is some factor during processing of the received job (for example, the specified size of the paper is out of print job execution). ), The job data remains occupied for a long time until the cause of the interruption is removed, and no new jobs can be accepted during that time. Therefore, the job processing efficiency is very poor.

Such inconvenience is a problem that occurs in general image processing apparatuses that execute jobs related to image data, including not only the above-described multifunction peripherals but also dedicated machines such as copiers, printers, and scanners.
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and even when a specific job cannot be processed, the subsequent job can be processed without increasing the storage capacity for internal job processing. An object is to provide a possible image processing apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that is communicably connected to an external storage device, and that receives an image processing job and image data in the received image processing job. And a processing condition of the image data as job data, a job data storage memory for storing the image data, image processing means for executing an image processing job based on the stored job data, and execution of the image processing job become impossible A transmission unit that adds identification information to the job data and transmits the job data to the external storage device when a situation occurs, and an erasing unit that deletes the transmitted job data from the job data storage memory. And

  As described above, when a situation where the execution of the image processing job becomes impossible occurs, the job data including the image data and the job processing conditions is transmitted to the external storage device and saved, and the job data is stored in the job data. Since it is configured to be erased from the storage memory, a new image processing job can be received and stored in the job data storage memory, and subsequent image processing jobs can be executed. As a result, even if the storage capacity of the memory of the apparatus main body is reduced to reduce the cost of the apparatus, the image processing job can be processed efficiently.

  The transmission means may execute the execution when there is an image processing job that can be executed among other waiting image processing jobs in a case where the execution of one image processing job becomes impossible. The image data of the impossible image processing job may be transmitted to the external storage device, or the image processing job that cannot be executed when the reception unit receives a new image processing job. The job data may be transmitted to the external storage device. In this way, job data is not wasted when there is no image processing job to be executed next.

  Further, the present invention determines whether or not image data relating to an unexecutable image processing job is stored in the external storage device when a situation where the execution of one image processing job becomes impossible occurs. A determination unit configured to determine, and when the image data is stored in an external storage device, the transmission unit adds only job processing information of the job data to the image processing job with identification information. The data is transmitted to an external storage device. In this case, it is not necessary to store the image data relating to the image processing job in the external storage device.

  The present invention also provides management information storage means for storing, as management information, identification information of job data transmitted to the external storage device and conditions for restarting the image processing job, and makes it impossible to execute the image processing job. When the situation has been resolved, resumable job identifying means for identifying an image processing job whose resumption is a resumption condition based on the management information, and identifying information for identifying the identified image processing job, Job data acquisition means for acquiring corresponding job data from the external storage device, and the image processing means executes an image processing job based on the acquired job data.

Thereby, when the situation that the execution of the image processing job is impossible is resolved, the job data of the image processing job can be acquired and resumed.
The present invention also provides firmware acquisition means for acquiring firmware necessary for executing an image processing job in the image processing means from an external storage device, firmware storage memory for storing the acquired firmware, and one image processing And a discarding unit that discards firmware for executing the image processing job when a situation where the job cannot be executed occurs.

  The firmware required to execute the image processing job is discarded when the firmware required to execute the image processing job is acquired and the image processing job cannot be executed. Memory capacity is also released. Even when multiple different types of image processing jobs can be executed, it is sufficient to acquire and execute only necessary firmware without storing firmware corresponding to all image processing jobs. Each image processing job can be executed at least.

  At this time, if the image processing job to be executed next can use the firmware used for the processing of the image forming job that has become unexecutable, if the discarding of the firmware in the discarding unit is prohibited, The firmware is not wasted.

In the following, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an example of a multi-function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) that can be connected to a network and has a plurality of functions such as a copier, a printer, and a scanner. I will explain.
<First Embodiment>
(1) Configuration of Image Processing System FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing system 100 including an MFP 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, this image processing system includes an MFP 1, a file server (hereinafter simply referred to as “server”) 2 as an external storage device, and client terminals 3, 4, and 5 including personal computers. (Area network) 6.
In this image processing system, the user can directly operate the operation panel of the MFP 1 to execute a copy job or the like, and can request a print job or the like from the client terminals 3 to 5 to the MFP 1 via the LAN 6.

In the present embodiment, the MFP 1 can execute image processing jobs such as “scan job”, “facsimile transmission / reception job”, and “memory storage job” in addition to the above “copy job” and “print job”. To do.
Here, a “copy job” is a job that reproduces an original image on a recording sheet by executing a printing operation based on image data obtained by reading the original image with a scanner, and a “scan job” A job that reads an image with a scanner and transfers the image data to a specified destination such as another server or terminal. The “print job” includes processing for sending print data from a client terminal and printing based on the print data, and processing for designating a file stored in the server 2 and printing it out to the server 2. The “facsimile transmission / reception job” is a job for transmitting / receiving facsimile data, and the “memory storage job” is a job for transmitting image data obtained by scanning or image data in a print job to the server 2 for filing. is there.

Each job is executed according to the processing conditions specified by the user.
(2) Configuration of MFP 1 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP 1.
As shown in the figure, the MFP 1 is roughly composed of a control unit 10, a scanner unit 20, and a printer unit 30.

The control unit 10 mainly includes a CPU 11, a network communication unit 12, a FAX modem 13, a nonvolatile memory 14, a system RAM 15, an image RAM 16, an operation panel 17, and the like.
The network communication unit 12 is for performing data communication between the CPU 11, the client terminal units 3 to 5 and the server 2 via the LAN 6, and includes a LAN card, a LAN board, or the like.

The FAX modem 13 is for transmitting / receiving facsimile data to / from other facsimile apparatuses via a telephone line.
The nonvolatile memory 14 is composed of an EEPROM or the like, and stores various tables necessary for control to be described later.
The system RAM 15 needs data of firmware of various applications to be executed by the MFP 1 (hereinafter, “firmware” may be simply abbreviated as “FW” in the drawings and the like in the present specification). Accordingly, it is downloaded from the server 2 and stored.

The image RAM 16 stores image data relating to the job to be executed.
The CPU 11 reads a necessary program from the system RAM 15 and executes control of the selected image processing job.
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 17 includes a hard disk key 171, a start key 172, a stop key 173, and a display unit 174 including a liquid crystal display panel with a touch panel mounted on the surface. Various processing conditions can be input by the user touching a predetermined button on the setting screen of the display unit 174.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data storage state in the server 2 and a state of data transfer between the server 2 and the MFP 1. As shown in the figure, the server 2 is provided with an application FW data storage unit 201, a job data storage unit 202, and a user data storage unit 203.
The application FW data storage unit 201 stores firmware data for executing each application and is downloaded to the MFP 1 according to the type of job executed by the MFP 1.

Here, the copy function program is a program for controlling output settings and operations such as image data editing such as read image quality, magnification, and page allocation in a copy job, and as a “copy function application” together with a scanner program and a printer program. It is downloaded to the system RAM 15 and operates.
The scan function program is a program that controls settings and operations such as read image quality in scan jobs, conversion of read image data into general-purpose file formats such as TIFF and PDF, transmission destinations, and network transmission. At the same time, it is downloaded to the system RAM 15 and operates as a “scan function application”.

  The FAX function program sets and controls the reading operation of the scanner unit 20, the resolution, the compression format, the transmission destination, and the like when transmitting a facsimile, and transmits it via the FAX modem 13. When receiving a facsimile, the FAX function program is received via the FAX modem 13. A program that converts facsimile data into a format that can be printed by the apparatus, and transmits the data to the printer unit 30 for printing. The program is downloaded to the system RAM 15 as a “FAX function application” together with the scanner program and the printer program and operates.

  The memory storage program stores image data read by the scanner unit 20 or image data related to a print job in the user data storage unit 203 of the server 2 or designates and prints a file of the stored image data. There is a program that controls reading by the scanner unit 20, setting of a storage destination, image compression, transmission to the server 2, and the like. This memory storage program is downloaded to the system RAM 15 and operates as a “memory storage application” together with the scanner program and the printer program.

The scanner program is a program for controlling the operation of the scanner unit 20 and the operation of inputting read data to the image RAM 16. The printer program is a program for controlling the operation of the printer unit 30 and output of image data from the image RAM 16.
Further, in the job data storage unit 202, when an error or the like occurs in the MFP 1 during each image processing job and the job processing is interrupted, the image data related to the job transferred from the MFP 1 and the processing of the job are stored. Information on conditions (hereinafter referred to as “job processing information”) is stored in association with identification information (hereinafter referred to as “job ID”) for specifying the job, and downloaded to the MFP 1 as necessary. The Details will be described later.

The user data storage unit 203 stores a folder (save folder) for saving the image data sent from the MFP 1 by the memory accumulation job with a file name and a user setting for saving the address book set by the user. Includes folders.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how firmware and image data are downloaded from the server 2 to the MFP 1.

As shown in the figure, various functional applications for executing the corresponding job are read from the application FW data storage unit 201 (FIG. 4) of the server 2 and downloaded to the system RAM 15 of the control unit 10. In FIG. 5, for example, “print function application” is an abbreviation of “print function application”.
The nonvolatile memory 14 includes an OS (operating system) serving as a platform, a minimum system program necessary for the operation of the apparatus, a panel operation program for receiving screen display control and input operations on the operation panel 17, an external The MFP 1 stores setting management information such as a communication control program for communicating with the other apparatus, a task control program for managing job execution, and address data of the external apparatus (particularly the IP address of the server 2). Are sequentially stored in the system RAM 15 when the power is turned on.

In the present embodiment, the system RAM 15 and the image RAM 16 are configured as separate RAMs for convenience, but it goes without saying that the storage area inside one RAM may be divided and used. The system RAM 15 and the image RAM 16 will be described as having sufficient storage capacity for processing one job in a normal use state.
(3) Control contents in the control unit 10
(3-1) Job Execution Process FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the control contents of the job execution process executed by the control unit 10.

The control unit 10 receives an image processing job (job A) and executes reception processing (step S101).
In this reception process, a job ID for management is assigned to the job A, and a processing condition (job processing information) designated by the user for processing the job A is associated with the job ID in the job processing table. And the process of registering the job in the task management table. These job processing table and task management table are created in the nonvolatile memory 14, for example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the job processing table 141.
As shown in the figure, in addition to the job ID and job type, the table includes a job processing information column for the job, and stores corresponding information.
The “job ID” is mechanically assigned based on the date and time when the job is received, the order of reception, and the like. “Job type” indicates the content of the requested job. For example, it refers to the type of image processing job executed by the MFP 1, such as printing, copying, scanning, memory storage, facsimile transmission / reception.

“Job processing information” is information relating to the processing conditions of the job, and FIG. 7 shows an example in which job A is a print job.
As shown in the figure, job A is assigned job ID 0001 as its identification information, and this is a print job. As job processing information, color (color printing or BW (monochrome) printing), paper orientation , Paper size, number of copies, page allocation, printing surface (double-sided printing or single-sided printing), number of copies, necessity of stapling, and the like are set. In addition, processing conditions such as enlargement / reduction magnification and print density are also added depending on the model.

In the case of a scanner job, reading resolution, transmission destination address (E-mail address or IP address), file name, file format, and the like are set as job processing information.
In the case of a memory storage job that reads out image data from the server 2 or another terminal and prints it out, in addition to the printout processing conditions, the address of the terminal that stores the image data file to be processed, the file Name, file format, etc. are set as job processing information.

For other jobs, conditions necessary for processing the jobs are set as job processing information. However, since the processing conditions for each job are known, they will not be described further here.
For example, when the job A is requested from the operation panel 17, the job type and job processing information can be acquired by an input operation to the operation panel 17 by the user. If it is received from any of the terminals 3 to 5 via the LAN 6, the job type and job processing information are included in the header of the data of the job A, so a job processing table is created from these. Is done.

The task management table registers jobs in the order in which they are received, and stores the processing status of each job (see FIG. 8 described later).
Returning to FIG. 6, in step S <b> 102, information regarding the type of job A is obtained from the job processing table 141, and firmware data necessary for execution of the job is requested from the server 2 and downloaded into the system RAM 15.

However, when the job A designates and prints the image data file stored in the server 2 in the memory accumulation job, the image data of the designated file is also downloaded from the server 2.
Next, it is determined whether or not the job A is an executable job (step S103).
The nonvolatile memory 14 stores a table (not shown) that lists functions that can be executed by the device itself. The control unit 10 compares the processing conditions in the table and the job processing table 141 and executes the table. Determine whether it is possible. In addition, when there is no paper of the size requested by job A or when the toner runs out, it is determined that the job cannot be executed.

  If the job A can be executed, this is executed (step S104). If no error occurs during the execution of the job A, the job A is completed (step S105: NO, step S106: YES). The data of job A (image data related to job A, data in job processing table 141 and task management table 142) is deleted, and the firmware in system RAM 15 is discarded (step S107).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S103 that job A cannot be executed (step S103: NO), or if an error occurs in step S105 (step S105: YES), the job data stop process in steps S108 to S111 is executed. To do.
“Error” in step S105 means the occurrence of a situation in which the image processing job cannot be executed, and the content differs for each type of job. For example, in the case of a print job or copy job, the specified size is out of paper, out of toner, paper jam, etc. In the case of a scan job or memory accumulation job, in addition to paper jam, there may be network communication problems. In the case of a facsimile transmission job, it is possible that the other party's receiver is out of paper, the telephone line is interrupted, or the like.

If the job cannot be executed as described above, the processing of the job A is stopped and the task management information in the task management table is updated in step S108. Here, the task management information is information to be stored in the task management table, and includes information such as the job ID, the type of the job, and the job A restart condition.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the task management table 142 after the task management information of job A (job ID 0001) is updated. As shown in the figure, information such as the status (job processing status), the restart condition, the job type, and the number of interrupted pages is stored in association with the job ID.

When a new job is received, information indicating “new” is written in the “status” column, and the type of the job is written in “job type”.
However, when job processing is stopped, the “status” field is rewritten to “stop” as in job ID 0001, and the conditions for canceling the error are written in the “restart condition” field, and the job When the process is stopped in the middle of processing, the task management information is updated by writing the number of pages at the time of interruption in the “interrupted page” field.

In the example of FIG. 8, the job with the job ID 0001 is a print job, and is stopped when the 15th page is printed, and the resumption condition is that A4 size paper is supplied.
Returning to FIG. 6, after the job A is stopped in step S108 as described above, in step S109, it is confirmed whether or not the image data of the job A is stored in the server 2, and the image data is stored in the server 2. If not stored, the image data, the job processing information, and the job ID are transmitted to the server 2 (step S109: NO, step S111).

Since the MFP 1 performs a job for image data according to the job processing information, hereinafter, the image data and the job processing information are collectively referred to as “job data” in the present specification.
At the time of the transmission, the control unit 10 converts the image data of the job data into a general-purpose format (for example, bitmap data) so that the server 2 can easily save the data, and converts the entire job data into, for example, FIG. Arrange the data structure as follows. Further, when job data is transmitted to the server 2, the IP address of the server 2 is read from the setting information management information in the nonvolatile memory 14, and is transmitted by a known communication protocol such as FTP (File Transfer Protocol). .

As shown in FIG. 4, when the server 2 receives the job data and job ID, the server 2 stores them in the job data storage unit 202.
If the corresponding image data is stored in the server 2, it is not necessary to transmit the image data, so only the job processing information is transmitted to the server 2 together with the job ID (step S109: YES, step S110).

  Whether or not the image data of the job A is stored in the server 2 is referred to, for example, by referring to the job processing table 141 (or the task management table 142) and the job A stored in the server 2 as a user file. Since the image data to be printed is stored in the user data storage unit 203 of the server 2 as a matter of course, the image data to be printed is stored in the user data storage unit 203 of the server 2. This can be determined by referring to the job type in the task management table 142.

However, a separate ID may be assigned to each image data, or the file name of the image data may be used to inquire the server 2 about the presence or absence of the same image data ID or the same file name.
Note that the determination in step S109 is not necessarily essential to the present invention, and job data including image data may be transmitted for all interrupted jobs.

After transmitting the job data, in step S107, the main routine for controlling the entire MFP 1 by deleting the job data of the job A stored separately in the nonvolatile memory 14 and the image RAM 16 and discarding the corresponding firmware. Return to (not shown).
Here, “erase” of data means that the storage area occupied by the data is released, and the data is not only completely erased from the storage area, but may be overwritten. Is included.

Further, “discarding” firmware is a process of “invalidating” an application executed by the firmware, and is a concept including “erasing” of data of the firmware in the present embodiment.
As described above, in the job execution process according to the present embodiment, when the job A cannot be executed from the beginning, or when a situation where the job A cannot be executed in the middle occurs, the job data of the job A together with the job ID is stored in the server 2. Since the storage areas of the system RAM 15 and the image RAM 16 occupied for executing the job A are released, data relating to a new job can be stored and executed. The processing efficiency of subsequent image processing jobs does not decrease.

(3-2) Job Resumption Processing FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the contents of the job resumption processing according to the present embodiment, which is executed by the control unit 10 triggered by detection of error cancellation.
First, in step S201, it is determined whether or not the error has been canceled.
This determination of error cancellation itself is performed by using various known detection means. For example, if the error is a paper jam, it can be determined that the error has been cleared when the jam sensor no longer detects the paper jam, and if the paper is out of paper, it can be fed to the paper tray of that size. Is detected by a photoelectric sensor, a limit switch, or the like, it is considered that the error has been canceled. Further, the interruption due to the out of toner in the developing device is determined to be an error release when it is detected that a new toner cartridge has been replaced. In the case of a communication error, a signal is periodically sent to the other party according to the communication protocol of the selected job, and it can be determined that the error has been canceled when a response signal is received.

Next, the “resumption condition” column of the task management table 142 (see FIG. 8) is searched (step S202), and it is determined whether or not there is a resumption condition that matches the content of the error cancellation in step S201 (step S202). S203).
If there is a resume condition job that matches the task management table 142, the job ID and job type are acquired from the task management table 142, and the IP address of the server 2 is read from the setting management information in the nonvolatile memory 14. Then, the server 2 is requested and acquired the job data of the job ID and the firmware for executing the job data (step S203: YES, step S204).

As described with reference to FIG. 9, since the job data includes image data and job processing information, the control unit 10 stores these data in the system RAM 15 and the image RAM 16, respectively. Execute (Step S205).
If the job is interrupted after being executed halfway, the job may be continued from that page by referring to the information of “number of interrupted pages” stored in the task management table 142. .

  When the job is completed, the job data is deleted from the job processing table 141, the firmware is discarded, and the system RAM 15 and the image RAM 16 are freed up for the next job execution (step S206: YES). , S207), the process returns to the main routine. At this time, the task management information of the executed job in the task management table 142 may also be deleted.

If “NO” is determined in step S201 or S203, there is no job that can be resumed, and the process directly returns to the main routine.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a job is stopped, only the task management information is stored in the task management table 142 in the MFP 1, and the storage capacity for managing the stopped job is stored. If the error is resolved without interfering with the execution of the subsequent job, the job data and the corresponding firmware are acquired from the server 2 and the interrupted job is automatically Since it can be executed, it is possible to save the user from reissuing the interrupted job.

  In FIG. 10, for the sake of simplicity, when an error is canceled, a job is set to be executed immediately if there is a job whose restart condition is to cancel the error. If the job is being executed, the job is resumed after the job is stopped. In addition, when there are other waiting jobs, the priority order of the resumed job may be determined based on a rule set in advance by the user.

If an error occurs again during execution of the resumed job, the same processing as in FIG. 6 is repeated.
(4) Communication sequence
Next, a communication sequence executed between the control unit 10 and the server 2 in accordance with the control operation by the control unit 10 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 in the case where the received job is a copy job. .

FIG. 11 shows a communication sequence during job execution processing.
When the user places a document on the document tray of the MFP 1 and selects a copy function from the operation screen 174 of the operation panel 17 and inputs a copy process condition and presses the start key 172 (P1), the job reception process is performed. The job ID is assigned and job processing information and task management information are created and stored in the job processing table 141 and the task management table 142, respectively (P2).

The firmware required for executing the copy job to the server 2 (copy function, scanner, and printer programs) is requested and downloaded to the system RAM 15 of the control unit 10 (P3), and the copy job is started. (P4).
At this time, the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 20 is sequentially written in the image RAM 16 (P5), and printing is executed by the printer unit 30 based on the image data.

  If an error is detected in the middle of the copy job, the execution of the job is stopped (P6), and the task control program is notified of the error in the task control program and the content of the error (P7). In the task control program, the task management information of the job in the task management table 142 is updated, and the fact that the job has been stopped and its restart condition are stored (P8). In the system control program, the image data of the document is read from the image RAM 16 and converted into a predetermined format, and then the job data including the image data and job processing information in the job processing table 141 is associated with the job ID of the job. In addition to transferring to the server 2 (P10), an instruction is given to discard the image data in the image RAM 16, and the image data in the image RAM 16 is erased (P11, P12). Next, the copy job firmware in the system RAM 15 is also discarded (P13).

Next, a communication sequence at the time of job resumption processing will be described based on FIG.
When it is detected that the error has been released (P21), an error release notification is sent to the task control program (P22). This error cancellation notification includes the content of the canceled error, and the task control program searches the task management table 142 for a matching job restart condition, and if so, executes the job. To the system control program (P23). This instruction includes the job ID of the job to be restarted, and the system control program downloads firmware for executing the job (here, a print job) from the server 2 based on the job ID. The job data associated with the job ID is downloaded from the server 2 (P24, P25).

  Then, image data is extracted from the downloaded job data and stored in the image RAM 16 (P26), and a print job is executed based on the processing conditions in the job data (P27). When the job is completed (P28), a job discard instruction regarding the job ID is transmitted to the task control program, the image RAM 16 and the server 2 (P29). In response to this, each corresponding to the job ID is received. The stored task management information, image data, and job data are deleted (P30, P31, P32).

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, when the accepted job cannot be executed from the beginning, or is interrupted due to an error, the job data of the job is immediately transferred to the server 2 and stored in its own apparatus. While deleting the job data and discarding the firmware data for executing the job to release the storage area, in this embodiment, there is another job that can be executed and is waiting. Only the job data is transferred to the server 2 to control the storage area to be released. Accordingly, all other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and only the control content of the job execution process is different.
(1) Control Contents of Job Execution Process FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the contents of the job execution process in the second embodiment. The description common to the flowchart of FIG. 6 in the first embodiment will be simplified, and the contents specific to this embodiment will be described in detail.

First, a reception process is performed for job A (step S301), and it is determined whether firmware for executing job A is currently downloaded to the system RAM 15 (step S302). If not, the firmware is downloaded from the server 2. (Step S302: YES, Step S303).
Here, the contents of firmware necessary for each type of job are shown in the table of FIG. In the drawing, the type of job to be executed is described in the top line, “◯” is a program necessary for executing the job, and “X” is an unnecessary program. Such a table is stored in, for example, the non-volatile memory 14, and the CPU 11 refers to the table to make the determination in step S302.

  If the firmware necessary for job execution has already been downloaded (step S302: NO), the process directly proceeds to step S304 to determine whether job A can be executed, and if possible, job A is executed (step S305). . If job A is completed without error (step S306: NO, step S307: YES), the data relating to job A is erased and the corresponding firmware is discarded (step S308).

If job A is not executable (step S304: NO) or an error occurs during execution (step S306: YES), the process proceeds to step S309, job A is stopped, and task management information And the fact that the job A has been stopped and its resumption condition are written in the task management table 142 (step S309).
Then, the task management table 142 is searched to check whether there is a waiting job (step S311). If there is a waiting job (hereinafter referred to as “job B”), it can be started. It is determined whether or not it is a job (steps S311: YES, S312).

  For example, it is determined that the job A can be started if the job A is stopped due to an A4 out-of-paper error, and the waiting job A is a print job for B5-size paper. If job A is stopped due to toner exhaustion, it is determined that it cannot be started if the waiting job is a copy job or print job using toner, but if it is a scan job, toner is not used. So it is possible to start.

If the searched job B can be started, data transfer / erasure processing regarding the job A is executed in steps S314 to S320 in order to execute the job B.
That is, when the image data of job A is stored in the server 2, only the job processing information of job A is transmitted in association with the user ID (step S314: YES, S315), and the image data is not stored. In this case, the job data (image data + job processing information) is transmitted to the server 2 in association with the user ID (steps S314: NO, S316). Then, the job data of job A in the MFP 1 is deleted (step S317).

  In the next step S318, it is determined whether or not the searched job B waiting can use the firmware of the existing job A. If possible, the firmware currently stored in the system RAM 15 is maintained as it is ( Step S318: YES, S319) If not possible, the existing firmware is discarded and the firmware corresponding to the job B is downloaded from the server 2 (Steps S318: NO, S320, S321).

Note that the table in FIG. 14 is also referred to for determining whether the firmware can be used.
Then, the image data of job B is acquired, an execution instruction is issued, and the process returns to the main routine. Thereafter, processing similar to the processing from step S302 to S322 is executed for job B.

  If it is determined in step S311 that there is no waiting job, or if it is determined in step S312 that the searched job B cannot be started, the process proceeds to step S313, where the error is canceled and the job is canceled. It is determined whether or not execution of A is possible. If the error is canceled and job A is executable (step S313: YES), the process proceeds to step S305 to execute job A. Execute. At this time, the job A may be executed from the beginning. However, in the case of a print job or a copy job, it is preferable that the job A is executed from the job after the interruption from the viewpoint of saving paper and toner. Further, it may be possible for the user to select in advance from the operation panel 17 which one of these restart processes is to be executed.

If it is determined in step S313 that job A is not in an executable state (step S313: NO), the processes in steps S310 to S312 are repeated, and then a new job that can be started. Confirm that is not accepted.
If the job A is not executed in this flowchart, a job resumption process similar to that in FIG. 10 in the first embodiment is executed.

In addition, after job A is completed in step S307, the data of job A is erased in step S308 and the firmware applied to the job A is discarded. For the latter, the presence or absence of a waiting job is confirmed. If there is a waiting job, it is determined whether or not the firmware of job A can be used by the same processing as steps S318 to S321, and if it can be used, it may not be discarded.
(2) Communication Sequence Next, a communication sequence executed between the control unit 10 and the server 2 in accordance with the control by the control unit 10 is described based on FIGS. 15 and 16 when the job A is a copy job. I will explain it. Since the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 11 in the first embodiment indicate the same contents, the contents specific to the present embodiment will be mainly described below.

First, FIG. 15 shows a communication sequence at the time of job execution processing when the job A that has been stopped and the searched standby job B that can be started is the same copy job.
After an error occurs in the job A and stops, the task management information of the job A is updated (P8), and when the job B is retrieved from the task management table 142 (P101), the job A data of the job A is stored in the server 2 The image data is erased (P10 to P12).

Thereafter, the task control program reads the job processing information of job B from the job processing table 141, notifies the system control program of the job processing information, and sends an execution instruction (P102). The system control program receives this execution instruction and executes job B according to the job processing information (P103).
In this example, since the standby job B is also a copy job, the firmware of the copy job of job A can be used, and there is no need to newly download firmware from the server 2.

  However, when the waiting job searched as shown in FIG. 16 is scan job C (P201), after the image data of job A is deleted (P12), the job processing information of job C is sent to the system control program. And an execution instruction is transmitted (P202). Since the scan function program for performing the scan job is not present in the system RAM 15, it is downloaded from the server 2 and the job C is started (P203, P204).

At this time, only the scan program of the firmware of the previous copy job is left and the others are discarded.
<Third Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, even if the job A is stopped, the data of the job A is not transferred and deleted from the MFP 1 if there is no other waiting job that can be started. In this embodiment, when the next new job is received, the data of job A is mechanically erased without determining the start possibility.

(1) Content of Control FIG. 17 is a partial flowchart showing only the parts different from the flowchart of FIG. 13 of the second embodiment in the job execution process executed in the third embodiment. is there.
After job A is stopped in step S309 and its task management information is updated, whether or not a new job is accepted is determined in step S325, and if accepted (step S325: YES), image data of job A in the server 2 is determined. (Step S326), and job data is transmitted together with the job ID according to the result (step S326: NO, step S328), or only job processing information is transmitted together with the job ID (step S326: YES, step S327).

  Thereafter, the job data of job A is erased (step S329), and it is determined whether or not the new job can use the firmware of job A in the system RAM 15 with reference to the table of FIG. 14 (step S330). If available, the existing firmware is retained (step S330: YES, step S331). If not available, the existing firmware is discarded and the firmware corresponding to the new job A is downloaded from the server 2 (step S330: NO, steps S332, 333).

A new job execution instruction is issued (step S334), and after returning to the main routine, job execution processing for the new job is executed.
According to the present embodiment, as soon as a new job is received, the data of job A can be transferred and the new job can be executed immediately.
The stopped job A is executed in the job resumption process of FIG. 10 as in the first embodiment.

(2) Communication Sequence FIGS. 18 and 19 are communication sequences executed for each of a case where a new job received after stopping the copy job A is a copy job and a scan job in the job execution process.
In FIG. 18, after job A stops due to an error and notifies the task control program to that effect (P7), when a new copy job B is received from the operation panel 17 (P301), job B reception processing is performed. Execute (Step S302). After the image data of job A is deleted (P12), the task control program reads the job processing information of job B from the job processing table 141, notifies the system control program of the job processing information, and executes the execution instruction. (P303). In response to this execution instruction, the system control program starts the copy job B (P304).

In this example, since the standby job B is a copy job, the firmware of the copy job of job A can be used, and there is no need to newly download firmware from the server 2.
However, when the received new job A is a scan job C as shown in FIG. 19 (P401), the job control information of job C is notified to the system control program after the image data of job A is deleted (P12). Although the execution instruction is transmitted (P404), since the scan function program for executing the scan job is not in the system RAM 15, it is downloaded from the server 2 and the job C is started (P405, P406).

At this time, only the scanner program remains in the firmware of the previous copy job, and the others are discarded.
<Modification>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment. However, the content of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the following modifications can be considered.

  (1) The image processing system 100 (FIG. 1) in the above embodiment is merely an example for carrying out the present invention, and it goes without saying that the number of terminals, MFPs, etc. is not limited to that shown in FIG. Absent. Further, the LAN connected to the terminal and the LAN connected to the MFP 1 and the server 2 may be connected to each other via a gateway. Further, the terminal, MFP 1, server 2, and the like may be configured to be connected to a WAN (wide area network) instead of a LAN.

In addition to the file server, the external storage device may be a dedicated storage device such as a hard disk device capable of network communication.
Further, the external storage device does not necessarily have to be connected to the MFP via the network, and the MFP 1 and the external storage device may be locally connected on a one-to-one basis using USB or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the case where there is one external storage device (server 2) in the image processing system has been described. However, when there are a plurality of external storage devices (server 2), information for specifying each external storage device (device specifying information: for example, The IP address of the external storage device) is stored in the setting management information of the nonvolatile memory 14, and when job data is transmitted to a specific external storage device in response to a user's specification, the transmission is performed. The device identification information of the previous external storage device is stored in the task management table of FIG. 8, and when downloading the job data, the job ID is designated for the external storage device of the device identification information. And request download.

  (2) In the job execution process in the above embodiment, a job processing table 141 and a task management table 142 are created as a reception process when a job is received, and when the job is stopped / suspended, Although the task management information is controlled to be updated (steps S101 and S108 in FIG. 6), in order to manage only the stopped / suspended job, a job ID is assigned to the job A at the stage of step S108. The task management information may be generated.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the MFP, which is a multifunction peripheral, has been described as an example of the image processing apparatus. However, a printer dedicated machine, a facsimile dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, a scanner dedicated machine, or the like may be used. In the case of such a dedicated machine, since the same application program is always used, there is no need to discard or download the firmware for each job. In addition, even if a plurality of functions are provided, the storage capacity is considered to be small compared to image data. Therefore, in some cases, firmware for a plurality of applications is stored in the nonvolatile memory 14 or ROM in advance. And you don't have to discard it.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, when a job is stopped due to an error or the like, a message to that effect is displayed on the operation panel 17 and the requested job is stopped for the terminal that issued the job. If the cause of the stop is notified, it is convenient that the user can immediately start the error canceling work.
(5) Programs relating to job execution processing and job resumption processing in the above embodiment are, for example, magnetic disks such as magnetic tape and flexible disk, optical recording media such as DVD, CD-ROM, CD-R, MO, and PD, Smart When recording is possible on various computer-readable recording media such as media (registered trademark), COMPACTFLASH (registered trademark), etc., and production, transfer, etc. are performed in the form of the recording media In some cases, the program may be transmitted and supplied via various wired and wireless networks including the Internet, broadcasting, telecommunication lines, satellite communications, and the like in the form of programs.

  In addition, the program for realizing the present invention does not need to include all modules for causing the computer to execute the processing described above. For example, a program included in a communication program or an operating system (OS) For example, the computer may execute each process of the present invention using various general-purpose programs that can be separately installed in the information processing apparatus.

  The present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus to which an external storage device is connected.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an image processing system including an MFP 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel of the MFP 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data storage state in the server 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a state of downloading firmware and image data from the server 2 to the MFP 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control contents of job execution processing executed by a control unit 10 in the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job processing table 141 stored in a nonvolatile memory 14 of the control unit 10. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a task management table 142 stored in a nonvolatile memory 14 of the control unit 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job data configuration when a job A is a print job. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a job restart process executed by the control unit 10 in the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a communication sequence diagram which shows the job execution process in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a communication sequence diagram which shows the job resumption process in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of the job execution process in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a table which shows the content of the program required for every kind of job. FIG. 10 is a communication sequence diagram at the time of job execution processing in the second embodiment when job A is stopped and the retrieved waiting job is a memory print job. FIG. 10 is a communication sequence diagram during job execution processing when a searched job waiting after the job A stops in the second embodiment is a scan job. It is a flowchart which shows the difference with the flowchart of FIG. 13 for description of the job execution process performed in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 15 is a communication sequence diagram during job execution processing when a waiting job searched for is a copy job after job A is stopped in the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a communication sequence diagram during job execution processing when a searched job waiting after the job A stops in the third embodiment is a scan job.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
2 Server 3, 4, 5 Client terminal 6 LAN
10 control unit 11 CPU
12 Network communication unit 13 FAX modem 14 Non-volatile memory 15 System RAM
16 Image RAM
100 Image processing system
141 Job processing table 142 Task management table 201 Application FW data storage unit 202 Job data storage unit 203 User data storage unit

Claims (10)

An image processing apparatus that is communicably connected to an external storage device,
A receiving means for receiving an image processing job;
A job data storage memory for storing image data in the received image processing job and processing conditions of the image data as job data;
Image processing means for executing an image processing job based on the stored job data;
A transmission unit that adds identification information to the job data and transmits the job data to the external storage device when a situation where the execution of the image processing job becomes impossible occurs;
An image processing apparatus comprising: erasing means for erasing the transmitted job data from a job data storage memory.   The transmission means can execute the image processing job when there is an image processing job that can be executed among other waiting image processing jobs in a case where the execution of one image processing job becomes impossible. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein job data of an image processing job is transmitted to the external storage device.   In the case where a situation where the execution of one image processing job becomes impossible occurs, the transmission unit receives the job of the image processing job that cannot be executed when the receiving unit receives a new image processing job. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data is transmitted to the external storage device. A determination unit configured to determine whether or not image data relating to the image processing job that cannot be executed is stored in the external storage device when a situation in which the execution of the one image processing job becomes impossible occurs; ,
When the image data is stored in the external storage device, the transmission means transmits only the job processing information of the job data to the external storage device with identification information of the image processing job. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Management information storage means for storing, as management information, identification information of job data transmitted to the external storage device and conditions for restarting the image processing job;
Resumable job specifying means for specifying, based on the management information, an image processing job whose resumption is a resumption condition when a situation in which execution of the image processing job is impossible is resolved;
Job data acquisition means for specifying identification information of the specified image processing job and acquiring corresponding job data from the external storage device,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit executes an image processing job based on the acquired job data. Firmware acquisition means for acquiring firmware necessary for executing an image processing job in the image processing means from an external storage device;
Firmware storage memory for storing the acquired firmware;
6. A discarding unit that discards firmware for executing the image processing job when a situation in which the execution of the one image processing job is impossible occurs. The image processing apparatus described.   When the image processing job to be executed next can use firmware used to process the image forming job that has become unexecutable, the image processing job includes a prohibiting unit that prohibits discarding of the firmware in the discarding unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6. An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus communicably connected to an external storage device,
A reception step for receiving an image processing job;
A job data storage step for storing image data in the received image processing job and processing conditions of the image data as job data;
An image processing step of executing an image processing job based on the stored job data;
A transmission step of sending identification information to the job data and transmitting it to the external storage device when a situation where the execution of the image processing job becomes impossible occurs;
An image processing method comprising: an erasing step of erasing the transmitted job data from a job data storage memory. A management information storage step for storing, as management information, identification information of the job data transmitted to the external storage device, conditions for restarting the image processing job, and information specifying the external storage device storing the job data;
A resumable job specifying step for specifying an image processing job based on the management information when the situation that the execution of the image processing job is impossible is resolved;
A job data reacquisition step for re-acquiring job data from the external storage device by specifying identification information of the specified image processing job;
The image processing method according to claim 8, wherein an image processing job is executed based on the reacquired job data. A firmware acquisition step of acquiring firmware necessary for executing an image processing job from an external storage device;
A firmware storage step for storing the acquired firmware;
10. An image as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a discarding step of discarding firmware for executing the image processing job when a situation in which execution of the one image processing job becomes impossible occurs. Processing method.

Images