JP2011056841A - Image forming apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the time required until a received print instruction is performed shorter than that when the drawing processing of print data is performed, in reception for all print instructions. <P>SOLUTION: A job kind determination part 206 determines whether a print job received by a print job receiving part 201 is an accumulation print job such as a time-specified print job, a security print job and a proof print job or a normal print job except those. When it is determined that the received print job is the accumulation print job, a job control part 209 stores the print job into a job storage part 205, without performing decomposing processing. When it is determined that the received print job is the normal print job, the job control part 209 immediately performs decomposing processing of the print job and performs the print job. When it is determined that the processing load of one's own image forming apparatus is small, the job control part 209 timely performs decomposing processing of the accumulation print job stored in the print job storage part 205. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a program.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a print control apparatus capable of executing time-designated printing for starting print processing at a designated time.

  In Patent Document 2, after the supplied print data is stored in the storage device, the output of the print data stored in the storage device is output when conditions such as the input of a password and the arrival of a specified time are achieved. A printing system to perform is disclosed.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a printing apparatus that accumulates print data to which a printing time is added and outputs the accumulated print data at a designated printing time.

  In Patent Document 4, a decomposing process is performed when a print job with a specified print time is stored, the print time is predicted, and the print process is started at a time that is predicted from the specified print time. An image forming apparatus configured to do so is disclosed.

JP-A-4-3220 JP 2001-249775 A JP 2002-144680 A JP 2005-262709 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a program capable of shortening the time until the received print command is executed, as compared with the case where drawing processing of print data is performed for all print commands at the time of reception. Is to provide.

[Image forming apparatus]
The present invention according to claim 1 comprises a receiving means for receiving a print command;
Storage means for storing a print command received by the receiving means;
A drawing processing unit for performing a drawing process of print data included in the print command stored in the storage unit;
Control means for controlling the drawing processing means to change the timing for drawing the print data included in the print command according to the type of the print command received by the receiving means;
The control unit prints data stored in the storage unit when the processing amount in the own device is equal to or less than a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a predetermined time or more. Controlling the drawing processing means to perform drawing processing of print data included in the command;
The control means includes a drawing process started when a processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value, or a drawing started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a predetermined time or more. During execution of processing, when a condition for executing the print command stored in the storage unit is satisfied, or a print command to be executed without waiting for a preset condition to be satisfied is received by the receiving unit. The image forming apparatus controls the drawing processing unit so as to interrupt or stop the drawing process being executed.

The present invention according to claim 2 comprises a receiving means for receiving a print command;
Storage means for storing a print command received by the receiving means;
A drawing processing unit for performing a drawing process of print data included in the print command stored in the storage unit;
When the print command received by the receiving unit is a print command that is executed when a preset condition is satisfied after being stored in the storage unit, the print command is constant after the print command is stored in the storage unit. Control means for controlling the drawing processing means so as not to draw the print data included in the print command even if the period has elapsed,
The control unit prints data stored in the storage unit when the processing amount in the own device is equal to or less than a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a predetermined time or more. Controlling the drawing processing means to perform drawing processing of print data included in the command;
The control means includes a drawing process started when a processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value, or a drawing started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a predetermined time or more. During execution of processing, when a condition for executing the print command stored in the storage unit is satisfied, or a print command to be executed without waiting for a preset condition to be satisfied is received by the receiving unit. The image forming apparatus controls the drawing processing unit so as to interrupt or stop the drawing process being executed.

[program]
The present invention according to claim 3 includes the step of receiving a print command;
Storing received print instructions;
A step of controlling a drawing processing unit that performs a drawing process of the print data included in the stored print command so as to change a timing for drawing the print data included in the print command according to the type of the received print command. When,
Drawing processing of print data included in stored print commands when the processing amount in the own device is less than or equal to a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a certain period of time Controlling the drawing processing means to perform:
During the execution of a drawing process started when the processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value or a drawing process started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a certain period of time When the condition for executing the stored print command is satisfied, or when the print command to be executed without waiting for the preset condition is satisfied, the drawing process being executed is interrupted. Or a program for causing a computer to execute the step of controlling the drawing processing means to stop.

The present invention according to claim 4 includes a step of receiving a print command;
Storing received print instructions;
If the received print command is a print command that is executed when a preset condition is satisfied after being stored, it is included in the print command even if a certain period of time elapses after the print command is stored Controlling a drawing processing unit that performs a drawing process of the print data included in the stored print command so as not to draw the print data;
Drawing processing of print data included in stored print commands when the processing amount in the own device is less than or equal to a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a certain period of time Controlling the drawing processing means to perform:
During the execution of a drawing process started when the processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value or a drawing process started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a certain period of time When a condition for executing the stored print command is satisfied, or when a print command to be executed is received without waiting for a preset condition to be satisfied, the drawing process being executed is interrupted. Or a program for causing a computer to execute the step of controlling the drawing processing means to stop.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time until the received print command is executed, as compared with the case where the print data drawing process is performed at the time of reception for all the print commands. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time until the received print command is executed as compared with the case where the print data drawing process is performed at the time of reception for all the print commands. An image forming apparatus can be provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time until the received print command is executed as compared with the case where the print data drawing process is performed at the time of reception for all the print commands. A program can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to shorten the time until the received print command is executed, as compared with the case where the print data drawing process is performed at the time of reception for all the print commands. A program can be provided.

1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a new print job is received in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a list of timings at which a decomposing process is executed according to the type of print job. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing when decomposing processing of a storage-type print job stored in a print job storage unit 205 is performed. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement in the case of stopping / interrupting the started time-decomposition process.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a terminal device 20 connected to each other via a network 30. The terminal device 20 generates a print job and transmits the print job generated via the network 30 to the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 10 receives a print job transmitted from the terminal device 20 and outputs an image corresponding to the print job on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus called a so-called multi-function machine having a plurality of functions such as a print function, a scan function, a copy function, and a facsimile function.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 in the image forming system of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits and receives data to and from an external device or the like via a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network 30. A communication interface (IF) 14, a touch panel or liquid crystal display, and a user interface (UI) device 15 including a keyboard, a scanner 16, and a print engine 17 are included. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

  The CPU 11 executes predetermined processing based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 has been described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 11. It is also possible to provide.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 realized by executing the control program.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 10 of the present exemplary embodiment includes a print job receiving unit 201, a user operation unit 202, a display unit 203, a power saving control unit 204, a print job storage unit 205, a job A type determination unit 206, a decomposition processing unit 207, a time monitoring unit 208, a job control unit 209, an image output unit 210, and a device control unit 211 are provided.

  The print job receiving unit 201 receives a print job (print command) transmitted from the terminal device 20 via the network 30. The user operation unit 202 includes a so-called control panel and receives an instruction from the user.

  The display unit 203 visually displays information such as the state of the image forming apparatus 10 to the user based on the control from the device control unit 211.

  The power saving control unit 204 shifts to an energy saving mode (hereinafter abbreviated as an energy saving mode) when the image forming apparatus 10 is not used for a certain period of time or returns to a normal state when a print job is received in the energy saving mode. The power saving control is executed.

  The print job storage unit 205 temporarily stores the print job received by the print job reception unit 201. Further, the print job storage unit 205 saves processed data of the print job being executed, and stores storage-type print jobs such as time designation print, security print, and proof print. Here, the storage-type print job is a print job other than a print job that is immediately executed when received by the print job receiving unit 201 and is set in advance after being stored in the print job storage unit 205. This print job is executed when the condition is satisfied.

  The time-designated print job is a print job that is printed at a designated time. Further, the security print print job is a print job that is printed when the print job is stored in the print job storage unit 205 and the user is authenticated and an output is instructed. A proof print print job is a print job in which only one copy is output at the time of reception, and printing is executed when the user confirms the output of the one copy and instructs the remaining output.

  The job type determination unit 206 determines the type of print job received by the print job reception unit 201. Specifically, the job type determination unit 206 determines whether the received print job is a storage type print job or another print job, and if the received print job is a storage type print job, the print job Is a time-designated print, a security print, or a proof print.

  The decomposing processing unit 207 performs decomposing (drawing processing) of the print data included in the received print job, and converts the data into a format that can be output by the image output unit 210.

  The time monitoring unit 208 performs monitoring of a designated time of a print job for time designated printing, various timer processes in the image forming apparatus 10, and the like.

  A job control unit 209 performs control for processing a print job received by the print job reception unit 201 and stored in the print job storage unit 205. Then, the job control unit 209 changes the timing (time) for executing the decomposing process of the print data included in the print job according to the type of the print job received by the print job receiving unit 201. 207 is controlled.

  Specifically, if the job type determination unit 206 determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit 201 is a storage type print job, the job control unit 209 stores the print job in the print job. The decompression processing unit 207 is controlled so that the print data included in the print job command is not drawn even if a certain period of time has elapsed since the data was stored in the unit 205.

  If the job type determination unit 206 determines that the print job received by the print job reception unit 201 is a normal print job other than the storage type print job, the job control unit 209 has passed a certain period of time. Control is performed so that the print job is immediately executed without waiting, and the print data included in the print job is decomposed by the decomposing processing unit 207 and output by the image output unit 210.

  In addition, when the processing amount in the apparatus is equal to or less than a preset value, the job control unit 209 performs the decomposing process so as to perform the decomposing process of the print data included in the print job stored in the print job storage unit 205. The processing unit 207 may be controlled.

  In addition, the job control unit 209 performs a drawing process for rendering the print data included in the print job stored in the print job storage unit 205 when the processing to be executed in the apparatus does not occur for a certain time or longer. 207 may be controlled.

  Furthermore, the job control unit 209 starts when the amount of processing in the own device becomes equal to or less than a preset value, or when a process to be executed in the own device does not occur for a certain period of time. When the conditions for executing the print job stored in the print job storage unit 205 are satisfied during execution of the decompression process, or the print to be executed without waiting for the preset condition to be satisfied When the job is received by the print job receiving unit 201, the decomposing processing unit 207 is controlled to interrupt or stop the executing decomposing process.

  The image output unit 210 outputs an image based on the received print job on a print sheet under the control of the device control unit 211.

  The device control unit 211 controls the user operation unit 202, the display unit 203, the power saving control unit 204, the image output unit 210, and the like in conjunction with the print job control in the job control unit 209.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the operation when a new print job is received in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
When a print job is transmitted from the terminal device 10 via the network 30, the print job is received by the print job receiving unit 201 (step S101).

  Then, this print job is sent from the device control unit 211 to the job control unit 209 and further sent to the job type determination unit 206. The job type determination unit 206 analyzes this print job and determines whether the print job is a storage type print job or a non-storage type print job (step S102).

  If it is determined in step S102 that the received print job is a non-storage type print job, the job control unit 209 immediately sends the print job to the decomposing processing unit 207, and the decomposing processing unit 207 executes the decomposing process. (Step S103). Then, the output based on the decomposed print data is performed by the image output unit 210 (step S104), and the print job processing ends.

  If it is determined in step S102 that the received print job is a non-storage type print job, the job type determination unit 206 further determines what type of print job the print job is. To do.

  First, the job type determination unit 206 determines whether or not the print job is a time-designated print job (step S105). If it is determined in step S105 that the received print job is a time-designated print, the job control unit 209 registers the output start designated time of the print job in the time monitoring unit 208 (step S106). After storing the print job data in the job storage unit 205 (step S107), the process is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S105 that the received print job is not a time-designated print, the job type determination unit 206 next determines whether the print job is a security print print job (step S108).

  If it is determined in step S108 that the received print job is a security print print job, the job control unit 209 accumulates the print job data in the print job storage unit 205 (step S107), and then ends the process. .

  If it is determined in step S108 that the received print job is a security print print job, since the print job is a proof print print job, the job control unit 209 immediately converts the print job into a decompose processing unit 207. The decompression processing unit 207 executes the decompression process (step S109). Then, only one copy is output by the image output unit 210 regardless of the designated number of copies (step S110), and after the print job data is accumulated in the print job storage unit 205 (step S107), the process ends.

  Here, the storage-type print job stored in the print job storage unit 205 is treated as a print job waiting for the decomposing process. The job type determination order in the job type determination unit 206 is for convenience of description, and is not limited to the order described in the present embodiment.

  As a result of the above processing, the timing of the decomposing process is changed according to the type of the print job. FIG. 5 shows a list of the timings.

  In the list shown in FIG. 5, normal print jobs other than storage-type print jobs are decomposed when the print job is received, whereas storage-type print jobs are decomposed at different timings. Can be seen.

  Next, processing when decomposing processing (timely decomposing processing) of the storage-type print job stored in the print job storage unit 205 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The job control unit 209 confirms whether or not a job waiting to be started or resumed is stored in the print job storage unit 205 (step S301). If it is determined in step S301 that there is no job waiting to be started, the job control unit 209 ends the process.

  In step S301, if there is a job waiting for the start / restart of the decomposing process, the job control unit 209 determines that the condition for starting the decomposing process in a timely manner, that is, the processing load of the image forming apparatus 10 is a predetermined value or less. It is determined whether or not there is.

  Specific conditions for determining whether or not the processing load is equal to or less than a predetermined value include that a non-storage type print job has not been executed for a predetermined time or more, and that the energy saving mode start condition is satisfied. Can be used.

  When the determination condition is that the state where the non-accumulation type print job is not executed continues for a predetermined time or more, the time monitoring unit 208 checks whether the determination condition is satisfied.

  The time monitoring unit 208, for example, notifies the job control unit 209 that the predetermined time has elapsed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the timer operation was started when the end of execution of the non-storage job was detected. In this case, if a non-accumulation job is executed while the timer is operating, the timer is stopped there, and when the execution ends, the timer is measured again from the beginning.

  The predetermined time handled by the timer of the time monitoring unit 208 may be uniquely determined by the system, or may be arbitrarily changed by the user. If the predetermined time is 0, the decomposing process is started / resumed in a timely manner as soon as the execution of the non-storage job ends and there is no print job to be executed in the image forming apparatus 10.

  When the determination condition is that the energy saving mode start condition is satisfied, the power saving control unit 204 checks whether the determination condition is satisfied.

  In the power saving control unit 204, for example, the operation of the timer is started when the end of execution of the job is detected, and then the device control unit 211 when a predetermined time elapses without executing the job or operating the user operation unit 202. Is notified of the start of energy-saving mode. In this case, if a job is executed while the timer is operating or an operation is performed on the user operation unit 202, the timer is stopped there, and when the job execution or user operation is completed, the timer is measured again from the beginning. Will do.

  If it is determined that the determination condition set in step S <b> 302 is satisfied and the processing load of the image forming apparatus 10 is small, the job control unit 209 starts / restarts the time-decomposition processing and saves it in the print job storage unit 205. The decomposing process is sequentially performed on the job data waiting for decomposing start / resumption in a timely manner (step S303).

  Note that when the energy saving mode start condition is satisfied as a determination condition, the timely decomposing process is started / resumed means that the energy saving mode start is suspended, but the timely decomposing process is completed. The energy saving mode may be started immediately, or the energy saving mode may be started after waiting for a timer process in accordance with a normal energy saving mode start condition.

  In addition, the determination condition in step S302 is such that the user can arbitrarily select and switch that the non-storage type print job has not been executed for a predetermined time or more and that the energy saving mode start condition is satisfied. Any configuration may be used.

  In this way, the job data subjected to timely decomposing processing is stored in the print job storage unit 205. When the designated time has arrived for the time-designated print, the user output for the security print and the proof print. It is printed when an instruction is given.

  Next, the operation when the timely decomposing process started by the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is stopped / interrupted will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In a state where the timely decomposing process is being executed, the decomposing process of each page data of the storage job stored in the print job storage unit 205 is sequentially executed (step S401). Note that the time-decomposing process itself is the same as the normal decomposing process.

  Then, in this state, the job control unit 209 monitors whether the print job receiving unit 201 has received a print job to be preferentially processed (step S402).

  If a print job to be preferentially processed is not received in step S402, the job control unit 209 performs timely decomposing processing until all pages of the storage job stored in the print job storage unit 205 have been decomposed. (Step S403).

  In step S <b> 402, when a print job to be processed with priority is received by the print job receiving unit 201, the job control unit 209 instructs the decompression processing unit 207 to stop or interrupt the process. In the decomposing processing unit 207, the decomposing result that has been processed so far is discarded, or the decomposing result is stored in the print job storage unit 205 (step S404). When the processing in the decompression processing unit 207 is completed, the job control unit 209 ends the decomposition processing job in a timely manner (S405).

  The generation of a print job to be preferentially processed in step S402 includes the case where a non-accumulation print job is received by the print job receiving unit 201, an output instruction from the user for the accumulation print, Also included is the start of job execution due to the arrival of the designated time for the time designated print.

  If the timely decomposing process is interrupted in step S404, the processing result up to the middle is saved and the timely job decomposing job process is terminated. However, the processing result up to the middle is simply retained. The time-decomposing process may be in a standby state.

10 Image forming apparatus 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage Device 14 Communication Interface (IF)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 User interface (UI) apparatus 16 Scanner 17 Print engine 18 Control bus 20 Terminal apparatus 30 Network 201 Print job receiving part 202 User operation part 203 Display part 204 Power saving control part 205 Print job storage part 206 Job type determination part 207 Decompose process part 208 Time monitoring unit 209 Job control unit 210 Image output unit 211 Device control unit

Claims (4)

Receiving means for receiving a print command;
Storage means for storing a print command received by the receiving means;
A drawing processing unit for performing a drawing process of print data included in the print command stored in the storage unit;
Control means for controlling the drawing processing means to change the timing for drawing the print data included in the print command according to the type of the print command received by the receiving means;
The control unit prints data stored in the storage unit when the processing amount in the own device is equal to or less than a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a predetermined time or more. Controlling the drawing processing means to perform drawing processing of print data included in the command;
The control means includes a drawing process started when a processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value, or a drawing started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a predetermined time or more. During execution of processing, when a condition for executing the print command stored in the storage unit is satisfied, or a print command to be executed without waiting for a preset condition to be satisfied is received by the receiving unit. The image forming apparatus that controls the drawing processing unit to interrupt or stop the drawing process that is being executed. Receiving means for receiving a print command;
Storage means for storing a print command received by the receiving means;
A drawing processing unit for performing a drawing process of print data included in the print command stored in the storage unit;
When the print command received by the receiving unit is a print command that is executed when a preset condition is satisfied after being stored in the storage unit, the print command is constant after the print command is stored in the storage unit. Control means for controlling the drawing processing means so as not to draw the print data included in the print command even if the period has elapsed,
The control unit prints data stored in the storage unit when the processing amount in the own device is equal to or less than a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a predetermined time or more. Controlling the drawing processing means to perform drawing processing of print data included in the command;
The control means includes a drawing process started when a processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value, or a drawing started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a predetermined time or more. During execution of processing, when a condition for executing the print command stored in the storage unit is satisfied, or a print command to be executed without waiting for a preset condition to be satisfied is received by the receiving unit. The image forming apparatus that controls the drawing processing unit to interrupt or stop the drawing process that is being executed. Receiving a print command; and
Storing received print instructions;
A step of controlling a drawing processing unit that performs a drawing process of the print data included in the stored print command so as to change a timing for drawing the print data included in the print command according to the type of the received print command. When,
Drawing processing of print data included in stored print commands when the processing amount in the own device is less than or equal to a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a certain period of time Controlling the drawing processing means to perform:
During the execution of a drawing process started when the processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value or a drawing process started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a certain period of time When the condition for executing the stored print command is satisfied, or when the print command to be executed without waiting for the preset condition is satisfied, the drawing process being executed is interrupted. Or a program for causing a computer to execute the step of controlling the drawing processing means to stop. Receiving a print command; and
Storing received print instructions;
If the received print command is a print command that is executed when a preset condition is satisfied after being stored, it is included in the print command even if a certain period of time elapses after the print command is stored Controlling a drawing processing unit that performs a drawing process of the print data included in the stored print command so as not to draw the print data;
Drawing processing of print data included in stored print commands when the processing amount in the own device is less than or equal to a preset value, or when processing to be executed in the own device does not occur for a certain period of time Controlling the drawing processing means to perform:
During the execution of a drawing process started when the processing amount in the own apparatus becomes equal to or less than a preset value or a drawing process started when a process to be executed in the own apparatus does not occur for a certain period of time When the condition for executing the stored print command is satisfied, or when the print command to be executed without waiting for the preset condition is satisfied, the drawing process being executed is interrupted. Or a program for causing a computer to execute the step of controlling the drawing processing means to stop.

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