JP2016092750A - Recording system, image recorder, information processing unit, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recording system which suppresses experience throughput degradation of image recording.SOLUTION: A multifunction machine 10 executes preceding data acquisition processing (S15) for acquiring the preceding image data and storing in a first storage section, first recording processing (S29) for recording the images indicated by the preceding image data on a sheet, in the output order, in response to acquisition of a recording instruction after preceding data acquisition processing (S20:Yes), following image data acquisition processing (S30) for acquiring the following image data from an information processing unit, in the output order, and storing in the first storage section, and second recording processing (S29) for recording the images indicated by the following image data, stored in the first storage section, on a sheet, in the output order. The information processing unit 50 executes following data transmission processing (S25) for transmitting the following image data to an image recorder, in the output order.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording system in which image data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus to an image recording apparatus, and an image indicated by the image data is recorded on a sheet by the image recording apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording system is known in which image data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus to an image recording apparatus, and an image indicated by the image data is recorded on a sheet by the image recording apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image recording apparatus included in the recording system described above continuously performs a process for receiving a part of image data from the information processing apparatus and a recording process for the image data on a plurality of sheets. To record an image.

JP 2004-179824 A

  However, when the communication environment between the information processing apparatus and the image recording apparatus is poor, transmission / reception of image data is delayed and the throughput of the recording process is reduced. In particular, if it takes time until the recording process for the first page is executed, the user may feel that the throughput is greatly reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is related to a recording system that suppresses a decrease in throughput of image recording experienced by a user.

  A recording system according to the present invention includes an image recording apparatus and an information processing apparatus. The image recording device is an image recorded on any of a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, a first communication unit that communicates with the information processing device, and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. A first storage unit capable of storing a part of the N pieces of image data in which an output order indicating the above is determined, and a first control unit. The first control unit acquires preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 among the N image data, and stores the preceding image data in the first storage unit; In response to acquiring a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet after the preceding data acquisition process, the image indicated by the preceding image data stored in the first storage unit is output to the sheet in the output order. In response to the first recording process to be recorded in the recording unit and the recording instruction, the subsequent image data that is the image data in the output order after the preceding image data of the N pieces of the image data. Is acquired from the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit in the output order and stored in the first storage unit, and the subsequent image data stored in the first storage unit is stored. The image shown in performing a second recording process of recording in the recording unit with respect to the sheet in the output order. The information processing device includes a second communication unit that communicates with the image recording device, a second storage unit that can store the subsequent image data, and the subsequent image data stored in the second storage unit. And a second control unit that executes subsequent data transmission processing for transmitting to the image recording apparatus in the output order through the two communication units.

  The image recording apparatus having the above configuration stores the preceding image data including the image data used for the recording process of the first page in the first storage unit, and acquires the subsequent image data after the preceding image data from the information processing apparatus. can do. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in throughput experienced by the user (hereinafter referred to as “sensory throughput”) when executing a recording process for the number of pages exceeding the memory size of the image recording apparatus.

  An image recording apparatus according to the present invention is an image recorded on any of a recording unit that records an image on a sheet, a communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus, and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. A storage unit capable of storing a part of the N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating whether or not there is determined, and a control unit; The control unit obtains preceding image data including at least the image data with the output order of No. 1 among the N pieces of image data and stores the preceding image data in the storage unit, and the sheet In response to obtaining a recording instruction for recording an image after the preceding data acquisition process, the image indicated by the preceding image data stored in the storage unit is recorded in the recording unit with respect to the sheet in the output order. In response to acquiring the first recording process and the recording instruction, the subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, of the N image data, A subsequent data acquisition process to be acquired from the information processing apparatus through the unit in the output order and stored in the storage unit, and an image indicated by the subsequent image data stored in the storage unit Performing a second recording process of recording in the recording unit with respect to the sheet in the output order.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image recorded on any of an operation unit that receives a user operation, a communication unit that communicates with an image recording device, and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. A storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating whether or not there is defined, and a control unit are provided. The control unit includes a generation instruction process for transmitting a generation instruction for generating the N image data to the image recording apparatus to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, and an N number of generations generated by the image recording apparatus. Among the image data, the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 is received from the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, and the storage unit And storing the image data stored in the storage unit in response to receiving from the image recording apparatus through the communication unit a completion notification indicating that the N pieces of image data have been generated Subsequent data transmission processing is performed for transmitting to the image recording apparatus in the output order through the communication unit.

  An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes an operation unit that receives a user operation, a communication unit that communicates with an image recording apparatus, and an image recorded on N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. A storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating whether or not is determined, and a control unit. Then, in response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for designating the N pieces of image data, the control unit transmits the preceding image data including at least the image data with the first output order as the communication data. Each image data is indicated in response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for inputting a preceding data transmission process to be transmitted to the image recording apparatus through a unit and a recording process execution condition to be performed by the image recording apparatus. A recording instruction process for transmitting an image to a sheet according to the execution condition to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, and N pieces of the image data in response to execution of the recording instruction process. Subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, is sent to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit in the output order. Performing a subsequent data transmission process for transmitting.

  A program according to an aspect of the present invention is an image recorded on an operation unit that receives a user operation, a communication unit that communicates with an image recording apparatus, or N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. It can be executed by a computer including a storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order is determined. The program includes a generation instruction process for transmitting a generation instruction for generating the N image data to the image recording apparatus to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, and the N images generated by the image recording apparatus. Among the data, the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 is received from the image recording apparatus through the communication unit and stored in the storage unit. In response to receiving a storage process and a completion notification indicating that the N pieces of image data have been generated from the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted through the communication unit. The computer is caused to execute subsequent data transmission processing for transmitting to the image recording apparatus in the output order.

  A program according to another embodiment of the present invention is an image recorded on any of an operation unit that receives a user operation, a communication unit that communicates with an image recording apparatus, and N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets. It can be executed by a computer having a storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating the above is determined. In response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for designating N pieces of image data, the program transmits the preceding image data including at least the image data with the first output order through the communication unit. In response to the operation unit receiving a user operation for inputting a preceding data transmission process to be transmitted to the image recording apparatus and a recording process to be executed by the image recording apparatus, the image indicated by each image data is A recording instruction process for transmitting a recording instruction to be recorded on a sheet according to an execution condition to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit, and the above-described N of the image data in response to the execution of the recording instruction process. Subsequent image data, which is the image data after the output order from the preceding image data, is transmitted to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit in the output order. A subsequent data transmission processing to be executed by the computer that.

  According to the present invention, the preceding data including the image data used for the recording process of the first page is stored in the first storage unit in advance, and the succeeding data after the preceding data is acquired from the information processing apparatus. It is possible to suppress a decrease in the perceived throughput when executing the recording process for the page.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a recording system 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of the multifunction machine 10, and FIG. 2B shows a block diagram of the information processing apparatus 50. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the image recording process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a flowchart of the preceding data acquisition process according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the preceding data acquisition process according to the modification. FIG. 5 is a display example of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a copy instruction screen and (B) shows a confirmation window. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of image recording processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a display example of the display unit 53, where (A) shows a print data selection screen and (B) shows a print setting screen.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording system 100 in the present embodiment. A recording system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a multifunction machine 10 and an information processing apparatus 50. The multifunction device 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via the communication network 102. A specific example of the communication network 102 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the Internet, a wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or a combination thereof.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, a communication unit 25 (an example of a first communication unit), and a CPU 31. (An example of a first control unit), a storage unit 32 (an example of a first storage unit), and a communication bus 33 are mainly provided. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other via a communication bus 33. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of an image recording apparatus.

[Printer 11 and Scanner 12]
The printer unit 11 executes print processing for recording an image indicated by image data on a sheet. The recording method of the printer unit 11 is not particularly limited. For example, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be employed. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The scanner unit 12 includes a reading unit that reads a document and an ADF (abbreviation of Auto Document Feeder) that sequentially supplies a plurality of documents to the reading unit one by one. The multi-function device 10 may further have a FAX function for transmitting / receiving FAX, a copying function for reading an image recorded on a sheet and recording it on another sheet.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. Although the specific configuration of the display unit 23 is not particularly limited, for example, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be employed.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 includes, for example, a push button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pushed push button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24, for example. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

[Communication unit 25]
The communication unit 25 is an interface for communicating with an external device through the communication network 102. That is, the multifunction machine 10 outputs various data or various information to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25, and receives various data or various information from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25. Although the specific communication procedure of the communication part 25 is not specifically limited, For example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) is employable.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 executes each process according to various programs (details will be described later) stored in the storage unit 32 based on the operation signal output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from the external device through the communication unit 25. To do.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 stores an OS (abbreviation for operating system) 34 and a control program 35. The storage unit 32 has an image data storage unit 36 that can store image data. The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The control program 35 is a program for the CPU 31 to execute image recording processing. The control program 35 may be a single program or a collection of a plurality of programs. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”. The same applies to the information processing apparatus 50 described later.

  The OS 34 provides an API (abbreviation for Application Programming Interface) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction machine 10. It is a basic program. That is, the control program 35 controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program will be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”. The same applies to the information processing apparatus 50 described later.

[Information processing apparatus 50]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 50 includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a communication unit 55 (an example of a second communication unit), a CPU 61 (an example of a second control unit), and a storage unit. 62 (an example of a second storage unit) and a communication bus 63 are mainly provided. The display unit 53, the operation unit 54, the communication unit 55, the CPU 61, the storage unit 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the information processing apparatus 50 are the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the communication unit 25, and the CPU 31 included in the multifunction machine 10. Since it is common with the storage unit 32 and the communication bus 33, the description thereof will be omitted. Although the specific example of the information processing apparatus 50 is not specifically limited, For example, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer), etc. may be sufficient.

  The operation unit 54 of the information processing apparatus 50 may be a pointing device such as a mouse, for example. When the user moves the operation unit 54, the mouse pointer displayed on the display unit 53 is moved in conjunction with the operation unit 54. The operation unit 54 has a button for accepting a click operation by the user. Then, the operation unit 54 outputs position information indicating the position of the mouse pointer on the display screen when the click operation is performed. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis.

[Image recording processing]
Next, an image recording process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The image recording process according to the first embodiment is a so-called copying process in which the multifunction machine 10 executes a scan process and a print process. The scanning process is a process for causing the scanner unit 12 to generate a plurality of image data indicating images recorded on a plurality of documents. The print process is a process for causing the printer unit 11 to record an image indicated by each image data on a sheet. In the first embodiment, an example of a so-called face-up type multifunction peripheral 10 that discharges a sheet on which an image is recorded by the printer unit 11 in a state where the surface on which the image is recorded faces upward will be described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a so-called face-down type multifunction peripheral 10 that discharges a sheet in a state where an image-recorded surface faces downward.

  Hereinafter, the image recording process will be described on the assumption that 10 documents are set in the ADF. Further, it is assumed that the multifunction machine 10 performs normal order recording processing in which the document reading order by the scanner unit 12 and the image recording order (an example of the output order) by the printer unit are the same. That is, the first image data with the first output order indicates an image recorded on the first original, the Nth image data with an output order N indicates an image recorded on the Nth original, The tenth image data with the tenth output order indicates an image recorded on the tenth original. Further, the information processing apparatus 50 may recognize that the normal order recording process is executed by referring to the MIB (abbreviation of management information base) of the multifunction machine 10 or the like.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 displays a copy instruction screen on the display unit 53. FIG. 5A is an example of a copy instruction screen. The copy instruction screen shown in FIG. 5A includes a [copy] icon, a [2 in 1 copy] icon, and a [4 in 1 copy] icon. In addition, the control program 65 stands by in a state where a user operation for selecting each icon included in the copy instruction screen can be accepted through the operation unit 54.

  Next, the control program 65 transmits a copy instruction to the MFP 10 through the communication unit 55 in response to the operation unit 54 accepting a user operation to click the position of the [Copy] icon (S11). . The copy instruction is an instruction for causing the multifunction peripheral 10 to start a scan process included in the copy process.

  Next, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 executes a scan process (S13 to S19) in response to receiving a copy instruction from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S12). First, the control program 35 initializes variables N and M (N = 1, M = 0) (S13). Then, the control program 35 causes the scanner unit 12 to read the Nth document supported by the ADF (S14). In step S <b> 14, the scanner unit 12 generates Nth image data indicating an image recorded on the Nth document. The process of step S14 that is repeatedly executed is an example of a generation process.

  Next, the control program 35 executes a preceding data acquisition process (S15). The preceding data acquisition process is a process for storing the preceding image data of the plurality of image data generated by the scanning process in the image data storage unit 36 of the storage unit 32. Details of the preceding data acquisition process according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the control program 35 stores the Nth image data in the image data storage unit 36 in response to the presence of a free area in the image data storage unit 36 for storing the Nth image data (S41: Yes) (S42). ). Further, the control program 35 increments the preceding data information M by 1 (S43). On the other hand, the control program 35 obtains the preceding data without executing the processes of steps S42 and S43 in response to the fact that there is no empty area for storing the Nth image data in the image data storage unit 36 (S41: No). The process ends.

  Of the plurality of image data generated by the scanner unit 12, the image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 is referred to as “preceding image data”. That is, the preceding image data includes at least first image data. On the other hand, image data that is not stored in the image data storage unit 36 among the plurality of image data generated by the scanner unit 12 is referred to as “subsequent image data”. The preceding data information M is information indicating the number of image data stored in the image data storage unit 36. In other words, the preceding data information M is information indicating the number of preceding image data.

  The image data storage unit 36 can store a part of a plurality of image data generated by the scanning process. Further, the first image data generated from the original read on the first sheet is stored in the image data storage unit 36. On the other hand, the image data storage unit 36 does not store all of the plurality of image data generated by the scanning process. The number of image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 may be set regardless of the physical memory size of the storage unit 32. Hereinafter, the following processing will be described on the assumption that the image data storage unit 36 can store only one piece of image data.

  If the image data storage unit 36 can store one piece of image data as described above, the preceding data acquisition process may be changed as follows. For example, instead of step S41, the control program 35 may execute the processes of steps S42 and S43 in response to the fact that one image data is not stored in the image data storage unit 36. On the other hand, the control program 35 may end the preceding data acquisition process without executing the processes of steps S42 and S43 according to the fact that one piece of image data is stored in the image data storage unit 36.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the control program 35 transmits the Nth image data and the preceding data information M to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S16). The process of step S16 that is repeatedly executed is an example of a transmission process. Next, the control program 35 increments the value of N by 1 (S18) according to the fact that the document before reading is supported by the ADF (S17: No), and repeats the processing of steps S14 to S17. Run. Whether or not the document before reading is supported by the ADF is detected by the control program 35 based on, for example, a signal output from a sensor included in the ADF.

  Note that the reading of the document by the scanner unit 12 (S14) and the transmission of the Nth image data through the communication unit 15 (S16) are not necessarily executed alternately. For example, when the communication environment of the communication network 102 is poor, reading of the (N + 1) th document may be started before the transmission of the Nth image data is completed.

  Next, the control program 35 transmits document reading completion information to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 in response to the completion of reading of all the documents supported by the ADF (S17: Yes) (S19). . The document reading completion information is information for causing the information processing apparatus 50 to recognize that the scanning process included in the copying process by the multifunction machine 10 has been completed. Then, the control program 35 waits for execution of subsequent processing until a recording instruction is received from the information processing device 50 through the communication unit 25 (S20: No). The recording instruction is acquired after the preceding data acquisition process (S15) and after all the originals have been read.

  On the other hand, the control program 65 of the information processing device 50 receives the Nth image data and the preceding data information M in response to receiving the Nth image data and the preceding data information M from the multifunction device 10 through the communication unit 55 (S16). The image data is stored in the image data storage unit 66 (S21). Specifically, the control program 65 adds the Nth image data to the empty area of the image data storage unit 66, and overwrites the previously stored preceding data information (M-1) with the newly acquired preceding data information M. To do. Note that the image data storage unit 66 can store more image data than the number of image data that the scanner unit 12 can continuously generate (in other words, the maximum number of documents that can be set in the ADF). .

  Then, the control program 65 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S16 and S21 until the last image data is acquired (in other words, until the document reading completion information is received) (S22: No). The processes of steps S16 and S21 that are repeatedly executed are an example of a storage process. Next, the control program 65 pops up a confirmation window on the display unit 53 in response to receiving the document reading completion information from the MFP 10 through the communication unit 55 (S19 → S22: Yes), and the user corresponding to the confirmation window It waits in a state where the operation can be accepted through the operation unit 54 (S23).

  FIG. 5B is an example of a confirmation window. The confirmation window shown in FIG. 5B includes a message “Do you want to continue the copy process?”, A [Start] icon, and a [Cancel] icon. The control program 65 transmits a recording instruction to the multi-function device 10 through the communication unit 55 in response to the operation unit 54 accepting a user operation to click the position of the [Start] icon (S23: Yes) (S24). ). On the other hand, when the position of the [Cancel] icon is clicked, the image recording process shown in FIG. 3 ends. The recording instruction is an instruction for causing the multifunction peripheral 10 to start a printing process included in the copying process. The process of step S24 is an example of a recording instruction process.

  Through the above processing, the first image data is stored in the image data storage unit 36 of the multifunction machine 10. The image data storage unit 66 of the information processing apparatus 50 stores the first image data to the tenth image data. Further, the preceding data information M stored in the image data storage unit 66 is 1. That is, the first image data is the preceding image data, and the second image data to the tenth image data are the subsequent image data.

  Next, the control program 65 transmits the subsequent image data stored in the image data storage unit 66 to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S25 to S27). Specifically, the control program 65 transmits the (M + 1) -th (M + 1) -th image data in the output order to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 (S25). Then, the control program 65 increments the value of M by 1 (S27) in response to the fact that untransmitted subsequent image data is stored in the image data storage unit 66 (S26: No), step S25, The process of S26 is executed again. The process of steps S25 to S27 that is repeatedly executed is an example of a subsequent data transmission process. That is, the subsequent data transmission process is executed after the recording instruction process.

  In steps S25 to S27 that are repeatedly executed, the control program 65 transmits subsequent image data in the order of output. That is, in step S25, the control program 65 transmits the second image data, the third image data,. However, the multifunction machine 10 may not be able to receive subsequent image data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 50. Therefore, the control program 65 repeatedly transmits the same subsequent image data at a predetermined interval until the multifunction device 10 receives the same. Then, the control program 65 transmits the subsequent image data in the next output order in response to the reception of the transmitted subsequent image data by the multifunction device 10 (for example, the communication unit 55 receives Ack described later).

  Next, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 performs a recording process on the image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 in response to receiving a recording instruction from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S20: Yes). (S29) and a process of receiving subsequent image data from the information processing apparatus 50 (S30) are executed (S28 to S31). In the image recording process according to the first embodiment, steps S29 and S30 are executed in parallel. For example, step S30 is started in response to a part of the image indicated by the first image data being recorded on the paper.

  First, in response to receiving a recording instruction from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S20: Yes), the control program 35 initializes N (N = 1) (S28). Next, the control program 35 causes the printer unit 11 to execute a recording process for the Nth image data (S29). Then, the control program 35 increments the value of N by 1 (S32) in response to the fact that the recording process for all the image data has not been completed yet (S31: No), and executes the process of step S29 again. To do.

  In the first step S29, a recording process for the first image data that is the preceding image data is executed. The recording process for the preceding image data is an example of a first recording process. Further, in the second to tenth steps S29, the recording processes for the second image data to the tenth image data, which are subsequent image data, are executed in the output order. The recording process for subsequent data is an example of a second recording process. That is, the control program 35 executes recording processing for a plurality of image data in the output order in step S29 that is repeatedly executed. However, if the acquisition of the (N + 1) th image data is not yet completed at the time when the recording process for the Nth image data is completed, the control program 35 performs the next recording until the acquisition of the (N + 1) th image data is completed. Wait for processing to execute.

  Further, the control program 35 receives the (M + 1) th image data as subsequent data from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S25), and stores the (M + 1) th image data in the image data storage unit 36. Store (S30). Since only one piece of image data can be stored in the image data storage unit 36, the control program 35 obtains the (M + 1) th newly acquired image from the Mth image data stored in the image data storage unit 36. Overwrite with data.

  Steps S25 and S30 are repeatedly executed until the tenth image data in the last output order is stored in the image data storage unit 36. That is, the control program 35 acquires the tenth image data in the output order from the second image data that is the subsequent image data in step S30 that is repeatedly executed. The processes of steps S25 and S30 that are repeatedly executed are an example of the subsequent data acquisition process.

  Further, the control program 35 receives the received (M + 1) th image data in response to the communication unit 25 receiving the (M + 1) th image data before the recording process for the Mth image data is completed. Discard without storing in 36. Further, the control program 35 transmits the reception disable information (for example, NAck) to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25. In other words, the control program 35 transmits the reception disable information in response to the fact that there is no empty area in the image data storage unit 36 for storing the received (M + 1) th image data. As a result, the (M + 1) th image data is transmitted again from the information processing apparatus 50 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  Then, the control program 35 receives the (M + 1) th image data after the recording process for the Mth image data is completed, and the received (M + 1) th image data is received by the image data storage unit 36. Remember me. Further, the control program 35 transmits reception permission information (for example, Ack) to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25. In other words, the control program 35 transmits the reception permission information in response to the fact that the image data storage unit 36 has a free area in which the received (M + 1) th image data is stored. Accordingly, the (M + 2) th image data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 50 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  The overwriting of data in the image data storage unit 36 is not limited to being executed in units of image data, and may be executed for each part of the image data. For example, in the case of an inkjet system that records an image for each of a plurality of partial areas (so-called passes) set on a sheet, recording is performed in the first partial area in response to the completion of the recording process of the first partial area. A part of the Mth image data indicating the image may be overwritten with a corresponding part of the (M + 1) th image data.

  Then, the control program 35 ends the image recording process in response to executing the recording process for all the image data (S31: Yes). On the other hand, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 ends the image recording process in response to the completion of transmission of all subsequent image data (S26: Yes).

[Effects of Embodiment 1]
The multi-function device 10 according to the first embodiment stores the preceding image data including the first image data among the plurality of image data generated by the scanner unit 12 in the image data storage unit 36, and the subsequent image data as the information processing device 50. Get from. That is, since the multifunction machine 10 does not need to acquire the first image data from the information processing apparatus 50, in response to receiving the recording instruction (in other words, in response to the user clicking the [Start] icon). The recording process can be started immediately. As a result, since the time until the first page is output from the printer unit 11 is shortened, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the perceived throughput of the image recording process.

  However, the processing of steps S20, S23, and S24 in FIG. 3 can be omitted. In this case, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 may start the processes after step S28 in response to the completion of reading all the originals. As described above, the control program 35 detects that all the originals have been read based on a signal output from a sensor included in the ADF. Also in this case, since the time from when the last document supported by the ADF is supplied to the reading unit to when the first page is output from the printer unit 11 is shortened, a reduction in the perceived throughput of image recording processing is suppressed. can do.

  Also, according to the first embodiment, the first recording process and the subsequent data acquisition process are executed in parallel, so that the actual throughput of the image recording process can be improved. However, the subsequent data acquisition process may be started after the first recording process (that is, the recording process for the preceding image data) is completed. In this case, a waiting time is generated between the first recording process and the second recording process, but at least a decrease in sensory throughput can be suppressed by reducing the time until the first page is output. it can.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the preceding image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 is limited to one, so that the memory size for storing the image data in the multi-function device 10 can be minimized. However, the number of preceding image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 is not limited to 1 and may be plural.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 50 according to the first embodiment can recognize the boundary between the preceding image data and the succeeding image data based on the preceding data information. As a result, it is possible to prevent the multi-function peripheral 10 from repeatedly executing recording processing for one image data. However, the method for preventing duplication of the recording process is not limited to the above example, and for example, the following method may be used.

  As an example, the control program 35 may transmit only the subsequent image data to the information processing apparatus 50 in step S16 that is repeatedly executed, and may not transmit the preceding image data. The control program 35 in this case is as follows. The preceding data information M need not be transmitted. Thereby, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 may transmit all the subsequent image data stored in the image data storage unit 66 to the multi-function device 10 in the output order in step S25 that is repeatedly executed. According to this method, the amount of data transmitted and received in step S16 can be reduced.

  As another example, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 may transmit request information to the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25. The request information is information for requesting transmission of subsequent image data. The request information includes identification information for identifying image data to be transmitted (that is, subsequent image data). The process of transmitting request information is an example of a subsequent data request process. Then, the control program 65 of the information processing device 50 transmits the subsequent image data identified by the identification information to the multifunction device 10 through the communication unit 55 in response to receiving the request information from the multifunction device 10 through the communication unit 55. That's fine.

  The request information is transmitted, for example, in response to the fact that a free area capable of storing new image data can be secured in the image data storage unit 36 in the process of repeatedly executed steps S29 to S32. Further, the identification information according to the output order is included in the request information repeatedly transmitted. As a result, the subsequent image data is transmitted and received at a timing at which the multifunction machine 10 can receive the subsequent image data, so that the traffic of the communication network 102 is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, an example of the normal order recording process has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a reverse order recording process in which the document reading order by the scanner unit 12 and the image recording order by the printer unit are reversed. Can do. By this reverse order recording process, the stacking order of the sheets discharged and stacked by the face-up method matches the reading order of the originals. In this case, the first image data with the first output order indicates the image recorded on the tenth original, and the Nth image data with the Nth output order is recorded on the (11-N) th original. The tenth image data with the tenth output order indicates the image recorded on the first document.

  In this case, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 generates image data in the order of the tenth image data, the ninth image data,... Next, in step S15, the control program 35 executes a preceding data acquisition process shown in FIG. That is, the control program 35 responds that there is no empty area for storing the Nth image data in the image data storage unit 36 (S41: No), and the (N + M) th already stored in the image data storage unit 36. The image data is overwritten with the Nth image data (S44). Other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, the control program 35 can execute a so-called layout recording process in which one image data including an image recorded on L (L is an integer of 2 or more) documents read by the scanner unit 12 is recorded on a sheet. It may be. The layout recording process is executed, for example, when the operation unit 54 receives a user operation to click the [2 in 1 copy] icon (L = 2) or the [4 in 1 copy] icon (L = 4) on the copy instruction screen. Is done.

  In this case, the control program 35 stores the image data generated by the scanner unit 12 in the image data storage unit 36 as it is in step S15, transmits the image data as it is to the information processing device 50 in step S16, and the information processing device in step S25. 50 may be received as it is. Then, in step S29, the control program 35 may combine the L image data into one and then record it on the sheet. In this case, it is necessary to allocate a memory size capable of storing at least L pieces of image data to the image data storage unit 36.

  Further, the control program 35 stores the combined image data obtained by combining the L pieces of image data generated by the scanner unit 12 into one in the image data storage unit 36 in step S15, and in the information processing apparatus 50 in step S16. You may transmit and receive from the information processing apparatus 50 in step S25. Accordingly, it is sufficient to allocate a memory size capable of storing one piece of image data to the image data storage unit 36.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, the image recording process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure and process which are common in Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted and it demonstrates centering on difference. The image recording process according to the second embodiment is different from the image recording process according to the first embodiment in that the multifunction peripheral 10 acquires the preceding image data from the information processing apparatus 50. That is, the image recording process according to the second embodiment is a so-called PC print in which the multifunction machine 10 executes a recording process for image data specified by the information processing apparatus 50.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 causes the display unit 53 to display a print data selection screen. FIG. 7A is an example of a print data selection screen. The print data selection screen shown in FIG. 7A includes a file (that is, data) to be subjected to image recording processing, and a [print] menu displayed by selecting the file. Then, the control program 65 stands by in a state where a user operation for selecting the [Print] menu can be accepted through the operation unit 54.

  Next, the control program 65 displays the print setting screen on the display unit 53 (S52) in response to the operation unit 54 accepting a user operation to click the position of the [Print] menu (S51). FIG. 7B is an example of a print setting screen. The print setting screen shown in FIG. 7B is a screen for accepting input of execution conditions for the recording process (S29). For example, the control program 65 can accept inputs such as the range of pages to be recorded, the number of paper sheets on which each page is recorded, and a printing method such as poster printing and layout printing through the print setting screen. Further, the control program 65 may further accept input such as the size of the paper used for the recording process or the resolution of the recording process. Then, the control program 65 stands by in a state where a user operation for selecting the [OK] icon on the print setting screen can be accepted through the operation unit 54 (S53).

  The user operation for clicking the [Print] menu is an example of a user operation for specifying a file corresponding to the [Print] menu. The file format of the file corresponding to the [Print] menu is not limited to the image format, and may be a PDF format, a text format, a document format, or the like. Then, the control program 65 may convert each page of the selected file into one piece of image data. That is, the user operation for specifying a file composed of N pages is an example of a user operation for specifying N pieces of image data. Further, the location of the designated file is not limited to the storage unit 62 of the information processing apparatus 50. For example, a file stored in a portable recording medium that can be attached to and detached from the information processing apparatus 50 may be specified, or a file stored in a server apparatus that can communicate through the communication network 102 may be specified.

  Further, the control program 65 transmits the preceding image data to the multifunction machine 10 through the communication unit 55 in response to the operation unit 54 accepting a user operation to click the position of the [Print] menu (S51). . That is, in step S54, the control program 65 transmits image data corresponding to the first M pages of the N pages constituting the designated file to the multi function device 10 through the communication unit 55.

  The control program 65 can recognize the number of preceding image data that can be stored in the multifunction device 10 by referring to, for example, the MIB of the multifunction device 10. Note that the control program 65 does not necessarily need to transmit the preceding image data in the output order as long as the multifunction machine 10 can recognize the output order of the preceding image data. Further, the image data transmitted in step S54 is not limited to the JPEG format, the BMP format, or the like, and includes so-called print data used for recording processing in the multifunction machine 10. The same applies to the image data transmitted in step S25 of FIG. The process of step S51 is an example of a preceding data transmission process.

  The execution condition reception through the print setting screen and the preceding data transmission process are executed in parallel. In other words, the control program 65 transmits the preceding image data to the multi-function device 10 through the communication unit 55 while receiving execution condition input from the user through the display unit 53 and the operation unit 54. Then, the control program 65 receives the user operation to click the position of the [OK] icon included in the print setting screen, and the communication unit 55 receives the operation unit 54 and completes the transmission of the preceding image data (S53). The recording instruction is transmitted to the multifunction machine 10 through (S24). Since the subsequent processing of the information processing apparatus 50 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  On the other hand, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 stores the preceding image data in the image data storage unit 36 in response to receiving the preceding image data from the information processing device 50 through the communication unit 25 (S54). . The process of step S56 is another example of the preceding data acquisition process. Then, the control program 35 waits for execution of subsequent processing until a recording instruction is received from the information processing apparatus 50 through the communication unit 25 (S20). Since the subsequent processing of the multifunction machine 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
According to the image recording process of the second embodiment, the preceding image data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 50 to the multifunction device 10 while the execution condition is input from the user through the print setting screen. As a result, since the time from when the user selects the [OK] icon on the print setting screen to when the first page is output is shortened, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the perceived throughput of the image recording process.

  The present invention is particularly effective when the communication network 102 that connects the multifunction peripheral 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 is a wireless means such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth. This is because, compared with a wired LAN or the like, the wireless means tends to make the communication status between the multifunction device 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 unstable. Therefore, in the present invention, the control program 35 of the multifunction device 10 executes a recording process for the preceding image data stored in the image data storage unit 36 of the multifunction device 10. As a result, the time until the first page is output from the printer unit 11 is less affected by the communication status of the wireless means, and the reduction in throughput experienced by the user can be suppressed.

  In the MFP 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 according to each embodiment, the control programs 35 and 65 stored in the storage units 32 and 62 are executed by the CPUs 31 and 61, whereby each control unit executed by the control unit of the present invention is executed. An example in which processing is realized has been described. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention may be realized not only as the multifunction machine 10 or the information processing apparatus 50 but also as a program that causes the multifunction machine 10 or the information processing apparatus 50 to execute processing. Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium may include a storage unit mounted on a server device that can be connected to the MFP 10 or the information processing device 50 via the communication network 102 in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or the like. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server apparatus may be delivered via the communication networks 102, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction machine 11 ... Printer part 12 ... Scanner part 25, 55 ... Communication part 31, 61 ... CPU
32, 62 ... storage units 35, 65 ... control program 54 ... operation unit

Claims (16)

A recording system comprising an image recording device and an information processing device,
The image recording apparatus is
A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet;
A first communication unit communicating with the information processing apparatus;
A first storage unit capable of storing a part of N pieces of image data in which an output order indicating which of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets is an image to be recorded;
A first control unit,
The first controller is
A preceding data acquisition process of acquiring preceding image data including at least the image data of which the output order is No. 1 among the N image data and storing the preceding image data in the first storage unit;
In response to acquiring a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet after the preceding data acquisition process, the image indicated by the preceding image data stored in the first storage unit is output to the sheet in the output order. A first recording process for recording in the recording unit;
In response to the acquisition of the recording instruction, the subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, of the N pieces of the image data is transferred to the information processing through the first communication unit. Subsequent data acquisition processing acquired from the device in the output order and stored in the first storage unit,
Executing a second recording process for causing the recording unit to record the image indicated by the subsequent image data stored in the first storage unit with respect to the sheet in the output order;
The information processing apparatus
A second communication unit that communicates with the image recording device;
A second storage unit capable of storing the subsequent image data;
And a second control unit that performs subsequent data transmission processing for transmitting the subsequent image data stored in the second storage unit to the image recording apparatus in the output order through the second communication unit. The image recording apparatus further includes a reading unit that reads an image recorded on a document and generates image data,
The first controller is
Generation processing for causing the reading unit to read a plurality of originals and generating N pieces of the image data;
The preceding data acquisition process of storing the preceding image data of the N pieces of image data generated in the generation process in the first storage unit;
A transmission process for transmitting the subsequent image data of the N pieces of image data generated in the generation process to the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit;
In response to obtaining the recording instruction after all the originals have been read, the first recording process is executed.
The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the second control unit further executes a storage process of storing the subsequent image data received from the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit in the second storage unit. In the transmission process, the first control unit receives the preceding data information indicating the number M of the image data included in the preceding image data and the N pieces of image data generated in the generating process. Transmitted to the information processing apparatus through the communication unit,
The second controller is
In the storage process, the N pieces of the image data and the preceding data information received from the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit are stored in the second storage unit,
The recording system according to claim 2, wherein, in the subsequent data transmission process, the image data whose output order is (M + 1) th or later is transmitted to the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit in the output order. The first controller is
In the transmission process, the N pieces of image data generated in the generation process are transmitted to the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit,
Further executing subsequent data request processing for transmitting the request information for requesting transmission of the subsequent image data to the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit in the output order;
In the subsequent data transmission process executed in response to receiving the request information from the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit, the second control unit converts the subsequent image data indicated by the request information The recording system according to claim 2, wherein the recording system transmits the image to the image recording apparatus through a second communication unit. In the generation process, the first control unit
Causing the reading unit to read the first original to generate the first image data;
The recording system according to claim 2, wherein the Nth document is generated by causing the reading unit to read the Nth document. In the generation process, the first control unit
The first original is read by the reading unit to generate the Nth image data,
The recording system according to claim 2, wherein the first image data is generated by causing the reading unit to read the Nth original.   The first control unit generates one piece of the image data including an image recorded on L (L is an integer of 2 or more) originals read by the reading unit in the generation process. 5. The recording system according to any one of 4. The information processing apparatus further includes an operation unit that receives a user operation,
The second controller is
A preceding data transmission process for transmitting the preceding image data to the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit in response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for designating N pieces of the image data;
The recording instruction for recording the image indicated by each image data on the sheet according to the execution condition in response to the operation unit receiving a user operation for inputting the execution condition of the first recording process and the second recording process. Recording instruction processing for transmitting to the image recording apparatus through the second communication unit;
In response to the execution of the recording instruction process, the subsequent data transmission process is executed,
The first controller is
In the preceding data acquisition process, the preceding image data received from the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit is stored in the first storage unit,
The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the first recording process is executed in response to obtaining the recording instruction from the information processing apparatus through the first communication unit.   The recording system according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit performs the first recording process and the subsequent data acquisition process in parallel.   The first control unit starts the subsequent data acquisition process in response to recording a part of an image indicated by the image data having the first output order in the first recording process on a sheet. Recording system described in. The preceding image data includes only the image data whose output order is No. 1 among the N pieces of image data,
The first controller is
In response to recording on the sheet a part of the image indicated by the image data whose output order is No. 1 in the first recording process, the subsequent data acquisition process is started,
The recording system according to claim 1, wherein, in the subsequent data acquisition process, the image data stored in the first storage unit is overwritten with the image data newly received from the information processing apparatus. . A recording unit for recording an image on a sheet;
A communication unit that communicates with the information processing apparatus;
A storage unit capable of storing a part of N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating which of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets is an image to be recorded;
A control unit, and
The control unit
A preceding data acquisition process of acquiring preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 among the N image data and storing the preceding image data in the storage unit;
In response to the acquisition of a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet after the preceding data acquisition process, the recording unit displays the image indicated by the preceding image data stored in the storage unit with respect to the sheet in the output order. A first recording process to be recorded on
In response to the acquisition of the recording instruction, subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, of the N pieces of image data is transmitted from the information processing apparatus through the communication unit. Subsequent data acquisition processing acquired in the output order and stored in the storage unit,
An image recording apparatus that executes a second recording process in which an image indicated by the subsequent image data stored in the storage unit is recorded on the recording unit on the sheet in the output order. An operation unit for accepting user operations;
A communication unit that communicates with the image recording device;
A storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating which of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets is an image to be recorded;
A control unit,
The control unit
A generation instruction process for transmitting a generation instruction to cause the image recording apparatus to generate N pieces of the image data to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit;
Among the N pieces of image data generated by the image recording apparatus, the image data whose output order is after the preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 is transmitted through the communication unit. Storage processing received from the recording device and stored in the storage unit;
In response to receiving a completion notification indicating that the N pieces of image data have been generated from the image recording device through the communication unit, the image recording device stores the image data stored in the storage unit through the communication unit. And a subsequent data transmission process for transmitting the data in the output order. An operation unit for accepting user operations;
A communication unit that communicates with the image recording device;
A storage unit capable of storing N pieces of image data in which the output order indicating which of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets is an image to be recorded;
A control unit,
The control unit
In response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for designating N pieces of image data, the preceding image data including at least the first image data in the output order is sent to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit. A preceding data transmission process to be transmitted;
In response to the operation unit receiving a user operation for inputting an execution condition of a recording process to be executed by the image recording apparatus, a recording instruction for recording an image indicated by each image data on a sheet according to the execution condition A recording instruction process to be transmitted to the image recording apparatus through a communication unit;
In response to the execution of the recording instruction process, subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, of the N pieces of image data, is recorded through the communication unit. And a subsequent data transmission process for transmitting the data to the apparatus in the output order. The output order indicating the image to be recorded on any of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets, an operation unit that accepts user operations, a communication unit that communicates with the image recording apparatus, and the output order is determined. A program that can be executed by a computer comprising a storage unit capable of storing individual image data,
A generation instruction process for transmitting a generation instruction to cause the image recording apparatus to generate N pieces of the image data to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit;
Among the N pieces of image data generated by the image recording apparatus, the image data whose output order is after the preceding image data including at least the image data whose output order is No. 1 is transmitted through the communication unit. Storage processing received from the recording device and stored in the storage unit;
In response to receiving a completion notification indicating that the N pieces of image data have been generated from the image recording device through the communication unit, the image recording device stores the image data stored in the storage unit through the communication unit. A program for causing the computer to execute a subsequent data transmission process for transmitting data in the output order. The output order indicating the image to be recorded on any of N (N is an integer of 2 or more) sheets, an operation unit that accepts user operations, a communication unit that communicates with the image recording apparatus, and the output order is determined. A program that can be executed by a computer comprising a storage unit capable of storing individual image data,
In response to the operation unit accepting a user operation for designating N pieces of image data, the preceding image data including at least the first image data in the output order is sent to the image recording apparatus through the communication unit. A preceding data transmission process to be transmitted;
In response to the operation unit receiving a user operation for inputting an execution condition of a recording process to be executed by the image recording apparatus, a recording instruction for recording an image indicated by each image data on a sheet according to the execution condition A recording instruction process to be transmitted to the image recording apparatus through a communication unit;
In response to the execution of the recording instruction process, subsequent image data, which is the image data whose output order is later than the preceding image data, of the N pieces of image data, is recorded through the communication unit. A program for causing the computer to execute subsequent data transmission processing for transmitting to the apparatus in the output order.

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