JP2009211720A - Information processor, and control method and control program of same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent results of a plurality of jobs from being improperly piled together in one paper ejection port while avoiding waiting for execution of a job and to improve the convenience to a user, with respect to a printer having a plurality of paper ejection ports. <P>SOLUTION: A control method of an information processor selects virtual paper ejection ports assigned to virtual paper ejection ports of N stages and selects device paper ejection ports for output and, in response to input of a print job to which output to a virtual paper ejection port is indicated, determines a device paper ejection port for output by making the virtual paper ejection port and the device paper ejection port correspond to each other. When the most suitable paper ejection port is determined on the printer side, the determined paper ejection port is reported to a client who has issued the print job. Furthermore, since there are no paper ejection ports allowing paper ejection because print results have been already ejected to paper ejection ports, clients of the print results piled in the paper ejection ports are informed to prompt them to remove the print results. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image output system and an image output system control method.

  In recent years, computers are interconnected via a LAN (Local Area Network), and can be connected to LANs not only in printers but also in various peripheral devices such as multifunctional image processing devices having copy and fax functions. It has become.

  A LAN as a local connection such as a floor enables shared use and data transfer of connected devices as one user group. In some cases, a wide area network (WAN) may be configured by connecting several LANs located in geographically distant places via a high-speed integrated digital network (ISDN) line or a public telephone line.

  Each LAN is usually composed of a group of computers including a file server and a print server. As a function of a network operating system installed in each computer, various protocols for transferring and sharing data and files, sharing a printer, and the like are supported.

  In addition, a print job transferred from an application operating on each computer can be transferred to a printer connected to a network via a print server.

  Furthermore, a communication protocol for performing remote management of various devices for constructing a network and devices including computers connected on the network has also been standardized. For example, there is a simple network management protocol (SNMP: Simple Network Management Protocol). In the case of a network device that implements these protocols, various devices can be managed from a remote location on the network by network management software. For example, in the case of a printer, printer information acquisition, printer status monitoring, notification when the printer status changes, initialization control, and the like can be performed.

  There are various user applications that operate on each computer constituting the LAN, such as document creation software and spreadsheet software. Data created using these applications is converted into PDL (Printer Description Language) data, which is a printer control language, by printer driver software as a function of the operating system. After that, the print job is often temporarily stored in a print spooler and sent to a printer.

  Here, the print job is a unit that is generated from one or a plurality of document files as printer control language (PDL) data by the printer driver software, and constitutes one print document, and includes a normal job start command and a job end command. And are separated by Alternatively, when there is no clear separation in the print data, the start and end of the job may be defined independently on the printer side.

  In an image output apparatus connected in such a network environment, since it is used by a plurality of users (client computers), the output print data is mixed in the order of output in units of output jobs, and an output discharge port. Will be loaded.

  Therefore, the image output apparatus can be provided with a plurality of paper discharge ports, and each user can select a specific paper discharge port by a printer driver or the like so that the print job output from other users is not mixed. It can be loaded.

  Equipped with an automatic discharge port selection mode function that selects and searches for discharge outlets provided in the image output device main body and automatically determines the discharge outlets. It is also conceivable to configure it so that it can be switched (Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a paper discharge port name corresponding to each paper discharge port of the image output apparatus is assigned one-to-one, and each user selects the device paper discharge port name by the printer driver. Accordingly, there is a case where a function (hereinafter referred to as a mailbox function) that enables selection of a paper discharge port to be output for each user is installed.

JP-A-8-198514

  However, in the above-described conventional example, even if each user selects a plurality of discharge ports by a specific discharge port or a discharge port name by a printer driver or the like, other users can also select the same discharge port. You can choose. As a result, there is a problem that print jobs of different users may be mixed in a specific paper discharge port.

  Even in the automatic paper discharge port selection mode, which searches for paper discharge ports that can be discharged and automatically determines the paper discharge port, a large number of output jobs will generate errors and other errors. It is intended to output without letting. For this reason, there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent a mixture of output jobs. Further, there arises a problem that it is necessary for each user to check whether or not all the paper discharge ports are printed. Further, if the printing result is left at the paper discharge port, mixing or waiting for job execution cannot be avoided by any of the methods described above.

  In addition, when an error occurred by the previous user, for example, when the stacking capacity of the paper discharge port is exceeded, the output process for the occurrence of the error is interrupted, and other subsequent processes that specify the same paper discharge port There is a problem that the output processing of the print job of the user is interrupted.

  On the other hand, when assigning a paper outlet name in the mailbox function, a user name is assigned as a paper outlet name for convenience. Thus, by operating so that each user selects a paper discharge port to which his / her user name is assigned, it is possible to avoid mixing even when used by a plurality of users.

  However, the mailbox function is effective when used by users equal to or less than the number of paper discharge outlets provided in the image output apparatus, but is limited to use by a larger number of paper discharge outlets. Only registered user names can be registered. For this reason, when a user who cannot be registered as a paper discharge outlet name uses it, an operator call or the like is displayed to update the user name through the operator, or a user paper discharge outlet for a user who cannot use the mailbox function is displayed. Measures such as setting up are necessary. In addition, there is a problem that the mailbox function cannot be fully utilized in a large-scale network environment used by users having more than the number of paper discharge ports.

  In addition, in an image output apparatus to which a plurality of paper discharge options can be connected, there is a problem that the paper discharge bins and the like of the respective paper discharge options cannot be managed and designated in an order (sequential). Furthermore, when a plurality of printers are connected to the network, there is a problem that the user needs to instruct and select an optimal paper discharge port according to the selected printer.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Another purpose is that a plurality of users automatically execute exclusive control without being aware of the output discharge ports of other users, so that print jobs are mixed at specific discharge ports. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output method and apparatus that can prevent this.

  Also, one of the objects of the present invention is to assign print output ports for each of N users without depending on the discharge ports provided in the apparatus, so that print jobs can be mixed in specific discharge ports. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output method and apparatus capable of preventing the above.

  Another object of the present invention is to automatically execute exclusive control when a plurality of users detect a failure or the like of an output discharge port caused by another user. Thus, an object is to provide an image output method and apparatus that can output a print job without interruption.

  Furthermore, one of the objects of the present invention is to select an output paper discharge port for a print job at the time of output to the apparatus. Accordingly, there is provided an image output method and apparatus capable of preventing mixed discharge of print jobs when a limited apparatus discharge port is used by N persons and realizing a mailbox function for each of N users. It is what.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image output system according to the present invention is an image output system including a plurality of image output devices having a plurality of paper discharge ports, and a virtual paper discharge to a virtual N-stage paper discharge port. A virtual paper outlet assigning means for assigning a mouth, a virtual paper outlet selecting means for selecting a virtual paper outlet assigned by the virtual paper outlet assigning means, and a print job instructed to output to the virtual paper outlet Device discharge port selection control means for controlling the virtual paper discharge port to correspond to the device discharge port and determining the device discharge port to be output. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a print job from being mixed at a specific discharge port by automatically executing exclusive control without a plurality of users being aware of the output discharge port of another user. There is an effect that can be.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a print job from being mixed by assigning a discharge port for each of N users without depending on a discharge port included in the apparatus.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a plurality of users detect the occurrence of a discharge port failure caused by another user, and automatically execute exclusive control. As a result, the print job can be output without being interrupted, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in throughput.

  In addition, according to the present invention, by selecting a print job discharge port at the time of output to the apparatus, even when a limited apparatus discharge port is used by N people, mixed discharge of print jobs is prevented. There is an effect that can be.

  Further, according to the present invention, a limited apparatus discharge port is automatically assigned to the substantial user who has transferred the print job. As a result, a mailbox function for each of N users can be realized, and the convenience of the user can be significantly improved while suppressing the apparatus cost in a large-scale network environment.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image output system including an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an optional apparatus thereof. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image output system including an image output apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an option apparatus thereof. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the image output system. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the virtual paper discharge outlet information stored in RAM in the image output device concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the apparatus discharge port information stored in RAM in the image output device concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a selection process flow of a paper discharge port selection control unit in the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the virtual discharge port information stored in RAM in the image output device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process which registers a user name into the virtual paper discharge outlet information in the image output device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the image output system which has the image output device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of selection processing of a paper discharge port selection control unit in an image output apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the print job in the image output apparatus which concerns on the 1st and 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a user interface screen of the image output system which can utilize the several image output device in 3rd Example of this invention uniformly. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a printer driver module on a host computer in an image output system that can use a plurality of image output apparatuses in a unified manner according to a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a user interface screen of the image output system which can utilize the some image output device in the 4th Example of this invention uniformly. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a printer driver module on a host computer in an image output system that can uniformly use a plurality of image output apparatuses according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description and drawings, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an image output device. However, the present invention is not limited to a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that printers of other printing methods may be used. Further, in the following description and drawings, a case where two optional devices (optional units) are connected to the image output device will be described as an example, but more optional devices can be connected. The function may be shared by the image output apparatus main body.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laser beam printer (LBP) which is an image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a laser beam printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer), which can be connected to various optional devices, and is connected to an external device 101 such as a host computer via a general-purpose interface (for example, a LAN interface or Centronics). The Print information transferred from the external device 101 via this general-purpose interface (image information such as character code data, graphic drawing commands and image data based on a predetermined printer language, device control information such as paper switching and paper discharge port switching) Recorded image based on (including).

Details of the external device 101 will be described later with reference to FIG.
The printer 100 includes an operation panel 102, a control unit 103, a paper feed option device 104, and a paper discharge option device 105.

  The operation panel 102 is an interface with a user configured by various switches (buttons) for operation, a display device including an LED (liquid crystal display), an LED (light emitting diode) display, and the like. The user can instruct the printer 100 to perform a predetermined operation by operating the operation panel 102. Various data set by the user are stored and managed in a nonvolatile memory, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM (shown in FIG. 3 described later).

  The control unit 103 includes a video controller 106, an engine controller 107, and an option controller 108.

  The video controller 106 is connected to the external device 101 via a general-purpose interface, and receives print data (such as various PDL data) transferred from the external device 101 via the general-purpose interface. Then, page information composed of dot data or the like based on the print data is generated, and image data (binary or multivalued) is transmitted to the engine controller 107 via the video interface 109. Then, a paper feed designation command and a paper ejection designation command are transmitted to the option controller 108 via the overall interface 110.

  The engine controller 107 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum by a known electrophotographic process based on the image data transferred from the video controller 106, and performs printing by transferring and fixing to a supplied sheet. At this time, the option controller 108 is instructed to supply / discharge timing.

  The option controller 108 includes a CPU (Central Processing Controller), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like not shown. The central controller controls one or more optional devices based on a paper supply / discharge designation transferred from the video controller 106 and a paper supply / discharge instruction from the engine controller 107. Communication is performed with an option controller unit included in various option devices via an option device interface 111, and various option devices are controlled in an integrated manner.

  In addition, in the RAM of the option controller 108, there is a shared memory (not shown) accessible by the video controller 106, and the shared memory includes a conveyance status management area, a basic status area, a command status management area, etc. for about 40 pages. Composed. The video controller 106 designates each option device through each area of the shared memory.

  The transport status management area has the following areas. That is, the video controller 106 notifies each option device of the printing method (paper feed port, paper discharge port, color, stapling, shifting, etc.), and each option status (how far printing has been completed, paper discharge completed, etc.) Is configured from an area for notifying the video controller 106 of the above.

  The basic status area is an area for notifying the video controller 106 of abnormality (jam, no paper, no staples, etc.) of each option device, and the command & status management area exchanges command status with the video controller 106. It is an area.

  The paper feed option device 104 is, for example, a paper deck option device, and has a paper deck controller (large capacity paper feed cassette controller) 104 a inside, and performs paper feed control based on control information transmitted from the option controller 108. The paper deck controller 104a includes a CPU (Central Processing Control Unit) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and the CPU feeds paper based on a program stored in the ROM. The optional device 104 is controlled. Further, the ROM stores extension information of the paper feed option device 104, for example, information on the paper size that can be stored in the paper deck.

  The paper discharge option device 105 is, for example, a finisher option device having a stapling function. The paper discharge option device 105 includes a finisher controller 105 a inside, and performs a stapling operation and a paper discharge operation based on control information transmitted from the option controller 108. The finisher controller 105a includes a CPU (Central Processing Controller) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and the CPU has a paper discharge option based on a program stored in the ROM. The apparatus 105 is controlled. Also, the ROM includes extended information of the paper discharge option device 105, such as the number of paper discharge bins, the presence or absence of a stapling function, the presence or absence of a shift function for shifting the paper discharge paper in a predetermined direction, and the orientation of the face of the paper discharge paper. Information on the presence or absence of an inversion function to be inverted is stored.

  The paper feed option device 104 and the paper discharge option device 105 are respectively provided with operation units 104b and 105b each having a display unit and various keys, and display messages and operation methods for the user when using the options, and operations. It is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the configuration of the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a paper cassette that has a recording paper size detection mechanism that holds the recording paper S and is partitioned by a partition plate (not shown) to electrically detect the size of the recording paper S. A cassette feeding clutch 202 separates only one uppermost recording sheet S from a bundle of recording sheets S placed on the sheet cassette 201. A cam for conveying the recording paper S separated by a driving means (not shown) to the paper feed roller 203, which rotates intermittently every time paper is fed, and feeds one recording paper S corresponding to one rotation. Make paper.

  A recording paper detection sensor 204 detects the amount of the recording paper S held in the paper cassette 201. Reference numeral 205 denotes a resist shutter, which presses the paper to stop paper feeding. The paper feed roller 203 conveys the leading end of the recording paper S to the registration shutter 205. Reference numeral 206 denotes a manual feed tray on which the recording paper S is placed. Reference numeral 207 denotes a manual paper feed roller that conveys the recording paper S placed on the manual feed tray 206 to the registration shutter 205. Reference numeral 208 denotes an optional paper feed roller (paper feed relay transport roller) that supplies the recording paper S fed from the paper feed option device 104 to the inside of the printer 100.

  A pair of registration rollers 209 that synchronously convey the recording paper S are provided downstream of the cassette paper feeding clutch 202, the manual paper feeding roller 207, and the optional paper feeding roller 208. An image recording unit 210 that forms a toner image on the recording sheet S by a known electrophotographic process by a laser beam emitted from a laser scanner unit 211 described later is provided downstream of the registration roller 209.

  A laser scanner unit 211 includes a laser unit 212, a polygon mirror 213, an imaging lens group 214, a beam detector 215, a folding mirror 216, and a sensor 217. The laser unit 212 emits laser light based on the image signal sent from the video controller 106. Laser light emitted from the laser unit 212 is scanned by the polygon mirror 213 and irradiated to a later-described photosensitive drum 218 via the imaging lens group 214 and the folding mirror 216 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 218. To do. The beam detector 215 detects the laser beam emitted from the laser unit 212 and outputs a main scanning synchronization signal. The sensor 217 detects the laser light emitted from the laser unit 212.

  The image recording unit 210 includes a photosensitive drum 218, a primary charger 219, a developing device 220, a pre-exposure lamp 221, a transfer charger 222, and a cleaner 223. The primary charger 219 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 218. The developing device 220 is charged by the primary charger 219 and laser-exposed by the laser scanner unit 211 to develop the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 218 with toner. The pre-exposure lamp 221 neutralizes the photosensitive drum 218 with light. The transfer charger 222 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 218 developed by the developing device 220 onto the recording paper S fed by the registration roller 209. The cleaner 223 removes the residual toner image on the photosensitive drum 218.

  A fixing device 224 fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper S by the image recording unit 210 to the recording paper S. Reference numeral 225 denotes a conveyance roller that discharges and conveys the recording paper S. A paper discharge sensor 226 detects a paper discharge state of the recording paper S. A flapper 227 switches the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S on which recording has been completed to the discharge tray 228 side or the discharge option device 105 side. Reference numerals 229 and 230 denote discharge rollers that discharge the recording sheet S conveyed by switching the flapper 227 to a discharge tray 228. Reference numeral 231 denotes a paper discharge stack amount detection sensor that detects the stack amount of the recording sheets S stacked on the paper discharge tray 228.

  The engine controller 107 in the control unit 103 controls the electrophotographic process by the image recording unit 210, the laser scanner unit 211, and the fixing device 224 and the conveyance control of the recording paper S in the printer 100.

Next, various optional devices detachably connected to the printer 100 will be described.
The option controller 108 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the printer 100 shown in FIG. 2, and is configured so that various option devices can communicate with each other using the same protocol via the option device interface 111 serving as a common bus. The option controller 108 is connected to the video controller 107 via the overall interface 110.

  The paper feed option device 104 includes a paper deck 232, a paper deck paper feed roller 233, a transport roller 234, a paper feed relay transport roller 235, and a recording paper storage amount detection sensor 236. The paper deck 232 can be raised and lowered, and the recording paper S is loaded on the upper portion thereof with a large capacity. The paper deck paper feed roller 233 feeds the recording paper S stacked on the paper deck 232. The transport roller 234 transports the recording paper S fed from the paper deck paper feed roller 233 toward the option paper feed roller 208. The paper feed relay transport roller 235 feeds paper from another paper feed option device (option device capable of feeding recording paper of different sizes or the same size) that can be detachably connected to the lower portion of the paper feed option device 104. The recording paper to be relayed is conveyed. The recording paper storage amount detection sensor 236 detects the placement amount of the recording paper S placed on the paper deck 232.

The paper feed option device 104 is controlled by a paper deck controller 104a.
The paper discharge option device 105 includes a first paper discharge bin 237, a second paper discharge bin 238, a third paper discharge bin 239, and a bin lifting motor 240. Further, a flapper 241, a paper discharge stack amount detection sensor 242, a paper discharge roller 243, transport rollers 244 and 245, a paper discharge roller 246, a stapler 247, and a staple staple remaining amount detection sensor 248 are provided.

  The first to third paper discharge bins 237 to 239 are used to sort and stack recorded recording sheets S. The bin raising / lowering motor 240 sorts the recording paper S into each bin by moving the first to third paper discharge bins 237 to 239 in the vertical direction. The flapper 241 switches the conveyance of the recording paper S that is sorted by the flapper 227 of the printer 100 and sent to the paper discharge option device 105 so that the face of the recording paper S is switched based on an instruction from the video controller 106.

  The discharge stack amount detection sensor 242 detects the stack amount of the recording sheets S discharged to the first to third discharge bins 237 to 239 that are moved up and down by the bin lifting motor 240. The discharged paper stack amount detection sensor 242 is a height sensor, and the height of the recording paper S stacked in the first to third paper discharge bins 237 to 239 is, for example, 88 mm (corresponding to about 700 sheets). ) Is reached (detected), the next notification is sent. That is, the video controller 106 is notified via the option controller 108 that the finisher controller 105a is full.

  When the video controller 106 designates face-up of the recording sheet S via the overall interface 110, the recording sheet S distributed by the flapper 241 is sent to the sheet discharge port as it is by the sheet discharge roller 243. When the face-down of the recording sheet S is designated, the recording sheet S distributed by the flapper 241 is conveyed by the conveying rollers 244 and 245 until the trailing edge of the recording sheet S exceeds the conveying roller 244. Next, the transport roller 245 is reversed and sent from the trailing edge of the recording paper S to the paper discharge roller 246 and sent to the paper discharge port.

  The stapler 247 stores the recording paper S on a staple tray (not shown) when the video controller 106 specifies the staple via the overall interface 110. Then, the recording sheets S are aligned, and the stapler 247 executes stapling and discharges the paper to one of the first to third discharge bins 237 to 239. When the shift designation is made by the video controller 106 via the overall interface 110, the recording paper S is stored in a staple tray (not shown) as in the case of stapling designation. Then, after the recording sheets S are aligned and the recording sheets S are shifted together with the staple tray, that is, after the placement area (tray) of the recording sheets S to be discharged is shifted, the first to third discharge bins. Paper is discharged to any one of 237 to 239. The staple staple remaining amount detection sensor 248 detects the remaining amount of staples stored in the stapler 247.

  The paper discharge option device 105 is controlled by a finisher controller 105a.

  The option controller 108, the paper deck controller 104a, and the finisher controller 105a are each connected by a connector and perform serial communication through the option unit interface 111. The paper feed option device 104 and the paper discharge option device 105 can be connected by switching their connection order.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer control system according to the present embodiment. Here, the laser beam printer 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example. In addition, if the mechanism of the present invention is executed, it is a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN, whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is implemented by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus functions in a specific manner.

  In FIG. 3, the printer control system is configured by connecting a printer 100, which is an image output apparatus according to the present embodiment, personal computers 300 and 301, and a print server 302 via a LAN 303. The personal computers 300 and 301 correspond to the external device 101 in FIG.

Hereinafter, the personal computers 300 and 301 are described as personal computers 300 and 301.
In FIG. 3, a print job is generated as a control language for a printer by an application software program running on the personal computer 300 and stored in a print spooler in the print server 302. The personal computer 300 and the print server 302 are realized as functions provided by the network operating system. The print server 302 executes a communication control process via the LAN interface (I / F) card 304 and the LAN 303 constituting the printer 100 and transfers the print job to the video controller 106.
Similarly, a personal computer 301 used by another user is generated as a control language for a printer by an application program running on the personal computer 301 and stored in a print spooler in the print server 302. The print server 302 executes communication control processing via the LAN interface card 304 and the LAN 303 constituting the printer 100 and transfers the print job to the video controller 106.

  Here, the print job is input in units of data delimited by, for example, a job start command and a job end command that define a block of input pages, and indicates this block.

  The video controller 106 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 305, a RAM (random access memory) 306, a ROM (read only memory) 307, an input unit 308, an NVRAM (nonvolatile random access memory) 309, and a discharge port selection control unit. 310. Also, it has an MC (memory controller) 311, an option interface (I / F) 312, and a printing unit interface (I / F) 313. Each of these components is connected via a system bus 314.

  The CPU 305 generally controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 314 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 307 a of the ROM 307. Then, an image signal as output information is output to the printing unit 315 controlled by the engine controller 107 via the printing unit I / F 313.

  The option I / F 312 communicates with the paper discharge unit 316 in response to an instruction from the CPU 305. The paper discharge unit 316 corresponds to the option controller 108 and the paper discharge option device 105 in FIG. In addition, a communication signal between the printing unit I / F 313 and the option controller 108 may be sent through.

  The program ROM 307a of the ROM 307 stores a control program for the CPU 305 as shown in flowcharts of FIGS.

  The font ROM 307b of the ROM 307 stores font data (outline font data or dot font data) used when generating an output image. The CPU 305 is configured so that communication processing with the print server 302 can be performed by the input unit 308 via the LAN interface card 304.

  The RAM 306 is a memory that functions as a main memory, a work area, a reception buffer, and the like of the CPU 305, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 306 includes a reception buffer memory 306a, a page buffer memory 306b, and a paper discharge port information storage unit 306c. The reception buffer memory 306a stores the input print data. The page buffer memory 306b stores the print data input to the input unit 308 as an intermediate code or an intermediate bitmap image. Further, the paper discharge port information storage unit 306c has a processing status of the paper discharge unit 316 obtained by a detection sensor or the like in the paper discharge option 105 via the option I / F 312 and a paper stack for each of the paper discharge bins 237 to 239. Presence / absence, loading amount information, etc. are stored.

  The external memory 317 is a secondary storage device such as a hard disk whose access is controlled by the MC 311 and can be detachably connected. The external memory 317 is used as a registration memory that stores registration data transferred from an external character file, a form file, or the like on the host computer 101. It is also used as a reception spool buffer for receiving and storing input data, and further used as a page buffer memory for storing data to be printed and form data as intermediate codes or intermediate bitmap images.

  The number of external memories 317 is not limited to one, and one or more external memories 317 can be connected so that a plurality of external memories storing an optional font card and an emulation program for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems (PDL) in addition to built-in fonts can be connected. It may be configured as follows. Further, the external memory 317 is not limited to a hard disk, and a flash memory card or the like may be mounted.

  It is assumed that the control program for controlling the CPU 305 includes a real-time OS (operating system) and a plurality of load modules (tasks) that operate on a functional unit basis.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the image output apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
When printing is instructed by the user using an application program on the personal computer 300, the generated print job is output to the print server 302. The print job is transmitted from the print server 302 and input to the input unit 308 by communication control with the print job LAN interface card 304.

  The input print job includes, in addition to PDL data for image generation, a virtual discharge port designation command for instructing the discharge option device 105, a staple execution command, and the like. Details thereof will be described in the second embodiment described later.

  In FIG. 4, first, in step S401, a virtual paper discharge port designation command is analyzed from the print data input to the reception buffer 306a of the RAM 306. Then, the virtual paper discharge bin (virtual paper discharge port: virtual paper discharge port) designated in the next step S402 is selected (virtual paper discharge port assignment), and the instruction information is used as print job information (not shown) in the RAM 306. It is stored in the page buffer 306b.

  In the present embodiment, the virtual paper discharge port number is specified as the virtual paper discharge port designation method. The virtual discharge port number may be registered in advance using an operation panel of the image processing apparatus 100 or a utility program on the host computer. Further, when a number is designated by the virtual paper discharge port designation command, if the number is not already registered, the number may be registered. In the latter case, after the print result is discharged to the apparatus discharge port assigned to the virtual discharge port number, it may be detected that the print result is removed and the registration of the number is cleared.

  In step S 403, the job analysis module in the ROM 307 analyzes the presence / absence of stapling designation, the designation of the output surface, the designation regarding the print job, and the information constituting the print job. The page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 stores the intermediate pages as print job information (not shown) that associates the intermediate pages with each other.

  In step S404, subsequent PDL data (such as a control code indicating a print position and a character code) is read. Then, the PDL data is analyzed by the image generation module in the ROM 307. Then, the data is classified into band units corresponding to print positions designated by control codes or the like, and stored as intermediate data in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306. Then, it is stored in page units as intermediate data of the same page until a page end control code such as a page break command in the print data is detected.

  Next, in step S405, it is determined whether or not the preceding print job has ended. If not, the process returns to step S403 to perform subsequent job data analysis.

  In this manner, when one print job is stored as intermediate page data in the RAM 306 as an output to the virtual paper discharge port, the image generation module in the ROM 307 activates the paper discharge port selection control unit 310. .

  On the other hand, when the print job already being executed in step S405 is completed, the output bins 237 to 239 of the discharge option device 105 to be actually output by the discharge port selection control unit 310 in step S406 are set as optional interfaces. 312 is determined. In step S407, the intermediate pages stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 are sequentially bitmap-developed in the bitmap memory in the RAM 306. Then, the generated bitmap image to be output is transmitted to the engine controller 107 via the printing unit interface 313, and after printing is performed by the printing unit 315, the processing operation is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing virtual paper outlet information stored in the paper outlet information storage unit in the RAM 306. In the figure, reference numeral 501 denotes virtual paper discharge port information, which has N stages of virtual paper discharge bins, and the user selects a virtual paper discharge bin by an application program on the host. When the printer driver issues a virtual paper discharge port command, an arbitrary number from virtual paper discharge bin (1) to virtual paper discharge bin (n), which is a virtual paper discharge port number, is designated.

  The virtual paper discharge port information 501 stores information indicating each paper discharge device number, the paper discharge port number of the paper discharge device, and the state of the device paper discharge bin for each virtual paper discharge bin. The paper discharge device number specifies the paper discharge option device selected by the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 when there are a plurality of paper discharge option devices. If the virtual paper discharge port is not used and no print job is input, NULL is described. The device discharge port is device discharge bin information selected by the discharge port selection control unit 310 among the discharge bins 237 to 239 of the discharge option device. If the virtual paper discharge port is not used and no print job is input, NULL is described.

  The state of the apparatus discharge bin is information on the state of the apparatus discharge bin selected by the discharge port selection control unit 310. If it is currently being output, it is in an output state, if it has been output and the output paper remains, it is in an output holding state, and if the output paper is overloaded, an error state occurs. If the virtual paper discharge port is not used and no print job is input, NULL is described.

  The information detected by a detection sensor such as a paper discharge stack amount detection sensor 242 in the paper discharge option device 105 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312 and rewritten in real time by the option interface 312. .

  Also, this information is notified on the host computer (user) that has output the print job by SNMP (Simple Network Monitoring Protocol). The network utility software that has received the notification is also used to notify whether it has been output to the virtual paper discharge bin selected by the user. In particular, the user computer is notified to which paper discharge bin the result of the output print job is actually discharged.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing device discharge port information stored in the discharge port information storage unit in the RAM 306. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes device discharge port information, which includes an area for the device discharge port. . In the present embodiment, there are storage areas for three stages of a discharge bin (1) 602, a discharge bin (2) 603, and a discharge bin (3) 604.

In the device discharge port information 601, the discharge device number and the discharge port number are IDs (identifiers) for associating the information storage area with the discharge device and the discharge bin.
(A) The sheet discharge output surface is status information indicating the current state of the face-down / face-up output of the sheet discharge bin (uniquely determined by the configuration of the sheet discharge device in the present embodiment).
(B) The paper stacking amount is status information indicating the presence / absence of paper stacking in the paper discharge bin and the stacking amount. This information is rewritten when the information detected by the paper discharge stack amount detection sensor 242 in the paper discharge option device 105 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312 and the option interface 312 changes the state.
(C) The staple needle amount is status information indicating the presence or absence of staples for use in all the paper discharge bins. The information detected by the staple needle remaining amount detection sensor 248 in the paper discharge option device 105 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312, and is rewritten when there is a state change by the option interface 312. .
(D) The basic status is status information indicating the discharge state of the discharge bin. This information is obtained by referring to the transport status management area and the basic status area stored in the shared memory (not shown) accessible by the video controller 106 in the RAM of the option controller 108 described above.
The basic status includes an idle state, an output execution state, an error occurrence state, and a warning occurrence state.
(A) to (D) described above are current status information whose status and state change according to the processing status of the input print job.
(E) The user name used represents the name of the user currently outputting to the paper discharge bin or the owner name of the output that has already been output but is retained. This information stores the user name and notification address transmitted from the host. When an output completion or an output error occurs, this information is displayed on the operation panel 102 or is displayed on the host computer (user) using SNMP or the like. Used to notify
(F) Outputable paper size is information indicating the paper size that can be output by the paper discharge bin.
(G) Staplability is information indicating whether the paper discharge bin can be stapled.
(H) Outputtable paper type is information indicating the material of the paper that can be output by the paper discharge bin.

  The cases (E) to (H) described above are used when notifying the host computer as usable information, or when the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 associates the virtual paper discharge port with the device discharge port. There is also.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the discharge port selection control unit 310 that associates the virtual discharge port with the device discharge port in the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, first, at least one page of intermediate page data is stored in the RAM 306 by the image generation module in the ROM 307, and the number designated by the virtual paper discharge port designation command is assigned to the apparatus paper discharge port. If not. That is, in FIG. 5, the input number of the apparatus discharge port = NUL. It is checked whether or not the apparatus discharge bin (1) is empty by referring to the (B) sheet stacking amount of the apparatus discharge opening information 602 for the apparatus discharge bin (1) in the apparatus discharge opening storage unit in the RAM 306. . If it is empty, the apparatus discharge bin (1) is selected in step S702. In step S703, the paper discharge device number and the device discharge port are stored in the area of the virtual paper discharge bin number assigned to the virtual paper discharge port information 501 in the RAM 306 and selected in step S702 of FIG. Next, after instructing the option controller 108 to move the paper discharge bin position in step S704, this processing operation ends.

  When the option controller 108 receives the discharge bin position movement instruction, the option controller 108 moves the discharge bin according to the output of the sheet while communicating with the engine controller 107 as described above.

  On the other hand, if the apparatus discharge bin (1) is not empty in step S701, the apparatus discharge port information 603 for the apparatus discharge bin (2) of the apparatus discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306 is stored in step S705. B) Referring to the sheet stacking amount, it is checked whether or not the apparatus discharge bin (2) is empty. If it is empty, the apparatus discharge bin (2) is selected in step S706. In step S703, the paper discharge device number and the device discharge port are stored in the area of the virtual paper discharge bin number assigned to the virtual paper discharge port information 501 in the RAM 306 and selected in step S706.

  On the other hand, if the apparatus discharge bin (2) is not empty in step S705, the apparatus discharge port information 603 for the apparatus discharge bin (3) of the apparatus discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306 is stored in step S707. B) Referring to the sheet stacking amount, it is checked whether or not the apparatus discharge bin (3) is empty. If it is empty, the apparatus discharge bin (3) is selected in step S708. In step S703, the paper discharge device number and the device discharge port are stored in the virtual paper discharge bin number area assigned to the virtual paper discharge port information 501 in the RAM 306 and selected in step S708.

  On the other hand, if the apparatus discharge bin (3) is not empty in step S707, the process proceeds to step S709 and the output bin is empty until the output to the discharge bin is completed or the currently held output paper is removed. After waiting, the process returns to step S701.

  In the above-described embodiment, when there is no apparatus discharge port to be selected, in step S709 in FIG. At this time, a notification may be sent to the notification address of the user who has held the output, and the user is prompted to remove the paper. In this case, the utility software on the host computer is notified using SNMP installed in the LAN interface card 304 and displayed on the screen.

  Further, the (D) basic status of the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604 may be referred to, and a discharge port in an error occurrence state may be excluded from selection targets. Further, the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 checks the empty state of each paper discharge bin and selects the device paper discharge port. Preferably, the device discharge port information 602 to 604 includes (F) outputable paper size, (G) stapling availability, (H) outputable paper type and the like, and the capabilities of the device discharge port and the input print job. The assigned information is compared and assigned.

  In this embodiment, when a job specifying the same virtual paper discharge port as the held job result from which the output paper has not been removed is input, the paper is discharged to the holding bin. At this time, the paper discharge position may be shifted so that the jobs can be distinguished.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Note that the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment and the image output system including the image output apparatus are the same as those in the first embodiment described above with reference to FIGS. To explain.

  In the present embodiment, an arbitrary name can be designated as the virtual paper discharge port designation method.

  The name of the virtual paper discharge port may be registered in advance using an operation panel of the image processing apparatus 100 or a utility program on the host computer (FIG. 9 described later), or unregistered by a virtual paper discharge port designation command. When a name is designated, the name may be registered. In the latter case, even if it is detected that the print result discharged to the device discharge port assigned to the registered virtual discharge port name is removed, the registration of the virtual discharge port name is canceled. Good.

  In the present embodiment, the application program or printer driver of the host computer will be described assuming that the user name is designated as the name of the virtual paper discharge port when the user has not specifically performed the virtual paper discharge port designation operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing virtual paper outlet information stored in the paper outlet information storage unit in the RAM 306 in the image output system including the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes virtual paper outlet information, and when the virtual paper outlet name is registered in advance in the apparatus (the above-mentioned former), N stages that can be assigned to all users who use the apparatus. A user has a virtual paper discharge bin and is assigned a user name corresponding to each virtual paper discharge port on a one-to-one basis. The user designates a virtual paper discharge bin to which his / her user name (or another user's user name (in the case of mail)) is assigned by an application program on the host computer. If the user does not perform a specific operation, the printer driver acquires the user name from the system in the host computer and specifies it as the name of the virtual paper discharge port.

  As the virtual discharge port information 801, information indicating the respective discharge device number, the discharge port number of the discharge device, the state of the device discharge bin, and the registered user name is stored for each virtual discharge bin. The

  Here, the discharge device number, the device discharge port, and the device discharge bin state are the same as those described in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

  The paper discharge port selection control unit 310 is a device that is based on a registered user name (the registered user name) and a user name (specified by a virtual paper discharge port specification command) added to the input print job. Select the output bin.

  Although the registered user name is present in the RAM 306, if the user name is also stored in the NVRAM 309, the user name is retained even when the power is turned off.

  The information detected by the detection sensor such as the discharge stack amount detection sensor 242 in the discharge option device 105 is notified from the discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312 and rewritten in real time by the option interface 312. .

  This information is notified to the host computer (user) that has output the print job by SNMP, and is used as follows. That is, the notified network utility software notifies to which output bin of the apparatus the virtual output bin selected by the user himself or selected by the user name added to the print job is actually output. Also used for.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process for storing the registered user name assigned to each paper discharge port in the paper discharge port information 801 shown in FIG.

  Normally, the process of registering the user name in each virtual paper discharge port is performed prior to the input of the print job, and the user (name) to be used by the user name registration application on the host computer, the virtual paper discharge port, Are managed in a one-to-one relationship.

  In FIG. 9, first, when a user name registration command issued by the user name registration application is input in step S901, the discharge port information corresponding to the virtual discharge port number designated in the command in the next step S901. The area 801 is selected. Next, the user name is stored in the virtual paper discharge port number (paper discharge bin) selected in step S903. Next, in step S904, it is determined whether or not name registration for all users has been completed. If not completed, the process returns to step S901. If completed, the processing operation is terminated.

  Therefore, the number of stages of virtual paper discharge bins may be the same as the number of registered users or, if a plurality of stages are used with the same number of users, the number of paper discharge bins may be greater than the number of registered users.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the image output system having the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  When printing is instructed by the user using an application program on the personal computer 300, the generated print job is output to the print server 302. This print job is transmitted from the print server 302 by communication control with the LAN interface card 304 and input to the input unit 308.

  The input print job includes, in addition to PDL data for image generation, a virtual discharge port designation command for performing an instruction to the discharge option device 105 and a staple execution command. Further, it is assumed that the name includes the name of the owner (user) of the print job, the name of the print server that executes management / transfer of the print job, and the like.

  In FIG. 10, first, information such as the user name of the print job and the print server name is acquired from the print data input to the reception buffer memory 306a in the RAM 306 in step S1001. Next, a virtual paper discharge bin that matches the registered user name stored for each virtual paper discharge port in the virtual paper discharge port information 801 registered in advance in step S1002 is selected, and the selection information is set as print job information (not specified). As illustrated) and stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306.

  In step S1003, the presence / absence of stapling designation, the designation of the output surface, the designation regarding the print job, and the information constituting the print job are analyzed by the job analysis module in the ROM 307. The page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 stores the intermediate pages as print job information (not shown) that associates the intermediate pages with each other.

  In step S1004, subsequent PDL data (such as a control code indicating a print position and a character code) is read. Then, the PDL data is analyzed by the image generation module in the ROM 307. Then, the data is classified into band units corresponding to print positions designated by control codes or the like, and stored as intermediate page data in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306. Until the page end control code such as a page break command in the print data is detected, it is stored in the page unit as intermediate data of the same page.

  Next, in step S1005, it is determined whether or not the print job indicating the end of the print data has ended. If not, the process returns to step S1003 to analyze the subsequent data.

  In this manner, when one print job is stored as intermediate page data in the RAM 306 and the image generation module in the ROM 307 outputs to the virtual paper discharge port, the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 is activated.

  In step S1006, the paper discharge outlet selection control unit 310 selects each paper discharge bin of the paper discharge option device 105 to be actually output via the option interface 312. In step S1007, the intermediate pages stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 are sequentially bitmap-developed in the bitmap memory in the RAM 306. Then, the generated bitmap image to be output is transmitted to the engine controller 107 via the printing unit 315, and after printing is performed by the printing unit 315, this processing operation is terminated.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 that associates the virtual paper discharge port with the device discharge port in the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 11, first, in step S <b> 1101, at least one page of intermediate page data is stored in the RAM 306 by the image generation module in the ROM 307. Then, the (E) user name of the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604 for each apparatus discharge bin stored in the apparatus discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306 is referred to. Then, it is determined whether there is an apparatus discharge port that is outputting or has already been output and is holding a sheet. If there is a device discharge port currently used (any one of the device discharge bin (1) 237 to the device discharge bin (3) 239), the process proceeds to step S1102, and the device discharge bin currently in use. Select.

  Next, in step S1103, a paper discharge option is assigned to the virtual paper discharge bin information 801 stored in the virtual paper discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306 and selected in step S1102. Stores device number and device discharge port information. Next, in step S1104, the user name (user name currently in use) associated with the print job, the print server name, and the like are stored in the storage unit corresponding to the apparatus discharge port selected in the discharge port information 602 to 604. To do. In step S1105, the option controller 108 is instructed to move the paper discharge bin position, and the processing operation ends.

  The option controller 108 moves the paper discharge bin in accordance with the output of the paper while communicating with the engine controller 107 as described above.

  On the other hand, if there is no apparatus discharge port currently in use in step S1101, the process proceeds to step S1106, and (B) paper stacking amount in the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604 for each apparatus discharge bin is referred to. Thus, it is determined whether or not there is an empty apparatus discharge port. If there is an empty device discharge port, an empty device discharge bin is selected in step S1107. Then, the process proceeds to step S1103, and the paper discharge option device number and the device discharge port information are stored in the virtual paper discharge bin number area selected in step S1102.

  On the other hand, if there is no empty apparatus discharge port in step S1106, the process advances to step S1108 to wait for a discharge bin empty until the currently held output sheet is removed, and then returns to step S1101. .

  In this embodiment, when there is no apparatus discharge port to be selected, the waiting for the empty discharge bin is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to notify the notification address of the output-holding user who has completed the output and prompt the user to remove the sheet. In that case, the utility software on the host computer is notified using SNMP installed in the LAN interface card 304 and displayed on the screen.

  Further, the (D) basic status of the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604 may be referred to, and a discharge port in an error occurrence state may be excluded from selection targets. Further, the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 checks the empty state of each paper discharge bin and selects the device paper discharge port. However, the device discharge port information 602 to 604 are described in (F) output paper size, (G) stapling availability, (H) output paper type capability and the like provided in the device discharge port and the input print job. The information may be selected by comparison.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the format of a print job transferred from the print server 302 in each embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a print job (1) 1201 is a print job input in the first embodiment, and is selected by a job start command for defining the start of the print job, the user himself as described in FIG. The virtual paper discharge port designation command is included. Further, it includes a staple execution instruction for instructing whether or not staples can be executed, user name information and notification address information for performing notification to the user holding the output as described in FIGS. Also, usage information on the paper size used by the print job (which is also used as a condition for selecting the device discharge port), usage information on the paper type (material) used by the print job (this is device discharge) It is also used as a mouth selection condition). Also included is a PDL data start command for instructing the start of PDL data for generating intermediate page data by the image generation module, a PDL drawing data, a PDL data end command, and a job end command for instructing the end of the print job.

  A print job (2) 1202 is a print job input in the second embodiment, and includes a job start command that defines the start of the print job. Further, it includes a virtual paper discharge port designation command for designating a virtual paper discharge port selected by the user or the like (the designation is not made because it is selected by the user name), and a staple execution command for designating whether or not staples can be executed. Further, as described in FIGS. 10 and 11, a user name designation command for selecting a virtual paper discharge port (this is a user for notifying other users who are holding output as described in FIG. 11). Name information and notification address information). Also, usage information on the paper size used by the print job (which is also used as a condition for selecting the device discharge port), usage information on the paper type (material) used by the print job (this is device discharge) It is also used as a mouth selection condition). Also included is a PDL data start command for instructing the start of PDL data for generating intermediate page data by the image generation module, a PDL drawing data, a PDL data end command, and a job end command for instructing the end of the print job.

[Third Embodiment]
13 to 14 show an image output system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In the present embodiment, a case in which a virtual paper discharge port is designated by a number will be described, but a name may be used.

  In the following description and drawings, virtual discharge port output is performed using an operation process for print job generation on the host, a user interface screen, and a unified user interface when two image output devices are used. An example will be described. The number of image output devices is not limited to two, and may be an image output system for three or more image output devices.

  FIG. 13 selects a virtual paper discharge bin on the host computer 300 (or 301) in the image output system representing the third embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to the actual paper output bin of the image output apparatus 100. It is a user interface screen 1301 for displaying.

  The user creates a document or the like using a user application such as document creation software, and obtains a printed matter from the image output apparatus by issuing a print instruction from the application. At this time, printer driver software is activated as a function of the operating system on the host computer 300, and a user interface screen 1301 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the host computer 300 by the printer driver software.

  (A), (b), and (c) in the user interface screen 1301 display a state in which printing is performed using this image output system.

  In FIG. 5A, the user A selects the virtual paper discharge bin 1 on the host computer 300 and executes printing, and the actual paper output bin 1 of the real printer A 1302 is used as an image output device that actually outputs the printed matter. Is output.

  (B) in the figure shows that the user B selects the virtual paper discharge bin 3 on a host computer (not shown) and executes printing, and an actual output of the actual printer B 1303 as an image output device that actually outputs printed matter. It is output to the paper bin 1.

  (C) in the figure shows that the user C selects the virtual paper discharge bin 4 on a host computer (not shown) and executes printing, and an actual output of the actual printer B 1303 as an image output device that actually outputs the printed matter. It is output to the paper bin 3.

  Here, the association between the virtual paper discharge bin and the real paper discharge bin is performed by the method described in the first embodiment of the present invention. The information displayed on the user interface screen 1301 may be configured to display the apparatus discharge port information described in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver module operating on the operating system of the host computer in the image output system representing the third embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, when the user designates a virtual paper discharge bin number on the user interface screen 1301 (S1401), the printer driver selects a printer to which print data is to be transmitted (S1402). At this time, the printer driver may be able to immediately acquire the status of the image output apparatus using SNMP equipped in the LAN interface card 304, and the printer to be transmitted may be selected.

  Print data for the selected printer is created as PDL data (S1403), and a print job to which a virtual discharge port selection command is added as described with reference to FIG. 12 is generated (S1404). It transmits (S1405).

  The printer driver module analyzes whether the sent print job is analyzed in the printer and determines whether or not the actual paper discharge bin has been determined using the SNMP provided in the LAN interface card 304 (S1406). If the apparatus discharge port information to be actually printed can be acquired, the actual printer name and the actual discharge bin information are reflected on the user interface screen 1301 (S1407).

  The paper discharge port information is directly acquired by the printer driver using SNMP, but is not limited thereto. The print server 302 may be configured to acquire the discharge port information described with reference to FIG. 6 using SNMP and hold it in the print server. Further, the printer driver on the host computer 300 (or 301) may be configured to acquire the discharge port information of each image output apparatus via the print server 301 using the function of the operating system.

[Fourth Embodiment]
15 to 16 show an image output system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
In the following description and figures, virtual processing is performed using a user name using an operation process for generating a print job on a host, a user interface screen, and a unified user interface when two image output devices are used. A case where output is performed to the paper discharge port will be described as an example. An example will be described in which the printer driver acquires a user name from a system in the host computer and outputs the user name to the virtual paper discharge port. The number of image output devices is not limited to two, and may be an image output system for three or more image output devices.

  FIG. 15 performs selection of a virtual paper discharge bin by a user name on the host computer 300 (or 301) in the image output system representing the fourth embodiment of the present invention. A user interface screen 1501 for displaying the correspondence with the actual paper discharge bin of the image output apparatus 100.

  The user creates a document or the like using a user application such as document creation software, and obtains a printed matter from the image output apparatus by issuing a print instruction from the application. At this time, printer driver software is activated as a function of the operating system on the host computer 300, and a user interface screen 1501 shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the host computer 300 by the printer driver software.

  As the user name in the user interface screen 1501, the same user name as the registered user name is displayed as described in FIG. 8 in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the user interface screen 1501 of FIG. 15, the user A selects the user A, which is the user name corresponding to the virtual paper discharge bin, on the host computer 300 and executes printing. This indicates that a print job having a job name of JOB1 is output to the actual paper discharge bin 1 of the actual printer A 1302 as an image output apparatus that actually outputs a printed matter.

  User C selects user C, which is the user name corresponding to the virtual paper discharge bin, on the host computer 301 and executes printing. In addition, a print job having a job name “JOB2” is output to the actual paper discharge bins 3 and 4 of the actual printer B 1303 as an image output apparatus that actually outputs a printed matter.

  Here, the association between the virtual paper discharge bin, the registered user name, and the real paper discharge bin is performed by the method described in the second embodiment of the present invention. Further, the information displayed on the user interface screen 1501 may be configured to display the apparatus discharge port information described in FIG. 6 described in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer driver module operating on the operating system of the host computer in the image output system representing the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, when the user designates the user name registered in the virtual paper discharge bin on the user interface screen 1301 (S1601), the printer driver selects a printer to which print data is to be transmitted (S1602). At this time, a configuration may be adopted in which the printer driver can immediately acquire the status of the image output apparatus using SNMP equipped in the LAN interface card 304. Then, using the selection method described in detail with reference to FIG. 11 in the second embodiment of the present invention, a printer having an actual paper discharge bin may be preferentially selected as a printer to be transmitted.

  Print data for the selected printer is created as PDL data (S1603), and a print job with the specified user name information and job name added as described with reference to FIG. 12 is generated (S1504), and the print job is selected. The data is transmitted to the actual printer (S1505).

  The printer driver module analyzes whether the sent print job is analyzed in the printer and determines whether or not the actual paper discharge bin has been determined using the SNMP provided in the LAN interface card 304 (S1606). If the apparatus discharge port information to be actually printed can be acquired, the actual printer name, the actual discharge bin information, and the job name are reflected on the user interface screen 1501 (S1507).

  The user designates the user name on the user interface screen 1501, but as described with reference to FIG. 10, the printer driver automatically acquires and adds the name of the user executing printing from the system on the host computer 300. You may comprise so that it may do.

  Further, the apparatus discharge port information is directly acquired by the printer driver using SNMP, but the present invention is not limited to this. The print server 302 may be configured to acquire the discharge port information described with reference to FIG. 6 using SNMP and store the information in the print server. Then, the printer driver on the host computer 300 (or 301) may be configured to acquire the discharge port information of each image output device via the print server 301 using the function of the operating system.

Claims (2)

An image output system including a plurality of image output devices having a plurality of paper discharge ports,
Virtual paper discharge port assigning means for assigning a virtual paper discharge port to a virtual N-stage paper discharge port;
Virtual paper outlet selection means for selecting the virtual paper outlet assigned by the virtual paper outlet assigning means;
When a print job instructed to be output to the virtual paper discharge port is input, the device discharge control is performed so that the virtual paper discharge port is associated with the device discharge port and the device discharge port to be output is determined. An image output system comprising a paper mouth selection control unit. A control method of an image output system including a plurality of image output devices having a plurality of paper discharge ports,
A virtual paper discharge port assignment step for assigning a virtual paper discharge port to a virtual N-stage paper discharge port;
A virtual paper discharge port selecting step for selecting the virtual paper discharge port assigned by the virtual paper discharge port assigning step;
When a print job instructed to be output to the virtual paper discharge port is input, the device discharge control is performed so that the virtual paper discharge port is associated with the device discharge port and the device discharge port to be output is determined. And a paper mouth selection control step.

Images