JP5311225B2 - Printing system, printing apparatus, job processing program, and job processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus, and more particularly to a printing system and a printing apparatus that transfer a job interrupted during execution to another printing apparatus.

  In a company or the like, a plurality of printing apparatuses are connected via a communication network, and printing can be executed by a desired printing apparatus by selecting an output destination and transmitting a job using a computer apparatus of each user.

  Here, for example, there is a case where it is time for the conference to be held while the user is printing the conference material with a predetermined printing apparatus, and the user has to move to the conference location. In such a case, a method is used in which the job is interrupted halfway, the information on the interrupted job is transmitted to the server, the job information is extracted from the server at the movement destination, and the continuation is printed.

  With regard to such a technique, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, in a printing method in a system for receiving a designated document from a print service server and printing the received document with a printer, printing from the first print control apparatus is performed. An interruption instruction is input, information indicating the interruption position of printing of the document designated based on the input printing interruption instruction is stored in the print interruption information storage unit of the print service server, and the second print control apparatus In accordance with the restart request, the second print control capable of printing by acquiring the designated document from the printed material information storage unit or the like based on the information indicating the print interruption point of the designated document stored in the print interruption information storage unit A technique for resuming printing from a second printing apparatus controlled by the apparatus is disclosed.

JP 2006-99725 A

  However, in the above-described conventional method, a print restart instruction must be issued from the second print control apparatus at the movement destination, and the user cannot use the time during movement for printing. There was a problem that it could not be processed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object of the present invention is a printing system and a printing apparatus capable of efficiently processing a job even when the job being executed is interrupted. Is to provide.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print control unit that controls printing based on a job, a transfer instruction reception unit that receives a transfer instruction for the job during execution of the job, and a transfer destination of the job. A transfer destination designation receiving unit that receives designation of a printing device, a job generation unit that generates a transfer job for printing a non-output print in a job instructed to transfer, and the transfer job to the designated printing device a job sending unit for transferring the at least chromatic, the job is to instruct printing of print multiple copies, when the transfer of the job is instructed outside ward out parts, the print control unit Continues processing of the job until outputting the copy of the currently executed copy when the transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy, and the job generation unit of And it generates the transfer job for printing the Surimono.

The present invention also relates to a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job and a plurality of printing devices that process the job are connected via a communication network, and the computer device executes the job on the first printing device. A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a job transfer instruction, a transfer destination designation receiving unit that receives designation of a second printing apparatus that is a transfer destination of the job, and a processing result of the job to the first printing apparatus. query, a job generating unit for generating a transfer job for printing the printed material has not yet been output by the job, the transfer job, and a job transmitting unit for transferring to the specified the second printing device, the at least chromatic The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of the copies, the first printing device is used. Continues the processing of the job until outputting the printed copy of the running copy when the transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy, and the job generation unit of the computer device A transfer job is generated to print a printed matter that has not been output .

  According to the printing system and the printing apparatus of the present invention, even when a job being executed is interrupted, the job can be processed efficiently.

  The reason is that when the transfer source printing apparatus or client computer apparatus is instructed to transfer during the execution of the job, it generates a job for outputting the remaining printed matter, and the generated job is designated for transfer. This is because control to transmit to the previous printing apparatus is performed.

  Further, the transfer source printing device or client computer device registers the job in groups based on the file name or user name of the document, and transfers the job belonging to the same group as the interrupted job. This is because even when a series of jobs divided every time is processed, appropriate transfer control can be performed for the remaining jobs.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a first printing apparatus (second printing apparatus) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen (processing state notification screen) displayed on the display unit of the first printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen (transfer destination designation screen) displayed on the display unit of the first printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the first printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a configuration and processing of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a job transferred to the second printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a problem when a job is divided for each copy. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the 1st printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing (grouping processing) of the first printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the table memorize | stored in the 1st printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a structure and process of a printing system which concerns on 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other structure of the printing system which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention, and the specific example of a process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the computer apparatus concerning the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process of the computer apparatus concerning the 3rd Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, when a job is executed by a predetermined printing apparatus, the job may not finish in time for a meeting or the like, and the location may need to be moved before the job ends. In such a case, conventionally, it is necessary to issue a print restart instruction from the destination printing apparatus, and the time during movement cannot be used for printing, so that the job cannot be processed efficiently. There was a problem.

  Furthermore, some printing applications send jobs for the number of copies when printing a plurality of copies. In such a case, since the printing apparatus handles each of the plurality of jobs as independent jobs, there is a problem that only one job is transferred, and only part of the job transfer when viewed from the user is performed.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, instead of issuing a print restart instruction from a transfer destination printing apparatus, a job transfer instruction is issued from a transfer source printing apparatus or a client computer apparatus. Also, the transfer source printing device or client computer device registers jobs in groups, and when a job is interrupted, all jobs belonging to the same group as the job are transferred together. .

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a printing system and a printing apparatus according to a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer device, and FIG. 3 is a first printing device (second printing device). It is a block diagram which shows the structure of these. 4 and 5 are examples of screens displayed on the display unit of the first printing apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of the first printing apparatus of the present embodiment. It is. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a specific example of the configuration and processing of the printing system of this embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a job to be transferred.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a client computer device 10 that transmits a job and instructs printing, and a first printing device that is installed in the vicinity of the computer device 10 (for example, a living room). 20 and a second printing device 30 installed in a different place (for example, a conference room) from the first printing device 20, which includes Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, FDDI (Fiber- They are connected by a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Distributed Data Interface. Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Computer device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer device 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a memory 11b such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 11c, a communication I / F unit 11d, and the like. Are connected via a bus. The CPU 11a controls each part. The memory 11b is a part that temporarily stores various data read from the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d, and the stored data is processed by the CPU 11a, and the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d as necessary. Forwarded to The HDD 11c stores a program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, and the like are read by the CPU 11a as needed and executed on the memory 11b. The communication I / F unit 11d establishes a connection with a device connected via a communication network, and executes data transmission / reception.

  Further, the control unit 11 has a function as an application for creating a document and a printer driver for instructing printing of the document. Document data created by the application is printed by a printer driver using PCL (Printer Control Language) or It is converted into a page description language (PDL) job such as PS (Post Script), and transmitted to the first printing apparatus 20 via the communication I / F unit 11d.

  The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and displays various screens. The operation unit 13 includes buttons and switches, and performs various settings and instructions.

[First printing apparatus and second printing apparatus]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the first printing device 20 and the second printing device 30 include a control unit 21 (31), a display unit 22 (32), an operation unit 23 (33), and an ADF. (Auto Document Feeder) 24 (34), image reading unit 25 (35), paper feeding unit 26 (36), printing unit 27 (37), post-processing unit 28 (38), and the like.

  The control unit 21 (31) includes a CPU 21a (31a), a memory 21b (31b) such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD 21c (31c), and a communication I / F unit 21d (31d), and controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus. , A print job described in PDL is translated, and bitmap-format image data is generated.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 21 of the first printing apparatus 20 causes the display unit 22 to display a screen for notifying the job processing state (the processing state notification screen 40 in FIG. 4). A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a job transfer instruction and the second printing apparatus 30 connected to the communication network are registered in the memory 21b and the HDD 21c, and a list screen (transfer destination designation screen 41 in FIG. 5) is displayed on the display unit 22. And a transfer destination designation receiving unit that designates the second printing apparatus 30 to which the job is to be transferred, and a job (hereinafter referred to as a print job) for printing a non-output print when the transfer is instructed during execution of the job. It also functions as a job generation unit that generates a transfer job) and a job transmission unit that transmits the transfer job to the designated second printing apparatus 30.

  The display unit 22 (32) includes a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and the like, and the display unit 22 displays the processing status notification screen 40, the transfer destination designation screen 41, and the like. The operation unit 23 (33) includes buttons, switches, and the like. The operation unit 23 enables operations such as a job transfer instruction and designation of the second printing apparatus 30. The display unit 22 (32) and the operation unit 23 (33) may be separate devices, or a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch panel) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit 22 (32). It is good also as an integrated apparatus which provided 23 (33).

  The ADF 24 (34) is a part that automatically conveys one or a plurality of documents to the image reading unit 25 (35).

  The image reading unit 25 (35) is a part that optically reads an image of a document placed on a platen, and a light source that scans the document and a CCD (Charge) that converts light reflected by the document into an electrical signal. An image sensor such as Coupled Devices) and an A / D converter for A / D converting an electric signal.

  The paper feed unit 26 (36) is composed of a paper tray that stores paper of various sizes. In addition, it includes a portion for sending out the stored paper to the printing unit 27 (37).

  The printing unit 27 (37) includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and the image data generated based on the job or the image reading unit 25 (35). Based on the image data read from (), an image is formed on the designated paper and sent to the post-processing unit 28 (38).

  The post-processing unit 28 (38) outputs the paper conveyed from the printing unit 27 (37) after adding finishing processing desired by the user such as punching, stapling, and bookbinding according to an instruction from the control unit 21 (31). To do.

  In FIG. 3, a printing apparatus having a scanner function, a printing function, and a post-processing function is described. However, the first printing apparatus 20 and the second printing apparatus 30 of the present embodiment perform printing based on a job. Since it can be executed, the ADF, the image reading unit, the post-processing unit, and the like can be omitted. In FIG. 3, the first printing apparatus 20 and the second printing apparatus 30 have the same configuration, but may have different configurations.

  Hereinafter, processing of the printing system configured as described above will be described.

  First, when a user creates document data using an application of the computer device 10 and instructs printing on the screen of the application, the control unit 11 (printer driver) causes the display unit 12 to display a print setting screen. This print setting screen includes a column for setting an output destination printing apparatus, a column for setting printing conditions such as the number of copies, paper size, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome, and post-processing. When the user selects the first printing apparatus 20 and sets printing conditions, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates a job by converting document data into a page description language, and creates the created job as the first job. To the printer 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that a job for printing two copies of 10 pages of printed matter is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the first printing apparatus 20 receives a job (here, 10 pages, two copies of a job) from the computer apparatus 10 (S101), and starts job processing. This job may be a job that starts printing immediately or may be a reserved job that starts printing at a predetermined time.

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether printing is in progress (S102). If printing is in progress (if job processing has been started), the display unit 22 displays a processing state as shown in FIG. The notification screen 40 is displayed (S103). The processing status notification screen 40 displays a job status, information for specifying a job or document being processed, a button for instructing job transfer or printing interruption, and the like.

  For example, when the user has to move to the conference room before the job is completed, the user presses the transfer button on the processing status notification screen 40 or presses the hard key of the operation unit 23. Instruct the job transfer.

  Then, the control unit 21 acquires a list of second printing apparatuses 30 connected to the communication network from the memory 21b and the HDD 21c (S105), and displays a transfer destination designation screen as shown in FIG. 41 is displayed (S106). On the transfer destination designation screen 41, the second printing device 30 connected to the communication network is displayed so as to be selectable, and the user selects the desired second printing device 30.

  On the transfer destination designation screen 41, all the pre-registered second printing devices 30 may be displayed in a selectable manner, or the power is currently turned off in the registered second printing device 30. If there is a printing device or a printing device that cannot be used due to a trouble, the printing device may not be displayed on the transfer destination designation screen 41, or may be grayed out and cannot be selected.

  Then, when the second printing apparatus 30 is designated (Yes in S107), the control unit 21 interrupts the job that is currently being executed (S108) and grasps the job processing status. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, it is assumed that up to page 1-5 of the first copy has been output.

  The timing of interrupting the job being executed may be when transfer is instructed on the processing status notification screen 40 or when the second printing apparatus 30 is specified on the transfer destination specification screen 41. In the former case, the latter is preferable because the time during which the second printing apparatus 30 is selected after the job is interrupted is wasted.

  The timing of interruption may be at the time when the page being printed is output, may be a break in the number of copies, or may be in the middle of the number of copies, and either one may be selected. In addition, when post-processing is set (for example, when stapling is valid), if transfer is performed from the middle of the copy and the second printing apparatus 30 restarts, proper post-processing cannot be performed. In such a case, since it is not preferable to transfer the job in the middle of the copy, the job is transferred from the first page of the copy being executed at the time of transfer instruction, or the job being executed at the transfer instruction is first to the break of the copy. May be executed by the printing apparatus 20 and transferred from the beginning of the next unit.

  Next, the control unit 21 generates a transfer job that outputs unprinted printed matter (here, as shown in FIG. 8, page 6-10 of the first copy and page 1-10 of the second copy) ( In S109, the generated transfer job is transmitted to the designated second printing apparatus 30 (S110).

  Note that the transfer job generation method is not particularly limited. For example, the page designation or number of copies of the original job header can be rewritten, the output page data can be deleted in addition to the header rewriting, For example, a method of adding information indicating that the job is from a job can be used.

  On the other hand, when the second printing apparatus 30 receives a transfer job from the first printing apparatus 20, the second printing apparatus 30 starts processing the transfer job and outputs an unoutput printed matter.

  Then, after instructing the transfer of the job, the user takes out the printed matter output from the first printing device 20, moves to the conference room, takes out the remaining printed matter output from the second printing device 30, and outputs these. In addition, a desired printed matter is obtained.

  As described above, since the second printing apparatus 30 performs printing even while the user is moving, the time during the movement can be used effectively, and the job can be executed efficiently.

  Note that the transfer function of this embodiment is highly likely to be used when the user is in a hurry, such as in time for a meeting, so the second printing apparatus 30 can execute other jobs. It is desirable that the job being executed is temporarily interrupted and the transfer job transmitted from the first printing apparatus 20 is interrupted and processed preferentially.

  Further, in the above flow, the transfer job is immediately transmitted from the first printing apparatus 20 and the transfer job is immediately processed by the second printing apparatus 30. However, when the printed matter includes information to be kept secret. In addition, it is not preferable that the printed matter is output before the user moves to the second printing apparatus 30. In such a case, the transfer job transmission time may be set when the job transfer is instructed, or the transfer job processing start time may be set in the second printing apparatus 30.

  Next, a printing system and a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a problem when a job is divided for each copy. FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing processing of the first printing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a table used for grouping jobs.

  In the first embodiment described above, printing instructions for a plurality of copies are handled as one job. However, in some applications (for example, Microsoft Excel (registered trademark), etc.) Is generated and sent to the printer.

  When a plurality of copies are printed by a plurality of jobs as described above, even if the job transfer is instructed during execution of one of the jobs, only one job is continued by the transfer, and the remaining jobs are It remains in the first printing apparatus 20. FIG. 9 shows an example of a case where the user tries to print four copies and issues a transfer instruction at the end of the first copy or during the printing of the second copy. In this case, only the second copy is transferred and the remaining copies are transferred. The third and fourth copies are printed by the first printing apparatus 20, resulting in a result different from the transfer intended by the user.

  In order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of jobs are transmitted from the computer apparatus 10 to the first printing apparatus 20, the first printing apparatus 20 groups the plurality of jobs. .

  For example, when one copy of a document is sent to the first printing apparatus 20 as another job, the first printing apparatus 20 recognizes it as a plurality of jobs, but the file names of the documents of the transmitted jobs are the same. It is possible to recognize them as one group. Also, when the same user transmits a plurality of jobs, the first printing apparatus 20 recognizes them as a plurality of jobs. However, if the user names corresponding to the transmitted jobs are the same, they are recognized as one group. It is possible.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a job ID is assigned to the transmitted job, managed by the job group list identified by the job ID, and when the job transfer is instructed, the job group list is referred to and executed at present. A job belonging to the same group as the current job is searched, and if there is a job of the same group, control is performed so that the job being executed and the job after the job being executed are transmitted to the second printing apparatus 30.

  Hereinafter, the processing of the printing system will be specifically described.

  First, as in the first embodiment, the user creates document data using the application of the computer device 10, selects the first printing device 20 on the print setting screen, and sets the printing conditions. The unit 11 (printer driver) converts the document data into a page description language, creates a job, and transmits the created job to the first printing apparatus 20. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, it is assumed that four jobs for printing four copies of the printed matter are transmitted.

  In the first printing apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 10, when a job (here, four jobs) is received from the computer apparatus 10 (S201), the control unit 21 assigns a job ID to each job (S202). Then, jobs having the same file name and jobs having the same user name are grouped and registered in the job group list (S203). FIG. 12 is an example of a job group list in which jobs having the same file name are grouped.

  The processing of step S203 (processing when grouping by file name) will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the job ID (for example, “106” in FIG. 12) of the first received job is substituted for X (S301). Next, it is determined whether or not X is equal to or less than the job ID of the last received job (eg, “109” in FIG. 12) (S302). If X is greater than the job ID of the last received job, the process is performed. finish.

  If X is equal to or less than the job ID of the last received job, the job ID of the next job is substituted into Y (Y = X + 1) (S303), and whether Y is equal to or less than the job ID of the last received job. A determination is made (S304), and if Y is greater than the job ID of the last received job, Y is substituted for X (S306), and the process returns to step S302.

  If Y is less than or equal to the job ID of the last received job, it is determined whether the X file name is the same as the Y file name (S305), and the X file name and the Y file name are different. Substitutes Y for X (S306) and returns to step S302.

  If the X file name and the Y file name are the same, it is determined whether there is a group list having the X file name (S307). If there is no group list, a group list having the X file name is generated. (S308), X is added to the list (S309). Then, Y is added to the list (S310), 1 is added to Y (S311), and the process returns to step S304.

  Through the above processing, jobs having the same file name are registered in the group list.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the control unit 21 starts printing the received jobs in order (S204). If printing is in progress (Yes in S205), the processing state as shown in FIG. The notification screen 40 is displayed (S206), and the transfer instruction is monitored (S207). If there is no transfer instruction, the process returns to step S205 and the same processing is repeated.

  When the user instructs transfer by pressing the transfer button on the processing status notification screen 40 or pressing the hard key of the operation unit 23, the control unit 21 stores the second data stored in advance in the memory 21b or the HDD 21c. A list of the printing apparatuses 30 is acquired and a transfer destination designation screen 41 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 22 (S208).

  As in the first embodiment, all of the second printing devices 30 registered in advance may be displayed on the transfer destination designation screen 41 in a selectable manner, or the registered second printing may be performed. If there is a printing device that is currently turned off or cannot be used due to a trouble in the device 30, the printing device may not be displayed on the transfer destination designation screen 41 or grayed out and cannot be selected. You may do it.

  When the second printing apparatus 30 is designated (Yes in S209), the control unit 21 interrupts the job that is currently being executed (S210), and the job number of the job that is currently being printed is checked from the job group list. Are searched for (S211).

  Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not there is a group to which the job currently being printed belongs (S212). If there is no group, the control unit 21 causes the second printing apparatus 30 to process a job to be processed after the interruption position of the job being executed. If there is a group, if there is a group, the job to be processed after the interruption position of the job being executed and the job after the job being executed are sent to the second printing apparatus 30 in the acquired job list of the group. (S214).

  As in the first embodiment, the timing of interrupting the job being executed may be when the transfer is instructed on the processing status notification screen 40, or on the second printing device on the transfer destination designation screen 41. 30 may be designated. Further, the timing of interruption may be at the break of the number of copies or in the middle of the number of copies, and either one may be selected. When post-processing is set, the first printing apparatus 20 executes the job that is being executed at the time of transfer instruction from the first page of the copy that is being executed, or the job that is being executed at the time of transfer instruction to the end of the copy, Control may be performed to transfer from the beginning of the next part.

  On the other hand, when the second printing apparatus 30 receives a transfer job from the first printing apparatus 20, the second printing apparatus 30 starts processing the transfer job and outputs an unoutput printed matter.

  Then, after instructing the transfer of the job, the user takes out the printed matter output from the first printing device 20, moves to the conference room, takes out the remaining printed matter output from the second printing device 30, and outputs these. In addition, a desired printed matter is obtained.

  In the above flow, a plurality of jobs are grouped based on the file name of the document. However, the same applies to a case where a plurality of jobs are grouped based on the name of a user who creates or prints a document.

  In this way, by grouping a plurality of jobs associated with file names and user names, a series of jobs can be reliably processed even when different jobs are generated for each copy. .

  Next, a printing system and printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 13 and 14 are diagrams showing a specific example of the configuration and processing of the printing system of this embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the computer apparatus of this embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of the computer apparatus of this embodiment.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the first printing apparatus 20 is configured to issue a transfer instruction. However, the transfer instruction is not limited to the first printing apparatus 20, and as shown in FIG. It is also possible to issue a transfer instruction at 10. As shown in FIG. 14, when the printing system includes a control device such as a printer controller that controls the printing device, the control device can also issue a transfer instruction.

  In the case of the configuration of FIG. 13, the basic configuration of the computer apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 11 displays a screen for notifying the job processing state (the processing of FIG. 4). The status notification screen 40) is displayed on the display unit 12, the transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a job transfer instruction and the second printing apparatus 30 are registered, and the list screen (transfer destination specifying screen 41 in FIG. 5) is displayed. A transfer destination designation receiving unit that displays the image on the unit 12 and selects the second printing apparatus 30 to which the job is to be transferred, and a transfer job that prints a non-output print when the transfer is instructed during execution of the job It also functions as a job generation unit that performs the job generation, a job transmission unit that transmits the transfer job to the designated second printing apparatus 30, and the like.

  Hereinafter, processing of the printing system having the configuration shown in FIG. 13 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, when the user creates document data using the application of the computer device 10, selects the first printing device 20 on the print setting screen, and sets the printing conditions, the control unit 11 (printer The driver converts the document data into a page description language, creates a job, and transmits the created job to the first printing apparatus 20 (S401). The first printing apparatus 20 receives a job from the computer apparatus 10 and starts job processing.

  Next, the control unit 11 acquires status information from the first printing apparatus 20 and determines whether the first printing apparatus 20 is printing (S402). If printing is in progress (job processing) 4 is displayed on the display unit 12 (S403), and the transfer instruction is monitored (S404). If there is no transfer instruction, the process returns to step S402 and the same processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the user instructs transfer by pressing the transfer button on the processing status notification screen 40 or pressing the hard key of the operation unit 13, the control unit 11 is stored in the memory 11b or the HDD 11c in advance. A list of the second printing devices 30 is acquired (S405), and the transfer destination designation screen 41 similar to that shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 12 (S406).

  When the second printing device 30 is selected (Yes in S407), the control unit 11 instructs the first printing device 20 to interrupt the currently executed job (S408), and the first printing is performed. The apparatus 20 inquires how far the job has been processed, generates a transfer job for outputting unprinted printed matter (S409), and transmits the generated transfer job to the designated second printing apparatus 30 (S410).

  On the other hand, when the second printing apparatus 30 receives a transfer job from the first printing apparatus 20, the second printing apparatus 30 starts processing the transfer job and outputs an unoutput printed matter.

  Then, after the user instructs the computer device 10 to transfer the job, the user takes out the printed matter output from the first printing device 20 and moves to the conference room, and the remaining printed matter output from the second printing device 30 is transferred to the conference room. These are taken out and combined to obtain a desired printed matter.

  In the above flow, the job transfer is instructed by the computer device 10, but the same applies to the case of instructing the job transfer by a control device such as a printer controller.

  In this way, even when the computer device 10 instructs the transfer of a job, the second printing device 30 performs printing while the user is moving, so that the time during movement can be used effectively. Can execute jobs efficiently.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control method can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the first printing device 20 outputs a printed matter that has not been output by the second printing device 30, but the first printing device 20 and the second printing device 30 output the printed matter. The printed matter may partially overlap, and the second printing device 30 may output the page that was last output by the first printing device 20. By such processing, it can be easily confirmed that there is no missing page. In addition, the second printing apparatus 30 can first output a page indicating that the printed material is based on the transferred job. By such processing, the printed material of the first printing device 20 and the second printed material can be output. The printed matter of the printing apparatus 30 can be easily integrated.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a case where a job is transferred from the first printing apparatus 20 (or the computer apparatus 10) to the second printing apparatus 30 has been described. Further, another printing is performed from the second printing apparatus 30. Jobs can also be transferred to the device.

  The present invention is applicable to a printing apparatus that transfers a job and a printing system including the printing apparatus.

10 Computer Device 11 Control Unit 11a CPU
11b Memory 11c HDD
11d Communication I / F unit 12 Display unit 13 Operation unit 20 First printing device 21, 31 Control unit 21a, 31a CPU
21b, 31b Memory 21c, 31c HDD
21d, 31d Communication I / F unit 22, 32 Display unit 23, 33 Operation unit 24, 34 ADF
25, 35 Image reading unit 26, 36 Paper feeding unit 27, 37 Printing unit 28, 38 Post-processing unit 30 Second printing device 40 Processing status notification screen 41 Transfer destination designation screen

Claims (10)

A print control unit for controlling printing based on a job;
A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a transfer instruction of the job during execution of the job;
A transfer destination designation accepting unit for accepting designation of a printing device as a transfer destination of the job;
A job generation unit that generates a transfer job for printing a non-output print in a job instructed to transfer;
A job transmission unit for transferring the transfer job to a designated printing device;
At least have a,
The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of copies,
The print control unit continues the job processing until outputting the printed copy of the running copy when transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job generation unit generates a transfer job for printing a printed matter that has not been output . When multiple jobs are received continuously,
The job generation unit acquires a file name of a document specified by each job, and an unexecuted job having a document having the same name as the file name of the document specified by the job being executed when transfer is instructed 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein when there is, a printing job is generated by grouping the running job and the unexecuted job . When multiple jobs are received continuously,
The job generation unit acquires a user name corresponding to each job, and when there is an unexecuted job belonging to a user having the same name as the user name corresponding to the job being executed when transfer is instructed, The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a transfer job is generated by grouping a job being executed and the unexecuted job . In a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job and a plurality of printing devices that process the job are connected via a communication network,
The computer device includes:
A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a job transfer instruction during execution of the job in the first printing apparatus;
A transfer destination designation receiving unit for receiving designation of a second printing apparatus as a transfer destination of the job;
A job generation unit that inquires about the processing result of the job to the first printing apparatus and generates a transfer job for causing the job to print an unprinted print;
A job transmission unit for transferring the transfer job to the designated second printing apparatus;
Having at least
The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of copies,
The first printing device continues the job processing until outputting the printed copy of the running copy when transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy,
The printing system wherein the job generating unit of the computer device, for generating a transfer job for printing the print part of the not-output, characterized in that. When multiple jobs are received continuously,
The job generation unit of the computer device obtains a file name of a document designated by each job, and has a document having the same name as the file name of the document designated by the job being executed when transfer is instructed. The printing system according to claim 4 , wherein when there is an unexecuted job, the transfer job is generated by grouping the executing job and the unexecuted job . When multiple jobs are received continuously,
The job generation unit of the computer apparatus obtains a user name corresponding to each job, and there is an unexecuted job belonging to a user having the same name as the user name corresponding to the job being executed when transfer is instructed 5. The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the transfer job is generated by grouping the job being executed and the job not yet executed . A job processing program that runs on a printing device,
  The printing device;
  A print controller that controls printing based on the job,
  A transfer instruction receiving unit that receives a transfer instruction of the job during execution of the job;
  A transfer destination designation accepting unit for accepting designation of a printing device as a transfer destination of the job;
  A job generation unit for generating a transfer job for printing an unprinted print with a job instructed to transfer,
  A job transmission unit for transferring the transfer job to a designated printing device;
  Function as
  The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of copies,
  The print control unit continues the job processing until outputting the printed copy of the running copy when transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy,
  A job processing program, wherein the job generation unit generates a transfer job for printing a printed matter that has not been output. When multiple jobs are received continuously,
  The job generation unit acquires a file name of a document specified by each job, and an unexecuted job having a document having the same name as the file name of the document specified by the job being executed when transfer is instructed 8. The job processing program according to claim 7, wherein when there is a job, the job being executed and the job not yet executed are grouped to generate a transfer job. A job processing method in a printing apparatus,
  A print control process for controlling printing based on a job;
  A transfer instruction reception process for receiving a transfer instruction for the job during execution of the job;
  A transfer destination designation accepting process for accepting designation of a printing device as a transfer destination of the job;
  A job generation process for generating a transfer job for printing a non-output print in a job instructed to transfer;
  Job transmission processing for transferring the transfer job to a designated printing device;
  At least,
  The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of copies,
  In the print control process, when the transfer is instructed, the process of the job is continued until the printed copy of the running copy is output, the job process is stopped at the division of the copy,
  In the job generation process, a transfer job for printing a printed matter of an unoutputted part is generated. A job processing method in a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job and a plurality of printing devices that process the job are connected via a communication network,
  The computer device includes:
  A transfer instruction receiving process for receiving a job transfer instruction during execution of the job in the first printing apparatus;
  A transfer destination designation receiving process for receiving designation of a second printing device as a transfer destination of the job;
  A job generation process for inquiring the processing result of the job to the first printing apparatus, and generating a transfer job for causing the job to print an unprinted print;
  A job transmission process for transferring the transfer job to the designated second printing apparatus;
  At least,
  The job is for instructing printing of a plurality of copies, and when the transfer of the job is instructed except for the division of copies,
  The first printing device continues the job processing until outputting the printed copy of the running copy when transfer is instructed, stops the job processing at the division of the copy,
  In the job generation process, a transfer job for printing a printed matter of an unoutputted part is generated.

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