JP5939115B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus and a program for recording an image on a recording medium.

  Patent Document 1 describes a recording apparatus in which an upper limit recording number is set for each user. In this recording apparatus, it is determined whether or not the number of recorded sheets exceeds the upper limit recording number for each user, and a user whose recorded number exceeds the upper limit number of recordings is recorded by the recording apparatus thereafter. It is forbidden. In this recording apparatus, when the month changes, the number of recorded sheets of each user is reset. Therefore, the number of recorded sheets exceeds the upper limit number of recorded sheets, so that users who are prohibited from recording by the recording apparatus When the month changes, recording by the recording device becomes possible again. Thus, by setting the upper limit number of recordings for each user, the total number of recordings by a plurality of users can be easily managed.

  Patent Document 2 describes a recording apparatus that stores a plurality of pieces of image information data (recording job data) in a storage unit. In this recording apparatus, an image is recorded on a recording medium based on one recording job data selected from a plurality of recording job data stored in the storage means. As described above, recording based on the recording job data stored in the storage device of the recording apparatus eliminates the need to transmit the recording job data from the external storage device to the recording apparatus every time. It can be shortened.

JP 2001-188663 A JP 2001-121186 A

  When the storage device for storing the recording job data described in Patent Document 2 is mounted on the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the following problems occur. Among the plurality of recording job data stored in the storage means, there may be recording job data in which recording is prohibited because the number of recorded sheets exceeds the upper limit number of recordings. The recording job data cannot be recorded until the number of recorded sheets is reset. Since the storage means stores the recording job data that cannot be recorded with the same data capacity, the capacity of the storage means is used to store the recording job data that cannot be recorded. There may be a problem that the free space is insufficient. For example, even if another user tries to store new recording job data in the storage unit, the storage unit stores recording job data that cannot be recorded, so that new recording job data is stored. Can run out of space.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to efficiently secure the free space of the storage means when there is an upper limit on the number of recording sheets and a storage means for storing recording job data is provided. It is to provide a recording apparatus and a program.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit for recording an image on a recording medium, a job storage unit for storing one or more recording job data in which the number of recordings is defined, and an upper limit recordable in the recording unit. A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting the number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from the number of recordings, and an allowable number storing for storing the recording allowable number calculated by the calculating means And whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. And the recording job determined by the first sheet number determining unit to define that the number of recording sheets not exceeding the allowable recording number is defined. Recording control means for controlling the recording means so that recording on a recording medium is performed based on the data, and the first number if the number of recordings exceeding the allowable recording number is specified A reduction unit for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the determination unit.

  In the present invention, the reduction means determines the data amount in the job storage means of the recording job data (data not to be recorded) that is determined by the first number determination means to be the number of recordings that exceeds the allowable recording number. To reduce. In other words, since the data amount of the recording job data that is not recorded in the job storage means is reduced, the free capacity of the storage means can be ensured efficiently.

It is a figure which shows the functional block etc. of the recording device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the allowable number management table. It is a figure which shows a recording job data management table. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a recording apparatus when recording job data is stored in a storage. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the recording device in the case of performing a reduction process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a recording apparatus when an image relating to recording job data is recorded on a recording medium. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a recording apparatus when an image relating to recording job data is recorded on a recording medium. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the recording apparatus when a reset process is performed. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a recording device when the reduction process is performed once at the time of recording or at the time of reset. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a recording device when the reduction process is performed once at the time of recording or at the time of reset. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a recording apparatus according to a modification when an image related to recording job data is recorded on a recording medium.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks and the like of the recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. For example, a plurality of PCs 200 are communicably connected to the recording apparatus 1 via a network 100 such as a LAN. The recording apparatus 1 can record an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on the recording job data transmitted from the PC 200. In addition, a server 50 (external storage device) for storing recording job data is connected to the network 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 1 includes a control device 2, a storage 3, a recording unit 4, an operation unit 5, a display unit 6, a communication unit 7, and the like. The control device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a program executed by the CPU, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory) that stores data used for these programs in a rewritable manner, and temporarily stores data when the program is executed. RAM (Random Access Memory) to be stored. The control device 2 functions as each unit described later in cooperation with these hardware and software in the EEPROM.

  The storage 3 (job storage means) is, for example, a storage device such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the number of recording sheets is defined for each recording job data, and the storage 3 stores one or more recording job data. The recording job data is transmitted from the PC 200 via the network 100.

  The recording unit 4 (recording unit) records an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on the recording job data stored in the storage 3. The recording unit 4 can perform monochrome recording and color recording. As a recording method of the recording unit 4, for example, a line type ink jet recording method in which an ink jet head is fixed can be used.

  The operation unit 5 includes an input key for a user to input information, a liquid crystal touch panel that also serves as the display unit 6, and the like, and various operation inputs by the user are performed via the operation unit 5. The display unit 6 is an LED that displays the operation state of the liquid crystal touch panel and the recording device 1 that also serves as the operation unit 5 that displays various setting states and the operation state of the recording device 1 in characters and graphics, etc. A lamp is provided. The communication unit 7 connects the network 100 and the recording apparatus 1 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The recording apparatus 1 has a normal recording mode and a secure recording mode. The normal recording mode is a mode in which recording job data transmitted from the PC 200 and temporarily stored in the storage 3 is immediately read, and the recording unit 4 starts recording an image on the recording medium. In the secure recording mode, until the user who has transmitted the recording job data from the PC 200 to the recording apparatus 1 selects the transmitted recording job data in the recording apparatus 1 and inputs a user name or the like, the recording apparatus 1 converts the recording job data into the recording job data. This is a mode in which the recording of the image based on is not started. Therefore, in the secure recording mode, recording is started under user monitoring, so that the security of the recorded matter is increased. Hereinafter, the recording apparatus 1 in the secure recording mode will be described. The normal recording mode and the secure recording mode can be selected by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 5 by the user.

  In the recording apparatus 1, an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording unit 4 within a certain period (for example, for one month) for each user can be set. In the secure recording mode, one or more recording job data is stored in the storage 3, but the allowable recording number, which is the number obtained by subtracting the recorded number recorded in the recording unit 4 from the upper limit recording number, is calculated at the time of recording. Is done. Therefore, at the time of saving in the storage 3, the allowable number of recordings is equal to or greater than the number of recording job data (for example, recording job data “A”). The recording allowable number is reduced by recording the recording job data (for example, recording job data “B”) stored in the other storage 3, and the recording job data (recording job data “A”) is recorded. May be less. Such recording job data is recording job data that is not recorded within the period. In other words, such recording job data is recording job data in which recording is not permitted, that is, recording is prohibited even if the user attempts to perform recording in the recording apparatus 1 within the period. In the recording apparatus 1, for example, when new recording job data is stored in the storage 3, a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the storage 3 of recording job data in which such recording is not performed is executed. . Hereinafter, the control device 2 that functions as the reduction unit 25 or the like that executes the reduction process will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control device 2 (control unit) includes a calculation unit (calculation unit) 21, an allowable number storage unit (allowable number storage unit) 22, a first number determination unit 23 (first number determination unit), Recording control unit 24 (recording control unit), reduction unit 25 (reduction unit), command reception unit 26 (command reception unit), second number determination unit 27 (second number determination unit), reduction determination unit 28 (reduction determination unit) ), A first capacity determination unit 29 (first capacity determination unit), an increase unit 30 (increase unit), a reset unit 31 (reset unit), a second capacity determination unit 32 (second capacity determination unit), and the like.

  The calculating unit 21 calculates the allowable number of recordings, which is the number obtained by subtracting the number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording unit 4 from the upper limit number of recordings that can be recorded in the recording unit 4. The allowable number storage unit 22 stores the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation unit 21. The allowable number of recordings is stored in the form of an allowable number management table (see FIG. 2) described later. The first number determination unit 23 determines whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the storage 3 defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage unit 22. Determine whether. The recording control unit 24 performs recording on the recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 that the number of recordings not exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. In addition to controlling the recording unit 4, the operation of the recording unit 4 is controlled.

  The reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable recording number. Specifically, the reduction unit 25 performs any of the three reduction processes described below on the recording job data in which the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined at a timing described later. The first is a reduction process for compressing print job data at a higher compression rate than other print job data stored in the storage 3. The compression processing in the present embodiment is lossless compression in which the amount of data after decompression is the same as that before compression, but may be lossy compression in which the amount of data after decompression is smaller than that before compression. The second is a reduction process for moving the recording job data to the server 50. The third is a reduction process for deleting the recording job data from the storage 3. The reduction unit 25 defines the number of recordings that exceeds the allowable number of recordings when the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3 when trying to execute the increase processing. Then, a reduction process (see S122 in FIG. 7 and S75 in FIG. 8) for reducing the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 is executed.

  The command receiving unit 26 receives a recording command for causing the recording unit 4 to perform recording based on any one or more of the recording job data stored in the storage 3. The recording command is transmitted from the operation unit 5 to the command receiving unit 26 by a predetermined operation of the operation unit 5 by the user. The user can select recording job data to be recorded via the operation unit 5. The reduction determination unit 28 determines whether or not the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command reception unit 26 has been subjected to reduction processing by the reduction unit 25. Specifically, the reduction determination unit 28 determines whether or not the recording job data related to the recording command is compressed, and whether or not the recording job data is moved to the server 50.

  The second number determination unit 27 determines whether or not the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command receiving unit 26 defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage unit 22. Determine. The first capacity determination unit 29 determines whether or not the storage 3 has a free capacity for increasing the data amount in the storage 3 to the original data amount of the recording job data subjected to the reduction process. Specifically, the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the storage 3 is larger than the data amount of the recording job data when the recording job data compressed by the reduction process is decompressed according to the reduction process of the recording job data. It is determined whether or not the free capacity of the storage job 3 is large, or whether or not the data amount of the recording job data moved to the server 50 by the reduction process is larger than the free capacity of the storage 3. In the present specification, the “original data amount” when the compression processing is lossy compression means not the data amount before compression but the data amount after decompression.

  After the command receiving unit 26 receives the recording command, the increase determination unit 28 determines that the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command receiving unit 26 has been subjected to the reduction process. The first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is free space in the storage 3, and the second number determination unit 27 determines that the recording job data defines a recording number that does not exceed the allowable number of recordings. In this case, an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the storage 3 is executed. Specifically, the increase unit 30 increases the recording job data decompressed by the reduction process in accordance with the reduction process of the recording job data, or the recording job data moved to the server 50 by the reduction process. Is increased to the storage 3.

  Further, the increase unit 30 performs the recording job when the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3 even after performing the above-described reduction process (see S122 in FIG. 7 and S75 in FIG. 8). The increase processing is executed on the data so that the data amount is smaller than the original data amount. Specifically, the increasing unit 30 executes one of the three processes described below. The first is image processing in which the data amount becomes smaller than the original data amount by halving the resolution of the recording job data. The second is image processing in which the data amount becomes smaller than the original data amount by making the recording job data monochrome. The third is image processing in which the data amount becomes smaller than the original data amount by consolidating the recording job data. Aggregation is image processing that aggregates two sheets of data into one sheet of data (so-called 2 in 1). The aggregation is not limited to data for two sheets, but data for n sheets (n is a natural number of 2 or more) may be aggregated into data for one sheet.

  The reset unit 31 resets the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage unit 22 to the upper limit recording number. In the present embodiment, when the month changes, that is, when the first day of each month is reached, a reset process for resetting the upper limit recording number is performed. Further, the above-described reduction determination unit 28 also determines whether there is recording job data for which the reduction process has been performed even when the allowable number of recording sheets is reset by the reset unit 31. Further, the increase unit 30 described above is a case where the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is recording job data on which the allowable number of recordings is reset by the reset unit 31 and the reduction process is performed, and the first capacity determination Even when the unit 29 determines that the storage 3 has free space, it executes an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the storage 3.

  When storing new recording job data in the storage 3, the second capacity determination unit 32 determines whether or not there is a free capacity in the storage 3 for storing the new recording job data. This determination is made based on whether or not the amount of new recording job data is greater than or equal to the free capacity of the storage 3. Further, the above-described reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process when the second capacity determination unit 32 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an allowable number management table for managing the maximum number of recorded sheets of each user within a certain period (one month in the present embodiment). The allowable number management table is stored in the allowable number storage unit 22 of the control device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the allowable number management table includes “user name”, “maximum recording number”, “remaining number”, “maximum monochrome recording number”, “monochrome remaining number”, “maximum color recording number”, “ Each field (each column) of “number of remaining colors” is included.

  The “user name” field stores a user name for uniquely identifying each record (each row) included in the allowable number management table. The “maximum recording number” field stores an upper limit number of recordings that can be recorded in the recording unit 4 within a certain period (hereinafter also referred to as “maximum recording number”). In the “remaining number of sheets” field, information indicating how many recording media can be recorded within the period is stored. That is, the “remaining number of sheets” field stores the allowable number of recordings, which is a number obtained by subtracting the number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording unit 4 from the upper limit number of recordings (maximum number of recordings). The “maximum monochrome recording number” field stores a monochrome upper limit recording number (hereinafter also referred to as “maximum monochrome recording number”) that can be monochrome recorded in the recording unit 4 within the period. In the “monochrome remaining number” field, information indicating how many recording media can be recorded in monochrome within the period is stored. That is, the “monochrome remaining number” field stores a monochrome recording allowable number obtained by subtracting the monochrome recorded number already recorded in the recording unit 4 from the monochrome upper limit recording number (maximum monochrome recording number). The “maximum color recording number” field stores the upper limit color recording number (hereinafter also referred to as “maximum color recording number”) that can be recorded in the recording unit 4 during the period. The “color remaining number” field stores information indicating how many recording media can be recorded in monochrome within the period. In other words, the “color remaining number” field stores the allowable number of color recordings obtained by subtracting the number of recorded colors in the recording unit 4 from the upper limit number of recorded colors.

  For each user, the administrator can set each information of the “user name”, “maximum recording number”, “maximum monochrome recording number”, and “maximum color recording number” fields by a predetermined operation from the operation unit 5 and the PC 200. is there. Information set (input) by the administrator is stored in the “user name”, “maximum recording number”, “maximum monochrome recording number”, and “maximum color recording number” fields. Each information of “remaining sheet number”, “monochrome remaining sheet number”, and “color remaining sheet number” is calculated by the calculation unit 21 and stored in each field by the control device 2. Information of each record is associated with each other.

  In the allowable number management table shown in FIG. 2, the maximum recording number of the user “AAA” is 20, and the remaining number is 20. Therefore, the user “AAA” has not yet performed recording within a certain period. The maximum number of recordings for the user “BBB” is 20, and the remaining number is 10. Therefore, the user “BBB” has recorded 10 sheets within a certain period. Since the maximum number of monochrome recordings is 20 and the remaining number of monochrome recordings is 10, the user “BBB” is performing monochrome recording for all 10 sheets. The user with the user name “public” is a user who is not registered as a user (guest user), and the record with the user name “public” stores the maximum number of recorded sheets by the guest user.

  Here, the recording job data stored in the storage 3 where the recording is not executed is recording job data corresponding to any of the following. That is, the specified recording number is larger than the remaining number (allowable recording number), and in the case of monochrome data, the specified recording number is larger than the remaining monochrome number (monochrome recording allowable number), and color data In this case, the specified number of recordings is larger than the remaining number of colors (color recording allowable number).

  As described above, the reduction process of the recording job data that is not executed is a reduction process for compressing the recording job data at a higher compression rate than the other recording job data stored in the storage 3, and the recording job data is sent to the server 50. One of the reduction processing to move and the reduction processing to delete the recording job data from the storage 3. When transmitting recording job data from the PC 200 to the recording apparatus 1, the user can set whether or not the reduction processing can be performed on the recording job data in the PC 200 and which reduction processing is performed. .

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a recording job data management table for managing the recording job data stored in the storage 3. The recording job data management table is stored in the control device 2 or the storage 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the recording job data management table includes “recording job data name”, “user name”, “number of recordings”, “monochrome / color”, “reduction permission setting”, “deletion setting”, “server”. Each field (each column) includes “evacuation setting”, “compression setting”, and “reduction status”.

  In the “recording job data name” field, a recording job data name for uniquely identifying each record (each row) included in the recording job data management table (for example, a file name of recording job data transmitted from the PC 200). Is stored. The “user name” field stores a user name corresponding to the recording job data. The “recording number” field stores the number of recordings specified in the corresponding recording job data. The “monochrome / color” field stores information indicating whether the corresponding recording job data is monochrome data or color data. If the corresponding recording job data is monochrome data, “1” is stored, and if the corresponding recording job data is color data, “0” is stored. The “reduction permission setting” field stores information indicating whether or not the reduction process may be performed on the recording job data. When the corresponding recording job data is allowed to be reduced, “1” is stored as a reduction permission flag, and “0” is stored as a reduction non-permission flag when reduction is not permitted. The “deletion setting” field stores information indicating whether or not recording job data that is not recorded in the reduction process may be deleted from the storage 3. If the corresponding recording job data can be deleted, “1” is stored as a deletion possible flag, and “0” is stored as a deletion impossible flag when deletion is impossible. The “server save setting” field stores information indicating whether or not recording job data that is not recorded in the reduction process may be moved (saved) from the storage 3 to the server 50. If the corresponding recording job data can be moved to the server 50, “1” is stored as a movable flag, and “0” is stored as a non-movable flag if it cannot be moved. The “compression setting” field stores information indicating whether or not recording job data that is not recorded in the reduction process may be compressed. If the corresponding print job data can be compressed, “1” is stored as a compressible flag, and “0” is stored as a non-compressible flag when the corresponding recording job data cannot be compressed. In the present embodiment, “delete setting”, “server save setting”, and “compression setting” are exclusive setting items in which only one of them can be set to “1”. As a modification, priority may be given to these three setting items. The “reduction status” stores information indicating whether or not the corresponding recording job data is currently reduced. If it is currently reduced, “1” is stored as a reduction flag, and if it is not currently reduced, “0” is stored as a non-reduction flag. In the present embodiment, the “delete setting”, “server save setting”, and “compression setting” are exclusive setting items in which only one of them can be set to “1”. When “1” is stored as the flag, which reduction processing is performed based on the information stored in the fields “delete setting”, “server save setting”, and “compression setting”. Judgment can be made.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the print job data “333” has five color recording sheets. As shown in FIG. 2, the user “CCC” has five remaining sheets, but the remaining number of color sheets is zero. Accordingly, the recording job data “333” is recording job data in which recording is not executed. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the recording job data “444” has five monochrome recording sheets. As shown in FIG. 2, the user “DDD” has zero remaining sheets. Therefore, the recording job data “444” is recording job data that is not recorded. Also, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the print job data “555” has five color recording sheets. As shown in FIG. 2, the user “EEE” has zero remaining sheets. Accordingly, the recording job data “555” is recording job data in which recording is not executed.

  In the present embodiment, the type of recording job data for which the reduction process is executed is limited to the recording job data for which recording of the same user as the user of the recording job data to be stored in the storage 3 is not executed. As a modification, a priority order may be set for the type of print job data on which the reduction process is executed. Specifically, the user of the recording job data to be stored in the storage 3 and the recording job data that is not recorded by the same user are selected with the highest priority. Next, recording job data that is different from the recording job data to be stored in the storage 3 and that is not executed by the user is selected. Finally, the recording job data of the public user that is not recorded is selected.

  For example, when the user of the recording job data to be stored in the storage 3 is “CCC”, the recording job data “333” that is not executed when the user is “CCC” is selected with the highest priority. For example, when the user of the recording job data to be stored in the storage 3 is “AAA”, recording is executed on the only recording job data “111” stored in the storage 3 as the user being “AAA”. Recording job data. Accordingly, the recording job data “333” of “CCC”, the recording job data “444” of “DDD”, and the recording job data “EEE” of different (others) users who have the second priority and are not executed for recording are different. One of “555” is selected.

  Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 when the recording job data transmitted from the PC 200 is stored in the storage 3 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The control device 2 determines whether or not the recording job data is transmitted from the PC 200 and a storage storage instruction is accepted (S1). The PC 200 transmits a corresponding user name and the like together with the recording job data. When determining that the storage storage instruction has been received (S1: Yes), the control device 2 refers to the user information (user name) stored in the first record of the allowable number management table (S2). The control device 2 determines whether or not the user name corresponding to the recording job data matches the referred user name (S3). When it is determined that the user name corresponding to the recording job data does not match the referred user name (S3: No), the control device 2 refers to the user information stored in the next record of the allowable number management table. (S4). When the control device 2 determines that the user name corresponding to the print job data matches the referred user name (S3: Yes), the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is the print job. It is determined whether or not the number of recordings specified in the data is greater than or equal to (S5). If the control device 2 determines that the remaining number is not equal to or greater than the number of recording job data, that is, the remaining number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S5: No), error processing is performed (S5: No). S6). Accordingly, the recording job data transmitted from the PC 200 is not stored in the storage 3 because the remaining number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data. As the error processing, since the number of recordings specified in the recording job data is larger than the remaining number of users, a message indicating that the recording cannot be stored in the storage 3 is displayed on the PC 200, and the user cannot be stored in the storage 3. And the like.

  When the control device 2 determines that the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is larger than the number of recordings defined in the recording job data (S5: Yes), the recording job data is monochrome data. It is determined whether or not (S7). When the control device 2 determines that the recording job data is monochrome data (S7: Yes), the remaining monochrome number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is the recording number specified in the recording job data. It is determined whether or not this is the case (S8). When the control device 2 determines that the remaining monochrome number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining monochrome number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S8: No). Error processing is performed (S6).

  If the control device 2 determines that the recording job data is not monochrome data, that is, the recording job data is color data (S7: No), the remaining number of colors stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name Is determined to be equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S9). When the controller 2 determines that the remaining color number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining color number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S9: No). Error processing is performed (S6). When the control device 2 determines that the number of remaining monochrome sheets is equal to or greater than the number of recording sheets specified in the recording job data (S8: Yes), and the remaining number of color sheets (color recording allowable number) is equal to or larger than the number of recording job data recording sheets. If the control device 2 determines that there is (S9: Yes), the second capacity determination unit 32 determines whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the recording job data to be stored (S10). ). The second capacity determination unit 32 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is not larger than the data amount of the recording job data to be stored, that is, the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the data amount of the recording job data to be stored. In the case (S10: No), the reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process (S12). Thereafter, the second capacity determination unit 32 determines again whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the recording job data to be stored (S10). When the second capacity determination unit 32 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the recording job data to be stored (S10: Yes), the control device 2 stores the recording job data in the storage 3 (S13).

  Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 when executing the reduction process (S12) will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the first number determination unit 23 determines whether there is recording job data to be reduced (S43). That is, the first number determination unit 23 has the same number of recorded job data as the user to be stored in the storage 3 among the one or more recording job data stored in the storage 3, and the specified number of recordings is the same. It is determined whether there is data that exceeds the remaining number (recording job data for which recording is not executed) and the reduction permission flag is ON (“1”). In addition, when there is no corresponding item, the first number determination unit 23 determines that the specified recording number exceeds the remaining monochrome number in the case of monochrome data, and the reduction permission flag is ON. If there is no applicable item, whether the specified number of recordings exceeds the remaining number of colors and the reduction permission flag is ON. Judge whether or not. When the first number determination unit 23 determines that there is no recording job data to be reduced (S43: No), the control device 2 performs error processing (S44). As error processing, since there is no reducible recording job data that cannot be recorded, a message or the like indicating that recording job data cannot be stored in the storage 3 is displayed on the PC 200 to notify the user that the recording job data could not be stored in the storage 3 Processing.

  When the first number determination unit 23 determines that there is recording job data to be reduced (S43: Yes). The reduction unit 25 selects recording job data to be subjected to reduction processing (S45). The recording job data to be selected is as described above. Next, the reduction unit 25 determines whether or not the erasable flag is ON for the selected recording job data based on the recording job data management table shown in FIG. 3 (S46). When the reduction unit 25 determines that the deletion enable flag is ON (S46: Yes), the reduction unit 25 deletes the recording job data from the storage 3 (S47).

  When the reduction unit 25 determines that the deletion possible flag is not ON (S46: No), the migratable flag is set to ON for the selected recording job data based on the recording job data management table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (S48). When the reduction unit 25 determines that the movable flag is ON (S48: Yes), the reduction unit 25 moves (saves) the recording job data from the storage 3 to the server 50 (S49).

  If the reduction unit 25 determines that the movable flag is not ON (S48: No), the compression flag is set to ON for the selected print job data based on the print job data management table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not (S50). When the reduction unit 25 determines that the compressible flag is ON (S50: Yes), the reduction unit 25 compresses the recording job data to reduce the data amount (S51). In the present embodiment, all the recording job data stored in the storage 3 is compressed at a predetermined compression rate. In the compression processing here, the target recording job data is determined based on the predetermined compression rate. Compress at a high compression rate. When the reduction unit 25 determines that the compressible flag is not ON (S50: No), the data amount reduction of the recording job data is canceled, and the first number determination unit 23 determines other recording job data to be reduced. It is determined whether or not there is (S43).

  Next, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 when an image related to the recording job data stored in the storage 3 is recorded on a recording medium will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The command receiving unit 26 determines whether selection of recording job data has been received for one of the one or more recording job data stored in the storage 3 via the operation unit 5 (S20). A user name is input from the operation unit 5 together with the selection of recording job data. At this time, even if the deleted print job data (see S47 in FIG. 5) cannot be selected or can be selected in the operation unit 5, it is returned to the storage 3 again when selected. It is preferable to notify the user to save the data. When the command receiving unit 26 determines that selection of recording job data has been received (S20: Yes), the control device 2 refers to the user information (user name) stored in the first record of the allowable number management table ( S21). Next, the control device 2 determines whether or not the input user name matches the referred user name (S22). When the control device 2 determines that the input user name does not match the referred user name (S22: No), the control device 2 refers to the user information stored in the next record of the allowable number management table (S23). . When the control device 2 determines that the input user name matches the referred user name (S22: Yes), the reduction determination unit 28 is selected based on the recording job data management table shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not the recording job data is recording job data that has been subjected to reduction processing (S24). When the reduction determination unit 28 determines that the selected recording job data is not the recording job data for which the reduction process has been executed (S24: No), the first number determination unit 23 determines the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name. In step S25, it is determined whether the remaining number stored in is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the selected recording job data. When the first number determining unit 23 determines that the remaining number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S25: No). The control device 2 performs error processing (S26). Accordingly, the recording job data selected by the user is not recorded because the remaining number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data. As error processing, since the number of recordings specified in the recording job data is larger than the remaining number of users, a message indicating that recording cannot be performed on the recording medium is displayed on the display unit 6 and recording on the recording medium has failed. Is a process for informing the user of the above.

  When the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is larger than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S25: Yes), the control device 2 Then, it is determined whether or not the recording job data is monochrome data (S27). When the control device 2 determines that the recording job data is monochrome data (S27: Yes), the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining monochrome number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is the recording job. It is determined whether or not the number of recorded sheets is equal to or greater than that specified in the data (S28). When the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining monochrome number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining monochrome number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S28: No) ), The control device 2 performs error processing (S26). When the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining monochrome number (allowable monochrome recording number) is equal to or greater than the recording number of the recording job data (S28: Yes), the recording control unit 24 causes the recording unit 4 to print the monochrome on the recording medium. Recording is performed (S29). The calculating unit 21 calculates the remaining monochrome number by subtracting the recorded number from the remaining monochrome number stored in the allowable number management table (S30). Next, the calculation unit 21 calculates the remaining number by subtracting the recorded number from the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table (S31). The control device 2 writes the monochrome remaining number and remaining number calculated by the calculation unit 21 in S30 and S31 in the allowable number management table (S36). That is, the remaining monochrome sheet number and the remaining sheet number are updated.

  If the control apparatus 2 determines that the recording job data is not monochrome data, that is, the recording job data is color data (S27: No), the first number determination unit 23 stores the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name. It is determined whether or not the remaining number of stored colors is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S32). When the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining color number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining number of color is less than the recording number of the recording job data (S32: No). The device 2 performs error processing (S26). When the first number determination unit 23 determines that the remaining number of colors is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S32: Yes), the recording control unit 24 performs color recording on the recording medium by the recording unit 4. (S33). The calculating unit 21 calculates the remaining color number by subtracting the recorded number from the remaining color number stored in the allowable number management table (S34). Next, the calculation unit 21 calculates the remaining number by subtracting the recorded number from the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table (S35). The controller 2 writes the remaining number of colors and the remaining number calculated by the calculation unit 21 in S34 and S35 in the allowable number management table (S37). That is, the remaining number of colors and the remaining number are updated.

  When the reduction determination unit 28 determines that the selected recording job data is the recording job data that has been subjected to the reduction process (S24: Yes), the first capacity determination unit 29 performs processing for increasing the free capacity of the storage 3 It is determined whether or not the amount of recording job data is greater than or equal to (see S128 and S129 for details) (S121). The first capacity determination unit 29 if the free capacity of the storage 3 is not equal to or greater than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing, that is, if the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing. (S121: No), the reduction unit 25 performs the reduction process described with reference to FIG. 5 on one print job data other than the print job data selected in S21 (S122). Thereafter, the first capacity determination unit 29 determines again whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing (S123). As a modification, the reduction process of S122 may be repeated as much as possible until the free capacity of the storage 3 becomes equal to or larger than the data amount of the print job data subjected to the increase process.

  When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the print job data that has been subjected to the increase processing (S121, 123: Yes), the second number determination unit 27 sets the user name It is determined whether or not the remaining number of sheets stored in the corresponding allowable number management table is equal to or greater than the number of recorded sheets specified in the selected recording job data (S124). When the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S124: No). The control device 2 performs error processing (S26). Note that, as described in S43, the reduced recording job data is that the specified number of recordings exceeds the remaining number of sheets. Therefore, in the normal case, the second number determining unit 27 determines that the remaining number of recording job data is the recording job data. It is determined that the number of recorded sheets is less than that specified in. However, if the administrator changes the remaining number specified in the allowable number management table within the period, it is exceptionally determined that the remaining number is equal to or more than the recording number specified in the recording job data. Sometimes.

  When the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is larger than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S124: Yes), the control device 2 Then, it is determined whether or not the recording job data is monochrome data (S125). When the control device 2 determines that the recording job data is monochrome data (S125: Yes), the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining monochrome number stored in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name is the recording job. It is determined whether or not the number of recorded sheets is equal to or greater than that specified in the data (S126). When the first number determining unit 23 determines that the remaining monochrome number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining monochrome number is less than the recording number specified in the recording job data (S126: No) ), The control device 2 performs error processing (S26).

  When the recording job data is not monochrome data, that is, when the control device 2 determines that the recording job data is color data (S125: No), the second number determination unit 27 stores in the allowable number management table corresponding to the user name. It is determined whether or not the remaining number of stored colors is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S127). When the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining color number is not equal to or greater than the recording number specified in the recording job data, that is, the remaining number of color is less than the recording number of the recording job data (S127: No). The device 2 performs error processing (S26).

  When the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining monochrome number is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S126: Yes), the increasing unit 30 performs an increasing process on the recording job data (S128). The increasing unit 30 executes an increasing process for decompressing the recording job data compressed by the reducing process or an increasing process for moving the recording job data moved to the server 50 by the reducing process to the storage 3. After the increasing process (S128), the recording control unit 24 performs monochrome recording on the recording medium by the recording unit 4 (S29). When the second number determination unit 27 determines that the remaining number of colors is equal to or greater than the number of recordings specified in the recording job data (S127: Yes), the increasing unit 30 increases the recording job data as described above. Processing is performed (S129). After the increasing process (S129), the recording control unit 24 performs color recording on the recording medium by the recording unit 4 (S33).

  As described above, in the recording apparatus 1, it is possible to set the upper limit number of records that can be recorded in the recording unit 4 within a certain period (in this embodiment, one month) for each user. The remaining recordable number of sheets is managed by the allowable number management table, but when a certain period has elapsed, the reset unit 31 resets the allowable number of recordings (reset process). That is, the remaining number of sheets is reset to the maximum number of recorded sheets, the remaining number of monochrome sheets is reset to the maximum number of recorded monochrome sheets, and the remaining number of colors is reset to the maximum number of recorded color sheets. In the above-described flowcharts (FIGS. 6 and 7), the example in which the trigger for the increase process records an image related to the recording job data stored in the storage 3 on the recording medium has been described. Now, an example where the reset process is performed will be described. Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 when the reset process is performed will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The control device 2 determines whether or not a certain period (for example, one month) has elapsed from a predetermined time (for example, the first day of the month) (S71). When the control device 2 determines that a certain period has elapsed (S71: Yes), the reset unit 31 performs a reset process (S72). Next, the reduction determination unit 28 determines whether there is recording job data on which the reduction process has been executed based on the recording job data management table shown in FIG. 3 (S73). When the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is no recording job data for which the reduction process has been performed (S73: No), the control device 2 ends the process.

  When the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is recording job data on which the reduction process has been executed (S73: Yes), the first capacity determination unit 29 performs the recording job data data on which the free capacity of the storage 3 has been increased. It is determined whether or not the amount is more than the amount (S74). The first capacity determination unit 29 if the free capacity of the storage 3 is not equal to or greater than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing, that is, if the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing. (S74: No), the reduction unit 25 performs the reduction process described in FIG. 5 on the recording job data stored in the storage 3 and not subjected to the reduction process (S75). Thereafter, the first capacity determination unit 29 determines again whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the recording job data subjected to the increase processing (S77). As a modification, the reduction process of S75 may be repeated as much as possible until the free capacity of the storage 3 becomes equal to or larger than the data amount of the print job data subjected to the increase process. When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the data amount of the print job data subjected to the increase process (S74, 77: Yes), the increase unit 30 Increase processing similar to S128 and S129 is performed (S78).

  In the present embodiment, when an image related to recording job data is recorded on a recording medium, or when reset processing is performed, increase processing may be performed on recording job data on which reduction processing is performed. . At this time, if the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the data amount of the print job data subjected to the increase process (S121, 74: No), the reduction process is executed (S122, 75). Even after the reduction process is executed once, if the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the data amount of the print job data subjected to the increase process (S123, 77: No), further reduction A process for reducing the data amount of the increased recording job data is performed without performing the process. Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 1 when the reduction process is performed once will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

  The reduction determination unit 28 determines whether there is compressed data in the storage 3 (S81). When the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is compressed recording job data in the storage 3 (S81: Yes), the first capacity determination unit 29 performs recording with the resolution reduced to 1/2 after the free capacity of the storage 3 is decompressed. It is determined whether or not the job data capacity is exceeded (S84). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data whose resolution is halved after decompression (S84: Yes), the increase unit 30 performs the compressed recording. The job data is decompressed and image processing for reducing the resolution of the decompressed recording job data is executed (S85).

  The first capacity determination unit 29 does not exceed the capacity of the recording job data in which the storage 3 free capacity is halved after decompression, that is, the recording job in which the storage 3 free capacity is halved in resolution after decompression. When it is determined that the capacity is less than the data capacity (S84: No), it is determined whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data that has been converted to monochrome after decompression (S86). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data that has been monochromeized after decompression (S86: Yes), the increase unit 30 decompresses the compressed recording job data. Then, image processing for converting the decompressed recording job data into monochrome is executed (S87). In general, the data capacity is smaller when the print job data is monochrome than when the print job data is color.

  The first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is not greater than or equal to the capacity of the recording job data that has been monochromeized after being decompressed, that is, the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the capacity of the recording job data that has been monochromeized after being decompressed. If so (S86: No), it is determined whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or greater than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after decompression (S88). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or greater than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after decompression (S88: Yes), the increase unit 30 decompresses the compressed recording job data. Then, image processing for aggregating the decompressed recording job data is executed (S89). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is not equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after decompression, that is, the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after the decompression ( S89: No), the control device 2 executes error processing (S90).

  When there is no compressed recording job data in the storage 3, that is, when the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is recording job data in the server 50 (S81: No), the first capacity determination unit 29 determines the free capacity of the storage 3 Is determined to be equal to or greater than the capacity of the recording job data with the resolution halved (S104). When the first capacity determining unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or greater than the capacity of the recording job data with the resolution halved (S104: Yes), the increasing unit 30 sets the resolution of the recording job data to 1 Then, the image processing to be / 2 is executed, and the recording job data whose resolution is halved is moved from the server 50 to the storage 3 (S105).

  The first capacity determination unit 29 does not exceed the capacity of the recording job data in which the storage 3 has a half resolution, that is, less than the capacity of the recording job data in which the storage 3 has a half resolution. Is determined (S104: No), it is determined whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the monochrome print job data (S106). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data that has been converted to monochrome after decompression (S106: Yes), the increase unit 30 performs image processing for converting the recording job data to monochrome Is executed, and the monochromatic recording job data is moved from the server 50 to the storage 3 (S107).

  The first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is not equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data that has been monochromeized, that is, the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the capacity of the recording job data that has been monochromeized (S106). : No), it is determined whether or not the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or greater than the capacity of the aggregated recording job data (S108). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is equal to or greater than the aggregated recording job data capacity (S108: Yes), the increase unit 30 executes image processing for aggregating the recording job data, The collected recording job data is moved from the server 50 to the storage 3 (S109). When the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that the free capacity of the storage 3 is not equal to or larger than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after decompression, that is, the free capacity of the storage 3 is less than the capacity of the recording job data aggregated after the decompression ( S108: No), the control device 2 executes error processing (S110).

  At the time of recording, after the processing of S85, 87, 89, 105, 107, and 109 is performed, the recording control unit 24 performs recording in which the processing of S85, 87, 89, 105, 107, and 109 is performed. An image relating to job data is recorded on a recording medium by the recording unit 4.

  As described above, according to the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the reduction unit 25 determines the recording job data (first job determination unit 23) to determine that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Reduction processing for reducing the amount of data in the storage 3) (data that is not recorded) is executed. That is, since the data amount of the recording job data that is not recorded in the storage 3 is reduced, the free capacity of the storage 3 can be efficiently secured.

  Further, when the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is free space in the storage 3, the increase unit 30 executes an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the storage 3. As a result, it is possible to increase the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data that has been subjected to the reduction processing, and execute recording on the recording medium.

  Further, the increase unit 30 determines that the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command receiving unit 26 is the recording job data for which the reduction process has been executed, and the reduction determination unit 28 determines that the storage 3 has free space. And the first capacity determination unit 29, and the second sheet number determination unit 27 determines that the recording job data defines a recording number that does not exceed the allowable number of recordings. Increase processing for increasing the amount of data in the storage 3 is executed. As a result, it is possible to increase the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data that has been subjected to the reduction processing, and execute recording on the recording medium.

  Further, the reduction determination unit 28 determines whether there is recording job data for which the reduction process has been performed when the reset unit 31 resets the allowable number of recordings. Further, the first capacity determination unit 29 determines whether or not the storage 3 has a free capacity for increasing the amount of data in the storage 3 of the recording job data that has been subjected to the reduction process. The increase unit 30 determines that the reduction determination unit 28 determines that there is recording job data on which the reduction process has been performed, and the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is free space in the storage 3. In this case, an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the storage 3 is executed. As a result, it is possible to increase the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data for which the reduction process has been executed, by resetting the allowable recording number.

  The second capacity determination unit determines whether or not there is a free capacity in the storage 3 for storing the new recording job data when storing the new recording job data in the storage 3. When the reduction unit 25 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3, the reduction unit 25 performs a reduction process. As a result, the free capacity of the storage 3 can be increased and new recording job data can be stored.

  In addition, the reduction unit 25 determines that the number of recording sheets exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined among the recording job data associated with the user that matches the user associated with the new recording job data. Reduction processing is performed on the recording job data determined by the number determination unit 23. Thus, when the user stores new print job data, the reduction process is executed on the other print job data related to the user.

  In addition, the reduction unit 25 uses the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 to be more than the recordable number of recordings than the other recording job data stored in the storage 3. A reduction process for compressing at a high compression rate is executed. Thereby, the capacity of the storage 3 can be effectively secured. The increasing unit 30 executes an increasing process for decompressing the recording job data compressed by the reducing process. As a result, the compressed recording job data can be decompressed.

  In addition, the reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process for moving the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 to the server 50 as a number of recordings exceeding the allowable recording number. Thereby, the capacity of the storage 3 can be effectively secured. Further, the increase unit 30 executes an increase process for moving the recording job data moved to the server 50 by the reduction process to the storage 3. As a result, the recording job data moved to the server 50 can be returned to the storage 3.

  In addition, the reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process for deleting the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 from the storage 3 as having been defined as a recording number exceeding the allowable number of recordings. Thereby, the capacity of the storage 3 can be effectively secured.

  Further, the increase unit 30 performs an increase process (S84 to S89) so that the data amount becomes smaller than the original data amount of the recording job data when the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3. , S104 to S109). As a result, the print job data that has been reduced can be increased according to the free capacity of the storage 3.

  In addition, when the first capacity determination unit 29 determines that there is no free space in the storage 3, the reduction unit 25 determines to the first number determination unit 23 that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Reduction processing (S122, S75) of reducing the amount of data in the storage 3 of the recording job data that has been recorded and that is not subjected to the increase processing of one or more recording job data stored in the storage 3 ). This makes it possible to effectively secure the free capacity of the storage 3 when increasing the data amount in the storage 3 of the recording job data that has been reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 2 includes a calculation unit 21, an allowable number storage unit 22, a first number determination unit 23, a recording control unit 24, a reduction unit 25, a command reception unit 26, a second number determination unit 27, It functions as the reduction determination unit 28, the first capacity determination unit 29, the increase unit 30, the reset unit 31, and the second capacity determination unit 32, and performs the processing described based on the flowchart. Therefore, S30, S31, S34, and S35 in the present embodiment are an example of the calculation process of the present invention executed by the control device 2. S36 and S37 in the present embodiment are an example of the storage process of the present invention executed by the control device 2. S43 in the present embodiment is an example of the determination process of the present invention executed by the control device 2, and S29 and S33 in the present embodiment are an example of the recording control process of the present invention executed by the control device 2. S12, S47, S49, S51, S122, S75, and S201 in the present embodiment are examples of reduction processing in the present invention that is executed by the control device 2.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, as exemplified below. Can be added.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording job data is reduced when the recording job data is stored in the storage 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reduction process may be executed when the allowable recording number is updated based on the recording in the recording unit 4 (S31, S35). FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example in which the reduction process is executed when the allowable number of records is updated based on the recording in the recording unit. As shown in FIG. 11, the reduction unit 25 executes a reduction process after S36 and 37 (S201). Thereby, the reduction process is executed when the allowable number of recording sheets is updated, for example, when recording on the recording medium is executed. When the allowable number of recordings is updated, even before the update is performed, even if the recording job data defines the number of recordings not exceeding the allowable number of recordings, after the update is performed, In some cases, the number of recordings specified by the recording job data exceeds the allowable number of recordings. By executing the reduction process for such recording job data, the free capacity of the storage 3 can be secured.

  In the above-described embodiment, processing for deleting recording job data from the storage 3, processing for moving (saving) recording job data from the storage 3 to the server 50, and processing for compressing recording job data are performed as the reduction processing. It has become. Not limited to this, the recording setting related to the recording job data determined by the first number determination unit 23 to be a recording number exceeding the allowable number of recordings is a data amount smaller than the original data amount. In this way, the reduction process may be changed. For example, as in S84 to S89 and S104 to S109, depending on the recording setting in which image processing such as deterioration in resolution of recording job data, change of recording job data from color data to monochrome data, and data aggregation of recording job data is performed. As long as the data amount is small. Further, as the reduction process, three processes can be set: a deletion process of the recording job data from the storage 3, a movement (save) process of the recording job data from the storage 3 to the server 50, and a compression process of the recording job data. It is sufficient that at least one of them can be set.

  In the above-described embodiment, the terminal that transmits recording job data to the recording apparatus 1 is the PC 200. However, the terminal that transmits the recording job data to the recording apparatus 1 may be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or the like.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking the operation in the secure recording mode as an example. However, this is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a mode for storing recording job data in the storage 3. In this case, when the user transmits the recording job data to the recording apparatus 1, the recording job data may be set to be stored in the storage 3. Note that the recording job data may be deleted from the storage 3 once recording is performed, or may not be deleted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording method of the recording apparatus 1 is a line type ink jet recording method. The present invention is not limited to this, and a serial type ink jet recording system in which the ink jet head moves may be used. Moreover, it is not restricted to an inkjet recording system, A laser recording system, an LED recording system, etc. may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Recording apparatus 2 Control apparatus (control means)
3 Storage (Job storage means)
4. Recording unit (recording means)
21 Calculation unit (calculation means)
22 Allowable number storage unit (allowable number storage means)
23 First number determination unit (first number determination means)
24 Recording control unit (recording control means)
25 Reduction part (reduction means)
26 Command receiving part (command receiving means)
27 Second number determination unit (second number determination means)
28 Reduction determination unit (reduction determination means)
29 1st capacity | capacitance determination part (1st capacity | capacitance determination means)
30 Increasing part (increasing means)
31 Reset unit (reset means)
32 2nd capacity | capacitance determination part (2nd capacity | capacitance determination means)
50 servers (external storage)

Claims (16)

Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means ,
A first for determining whether or not the job storage unit has a free capacity for increasing the data amount in the job storage unit to the original data amount of the recording job data subjected to the reduction process. Capacity determination means;
And an increase means for executing an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage means when the first capacity determination means determines that there is free space. A recording apparatus. Command receiving means for receiving a recording command for causing the recording means to perform recording based on any of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means;
Reduction determination means for determining whether or not the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command reception means is the one in which the reduction processing has been executed by the reduction means;
A process for determining whether or not the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command receiving means is a record number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. 2 sheet number judging means,
The increasing means determines that the reduction determining means determines that the recording job data related to the recording command received by the command receiving means has been subjected to the reduction process, and the recording job data is the recording job data When the second number determination means determines that the number of recordings not exceeding the allowable number is specified, the increase processing for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage means is executed. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 . Resetting means for resetting the recording allowable number stored in the allowable number storing means to an upper limit recording number;
Reduction determination means for determining whether or not there is recording job data for which the reduction processing has been performed when the allowable number of recording sheets is reset by the reset means ,
When the reduction determination unit determines that there is recording job data for which the reduction process has been performed, the increase unit executes an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage unit. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that: Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means and
Said reducing means, wherein when the print permission number based on the recording of the recording means is updated, and the client performs the reduction processing record apparatus. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means,
When storing new recording job data to the job storage means, and a second capacitor determining means for determining whether there is free space for storing the new printing job data to the job storage means And
It said reducing means, wherein when the second capacity determining means determines that there is not the space, you and the client performs the reduction processing record apparatus. The reduction means defines that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined among the recording job data associated with a user that matches the user associated with the new recording job data. The recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the reduction process is performed on the recording job data determined by the one-sheet determining unit. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means and
The reduction means determines the recording job data determined by the first number determination means that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined from other recording job data stored in the job storage means. the reduction process you characterized in that the execution record apparatus also compressed at a higher compression rate. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means and
The reduction means executes the reduction process of moving the recording job data determined by the first number determination means to the external storage device, when the number of recording sheets exceeding the allowable recording number is specified. It shall be the feature record apparatus. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means and
The reduction means executes the reduction process for deleting the recording job data determined by the first number determination means that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined from the job storage means. record apparatus said. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit recording number that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is configured to perform recording on a recording medium based on the recording job data determined by the first number determination means as a recording number not exceeding the allowable recording number. Recording control means for controlling;
Reduction for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination unit as the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. Means and
The reduction means sets the recording setting relating to the recording job data determined by the first number determination means to be a data amount smaller than the original data amount, when the recording number exceeding the allowable recording number is specified. the fact it said to perform reduction processing record unit to be changed to become. The reduction means determines the recording job data determined by the first number determination means that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined from other recording job data stored in the job storage means. Performing the reduction process of compressing at a high compression rate,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the increasing unit executes the increasing process of decompressing the recording job data compressed by the reducing process. The reduction means executes the reduction process for moving the recording job data determined by the first number determination means to be an external storage device, when the number of recording sheets exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined.
Said increasing means includes a recording job data that has been moved to the external storage device by the reduction process, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that to perform the increasing process of moving to the job storage means The recording device described in 1. The increasing means executes the increasing process so that the data amount is smaller than the original data amount of the recording job data when the first capacity determining means determines that the free capacity is not present. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 . When the first capacity determining means determines that there is no free space, the reducing means determines that the first number determining means determines that the number of recordings exceeding the allowable recording number is specified. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reduction processing for reducing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage unit is executed. Recording means for recording an image on a recording medium;
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data with a specified number of recording sheets;
Control means for controlling the recording means and the job storage means,
The control means includes
A calculation process for calculating an allowable number of recordings, which is a number obtained by subtracting the number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording unit from the upper limit number of recordings that can be recorded in the recording unit;
A storage process for storing the calculated allowable number of recordings;
A number determination process for determining whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means is defined as a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number;
A recording control process for controlling the recording means so that recording on a recording medium is performed based on the recording job data determined to be a prescribed number of recording sheets that does not exceed the allowable recording number;
A reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage unit of the recording job data determined to be a prescribed number of recordings exceeding the allowable number of recordings ;
Capacity determination for determining whether or not the job storage means has a free capacity for increasing the data amount in the job storage means to the original data amount of the recording job data that has been subjected to the reduction processing Process
A recording apparatus, wherein when it is determined that there is free space, an increase process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage unit is performed . A recording apparatus comprising a recording means for recording an image on a recording medium,
Job storage means for storing one or more recording job data each having a specified number of recording sheets;
A calculating means for calculating a recording allowable number that is a number obtained by subtracting a number of recorded sheets recorded in the recording means from an upper limit number of recordings that can be recorded in the recording means;
An allowable number storage means for storing the allowable recording number calculated by the calculation means;
It is determined whether any one of the one or more recording job data stored in the job storage means defines a recording number exceeding the allowable recording number stored in the allowable number storage means. First sheet number judging means for
The recording means is controlled so that recording on a recording medium is performed based on the recording job data determined by the first number determining means if the number of recording sheets not exceeding the allowable recording number is specified. Recording control means for
Reduction means for executing a reduction process for reducing the data amount in the job storage means of the recording job data determined by the first sheet number determination means as a recording number exceeding the allowable number of recordings is defined. ,
A first for determining whether or not the job storage unit has a free capacity for increasing the data amount in the job storage unit to the original data amount of the recording job data subjected to the reduction process. Capacity determination means, and
A program for functioning as an increasing means for executing an increasing process for increasing the data amount of the recording job data in the job storage means when the first capacity determining means determines that there is free space .

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