JP3875870B2 - Printing apparatus and printing control program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus such as a scanner or a network scanner capable of printing a plurality of page data, a printing apparatus to which a sorter such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer is added, and a print control program. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a printing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile, so-called “page management” in which print data is stored in a hard disk or work memory for each page and printed based on the print data for each page is generally used. Has been done.
In a printing apparatus that performs such page management, it is assumed that a group of print units (hereinafter referred to as “jobs”) such as document data is input from, for example, a communication line. If the job contains page data that exceeds a predetermined number of manageable pages (for example, 999 pages) determined by the MPU's processing capability, etc., the job is divided into multiple jobs, and then input and sequentially processed. is doing.
Here, when the input process of a certain job B is started, even if the print process of the previous job A is still being performed, or even if the print process of the previous job A has been completed, copying, etc. In order to accept interrupt printing from a user who directly operates the printing device for the purpose, if it is a print prohibition time zone in which printing processing of a new job is prohibited, printing processing of job B is not performed immediately. It is controlled to be performed after the input processing of job B is completed (referred to as prior art P).
[0003]
Hereinafter, a copying machine will be described as an example of the printing apparatus according to the related art P. FIG. 7 is a time chart for explaining the operation when two jobs A and B are continuously input. In the figure, t11, t12,... Indicate each time point on the time axis.
First, input processing of job A is started (t11) by the central control unit (CPU) of the copying machine. This input process is continued until the input process for all the page data of job A is completed (t13). By this input processing, page data included in job A is sequentially written in a predetermined work memory area.
On the other hand, when any page data is written in a predetermined limited work memory area by the input process of job A, the printing process for job A is started (t12). This printing process is performed until all the page data of job A is completed. Then, the printing process ends (t14) with a slight delay (for example, about several seconds) from the end of the input process of job A (t13). The process in which input processing and printing processing are sequentially performed in parallel for a certain job as between t11 and t14 is hereinafter referred to as “parallel printing processing”.
[0004]
In this parallel printing process, the page data written in the work memory area by the input process is rewritten to new page data in order from the print process completed. Therefore, the capacity of the work memory area may be limited to a few pages, for example.
Further, after all the page data input processing for job A is completed (t13), the input processing for job B is subsequently started (t13). This input process is continued until input of all page data of job B is completed (t16).
On the other hand, when the printing process for job A is completed (t14), an interruption process from a user who directly operates the copying machine for the purpose of copying or the like is accepted, so that the parallel printing process is prohibited, for example, for about 30 seconds. A print prohibition time zone (t14 to t15) is provided. During this print prohibition time period, print processing for job B is not performed.
Here, during the period from the input process to the print prohibition time period (t14 to t15), the page data for job B using only the remaining area of the work memory area excluding the predetermined area released to the interrupt process. Writing continues. When this “remaining area” is used up, page data that has not been printed yet is sequentially updated to new page data. For this reason, since the page data corresponding to the first page of job B does not remain in the work memory area at the end of the print prohibition time zone (t15), the parallel print processing is performed from the end time of the print prohibition time zone (t15). I can't.
[0005]
Here, the image data temporarily stored in the work memory area is subjected to image processing by a compression / decompression unit (not shown) and stored in an HD (hard disk) or the like.
When image data is output from the HD, the image is processed again by the compression / decompression unit, secured in the work memory, and output.
In other words, once saved in HD, it takes much longer than direct output from the work memory.
For this reason, after the end of the input process for job B (t16), the page data for job B saved and saved on the hard disk or the like by the input process between t13 and t16 is read again to the work memory area. Printing processing for job B is started (t16).
As in the period between t13 and t16, the fact that all input processing for a job is performed before the start of printing processing is hereinafter referred to as “job reservation”, and is saved on the hard disk after job reservation. Performing print processing on the page data of a job that has been performed is referred to as “reserved job printing” (t16 to t17).
As described above, the advantage of the conventional printing device is that it allows for interrupt processing such as copying between jobs, so copying is performed even when a large number of jobs are input continuously. Users can interrupt and do not wait for a long time. Further, since only the input process of job B is preceded during the print process of job A and during the print prohibition time period, the time is effectively utilized.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the prior art P, if a job B having a large number of pages is input after a certain job A, it takes time to input the job B. There is a problem that the time until the start (t16) becomes long.
In particular, if job A and job B were originally generated by dividing one job, printing ends when the original document data, etc., are divided and printed at intervals in the middle of printing. In addition to taking time, there is a problem that the user is suspicious that the printing was interrupted during the printing.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a printing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine that prints pages by managing print data to quickly print the next job when the print prohibition time period elapses. Is to provide a simple printing apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of continuously printing a continuously input job in a printing apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc., for managing print data by page management. It is to be. A method for solving these problems will be described later.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the input process for a certain job is started and the print process for the job preceding the certain job is being performed, the print process for the previous job is performed. Wait until the end of the print processing for the previous job and the start of the input processing for that job. Provided is a printing apparatus that performs first control to start printing processing for a job without waiting for completion of input processing for the job after completion of the input processing for the job. is there.
[0008]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to wait for the printing prohibition time to elapse and to start the input processing for the job, and to quickly print the next job. That is, page data waiting for printing processing does not remain in the work memory area as in the prior art, and the page data for the previous job saved and saved on the hard disk or the like must be read back to the work memory area. There is an effect that the situation can be avoided.
[0013]
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is determined whether a certain job and the previous job are jobs obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs or independent jobs. Based on the result of this determination, if the job is an independent job, the first control is performed. If the job data is obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs, the second control or A printing apparatus for performing the third control is provided.
[0014]
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, if the plurality of jobs to be processed are independent and independent jobs, after the print processing for the previous job is completed, the input processing for the job is started. A print prohibition time is provided between them to allow other copying and other interrupt processing. Due to this interruption, another printed material is mixed in the middle of the printed material. However, since the print job is originally a separate independent document data or the like, no trouble occurs. Rather, by permitting interrupt processing, an excellent effect is obtained that when a large number of jobs are continuously input, other users who perform copying or the like do not wait for a long time.
In addition, if the job is originally obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of parts, the second or third control is performed. Therefore, the original document data and the like are divided at intervals during printing. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as printing or mixing of other printed materials due to interruption in the middle of a printed material that is originally a group.
[0015]
According to invention of Claim 4 , the 1st control and the 2nd control can be performed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can be selected with a changeover switch to perform any control.
[0016]
According to the invention described in claim 4 , a printing prohibition time is provided between printing of a plurality of jobs, and interruption processing such as copying by another user is allowed, or continuous printing is performed without setting a printing prohibition time. This has the effect that it can be left to the user's settings.
[0017]
According to invention of Claim 5 , the 1st control and the 3rd control can be performed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus that can be selected with a changeover switch to perform any control.
[0018]
According to the invention described in claim 5 , a printing prohibition time is provided between printing of a plurality of jobs, and interruption processing such as copying by another user is allowed, or continuous printing is performed without setting a printing prohibition time. This has the effect that it can be left to the user's settings.
[0019]
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer readable printing apparatus control program for causing a central processing unit (CPU) to execute each control.
The specific structure of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a time chart showing a first control content of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the second control content of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing the third control content of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows whether a certain job and a previous job are jobs obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs or independent jobs according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the change of the control content based on this.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing change of control content by the changeover switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing the control contents of the copying machine according to the prior art P.
[0021]
The embodiments and examples described below are examples embodying the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
As the printing apparatus, a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like are applicable. Here, a copying machine having both a printing function of print data input from a computer and a copying function of a document will be described as an example.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 4, the copying machine 1 is mainly configured by a CPU 2 that controls the image forming unit 3, the finisher unit 4, and the like. The image forming unit 3 and the finisher unit 4 include many actuators that operate according to a control program built in the ROM 5. Connected to the CPU 2 are the ROM 5, a RAM 6 for temporarily storing data (including a work memory area), a hard disk 7 for similarly storing data, and an input / operation / display unit 8 for performing input, operation, display, and the like. .
In addition to the above, the copying machine 1 includes a mechanism for performing various processes such as copying of an original and scanning of an original, but since the configurations thereof are known, description thereof is omitted here.
[0022]
Next, the operation when print data is input to the copying machine 1 from an external computer or the like will be outlined.
When print data is input to the copying machine 1, page data for each page included in a job, which is a unit of print data, is sequentially transferred to a predetermined work memory area in the RAM 6 and the hard disk 7 by the CPU 2. Written (input processing). Then, the page data written in the work memory area is sequentially printed (print processing). If the job includes page data exceeding a predetermined number of manageable pages (for example, 999 pages), the job is divided into a plurality of jobs, and input processing and print processing are performed for each divided job. Is done. Further, after the input process is completed, the copying machine 1 can read the page data saved in the hard disk again into the work memory area and perform the printing process.
[0023]
<First control>
Between the time when the printing process for job C is completed and the time when the input process for job D is started, a time period for prohibiting parallel printing is provided for interrupt processing such as copying.
FIG. 1 is a time chart illustrating an example of operations of input processing and printing processing performed by the copying machine 1 in order to execute the first control of the present invention provided with a printing prohibition time zone.
The operation when two jobs C and D are input consecutively will be described using the time chart in Fig. 1.
First, when the job C is input, the CPU 2 starts input processing for the job C (t31), and the parallel printing process shown in the description of the prior art P is performed (t31 to t34).
[0024]
Thereafter, during the period from the end of the printing process for job C (t34) to the start of the input process for job D (t35), the printer enters a ready state and performs parallel printing for a predetermined time for interrupt processing such as copying. Processing is prohibited (t34 to t35).
The printing prohibition time zone is provided for a fixed time (for example, 30 seconds or 1 minute) regardless of whether there is an interruption. In addition, when the interrupt process is longer than the predetermined time, the predetermined time is extended until the interrupt process is completed.
In this first control, as compared with the prior art P shown in FIG. 7, the printing process is started (t36) without waiting for the end of the input process (t37) for the job D, so the total printing time (t31 ˜t 3 8) is shorter than in the case of the prior art P in which reserved job printing is performed after job reservation. This is particularly effective when the data amount of job D is large.
[0025]
<Second control>
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing an example of input processing and printing processing performed by the copying machine 1 in order to execute the second control of the present invention.
This second control is more convenient when it is desired to continuously print a plurality of divided jobs rather than allowing interrupt processing.
The operation when two jobs C and D are continuously input will be described with reference to the time chart of FIG.
First, when the job C is input, the CPU 2 starts input processing for the job C (t21), and the parallel printing process shown in the description of the prior art P is performed (t21 to t24).
The input process for job D is started after the end of the printing process for job C (t24). Then, the parallel printing process (t24 to t27) for job D is performed.
Since the copying machine that executes the second control does not allow interruption processing such as copying, jobs C and D are not printed at a time interval during printing. Therefore, the user will not be suspicious that the printing was interrupted halfway. In addition, when jobs C and D, which are originally one piece of print data, are divided jobs, another printed material is not mixed between jobs C and D.
[0026]
<Third control>
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing an example of input processing and printing processing performed by the copying machine 1 in order to execute the third control of the present invention.
This third control is also convenient when it is desired to continuously print a plurality of divided jobs rather than giving priority to interrupt processing.
The operation when two jobs C and D are input in succession will be described using the time chart in Fig. 3.
First, when the job C is input, the CPU 2 starts input processing for the job C (t41), and the parallel printing processing shown in the description of the prior art P is performed (t41 to t44).
The input process for job D is started after the end of the input process for job C (t43). Thereafter, parallel print processing (t44 to t46) for job D is performed.
Since the copying machine that executes the third control does not allow interruption processing such as copying, the job C and the job D are not printed with a time interval in the middle of printing, and the user can print in the middle. There is no suspicion that it was interrupted. When jobs C and D, which are originally one piece of print data, are divided jobs, there is no possibility that another printed material is mixed between jobs C and D.
[0027]
Comparing the third control with the second control, the input process for job D is not started after the completion of the print process for job C (t44), but the input process for job C is completed ( Wait for t43) to start. Therefore, the parallel printing process (t44 to t47) for job D can be started earlier.
In this third control, if the time from the start of input processing for job D (t43) to the start of parallel print processing for job D (t44) becomes longer, the page data written in the work memory area becomes There is a possibility that the page data is sequentially rewritten to new page data before the printing process is completed. Therefore, in order to avoid such a case, a flag indicating whether or not “Waiting for printing” is given to the page data written in the work memory area, and the page data having a flag indicating “Waiting for printing” is provided. It is effective to adopt a process of prohibiting rewriting.
When this processing is adopted, after page processing is started for job D (t43), once the page data is written in an area that is not waiting for printing in the work memory, the next page data is released from waiting for printing by printing the job. It is input sequentially when waiting.
[0028]
<Automatic switching between first control and second or third control>
Based on whether the continuously input job is a job generated by dividing one job, prohibition of parallel print processing (FIG. 1; first control) and execution of parallel print processing (FIG. 1) It is also conceivable to perform control for automatically switching between 2; second control or FIG. 3; third control).
Hereinafter, although the switching process between the first control and the second control will be described, the same applies to the switching process between the first control and the third control.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the automatic switching process between the first control and the second control.
According to the copying machine 1 that executes this switching process, the CPU 2 determines whether or not the second and subsequent jobs among the continuously input jobs are divided and generated jobs ( Step S1).
If it is determined that the job is a divided job, the input process and the print process shown between t23 and t27 shown in FIG. 2 are performed (step S2; corresponding to the second control). If not (separate independent job), input processing and printing processing shown between t33 and t38 in FIG. 1 are performed (step S3; corresponding to the first control).
[0029]
As a result, when continuous jobs are independent print data, such as those sent from different users, parallel print processing is prohibited (from t34 to t35 in Fig. 1). In the meantime, interrupt processing for copying and the like can be used, and other users do not have to wait for a long time.
On the other hand, if a continuously input job is a divided one job, interrupt processing is not accepted and parallel printing processing is performed (corresponding to the period between t24 and t27 in FIG. 2). , Originally one piece of print data is not printed separately with a waiting time in the middle.
[0030]
<Manual switching between first control and second or third control>
Input the control to set the parallel printing prohibition time zone during the parallel printing process (Fig. 1; first control) and the execution of the parallel printing process (Fig. 2; second control or Fig. 3; third control) It is conceivable to set in advance by setting input from the operation / display unit 8.
Hereinafter, although the switching process between the first control and the second control will be described, the same applies to the switching process between the first control and the third control.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the manual switching process between the first control and the second control.
If it is set in step T1 that no parallel printing prohibition time period is provided, the input process and the printing process shown between t23 and t27 shown in FIG. 2 are performed (step T2), but not (parallel) In the case of providing a printing prohibition time zone), a parallel printing inhibition time zone is provided as shown between t34 and t35 in FIG. 1 (step T3).
As a result, in an environment where the user often uses interrupt processing, the setting is input from the input / operation / display unit 8 during the parallel printing prohibited time period (corresponding to the period between t34 and t35 in FIG. 1). The user can use interrupt processing such as copying, and even when a large number of jobs are continuously input, other users do not have to wait for a long time.
[0031]
On the other hand, in an environment where the user rarely uses interrupt processing, if setting is made from the input / operation / display unit 8, interrupt processing is not accepted and parallel printing processing is performed (from t24 to t27 in FIG. 2). Therefore, one piece of print data is not originally printed with a waiting time in the middle.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the printing apparatus and the print control program of the present invention, the page data waiting for the printing process does not remain in the work memory area, and the page data for the previous job saved and saved in the hard disk or the like is again displayed. There is an effect that it is possible to avoid a situation in which data must be read to the work memory area.
Also, no print prohibition time is provided. As a result, among the continuously input jobs, the second and subsequent jobs are also printed in parallel with the input processing. Therefore, when the data amount of the second and subsequent jobs is large, the input processing is performed. There is an effect that printing can be started quickly without having to wait for a long time until the end of.
Furthermore, no print prohibition time is provided. Compared with the second control, the second control “waits for the end of the printing process for the previous job and starts the input process for the job”, whereas the third control “ It is different in that the input processing for the previous job is continued after the input processing for the previous job is completed. Due to this difference, the third control has an effect that the printing process can be started earlier for the second and subsequent jobs.
If the job is originally obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs, the second or third control is performed. Therefore, the original document data and the like are divided and printed at a time interval during printing. In addition, there is an effect that inconveniences such as mixing another printed material due to interruption in the middle of a printed material that is originally a group can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a time chart showing first control contents of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a time chart showing a second control content of the copying machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a time chart showing a third control content of the copier according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for determining whether a job and a previous job are jobs obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs or independent jobs according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the change of the control content based on this.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing change of control content by a changeover switch according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a time chart showing control contents of a copying machine according to prior art P;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Control unit 2 CPU
3 Image forming unit 4 Finisher unit 5 ROM
6 RAM
7 Hard disk 8 Input / operation / display section

Claims (6)

A memory for storing page data;
An input processing unit for sequentially inputting one or a plurality of page data included in a print unit (job) to a memory;
A printing section that sequentially prints the page data stored in the memory;
A control unit for controlling the operations of the input processing unit and the printing unit,
When starting the input process for a certain job, the control unit waits for the end of the print process for the previous job if the print process for the previous job is being performed. Between the end of print processing for a job and the start of input processing for that job, a print prohibition time is set for prohibiting parallel print processing for interrupt processing, and the job is stopped after the end of this print prohibition time. A printing apparatus that performs first control for starting print processing for a job without starting input processing for the job and then waiting for completion of input processing for the job. When the control unit starts input processing for a job and print processing is being performed for a job that precedes a job,
Determine whether a certain job and the previous job are jobs obtained by dividing one job data into multiple or separate jobs.
Based on the result of this decision,
If each is a separate job, perform its first control,
If a job is obtained by dividing one job data into a plurality of jobs, input processing for the job is started after completion of print processing for the previous job, and then input processing for the job is waited for completion. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a second control for starting a printing process for the job is performed. When the control unit starts input processing for a job and print processing is being performed for a job that precedes a job,
Determine whether a certain job and the previous job are jobs obtained by dividing one job data into multiple or separate jobs.
Based on the result of this decision,
If each is an independent job, perform the first control,
If the job data is obtained by dividing the job data into multiple parts, the input process for the previous job is waited for after completion of the input process for the previous job, and then the input process for the job is completed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a third control for starting a printing process for the job is performed without waiting for the job. Its control part is
The first control,
If input processing for a job is started and if print processing has been performed for a job that precedes a job, input processing for that job must be completed after completion of print processing for the previous job. A second control for starting the printing process for the job without waiting for the completion of the input process for the job,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch for performing the first control or the second control. Its control part is
The first control,
If input processing for a job is started and print processing for the job preceding the job is being performed, input processing for the job continues after the input processing for the previous job is completed. And after that, without waiting for the end of the input process for the job, the third control for starting the print process for the job is performed.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a changeover switch for performing the first control or the third control. Central control unit (CPU)
An input means for sequentially inputting page data included in a job as a print unit;
A printing means for sequentially printing the input page data;
When printing processing for a job preceding a certain job is being executed when starting input processing for a certain job, a waiting means for waiting for completion of the printing processing for the previous job;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting parallel print processing for a predetermined time for interrupt processing between the end of print processing for the previous job and the start of input processing for that job;
Input start means for starting the input processing for the job after the end of the print prohibition time;
A program for functioning as print start means for starting print processing for the job without waiting for the end of input processing for the job thereafter.

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