JP2010214710A - Printing system and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To cancel the execution of a printing job even after outputting the printing job to an image processor. <P>SOLUTION: If there is a request of printing of image data, a host device forms the print job and stores the print job in a print queue. The host device transmits the stored print job to the image processor. The image processor performs a preparation processing for the print job. Before executing the print job after finishing the preparation processing, the image processor performs the confirmation of execution start of the print job to the host device. When the host device issues an instruction of execution start, the image processor performs the print job. When the host device issues an instruction for canceling the execution, the image processor stops the execution of the print job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print system in which an image processing apparatus executes a print job output from a host device.

  An image processing apparatus such as a printer is communicably connected to a host apparatus through a network. A host device such as a personal computer creates image data using application software. The created image data is printed and output by the image processing apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when a print request is made in the application software, the host device activates the printer driver to generate a print job. The print job is stored in the print queue. When the storage is completed, the print job is transmitted to the printer. When the printer receives the print job, the printer executes the print job. That is, the printer prints an image on a recording sheet after performing print preparation processing such as converting print data in a print job into raster data and setting print conditions.

  Here, the print job is canceled, for example, when the user has operated the print request due to an operation mistake. If the print job is being stored, the print job can be canceled. However, as soon as the storage is completed, the print job is transmitted to the printer, and the print job is automatically executed. Therefore, the print job cannot be canceled.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes that a stored print job can be changed such as deletion. In other words, a print job is stored in a print queue in a host device that is communicably connected to the printer, a spooler that outputs the print job, a print job output from the spooler, and the print job is transmitted to the printer. And a print job management unit. Even when the storage of the print job is completed, the print job is not yet transmitted to the printer and is held in the print job management unit. While being held, the print job can be deleted or the setting can be changed.

JP 2009-3778

  However, when a print job is transmitted from the host device to the printer, the host device does not hold the print job, and the print job cannot be canceled. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a print system that enables a print job to be canceled even after the print job is output to a printer.

  The present invention includes a host device that manages a print job and an image processing device that executes a print job output from the host device, and the image processing device executes the host device before executing the print job. Confirm the start.

  The host device manages the print job by generating a print job or storing the print job. When the host device requests the image processing device to execute a print job, the print job is output from the host device to the image processing device, and the host device cannot manage the print job. Therefore, the image processing apparatus does not immediately execute the print job, but confirms with the host apparatus before executing the print job. As a result, the print job can be canceled.

  The host device includes a print queue that stores the generated print job. When the storage of the print job is completed, the host device transmits the print job from the print queue to the image processing device. The image processing apparatus performs preparation processing for the received print job, and then confirms with the host apparatus. The host device issues an instruction for confirmation to the image processing device.

  The image processing apparatus executes a print job when the host apparatus instructs execution start, and stops executing the print job when the host apparatus instructs cancellation. The image processing apparatus performs a predetermined process of starting or stopping the execution when there is no instruction from the host apparatus even after a predetermined time has elapsed after confirming the execution start with the host apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the print job from being held in the image processing apparatus even if there is no instruction from the host apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus transmits a print job preview image to the host apparatus, and the host apparatus displays the preview image. The user can select execution or cancellation with reference to the preview screen. When there is a change to the print job, the print job can be canceled.

  The image processing apparatus includes a control unit that executes a print job output from a host device that manages the print job. Before executing the print job, the control unit confirms the execution start with respect to the host device, receives the execution start instruction from the host device, executes the print job, and receives a cancel instruction from the host device. , Cancel the print job execution.

  According to the present invention, execution of a print job can be stopped even after the print job is output from the host device to the image processing apparatus. As a result, when the print job is executed due to an operation error or when it is desired to make a change to the print job, the execution can be canceled, so that useless printing can be eliminated. Therefore, consumables such as recording sheets can be saved and power consumption can be reduced.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the printing system of this invention Block diagram showing schematic configuration of terminal device Figure showing a screen when a print request is made Figure showing the screen at the start of a print job Figure showing the screen of the print queue while spooling Figure showing the print queue screen when spooling is complete Diagram showing the print queue screen when sending a print job Flowchart when executing a print job Figure showing the screen at the start of a print job Figure showing the print execution confirmation screen The figure which shows the confirmation screen when instructing execution of printing Figure showing a confirmation screen when multiple print jobs are held Figure showing the setting screen for whether to check execution Flow chart for executing a conventional print job

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes an image processing apparatus that processes image data, and a host apparatus from which a user inputs image data and a processing instruction. Each of the image processing apparatus and the host apparatus is connected to a network such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet. Data transmission / reception between the apparatuses is performed via a network.

  The image processing apparatus includes an image reading unit 1 that reads a document and inputs image data, an operation unit 2 that receives user input, an image forming unit 3 that prints input image data, and stores image data. A hard disk device 4 that performs data communication with the host device, a FAX modem 7 that communicates with the facsimile device 6, and a management unit 8 that stores control information and setting information for the entire device. The device control unit 9 is a control unit that controls the entire apparatus.

  The image reading unit 1 functions as an image input unit for inputting an image, and includes an image sensor such as a CCD 10 and a document detection sensor 11 that detects a document set on a document table or an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF). Have. Image data of an image read by the CCD 10 is output to the image forming unit 3.

  The operation unit 2 is an operation panel, and includes an input unit 12 having an operation key for inputting a processing instruction, a display unit 13 having an electrostatic voltage type touch panel 13a, and a display control unit for displaying a screen on the display unit 13 ( (Not shown). When receiving an input from the input unit 12 or the touch panel 13a, the display control unit controls each unit based on information such as control information and setting information of the entire operation unit stored in a memory (not shown). Further, when there is an input from the input unit 12, the display control unit outputs the operation content of each button that has been input to the device control unit 9.

  The image forming unit 3 includes a local memory 20 that stores input image data, a printing unit 21 that includes a laser scanning unit, a paper feeding unit 22 that includes a manual feed tray and a cassette tray, and a paper discharge unit that includes a paper discharge tray. A paper portion 23.

  As the local memory 20, a readable / writable semiconductor memory such as an SDRAM or a flash memory is used. The local memory 20 is divided into an area for storing input image data and an area for storing image data for output. Instead of dividing and using one local memory 20, two local memories 20 may be used for input and output, respectively.

  The input image data is stored in the local memory 20. The local memory 20 stores image data by overwriting old image data with new image data. The image data is subjected to image processing such as compression, expansion, and processing by the image processing unit 24 and is stored in the local memory 20. The image processed image data is output to the printing unit 21, the hard disk device 4, or the device control unit 9. The printing unit 21 prints an image on a recording sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 22 based on the image data stored in the local memory 20.

  The communication unit 5 is connected to a router, a switching hub, and the like via a LAN cable, and is connected to a network formed by a terminal device 30 such as a personal computer or a server. The network is connected to the Internet via a communication line such as a telephone line network or an optical fiber.

  The communication unit 5 transmits and receives data to and from the terminal device 30 and other image processing devices in the network, and transmits and receives data and electronic mail to and from the external terminal device 30 and the facsimile device 31 through the Internet. Accordingly, the terminal device 30, the facsimile device 31, and other image processing devices inside and outside the network are set as host devices.

  The FAX modem 7 is connected to the telephone line network via a telephone line, and performs facsimile communication with the external facsimile apparatus 6. In this way, image data is input through the communication unit 5 and the FAX modem 7.

  When there is an input from the operation unit 2 or a data input from the host device, the device control unit 9 controls each unit based on information stored in the management unit 8 and processes the input image data. That is, any one of a copy mode, a printer mode, a scanner mode, a facsimile mode, and a document filing mode is executed on the input image data, and the input image data is output in a desired form.

  The hard disk device 4 is a storage unit that temporarily stores image data. When image data is stored in the hard disk device 4, the image data is encrypted by the encryption / decryption unit 25. When image data is read from the hard disk device 4, the image data is decoded.

  The hard disk device 4 stores management information related to data processing as data other than image data. The management information includes filing management information, transmission destination management information, and history management information. The filing management information is a list of files in which input image data is stored. The transmission destination management information is a list of transmission destinations in facsimile communication. The history management information is a list of executed processing contents.

  The hard disk device 4 includes an erasing unit 26 that erases image data. The image data to be erased is data stored in the processing work area. The device control unit 9 controls the operation of the erasing unit 26 after processing and outputting the image data. The erasure unit 26 overwrites random data or meaningless data, or erases the data itself so that the stored image data cannot be read and the original image cannot be reproduced. Disable it.

  Note that the erasing unit 26 may also invalidate the image data by erasing the old image data by overwriting or erasing the image data in the local memory 20. The management information stored in the hard disk device 4 is not erased unless there is a command from the device control unit 9.

  Next, the operation when each mode is executed will be described. First, in the copy mode, image data of a document read by the image reading unit 1 is output as a copy from the image forming unit 3. Specifically, the image of the original set at the reading position is read by the CCD 10. The image data output from the CCD 10 is subjected to image processing on the local memory 20 by the image processing unit 24 and completed as an output image. Once transferred from the local memory 20 to the hard disk device 4, it is stored. When there are a plurality of documents, the reading and storing operations are repeated.

  Thereafter, based on the processing contents instructed from the operation unit 2, the image data stored in the hard disk device 4 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing and sent to the local memory 20. The image data is transferred from the local memory 20 to the printing unit 21 in accordance with the writing timing to the printing unit 21, and the image is printed on the recording sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 22. 23 is discharged.

  Similarly, when printing a plurality of read image data, the image data is stored in the hard disk device 4 in units of pages as an output image, and sent from the hard disk device 4 to the local memory 20 in accordance with the output mode. The image data in the local memory 20 is repeated for the number of output sheets, and transferred to the printing unit 21 in accordance with the writing timing to the printing unit 21.

  In the printer mode, the image data output from the terminal device 30 is output from the image forming unit 3. That is, the image data from the terminal device 30 is received by the communication unit 5. The device control unit 9 sends the input image data to the local memory 20, develops it as image data to be output for each page, and temporarily stores it in the hard disk device 4. The image data is sent from the hard disk device 4 to the local memory 20 and transferred to the printing unit 21 in the same manner as in the copy mode, and the image is printed on a recording sheet.

  In the scanner mode, the image data of the document read by the image reading unit 1 is communicated to an arbitrary terminal device 30 through a network. That is, the image data output from the CCD 10 is processed on the local memory 20 to be completed as an output image, and is temporarily stored in the hard disk device 4. Then, when transmitting, the image data is sent from the hard disk device 4 to the local memory 20, and the device control unit 9 establishes communication with the transmission destination in the network designated via the operation unit 2, and the communication unit 5. To send the image data to the desired destination. The image data is also transmitted from the network to the external terminal device 30 and the facsimile device 31 by the communication unit 5 through the Internet.

  By the same operation in the facsimile mode, the device control unit 9 transmits image data from the FAX modem 7 to the facsimile apparatus 6 through a telephone line.

  When the processing of the image data input from the image reading unit 1 or the host device is completed as described above, the erasing unit 26 erases the image data stored in the hard disk device 4. In the document filing mode, image data input from the image reading unit 1 or the host device is stored in the hard disk device 4. The device control unit 9 calls up image data when necessary and prints or transmits the image data.

  A terminal device 30 such as a personal computer used by a user, which is a host device in the print system, manages jobs executed by the image processing apparatus. That is, the terminal device 30 generates a job based on the input image data, and requests the image processing device to execute this job. In response to this request, the image processing apparatus executes the job output from the terminal device 30. The job is executed in any one of a printer mode, a facsimile mode, and a document filing mode.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 30 includes an input unit 32 for inputting processing instructions, a display unit 33 for displaying images, a storage unit 34 for storing image data, and job management for managing jobs for image data. A control unit 36 that controls the entire apparatus, and a communication unit 37 that communicates with the image processing apparatus and other host devices.

  In particular, in the terminal device 30, image data is created by application software such as text creation software or table creation software. In addition, image data is input from the outside by a browser or mailer. For such image data, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the user performs a print request operation on the screen displayed on the display unit 33 by application software, the control unit 36 including a CPU or the like is displayed. The printer driver is operated to generate a print job. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4, a screen indicating the start of the print job is displayed on the display unit 33.

  The printer driver converts the image data into PDL and creates print data. Then, the printer driver combines the print data and print information such as print conditions input by the user to generate a print job, and stores the print job in the print queue 38 of the job management unit 35. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen indicating the status of the print queue 38 is displayed as being stored (spooling). The print queue 38 is provided in the storage unit 34 including a hard disk device or a memory, and is managed by the job management unit 35.

  When the storage of the print job in the print queue 38 is completed, the printer driver outputs the print job to the designated image processing apparatus. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the display of storing (spooling) disappears on the screen showing the state of the print queue 38. When a plurality of print jobs are stored in the print queue 38, the print jobs are output in the order of arrival. In response to this output, the control unit 36 transmits a print job to the image processing apparatus through the communication unit 37. When the transmission of the print job is completed, the stored print job display is deleted on the screen indicating the state of the print queue 38 as shown in FIG.

  When the image processing apparatus receives a print job, the device control unit 9 performs a preparation process for the print job. That is, the device control unit 9 converts the print data into raster data based on the print information, expands the data in units of pages, and temporarily stores the raster data in the hard disk device 4 when the preparation process is completed. Then, the device control unit 9 reads the raster data from the hard disk device 4 and transfers it to the printing unit 21. The printing unit 21 prints and outputs an image on a recording sheet.

  By the way, when a situation in which a print job is canceled due to a user's operation mistake or a change in print information, etc., before the print job is transmitted to the image processing apparatus, that is, while being stored in the print queue 38. The terminal device 30 can cancel the execution of the print job. When the user inputs cancel of printing such that the user operates the cancel button on the screen shown in FIG. 4 or the user selects cancel for the print job on the screen shown in FIG. Instructs the printer driver to cancel printing. The printer driver deletes the print job from the print queue 38.

  However, normally, the print job is sent to the image processing apparatus as soon as storage in the print queue 38 is completed. After being transmitted, the user cannot cancel printing. Therefore, the image processing apparatus confirms the start of execution of the print job with respect to the terminal device 30 before executing the print job, and starts or stops the execution of the print job according to an instruction from the terminal device 30.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the user performs an operation for requesting printing of image data in the terminal device 30, the control unit 36 operates the printer driver. A print job is generated, and the print job is temporarily stored in the print queue 38. When the storage is completed, the print job is transmitted to the image processing apparatus.

  Until the printer driver generates a print job and stores it in the print queue 38, a screen indicating that the print job is being prepared is displayed on the display unit 33 as shown in FIG. Since final permission to execute printing has not been obtained, “preparing for printing” is displayed here. While this screen is displayed, the print job has not yet been transmitted to the image processing apparatus, so the print job can be canceled.

  When the image processing apparatus receives a print job, the device control unit 9 performs a preparation process for the print job. When the preparation process is completed, the device control unit 9 requests the terminal device 30 for printing permission.

  Upon receiving a request for printing permission from the image processing apparatus, the control unit 36 of the terminal device 30 displays a print execution confirmation screen on the display unit 33 as shown in FIG. On the confirmation screen, a print permission confirmation message, a print button, and a cancel button are displayed. The user can select whether to start or cancel execution of the print job.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the user operates the print button, the control unit 36 of the terminal device 30 instructs the image processing apparatus to start execution through the communication unit 37. Upon receiving this instruction, the device control unit 9 of the image processing apparatus outputs raster data to the printing unit 21. The printing unit 21 performs printing.

  When the user operates the cancel button, the control unit 36 instructs the image processing apparatus to stop execution. The device control unit 9 stops the execution of the print job according to this instruction. The device control unit 9 deletes the raster data of the print job stored in the hard disk device 4.

  When confirming the start of execution, the user can confirm the image to be printed. When a preview button is displayed on the confirmation screen and the user operates this button, the control unit 36 of the terminal device 30 instructs the image processing apparatus to provide an image to be printed. The device control unit 9 of the image processing apparatus transmits a preview image of the image to be printed to the terminal device 30. The control unit 36 of the terminal device 30 causes the display unit 33 to display a preview image.

  The user can determine whether to start or stop printing by looking at the displayed preview screen. For example, it can be seen that part of the image protrudes and is not printed. In such a case, the user selects to cancel the print job. The terminal device 30 instructs the image processing device to stop. The image processing apparatus stops execution of the print job. Then, the user performs an operation such as changing the setting of the printing condition on the terminal device 30 and performs the operation of the print request again. The terminal device 30 generates the changed print job and transmits it to the image processing apparatus. In this way, by displaying the preview image, it is possible to accurately determine whether to execute or cancel printing, and it is possible to eliminate useless printing.

  In some cases, the user does not give an instruction to confirm the printing from the image processing apparatus as when the user leaves the terminal device 30. Therefore, the image processing apparatus has a time-out function for when there is no response from the terminal device 30. That is, since the device control unit 9 confirms the terminal device 30 as a time-out function, the device control unit 9 measures time by a timer and waits for a response from the terminal device 30. If there is no response from the terminal device 30 even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the device control unit 9 determines that a time-out has occurred and starts executing the print job. Therefore, if the user does not give an instruction, printing is forcibly started. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a print job that is not executed from being accumulated in the image processing apparatus.

  When the time-out occurs, the device control unit 9 may cancel the execution of the print job. Whether to start or stop execution when a timeout occurs is determined in advance, and the device control unit 9 stores the setting information in the management unit 8. When there is no instruction from the terminal device 30 and a time-out occurs, the device control unit performs one of the determined processes.

  When the image processing apparatus does not have the time-out function as described above, a plurality of print jobs remain in the image processing apparatus. Therefore, when the device control unit 9 receives a new print job, it checks the terminal device 30 for all print jobs. As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of confirmation screens for each print job are displayed on the display unit 33 of the terminal device 30. When the print buttons on all screens are operated, execution of each print job is started. Print jobs are executed on a first-come-first-served basis. Further, when an execution start instruction is issued for an arbitrary print job, the image processing apparatus executes only the instructed print job. A print job that has not been instructed is held as it is.

  Here, if there is a print job to be executed in a hurry, the user selects a confirmation screen for the print job. The control unit 36 instructs the image processing apparatus to execute this print job. As a result, even when a print job is requested later, printing can be performed first.

  In this way, even if a print job is output to the image processing device, it can be executed when it is desired to cancel printing due to an operation error, etc. by confirming whether the print job is to be executed before starting printing. Can be canceled. As a result, wasteful use of consumables such as recording sheets can be eliminated.

  By the way, whether or not to confirm before executing the above-described print job is set in advance. In the terminal device 30, it is set as a property of the image processing device. As shown in FIG. 13, as one of the property settings, an item as to whether or not to display a message for confirming execution is provided. The control unit 36 stores the execution confirmation information set by the user, and adds the execution confirmation information when generating a print job.

  When the image processing apparatus receives a print job, the device control unit 9 reads execution confirmation information from the print job. If the setting is to perform confirmation, the device control unit 9 performs confirmation before executing the print job. Note that this execution confirmation setting may be performed in the image processing apparatus. The device control unit 9 stores the set execution confirmation information in the management unit 8. Before starting execution of the print job, the device control unit 9 operates according to the execution confirmation information.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. The image processing device and the terminal device may be directly connected via a cable.

  Also, in a job such as facsimile transmission of image data other than a print job and document filing of image data, the execution start may be confirmed before the job is executed. For example, when the host apparatus requests the image processing apparatus to send image data by facsimile, the image processing apparatus receives a job from the host apparatus. The device control unit confirms the execution start with the host device before performing facsimile transmission. When the host device requests the image processing device to file image data, the device control unit of the image processing device confirms the host device to start execution before storing the image data in the hard disk device.

  In the above embodiment, the terminal apparatus has a print queue, but the image processing apparatus may have a print queue. When the control unit of the terminal device generates a print job in response to the print request, the control unit transmits the print job to the image processing device. The device control unit of the image processing apparatus stores the print job in the print queue, and performs preparatory processing when the storage is completed. Then, when the preparation process is completed or when the print job is stored in the print queue, the device control unit confirms the execution start of the terminal device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading part 2 Operation part 3 Image formation part 4 Hard disk apparatus 5 Communication part 8 Management part 9 Device control part 21 Printing part 30 Terminal device 33 Display part 35 Job management part 36 Control part 37 Communication part 38 Print queue

Claims (9)

A host device that manages the print job; and an image processing device that executes the print job output from the host device. The image processing device confirms execution start with the host device before executing the print job. A printing system characterized by performing. 2. The print system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus executes a print job when the host apparatus instructs execution start, and stops the print job execution when the host apparatus instructs cancellation. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that when a predetermined time elapses after confirming execution start with the host apparatus, if there is no instruction from the host apparatus, execution of a predetermined process of starting or stopping execution is performed. The printing system according to claim 2. 4. The print system according to claim 2, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits a preview image of the print job to the host apparatus, and the host apparatus displays the preview image. The host device includes a print queue for storing the generated print job. When the host device finishes storing the print job, the host device transmits the print job from the print queue to the image processing device, and the image processing device receives the received print job. The print system according to claim 1, wherein after the preparatory process for the job is performed, confirmation is performed with respect to the host device, and the host device instructs the image processing device to perform confirmation. A control unit that executes the print job output from the host device that manages the print job is provided. The control unit confirms the execution start of the host device before executing the print job, and starts executing from the host device. An image processing apparatus that executes a print job when receiving an instruction, and stops executing the print job when receiving a cancel instruction from a host apparatus. The control unit performs a predetermined process of starting or stopping execution when there is no instruction from the host device even if a predetermined time has elapsed after confirming execution start with the host device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit transmits a preview image of the print job to the host apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit performs a preparation process for a print job received from the host apparatus, and then confirms the host apparatus.

Images