JP2013205884A - Print instruction device, printing system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print instruction device for, when resuming print processing stopped in response to an interruption request, resuming printing even when any print information is not stored in a printing mechanism.SOLUTION: A print instruction device 300 includes: a print information transmission/reception part 302 for transmitting/receiving information to/from a cloud print server; a print instruction part 303 for instructing a printing mechanism to perform printing; and an interruption request acceptance part 304 for accepting an interruption request. The print instruction part 303 instructs the printing mechanism to start the other print job by interrupting one print job when accepting the interruption request, and the print information transmission/reception part 302 successively acquires the print data of one print job which is being performed when the interruption request acceptance part 304 accepts the interruption request, and acquires the print data of the other print job, and transmits print data following a predetermined place as new print processing to the cloud print server.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing instruction apparatus, a printing system, and a program.

  In Patent Document 1, print information based on input data is stored in a disk device as page print information in page units by an input processing unit, and page print information is read from the disk device by an output processing unit, and an image generation device and a printing device A printer that performs printing in units of pages by controlling the above is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-323063

  An object of the present invention is to enable resuming printing without holding print information in a printing mechanism when resuming printing processing that has been canceled due to an interrupt request.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, print information for executing print processing is acquired from a print processing generation device that generates print processing of printing performed by a predetermined printing mechanism, and one of the acquired print information is acquired. A print information transmission / reception unit that transmits the print unit to the print processing generation apparatus as a new print process, a print instruction unit that instructs the print mechanism to print based on the print information acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit, An interrupt request receiving unit that receives an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one print process in the print process, and the print instruction When the interrupt request is accepted by the interrupt request accepting unit, the one print process is interrupted at a predetermined location and the other print process is started. The print information transmission / reception unit continues to acquire print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request reception unit receives the interrupt request, and the other print processing The print instructing apparatus is characterized in that print information after the predetermined location is acquired and transmitted to the print process generation apparatus as a new print process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the print information transmitting / receiving unit obtains again the print information after the predetermined part of the one print process from the print process generation device after the completion of the other print process. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction unit instructs the print mechanism to resume the one print process.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the print instruction apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the new print processing is performed by a print mechanism different from the print mechanism.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print information transmission / reception unit that acquires print information for executing a print process from a print process generation device that generates a print process of a print performed by a predetermined printing mechanism, and the print Based on the print information acquired by the information transmission / reception unit, a print instruction unit that issues a print instruction to the print mechanism, and when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes An interrupt request accepting unit that accepts an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process, and resumption information for resuming the one print process when the interrupt request is accepted by the interrupt request accepting unit A print information transmission / reception unit, wherein the print information transmitting / receiving unit prints the print information of the one print process based on the resume information stored in the resume information storage unit. The print instructing unit re-acquires after the completion of the other print processing, and when the interrupt request accepting unit accepts the interrupt request, the print instruction unit interrupts the one print processing at a predetermined location and The print mechanism is instructed to start the print process, and after the other print process is completed, the one print process is determined in advance based on the resume information stored in the resume information storage unit. The printing instruction apparatus is characterized in that a printing mechanism is instructed to resume thereafter.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a print mechanism for performing printing based on an instruction from a print process generation device that generates a print process, print information for executing the print process from the print process generation device, and Based on the print information transmission / reception unit that transmits a part of the acquired print information to the print processing generation apparatus as a new print process and the print information acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit, the print mechanism is instructed to print. A print instruction unit; an interrupt request reception unit that receives an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process when printing is performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes; The print instruction unit interrupts the one print process at a predetermined position when the interrupt request is accepted by the interrupt request accepting unit, and The print information transmitting / receiving unit continues to acquire the print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request is received by the interrupt request receiving unit. The printing system is characterized in that print information of the other print processing is acquired, and print information after the predetermined portion is transmitted to the print processing generation apparatus as a new print processing.

  The invention according to claim 6 further includes a terminal device for making a print request and an interrupt request to the print processing generation device, and the terminal device performs the one print process after making the interrupt request. 6. The printing system according to claim 5, further comprising means for selecting a printing mechanism that resumes printing.

  The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the printing mechanism for resuming the one printing process is selected based on a communication speed of a communication line for transmitting the print information. The printing system described.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the print information for executing the printing process is acquired from the printing process generation device that generates the printing process of the printing performed by the predetermined printing mechanism in the computer, and the acquired printing is performed. A print information transmission / reception function for transmitting a part of the information to the print process generation device as a new print process, a print instruction function for instructing the print mechanism to print based on the acquired print information, and the print process An interrupt request accepting function for accepting an interrupt request that is a request for executing another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes. Receives an instruction to interrupt the one print process at a predetermined location and start the other print process when the interrupt request is received. In the print information transmission / reception function, the print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request is received is continuously acquired and the print information of the other print process is acquired, and the predetermined information is determined. The printing information is transmitted to the print process generation device as a new print process after the specified location.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a print instruction apparatus capable of resuming printing without holding print information when resuming print processing that has been canceled due to an interrupt request.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when resuming the print processing that has been canceled due to an interrupt request, printing can be resumed by the print mechanism that has stopped the print processing without holding print information.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to receive a print document after the place where the print process is stopped by a print mechanism different from the print mechanism where the print process is stopped.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when restarting a print process that has been canceled due to an interrupt request, it is not necessary to retain print information, and the print process generation is performed by using print information of the canceled print process as a new print process. A print instruction apparatus that does not need to be transmitted to the apparatus can be provided.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a printing system capable of resuming printing without holding printing information in the printing mechanism when resuming printing processing that has been canceled due to an interrupt request.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is easier to specify the printing mechanism as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the printing mechanism can be designated by the printing system as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when restarting a printing process that has been canceled due to an interrupt request, a function capable of restarting printing without holding print information can be realized by a computer.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a cloud print system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is the figure which showed the hardware constitutions of the terminal device. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is the figure shown about schematic operation | movement of the cloud print system of this Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a print instruction apparatus according to the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating exchange of information among a terminal device, a cloud print server, and an image forming apparatus in the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the exchange of information between the terminal device, the cloud print server, and the image forming apparatus in the second embodiment. It is the block diagram which showed the function structural example of the printing instruction | indication apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus according to the third embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining the exchange of the information between the terminal device in a 3rd embodiment, a cloud print server, and an image forming device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a cloud print system to which the present embodiment is applied.
As shown in the figure, in this cloud print system, first, the terminal device 10 can be wirelessly connected to the network 90 via the access point 20. The image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, and 30c and the cloud print server 50 are connected to the network 90.
Although the image forming apparatuses 30a, 30b, and 30c are shown in the drawing, they are referred to as the image forming apparatus 30 when it is not necessary to distinguish them. Although only three image forming apparatuses 30 are shown in the figure, four or more image forming apparatuses 30 may be provided.

The terminal device 10 logs in to a cloud print service, which will be described later, enables a user to view a document or the like in the cloud print server 50, and prints the document or the like on the image forming apparatus 30 in response to a user operation. This is a computer device that instructs the server 50. Here, as the terminal device 10, a mobile computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, or the like may be used.
The access point 20 is a device or function that connects the terminal device 10 that performs wireless communication to the network 90 that performs wired communication.

  The image forming apparatus 30 is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and outputs the image as a printing medium. Here, as the image forming apparatus 30, an apparatus having only a printer function may be used, or an apparatus having other image processing functions such as a scanner function and a facsimile function may be used in addition to this.

  The cloud print server 50 uses various devices such as the terminal device 10 to enable a document to be printed by the image forming apparatus 30 installed at home, office, public place, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “cloud print service”). Server computer). Specifically, when the terminal device 10 requests generation of print instruction information (print job, print processing) instructing printing of a document in the image forming apparatus 30, the print instruction information is generated and the image forming apparatus 30 until the inquiry about the presence of the print instruction information is received, and when there is an inquiry, print information (print data) in a format that can be processed in common by all the image forming apparatuses 30 is generated and the image forming apparatus 30. In the present embodiment, a cloud print server 50 is provided as an example of a print processing generation apparatus.

  The network 90 is a communication unit used for information communication between the access point 20 and the cloud print server 50 and between the image forming apparatus 30 and the cloud print server 50, and is, for example, the Internet.

Next, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10.
As shown in the figure, the terminal device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 which is a calculation means, a main memory 12 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13 which are storage means. Here, the CPU 11 executes various types of software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications, and realizes functions described below. The main memory 12 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the HDD 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. In addition, when the terminal device 10 is a mobile phone or a smartphone, a flash storage may be used instead of the HDD 13.
Further, the terminal device 10 includes a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 14 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 15 including a video memory and a display, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. And an input device 16.

  Note that FIG. 2 can also be understood as a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the cloud print server 50. In this case, the CPU 11, the main memory 12, the HDD 13, the communication I / F 14, the display mechanism 15, and the input device 16 are referred to as a CPU 51, main memory 52, HDD 53, communication I / F 54, display mechanism 55, and input device 56, respectively. Shall.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 30.
As illustrated, the image forming apparatus 30 includes a CPU 31, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, an operation panel 35, an image reading unit 36, an image forming unit 37, and a communication. I / F38.

The CPU 31 implements various functions to be described later by loading various programs stored in the ROM 33 and the like into the RAM 32 and executing them.
The RAM 32 is a memory used as a working memory for the CPU 31.
The ROM 33 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the CPU 31.
The operation panel 35 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various types of information and receives operation inputs from the user.

  The image reading unit 36 reads an image recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Here, the image reading unit 36 is, for example, a scanner, and a CCD method in which reflected light with respect to light irradiated from a light source to a document is reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices), or an LED light source is sequentially irradiated onto a document. It is preferable to use a CIS system that receives reflected light with respect to the received light with a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

The image forming unit 37 is an example of a printing mechanism that forms an image on a recording medium. Here, the image forming unit 37 is, for example, a printer, and forms an image by transferring the toner attached to the photosensitive member to a recording medium to form an image, or ejecting ink onto the recording medium. An ink jet type may be used.
The communication I / F 38 transmits / receives various information to / from other devices via the network.

  In the cloud print system of FIG. 1, when the user of the terminal device 10 moves between a plurality of distant places, the user associates the image forming apparatus 30 used at each place with his / her user account to the cloud print server 50. Generally, the image forming apparatus 30 that is the output destination is specified by selecting the image forming apparatus 30 that is desired to be registered from among the registered images.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic operation of the cloud print system of the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, a case where a user who wants to perform printing logs in to the cloud print system from a browser executed on the terminal device 10 to give a print instruction and performs printing on the image forming apparatus 30 will be described as an example.

First, in response to a user operation, the terminal apparatus 10 requests the cloud print server 50 to print a document on the image forming apparatus 30 (1A). At this time, the user selects the image forming apparatus 30 that wants to print the document from the list of image forming apparatuses 30 displayed by the browser executed on the terminal device 10 and requests the printing of the document.
Next, the cloud print server 50 generates a print job for the image forming apparatus 30 and waits for polling from the image forming apparatus 30 (1B).
At this time, the image forming apparatus 30 periodically polls the cloud print server 50 to check whether a print job is accumulated (1C).
When the image forming apparatus 30 detects that the print job is accumulated in the cloud print server 50, the image forming apparatus 30 acquires a PDF document (hereinafter referred to as “PDF document”) as print data from the cloud print server 50. To perform printing (1D).

If the user wants to print a plurality of documents, the cloud print server 50 generates a plurality of print jobs corresponding to the documents. However, when printing one of the documents, the user may want to print another document first. At this time, the user designates a document to be performed first from the terminal device 10 and gives an instruction to preferentially print it. Alternatively, the user designates a document to be performed first by operating the operation panel 35 or the like to the image forming apparatus 30 and gives an instruction to preferentially print it.
In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 determines that there is an interrupt request, stops printing the document in the middle of printing, and starts printing another document instructed by the user. Then, after printing other documents, the printing of the canceled document is resumed from the middle.

  In this case, if the image forming apparatus 30 is provided with a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and the print data of the document canceled in the middle can be stored in the large-capacity storage device, it is difficult to realize this processing. There is no point. In other words, the print data of the canceled document is stored in the large-capacity storage device, and when printing is resumed, the subsequent print data is read from the large-capacity storage device from the point where the stop was performed, so that subsequent printing is performed. Can do. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 30 is not provided with such a large-capacity storage device and has only a small storage capacity buffer or the like, for example, a diskless printer, the conventional image forming apparatus 30 stops printing. The print data of the document was acquired again. In this case, it is necessary to perform printing from the beginning, not from the location where printing is stopped. In other words, for documents for which printing has been canceled, the print documents from the beginning to the point where the printing was canceled are duplicated.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the print instruction apparatus 300 that is built in the image forming apparatus 30 and outputs the print data to the image forming unit 37 is provided, and this is configured as described below to solve this problem. ing.

[First Embodiment]
First, the detailed configuration and operation of the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the drawing, the print instruction apparatus 300 inquires of the cloud print server 50 whether a job to be printed by the image forming apparatus 30 exists, and an inquiry unit 301 that obtains a response to the inquiry, and a predetermined unit. Print data for executing a print job is acquired from the cloud print server 50 that generates a print job for printing performed by the image forming unit 37, and a part of the acquired print data is used as a new print job. A print information transmission / reception unit 302 to be transmitted to the print information, a print instruction unit 303 for instructing the image forming unit 37 to perform printing based on the print data acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit 302, and one print job When printing while acquiring print data, other print jobs An interrupt request receiving unit 304 receives a a request to the execution interrupt request, and a transmission print data storage unit 305 that stores information on new print jobs sent to the cloud print server 50.

Next, the operation of the print instruction apparatus 300 in the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining exchange of information among the terminal device 10, the cloud print server 50, and the image forming apparatus 30 in the first embodiment. Prior to this operation, it is assumed that the terminal apparatus 10 requests the cloud print server 50 to generate a print job by designating the image forming apparatus 30 on which two documents are to be printed. This operation is executed at a predetermined time interval. In this case, two print jobs are generated in the cloud print server 50. Of these, the first print request from the terminal device 10 is “print job 1”, and the next is the terminal device 10. A document that has been requested to be printed is referred to as “print job 2”.

Hereinafter, the operation of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the print instruction apparatus 300, first, the inquiry unit 301 inquires of the cloud print server 50 through the communication I / F 38 whether there is a job to be printed by the image forming apparatus 30. Therefore, the inquiry unit 301 transmits inquiry information to the cloud print server 50 via the communication I / F 38 (step 101). Specifically, the inquiry unit 301 holds an identifier of the image forming apparatus 30 that issues a print instruction. Then, inquiry information for inquiring whether the print job associated with these identifiers exists in the cloud print server 50 is output to the communication I / F 38, and the communication I / F 38 transmits this to the cloud print server 50.

  When there is a response from the cloud print server 50 to the inquiry information, the inquiry unit 301 determines whether the response content indicates that the print job for the image forming apparatus 30 is accumulated in the cloud print server 50. Is determined (step 102). Specifically, the inquiry unit 301 determines whether a response indicating that the print job associated with the identifier exists in the cloud print server 50 is returned for the identifier of the image forming apparatus 30.

  As a result, if it is determined that the response content does not indicate that the corresponding print job exists (No in step 102), the process ends. Specifically, if a response indicating that the print job associated with the identifier of the image forming apparatus 30 does not exist in the cloud print server 50 is returned, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the response content is an instruction for printing in the image forming apparatus 30 (Yes in step 102), the print information transmitting / receiving unit 302 of the print instruction apparatus 300 executes the print job 1. Start to get print data. Specifically, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 of the print instruction apparatus 300 downloads print data related to the print job 1 from the cloud print server 50. At this time, since the image forming apparatus 30 is not provided with a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD, the process of starting printing after downloading all the print data of the print job 1 cannot be performed. The print data is sequentially downloaded while downloading the print data. This print instruction is given to the image forming unit 37 by the print instruction unit 303. As a result, printing of the print job 1 is started (step 103).

In the middle of printing the print job 1, the interrupt request receiving unit 304 receives an interrupt request (step 104). Specifically, the user who has issued a print instruction from the terminal device 10 makes an interrupt request to preferentially print the print job 2 over the print job 1, for example, via the cloud print server 50. Received by the print instruction apparatus 300.
This interrupt request is made, for example, by making an interrupt request from the terminal device 10 to the cloud print server 50 in accordance with a user instruction. In this case, the user can instruct the image forming apparatus 30 to interrupt from the browser executed on the terminal device 10 and then select the print job 2 from the print candidate job list displayed on the browser. The interrupt request may be made when the user makes an interrupt request from the image forming apparatus 30 to the cloud print server 50. In this case, the user goes to the place where the image forming apparatus 30 is installed, presses the interrupt button on the operation panel 35 of the image forming apparatus 30, and selects the print job 2 from the print candidate job list displayed thereby. Can be done.

  When the interrupt request accepting unit 304 accepts the interrupt request, the print instructing unit 303 instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to interrupt the print job 1 at a predetermined location and start the print job 2. Specifically, printing is performed up to the page on which printing is performed when an interrupt request is made, and printing of the subsequent pages is stopped (step 105).

However, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 continues to acquire the print data of the print job 1 that is being performed when the interrupt request reception unit 304 receives the interrupt request. Then, print data after a predetermined location is transmitted to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job. That is, the print data after the page on which printing is performed when an interruption request is made is continuously downloaded (step 106), and the print data for this amount is uploaded to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job (step 106). Step 107). Note that the download and upload of the print data here may be performed alternately in units of one packet, or after a batch download with a certain size, the process of uploading this amount may be repeated.
Further, the transmission print data storage unit 305 stores information related to the print data of the print job 1 uploaded to the cloud print server 50 (step 108). The content stored in the transmission print data storage unit 305 is the file name of the uploaded print data.

On the other hand, the print information transmitting / receiving unit 302 acquires the print data of the print job 2. Then, the print instruction unit 303 instructs the image forming unit 37 to print the print job 2. Specifically, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 sequentially performs printing while downloading the print data of the print job 2. Thereby, interrupt printing of the print job 2 is started (step 109).
Note that the processing of step 106 to step 108 and the processing of step 109 are actually performed simultaneously.

Then, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 acquires again the print data after the predetermined position from the cloud print server 50 after the end of the print job 2. Specifically, when the printing of the print job 2 is completed, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 downloads the print data uploaded in step 107 again. This is performed by referring to the file name of the uploaded print data stored in the transmission print data storage unit 305.
Then, based on the downloaded print data of print job 1, print instruction unit 303 issues an instruction to print the remaining pages of print job 1 to image forming unit 37. That is, the print instructing unit 303 instructs the image forming unit 37 to resume the print processing of the print job 1 after the end of the print job 2 (step 110). As a result, all printing can be completed for print job 1 and print job 2.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the detailed configuration and operation of the second embodiment will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating the exchange of information among the terminal device 10, the cloud print server 50, and the image forming apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment. An example of the functional configuration of the print instruction apparatus 300 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Hereinafter, the operation of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8 to 9.

  The flowchart in the second embodiment is the same as the flowchart in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Therefore, the processing after step 108 of FIG. 5 is illustrated in FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the user wants to print the remaining pages of the print job 1 using another image forming apparatus different from the image forming apparatus 30 after instructing the interrupt request. For example, a case where the user wants to receive a print document of the remaining pages of the print job 1 at an image forming apparatus installed at a location different from the location where the image forming apparatus 30 is installed. If this function is realized, the user can receive the print document for the remaining pages of the print job 1 at the destination, and does not have to return to the place where the image forming apparatus 30 is installed to receive the print document. . Here, the image forming apparatus installed in a different place will be described as an image forming apparatus 40 (another image forming apparatus). The image forming apparatus 40 is also connected to the cloud print system described with reference to FIG.

In the second embodiment, the processing after step 108 is as follows.
After the user issues an interrupt request that the print job 2 is prioritized over the print job 1, that is, the user makes an interrupt request to the cloud print server 50 from the terminal device 10 or the image forming apparatus. 30, after making an interrupt request to the cloud print server 50, the user selects the print output destination of the resumed print job 1 from the operation panel 35 of the image forming apparatus 30 or the browser executed on the terminal device 10. Specify (step 201). In other words, in this case, the terminal device 10 has means for selecting a print mechanism for resuming the print job 1 after making an interrupt request. In this case, the image forming apparatus 40 is designated as the output destination. If a plurality of image forming apparatuses 40 can be designated, the communication speed of the communication line for exchanging information between the cloud print server 50 and the image forming apparatus 40 is measured, and the image forming apparatus 40 with the fastest communication speed is selected. It can also be set automatically.

The print information transmission / reception unit 302 acquires print data of the print job 2. Then, the print instruction unit 303 instructs the image forming apparatus 30 to print the print job 2. Specifically, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 sequentially performs printing while downloading the print data of the print job 2. As a result, interrupt printing of the print job 2 is started (step 202).
Note that the processing in step 202 is the same as the processing in step 109.

The image forming apparatus 40 obtains again the print data after the predetermined position after the end of the print job 2 from the cloud print server 50. Specifically, when printing of the print job 2 is completed, the image forming apparatus 40 downloads the print data uploaded in step 107.
The image forming apparatus 40 prints the remaining pages of the print job 1 based on the downloaded print data of the print job 1 (step 203). As a result, the user receives the print document of the print job 2 and the print document before the interrupt request for the print job 1 is output from the image forming apparatus 30. On the other hand, the user can receive the print document output from the image forming apparatus 40 after the interruption request for the print job 1 is made.

  By performing the above-described processing, even when the image forming apparatus 30 is not provided with a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example, a diskless printer, a document whose printing is interrupted due to interruption processing Can be printed after the point of interruption. In this embodiment, since the above processing is performed on the cloud print system, an interrupt processing request can be made anywhere in the world as long as the environment is connectable to the Internet. When this is not a cloud print system, but requests for interrupt processing are made to an in-house LAN or the like, access from the outside is often more difficult due to security problems and the like.

  Also, in the above processing, even after receiving a request for interrupt processing, acquisition (downloading) of print data of a document being printed when there is an interrupt request is not interrupted, and is continuously acquired. Is transmitted (uploaded) to the cloud print server 50 as a new job. As described above, in the present embodiment, the print data after the canceled location is read idle, and the empty print data is temporarily saved in the cloud print server 50. By doing so, in the cloud print system, apparently printing of the print job 1 has been completed normally. If the download of print data is canceled when an interrupt request is issued, the print job 1 is treated as a print failure and an error occurs on the cloud print system. If left as it is, the user cannot receive a print document for the print job 1. Therefore, in order to print the print job 1 again, the process becomes more complicated, for example, the user needs to issue a print instruction for the print job 1 again. Since the remaining print data of the print job 1 canceled halfway is stored in the cloud print server 50 as a new print job, if the print data of this new print job is downloaded, the print job 1 of the canceled print job 1 is saved. It is easy to resume printing. Further, with respect to the print job 1, the print document from the beginning to the place where the job was canceled is not duplicated. In the present embodiment, the influence on the cloud print system can be further reduced, and the risk of printing failure can be further reduced.

  In the embodiment described in detail above, the print instruction apparatus 300 is provided in a form incorporated in the image forming apparatus 30. However, it is conceivable that the print instruction apparatus 300 may be realized as an apparatus separate from the image forming apparatus 30. In this case, the inquiry unit 301, the print information transmission / reception unit 302, the print instruction unit 303, and the transmission print data storage unit 305 described in FIG. 5 are provided in the print instruction device 300, and the cloud print server 50 and the image forming apparatus 30 are provided. On the other hand, it is only necessary to exchange print data.

  In this embodiment, the system including the image forming apparatus 30 and the network 90 receives an image forming unit 37 that performs printing based on an instruction from the cloud print server 50 that generates a print job, and a print job from the cloud print server 50. The print information transmission / reception unit 302 that acquires print data to be executed and transmits a part of the acquired print data to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job, and the print data acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit 302 In addition, a print instruction unit 303 that instructs the image forming unit 37 to perform printing, and a request to execute another print job when printing is performed while acquiring print data of one print job in the print job. An interrupt request accepting unit 304 that accepts an interrupt request, and a print instruction When an interrupt request is accepted by the interrupt request accepting unit 304, the image forming unit 37 is instructed to interrupt one print job at a predetermined location and start another print job, and send / receive print information The unit 302 continuously acquires the print data of one print job performed when the interrupt request is received by the interrupt request receiving unit 304 and also acquires the print data of another print job. It can also be understood as a printing system characterized by transmitting print data to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job.

  The process performed by the print instruction apparatus 300 in the present embodiment is performed, for example, when the CPU 31 loads various programs stored in the ROM 33 or the like to the RAM 32 and executes them.

  Therefore, the process performed by the print instruction apparatus 300 acquires, in a computer, print data for executing a print job from the cloud print server 50 that generates a print job for printing performed by the predetermined image forming unit 37. Print information transmission / reception function for transmitting a part of the acquired print data to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job, a print instruction function for instructing the image forming unit 37 to perform printing based on the acquired print data, and printing An interrupt request accepting function that accepts an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print job when printing is performed while acquiring print data of one print job in the job, and a print instruction function When an interrupt request is accepted, one print job is centered at a predetermined location. Then, the print mechanism is instructed to start another print job, and in the print information transmission / reception function, the print data of one print job that is being executed when the interrupt request is received is continuously acquired and the other print job It can also be understood as a program characterized by acquiring print data and transmitting print data after a predetermined location to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job.

  The program for realizing the present embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the detailed configuration and operation of the third embodiment will be described.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the print instruction apparatus 300 includes a resume information storage unit 306 instead of the transmission print data storage unit 305 in addition to the print instruction apparatus 300 described with reference to FIG.

  The restart information storage unit 306 stores restart information for restarting the print job 1 when the interrupt request reception unit 304 receives an interrupt request.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating the exchange of information among the terminal device 10, the cloud print server 50, and the image forming apparatus 30 in the third embodiment.
Hereinafter, the operation of the print instruction apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The processing from step 301 to step 305 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing from step 101 to step 105.
In this embodiment, the print data after the page on which printing is performed when there is an interrupt request is not downloaded. Further, the subsequent print data is not uploaded to the cloud print server 50 as a new print job.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the resumption information storage unit 306 stores resumption information for resuming the print job 1 (step 306). The restart information corresponds to, for example, the storage location of the print job 1 in the cloud print server 50 and the number of printed pages of the print job 1.

  The print information transmission / reception unit 302 acquires print data of the print job 2, and the print instruction unit 303 instructs the image forming unit 37 to print the print job 2. Thereby, interrupt printing of the print job 2 is started (step 307).

  Then, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 acquires the print data of the job 1 from the cloud print server 50 again after the print job 2 is completed. Specifically, when printing of the print job 2 is completed, the print information transmission / reception unit 302 prints the print job 1 based on the storage location of the print job 1 that is the resume information stored in the resume information storage unit 306. Data is acquired from the cloud print server 50 again from the beginning (step 308).

  Then, based on the number of printed pages of the print job 1 that is resumption information stored in the resumption information storage unit 306, the print instruction unit 303 sends a print instruction for pages after the page that has not been printed yet to the image forming unit. To 37. As a result, printing of the print job 1 is resumed (step 309). Specifically, the print instruction unit 303 first discards the print data of the job 1 re-acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit 302 up to the number of printed pages. Then, a print instruction is issued to the image forming unit 37 for printing after the page that has not been printed yet.

  With the above processing, all printing for print job 1 and print job 2 can be completed. According to this embodiment, it is not necessary to upload the print data for the print job 1 after the unprinted page as a new job. However, according to this form, the print data of the print job 1 is acquired twice from the cloud print server 50. Therefore, it is necessary that the cloud print server 50 has a specification for accepting such a retransmission request.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Terminal device, 30 ... Image forming apparatus, 37 ... Image forming part, 50 ... Cloud print server, 300 ... Print instruction apparatus, 302 ... Print information transmission / reception part, 303 ... Print instruction part, 304 ... Interrupt request reception part, 306 ... Resume information storage unit

Claims (8)

Print information for executing print processing is acquired from a print processing generation device that generates print processing for printing performed by a predetermined printing mechanism, and part of the acquired print information is printed as new print processing. A print information transmission / reception unit to be transmitted to the process generation device;
Based on the print information acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit, a print instruction unit that issues a print instruction to the printing mechanism;
An interrupt request receiving unit that receives an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes;
With
The print instructing unit, when receiving the interrupt request by the interrupt request receiving unit, instructs the printing mechanism to interrupt the one print process at a predetermined location and start the other print process. ,
The print information transmission / reception unit continuously acquires the print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request is received by the interrupt request reception unit, and acquires the print information of the other print process, A print instruction apparatus that transmits print information after a predetermined location to the print process generation apparatus as a new print process. The print information transmission / reception unit obtains again the print information after the predetermined part of the one print process after the other print process is completed from the print process generation device,
The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction unit instructs the print mechanism to restart the one print process.   The printing instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the new printing process is performed by a printing mechanism different from the printing mechanism. A print information transmission / reception unit that acquires print information for executing print processing from a print processing generation device that generates print processing of printing performed by a predetermined printing mechanism;
Based on the print information acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit, a print instruction unit that issues a print instruction to the printing mechanism;
An interrupt request receiving unit that receives an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes;
A resumption information storage unit that stores resumption information for resuming the one printing process when the interruption request is accepted by the interruption request acceptance unit;
With
The print information transmission / reception unit re-acquires print information of the one print process after the end of the other print process, based on the resume information stored in the resume information storage unit,
The print instructing unit, when receiving the interrupt request by the interrupt request receiving unit, instructs the printing mechanism to interrupt the one print process at a predetermined location and start the other print process. At the same time, after the completion of the other print processing, the print mechanism is instructed to resume the one print processing after a predetermined location based on the resume information stored in the resume information storage unit. A printing instruction device. A printing mechanism that performs printing based on an instruction from a printing process generation device that generates a printing process;
A print information transmission / reception unit that acquires print information for executing a print process from the print process generation apparatus and transmits a part of the acquired print information to the print process generation apparatus as a new print process;
Based on the print information acquired by the print information transmission / reception unit, a print instruction unit that issues a print instruction to the printing mechanism;
An interrupt request receiving unit that receives an interrupt request that is a request to execute another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes;
With
The print instructing unit, when receiving the interrupt request by the interrupt request receiving unit, instructs the printing mechanism to interrupt the one print process at a predetermined location and start the other print process. ,
The print information transmission / reception unit continuously acquires the print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request is received by the interrupt request reception unit, and acquires the print information of the other print process, A printing system, wherein print information after a predetermined location is transmitted to the print process generation device as a new print process. A terminal device for making a print request and an interrupt request to the print processing generation device;
The printing system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device includes a unit that selects a printing mechanism that resumes the one printing process after the interruption request.   The printing system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a printing mechanism for resuming the one printing process is selected based on a communication speed of a communication line for transmitting the printing information. On the computer,
Print information for executing print processing is acquired from a print processing generation device that generates print processing for printing performed by a predetermined printing mechanism, and part of the acquired print information is printed as new print processing. A print information transmission / reception function to be transmitted to the process generation device;
A print instruction function for instructing the print mechanism to print based on the acquired print information;
An interrupt request accepting function for accepting an interrupt request which is a request for executing another print process when printing is being performed while acquiring print information of one of the print processes;
Realized,
In the print instruction function, when the interrupt request is received, the print mechanism is instructed to interrupt the one print process at a predetermined location and start the other print process,
In the print information transmission / reception function, the print information of the one print process performed when the interrupt request is received is continuously acquired, the print information of the other print process is acquired, and the predetermined location Subsequent print information is transmitted to the print process generation device as a new print process.

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