JP3221211B2 - Queue management device and method for electronic printing system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to queue management when a plurality of queues for managing jobs are provided in an electronic printing system having both a copier function and a printer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional electronic printing system according to the present invention, for example, the following one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-314060 [Method of Processing Object Failure of Printing System] is given. be able to. [1] It has a copier function. That is, image data read from an appropriate input unit such as a scanner can be output to a printer as a corresponding output unit. The image data read here can be stored in a predetermined queue, and an image based on the image data can be edited. [2] Has a printer function. That is, data transmitted via a network attached to the electronic printing system can be developed into a corresponding image and output to a printer. The data received here can also be stored in a queue and an image based on the data can be edited.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-314060 exemplified here.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication [Method of Processing Object Failure in Printing System], the handling of a job to be printed when the job becomes unprintable is described. In this method, at this time, a process for exchanging a job in a print disabled state among a plurality of jobs is performed, but this process itself is not directly related to the present invention.

Another conventional electronic printing system according to the present invention is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-75153 [Multi-reception print control method]. In this other conventional electronic printing system, a plurality of queues are provided similarly to the conventional electronic printing system, but a queue is not provided for each line.

Since there is no document that accurately describes the conventional queue management, the conventional queue management will be described here. The electronic printing system here is provided with a plurality of queues, and includes a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. ing. As a setting on the system side, it is possible to specify in which queue the sent job is to be put. For example, when a queue for performing the function of immediately printing is designated, the sent job is put into the corresponding queue and the required print processing is immediately performed.

On the other hand, a job sending side (a client (not shown) attached to a related network, which will be described later) can also specify which queue to put a job into. This approach is described, for example, in Interpress Elec
It is executed based on a method such as a print command described in the Tronic Printing Standard.

In a conventional system of this type, when a queue is specified on the system side,
Even when there is a specification in the queue of the sending side, the specification of the sending side is ignored. For this reason, even if an attempt is made to specify a queue to be temporarily stored in order to make some changes on the system, such a measure should be taken if a queue for immediate printing is specified on the system side. It was impossible to do.

[0008] This type of electronic printing system is often installed in a location (for example, a separate room) remote from a person who sends a job (for example, a user or operator on the client side) due to its specifications. Prior to sending the electronic printing system, it is necessary for the user or operator to go to the installation location of the electronic printing system and perform pre-processing such as changing the setting to a desired one, which lacks convenience in work. I was

[0009]

As described above, the conventional electronic printing system includes: [1] When a queue is specified on the system side,
Even when there is a specification in the sending queue, the system will make some changes on the system (data related to the target job) temporarily because the specification of the sending side will be ignored. Even if an attempt is made to specify a queue to be temporarily stored, it is impossible for the system side to take such a measure when a queue to be printed immediately is specified; Before sending a desired job, the user goes to the installation location of the electronic printing system and performs preprocessing such as changing the setting to a desired one before sending a desired job. And there was a lack of convenience in work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve some of the problems in the conventional system as described above and to provide a more convenient queue management apparatus and method for an electronic printing system.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a queue management for an electronic printing system having a plurality of queues for managing jobs according to the present invention. The device is a queue management device for a printing system having a queue for managing jobs and a queue for performing a function of printing immediately and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. Analysis processing means for performing analysis processing of a job transmitted via a related network, and extracting specification information of a queue specified by the transmission side for the job; and analysis processing means set in the printing system. The queue specified by the queue specification information has priority over the queue specified by the queue specification information extracted by the analysis processing means. And characterized by being provided with a management means for distributing the transmission job Te.

[0012] Further, a queue management device according to the present invention includes:
As a queue for managing jobs, a queue management device for a printing system including a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing, Analysis processing means for performing analysis processing of a job transmitted via a related network and extracting specification information of a queue specified by the transmission side for the job; and specification of a queue set in the printing system Management means for distributing the transmitted job to both the queue designated by the information and the queue designated by the designation information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means. .

According to the queue management method for an electronic printing system having a plurality of queues for managing jobs according to the present invention, the queue for managing jobs includes a queue for performing a function of immediately printing, A queue management method for a printing system having a queue for performing a function of storing and printing the job, and performs a process of analyzing a job transmitted via an associated network, and Extracting the designation information of the queue specified by the transmission side by using the designation information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means with respect to the queue specified by the designation information of the queue set in the printing system. And distributing the transmitted job in preference to a queue based on information.

Further, the queue management method according to the present invention comprises:
As a queue for managing jobs, a queue management method for a printing system including a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing, Performing a process of analyzing the job transmitted via the relevant network, extracting the queue designation information specified by the transmission side for the job, and using the queue designation information set in the printing system. Allocating the transmitted job to both a designated queue and a queue designated by the designation information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means.

[0015]

According to the present invention, a job transmitted through a related network is analyzed in order to know a job transmitted through a related network and a queue corresponding to the job and to distribute the job to the queue. Is performed, the specification information of the queue specified on the transmission side for the job is taken out, and for the queue specified by the specification information of the queue set in the printing system,
The transmitted job is sorted prior to the queue based on the queue designation information extracted by the analysis processing means. Alternatively, a job transmitted through a related network is analyzed, and the specified information of the queue specified by the transmission side for the job is extracted, and the specified information of the queue set in the printing system is used. The transmitted job is distributed to both the designated queue and the queue designated by the designation information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means. As a result, for example, the print job is sorted into a queue for printing immediately (print queue) or a queue temporarily held and waiting for printing (job queue). Further, the priority of the process regarding the transmitted job and the priority of the process set by the electronic printing system are compared and determined and selected.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration example of an electronic printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image input unit 1 is image information input means such as a scanner device. The image information input from the image input unit 1 is subjected to required processing in a CPU 2 and then output as a corresponding hard copy. It is output from the unit 3 or temporarily stored in the memory unit 7 in the system. The CPU 2 manages the overall operation of the system with the support of the user interface 4,
As described above, the heart of the system is configured to perform required arithmetic processing on image information input from the image input unit 1 (or from a client (not shown) of the network 6 via the network input unit 5). Things.

The analysis processing unit 2A is a functional unit of the CPU 2, and for example, attribute information of a job transmitted from a client (not shown) attached to the network 6 (this attribute information will be described later). And performs a required analysis process. The comparison unit 2B is also a functional unit of the CPU 2, and compares, for example, a job queue set by the system itself with a job queue requested by a client attached to the network. Based on this, it is decided which setting or request is given priority. The management unit 2C is also a functional unit of the CPU 2, and manages the overall function of the CPU 2 with the support of the user interface 4 and designates a queue based on the priority set as described above. , A required sorting operation is performed.

The image output unit 3 performs, for example, the corresponding hardware-based image information after the CPU 2 performs required processing on image information input from the network 6 via the image input unit 1 and the network input unit 6. And a normal printer device can be installed.

The user interface 4 is a kind of software function unit, and a user (operator) of the system can use the CPU 2 to input image information and the like.
The function of performing a desired process is achieved by the cooperative operation with.

The network input unit 5 is an information input unit connecting the system including the CPU 2 and the network 6. For example, the network input unit 5 receives information from a client (not shown) provided on the network 6 and transmits the information to the electronic device including the CPU 2. This is to be passed to the printing system.

The network 6 is a functional unit for setting a work environment suitable for a client provided therein, and for example, a network such as Ethernet can be considered. The memory unit 7 is, for example, a large-capacity memory unit such as a hard disk device, and is processed by initial image information input via the image input unit 1 or the network input unit 5 or a required function unit of the CPU 2. This is for temporarily storing image information as an intermediate result or a final result.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a job in the above embodiment. The queues provided in the electronic printing system here include a queue for immediate printing (print queue) and a queue for temporarily storing until an operator gives an appropriate instruction (job queue). ). In the case where there are two types of jobs, a method of superposing (distributing) both of them will be described.

In FIG. 2, [1] a job is described in a language called a page description language. The job is routed via the existing network 6 such as the Ethernet described above to the corresponding electronic printing system according to the existing protocol such as the print protocol. That is, after the corresponding electronic printing system is activated (S201), a job from a client (not shown) attached to a predetermined network 6 is received (S202). [2] The job received by the system is passed to the analysis processing unit 2A in the CPU 2 to perform required analysis (S203). In the analysis processing unit 2A, a predetermined analysis process is performed on the target job, and when the job corresponds to the printing, the number of copies required and the desired paper size, Attribute information of the job to be executed It should be noted that the attribute information here indicates which queue (print processing is performed immediately,
Alternatively, whether to temporarily hold and wait for a print processing instruction) is specified. The job at this point includes the above-described two parts, the [attribute information] and the [actual content (that is, the content to be printed)]. [3] Which queue is designated in the system is obtained from the related information in the memory unit 7 via the management unit 2C in the CPU 2 (S204). The designation of the queue here is performed in a known manner by an operator (of the system) through the user interface 4 of the system, for example, by updating the contents of a predetermined table in the memory unit 7. . [4] Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the system setting is [print queue] (S205). [5] If the result of this determination is No, then it is determined whether or not the job setting is [print queue] (S206). Also, if the result of the determination in step S205 is Yes, then it is determined whether the job setting is [print queue] (S207).

Thereafter, steps S205, S206
The following four types of operations are performed including the result of the determination in step S207. [A] When both steps S205 and S207 are Yes: Put the job in the print queue (S2
10) After printing out the job (S211), the operation is terminated (S212). [B] Step S205 is Yes and step S2
When 07 is No: After copying the relevant job, the same job is put in both the job queue (S208) and the print queue (S210). For the former, the operation is terminated after waiting for the operation of the operator (S209) (S212). In the latter case, the job is printed out (S211) and then the operation is ended (S211).
212). [C] No in step S205 and step S20
When 6 is Yes: copy the relevant job, and then put the same job in both the job queue (S208) and the print queue (S210). Here, as for the former, the operation is terminated after waiting for the operation of the operator (S209) (S212). Then, for the latter, the job is printed out (S211) and then the operation is terminated (S212). [D] When both Step S205 and Step S206 are No: Put the job in the job queue (S20
8) After waiting for the operation of the operator (S209), the operation is terminated (S212).

[5] At step S210, the job sent to the print queue is immediately printed. Referring to step S208, the job sent to the job queue is not changed until there is any instruction (for example, an instruction to edit the job / change the attribute / execute the print process) (that is, the job is sent to the job queue). It will be stored in the queue (until the operation is received).

FIG. 3 is a first table showing the result of combining the designation of queues in the above embodiment. In FIG. 3, the first table 30 has three columns. That is, a system setting column 31, a job designation column 32, and a result column 33 are provided. In the first table 30, for example, looking at the first line, [system setting column 31: print queue], [job specification column 32: print queue], [result column 33:
Print queue]. Considering the contents of the first line, [A] step S2 in FIG.
When both the steps 05 and S207 are Yes: put the job in the print queue (S210), print out the job (S211), and end the work (S210).
212): It is understood that this is the case. Other second
It is understood that the rows from the fourth row to the fourth row correspond to the operations [B] to [D] in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a job in the case of "use as it is" in the application example according to the present invention. That is, for the combination of the queue setting in the system and the job queue designation, the job queue designation is used as it is. For example, when a job is designated as a print queue, it is sent to the print queue, and When a job queue is specified, it is sent to the job queue.

In FIG. 4, [1] a job is described in a language called a page description language. The job is routed via an existing network 6 such as Ethernet to an appropriate electronic printing system by an existing protocol such as a print protocol. That is, after the relevant electronic printing system is activated (S401), a job from a client (not shown) attached to a certain network 6 is received (S402). [2] The job received by the system is passed to the analysis processing unit 2A in the CPU 2 to perform required analysis (S403). In the analysis processing unit 2A, a predetermined analysis process is performed on the target job, and when the job is compatible with printing, the number of copies required for printing and the desired paper size, such as the number of copies, are determined. Attribute information of the job to be executed It should be noted that the attribute information here indicates which queue (print processing is performed immediately,
Alternatively, whether to temporarily hold and wait for a print processing instruction) is specified. The job at this point includes the above-described two parts, the [attribute information] and the [actual content (that is, the content to be printed)]. [3] Which queue is specified in the system is obtained from the related information in the memory unit 7 via the management unit 2C in the CPU 2 (S404). The designation of the queue here is performed in a known manner by an operator (of the system) through the user interface 4 of the system, for example, by updating the contents of a predetermined table in the memory unit 7. . [4] Subsequently, it is determined whether the system setting is job-prioritized (S405). [5] If the result of this determination is No, the process moves to the next step S406 [corresponding to step S206 in the flowchart of FIG.
After performing the necessary work after step S206 in, the work as a whole ends (S412). [6] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S405 is Yes, then it is determined whether the job setting is [print queue] (S407). [7] If the result of this determination is No, the job is put into the job queue (S408), the operation is waited for by the operator (S409), and the operation is terminated (S41).
2). [8] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S407 is Yes, then the job is placed in a print queue (S410), the job is printed out (S411), and the operation is terminated. (S
412).

FIG. 5 is a second table showing the result of combining the designation of queues in the application example. In FIG. 5, the second table 50 has three columns. That is, a system setting column 51, a job designation column 52, and a result column 53 are provided. In the second table 50, for example, looking at the first line, [system setting column 51: print queue], [job specification column 52: print queue], [result column 33:
Print queue]. Considering the contents of the first column, when the determination in step S405 in FIG. 4 is No: the system setting is set to the print queue (that is, the determination in step S206 in FIG. 2 is Yes), Job is placed in the print queue. For the other second to fourth rows,
It is understood that the work corresponding to each is performed.

[0030]

As described above in detail, according to the queue management apparatus and method for an electronic printing system having a plurality of queues for managing jobs according to the present invention, the queue is transmitted from the client side. The priority of the processing related to the job and the priority of the processing set in the electronic printing system are compared and determined and selected, and the effect is that the job is appropriately distributed to a plurality of queues. Can be played.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration example of an electronic printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a job flow in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a first table showing a result obtained by combining queue designations in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a job in the case of “use as it is” in an application example according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a second table showing a result obtained by combining queue designations in the application example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image input unit; 2 CPU; 2A analysis processing unit; 2B
... Comparison section; 2C management section; 3 image output section; 4 user interface; 5 net input section; 6 network;

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A queue for an electronic printing system having a queue for managing jobs and a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. An analysis processing means for performing analysis processing of a job transmitted via a related network, and extracting designation information of a queue designated on a transmission side for the job; and Management means for distributing the transmitted job in preference to the queue specified by the queue specification information extracted by the analysis processing means with respect to the queue specified by the specified queue specification information. The queue management device described above. 2. A queue for an electronic printing system including a queue for managing jobs and a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. An analysis processing means for performing analysis processing of a job transmitted via a related network, and extracting designation information of a queue designated on a transmission side for the job; and Management means for distributing the transmitted job to both the queue designated by the designated queue designation information and the queue designated by the queue designation information retrieved by the analysis processing means. The queue management device described above. 3. A queue for an electronic printing system having a queue for managing jobs and a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. Performing a process of analyzing a job transmitted via a related network, and retrieving designation information of a queue designated by the transmission side for the job; Allocating the transmitted job to the queue specified by the specified information of the queue in preference to the queue specified by the specified information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means. Queue management method. 4. A queue for an electronic printing system having a queue for managing jobs and a queue for performing a function of immediately printing and a queue for performing a function of temporarily storing and then printing. Performing a process of analyzing a job transmitted via a related network, and retrieving designation information of a queue designated by the transmission side for the job; Allocating the transmitted job to both the queue specified by the specification information of the queue being specified and the queue specified by the specification information of the queue extracted by the analysis processing means. Queue management method.