JP5740825B2 - Printing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a print control apparatus that develops print data received from a host apparatus and causes a printer apparatus to perform printing. When the print data is developed, the received print data amount is set to a plurality of print jobs. First means for counting as print output amount information CP, second means for spooling the developed print data and storing a plurality of print jobs, and how much the plurality of print jobs are printed together The third means for presetting the print output amount information SP to be output is compared with the counted print output amount information CP and the set print output amount information SP. And a fourth means for controlling the output data of the plurality of print jobs stored in the second means to be output to the printer apparatus. Device is described.

  In Patent Document 2, a plurality of host interfaces and a plurality of paper discharge trays are provided, and image processing of print data received from a plurality of host apparatuses is executed in parallel by time-sharing processing, and the paper is output to the paper discharge tray. When print data received from one or a plurality of interfaces is being executed in the image forming apparatus that performs print output, when print data is input from another interface, printing currently being processed Check if there are any output trays that are not being discharged by the job. If there are output trays that are not being output, select the output tray that is not being output and print data entered Process, start print output to the selected paper discharge tray, and if there is no paper discharge tray that is not discharging paper, the paper discharge process will be performed when the paper discharge processing for the paper discharge tray that is currently discharging is finished. Is selected and input from the output tray Suride - data also parallel processing, an image forming apparatus, characterized in that to start the print output to the discharge tray selected is described.

  In Patent Document 3, an image forming unit that forms a copy image of an original read from an image reading unit and / or an image based on input image data on a recording medium, and a reception transmitted via a communication line are disclosed. Communication means for storing data in a storage means and forming image data corresponding to the received data on the recording medium by the image forming means; and for forming images on both sides of the recording medium. An image forming apparatus comprising: an intermediate tray that can be accommodated; a conveying unit that feeds a recording medium and conveys the recording medium to the outside of the apparatus through the intermediate tray; and a recording medium accommodating unit capable of detecting a size. The apparatus further comprises a detecting means for detecting a used capacity or remaining capacity of the storage means, and the detecting means detects that the used capacity or remaining capacity of the storage means exceeds a predetermined threshold. The image forming unit interrupts the image forming operation, the conveying unit discharges the recording medium of the intermediate tray, and the image forming unit forms an image based on the image data stored in the storage unit on the recording medium. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the transport unit includes a control unit for transporting and storing the recording medium to the intermediate tray.

JP 2003-50682 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-52966 JP 2000-32209 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus that makes it easy to perform print output based on print information received from a print request source having a low output priority in a printing apparatus that processes print information received from a plurality of print request sources in parallel. There is.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in each claim has the following configuration.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, together with print information from a plurality of print request sources for which output priority levels are set in advance, output priority information indicating the output priority and image data generation as a development destination of the print information An information receiving unit for receiving expansion specifying information for specifying a copy unit, and a buffer each storing a print information allocated to each based on the expansion specifying information in the buffer and instructing a expansion process Based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit and a plurality of image data generation units that generate image data by developing the print information stored in the buffer in parallel when the instruction information is received A printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium, and the output priority information and the development specifying information acquired from the information receiving unit, and an output indicated by the acquired output priority information If the Sakido not from not receive the print information from the output of higher priority print request source, and transmits the expansion instruction information to the image data generating unit specified by the acquired the expanded specific information, and the acquired output When print information is received from a print request source having a higher output priority than the priority, the expansion is performed in the image data generation unit specified by the print information expansion specification information from the print request source having a higher priority. An output control unit that transmits instruction information and controls to output image data generated by the image data generation unit to the printing unit.

The invention described in claim 2, wherein the output control unit, after a preset waiting time elapses since the printing is completed, the information receiving unit, a low output priority than printing requesting source of printing has been completed When print information is received from a print request source, the expansion specifying information is acquired from the information receiving unit, and the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the acquired expansion specifying information. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that the image data generated by the image data generation unit is output to the printing unit.

The invention according to claim 3, wherein the output control section, prior to the expiration printing is preset from complete latency, the information receiving unit, the output priority than printing requesting source of printing has been completed When print information is received from a low print request source, the expansion specifying information is acquired from the information receiving unit, and the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the acquired expansion specifying information The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the printing information is controlled so as to be put on hold without being expanded.

The invention according to claim 4, wherein the output control unit, after a preset waiting time elapses since the printing is completed, when the printing information pending state exists, the development specific to the obtained 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the information, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit is controlled to be output to the printing unit. 5. It is.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising setting means for setting the waiting time.

  According to the invention described in each claim of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a printing apparatus that processes print information from a plurality of print request sources in parallel, it is possible to easily perform print output based on print information from a print request source having a low output priority. There is an effect that.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to utilize a print output idle time based on print information from a print request source having a high output priority.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, there is an effect that priority can be given to print output based on print information from a print request source having a high output priority.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the pending state of the print output based on the print information from the print request source having the low output priority is not canceled and is not left.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily perform print output based on print information from a print request source having a low output priority in accordance with the usage status of the printing apparatus.

It is the schematic which shows the example of a connection of a printer and a terminal device. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printer. It is a functional block diagram of the main controller of a printer. It is a schematic diagram which shows switching of the terminal device which prints out. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed in a reception process part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed in the expansion | deployment process part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed in an output control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed in an output control part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing routine performed in an output control part.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Example of connection of printer and terminal device>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a connection example of a printer and a terminal device. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of terminal devices and a printer 14 are connected via communication means 16. The plurality of terminal devices include a terminal device 10 on the priority output side and a terminal device 12 on the normal output side. The terminal device 10 on the priority output side is a terminal device that outputs printed matter with priority (that is, first) over the terminal device 12 on the normal output side.

  For example, a case where the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is a global server that performs basic business printing and the terminal device 12 on the normal output side is a PC (Personal Computer) client and allows interrupt printing from a PC client. In this connection example, one priority output side terminal device 10 and two normal output side terminal devices 12 are illustrated. The number of terminal devices on each side connected to the printer 14 is not limited to this, and may be increased or decreased according to the processing capability of the printer 14.

  The terminal device 10 and the terminal device 12 generate print information for printing an image and transmit the print information to the printer 14. The print information may be described in a page description language, for example. The print information includes data representing an image to be printed, print setting information indicating a print condition of the image, and the like. The print information is usually processed for each unit called a print job for printing an image for a plurality of pages. However, as illustrated, when the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is a global server or the like that performs basic business printing, the print information may be processed continuously and the concept of a print job may not exist.

  The printer 14 generates bitmap image data (raster image data) in units of pages based on the print information received from the terminal device 10, and the image is recorded on a recording medium (here, recording paper) based on the image data. To print. Hereinafter, generating image data in units of pages based on print information is referred to as “development processing”. Further, the printer 14 has a so-called offset stack function that changes (shifts) the discharge position in the discharge unit when the printed paper is discharged to the discharge unit. In the present embodiment, the offset stack function is not essential, and a configuration without the offset stack function may be employed.

  The communication means 16 may be a public line or a network such as the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication unit 16 may be a wireless communication unit or a wired communication unit.

  Although not described in detail, the terminal device 10 and the terminal device 12 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a display unit configured by a liquid crystal display, a keyboard, An operation unit constituted by a mouse or the like, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and a communication interface are connected via a bus.

  The CPU executes a program (for example, a program for generating and transmitting print information) stored in the ROM or HDD, and controls the operation of the entire terminal device. The ROM and HDD store programs executed by the CPU, various data necessary for the processing of the CPU, and the like. The RAM is used as a work memory or the like when executing a program.

  Various images and messages are displayed on the display unit under the control of the CPU. Various information is designated by the user operating the operation unit. The communication interface is used to transmit / receive data to / from other devices via the communication means 16. In the present embodiment, as described above, the terminal device 10 and the terminal device 12 generate print information for printing an image and transmit the print information to the printer 14 via the communication unit 16.

<Printer configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printer 14.
The printer 14 according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting a CPU 20, a ROM 22, a RAM 24, a communication interface 26, a printing unit 28, an offset mechanism unit 30, and a user interface (UI) 32 via a bus 34.

  The CPU 20 executes a program stored in the ROM 22 and controls the operation of the entire printer 14. The ROM 22 stores programs executed by the CPU 20, data necessary for processing by the CPU 20, and the like. The RAM 24 is used as a work memory or the like. The RAM 24 is also provided with a reception buffer area and a memory area (bitmap memory) for storing image data (bitmap data) expanded into a bitmap, as will be described later (see FIG. 3). ).

  Note that the storage medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 20 is not limited to the ROM 22. For example, an external memory (not shown) such as a hard disk or a portable medium (not shown) such as a flexible disk, a DVD disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a USB memory (universal serial bus memory) may be used.

  The UI 32 is configured by, for example, a touch panel display or the like, and the user inputs various information and instructions by operating the UI 32. Various information is displayed on the UI 32 under the control of the CPU 20. For example, the user may display a setting screen for setting a “waiting time” to be described later on the UI 32 and operate the UI 32 to set the “waiting time”. The communication interface 26 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices via the communication unit 16.

  Here, an example in which the printer 14 is a so-called tandem digital color printer will be described. The printing unit 28 is a print engine that, when image data is input, prints an image on a recording sheet based on the input image data. The printing unit 28 includes four image forming units, a Y image forming unit, an M image forming unit, a C image forming unit, and a K image forming unit, which are arranged in parallel. Each of the image forming units forms yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images.

  Each image forming unit includes a photoconductor as an image carrier that forms an electrostatic latent image and holds a toner image, a charger that charges the surface of the photoconductor to a set potential, and a photoconductor charged by the charger. An exposure device that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposure according to image data, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image obtained by the exposure device, and a cleaner that cleans the surface of the photosensitive drum after transfer are provided. .

  The printing unit 28 includes an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer unit, a secondary transfer unit, and a fixing device. Each color toner image developed by the developing device of each image forming unit is sequentially transferred from each photoconductor to the intermediate transfer belt and superimposed (primary transfer) by a primary transfer unit provided for each image forming unit. Next, the superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt is collectively transferred onto the conveyed recording paper by the secondary transfer unit (secondary transfer). Then, the toner image transferred to the recording paper is conveyed to the fixing device and fixed on the recording paper by the fixing device. The recording sheet (recorded sheet) on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit. In this embodiment, there is one discharge unit, and the recorded paper is discharged to one place.

  The offset mechanism unit 30 is a discharge position changing unit that performs an offset stack function. The recording sheet on which the toner image is fixed is conveyed to the discharge unit and discharged to the discharge unit in the printing order. In the present embodiment, the offset mechanism unit 30 performs the first state in which the discharge position of the recording paper discharge unit becomes the first discharge position and the discharge of the recording paper discharge unit in response to an offset switching command to be described later. The position is switched to the second state where the second discharge position is different from the first discharge position.

  Specifically, the offset mechanism unit 30 switches to the second state when receiving the offset switching command when in the first state, and when receiving the offset switching command when in the second state, Switch to the first state. When the state of the offset mechanism unit 30 is switched, the recording paper discharge position is changed.

  In the above description, a print engine using an intermediate transfer belt has been described as a specific example of the printing unit 28. However, a toner image may be directly transferred to a recording sheet without using the intermediate transfer belt. . Further, although a tandem type electrophotographic print engine has been exemplified, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method, and may be an ink jet type print engine that ejects ink droplets for each color of YMCK according to image data for each color of YMCK from a recording head and performs printing while transporting the recording paper. Further, it may be a print engine that prints a single color (for example, K color) image.

<Functional configuration of main controller>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the main controller realized by the CPU 20 of the printer 14 executing the program. In this embodiment, an example in which each function of the main controller is realized by software will be described. However, each function of the main controller may be realized by hardware.

  The main controller includes a reception processing unit 40, a plurality of reception buffers 44, a plurality of development processing units 46 corresponding to each of the plurality of reception buffers 44, an output control unit 48, and an image data memory 50. The pair of reception buffers 44 and the expansion processing unit 46 constitute a logical printer 42 that is a virtual printer mechanism. The plurality of reception buffers 44 and the plurality of development processing units 46 corresponding to the respective reception buffers 44 constitute a plurality of logical printers 42 and operate so that a plurality of printers physically exist.

In the present embodiment, three development processing units 46 ₁ , 46 ₂ , and 46 ₃ are provided corresponding to each of the _three reception buffers 44 ₁ , 44 ₂ , and 44 ₃ , and three logical printers 42 ₁ are provided. , 42 ₂ , and 42 ₃ are configured. This is an example, and the number of logical printers 42 is not limited to three. Depending on the processing capability of the printer 14, less than three or more than four logical printers 42 may be configured.

Note that when it is not necessary to distinguish between the logical printers 42 ₁ , 42 ₂ , and 42 ₃ , the last symbol is omitted and the logical printers 42 are collectively referred to. Further, when it is not necessary to distinguish the reception buffers 44 ₁ , 44 ₂ , and 44 ₃ , they are collectively referred to as the reception buffer 44. When there is no need to distinguish between the development processing unit _{46 1,} 46 2, 46 _3, likewise referred to collectively as expansion processing unit 46.

  When receiving the print information from the terminal device 10 or the terminal device 12, the reception processing unit 40 analyzes the received print information and allocates the print information to each of the reception buffers 44. Each reception buffer 44 stores allocated print information. The reception processing unit 40 constantly monitors whether or not print information has been received. When the print information is received from the terminal device 10 or the terminal device 12, the reception processing unit 40 notifies the output control unit 48 of the received information.

  The received information includes information (output priority information) indicating whether the print information is from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side or the print information from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side. In addition, the received information includes information (development specifying information) that specifies which development processing unit 46 processes the print information.

  The setting of “output priority” is not limited to the information included in the print information (information received from the terminal device), but also by using a user interface (operator panel, etc.) May be set. For example, the logical printer 1 is set as the priority output side, and the logical printer 2 is set as the normal output side. Each logical printer is distinguished by the connection form and print language (emulation), and the terminal device automatically issues priority output by making a print request to the logical printer that matches the print language (emulation). You can decide whether or not.

  In the present embodiment, each of the expansion processing units 46 receives an expansion instruction for instructing the start of the expansion processing from the output control unit 48, and prints the image in page units based on the print information stored in the corresponding reception buffer 44. Generate (decompress) data. The output control unit 48 puts the print output on hold by not issuing a development instruction (no image data is generated).

  The development processing unit 46 generates (develops) image data in order from the first page to the last page based on the print information. Here, the page-based image data is image data representing an image formed on one recording medium. Therefore, for example, the first page of image data refers to image data representing an image printed on the first sheet of a recording medium.

In addition, a plurality of development processes based on different print information are executed in parallel by the plurality of development processing units 46. For example, when three pieces of print information are received, the received three pieces of print information are allocated to each of the _three reception buffers 44 ₁ , 44 ₂ , and 44 ₃ by the reception processing unit 40. Each of the print information receiving buffer ₄₄ 1 allocated _to, 44 2, 44 ₃ 3 development processing unit ₄₆ corresponding to the _1, 46 2, 46 _3, generates the image data by expanding process each print information in parallel To do.

  When the print information is received from the terminal device 10 and the terminal device 12, the output control unit 48 acquires the reception information from the reception processing unit 40. Further, the output control unit 48 acquires information (print completion report) indicating that the print output has been completed from the printing unit 28. Based on the “output priority information”, “development specific information”, and “printing completion report”, the output control unit 48 inputs a development instruction for instructing the start of the development process to each of the development processing units 46. The output control unit 48 stores the image data generated by the development processing unit 46 in the image data memory 50, and outputs image data representing the image to be printed stored in the image data memory 50 to the printing unit 28.

  After outputting the image data stored in the image data memory 50 to the printing unit 28, the output control unit 48 deletes the image data from the image data memory 50. Further, the output control unit 48 performs printing based on the printing information from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side (priority output side printing) based on the “output priority information” or from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side. It is determined whether the printing is based on the print information (normal output side printing), and when the priority output side printing and normal output side printing are switched, an offset switching command is input to the offset mechanism unit 30.

  For example, in the case of printing on the priority output side, the offset mechanism unit 30 switches to the first state where the discharge position of the recording paper discharge portion becomes the first discharge position. On the other hand, in the case of printing on the normal output side, the recording paper discharge portion switches to the second state where the discharge position is a second discharge position different from the second discharge position. Thereby, the printed matter of the terminal device 10 on the priority output side and the printed matter of the terminal device 12 on the normal output side are offset and discharged.

  The image data memory 50 is an area in which image data is stored. In a printer having a different discharge destination for each logical printer 42, the image data is stored in the image data memory 50 in the order in which it is generated, and is stored in the printing unit 28. Is output. In the present embodiment, the print output is suspended, and image data based on the print information set to the suspension is controlled so as not to be output to the printing unit 28 until the suspension is released.

<Switching terminal device for print output>
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing switching of terminal devices for printing output. In the present embodiment, if there is print information from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side, print output based on the print information is performed preferentially (that is, first). A state in which print output from the terminal device on the priority output side is preferentially performed will be described separately from case 1 to case 5.

  First, as shown in Case 5, when print information (form 3) from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side and print information (JOB3) from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side are received, the terminal device that prints out the print information Is switched to the priority output side, and printing based on the print information is preferentially performed. Printing on the priority output side is “printing”, and printing on the normal output side is “waiting for printing”. If the print information to be printed has not been expanded, the output control unit 48 instructs the expansion processing unit 46 to start expansion processing of the print information.

  Next, as shown in Case 1, when printing information (JOB1) from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side is received during “printing” of the printing information (form 1) from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side, Normally, printing on the output side is “waiting for printing”. The normal output side printing is performed after a preset “waiting time (WT)” has elapsed after the priority output side printing has been completed.

  In other words, after completion of printing on the priority output side, if a preset waiting time has elapsed, the terminal device for printing output is switched to the normal output side, and printing on the normal output side is performed using the idle time. Is done. Until printing on the normal output side is completed, printing based on other print information is not started.

  Next, as shown in Case 2, when printing based on the print information (JOB1) from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side is completed, it is based on the print information (form 2) from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side. When printing is suspended and “waiting for printing” is completed, after printing on the normal output side is completed, the terminal device that performs printing output switches to the priority output side, and the suspended printing (printing of the form 2) is performed. Be started. No “waiting time” is set for switching the terminal device for print output from the normal output side to the priority output side.

  Next, as shown in case 3, when printing information (JOB2) is received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side during “printing” of the printing information (form 2) from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side Even before the preset “waiting time” elapses after completion of printing on the priority output side, the next print information (continuation of form 2) is received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side. In this case, the terminal device for print output is not switched and is maintained at the priority output side, and printing on the normal output side is suspended and becomes “waiting for printing”.

  Next, as shown in Case 4, when printing based on the print information from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side (continuation of the form 2) is completed, the print information (JOB2) from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side When printing based on the status is suspended and “waiting for printing” is completed, after a preset “waiting time (WT)” has elapsed after completion of printing on the priority output side, a terminal device that performs printing output Is switched to the normal output side, and the suspended printing (JOB2) is started.

<Print processing flow>
Next, the flow of printing in the present embodiment will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of a reception processing routine executed by the reception processing unit 40.

  In step 100, the reception processing unit 40 determines whether print information has been received from either the terminal device 10 or the terminal device 12. If it is determined that the print information has been received, the process proceeds to step 102. If it is determined that the print information has not been received, the standby state is continued.

  In step 102, the reception processing unit 40 determines whether or not there is a vacancy in the logical printer 42. If it is determined that the logical printer 42 is available, the process proceeds to step 104. On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no free space in the logical printer 42, the process proceeds to step 112, instructing the user to notify “waiting for printing”, and the standby state is continued.

  In step 104, the reception processing unit 40 analyzes the received print information, and in step 106, based on the analysis result, the print information is stored in the reception buffer 44 corresponding to the print information. Here, control is performed so that a plurality of different print information is not mixedly stored in one reception buffer 44.

  In step 108, the reception processing unit 40 outputs the print information to the expansion processing unit 46 corresponding to the reception buffer 44 that stores the print information. The development processing unit 46 waits for a development instruction from the output control unit 48 and performs a print information development process.

  In step 110, the reception processing unit 40 notifies the output control unit 48 of reception information including “output priority information” and “deployment identification information”.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of a development processing routine executed by each of the development processing units 46.

  In step 200, the development processing unit 46 determines whether or not there is a development instruction from the output control unit 48. If it is determined that there is a deployment instruction, the process proceeds to step 202. If it is determined that there is no deployment instruction, the standby state is continued.

  In step 202, the expansion processing unit 46 performs expansion processing. That is, image data is generated based on the print information stored in the corresponding reception buffer 44.

  In step 204, the development processing unit 46 determines whether or not development of image data for one page has been completed. If it is determined that the development of the image data for one page has not been completed, the development process is continued. If it is determined that the development of the image data for one page has been completed, the process proceeds to step 206. move on.

  In step 206, the development processing unit 46 requests the output control unit 48 to print the developed one page of image data. That is, every time image data for one page is developed, the development processing unit 46 requests the output control unit 48 to output the image data and output it to the printing unit 28.

  In step 208, the expansion processing unit 46 determines whether there is an unexpanded page for the print information stored in the corresponding reception buffer 44. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process returns to step 202 to perform expansion processing. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 200 and waits until a request is received from the reception processing unit 40.

  7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the flow of a processing routine executed by the output control unit 48 for switching the terminal device for print output. By executing the processing routine, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the terminal device for print output is switched.

  In step 300, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side based on the output priority information. If it is determined that there is print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 320. If it is determined that there is no print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 302.

  In step 302, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side based on the output priority information. If it is determined that there is print information from the normal output side, the process proceeds to step 304. If it is determined that there is no print information from the normal output side, the process returns to step 300 to continue the standby state.

  In step 304, the output control unit 48 instructs the expansion processing unit 46 to start the expansion process based on the expansion specifying information. Here, the print information is received only from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side. Therefore, based on the expansion specifying information, the expansion processing unit 46 to which the print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side is input is specified, and an expansion instruction is given to the specified expansion processing unit 46.

  In step 306, the output control unit 48 stores the image data generated by the development processing unit 46 in the image data memory 50, and outputs image data representing an image to be printed to the printing unit 28. When the image data is input, the printing unit 28 starts the printing process, and when the printing process is completed, notifies the output control unit 48 of a printing completion report.

  In step 308, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side based on the output priority information. If it is determined that there is print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 316. If it is determined that there is no print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 310.

  In step 310, the output control unit 48 determines whether or not normal output side printing (JOB) has ended based on the print completion report acquired from the printing unit 28. If it is determined that the normal output side printing (JOB) has been completed, the process proceeds to step 312. If it is determined that the normal output side printing (JOB) has not been completed, the process proceeds to step 304. .

  In step 312, the output control unit 48 determines based on the output priority information whether the print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is pending printing and is “waiting for printing”. . If it is determined that there is print information that is “Waiting for printing”, the process proceeds to step 314. If it is determined that there is no print information that is “Waiting for printing”, the process returns to Step 300. To continue waiting.

  In step 314, the output control unit 48 cancels “waiting for printing” of the print information of the terminal device 10 on the priority output side, and proceeds to step 320.

  If it is determined in step 308 that there is print information from the priority output side and the process proceeds to step 316, in step 316, the output control unit 48 determines which print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is It is determined whether the logical printer 42 has been assigned. If it is determined that the logical printer 42 is allocated, the process proceeds to step 310. If it is determined that the logical printer 42 is not allocated, the process proceeds to step 318.

  In step 318, the reception processing unit 40 is instructed to allocate the print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side to any one of the logical printers 42. The allocated print information is input to the expansion processing unit 46 via the reception buffer 44. As a result, a state of “waiting for printing” in which print processing is performed in accordance with a development instruction to the development processing unit 46 is set.

  In step 320, the print information of the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is in the expansion processing unit 46, and preparations for the expansion processing / print processing are made. Therefore, the output control unit 48 specifies the development processing unit 46 to which the print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side is input based on the development specifying information, and issues a development instruction to the specified development processing unit 46. Do.

  In step 322, the output control unit 48 stores the image data generated by the development processing unit 46 in the image data memory 50, and outputs image data representing an image to be printed to the printing unit 28. When the image data is input, the printing unit 28 starts the printing process, and when the printing process is completed, notifies the output control unit 48 of a printing completion report.

  In step 324, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side based on the output priority information. If it is determined that there is print information from the normal output side, the process proceeds to step 334. If it is determined that there is no print information from the normal output side, the process proceeds to step 326.

  In step 326, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side based on the output priority information. If it is determined that there is print information from the priority output side, the process returns to step 320. If it is determined that there is no print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 328.

  In step 328, upon obtaining the print completion report, the output control unit 48 starts counting the preset “waiting time” after completing the print processing on the priority output side, and proceeds to step 330. In step 330, the output control unit 48 determines whether there is print information received from the terminal device 10 on the priority output side based on the output priority information.

  If it is determined that there is print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 332. In step 332, since the priority output side printing is continued, the “waiting time” count is stopped and reset. If it is determined that there is no print information from the priority output side, the process proceeds to step 338.

  If it is determined in step 324 that there is print information from the normal output side and the process proceeds to step 334, in step 334, the output control unit 48 determines which print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side It is determined whether the logical printer 42 has been assigned. If it is determined that the logical printer 42 has been allocated, the process proceeds to step 326. If it is determined that the logical printer 42 has not been allocated, the process proceeds to step 336.

  In step 336, the output control unit 48 instructs the reception processing unit 40 to allocate the print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side to one of the logical printers 42. The allocated print information is input to the expansion processing unit 46 via the reception buffer 44. As a result, a state of “waiting for printing” in which print processing is performed in accordance with a development instruction to the development processing unit 46 is set.

  If it is determined in step 330 that there is no print information from the priority output side and the process proceeds to step 338, in step 338, the output control unit 48 checks the elapsed time since the start of counting in step 328. .

  In step 340, the output control unit 48 confirms whether or not a preset “waiting time” has elapsed. If it is determined that the “waiting time” has elapsed, the process proceeds to step 342, and if it is determined that the “waiting time” has not elapsed, the process returns to step 330.

  In step 342, the output control unit 48 determines, based on the output priority information, whether or not the print information received from the terminal device 12 on the normal output side is suspended and “waiting for printing”. . If it is determined that there is print information that is “Waiting for printing”, the process proceeds to step 344. If it is determined that there is no print information that is “Waiting for printing”, the routine is terminated. .

  In step 344, the output control unit 48 cancels “waiting for printing” of the print information of the terminal device 12 on the normal output side, and proceeds to step 304. According to the above procedure, as shown in Case 1 to Case 5 in FIG. 4, the terminal device for print output is switched.

  In the above description, the output priority is determined by dividing the plurality of terminal devices into the terminal device on the priority output side and the terminal device on the normal output side, but the present invention is not limited to this. When the priority order of a plurality of terminal devices that are print request sources is set in advance and the print output is switched for the plurality of terminal devices that have received the print information, any of the terminal devices based on the preset priority order is selected. It may be determined whether to give priority to the output of the terminal device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Terminal device 12 Terminal device 14 Printer 16 Communication means 20 CPU
22 ROM
24 RAM
26 Communication Interface 28 Printing Unit 30 Offset Mechanism Unit 32 User Interface (UI)
34 Bus 40 Reception Processing Unit 42 Logical Printer 44 Reception Buffer 46 Expansion Processing Unit 48 Output Control Unit 50 Image Data Memory

Claims (5)

Along with print information from a plurality of print request sources for which output priority levels are set in advance, output priority information indicating the output priority and development specification information for specifying an image data generation unit as a development destination of the print information are received. An information receiving unit,
The print information stored in the buffer when each has a buffer, stores the print information allocated to each based on the development specific information in the buffer, and receives the development instruction information for instructing the development process. A plurality of image data generation units that generate image data by developing each in parallel;
A printing unit that prints an image on a recording medium based on the image data generated by the image data generation unit;
The output priority information and the development specifying information are acquired from the information receiving unit, and print information is not received from a print request source having an output priority higher than the output priority indicated by the acquired output priority information. In this case, the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the acquired expansion specification information, and print information is received from a print request source having an output priority higher than the acquired output priority. In this case, the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the expansion specification information of the print information from the high-priority print request source, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit is An output control unit for controlling to output to the printing unit;
Printing device with The output control unit
If the information receiving unit receives print information from a print request source having a lower output priority than the print request source of the completed print after the elapse of a preset waiting time after printing is completed, the information reception is performed. The development specifying information is acquired from the unit, the development instruction information is transmitted to the image data generating unit specified by the acquired development specifying information, and the image data generated by the image data generating unit is transmitted to the printing unit. Control to output to
The printing apparatus according to claim 1. The output control unit
If the information receiving unit receives print information from a print request source having a lower output priority than the print request source of the completed print before the waiting time set in advance after printing is completed, the information By acquiring the development specifying information from the receiving unit and not transmitting the development instruction information to the image data generation unit specified by the acquired development specifying information, the print information is put on hold without developing processing. To control,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The output control unit
If there is pending print information after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed since printing was completed, the expansion instruction information is transmitted to the image data generation unit specified by the acquired expansion specification information And controlling to output the image data generated by the image data generation unit to the printing unit.
The printing apparatus according to claim 3. Further comprising setting means for setting the waiting time;
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

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