JP4378038B2 - Information processing apparatus, peripheral device, and data processing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a peripheral device, and a data processing method capable of communicating with a peripheral device including a printer, a scanner, a copier, a facsimile machine, or a device capable of complexly processing the functions of these devices. It is about.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, peripheral devices such as printers, stand-alone peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, copiers, and fax machines, or peripheral devices that can process these functions in combination are connected to a host or via a network. The image processing system can be constructed so that jobs for each function can be processed.
[0003]
In the above image processing system, when a job based on each function is submitted from the peripheral device control software installed in the storage device on the host side, priority is set for the job, the job processing order in the peripheral device, etc. It was controlled to be able to set. Also, after the job is submitted, control such as changing the priority attribute of the job in the job queue has been performed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the peripheral device control software such as the driver that requests the job processing installed on the host side can set the priority order of the jobs or operate the order of the jobs. This is because the peripheral device control software that does not have detailed specification information for the device has the functions related to the job priority processing of the device and the like. There was a problem that it can not be presented.
[0005]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a system environment in which attribute values of attributes that can be set for a peripheral device to which a job is to be transmitted are not recognized in advance. The setting screen for setting the attribute values that can be set on the peripheral device can also be displayed below, and the attribute value that can be set on the peripheral device is identified to the user on the information processing device side. It is to provide a mechanism that can make it happen.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An information processing apparatus according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device, the number of steps indicating a step that can be set as an attribute value of an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device, and a setting that can be set as the attribute value of the attribute Based on the acquisition means for acquiring the range from the peripheral device, and the number of stages acquired by the acquisition means and the setting range, a value can be selected at the stage indicated by the number of stages in the setting range, A display unit configured to display a setting screen for setting an attribute value of the attribute; and a transmission unit configured to transmit a job having the attribute value set on the setting screen as an attribute to the peripheral device. .
[0007]
The peripheral device according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A peripheral device capable of processing a job transmitted from an information processing device via a network,
Transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus a number of stages indicating stages that can be set as attribute values of attributes of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device, and a setting range that can be set as attribute values of the attributes When,
Receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, a job having an attribute value selected from the stage indicated by the number of stages within the set range as an attribute.
[0008]
The data processing method according to the present invention has the following characteristic configuration.
A data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
An acquisition step of acquiring from the peripheral device a number of steps indicating a step that can be set as an attribute value of an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device; and a setting range that can be set as the attribute value of the attribute; ,
A setting screen for setting the attribute value of the attribute is displayed so that a value can be selected at a stage indicated by the number of stages within the setting range based on the number of stages acquired by the acquisition step and the setting range. Display process to
A transmission step of transmitting a job having the attribute value set on the setting screen as an attribute to the peripheral device.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a peripheral device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to a peripheral device having a composite image processing function that processes an image input function, a print function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function in units of jobs. .
[0034]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a controller for controlling peripheral devices, and it is assumed that the hardware resources as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 2 denotes a communication interface for the controller 1 to communicate with the outside of the peripheral device. For example, the controller 1 includes an Ethernet interface, an IEEE1284 interface, or other communication interfaces.
[0035]
A scanner engine 3 is controlled by the controller 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a printer engine, which is controlled by the controller 1, and may be, for example, a laser beam printer, an ink jet printer, or another printer.
[0036]
A facsimile board 5 for realizing a facsimile function such as communication control at the time of image transmission / reception is controlled by the controller 1. A user interface 6 includes an LCD display and a keyboard, and displays information from the controller 1 and transmits instructions from the user to the controller 1.
[0037]
The peripheral device having the above configuration allows the controller 1 to select the printer engine 4 to issue a print job. Further, the printer engine 4 and the scanner engine 3 are selected, and a copy job can be issued. In addition, the printer engine 4, the scanner engine 3, and the facsimile board 5 can be selected to issue a facsimile reception job and a facsimile transmission job.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller 1 shown in FIG.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 1 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, an LCD 23, a keyboard 24, a ROM 25, a communication interface 26, a scanner engine 27, a printer engine 28, a facsimile board 29, and a DISK 30. Are connected to each other via a system bus 20. A program for controlling the controller 1 shown in FIG. 1 is stored in the ROM 25 or the DISK 30, read out to the RAM 22 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 21.
[0040]
In addition to the control program, the ROM 25 and the DISK 30 store peripheral information, attribute information indicating functions and states of jobs processed by the peripheral equipment, job data to be output, and the like.
[0041]
Further, the CPU 21 displays through the LCD 23 and receives a user instruction from the keyboard 24. The CPU 21 communicates with the outside through the communication interface 26.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, in the peripheral device of FIG. 1, the CPU 21 receives user input from the keyboard 24 via the system bus 20, and the RAM 22, LCD 23, ROM 25, communication interface 26, The scanner engine 27, printer engine 28, facsimile board 29, and DISK 30 are controlled and executed.
[0043]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system to which the peripheral device illustrated in FIG. 1 can be applied.
[0044]
In FIG. 3, the MFP 31 indicates the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1, and the personal computer 32, the personal computer 33, and the personal computer 34 each have hardware resources as shown in FIG. 4 and are connected to the MFP 31 via the network 35 ( Personal computer). The workstation 31 may be connected to the MFP 31 via the network 35, or other peripheral devices or other devices may be connected. The driver software requests the MFP 31 to perform job processing such as printing, scanning, copying, or facsimile transmission / reception from the personal computer (1), the personal computer (2), or the personal computer (3) via the network 35, or the attribute information of the MFP 31. Inquiries can be made.
[0045]
4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to a configuration example of hardware resources of the personal computers 32 to 34 configuring the network system illustrated in FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 4, the personal computers 32 to 34 in the present embodiment include a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a CRT 43, a keyboard 44, a pointing device 45, a ROM 46, a DISK 47, and a communication interface 48. They are connected to each other via a system bus 49.
[0047]
A program for controlling the personal computers 32 to 34 is stored in the ROM 46 or the DISK 47, loaded into the RAM 42 as necessary, and executed by the CPU 41. Further, the CPU 41 displays through the CRT 43 and receives a user instruction from the keyboard 44 and the pointing device 45. The CPU 41 communicates with the outside through the communication interface 48.
[0048]
In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, in the personal computer of FIG. 4, the CPU 21 receives user input from the keyboard 44 and pointing device 45 via the system bus 49, and the RAM 42, CRT 43, ROM 46, DISK 47, and so on. The communication interface 48 is controlled to perform processing.
[0049]
1 may be displayed through the local user interface 6 shown in FIG. 1, or the personal computer 32, the personal computer 33, or the personal computer 34 shown in FIG. You may carry out through the apparatus used as the client connected by the network 35. FIG.
[0050]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a job processed by the peripheral device illustrated in FIG.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, a job processed by the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 includes an attribute list 51 representing job functions and states and job data 52 representing data to be processed by the job. The job data 52 may not be required depending on the job type. The attribute list 51 includes an attribute name 53 and an attribute value 54. The attribute job identifier 53-1, the job name 53-2, the job type 53-3, the priority 53-4, the paper selection 53-5, and the double-sided printing 53 are displayed. -6 is a list in which attribute values as indicated by the respective attribute values 54-1 to 54-6 are set, and indicates the function and status of the job submitted by the driver software. In the present embodiment, an attribute identifier may be specified instead of the attribute name 53 that is a column of the attribute list 51. The attributes listed in the attribute list 51 are the same as those listed in the “attribute list supported by job” as shown in FIG.
[0052]
In FIG. 5, job data 52 indicates data to be subjected to job processing, such as image data. Reference numeral 53 denotes an attribute name. Reference numeral 54 denotes an attribute value of the attribute indicated by the attribute name 53.
[0053]
The attribute name 53-1 indicates the identifier of the input job, and the attribute value 54-1 indicates that the “job identifier” is “1234”. The attribute name 53-2 indicates the name of the input job, and the attribute value 54-2 indicates that the “job name” is “test print”.
[0054]
Further, the attribute name 53-3 indicates the job type of the input job such as a print job or a copy job, and the attribute value 54-3 indicates that the “job type” is “print job”.
[0055]
Further, the attribute name 53-4 indicates the priority indicating the priority processing order of the job processing, and the attribute value 54-4 indicates that the “priority” is “50”.
[0056]
Further, the attribute name 53-5 indicates paper selection used in the job, and the attribute value 54-5 indicates that “paper selection” is “A4”.
[0057]
The attribute name 53-6 indicates whether the print side is only the front side, the double side, or only the back side in the job. The attribute value 54-6 indicates that the “print side” is “front side”. "Face".
[0058]
In the present embodiment, the meaning of each attribute and attribute name or attribute identifier and each attribute value as described above is known both in the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 and in the driver software.
[0059]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the “attribute list supported by the job”, which is a list of job attributes held by the peripheral device in FIG. 1, and is stored in the ROM 25 and the DISK 30 shown in FIG. . However, the attributes listed in the “attribute list supported by job” may be other attributes than those shown in FIG. The “attribute list supported by job” shown in FIG. 6 lists all the attributes held by the job processed by the peripheral device.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the “attribute list supported by the job” includes column data consisting of an attribute name 61, setting availability 62, changeability 63, acquisition availability 64, and row data as attribute names 65-1 to 65-1. 65-6.
[0061]
As shown in this figure, on the “attribute list supported by the job”, regarding the attribute names 65-1 to 65-6, it is determined whether or not the driver software can set an attribute value when the job is submitted ( Whether or not setting is possible 62), whether or not the attribute value can be changed for the already submitted job (change possibility 63), and whether or not the attribute value can be acquired for the submitted job (acquisition) Whether or not possible 64) is indicated by “TRUE” and possible is indicated by “FALSE”.
[0062]
Specifically, the attribute name 65-1 indicates the support status of the “job identifier” attribute, and the “job identifier” attribute cannot be set from the contents of setting availability 62, changeability 63, and acquisition availability 64, and Unchangeable and acquirable.
[0063]
The attribute name 65-2 indicates the support status of the “job name” attribute, and the “job name” attribute can be set, cannot be changed, and cannot be changed from the contents of the setting availability 62, the change availability 63, and the acquisition availability 64. , Can be acquired.
[0064]
Further, the attribute name 65-3 indicates the support status of the “job type” attribute. The “job type” attribute can be set and cannot be changed from the contents of the setting availability 62, the change availability 63, and the acquisition availability 64. , Can be acquired.
[0065]
The attribute name 65-4 indicates the support status of the “priority” attribute, and the “priority” attribute can be set and changed from the contents of setting availability 62, changeability 63, and acquisition availability 64, and It can be acquired.
[0066]
Furthermore, the attribute name 65-5 indicates the support status of the “paper selection” attribute. The “paper selection” attribute can be set, cannot be changed, and cannot be changed from the contents of setting availability 62, changeability 63, and acquisition 64. , Can be acquired.
[0067]
The attribute name 65-6 indicates the support status of the “double-sided printing” attribute. The “double-sided printing” attribute can be set and changed from the contents of setting availability 62, changeability 63, and acquisition availability 64. It can be acquired.
[0068]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of “values that can be set for priority” held by the peripheral device in FIG. 1 and is stored in the ROM 25 and the DISK 30 illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0069]
“Values that can be set as priority” shown in FIG. 7 lists attribute values that can be specified by the driver software as values of the “priority” attribute held by the job processed by the peripheral device.
[0070]
However, the attribute values listed in “Values that can be set for priority” may be other than the attribute values shown in FIG. 7.
[0071]
In this embodiment, the “priority” attribute is listed in the “attribute list supported by the job” in FIG. 6 held by the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1, and the setting of the “priority” attribute is set. It is assumed that other attributes required according to the values are listed in the “attribute list supported by job” in FIG.
[0072]
Further, the “priority” attribute indicates the setting of the job processing start condition submitted by the driver software for the peripheral device in FIG. 1, and the job to be submitted is set by setting the “priority” attribute. It is possible to control the start of processing.
[0073]
In FIG. 7, the “number of stages” shown in the attribute value 301 indicates how many levels of priority can be specified.
[0074]
The “setting range” shown in the attribute value 302 indicates the minimum value and the maximum value of values set as the priority. However, as a peripheral device control system, it is needless to say that this attribute value may not be present when the range can be specified only by the number of steps, or when the minimum value and the maximum value are determined in advance.
[0075]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the number of stages is “10” and the range is “1 to 100”. As a peripheral device control system, the numerical value for the specific number of stages is the following equation (1) (PC side) And an algorithm shared by the MFP and the MFP side).
[0076]
When the number of steps = N
X-stage value = 99 × (X−1) ÷ (N−1) +1
(2 ≦ N ≦ 100, 1 ≦ X ≦ N) (1)
However, in the above equation (1), the decimal point in the value calculated with the value of the X-th stage is rounded down.
[0077]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. For example, the driver software inquires the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 about the attribute information of the peripheral device. Shows the flow. In addition, (81)-(84) shows each step.
[0078]
First, in step (81), the peripheral device is requested to acquire the “attribute list supported by the job”, and the attribute list is acquired. In step (82), it is checked whether or not the attribute list indicating the function required by the driver software is included in the “attribute list supported by job” acquired in step (81). If it is determined that the attribute A shown is included, the process proceeds to step (83). If it is determined that the attribute A is not included, the process ends.
[0079]
In step (83), regarding the attribute A in the attribute list acquired in step (81), it is checked from the attribute list whether or not the driver software can set the attribute A when the job is submitted. If it is determined that it can be set, the process proceeds to step (84), and if it is determined that it is not, the process is terminated.
[0080]
In step (84), an attribute value that can be set for attribute A, that is, a “value that can be set for priority” shown in FIG. 7 is acquired from the peripheral device shown in FIG. Exit.
[0081]
Through the above processing, the driver software obtains information on what attributes the job processed by the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 holds and what attribute values can be specified for each attribute. Can do. It is also possible to obtain what value each attribute has.
[0082]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the “priority” attribute displayed on the CRT 43 shown in FIG. 4, and a screen for setting the “priority” attribute by the user when submitting a job to the peripheral device. And is displayed on the CRT screen of the personal computer 32, the personal computer 33 or the personal computer 34 shown in FIG.
[0083]
In the personal computer 32, the personal computer 33, or the personal computer 34 shown in FIG. 3, the driver software uses the attribute information acquisition flow shown in FIG. It is assumed that attribute value information that can be set in the “priority” attribute has been acquired.
[0084]
In FIG. 9, the setting screen title 101 represents a simple description of the setting screen, and indicates that the setting screen is for designating a value of the “priority setting” attribute. The mark 102 displays the point at which the slider 103 stops based on the number of steps obtained from the “value that can be set for priority” obtained by the attribute information acquisition flow shown in FIG.
[0085]
The user can select a desired setting value by operating the slider 103 with the keyboard 44 or the pointing device 45. Note that the method for prompting input based on the number of stages obtained from the “value that can be set for priority” is not specified in the slider 103 of the present embodiment. The OK button 104 is a button for determining the priority value of the job to be submitted to the value indicated by the slider 103. The cancel button 105 is a button for interrupting the operation on this screen and returning to the screen immediately before the screen shown in FIG. 9 of the present embodiment.
[0086]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Driver software (peripheral device control software) installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32-34 shown in FIG. ) Corresponds to a processing procedure for allowing the user to specify the job priority by using the “priority” attribute when the peripheral device control software submits a job to the peripheral device shown in FIG. In addition, (101)-(105) shows each step.
[0087]
First, in step (101), the “priority” attribute setting screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In step (102), it is determined whether or not the OK button 104 shown in FIG. 9 has been pressed. If it is determined that the button has been pressed, the process proceeds to step (103). The process is terminated. And it returns to the process outside this embodiment.
[0088]
In step (103), it is acquired at which position of the pointer 102 the slider 103 shown in FIG. In step (104), the priority is calculated from the position of the slider 103 according to the algorithm based on the above equation (1).
[0089]
In step (105), the calculated priority value is held on the RAM 42, and the process is terminated. Thus, the “priority” attribute is set when a job is submitted.
[0090]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. Driver software (peripheral device control software) installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32-34 shown in FIG. ) Corresponds to the processing procedure when a job is submitted to the peripheral device shown in FIG. Note that (111) to (116) indicate each step.
[0091]
First, in step (111), the process is repeated until the setting of attributes necessary for job processing desired by the driver software in step (114) is completed.
[0092]
In step (112), parameters of the attribute setting command are set in order to set job attributes as shown in the attribute list 51 shown in FIG. 5 according to the job processing desired by the driver software. .
[0093]
Here, among the job attributes that can be set by the driver software are listed in the “attribute list supported by the job” shown in FIG. 6 obtained by the processing shown in FIG. -4 is “TRUE”, indicating that the attribute can be set.
[0094]
Further, the values that can be set for the attribute are indicated by the “list of values that can be set” shown in FIG. 7 obtained by the processing shown in FIG.
[0095]
Next, in step (113), the attribute setting command created in step (112) is transmitted to the peripheral device to which the job is to be submitted.
[0096]
In step (115), data to be subjected to job processing such as image data created by an application or the like is transmitted to the peripheral device by a job data transmission command. In step (116), a job submission completion notification command indicating completion of transmission of the job submission command is transmitted, and the process ends.
[0097]
Through this series of job input processes, a job as shown in FIG. 5 is generated in the peripheral device.
[0098]
12 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention. The peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 is installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32 to 34 shown in FIG. This corresponds to the processing procedure when a job submission command is received from the driver software. Steps (121) to (130) indicate each step.
[0099]
First, in step (121), the peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 analyzes the command received from the driver software installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32-34 and its parameters, and holds the result. The process proceeds to (122), and it is determined from the analysis result in step (121) whether the received command is an attribute setting command. If it is determined that the received command is an attribute setting command, the process proceeds to step (123). If it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step (126).
[0100]
In step (123), the “attribute list supported by job” shown in FIG. 6 and the analysis result obtained in step (121) are checked, and the attribute specified by the received attribute setting command is determined. It is determined whether setting is possible. If it is determined that the specified attribute can be set, the process proceeds to step (124). If it is determined that the attribute is not set, the process proceeds to step (125).
[0101]
In step (124), the designated attribute value is set in the designated attribute according to the analysis result obtained in step (121), and the process is terminated.
[0102]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (123) that the specified attribute cannot be set, the attribute specified by the received attribute setting command cannot be set in step (125). The driver software is notified of the failure, and the process is terminated.
[0103]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (122) that the command is not an attribute setting command, it is determined in step (126) whether the received command is a job data transmission command from the analysis result obtained in step (121). If it is determined that the command is a job data transmission command, the process proceeds to step (127), and if it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step (128).
[0104]
In step (127), the job data received following the command is stored in the RAM 22 or DISK 30 shown in FIG. 2, and the process is terminated.
[0105]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (126) that the command is not a job data transmission command, it is determined in step (128) whether the received command is a job submission end notification command from the analysis result obtained in step (121). If it is determined that the command is a job submission end notification command, the process proceeds to step (130). If it is determined that it is not, the process proceeds to step (129).
[0106]
Then, in step (130), preparation for starting job processing is performed and the processing proceeds to the processing shown in FIG. 14 in order to determine the job processing start condition.
[0107]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (128) that the command is not a job submission end notification command, in step (129), the received command is another command, and processing dependent on those commands is performed and the processing is terminated. .
[0108]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the second data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention. The peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 is installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32 to 34 shown in FIG. This corresponds to the processing procedure when an access command to the job attribute is received from the driver software. Step (131) to step (142) indicate each step.
[0109]
First, in step (131), the received command and its parameters are analyzed. In step (132), whether the received command is an attribute acquisition command is checked from the analysis result in step (131). If it is determined that there is, it proceeds to step (133), and if it is determined that it is not, it proceeds to step (137).
[0110]
In step (133), it is checked whether or not the attribute designated by the attribute acquisition command can be acquired. If it is determined that the attribute can be acquired, the process proceeds to step (134). When it determines, it progresses to step (137).
[0111]
In step (134), the value of the attribute held in the peripheral device is acquired, and the process proceeds to step (135). In step (134), the obtained attribute value is set as a parameter of the reply command. Then, a reply command to the attribute acquisition command is transmitted to the driver software, and the process is terminated.
[0112]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (133) that the attribute cannot be acquired, a process for notifying the driver software that the attribute acquisition has failed in step (136) (error reply command transmission process). To finish the process.
[0113]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (132) that the command is not an attribute acquisition command, it is checked in step (137) whether the received command is an attribute value change command from the analysis result in step (131). If it is determined that the command is a change command, the process proceeds to step (138); otherwise, the process proceeds to step (142).
[0114]
In step (138), it is checked whether the attribute specified by the attribute value change command can be changed. If it is determined that the attribute can be changed, the process proceeds to step (139), and it is determined otherwise. If yes, go to Step (141).
[0115]
In step (139), the specified attribute is changed to the specified attribute value in accordance with the specified command parameter, and the process proceeds to step (141) to notify the driver software that the attribute value has been successfully changed. To complete the process.
[0116]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (138) that the change is not possible, a process of notifying the driver software that the attribute value has failed to be changed (reply command transmission) is performed in step (141), and the process is terminated. .
[0117]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (137) that the received command is not an attribute change command, the process proceeds to step (142), where the received command is another command, and processing dependent on those commands is performed. finish.
[0118]
14 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention. The peripheral device shown in FIG. 1 is installed in the storage medium of the personal computers 32 to 34 shown in FIG. Corresponds to the job processing procedure submitted from the driver software. Note that (151) to (157) indicate the respective steps, and the steps (151) to (157) are assumed to be executed continuously from the step (130) shown in FIG.
[0119]
First, in step (151), the value of the “priority” attribute of the input job is acquired. In step (152), parameter i is initialized (i = 0) to search for an appropriate position in the job queue.
[0120]
In step (153), it is determined whether there is a waiting job indicated by the parameter in the job queue. If it is determined that there is a waiting job, the process proceeds to step (154). Go to step (157).
[0121]
In step (154), the "priority" attribute of the job indicated by the parameter i in the job queue is acquired. Next, in step (155), the value of the “priority” attribute of the input job is compared with the value of the “priority” attribute of the job in the queue, and the “priority” of the job is waited. If it is determined that it is greater than the “priority” of the job in the queue, the process proceeds to step (157), and if it is determined that the “priority” of the job is smaller than the “priority” of the job in the queue, In step (156), the parameter i for searching for the next job in the queue is incremented by "1", and the process returns to step (153).
[0122]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step (155) that the “priority” of the job is greater than the “priority” of the job in the queue, the search parameter in the queue for the i job is determined in step (157). The job is connected to the position shown, and the process is terminated.
[0123]
According to the above embodiment, the peripheral device can acquire and set the job priority from the information processing apparatus via the network or the like according to the attribute information notified to the information processing apparatus.
[0124]
In addition, the peripheral device can sequentially execute jobs scheduled according to the priority attribute value, change the priority attribute content of the specified job in the job queue, Can be rescheduled.
[0125]
Furthermore, the function information of a specific peripheral device on the network is held for each peripheral device, and the priority-related function attribute that has been inquired once is stored in the storage means, without inquiring the peripheral device for the second and subsequent control. Can be processed.
[0126]
In addition, a simpler and more convenient peripheral device control system is constructed by inquiring and updating the priority-related function attribute information of the peripheral devices on the network stored in the storage means again at a specific timing. Can be realized.
[0127]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by an image processing system to which the information processing apparatus and peripheral devices according to the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.
[0128]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read out by a printing system to which the printing control apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.
[0129]
Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.
[0130]
Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0131]
The functions shown in FIGS. 8 and 1 to 14 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.
[0132]
As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.
[0133]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0134]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, an EEPROM, or the like is used. it can.
[0135]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0136]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0137]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a job to be transmitted to a peripheral device even in a system environment in which attribute values of attributes that can be set for the peripheral device to which the job is to be transmitted are not recognized in advance. The setting screen for setting the attribute value of the attribute can be displayed, and the attribute value of the attribute that can be set by the peripheral device can be identified by the user on the information processing apparatus side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a peripheral device showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of hardware resources for the controller 1 shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system to which the peripheral device illustrated in FIG. 1 can be applied.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a job processed by the peripheral device illustrated in FIG. 1;
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an “attribute list supported by a job” that is a list of job attributes held by the peripheral device in FIG. 1; FIG.
7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “value that can be set as a priority” held by the peripheral device in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
9 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for a “priority” attribute displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the peripheral device according to the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the print control apparatus according to the invention can be applied.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Controller
2 Communication interface
3 Scanner engine
4 Printer engine
5 FAX board
6 User interface

Claims (14)

An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
Acquisition means for acquiring the number of stages that can be set as an attribute value of an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device, and a setting range that can be set as the attribute value of the attribute from the peripheral device; ,
A setting screen for setting the attribute value of the attribute is displayed so that a value can be selected at the stage indicated by the stage number within the setting range based on the stage number and the setting range acquired by the acquisition means. Display means to
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit a job having an attribute value set on the setting screen as an attribute to the peripheral device. The display means displays a point at which the slider stops based on the number of stages acquired by the acquisition means,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits a job having an attribute value corresponding to a point at which the slider is stopped as an attribute to the peripheral device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting range is a maximum value and a minimum value that can be set as an attribute value of the attribute.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute is a job priority. A list acquisition means for acquiring a list of supported attributes from the peripheral device;
Determination means for determining whether the list acquired by the list acquisition means includes a specific attribute;
Setting availability determination means for determining whether an attribute value can be set in the specific attribute as an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device;
If the specific attributes is determined by the determination unit to be included in the list, and is determined by an attribute value that can be set before Symbol settable determination means to the specific attribute, the acquiring means The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of steps and the setting range of the specific attribute are acquired from the peripheral device. A data processing method in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a peripheral device,
An acquisition step of acquiring from the peripheral device a number of steps indicating a step that can be set as an attribute value of an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device; and a setting range that can be set as the attribute value of the attribute; ,
A setting screen for setting the attribute value of the attribute is displayed so that a value can be selected at a stage indicated by the number of stages within the setting range based on the number of stages acquired by the acquisition step and the setting range. Display process to
And a transmission step of transmitting a job having the attribute value set on the setting screen as an attribute to the peripheral device. The display step displays a point where the slider stops based on the number of stages acquired by the acquisition step,
The data processing method according to claim 6, wherein in the transmission step, a job having an attribute value corresponding to the point at which the slider is stopped as an attribute is transmitted to the peripheral device.   The data processing method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the setting range is a maximum value and a minimum value that can be set as attribute values of the attribute.   9. The data processing method according to claim 6, wherein the attribute is a job priority. A list acquisition step of acquiring from the peripheral device a list of attributes supported by the peripheral device;
A determination step of determining whether a specific attribute is included in the list acquired by the list acquisition step;
A settable determination step for determining whether an attribute value can be set in the specific attribute as an attribute of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device,
If the specific attributes is determined by the determination step to be included in the list, and is determined by an attribute value that can be set before Symbol settable determination step to the specific attribute, the acquisition process The data processing method according to claim 6, wherein the number of steps and the setting range of the specific attribute are acquired from the peripheral device. A peripheral device capable of processing a job transmitted from an information processing device via a network,
Transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus a number of stages indicating stages that can be set as attribute values of attributes of a job to be transmitted to the peripheral device, and a setting range that can be set as attribute values of the attributes When,
A peripheral device comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive, from the information processing apparatus, a job having an attribute value selected from a stage indicated by the number of stages within the set range as an attribute.   The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the setting range is a maximum value and a minimum value that can be set as attribute values of the attribute.   The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the attribute is a job priority. A list transmission means for transmitting a list of supported attributes to the information processing apparatus;
The peripheral device according to claim 11, wherein the transmission unit transmits the number of stages of attributes and the setting range included in the list to the information processing apparatus.

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