JP2017177722A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device, in which another printing job from a user who inputs an instruction for canceling a print job can be registered again in a memorizing portion according to the order of printing jobs for which cancelling instructions are inputted so that the user who inputs the instruction for cancelling the print job and the other users are fairly treated.SOLUTION: When an instruction for cancelling execution of a print job registered in a job queue 231 is inputted by a user, an execution quantity by printing of the print job for which the instruction for cancelling is inputted is determined. With respect to a print job following the print job to be cancelled in the order of execution, time required in printing, the number of print sheets, and usage amounts of toner are determined. Another print job from the user who inputs the instruction for canceling the print job to be cancelled, which is below the print job to be cancelled in at least one of the time required in printing, the number of print sheets, and the usage amounts of toner, is determined. The determined print job is registered again in the job queue 231 in the order of execution of print jobs to be cancelled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing apparatuses that register print jobs input from the outside in a job queue and execute the print jobs registered in the job queue in the registration order are known.

  There is also known a printing apparatus that receives a cancel instruction for a print job registered in the job queue and cancels the print job that has received the cancel instruction.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 proposes a technique for registering a new print job in a job queue as an alternative to a print job that has received a cancel instruction. Specifically, in the technique according to this proposal, when a print job that has received a cancel instruction is deleted from the job queue, the registration position in the job queue of the print job to be deleted is stored. In addition, the user name and file name of the print job to be deleted from the job queue are stored. When a new print job is input after accepting the cancel instruction, if the user name and file name of the print job having received the cancel instruction in which the input new print job is stored are the same, a new print job is entered. The print job is moved up to the registration position of the deleted print job and registered in the job queue.

JP 2014-104636 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, when a new print job is input after acceptance of the cancel instruction, the user name and file name of the new print job and the user name of the print job that has received the stored cancel instruction In addition, since it is determined whether or not the file names are the same, the print job that has already been registered before the cancel instruction is accepted is not determined. Therefore, even if the user name and file name of the print job that has been registered before the cancellation instruction is received match the user name and file name of the print job that has received the cancellation instruction, The registration position of the print job registered before reception is not advanced.

  Further, if the user name and file name of the newly input print job are the same as the user name and file name of the print job that has received the stored cancel instruction, the print job registration position is incremented uniformly. Is done. Therefore, execution time of printing job, usage amount of paper, usage amount of toner / ink, etc. for print job that received cancel instruction, printing duration, paper usage amount, toner / ink usage amount, etc. of new input print job If the amount is larger, the waiting time for other users increases, the risk of running out of paper and toner / ink runs out, and there is a risk of giving unfairness to other users.

  An object of the present invention is to store another print job of a user who has input a cancel instruction in the order of print jobs to be cancelled so as to be fair to the user who has input the cancel instruction of the print job and other users. It is to provide a printing apparatus that can be re-registered with the printer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reception unit that receives a print job, a printing unit, an input unit, a storage unit, and a control unit, and the control unit includes the reception unit. A job registration process for registering print jobs received in the storage unit in the order received, and a print job for executing the print jobs registered in the storage unit in the order of the print jobs using the print unit Execution processing, job cancel processing for canceling a print job to be canceled when the cancel instruction for canceling execution of the print job registered in the storage unit is input to the input unit, and execution of the print job to be canceled Cancel job execution amount determination processing for determining the execution amount by the cancel target print job, and the cancel instruction target print job A print job execution amount determination process for determining an execution amount by execution of a print job registered in a later order from the print job, and a print registered in an order later than the print job to be canceled Among the jobs, the execution amount having the same identification information as the print job to be canceled is determined, and the execution amount determined in the print job execution amount determination process is equal to or less than the execution amount determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process The print job determination process for determining one print job that matches the condition that the print job is satisfied, and the print job determined in the print job determination process are re-registered in the storage unit in the order of the print jobs to be canceled Job re-registration processing to be executed.

  According to this configuration, when a print job is received by the reception unit, the print job is registered in the storage unit in the order in which the print job is received. The print jobs registered in the storage unit are executed in their own order. When a cancel instruction for canceling execution of a print job registered in the storage unit is input, an execution amount for printing a print job that is a target of the cancel instruction is determined. In addition, the execution amount of the print job is determined for the print job in the order after the print job to be canceled. Then, a print job having the same identification information as the cancel instruction target print job and having an execution amount equal to or less than the execution amount of the cancel instruction target print job is determined. Then, the determined print job is re-registered in the storage unit in the order of print jobs to be canceled. Therefore, another print job of the user who has input the cancel instruction is re-registered in the storage unit in the order of the print job that is the target of the cancel instruction so as to be fair to the user who has input the cancel instruction of the print job and other users. be able to.

  According to the present invention, another print job of a user who has input a cancel instruction is stored in the order of the print jobs to be cancelled so as to be fair to the user who has input the cancel instruction of the print job and other users. Can re-register.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a main flowchart for execution of a job. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job cancellation process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 1st order change job determination process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job registration state in a job queue. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an ongoing job cancel process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 2nd order change job determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a job registration process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a 3rd order change job determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the 1st order change job determination process which concerns on a modification. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a job registration state in a job queue.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Electric configuration of MFP>
An MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 1 which is an example of a printing apparatus is a multifunction machine having a printer function and a scanner function. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes an image forming unit 11 (an example of a printing unit), an image reading unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a communication unit 15, and a control unit 16.

  The image forming unit 11 forms an image (color image or monochrome image) related to the image data on a sheet. The image forming method may be an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. In the following, the case where the image forming unit 11 adopts an electrophotographic method is taken as an example.

  The image reading unit 12 includes an image sensor, an AFE (Analog Front End), and the like. In the image reading unit 12, an image of a document is read by the image sensor, an analog image signal is output from the image sensor, and the analog image signal is converted into digital image data by AFE.

  The operation unit 13 includes operation buttons (for example, a start key, a numeric keypad, and a cursor key). Various instructions can be input to the operation unit 13 by operating the operation buttons.

  The display part 14 consists of a liquid crystal display, for example. Various information is displayed on the display unit 14.

  The communication unit 15 includes a circuit for network communication via the LAN 2 and the like. The LAN 2 may be configured by a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or may be configured by both a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. An external device such as a PC (Personal Computer) 3 is connected to the LAN 2. Two-way communication via the LAN 2 is possible between the MFP 1 and the PC 3. The communication unit 15 may include a modem with a built-in NCU (Network Control Unit) for facsimile communication via a telephone line network.

  The control unit 16 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23 (an example of a storage unit), and the like.

  The ASIC 21 includes a CPU 24 (an example of a control unit). The ASIC 21 receives image data acquired by the image reading unit 12, an operation signal indicating the operation content of the operation unit 13, and the like. The CPU 24 controls the image forming unit 11, the image reading unit 12, and the display unit 14 by executing a program stored in the ROM 22 based on a signal input to the ASIC 21 and the like, and communicates the communication unit 15 with the communication unit 15. To control for. When the control (program) is executed by the CPU 24, the RAM 23 is used as a work area. The RAM 23 may include a nonvolatile memory such as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM).

<Main flowchart>
In the MFP 1, the main flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is executed by the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21.

  By executing the main flowchart, the CPU 24 determines whether or not a print job (hereinafter simply referred to as “job”) is registered in the job queue 231 (see FIG. 1) provided in the RAM 23, in other words, in the job queue 231. The presence or absence of a registered job is confirmed (S1).

  The job is received by the communication unit 15 (an example of a reception unit) from the external device via the LAN 2. In addition to image data, the job includes job information such as the name of the user who sent the job, the size of the job (data amount), the size of the sheet (paper) used for executing the job, and the number of pages. In the following description, a user name is used as an example of identification information. However, instead of the user name, for example, a user ID assigned to the user who uses the MFP 1 may be used, or the IP address of the external device Such identification information may be used. The job accepted by the communication unit 15 is input from the communication unit 15 to the CPU 24 and registered in the job queue 231.

  At the time of registration, a job ID for identifying each job is assigned to the job. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the job ID is a serial number (001, 002,...) That is different for each job, and is normally assigned in ascending order in the order received by the communication unit 15. Thereby, the job ID represents the order of jobs. By registering the job in the job queue 231, the job queue 231 stores the job reception date and time, job information, and job image data in association with the job ID assigned to the job. A file name is attached to the image data.

  Note that job registration processing executed when a job is registered in the job queue 231 will be described later.

  When no job is registered in the job queue 231 (S1: NO), the CPU 24 cannot proceed with the process thereafter.

  When the job is registered in the job queue 231 (S1: YES), the CPU 24 executes the job having the smallest order among the jobs registered (stored) in the job queue 231 (S2). As the job is executed, the CPU 24 instructs the image forming unit 11 to form an image of the image data of the job, and starts printing (image formation) by the image forming unit 11.

  Thereafter, when the job is completed, that is, when the image formation by the execution of the job is completed (S3: YES), the CPU 24 deletes the completed job from the job queue 231 (S4), and the processing shown in FIG. Exit.

  If a cancel instruction for the job being executed is input between the execution and the end of the job (S5: YES), the CPU 24 executes the job cancellation process being executed (S6), and thereafter FIG. The process shown in FIG. The cancel instruction may be input from the operation unit 13 to the CPU 24 by the operation of the operation unit 13, or may be received from the external device by the communication unit 15 and input from the communication unit 15 to the CPU 24. When the cancel instruction is input from the operation unit 13 to the CPU 24, the operation unit 13 is an example of an input unit. When the cancel instruction is input from the communication unit 15 to the CPU 24, the communication unit 15 is an example of an input unit. The ongoing job cancel process will be described later.

<Job cancellation process>
The MFP 1 can cancel a job registered in the job queue 231 by a cancel instruction in addition to the job being executed.

  When a cancel instruction for a job other than the job being executed among jobs registered in the job queue 231 is input, the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 executes the job cancel process shown in FIG.

  In the job cancel process, the CPU 24 first moves (stores) job information of a job to be canceled (hereinafter referred to as “cancellation job”) from the job queue 231 to an area other than the job queue 231 in the RAM 23 ( S31).

  Further, the CPU 24 stores the job ID of the cancel target job in the RAM 23 in association with the job information of the cancel target job (hereinafter referred to as “cancel job information”) (S32).

  Next, the CPU 24 deletes the cancel target job from the job queue 231 (S33).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 executes a first order change job determination process (S34). In the first order change job determination process, when a job satisfying a predetermined condition is registered in the job queue 231, the job is determined as the order change job. On the other hand, when a job satisfying the predetermined condition is not registered in the job queue 231, none of the jobs registered in the job queue 231 is determined as an order change job, and there is no order change job. Details of the first order change job determination process will be described later.

  After completion of the first order change job determination process, the CPU 24 checks whether or not there is an order change job (S35).

  If there is no order change job (S35: NO), the CPU 24 ends the job cancel process.

  When there is an order change job (S35: YES), the CPU 24 assigns the job ID of the cancel target job stored in the RAM 23 to the order change job, associates it with the job ID, and changes the order change job (job information). Etc.) is re-registered in the job queue 231 (S36).

  After re-registering the order change job, the CPU 24 deletes the cancel job information that is no longer necessary from the RAM 23 (S37), and ends the job cancel process.

<First order change job determination process>
The flow of the first order change job determination process executed in step S34 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG.

  In the first order change job determination process, the CPU 24 obtains the user name, job size, and number of pages from the cancel job information, and requires printing required when the cancel target job is executed from the job size, number of pages, and the like. The time (first), the number of printed sheets (first), and the toner usage (first) are determined (S3401).

  Next, the CPU 24 adds 1 to the job ID (number indicating the order) of the job to be canceled, and sets the added value as a reference number M (S3402). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the job with the job ID “003” is a job to be canceled, an addition value “004” obtained by adding 1 to the job ID “003” is set as the reference number M.

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S3403).

  If the reference number M exceeds the maximum value (S3403: YES), the CPU 24 does not execute the subsequent processing and ends the first order change job processing.

  When the reference number M is equal to or less than the maximum value (S3403: NO), the CPU 24 determines whether or not a job having a job ID of the reference number M (hereinafter referred to as “reference job”) is registered in the job queue 231. Confirmation is made (S3404).

  When the reference job is not registered in the job queue 231 (S3404: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and sets the added value “M + 1” as a new reference number M (S3405).

  Then, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S3403). If the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value (S3403: NO), it is checked whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404).

  When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404: YES), the CPU 24 acquires the user name from the job information of the reference job (S3406).

  Next, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the reference job (S3407).

  When the user name of the job to be canceled and the user name of the reference job do not match (S3407: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M and sets the added value “M + 1” as the new reference number M. (S3405).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S3403), and if the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S3403: NO), it is confirmed again whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404). If the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404: YES), the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the cancel target job matches the user name of the reference job (S3407).

  In this way, among jobs registered in the job queue 231, a job with a job ID greater than the job ID of the job to be canceled includes a reference job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled. No is confirmed in ascending order of job ID.

  If the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the reference job (S3407: YES), the CPU 24 determines the time required for printing (second), the number of printed sheets (second), and the toner from the job information of the reference job. The usage amount (second) is determined (S3408).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 compares the time required for printing the cancel target job (first) and the time required for printing the reference job (second) (S3409). Further, the number of prints of the cancel target job (first) and the number of prints of the reference job (second) are compared (S3409). Further, the amount of toner used for the cancel target job (first) is compared with the amount of toner used for the reference job (second) (S3409).

  From the comparison results of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, the CPU 24 determines that at least one of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job is equal to or less than the value corresponding to the cancel target job. It is determined whether or not (S3410).

  If the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job are larger than the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job (S3410: NO), the CPU 24 refers to the file name of the cancel target job. It is determined whether the file name of the job matches (S3411).

  In step S3410, it may be determined whether or not at least one of the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the toner usage of the reference job is smaller than the corresponding value of the cancel target job. Then, when the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job are equal to or greater than the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job, the file name of the cancel target job, the file name of the reference job, It may be determined whether or not.

  If the file name of the job to be canceled does not match the file name of the reference job (S3411: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and adds the added value “M + 1” to the new reference number. It is set as M (S3412).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S3403), and if the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S3403: NO), it is confirmed whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404). When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S3404: YES), the CPU 24 among the jobs registered in the job queue 231 has a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled. Whether or not a job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled is included is checked in ascending order of job ID.

  Then, the CPU 24 matches the user name of the job to be canceled among jobs having a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled (S3407: YES), and the required printing time, number of prints, and toner. When a reference job is found in which at least one value of the usage is less than or equal to the corresponding value of the job to be canceled (S3410: YES), the reference job is determined as the order change job (S3413), and the first order The change job determination process ends.

  Further, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the file name of the job to be canceled matches the file name of the reference job. If they match (S3411: YES), the time required for printing the reference job, printing Even if the number of sheets and the amount of toner used are larger than the required printing time, the number of sheets printed, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job, the reference job is determined to be the order change job (S3413), and the first order change job determination process is performed. finish.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a job registration state in the job queue 231. In the first order change job determination process, when the job with the job ID “003” is the job to be canceled, the reference jobs with the job ID “004” or higher are assigned with the job ID “003” in ascending order of the job ID. A reference job having the same user name “user C” as the job to be canceled is searched. As a result of this search, in the example shown in FIG. 5, a reference job with the job ID “005” is found. Then, the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job are compared with the time required for printing the reference job with the job ID “005”, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, respectively. As a result of this comparison, since the number of prints “10” of the reference job with the job ID “005” is equal to or less than the number of prints “60” of the job to be canceled, the reference job with the job ID “005” is determined as the order change job. The

  When the reference job with the job ID “005” is determined to be the order change job, it is determined that there is an order change job in the job cancel process shown in FIG. 3 (step S35: YES), and the job ID “005” is referred to. The job is re-registered in the job queue 231 as a job with the job ID “003”.

<In-execution job cancellation process>
If a cancel instruction for the job being executed is input during the execution of the job, the job cancel process being executed is executed in step S6 of FIG. The flow of the ongoing job cancel process is shown in FIG.

  In the ongoing job cancel process, the CPU 24 moves (stores) the cancel job information of the cancel target job (job being executed) from the job queue 231 to an area other than the job queue 231 in the RAM 23 (S61).

  Further, the CPU 24 stores the job ID of the cancel target job in the RAM 23 in association with the cancel job information (S62).

  Next, the CPU 24 deletes the cancel target job from the job queue 231 (S63).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 executes a second order change job determination process (S64). In the second order change job determination process, when a job satisfying a predetermined condition is registered in the job queue 231, the job is determined as the order change job. On the other hand, when a job satisfying the predetermined condition is not registered in the job queue 231, none of the jobs registered in the job queue 231 is determined as an order change job, and there is no order change job. The predetermined condition may be the same as or different from the “predetermined condition” in the first order change job determination process. Details of the second order change job determination process will be described later.

  After completion of the second order change job determination process, the CPU 24 checks whether or not there is an order change job (S65).

  When there is no order change job (S65: NO), the CPU 24 ends the executing job cancel process.

  When there is an order change job (S65: YES), the CPU 24 assigns the job ID of the cancel target job stored in the RAM 23 to the order change job, associates it with the job ID, and changes the order change job (job information). Etc.) is re-registered in the job queue 231 (S66).

  After re-registration of the order change job, the CPU 24 deletes the cancel job information that is no longer necessary from the RAM 23 (S67), and ends the ongoing job cancel process.

<Second order change job determination process>
The flow of the second order change job determination process executed in step S64 of FIG. 6 is shown in FIG.

  In the second order change job determination process, the CPU 24 determines the time required for printing (third) and the number of printed sheets (first) when executing an unexecuted portion of the job from the cancel job information and the progress status of the cancel target job. 3) and a toner usage amount (third) are determined (S6401).

  Next, the CPU 24 adds 1 to the job ID of the cancel target job, and sets the added value as a reference number M (S6402).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S6403).

  If the reference number M exceeds the maximum value (S6403: YES), the CPU 24 does not execute the subsequent processing and ends the first order change job processing.

  When the reference number M is equal to or less than the maximum value (S6403: NO), the CPU 24 checks whether or not a reference job (job whose job ID is the reference number M) is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404).

  When the reference job is not registered in the job queue 231 (S6404: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and sets the added value “M + 1” as a new reference number M (S6405).

  Then, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S6403). If the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value (S6403: NO), it is confirmed whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404).

  When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404: YES), the CPU 24 acquires the user name from the job information of the reference job (S6406).

  Next, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the cancel target job matches the user name of the reference job (S6407).

  When the user name of the job to be canceled and the user name of the reference job do not match (S6407: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and the added value “M + 1” becomes a new reference number M. (S6405).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S6403). If the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S6403: NO), it is confirmed again whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404). If the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404: YES), the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the reference job (S6407).

  In this way, among jobs registered in the job queue 231, a job with a job ID greater than the job ID of the job to be canceled includes a reference job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled. No is confirmed in ascending order of job ID.

  If the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the reference job (S6407: YES), the CPU 24 determines the required printing time (second), the number of printed sheets (second), and the toner from the job information of the reference job. The usage amount (second) is determined (S6408).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 compares the time required for printing the cancel target job (third) with the time required for printing the reference job (second) (S6409). Further, the number of prints of the cancel target job (third) and the number of prints of the reference job (second) are compared (S6409). Further, the toner use amount (third) of the job to be canceled is compared with the toner use amount (second) of the reference job (S6409).

  From the comparison results of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, the CPU 24 determines whether all the values of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job are equal to or less than the corresponding values of the job to be canceled It is determined whether or not (S6410).

  When at least one of the required print time, number of printed sheets, and toner usage of the reference job is larger than the corresponding value of the cancel target job (S6410: NO), the CPU 24 determines the file name of the cancel target job and the reference job. It is determined whether or not the file name matches (S6411).

  Note that in step S6410, it may be determined whether all the values of the time required for printing the reference job, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used are smaller than the corresponding values of the job to be canceled. If at least one of the required print time, number of printed sheets, and toner usage of the reference job is equal to or greater than the corresponding value of the cancel target job, the file name of the cancel target job and the file name of the reference job are It may be determined whether or not they match.

  When the file name of the job to be canceled and the file name of the reference job do not match (S6411: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and adds the added value “M + 1” to the new reference number. It is set as M (S6412).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S6403). If the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S6403: NO), it is confirmed whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404). When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S6404: YES), the CPU 24 among the jobs registered in the job queue 231 has a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled. Whether or not a job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled is included is checked in ascending order of job ID.

  Then, the CPU 24 matches the user name of the job to be canceled among the jobs having a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled (S6407: YES), and the required print time, number of prints, and toner. If a reference job is found in which all values of the usage amount are equal to or less than the required printing time, number of printed sheets, and toner usage amount of the cancellation target job (S6410: YES), the reference job is determined as a reordering job (S6413). Then, the second order change job determination process is terminated.

  Further, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the file name of the job to be canceled matches the file name of the reference job. If they match (S6411: YES), the time required for printing the reference job, printing Even if at least one of the number of sheets and the amount of toner used is larger than the corresponding value of the job to be canceled, the reference job is determined as the order change job (S6413), and the second order change job determination process is terminated. To do.

<Job registration process>
In the MFP 1, when a new job is received from the external device via the LAN 2 to the communication unit 15, a job registration process is executed by the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21. The flow of job registration processing is shown in FIG.

  In the job registration process, the CPU 24 determines whether a new job is input from the communication unit 15 (S81).

  The CPU 24 does not execute the subsequent processing until a new job is input from the communication unit 15.

  When a new job is input from the communication unit 15 to the CPU 24 (S81: YES), the CPU 24 determines whether or not cancel job information is stored in the RAM 23 (S82). As described above, the cancel job information is stored in the RAM 23 in step S11 of the job cancel process shown in FIG. 3 or step S61 of the job cancel process in progress shown in FIG.

  If the cancel job information is not stored in the RAM 23 (S82: NO), the CPU 24 registers a new job in the last job ID of the job queue 231 (S83), and ends the job registration process. That is, if no cancel instruction is input for any of the jobs registered in the job queue 231, the CPU 24 sets a value obtained by adding 1 to the maximum value of the used job ID, and the job ID An ID is assigned to a new job, and the reception date and time of the new job, job information, and job image data are registered in the job queue 231 in association with the job ID.

  On the other hand, when the cancel job information is stored in the RAM 23 (S82: YES), the CPU 24 executes a third order change job determination process (S84). In the third order change job determination process, when a job satisfying a predetermined condition is registered in the job queue 231, the job is determined as the order change job. On the other hand, when a job satisfying the predetermined condition is not registered in the job queue 231, none of the jobs registered in the job queue 231 is determined as an order change job, and there is no order change job. The predetermined condition may be the same as or different from the “predetermined condition” in the first order change job determination process or the second order change job determination process. Details of the third order change job determination process will be described later.

  After completion of the third order change job determination process, the CPU 24 checks whether or not there is an order change job (S85).

  When there is no order change job (S85: NO), the CPU 24 registers a new job in the last job ID of the job queue 231 (S83), and ends the job registration process.

  If there is an order change job (S85: YES), the CPU 24 assigns the job ID of the cancel target job stored in the RAM 23 to the order change job, associates the job ID with the job ID, and assigns the order change job to the job queue. It registers in H.231 (S86).

  After registering the order change job, the CPU 24 deletes the cancel job information that is no longer necessary from the RAM 23 (S87), and ends the job registration process.

<Third order change job determination process>
The flow of the third order change job determination process executed in step S84 of FIG. 8 is shown in FIG.

  In the third order change job determination process, the CPU 24 obtains the user name, job size, and number of pages from the cancel job information, and requires printing required when the cancel target job is executed from the job size, number of pages, and the like. The time (first), the number of printed sheets (first), and the toner usage (first) are determined (S841).

  Next, the CPU 24 acquires the user name from the job information of the new job (S842).

  Then, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the new job (S843).

  If the user name of the cancel target job does not match the user name of the new job (S843: NO), the CPU 24 ends the third order change job determination process.

  If the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the new job (S843: YES), the CPU 24 determines the time required for printing (second), the number of printed sheets (second) and the job information of the new job. The toner usage amount (second) is determined (S844).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 compares the time required for printing the cancel target job (first) with the time required for printing the new job (second) (S845). Further, the number of prints of the cancel target job (first) and the number of prints of the new job (second) are compared (S845). Further, the toner usage amount (first) of the job to be canceled is compared with the toner usage amount (second) of the new job (S845).

  From the comparison results of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, the CPU 24 determines that at least one of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the new job corresponds to the job to be canceled. It is determined whether or not the following is true (S846).

  When the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the new job are larger than the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job (S846: NO), the CPU 24 determines the file name of the cancel target job. It is determined whether the file name of the new job matches (S847).

  Note that in step S846, it may be determined whether at least one of the time required for printing a new job, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used is smaller than the corresponding value of the job to be canceled. When the time required for printing a new job, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used are equal to or greater than the time required for printing a canceled job, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, respectively, It may be determined whether or not is consistent.

  When the file name of the job to be canceled does not match the file name of the new job (S847: NO), the CPU 24 ends the third order change job determination process.

  On the other hand, if the file name of the job to be canceled matches the file name of the new job (S847: YES), the time required for printing the new job, the number of prints, and the amount of toner used are required for printing the job to be canceled. Even if the time, the number of printed sheets, and the toner usage amount are exceeded, the reference job is determined as the order change job (S848), and the third order change job determination process is ended.

  Further, the CPU 24 has a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled among jobs having a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled (S843: YES), and the required print time, number of prints, and toner. When a new job is found in which at least one value of the usage is less than or equal to the corresponding value of the job to be canceled (S846: YES), the new job is determined as a reordering job (S848), and the third The order change job determination process is terminated.

<Another example of first order change job determination processing>
In step S1 of FIG. 3, the first order change job determination process shown in FIG. 10 may be executed instead of the first order change job determination process shown in FIG.

  In the first order change job determination process shown in FIG. 10, the CPU 24 acquires the user name, job size, and page number from the cancel job information, and executes the cancel target job from the job size, page number, and the like. The time required for printing (first), the number of printed sheets (first), and the amount of toner used (first) are determined (S101).

  Next, the CPU 24 adds 1 to the job ID (number indicating the order) of the job to be canceled, and sets the added value as a reference number M (S102). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, when the job with the job ID “003” is the job to be canceled, an addition value “004” obtained by adding 1 to the job ID “003” is set as the reference number M.

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S103).

  When the reference number M is equal to or less than the maximum value (S103: NO), the CPU 24 checks whether or not a reference job (job whose job ID is the reference number M) is registered in the job queue 231 (S104).

  When the reference job is not registered in the job queue 231 (S104: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and sets the added value “M + 1” as a new reference number M (S105).

  Then, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the new reference number M has exceeded the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S103). If the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value (S103: NO), it is confirmed whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S104).

  When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S104: YES), the CPU 24 acquires the user name from the job information of the reference job (S106).

  Next, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the cancel target job matches the user name of the reference job (S107).

  When the user name of the job to be canceled and the user name of the reference job do not match (S107: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and the added value “M + 1” becomes a new reference number M. (S105).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S103), and if the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S103: NO), it is confirmed again whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S104). If the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S104: YES), the CPU 24 determines whether or not the user name of the cancel target job matches the user name of the reference job (S107).

  In this way, among jobs registered in the job queue 231, a job with a job ID greater than the job ID of the job to be canceled includes a reference job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled. No is confirmed in ascending order of job ID.

  When the user name of the job to be canceled matches the user name of the reference job (S107: YES), the CPU 24 determines the time required for printing (second), the number of printed sheets (second), and the toner from the job information of the reference job. The usage amount (second) is determined (S108).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 compares the time required for printing the cancel target job (first) and the time required for printing the reference job (second) (S108). Further, the number of prints of the cancel target job (first) and the number of prints of the reference job (second) are compared (S108). Further, the toner usage amount (first) of the job to be canceled is compared with the toner usage amount (second) of the reference job (S109).

  From the comparison results of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, the CPU 24 determines that at least one of the required time for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job is equal to or less than the value corresponding to the cancel target job. It is determined whether or not (S110).

  When the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job are larger than the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job (S110: NO), the CPU 24 refers to the file name of the cancel target job. It is determined whether the file name of the job matches (S111).

  In step S110, it may be determined whether or not at least one of the time required for printing the reference job, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used is smaller than the corresponding value of the job to be canceled. Then, when the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job are equal to or greater than the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job, the file name of the cancel target job, the file name of the reference job, It may be determined whether or not.

  When the file name of the job to be canceled and the file name of the reference job do not match (S111: NO), the CPU 24 adds 1 to the current reference number M, and adds the added value “M + 1” to the new reference number. Let M be S (S105).

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 determines again whether or not the new reference number M exceeds the maximum value of the job ID of the job registered in the job queue 231 (S103), and if the reference number M does not exceed the maximum value. (S103: NO), it is confirmed again whether or not a reference job (a job with a new reference number M as a job ID) is registered in the job queue 231 (S104). When the reference job is registered in the job queue 231 (S104: YES), the CPU 24 includes, among the jobs registered in the job queue 231, a job having a job ID larger than the job ID of the cancel target job. Whether or not a job with a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled is included is checked in ascending order of job ID.

  Then, the CPU 24 has a user name that matches the user name of the job to be canceled among jobs having a job ID larger than the job ID of the job to be canceled (S107: YES), and the required printing time, the number of prints, and the toner. If at least one reference value of the usage amount is less than or equal to the corresponding value of the job to be canceled (S110: YES), the reference job is determined as a hold job (S112).

  In addition, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the file name of the cancel target job matches the file name of the reference job. If they match (S111: YES), the time required for printing the reference job, printing Even if the number of sheets and the amount of toner used are larger than the required printing time, the number of sheets printed, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job, the reference job is determined as a pending job (S112).

  When the reference number M exceeds the maximum value (S103: YES), the CPU 24 checks whether there is a pending job (S113).

  When there is a hold job (S113: YES), the hold job having the job information most similar to the cancel job information is determined as the order change job (S114), and the first order change job determination process is ended.

  On the other hand, when there is no pending job (S113: NO), the CPU 24 ends the first order change job without determining the order change job.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a job registration state in the job queue 231. In the first order change job determination process, when the job with the job ID “003” is the job to be canceled, the reference jobs with the job ID “004” or higher are assigned with the job ID “003” in ascending order of the job ID. A reference job having the same user name “user C” as the job to be canceled is searched. As a result of this search, in the example shown in FIG. 11, a reference job with job ID “005” and a reference job with job ID “007” are found. Then, the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the cancel target job are compared with the time required for printing the reference job with the job ID “005”, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used, respectively. Further, the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the job to be canceled are compared with the time required for printing, the number of printed sheets, and the amount of toner used for the reference job of job ID “007”, respectively. From these comparison results, the number of prints “40” of the reference job with the job ID “007” is closer to the number of prints “60” of the job to be canceled than the number of prints “10” of the reference job with the job ID “007”. The reference job with the job ID “007” is determined as the order change job.

  When the reference job with the job ID “007” is determined to be the order change job, it is determined that there is an order change job in the job cancel processing shown in FIG. 3 (step S35: YES), and the job ID “007” is referred to. The job is re-registered in the job queue 231 as a job with the job ID “003”.

<Effect>
As described above, when jobs are received by the communication unit 15, they are registered in the job queue 231 provided in the RAM 23 in the order in which the jobs are received. Jobs registered in the job queue 231 are executed in their own order. When a cancel instruction for canceling the execution of a job registered in the job queue 231 is input, the execution amount of the cancel target job that is the target of the cancel instruction is determined. In addition, for the jobs in the order after the job to be canceled, the execution amount by printing the job, that is, the required printing time, the number of printed sheets, and the toner usage amount are determined. Then, a job having the same user name as the cancel target job and having at least one of the required print time, the number of printed sheets, and the toner usage amount equal to or less than the cancel target job is determined. Then, the determined job is re-registered in the job queue 231 in the order of the cancel target job. Therefore, another job of the user who has input the cancel instruction can be re-registered in the job queue 231 in the order of the cancel target job so as to be fair to the user who has input the job cancel instruction and other users.

  In the first order change job determination process shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 10, jobs in the order of jobs to be canceled from the jobs (reference jobs) already registered in the job queue 231 when the cancel instruction is input. A job to be re-registered in the queue 231 is determined. As a result, the jobs registered in the job queue 231 before inputting the cancel instruction can be advanced in the order of the cancel target jobs.

  In the first order change job determination process shown in FIG. 4, the reference jobs registered in the job queue 231 have the same user name as that of the job to be canceled in ascending order of job ID, and the required print time, It is determined whether or not the condition that at least one of the number of printed sheets and the amount of toner used is equal to or less than the job to be canceled is satisfied. Therefore, the first order change job determination process can be terminated when a reference job corresponding to the condition is found. As a result, the time required for the first order change job determination process can be shortened.

  On the other hand, in the first order change job determination process shown in FIG. 10, all the reference jobs registered in the job queue 231 have the same user name as the job to be canceled, the required printing time, and the number of printed sheets. It is determined whether or not the condition that at least one of the toner usage amount is equal to or less than the job to be canceled is satisfied. Then, the reference job having the job information most similar to the cancel job information of the cancel target job is determined as the order change job to be advanced in the order of the cancel target job from the reference jobs corresponding to the condition. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the fairness to the user who has input the job cancel instruction and other users.

  Further, in the third order change job determination process shown in FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not to newly register the job newly accepted after the cancellation instruction is input in the job queue 231 in the order of the cancel target job. Is done. As a result, new jobs can be registered in the order of the cancel target job.

  Furthermore, for a job having the same file name as the cancel target job, the job name has the same user name as that of the cancel target job, and at least one of the required print time, the number of prints, and the toner usage is equal to or less than the cancel target job. Even if it does not correspond to the above, it is determined as an order change job to be advanced in the order of the cancel target job. Thus, when a job having the same image data as the cancel target job is received with the print settings changed, the job can be moved up to the cancel target job as an order change job.

<Modification>
As mentioned above, although several embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the CPU 24 executes each process has been described. However, the ASIC 21 may include a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may cooperate to execute each process.

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image formation part 13 Operation part 15 Communication part 16 Control part 21 ASIC
23 RAM
24 CPU
231 Job queue

Claims (8)

A reception unit for receiving print jobs;
A printing section;
An input section;
A storage unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
A job registration process for registering print jobs received by the reception unit in the storage unit in the order received;
Print job execution processing for executing print jobs registered in the storage unit in the order of the print jobs using the print unit;
When a cancel instruction for canceling execution of a print job registered in the storage unit is input to the input unit, job cancel processing for canceling a print job to be canceled,
A cancel job execution amount determination process for determining an execution amount by execution of the cancel target print job from the cancel target print job;
A print job execution amount determination process for determining, from the print job, an execution amount by execution of a print job registered in an order later than the print job to be cancelled;
Among the print jobs registered in the order after the print job targeted for the cancel instruction, the print job has the same identification information as the print job targeted for the cancel instruction, and is determined by the print job execution amount determination process. A print job determination process for determining one print job that satisfies the condition that the execution amount is equal to or less than the execution amount determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process;
A job re-registration process for re-registering the print job determined in the print job determination process in the storage unit in the order of the print job to be canceled;
Printing device to perform. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
The controller is
In the print job determination process,
Determining a print job to be re-registered in the storage unit in the order of the print job to be canceled from the print jobs already registered in the storage unit at the time when the cancel instruction is input;
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The controller is
In the print job execution amount determination process,
An execution amount by execution of a new print job received by the receiving unit after the cancel instruction is input is determined from the new print job,
Furthermore,
The new print job has the same identification information as the print job subject to the cancellation instruction, and the execution amount determined in the print job execution amount determination process is the execution amount determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process When the new job condition of the following is satisfied, the new print job is registered in the storage unit in the order of the print job to be canceled, and when the new job condition is not satisfied, the new print job is New job registration processing to be registered in the storage unit in the order of
Printing device to perform. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
In the cancel job execution amount determination process,
Determining the number of prints by execution of the print job to be canceled;
In the print job execution amount determination process,
Determining the number of printed sheets by executing a print job registered in an order later than the print job to be canceled;
In the print job determination process,
A print job having the same identification information as that of the cancel instruction target print job and having a smaller number of prints than the cancel instruction target print job is printed in the order of the cancel instruction target print jobs. Determine the print job to be re-registered in the storage unit,
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
In the print job determination process,
According to the order of the print jobs, the execution amount determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process is compared with the execution amount determined in the print job execution amount determination process. Determining the print job to be re-registered in the storage unit in the order of the print job to be canceled;
Printing device. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
In the cancel job execution amount determination process,
A plurality of execution amounts determined by execution of the print job to be canceled;
In the print job execution amount determination process,
Determining a plurality of execution amounts by executing print jobs registered in an order later than the print job to be canceled;
In the print job determination process,
For all print jobs having the same identification information as the print job to be canceled, a plurality of execution amounts determined by the print job execution amount determination process and a plurality of executions determined by the cancel job execution amount determination process The execution amount determined by the print job execution amount determination process is smaller than the execution amount determined by the cancel job execution amount determination process for at least one type, and A print job in which the plurality of execution amounts determined in the print job execution amount determination process is closest to the plurality of execution amounts determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process To determine the print job to be re-registered in the storage unit,
Printing device. It is a printing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-6,
The controller is
In the print job determination process,
A print job having the same file name as that of the cancel instruction target print job is a print job that is re-registered in the storage unit in the order of the cancel instruction target print job even if the condition does not match. decide,
Printing device. A reception unit for receiving print jobs;
A printing section;
An input section;
A storage unit;
A control unit;
With
The controller is
A job registration process for registering print jobs received by the reception unit in the storage unit in the order received;
Print job execution processing for executing print jobs registered in the storage unit in the order of the print jobs using the print unit;
When a cancel instruction for canceling execution of a print job registered in the storage unit is input to the input unit, job cancel processing for canceling a print job to be canceled,
A cancel job execution amount determination process for determining an execution amount by execution of the cancel target print job from the cancel target print job;
A print job execution amount determination process for determining, from the print job, an execution amount by execution of a print job registered in an order later than the print job to be cancelled;
Among the print jobs registered in the order after the print job targeted for the cancel instruction, the print job has the same identification information as the print job targeted for the cancel instruction, and is determined by the print job execution amount determination process. A print job determination process for determining one print job that satisfies the condition that the execution amount is equal to or less than the execution amount determined in the cancel job execution amount determination process;
Run
In the print job execution process,
Executing the print jobs determined in the print job determination process in the order of the print jobs to be canceled;
Printing device.

Images