JP2013173287A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve such a problem that there is a possibility that an interrupt job desired by a user cannot be performed because of a shortage of memory capacity.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 10 includes a buffer 31 configured to store input print data, an edition processing unit 20 configured to perform edition processing on the print data to create intermediate image data, to perform interrupt job processing upon receipt of interrupt job processing instructions from a main control unit 30, and to create intermediate image data by performing edition processing on reprint data upon receipt of resume instructions from the main control unit 30, and a printing unit 33. The edition processing unit 20 extracts page data not printed yet in the printing unit 33 from print data and at the same time, extracts apparatus setting information for processing the whole of printing from the print data, deletes the print data from the buffer 31, and creates the reprint data from extracted page data and apparatus setting information and stores the reprint data in a buffer 32.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral in which functions of a copying machine, a printer as a printing apparatus, an image scanner, a facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “FAX apparatus”), and the like are combined into one.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral, which is one of image processing apparatuses, generates an interrupt job during processing of print data received from a host device as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example. Then, it is determined whether or not an interrupt job can be executed based on the size of the current free memory capacity in the memory storing data for processing them. When the determination result is not executable, the user is notified and the interrupt job is dropped into a low-functional content, or the interrupt job is canceled to ensure that the interrupt job can be executed.

JP 2009-278483 A

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, there is a possibility that the interrupt job desired by the user cannot be executed due to a lack of memory capacity.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention generates a first intermediate image data for each page by editing the stored print data and a memory for storing the input print data, and receives an interrupt job processing instruction. Then, the editing process of the print data is stopped in units of pages, interrupt job processing is performed after the reprint data is generated, and when a restart instruction is received, the reprint data is edited and processed in a second unit of pages. An editing processing unit that creates intermediate image data, a printing unit that prints the created first and second intermediate image data on a recording medium, and an interrupt job processing instruction when receiving an interrupt job, the editing processing unit And when the interrupt job processing is completed, a control unit is provided that gives the restart instruction to the editing processing unit and controls the editing processing unit.

  The edit processing unit extracts unprinted page data in the printing unit from the print data, extracts apparatus setting information for processing the entire print from the print data, and outputs the print data to the print data. In addition to deleting from the memory, the reprint data is created from the extracted page data and the apparatus setting information and stored in the memory.

  According to the present invention, the edit processing unit stores print data to be used at the time of restart after interrupt job processing in the memory as reprint data having a smaller size than the original print data, and the original print data in the memory. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the amount of memory used, and to smoothly execute interrupt job processing that requires a desired memory capacity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration relating to printing in the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and the reprint data creating unit 28 in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the print data D10 in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the reprint data D40 in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an interrupt job IJ occurs in the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow when the printing process is resumed after the interruption job process of FIG. 6 is completed in the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the reprint data creation step S13 in FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the overall job information correction step S33 in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the page data correction step S34 in FIG. FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration relating to printing in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and the reprint data creation unit 28A in FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an interrupt job IJ occurs in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow when the printing process is resumed after the interrupt job process of FIG. 14 is completed in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the packaging step S13A for processed reprint data in FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the overall job information correction step S33A in FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the page data correction step S34A in FIG.

  Modes for carrying out the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in light of the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration relating to printing in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

  The host apparatus 1 such as a personal computer is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment via a network or the like. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment includes, for example, a multifunction machine that receives print data D10 transmitted from the host apparatus 1 and prints it on a recording medium such as paper.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes, as a configuration related to printing, a receiving unit 11 connected to the host device 1 via a network or the like, an editing processing unit 20 connected to the output side of the receiving unit 11, and the entire image forming apparatus. As a main control unit 30 as a control unit to control, a reception data storage buffer 31 as a first memory connected to the reception unit 11 and the editing processing unit 20, and a second memory connected to the editing processing unit 20 A reprint data storage buffer 32 and a printing unit 33 connected to the editing processing unit 20.

The receiving unit 11 has a function of receiving the print data D10 transmitted from the higher-level device 1 and storing the print data D10 in the received data storage buffer 31. The edit processing unit 20 has a function of performing an edit process on the print data D10 stored in the received data storage buffer 31 and outputting print page data to the print unit 33.
The main controller 30 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10 and is configured by a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) that executes an image forming program stored in a program memory (not shown). ing. In the main control unit 30, for example, when another interrupt job IJ for high-priority print processing is generated from a scanner or a FAX device (not shown) during execution of print processing, the main control unit 30 instructs the editing processing unit 20 to perform interrupt job processing. It has a function of requesting the interruption of the editing process as an instruction and giving an instruction to resume the editing process to the editing processing unit 20 when the processing of the interrupt job IJ is completed.

  The received data storage buffer 31 stores the received print data D10, and is configured by a readable / writable memory (hereinafter referred to as “RAM”) or the like. The reprint data storage buffer 32 stores the reprint data D40 given from the editing processing unit 20, and is composed of a RAM or the like. Further, the printing unit 33 has a function of printing print page data provided from the editing processing unit 20 on a recording medium such as paper.

  The editing processing unit 20 includes an editing processing control unit 21 connected to the main control unit 30, a reception data reading unit 22 connected to the reception unit 11 and the reception data storage buffer 32, and the reception data reading unit 22. The command analysis unit 23 connected, the print page creation unit 24 connected to the command analysis unit 23, the deletion unit 25 connected to the received data storage buffer 31, the reprint data storage buffer 32, and the command analysis unit 23 A reprint data reading unit 26 connected to the device, a device setting holding unit 27 connected to the print page creating unit 24, the device setting holding unit 27, the deleting unit 25, a received data storage buffer 31, and a reprint data storage buffer. And a reprint data creation unit 28 connected to 32.

  The control unit 21 for editing processing controls the entire editing processing unit 20 according to an instruction from the main control unit 30, and is constituted by a CPU or the like. The reception data reading unit 22 reads the print data D10 stored in the reception data storage buffer 31 and sends it to the command analysis unit 23. The command analysis unit 23 analyzes the sent print data D10 in units of commands and sends the analysis result to the print page creation unit 24. The print page creation unit 24 saves the current operating environment of the image forming apparatus 1 and the progress of the print data D10 to the device setting holding unit 27 using parameters and the like, and further prints the print page that is the created intermediate image data. It has a function of sending data to the printing unit 33 for printing.

  The received data reading unit 22, the command analysis unit 23, and the print page creation unit 24 constitute a print page creation unit.

  The deletion unit 25 deletes the print data D10 stored in the received data storage buffer 31 after the reprint data is created. The reprint data reading unit 26 reads the reprint data D40 stored in the reprint data storage buffer 32 and sends it to the command analysis unit 23 after resuming the printing process. Further, the reprint data creation unit 28 creates reprint data D40 to be processed after resuming the print process when the print process being executed is interrupted by the interrupt job IJ, and stores it in the reprint data storage buffer 32. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and the reprint data creating unit 28 in FIG.

  The device setting holding unit 27 receives the output value of the print page creation unit 24, holds information about the number of printed pages 27a, device setting parameters 27b, and resource data 27c such as fonts, and includes a memory or the like. ing.

  The reprint data creation unit 28 includes a page data correction unit 28a as a page data extraction unit, an entire job information correction unit 28b as a device setting information extraction unit, and a package processing unit 28c as a reprint data generation unit. Has been.

  The page data correction unit 28a extracts an unprinted page in the page data from the information on the number of printed sheets 27a held in the device setting holding unit 27, and gives it to the received data storage buffer 31 and the package processing unit 28c. It is. The overall job information correction unit 28b extracts the current device operating environment status from the device setting parameter 27b held in the device setting holding unit 27 and gives it to the package processing unit 28c. Further, the package processing unit 28c packages the unprinted page extracted by the page data correction unit 28a and the device operating environment status used by the unprinted page extracted by the overall job information correction unit 28b, and repackages it. The print data D40 is completed and stored in the reprint data storage buffer 32.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print data D10 in FIG.
The print data D10 received from the host apparatus 1 is composed of job overall information D20 and page data D30.

  The overall job information D20 includes page information D21, parameter setting information D22, and a resource file D23. The page information D21 is information such as the number of pages of the entire print job. The parameter setting information D22 is information that specifies the operating environment of the image forming apparatus 10. The resource file D23 stores various resources such as fonts and images (for example, a first font resource D23a, a second font resource D23b, an image resource D23c, etc.). Information on which page is used is added to each resource D23a, 23b, 23c and the like. For example, the first font resource D23a in the resource file D23 is used on pages 1 to 3, the second font resource D23b is used on all pages, and the image resource 23c is used on pages 4 to 5.

  The page data D30 is composed of page description language files for each page (for example, five files of page description language files D31 to D35 for the first to fifth pages).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the reprint data D40 in FIG.
The reprint data D40 is created by the reprint data creation unit 28 in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of reprint data D40 in which 4 to 5 pages are extracted because the interrupt job IJ has occurred after printing 1 to 3 pages.

  The reprint data D40 includes new job overall information D50 and new page data D60.

  The new job overall information D50 includes new page information D51 such as the number of sheets, new parameter setting information D52, and a new resource file D53. The number of pages of the entire job of the new page information D51 is 2 to 4 to 5 pages. From the new resource file D53, resources used on the 4th to 5th pages (for example, the second font resource D53a used on all pages, the image resource D53b used on the 4th to 5th pages, etc.) are extracted.

  New page data D60 is obtained by extracting page description language files other than the processed first to third pages (for example, the fourth page description language file D34 and the fifth page description language file D35). The page description language file D34 is changed to the first page page description language D61, and the fifth page description language file D35 is changed to the second page page description language file D62.

(Operation of Example 1)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG.

  The host apparatus 1 transmits print data D10 to the image forming apparatus 10 when a print instruction is given by the user. Thereby, the processing of the image forming apparatus 10 is started, and the process proceeds to step S1. In step S1, when the image forming apparatus 10 receives the print data D10, the receiving unit 11 receives the print data D10, stores it in the received data storage buffer 31, and proceeds to step S2. In step S2, the reception data reading unit 22 reads the print data D10 from the reception data storage buffer 31 under the control of the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, the command analysis unit 23 in the editing processing unit 20 performs command analysis of the read print data D10, and proceeds to step S4. In step S4, the print page creation unit 24 in the edit processing unit 20 creates print page data from the command analysis result, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not print page data for one page, which is the first intermediate image data, has been created (that is, whether or not the data has been completed). If it is not completed yet (No), the process returns to step S2, and the process is repeated from the reception data reading. If completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the printing unit 33 prints the print page data, which is the first intermediate image data that has been completed, on a recording medium such as paper, and proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not the processing of the print job is finished. If not finished (No), the process returns to step S2, and if finished (Yes). The process is terminated.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an interrupt job IJ occurs in the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG.

  When another interrupt job IJ with a higher priority is generated from a scanner or a FAX device, the main control unit 30 requests the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 to interrupt the process as an interrupt job processing instruction. Proceed to step S10. In step S10, the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not a single page is being created. If the single page is being created (Yes), the process proceeds to step S11, and if the single page is not being created (No). Advances to step S13.

  In step S11, the process from the received data reading step S2 to the print page creation step S4 in FIG. 5 is repeated until the single page creation is completed under the control of the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 (that is, the process is continued). The print page data for one page is completed, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the printing unit 33 prints the data of the completed print page that is the first intermediate image data, and proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, under the control of the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20, the reprint data creation unit 28 creates the reprint data D40 based on the information in the device setting holding unit 27 and the reception data storage buffer 31, and regenerates it. The data is stored in the print data storage buffer 32, and the process proceeds to step S14. Details of the reprint data creation processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In step S14, the editing processing unit 20 processes the interrupt job IJ, creates intermediate image data in units of pages, causes the printing unit 33 to print, and ends the interrupt job processing. The end of the interrupt job process is notified from the control unit 21 to the main control unit 30.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow when the printing process is resumed after the interruption job process of FIG. 6 is completed in the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG.

  When the main control unit 30 receives a notification of completion of the interrupt job processing from the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20, the main control unit 30 gives an instruction to resume the printing process to the control unit 21, and proceeds to step S20. In step S20, under the control of the control unit 21, the reprint data reading unit 26 in the editing processing unit 20 reads the reprint data D40 from the reprint data storage buffer 32, and proceeds to step S21. The reprint data read step S20 is the same as the receive data read step S2 in FIG. 5 except for reading from the received data storage buffer 31 or reading from the reprint data storage buffer 32.

  In step S21, the command analysis unit 23 in the editing processing unit 20 performs command analysis of the read reprint data D40, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the print page creation unit 24 in the edit processing unit 20 creates print page data from the command analysis result, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S23, the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not print page data for one page, which is the second intermediate image data, has been completed. If it is not completed yet (No), the process returns to step S20, and the processes from the reprint data reading step S20 to the print page creation step 22 are repeatedly executed. When the print page data for one page is completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the printing unit 33 prints the print page data, which is the completed second intermediate image data, and proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not the processing of the print job is finished. If not finished (No), the process returns to step S20, and if finished (Yes). Then, the reprint process is terminated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the reprint data creation step S13 in FIG.

  In the reprint data creation step S13 in FIG. 6, when the reprint data creation process is started, the process proceeds to step S30. In step S30, the page data correction unit 28a in the reprint data creation unit 28 reads the print data D10 that is received data from the received data storage buffer 31, and proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the page data correction unit 28a in the reprint data creation unit 28 acquires information on the number of printed sheets 27a from the apparatus setting holding unit 27, and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the entire job information correction unit 28b in the reprint data creation unit 28 acquires the device setting parameter 27b from the device setting holding unit 27, and the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, the entire job information correction unit 28b in the reprint data generation unit 28 corrects the entire job information D20 from the acquired information on the number of printed sheets 27a and the device setting parameter 27b, and generates new entire job information D50. Then, the process proceeds to step S34. Details of the correction processing in the entire job information D20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S34, the page data correction unit 28a corrects the page data D30 to create new page data D60 from the acquired information of the printed number 27a, and proceeds to step S35. Details of the correction processing in the page data D30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S35, the package processing unit 28c in the reprint data creation unit 28 creates new job overall information D50 created by the job overall information modification unit 28b, new page data D60 created by the page data modification unit 28a, Is repackaged to generate reprint data D40, and the process proceeds to step S36. In step S36, the package processing unit 28c stores the created reprint data D40 in the reprint data storage buffer 32, and the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, the deletion unit 25 deletes the print data D10 in the received data storage buffer 31, and ends the process.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the overall job information correction step S33 in FIG.

  When the overall job information correction step S33 is started, in step S33a, the overall job information correction unit 28b in the reprint data creation unit 28 obtains the page information D21 from the printed number 27a information in the apparatus setting holding unit 27. The new page information D51 is created by correction, and the process proceeds to step S33b. The new page information D51 describes the number of prints of the entire job, the path to the page description language file for each page, and the like.

  In step S33b, the entire job information correction unit 28b corrects the parameter setting information D22 from the device setting parameter 27b in the device setting holding unit 27, saves the device setting information when interrupted by the interrupt as a parameter, and sets the new parameter. Setting information D52 is created, and the process proceeds to step S33c.

  In step S33c, the overall job information correction unit 28b extracts the necessary resource data 24c from the information on the number of printed pages 27a in the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and corrects the resource file D23. Since pages using these resources D23a, D23b, and D23c are described in the first font resource D23a, the second font resource D23b, and the image resource D23c in the resource file D23, the entire job information correction unit 28b Then, the second font resource D53a and the image resource D53b that are necessary in the future are extracted to create a new resource file D53, and the process proceeds to step S33d.

  In step S33d, the package processing unit 28c packages the created new page information D51, new parameter setting information D52, and new resource file D53, creates new job overall information D50, and ends the process.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the page data correction step S34 in FIG.

  When page data correction processing is started in the page data correction step S34, the process proceeds to step S34a. In step S34a, the page data correction unit 28a determines the page description language file in the unprinted page data D30 (for example, 4 in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4) from the information on the number of printed pages 27a in the apparatus setting holding unit 27. The page-page page description language file D34 and the fifth-page page description language file D35) are extracted, and the process proceeds to step S34b. In step S34b, the page data correction unit 28a corrects the page numbers of the page description language files D34 and D35 in the extracted page data D30. For example, in the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fourth page description language file D34 in the original page data D30 is corrected to the first page description language file D61 and the fifth page description in the original page data D30. The language file D35 is corrected to the second page description language file D62, and the process proceeds to step S34c.

  In step S34c, the package processing unit 28c packages the modified first page page description language file D61 and second page description language file D62, creates new page data D60, and ends the process.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the first embodiment, the reprint data creation unit 28 causes the reprint data storage unit 32 to print the print data used when restarting after the interrupt job processing as the reprint data D40 having a smaller size than the original print data D10. Since the print data D10 in the received data storage buffer 31 is deleted by the deletion unit 25 after the storage, the use memory capacity can be reduced and interrupt job processing that requires a desired memory capacity can be executed smoothly. become.

(Configuration of Example 2)
FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration relating to printing in the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to those in FIG. 1 illustrating the first exemplary embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals. ing.

  In the image forming apparatus 10A of the second embodiment, the reprint data storage buffer 32 of the first embodiment is deleted, and an editing processing unit 20A having a different configuration is used instead of the editing processing unit 20 of the first embodiment. Is provided. In the editing processing unit 20A of the second embodiment, the reprint data reading unit 26 in the editing processing unit 20 of the first embodiment is deleted, and the editing processing control unit 21A and the deleting unit 25A having functions different from those of the first embodiment. And a reprint data creation unit 28A, a reception data reading unit 22, a command analysis unit 23, a print page creation unit 24, and an apparatus setting holding unit 27 similar to those in the first embodiment.

  The control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20 performs program control of the entire editing processing unit 20A in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 30, and includes a CPU and the like. The reprint data creation unit 28A creates reprint data D40 to be processed after resuming the print process when the print process being executed is interrupted by the interrupt job IJ. The reprint data creation unit 28A is connected to a received data storage buffer 31 as a memory via a deletion unit 25A. The deletion unit 25A deletes the processed data from the print data D10 stored in the received data storage buffer 31, and instead of the desired data in the reprint data D40 generated by the reprint data generation unit 28A. Is stored in the received data storage buffer 31. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and the reprint data creation unit 28A in FIG. 11. Elements common to the elements in FIG. It is attached.

  In the reprint data creation unit 28A of the second embodiment, a page data correction unit 28d as a page data extraction unit having different functions from the page data correction unit 28a, the entire job information correction unit 28b, and the package processing unit 28c of the first embodiment. And an overall job information correction unit 28e as an apparatus setting information extraction unit, and a package processing unit 28f as a reprint data generation unit.

  The page data correction unit 28d extracts an unprinted page in the page data from the information on the number of printed pages 27a held in the apparatus setting holding unit 27. The entire job information correction unit 28 e extracts the current device operating environment status from the device setting parameter 27 b held in the device setting holding unit 27. The page data correction unit 28d and the overall job information correction unit 28e have a function of correcting (that is, processing) the print data D10 stored in the received data storage buffer 31.

  Unlike the package processing unit 27c of the first embodiment, the package processing unit 28f is independent of the page data correction unit 28d and the overall job information correction unit 28e, and at a timing designated from the outside (for example, the control unit 21A). And has a function of packaging processed data stored in the reception data storage buffer 31.

(Operation of Example 2)
The image forming apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment is different from the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment in that the reprint data creation timing is different and the reprint data D40 is not newly created, and the received data storage buffer. The print data D10 stored in 31 is processed into reprint data D40.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the entire process in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. 11. Elements common to those in FIG. 5 showing the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

  In the image forming apparatus 10A of the second embodiment, when processing is started, steps S1 to S7 similar to those of the first embodiment are executed. In the process of the second embodiment, unlike the process of the first embodiment, steps S8 and S9 of the reprint process are executed in parallel with step S6 of the print process.

  That is, in step S5, the control unit 21A determines whether or not print page data for one page, which is the first intermediate image data, has been created (that is, whether or not the data has been completed). If it is not completed yet (No), the process returns to step S2, and the process is repeated from the reception data reading. When completed (Yes), step S6 and newly added step S8 are performed in parallel.

  That is, in step S6, the printing unit 33 prints the data of the print page that is the first intermediate image data created by the print page creation unit 24, and proceeds to step S7. At the same time, in step S8, the control unit 21A determines whether or not it is restarting after interrupt processing. If it is not restarting (No), the process proceeds to step S7, and if it is restarting (Yes), it is newly added. The process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the reprint data creation unit 28A creates reprint data, and proceeds to step S7. The reprint data creation process will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In step S7, the control unit 21A determines whether or not the print job has ended. If it has not ended (No), the control unit 21A returns to step S2, and if it has ended (Yes), the process ends. .

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when an interrupt job IJ occurs in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. 11. Elements common to those in FIG. Has been.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 14 of the second embodiment, step S13A for packaging processed reprint data is provided instead of the reprint data creation step S3 in the flowchart of FIG. 6 of the first embodiment. However, this is different from the processing of the first embodiment.

  That is, as in the first embodiment, when another interrupt job IJ having a higher priority is generated from the scanner or the FAX apparatus, the main control unit 30 instructs the control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20A to perform an interrupt job processing instruction. Is requested to interrupt processing, and the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, the control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20A determines whether or not a single page is being created, as in the first embodiment. If the single page is being created (Yes), the process proceeds to step S11, and a single page is created. If it is not in the middle of creation (No), the process proceeds to step S13A.

  In step S11, as in the first embodiment, the processing from the received data reading step S2 to the print page creation step S4 in FIG. 13 is repeated until the single page creation is completed under the control of the control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20A ( That is, the processing is continued), and the print page data for one page as the second intermediate image data is completed, and the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the printing unit 33 prints the data of the completed print page as the second intermediate image data, as in the first embodiment, and proceeds to step S13A.

  As described above, when the single page printing process is completed in step S12 and the process can be shifted to the interrupt job IJ, in step S13A, the package processing unit 28f in the reprint data creating unit 28A receives the received data. The processed reprint data D40 stored in the storage buffer 31 is packaged, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, the editing processing unit 20A processes the interrupt job IJ in the same manner as in the first embodiment, creates intermediate image data in units of pages, causes the printing unit 33 to print, and ends the interrupt job processing. The end of the interrupt job process is notified from the control unit 21A to the main control unit 30.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a flow when the printing process is restarted after completion of the interrupt job process of FIG. 14 in the image forming apparatus 10A of FIG. 11, and is common to the elements in FIG. Are marked with a common reference.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 15 of the second embodiment, a reprint data reading step S20A having a different process is provided instead of the reprint data reading step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. 7 of the first embodiment. Different from the processing of the first embodiment.

  That is, as in the first embodiment, when receiving a notification of completion of interrupt job processing from the control unit 20A in the editing processing unit 20, the main control unit 30 gives an instruction to resume printing processing to the control unit 21A. Proceed to step S20A. In step S20A, under the control of the control unit 21A, the reception data reading unit 22 in the editing processing unit 20A reads the reprint data D40 packaged from the reception data storage buffer 31, and thereafter, as in the first embodiment. Steps S21 to S25 are performed.

  That is, in step S21, the command analysis unit 23 in the editing processing unit 20A performs command analysis of the read reprint data D40, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, the print page creation unit 24 in the edit processing unit 20A creates print page data from the command analysis result, and the process proceeds to step S23. In step S <b> 23, the control unit 21 </ b> A in the editing processing unit 20 </ b> A determines whether print page data for one page as second intermediate image data has been completed. If it has not been completed (No), the process returns to step S20A, and the processing from the reprint data reading step S20A to the print page creation step 22 is repeatedly executed. When print page data for one page as the second intermediate image data is completed (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, the printing unit 33 prints the data of the completed print page, and proceeds to step S25. In step S25, the control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20 determines whether or not the processing of the print job is finished. If not finished (No), the control unit 21A returns to step S20A, and if finished (Yes). Then, the reprint process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the packaging step S13A of processed reprint data in FIG. 14, and common elements to those in FIG. ing.

  In the second embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that, as in the first embodiment, the print data D10 read from the received data storage buffer 31 is processed to generate reprint data D40, and the reprint data storage buffer 32 is used. The print data D10 stored in the received data storage buffer 31 is directly processed into reprint data. In the second embodiment, since processing is performed for each page process, the packaging process is performed when the reprint data D40 is required, that is, when the interrupt job IJ is generated. The packaging process is not implemented inside. Therefore, in the reprint data creation process of the second embodiment, only steps S31, S32, S33A, and S34A corresponding to steps S31 to S34 in the first embodiment are executed.

  That is, in the packaging step S13A of processed reprint data in FIG. 14, when the reprint data creation process is started, the process proceeds to step S31. In step S31, the page data correction unit 28d in the reprint data creation unit 28A acquires information on the number of printed pages 27a from the apparatus setting holding unit 27, and proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the entire job information correction unit 28e in the reprint data creation unit 28A acquires the device setting parameter 27b from the device setting holding unit 27 as in the first embodiment, and proceeds to step S33A.

  In step S33A, the overall job information correction unit 28e in the reprint data generation unit 28A corrects the overall job information D20 from the acquired information on the number of printed sheets 27a and the device setting parameter 27b, and creates new overall job information D50. Then, the process proceeds to step S34A. Details of the correction processing in the entire job information D20 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S34A, the page data correction unit 28d corrects the page data D30 from the acquired information on the number of printed sheets 27a, creates new page data D60, and ends the process. Details of the correction processing in the page data D30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the overall job information correction step S33A in FIG. 16. Elements common to those in FIG. 9 showing the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

  The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that steps S33a to S33c in FIG. 9 are performed, but step S33d is deleted and packaging is not performed.

  That is, when the overall job information correction step S33A is started, in step S33a, the overall job information correction unit 28e in the reprint data creation unit 28A is printed in the apparatus setting holding unit 27 as in the first embodiment. The page information D21 is corrected from the information of the number 27a to create new page information D51, and the process proceeds to step S33b. In step S33b, the overall job information correction unit 28e corrects the parameter setting information D22 from the device setting parameter 27b in the device setting holding unit 27 and sets the device setting information when the interruption is interrupted as a parameter, as in the first embodiment. To create new parameter setting information D52, and the process proceeds to step S33c.

  In step S33c, the entire job information correction unit 28e extracts the necessary resource data 24c from the information on the number of printed sheets 27a in the apparatus setting holding unit 27 and corrects the resource file D23, as in the first embodiment. Since pages using these resources D23a, D23b, and D23c are described in the first font resource D23a, the second font resource D23b, and the image resource D23c in the resource file D23, the entire job information correction unit 28e Then, the second font resource D53a and the image resource D53b that are necessary in the future are extracted to create a new resource file D53, and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the page data correction step S34A in FIG.

  When the page data correction process is started in the page data correction step S34A, the process proceeds to step S34d. In step S34d, the page data correction unit 28d receives processed page data from the information on the number of printed sheets 27a in the apparatus setting holding unit 27 via the deletion unit 25A (for example, 1 in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4). (Page description language files D31, D32, D33) of the third page are deleted from the received data storage buffer 31, and the process proceeds to step S34b. In step S34b, the page data correction unit 28d determines the remaining page data in the received data storage buffer 31 (for example, page description language files D34 and D35 for the fourth and fifth pages in the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4). ) (For example, in the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the fourth page description language file D34 is corrected to the first page description language file D61, and the fifth page description language file D35 is changed). The second page description language file D62 is corrected), and the process is terminated.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, the reprint data D40 used at the time of interrupt job processing is not generated by the reprint data generation unit 28A after the interrupt job is generated, but is generated while executing normal print processing. The time required to execute the interrupt job processing step S14 in FIG. 14 (that is, the time from step S10 to S13A in FIG. 14) is shortened, and the printing at the time of restart can be executed more smoothly. In addition, since the reprint data D40 is not created in the reprint data storage buffer 32 of the first embodiment, which is a separate memory, the received data storage buffer 31 is directly operated, so that the reprint data storage buffer 32 is unnecessary. It becomes possible to execute with less memory.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various usage forms and modifications are possible. For example, the following forms (a) to (c) are available as usage forms and modifications.

  (A) In the first embodiment, the determination processing in step S5 in FIG. 5, step S10 in FIG. 6, and step S23 in FIG. 7 is performed by the control unit 21 in the editing processing unit 20. Instead of this, the determination process may be performed by the print page creation unit 24 or the device setting holding unit 27 in the editing processing unit 20. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the determination processing in steps S5 and S8 in FIG. 13, step S10 in FIG. 14, and step S23 in FIG. 15 is performed by the control unit 21A in the editing processing unit 20A. However, instead of this, the print page creation unit 24 or the device setting holding unit 27 in the edit processing unit 20A may perform the determination process.

  (B) In the first embodiment, the reprint data D40 is created on the image forming apparatus 10 side. Instead, the reprint data D40 is created by the driver on the host apparatus 1 side to create the reprint data D40. It is also possible to adopt a configuration that sends to 10.

  (C) Although the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10 </ b> A of the first and second embodiments have been described with reference to the example of a multifunction peripheral, the present invention can also be applied to other image forming apparatuses having the printing unit 33.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Host apparatus 10, 10A Image forming apparatus 20, 20A Editing process part 21, 21A Control part 22 Received data reading part 23 Command analysis part 24 Print page creation part 25, 25A Deletion part 26 Reprint data reading part 27 Apparatus setting holding part 28, 28A Reprint data creation unit 30 Main control unit 31 Received data storage buffer 32 Reprint data storage buffer 33 Printing unit

Claims (6)

A memory for storing the input print data;
Editing the stored print data to create first intermediate image data in units of pages, and upon receiving an interrupt job processing instruction, the editing processing of the print data is stopped in units of pages and reprint data An interrupt processing, and upon receiving a restart instruction, an editing processing unit that edits the reprint data and generates second intermediate image data in units of pages;
A printing unit for printing the created first and second intermediate image data on a recording medium;
When receiving an interrupt job, the interrupt job processing instruction is given to the editing processing unit, and when the interrupt job processing is completed, the restart instruction is given to the editing processing unit, and a control unit that controls the editing processing unit;
An image forming apparatus comprising:
The edit processing unit
Extracted unprinted page data in the printing unit from the print data, extracted apparatus setting information for processing the entire print from the print data, deleted the print data from the memory, and extracted An image forming apparatus, wherein the reprint data is created from the page data and the apparatus setting information and stored in the memory. The memory is
A first memory for storing the print data; and a second memory for storing the reprint data;
The edit processing unit
The page data and the device setting information are extracted from the print data stored in the first memory, and the reprint data is created from the extracted page data and the device setting information to the second memory. A reprint data creation section to store;
The first intermediate image data is created in units of pages based on the print data stored in the first memory, and in units of pages based on the reprint data stored in the second memory A print page creating means for creating the second intermediate image data;
A deletion unit that deletes the print data stored in the first memory when the reprint data is stored in the second memory;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The reprint data creation unit
Page data extracting means for extracting the page data from the print data stored in the first memory;
Device setting information extracting means for extracting the device setting information from the print data stored in the first memory;
Reprint data generation means for generating the reprint data from the extracted page data and the apparatus setting information and storing the reprint data in the second memory;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: The edit processing unit
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the interrupt job processing instruction is received, the reprint data is generated before the editing process of the print data is stopped in units of pages. The edit processing unit
The page data and the device setting information are extracted from the print data stored in the memory, the print data stored in the memory is corrected based on the extracted page data and the device setting information, and the re-reading is performed. A reprint data creation unit for creating print data and storing the reprint data in the memory;
A deletion unit that deletes the print data stored in the memory when the reprint data is stored in the memory;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: The reprint data creation unit
Page data extraction means for extracting the page data from the print data stored in the memory;
Device setting information extracting means for extracting the device setting information from the print data stored in the memory;
Reprint data generation means for generating the reprint data by correcting the print data stored in the memory based on the extracted page data and the apparatus setting information, and storing the reprint data in the memory When,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

Images