JP2016064551A - Information processing equipment, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process a plurality of jobs to be bonded in a predetermined bond order by preventing other jobs from being mixed among the plurality of jobs to be bonded.SOLUTION: Bonded jobs are generated by bonding pieces of identification information of a plurality of jobs to be bonded based on a bond order of jobs included in processing conditions set in the jobs in a bond order. Pieces of identification information of non-bonded jobs and the pieces of identification information on the bonded job are registered in a processing standby list. The non-bonded jobs and the bonded jobs are processed in a registration order of the pieces of identification information in the processing standby list. The non-bonded jobs are processed based on processing conditions set in the non-bonded jobs. The plurality of jobs to be bonded are processed based on processing conditions set in the respective jobs in the bond order of the pieces of identification information in the bonded jobs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program for processing a plurality of jobs to be combined and one job that is not to be combined.

  When processing a job, generally, the information processing apparatus acquires processing conditions set for the job and processes the job based on the processing conditions. Various job processing conditions are set according to the type of job. For example, in a printing apparatus that is an information processing apparatus, print processing conditions (called printing conditions) include aggregate printing, duplex printing, and stapling. Processing etc. are set. The printing apparatus performs printing by processing a print job based on the printing conditions.

  A print job is generated for each print request of a user using a printer driver by an application for various purposes such as document editing, browsing, graphic editing, and image editing. The generated job is transmitted from an external device (for example, a host computer or a personal computer) to the printing device as a job in which independent printing conditions are set. The printing apparatus processes the received job in order and prints an image on a sheet. However, since the jobs received by the printing apparatus are independent of each other, even if a plurality of jobs to be printed together are sequentially transmitted to the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus may not be able to print the plurality of jobs at once. Therefore, conventionally, printing apparatuses that combine and process a plurality of jobs are known (see Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

However, in the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, jobs that do not belong to a combined group are not processed until all the jobs in the group are aligned and printing is completed, and the processing efficiency may be reduced.
In the printing apparatus described in Patent Literature 2, depending on the setting of processing conditions, a plurality of jobs to be combined may not be combined, and a plurality of jobs may not be processed together under each processing condition. In addition, other jobs may be mixed between a plurality of jobs to be combined, and the plurality of jobs may not be processed in a predetermined combining order.
In the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 3, a plurality of jobs to be combined cannot be processed in a predetermined combining order. Depending on the setting of the print start condition or the reception timing of the jobs, the jobs may be combined between a plurality of jobs to be combined. There is a possibility that other jobs may be mixed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to efficiently process a plurality of jobs to be combined with other jobs based on each processing condition, and perform a process between a plurality of jobs to be combined. In other words, a plurality of jobs to be combined are processed in a predetermined combination order.

  The present invention is an information processing apparatus that processes a non-combined job including a plurality of jobs to be combined and a single job that is not to be combined, and a receiving unit that receives a job in which processing conditions are set; Based on the job combination order included in the processing conditions, the generation unit generates a combined job by linking the identification information of the plurality of jobs to be combined in the combination order, and the non-join received by the receiving unit List storage means for storing a processing standby list in which job identification information and identification information of the combined job generated by the generating means are registered, the uncombined job and the order of registration of identification information in the processing standby list Processing means for processing a combined job, wherein the processing means processes the non-joined job based on the processing conditions set for the non-joined job. An information processing apparatus comprising: a non-combined job processing unit; and a combined job processing unit that processes the plurality of jobs to be combined based on the processing conditions set for each job in the connection order of identification information in the combined job. is there.

  According to the present invention, while efficiently processing a plurality of jobs to be combined and other jobs based on each processing condition, preventing other jobs from being mixed between the plurality of jobs to be combined, A plurality of jobs to be combined can be processed in a predetermined combining order.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information processing system of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a host computer and a printer according to the present embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the printing standby list | wrist of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the processing conditions of the job of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a combination of a some job. It is a figure which shows the example of a combination of a some job. It is a figure for demonstrating the production | generation of the combined job of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the combined job queue of this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining job processing by the printer of the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a job is received by the printer according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a registration procedure of IDs of combined jobs by the printer according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a job printing procedure by the printer of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing standby transfer conditions in the printer of this embodiment.

An information processing apparatus, an information processing method in the information processing apparatus, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is a job processing apparatus, and receives and processes a job from at least one external device. The information processing apparatus and the external apparatus are connected to each other by a connecting unit to constitute an information processing system. The external device is a job transmission device, and transmits a job in which processing conditions are set to the information processing device. One job is generated by the external device in response to one processing request in the external device. A job is a unit of work processed by the information processing apparatus, and the information processing apparatus processes one job as one unit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated, the information processing system 1 is a print processing system, and includes a host computer 2 that is an example of an external device and a printer 3 that is an example of an information processing device. A plurality of host computers 2 and one printer 3 are connected via a network 4 as a connection means, and the plurality of host computers 2 share and use one printer 3. At the time of printing, the host computer 2 transmits a job in which processing conditions are set to the printer 3. The job received by the printer 3 is a print job (print job), and a print condition is set as a processing condition. The printer 3 processes the job received from the host computer 2 based on the processing conditions, and performs printing based on the image data included in the job.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the host computer 2 and the printer 3 of this embodiment, and shows a diagram in which one host computer 2 and one printer 3 are connected.
As illustrated, the host computer 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a SATAC 14, and an operation unit I / F connected via a bus 10. (Interface) 15, a display unit I / F 16, and an external I / F 17. The host computer 2 includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 20 connected to the SATAC 14, a keyboard / mouse 21 connected to the operation unit I / F 15, and a monitor 22 connected to the display unit I / F 16. Yes.

  The SATAC 14 is a controller having an interface specification based on the SATA (serial AT Attachment) standard, and is used for controlling the HDD 20. The operation unit I / F 15 is an interface for controlling a keyboard / mouse 21 which is an operation unit used for operation of the host computer 2. The display unit I / F 16 is an interface for controlling the monitor 22 that is a display unit of the host computer 2.

  The host computer 2 includes a plurality of means described below as function realizing means obtained by executing various programs (operating system, device driver, application, etc.) by the CPU 11. The CPU 11 operates as a function realizing unit and controls each part of the host computer 2. A program executed by the CPU 11 is stored in the ROM 12 or the HDD 20. The RAM 13 temporarily stores data necessary for information processing by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 and the HDD 20 are storage means of the host computer 2 for storing various data, and for example, store data created by the CPU 11.

  At the time of printing, the CPU 11 generates a job for printing a print target such as a document based on the user's specification. At this time, for example, the printer driver converts the print data into a job described in a page description language (PDL) and generates a job that can be recognized by the printer 3. Also, processing conditions that are job information are set for the job in accordance with the processing setting (here, print setting) by the user. The host computer 2 transmits a job to the printer 3 via the external I / F 17 and requests the printer 3 for printing. The external I / F 17 is an interface (for example, NIC (Network Interface Card)) for connecting to an external device, and is connected to the network 4. The host computer 2 establishes a connection with the printer 3 through the external I / F 17 and transmits a job to the printer 3 through the external I / F 17 serving as a transmission unit.

  The printer 3 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an external I / F 34, a SATAC 35, a printing unit I / F 36, an image control unit 37, and an operation unit I / F 38 connected via a bus 30. The printer 3 includes an HDD 23 connected to the SATAC 35, a printing unit 24 connected to the printing unit I / F 36, and an operation unit 25 connected to the operation unit I / F 38. The SATAC 35 is used for controlling the HDD 23. The printing unit 24 includes an image forming unit (for example, an electrophotographic image forming unit or an ink jet type image forming unit) that forms an image by printing, and prints an image on a sheet by image forming processing. . The printing unit I / F 36 sends the image data to the printing unit 24, and the printing unit 24 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data. After printing, the printing unit 24 notifies the CPU 31 of the end of printing via the printing unit I / F 36 and requests an interrupt. The operation unit 25 includes, for example, a touch panel, operation buttons, and a numeric keypad, and is used for user operation of the printer 3 and print settings.

  The printer 3 includes a plurality of means described below as function realizing means obtained by executing various programs (operating system, device driver, application, etc.) by the CPU 31. The CPU 31 operates as a function realizing unit and controls each unit of the printer 3. A program executed by the CPU 31 is stored in the ROM 32 or the HDD 23. The RAM 33 temporarily stores data necessary for information processing by the CPU 31. The RAM 33 and the HDD 23 are storage units of the printer 3 that store various types of data. For example, the RAM 33 and the HDD 23 store data created by the CPU 31.

  The external I / F 34 is a job receiving unit, and receives a job for which processing conditions are set from the host computer 2. The job received by the external I / F 34 is stored in the storage unit (RAM 33 or HDD 23) of the printer 3. Here, the job and data related to the job are stored in the RAM 33. The printer 3 processes the job based on the processing conditions set for the job by the CPU 31, performs print settings on the paper, and prints the image on the paper. At that time, the CPU 31 generates image data from the job, acquires processing conditions, and stores predetermined data of these jobs in the RAM 33. Further, the image control unit 37 performs processing or processing on the image data of the job, and generates image data for printing that can be processed by the printing unit 24. Subsequently, the image data is sent to the printing unit 24, and the printing unit 24 performs printing corresponding to the print settings.

  At the time of job processing, the printer 3 processes a plurality of jobs to be combined that are to be combined with each other and a non-combined job including one job that is not to be combined based on the processing conditions set for each job. The plurality of jobs to be combined are a plurality of jobs that are each completed alone, and are combined by the printer 3 and processed together. The uncombined job is a single job that is completed alone, and is processed by the printer 3 independently without being combined with other jobs. The unbound job is not related to other jobs, and the processing order (here, the printing order) of the plurality of unbound jobs is not necessarily the order of transmission to the printer 3. On the other hand, a plurality of jobs to be combined are processed and printed as a combined job in the order specified by the host computer 2 of the transmission source.

  When receiving the job, the printer 3 assigns identification information unique to the job by the CPU 31 as the identification information assigning means, and stores the identification information in association with the job in order to identify the job. In addition, the printer 3 builds and stores a list structure for registering identification information of a job to be printed (referred to as a print standby list) and a queue structure for registering identification information of a combined job (referred to as a combined job queue). Here, the printer 3 assigns ID (identification) to the job as job identification information, and stores the job ID, the print standby list, and the combined job queue in the RAM 33.

  In the printer 3, the RAM 33, which is a memory, is a list storage unit (first storage unit) that stores a print standby list and a queue storage unit (second storage unit) that stores a combined job queue. On the other hand, the HDD 23 may be used as a memory for various storage means, and the print standby list and the combined job queue may be stored in the HDD 23. When processing a job, the job and data related to the job may be stored in the HDD 23. The print standby list is an example of a process standby list, and the RAM 33 serving as a list storage unit stores the print standby list as a process standby list.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the print standby list 5 of the present embodiment.
As illustrated, when the printer 3 stores the ID associated with the job in the RAM 33, the printer 3 sequentially registers the job ID and registers the job ID in the print standby list 5. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the ID of job 1 received first is registered in the print standby list 5. Further, the ID of job 2 received next to job 1 is linked to the ID of job 1 registered in advance, and is registered in print waiting list 5. This registration procedure is repeated N times from job 1 to job N, and IDs of N jobs 1 to N are sequentially registered in the print standby list 5. The printer 3 processes and prints in order from the first job (job 1 in FIG. 3) in the print standby list 5.

  The printer 3 determines a job to be combined and a non-combined job based on the processing conditions set for the job. When the job is a non-combined job, an ID associated with the non-combined job is displayed in the print waiting list 5. Register with. When the job is a job to be combined, the printer 3 registers the ID associated with the combined job in the print standby list 5. In FIG. 3 (and FIG. 9 to be described later), the ID of the non-combined job and the ID of the combined job registered in the print waiting list 5 are simply indicated as job IDs.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining job processing condition 6 according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated, the job processing condition 6 is set for each job by the printer driver of the host computer 2 and includes at least job combination information. Here, for each job, the combination group ID, the total number of jobs included in the group, and the job combination order are set as the combination information included in the processing condition 6. The combined group ID is group identification information formed by combining a plurality of jobs. A plurality of jobs having the same combined group ID form a group as a job to be combined. The total number of jobs included in the group is the total number of jobs combined as a group, and indicates how many jobs in total including the self (the job for which the processing condition 6 is set) has the same combined group ID. Yes.

  The job combination order is the processing order of a plurality of jobs in the group. Here, the own combination order is set for each job. The own joining order indicates the order of joining (processing) of a plurality of jobs having the same joining group ID. For a job whose join order is last, information indicating that the join order is last is set in the join information. The host computer 2 transmits to the printer 3 a job in which the processing condition 6 including the combined information and other information is set.

  The combination information of the job to be combined includes information indicating that the job is a combination target to be processed by combining with other jobs, and the combination information of the job that is a non-bonded job indicates that the job is a non-bonded job. Contains information. As described above, the job combination information includes information indicating whether the job is a job that forms a group by combining with other jobs. Based on the job combination information, the printer 3 determines whether or not the received job is a job to be combined, and identifies a job to be combined and a non-bonded job.

5 and 6 are diagrams showing examples of combining a plurality of jobs, and each of the plurality of jobs is represented by one block.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the combined group ID and the total number of jobs included in the group are the same setting (ID: 1, total number: 3) for jobs 1, 2, and 3. Also, the combination order of the three jobs 1, 2, and 3 is different from each other (job 1: 0, job 2: 1, job 3: 2). Based on the combination order of the combination information, the IDs of the three jobs 1, 2, and 3 are sequentially connected to generate a combined job. Here, 0 is set as the join order for the job with the first join order, and one is added in correspondence with the join order.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, jobs 4, 5, and 6 are processed twice, and two copies of jobs 4, 5, and 6 are printed. The combined group ID and the total number of jobs included in the group are the same setting (ID: 2, total number: 6) for jobs 4, 5, and 6. In addition, the combination order of the six jobs 4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6 arranged from the back side to the near side is different from each other (job 4: 0, job 5: 1, job 6: 2, job 4: 3, job 5: 4, job 6: 5). Based on the combination order of the combination information, the IDs of the six jobs 4, 5, 6, 4, 5, 6 are sequentially connected to generate a combined job.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining generation of a combined job according to the present embodiment.
As illustrated, when the received job is a job to be combined, the printer 3 sequentially concatenates IDs associated with the jobs and stores them in the RAM 33 for each group to be combined. At this time, the printer 3 identifies the group to which the job belongs based on the job combination information (combination group ID), and sets the combination order that is the job processing order based on the job combination information (combination order). Identify. Further, the printer 3 generates a combined job by connecting the IDs of a plurality of jobs to be combined in a predetermined combining order for each group.

  The combined job is a combination order information of a plurality of jobs composed of a plurality of job IDs connected in order, and indicates a combination order of the plurality of jobs by the connection order of the job IDs. In order to identify the combined job, the printer 3 assigns an ID, which is identification information unique to the combined job, by the CPU 31 and stores the ID in association with the combined job. Further, the printer 3 sequentially registers the IDs of the combined jobs in the combined job queue.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the combined job queue 7 of the present embodiment.
As illustrated, the IDs of the combined jobs are stacked in the combined job queue 7, and the IDs of the combined jobs are sequentially registered in the combined job queue 7. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the ID of the combined job 1 generated first is registered in the combined job queue 7. Further, the ID of the combined job 2 generated after the combined job 1 is registered next to the ID of the combined job 1 registered previously. This registration procedure is repeated N times from the combined job 1 to the combined job N, and the IDs of the N combined jobs 1 to N are sequentially registered in the combined job queue 7. As described above, the RAM 33 serving as the queue storage unit is an identification information storage unit that stores the ID of the combined job, and stores the ID of the combined job queue 7 and the combined job registered in the combined job queue 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining job processing by the printer 3 according to the present embodiment, and shows each part of the printer 3 in blocks. FIG. 9 also shows a print standby list 5 and a combined job queue 7 used for job processing.
As shown in the figure, the printer 3 includes a job control unit 40 and a print output control unit 41 which are function realizing means obtained by executing an application by the CPU 31. The job control unit 40 is a unit that controls the job described with reference to FIGS. 3, 7, and 8. Specifically, the job control unit 40 is a job determination unit. When the job X is received from the host computer 2 by the external I / F 34, the job control unit 40 includes the job X included in the processing condition 6 set in the job X. Based on the combination information, it is determined whether the job X is a job to be combined.

  The job control unit 40 is a non-joined job ID registration unit (first registration unit), and when it is determined that the job X is a non-join job that is not a job to be joined, the job X that is a non-join job Are registered in the print standby list 5. Each time it is determined that the job received by the external I / F 34 is a non-binding job while the printer 3 is operating, the job control unit 40 waits for the IDs of the non-binding jobs to be printed in the order received by the external I / F 34. Register in Listing 5. The job control unit 40 is also a combined job generation unit, and generates a combined job including IDs of a plurality of combined jobs including the job X when it is determined that the job X is a combined job. At this time, the job control unit 40 generates a combined job by concatenating the IDs of a plurality of jobs to be combined in the job combination order based on the combination order included in the processing condition 6 set for each job.

  The job control unit 40 determines whether or not each job to be combined is received in the combining order based on the combining order included in the processing condition 6 of each job, and each job is not received in the combining order The IDs of a plurality of jobs to be combined are rearranged and connected. As described above, the job control unit 40 includes a determination unit that determines the reception order of jobs to be combined and a connection unit (sort unit) that rearranges and connects the IDs of a plurality of jobs. When the external I / F 34 receives a plurality of jobs to be combined in an order other than the combining order, the job control unit 40 uses the connecting means to determine the IDs of the plurality of jobs to be combined based on the job combining order. Rearrange them in the job combination order and connect them.

  The job control unit 40 registers the IDs of the combined jobs in the combined job queue 7 in the order of generation by the job control unit 40. Each time a combined job is generated while the printer 3 is operating, the job control unit 40 registers the ID of the combined job in the combined job queue 7. Thereby, the RAM 33 as the identification information storage means stores the IDs of the combined jobs generated by the job control unit 40 in the order of generation by the job control unit 40. The job control unit 40 is also a combined job ID registration unit (second registration unit), and the combined job ID is stored in the order in which the combined job ID is stored in the RAM 33 (the combined job ID is registered in the combined job queue 7). Is registered in the print standby list 5. By the job control unit 40, the ID of the combined job is linked to the ID of the last job in the print standby list 5 and newly registered at the end of the print standby list 5.

  The printer 3 stores a predetermined print standby transition condition in the RAM 33. The job control unit 40 determines whether or not the combined job satisfies a predetermined print standby shift condition in the order in which the IDs are stored in the RAM 33. As a result, when the combined job whose ID is stored in the RAM 33 satisfies a predetermined print standby transition condition, the job control unit 40 removes the ID of the combined job from the combined job queue 7 and registers it in the print standby list 5. . The print standby transfer condition is an example of a registration condition for registering a combined job ID in the print standby list 5, and a condition for transferring the combined job ID from the combined job queue 7 to the print standby list 5 is set. Before starting job processing, the user presets a print standby transition condition in the printer 3 by using the operation unit (keyboard / mouse 21 or the like) of the host computer 2 or the operation unit 25 of the printer 3.

  The job control unit 40 sequentially registers the ID of the non-combined job received by the external I / F 34 and the ID of the combined job generated by the job control unit 40 in the print standby list 5. In the print standby list 5, the IDs of unprocessed non-combined jobs and combined jobs that wait until the print processing are registered in the order of processing. The print output control unit 41 is a job processing unit, and processes unbound jobs and combined jobs in the order of registration (processing order) in the print standby list 5. The print output control unit 41 processes the uncombined job and the combined job in the processing order, and processes a plurality of jobs to be combined included in the combined job in the combining order. At this time, the print output control unit 41 monitors the head of the print standby list 5 and acquires the ID of a job (non-combined job or combined job) registered at the head of the print standby list 5.

  The print output control unit 41 has a plurality of means (specification means, unbound job processing means, combined job processing means, etc.) for functioning as job processing means. For example, the print output control unit 41 specifies unprocessed jobs and combined jobs to be processed on the basis of the ID registered in the print standby list 5 by the specifying unit, and stores the job from the storage unit of the printer 3 including the RAM 33. Get the data required for processing. As a result, the print output control unit 41, for example, the non-combined job, the processing condition 6 set for the non-combined job, the combined job, the combined job to which the IDs are combined in the combined job, and the combined target The job processing condition 6 is acquired. When the processing target is a non-binding job, the print output control unit 41 processes the non-binding job based on the processing condition 6 set for the non-binding job by the non-binding job processing unit. When the processing target is a combined job, the print output control unit 41 causes the combined job processing unit to add a plurality of jobs to be combined in the order of ID combination in the combined job based on the processing condition 6 set for each job. , Respectively.

  The print output control unit 41 processes the job based on the processing condition 6 and prepares to transfer image data requested to be printed by the job. Subsequently, the print output control unit 41 outputs the image data and the print request to the printing unit I / F 36, and requests the printing unit 24 to perform the image data printing process. The printing unit I / F 36 sends the prepared image data to the printing unit 24 at the timing requested by the printing unit 24, and the printing unit 24 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data. Thereafter, when the print end is notified from the printing unit 24 to the print output control unit 41, the print output control unit 41 deletes the data related to the job for which printing has been completed from the RAM 33, and the job for which printing has been completed (non-joined job Or the combined job ID) is deleted from the print waiting list 5.

Next, a printing procedure and job processing procedure by the printer 3 will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a job is received by the printer 3 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, when a job in which the processing condition 6 is set is received by the external I / F 34 of the printer 3, the job control unit 40 of the printer 3 is a memory (here, a RAM 33) that is a storage unit of the printer 3. ) To check the free capacity (unused capacity) of the predetermined area. The predetermined area of the RAM 33 is an area for storing data relating to the job (referred to as a job storage area), and the job control unit 40 checks whether or not the free capacity of the job storage area is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity (S101). As the predetermined capacity, a capacity capable of storing data related to the received job is set.

  When there is no free space equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity in the job storage area (S101, No), the job control unit 40 immediately discards the received job. In addition, the job control unit 40 transmits an instruction to resend the discarded job to the host computer 2 that has transmitted the job (S102), requests retransmission of the job, and ends the processing. In the printer 3, processing of the received job proceeds in parallel with discarding of the received job, and the free space in the job storage area increases due to job processing. When the job storage area has a free space equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity (S101, Yes), the job control unit 40 determines whether the received job is a job to be combined based on the job combination information included in the processing condition 6. It is determined whether or not (S103).

  When the job received by the external I / F 34 is not a job to be combined (S103, No), the job control unit 40 stores the ID of the job that is a non-combined job in the print waiting list 5 (FIG. 9). (See S104). As a result, the ID of the unbound job is newly registered in the print standby list 5, and the process ends. If the received job is a job to be combined (S103, Yes), it is confirmed whether or not a combined job (see FIG. 7) for combining the jobs is in the memory of the printer 3 (S105). At this time, the job control unit 40 determines whether or not a combined job that is creating a group to which the job belongs is stored in the RAM 33 based on the received combined information of the job.

  When no combined job is stored in the RAM 33, or when a combined job for which a group to which the job belongs is not stored in the RAM 33 (S105, No), the job control unit 40 creates a new combined job. It is generated and stored in the RAM 33 (S106). Further, the job control unit 40 generates an ID of the combined job (S107), and assigns an ID to the combined job. The job control unit 40 initializes (jcnt0 = 0) a counter corresponding to the combined job (here, the counter variable is represented as jcnt0) (S108), and sets the ID of the combined job to the combined job queue 7 (FIG. 9). Registration) (S109).

  On the other hand, when a combined job that is creating a group to which the job belongs is stored in the RAM 33 (S105, Yes), the job control unit 40 combines the received job ID with the job ID included in the combined job. They are connected in order (S110), and the process is terminated. Each time a job is received, the above processing is repeated by the job control unit 40. Accordingly, the job control unit 40 generates a combined job by combining the IDs of a plurality of jobs to be combined in the combining order based on the combining order of the jobs included in the processing condition 6 for each combination group. .

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the registration procedure of the ID of the combined job by the printer 3 of this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, in parallel with the process at the time of job reception (see FIG. 10), the job control unit 40 combines the IDs stored in the RAM 33 in the storage order by the RAM 33 (the registration order in the combined job queue 7). It is determined whether or not the job satisfies a predetermined print standby transition condition (S201). Therefore, the job control unit 40 is also a determination unit, and at a predetermined timing (for example, a predetermined time interval) (S201, No), the combined job having the head ID of the combined job queue 7 satisfies a predetermined print standby transition condition. It is determined whether it is satisfied.

  When it is determined that the combined job satisfies the predetermined print standby transition condition (S201, Yes), the job control unit 40 links the ID of the combined job to the end of the print standby list 5 (see FIG. 9) (see FIG. 9). S202). As a result, the ID of the combined job generated by the job control unit 40 is newly registered in the print standby list 5 stored in the RAM 33. Subsequently, the job control unit 40 deletes the ID of the combined job registered in the print standby list 5 from the combined job queue 7 stored in the RAM 33 (S203). After the process of registering the ID of one combined job is completed, the job control unit 40 performs a process of registering the ID of the next combined job.

  As described above (see FIG. 10, S106 to S109), the ID of the combined job is given when a new generation of the combined job is started and registered in the combined job queue 7. That is, in this printer 3, the ID of the combined job is registered in the combined job queue 7 and stored in the RAM 33 before the generation of the combined job is completed. For this reason, depending on the setting of the print standby transition condition, the ID of the combined job generated by the job control unit 40 is registered in the print standby list 5 before the generation of the combined job is completed. In this case, the print output control unit 41 may start processing of the combined job before the generation of the combined job is completed. Accordingly, the print output control unit 41 controls printing of a plurality of jobs to be combined while confirming the state of the combined job.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a job printing procedure by the printer 3 according to the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the print output control unit 41 monitors the head of the print standby list 5 and determines whether or not there is a job (non-combined job or combined job) ID in the print standby list 5 at a predetermined timing (for example, , At predetermined time intervals) (S301, No). As a result, when the job ID is registered in the print standby list 5 (S301, Yes), the print output control unit 41 acquires the ID of the job registered at the top of the print standby list 5. The print output control unit 41 determines whether the acquired job ID is a combined job ID based on the combined job ID stored in the RAM 33 (S302).

  When the acquired job ID is not a combined job ID (S302, No), the print output control unit 41 acquires a non-combined job to be processed, and processing condition 6 in which the non-combined job is set as the non-combined job. Process based on. Specifically, the print output control unit 41 prepares to transfer the image data of the job associated with the acquired job ID (S303). When the transfer preparation is completed, the print output control unit 41 passes the print unit I / F 36. The printing unit 24 is requested to perform printing processing (S304).

  Subsequently, the print output control unit 41 waits until the print end is notified from the print unit 24 (S305, No), and when the print end is notified from the print unit 24 that has finished printing (S305, Yes). The image data that has been printed is deleted from the RAM 33 (S306). In addition, the print output control unit 41 deletes data related to the job for which printing has been completed from the RAM 33 and deletes the ID of the job for which printing has been completed (the ID of the first job in the print standby list 5) from the print standby list 5. (S307). As a result, the processing of the unbound job ends.

  When the acquired job ID is the ID of the combined job (S302, Yes), the print output control unit 41 acquires the combined job to be processed, and selects a plurality of jobs to be combined in the order of ID combination in the combined job. Processing is performed based on processing condition 6 set for each job. Specifically, the print output control unit 41 confirms whether or not there is an ID of the job to be combined in the combined job associated with the ID based on the combined job (see FIG. 7) stored in the RAM 33. (S308). When there is no job ID in the combined job (S308, No), the process returns to S301. In the printer 3, a combined job generation process (see FIG. 10) is in progress in parallel with the process by the print output control unit 41. Therefore, even when there is no job ID in the combined job, the job IDs are connected in the combining order by the subsequent reception of the job to be combined, and the combined job is gradually generated by the job control unit 40.

  When the combined job has a job ID (S308, Yes), the print output control unit 41 acquires the job having the ID, and processes the combined job based on the combination order included in the job processing condition 6. It is determined whether or not the job processing order is correct (S309). Specifically, the print output control unit 41 counts the number of processing of jobs to be combined using the counter (jcnt0) described above, and compares the job combination order with the counter value. When the job combination order matches the counter value, the print output control unit 41 determines that the job IDs in the combined job are linked in the combination order, and the processing order of the processing target job is correct. The On the other hand, when the job combination order does not match the counter value, it indicates that a combined job is being generated and a job having the correct combination order has not yet been received. Therefore, the print output control unit 41 determines that the job IDs in the combined job are not linked in the combining order, and the processing order of the processing target job is not correct.

  If it is determined that the job processing order is not correct (No in S309), the process returns to S301, and the determination of the job order is repeated. In the meantime, as described above, when the job to be combined is received, the job IDs are connected in the combining order, and the combined job is gradually generated by the job control unit 40. Further, when the job IDs are correctly linked in the combination order in the combined job, it is determined that the processing order of the processing target job is correct. In this way, the print output control unit 41 determines that the ID of each job to be combined by the job control unit 40 is based on the job combination order included in the processing conditions and the number of times the job to be combined (counter value). It is determined whether or not they are connected in the joining order.

  Based on the determination result by the determination unit included in the print output control unit 41, the print output control unit 41 determines that each job to be combined when the job control unit 40 connects the IDs of the jobs to be combined in the combination order. Process the job. That is, when the IDs of the jobs to be combined are not connected in the combining order, the print output control unit 41 waits until the IDs of the jobs to be combined are connected in the combining order, and the jobs are processed in the combining order. Process. Even when a plurality of jobs to be combined cannot be received to the end, the print output control unit 41 waits until the IDs of the jobs to be combined are connected in the combining order, and all the jobs are processed in the combining order. Process.

  When the IDs of the jobs to be combined are linked in the combining order, the print output control unit 41 processes each job without waiting until the IDs of all the jobs to be combined are linked in the combining order. To do. Even when a plurality of jobs are received in an order other than the combination order, the job control unit 40 rearranges and concatenates the IDs of the plurality of jobs in the job combination order, and the print output control unit 41 sets the plurality of jobs. Are processed in join order.

  When it is determined that the combined job has a job ID and the processing order of the processing target job is correct (S309, Yes), the print output control unit 41 displays the job image associated with the job ID. Preparation for data transfer is performed (S310). When transfer preparation is completed, the print output control unit 41 requests the print unit 24 to perform print processing via the print unit I / F 36 (S311), and waits until the print unit 24 notifies the end of printing. (S312, No). When the printing end is notified from the printing unit 24 that has finished printing (S312; Yes), the print output control unit 41 deletes the image data that has been printed from the RAM 33 (S313), and the job that has finished printing. The data regarding is deleted from the RAM 33. Further, the print output control unit 41 adds 1 to the counter associated with the combined job being processed, increments the counter by 1 (jcnt0 + 1) (S314), and counts the number of times the job to be combined is processed.

  The print output control unit 41 deletes the ID of the job for which printing has ended (the ID of the job linked at the head) from the ID of the job linked in the combined job (S315), and the job is the last of the combined jobs. It is determined whether or not it is a job (S316). At this time, based on the job combination information, the print output control unit 41 determines whether or not the job whose printing has ended is the last job in the combination job. When the job that has been printed is not the last job (S316, No), the processing for that job is terminated, and the above-described processing is repeated for the same combined job. On the other hand, when the job whose printing has been completed is the last job (S316, Yes), the print output control unit 41 deletes the ID of the combined job whose processing has been completed from the print standby list 5 (S317). The print output control unit 41 repeats the above processing to process the non-combined job and the combined job in the order in which IDs are registered in the print standby list 5.

When a job is processed by the print output control unit 41, the timing at which the ID of the combined job is registered in the print standby list 5 is changed according to the setting of the print standby transition condition, and the job processing state by the print output control unit 41 is changed. Is done.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print standby transition condition in the printer 3 of the present embodiment.
As shown in the figure, here, the user presets the elapsed time or the completion of combination as the print standby transition condition. The job control unit 40 acquires the print standby transition condition and determines whether the combined job satisfies a predetermined print standby transition condition (see S201 in FIG. 11).

  When the elapsed time is set in the print standby transition condition, for each combined job, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the first job to be combined was received. The unit 40 registers the ID of the combined job in the print standby list 5. Accordingly, even if not all jobs to be combined have been received, the ID of the combined job is registered in the print standby list 5 and the combined job is processed with priority. When a job to be combined is received during processing of the combined job, the received job is processed at any time. Therefore, accumulation of jobs in the memory of the printer 3 (here, the RAM 33) is suppressed, and the printer 3 operates in a memory-saving state. Further, the memory usage capacity is reduced, and the memory capacity of the printer 3 can be reduced.

  When combination completion is set as the print standby transition condition, it is determined for each combined job whether or not the IDs of all jobs to be combined are connected based on job combination information (total number of jobs to be combined). . Further, when the generation of the combined job is completed due to the ID concatenation, the ID of the combined job is registered in the print standby list 5 by the job control unit 40. Along with this, the unbound job is preferentially registered in the print standby list 5 and processed. The combined job processing does not start until the combined job generation is completed, and after the combined job processing starts, a plurality of jobs to be combined are processed in succession.

  As described above, the printer 3 includes a switching unit that changes a predetermined print standby transition condition and switches a job processing state (job processing mode) by the print output control unit 41. By the switching means, the job processing status is divided into a state in which non-joined jobs are processed with priority (priority processing mode for non-joined jobs) and a state in which combined jobs are preferentially processed (priority processing mode for combined jobs). Can be switched. For example, the job processing state is switched according to the memory capacity of the printer 3.

  On the other hand, the job processing state may be automatically switched by the switching unit in accordance with the free space of the memory serving as the storage unit of the printer 3. In this case, when the free capacity of the memory of the printer 3 is less than the predetermined capacity in the state where the non-combined job is preferentially processed, the job processing state is prioritized by the switching means by the switching unit. Switch to the processing state. Accordingly, even before all jobs to be combined are received, the ID of the combined job is registered in the print standby list 5, and the combined job is processed with priority. As a result, the free capacity of the memory becomes smaller than the predetermined capacity, and for example, it is suppressed that the memory capacity is tight or exhausted, and the job processing is continued.

  According to the printer 3 and the information processing method in the printer 3 described above, a plurality of jobs to be combined and other jobs (non-bonded jobs) can be efficiently processed based on each processing condition. Further, it is possible to prevent other jobs from being mixed between the plurality of jobs to be combined, and to process the plurality of jobs to be combined in a predetermined combining order. When printing by the printer 3, printing can be performed in a predetermined order without changing each printing condition of a plurality of jobs, and a necessary number of copies can be printed. During printing of a plurality of jobs, interruption of printing of other jobs can be prevented, and a desired printing result can be obtained.

  The present invention can be realized as a program for causing the computer of the printer 3 that is an information processing apparatus to execute each step of the information processing method described above. The present invention can also be realized as a program for causing the computer of the printer 3 to function as each unit of the printer 3 described above. However, the printer 3 is an example of an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is various apparatuses that process jobs as information, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a server, an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a communication apparatus, or a communication terminal. In other words, the information processing apparatus may be an apparatus that processes jobs other than printing. Similarly, the host computer 2 (see FIG. 1) is an example of an external device. The external device is various devices that transmit a job to the information processing device, and may be, for example, a personal computer, a server, an image processing device, an image forming device, a communication device, or a communication terminal.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 2 ... Host computer, 3 ... Printer, 4 ... Network, 5 ... Print waiting list, 6 ... Processing condition, 7 ... Combined job queue, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Bus, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... SATAC, 15 ... Operation part I / F, 16 ... Display part I / F, 17 ... External I / F, 20 ... HDD, 21 ... Keyboard / mouse, 22 ... Monitor, 23 ... HDD, 24 ... Printing unit, 25 ... Operation unit, 30 ... Bus, 31 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 33 ... RAM, 34 ... External I / F, 35 ... SATAC, 36 ... Printer I / F, 37 ..Image control unit 38 ... Operation unit I / F 40 ... Job control unit 41 ... Print Power control unit.

JP 2006-192804 A JP 2011-108260 A JP2013-233667A

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus that processes a plurality of jobs to be combined and a non-bonded job composed of one job that is not to be combined,
Receiving means for receiving a job for which processing conditions are set;
Based on the job combination order included in the processing conditions, generating means for generating a combined job by connecting identification information of the plurality of jobs to be combined in the combination order;
List storage means for storing a processing standby list in which the identification information of the non-combined job received by the receiving means and the identification information of the combined job generated by the generating means are registered;
Processing means for processing the non-combined job and the combined job in the order of registration of the identification information in the processing standby list,
The processing means includes a non-join job processing means for processing the non-join job based on the processing conditions set for the non-join job, and a plurality of jobs to be joined in the order in which the identification information in the join job is connected. A combined job processing unit configured to perform processing based on the processing condition set for each job. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Identification information storage means for storing identification information of the combined job in the order of generation by the generation means;
First registration means for registering identification information of the unbound job in the processing standby list in the order received by the receiving means;
Second registration means for registering the identification information of the combined job in the processing standby list in the order of storage by the identification information storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the identification information storage unit stores a combined job queue in which identification information of the combined job is registered in the order of generation by the generating unit. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The generating unit receives identification information of the plurality of jobs to be combined based on the combination order when the receiving unit receives the plurality of jobs to be combined in an order other than the combination order. An information processing apparatus having means for rearranging and connecting. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the combined job processing unit includes a determining unit that determines whether or not the identification information of each job to be combined is linked in the combining order by the generating unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5,
The combination job processing unit is configured to process each job to be combined when identification information of each job to be combined is connected in the combination order by the generation unit based on a determination result by the determination unit. Processing equipment. In the information processing device according to claim 2 or 3,
The second registration unit is configured to perform information processing for registering the identification information of the combined job in the processing standby list when the combined job in which the identification information is stored in the identification information storage unit satisfies a predetermined registration condition. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,
A switching unit that changes the predetermined registration condition and switches a processing state of the job by the processing unit between a state in which the non-combined job is preferentially processed and a state in which the combined job is preferentially processed; Information processing device. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus that processes a plurality of jobs to be combined and a non-combined job consisting of one job that is not to be combined,
Receiving a job with processing conditions set;
Registering the received identification information of the unbound job in a processing waiting list;
Based on the job combination order included in the processing conditions, generating a combined job by connecting identification information of the plurality of jobs to be combined in the combination order;
Registering identification information of the combined job in the processing standby list;
A processing step of processing the non-combined job and the combined job in the order of registration of the identification information in the processing standby list,
The processing step includes: processing the non-combined job based on the processing conditions set for the non-combined job; and setting the plurality of jobs to be combined in each job in the order of connection of identification information in the combined job. And a process of processing based on the processed processing conditions.   A program for causing a computer of an information processing apparatus to execute each step of the information processing method according to claim 9.

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