JP6007775B2 - Job management apparatus, network system, image processing apparatus, job management method, and job management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a job management apparatus, a network system, an image processing apparatus, a job management method, and a job management program, and more specifically, a job management apparatus that efficiently processes reception of a job in consideration of the radio wave intensity of a transmission source, The present invention relates to a network system, an image processing apparatus, a job management method, and a job management program.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and an image processing apparatus such as a printer or a composite apparatus has become an indispensable device for outputting digitized information.

  An image processing apparatus used in a company office or office is connected to a network such as a local area network (LAN) and is shared by information processing apparatuses such as a plurality of personal computers (PCs) connected to the same network. In general.

  In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as printers and composite apparatuses host not only a plurality of computers but also portable terminals such as smartphones and wireless terminals such as notebook personal computers via wired and wireless communication lines. The device receives a print job composed of print settings and print data, prints the print data of the received print job on paper according to the print settings, receives a print job or the like as an accumulation job, and receives the received accumulation Job data is stored in a large-capacity storage unit, or transferred to another device.

  In the image processing apparatus, normally, when a job is received, the received job is registered in the job queue, and the jobs are executed in the registration order in the job queue.

  However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, when the host device is a wireless terminal, communication is frequently interrupted and resumed in a situation where the radio field strength between the wireless terminal and the base station is weak.

  Therefore, conventionally, communication data input means for inputting and editing communication data, communication request processing means for processing a transmission request for communication data input by the communication data input means, and receiving a transmission request by the communication request processing means Communication data storage means for temporarily storing received communication data, radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring radio wave intensity between base stations of the communication system, radio communication means for performing radio communication by the communication system, and the radio wave intensity Data communication in which radio wave intensity is measured multiple times by the measuring means, and communication data stored in the communication data storage means is transmitted by the radio communication means if the radio wave intensity is a level at which communication is possible from the measurement result There has been proposed a data communication apparatus including a control means (see Patent Document 1).

  That is, according to this conventional technique, the data communication device, which is the terminal on the transmission side, transmits data when the radio wave intensity is sufficient, and the data is interrupted due to deterioration of radio wave conditions during communication. It is preventing.

  However, in the prior art described in the above publication, since the data communication device that transmits data transmits data when the radio wave intensity is sufficient, the data reception processing and image processing in the image processing device on the receiving side Not considered. Conventionally, once the image processing apparatus on the receiving side starts to receive data from the transmission terminal, the data reception continues to the end even if there is a job reception request from another transmission terminal in the middle.

  That is, when the image processing apparatus that is the data transmission destination is receiving data, the wireless terminal frequently makes a job reception request to the image processing apparatus that is the data transmission destination, resulting in an increase in power consumption. In particular, the wireless terminal increases the antenna sensitivity when the radio wave intensity is weak between the time when a job reception request is made and the time when the job reception request is granted until the job transmission is completed. Power consumption during job transmission and transmission increases. As a result, there is a possibility that a wireless terminal with weak radio field strength may be disconnected during transmission of important data or may be disconnected due to power shortage.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to efficiently process data reception in consideration of the radio field intensity of the transmission source.

  In order to achieve the above object, a job management apparatus according to claim 1 is a communication means for communicating with a host apparatus, and a job reception request for requesting reception of a job from the host apparatus, wherein wireless communication is performed in a communication path. If the route exists, when the communication means receives the job reception request including the radio field strength information for notifying the radio field strength on the wireless communication path, does the job reception request include the radio field strength information? And if the radio field strength information is included, the communication status detection unit for acquiring the radio field strength and the communication status detection unit when receiving a plurality of the job reception requests, The job reception request in which the radio field intensity information is detected is set with a higher reception priority in the reception order than the job reception request in which the radio field intensity information is not detected, and the radio field intensity information is not included. Among the plurality of job reception requests, the reception priority setting means for setting a higher reception priority for the job reception request having a lower radio wave intensity, and the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set by the reception priority setting means During the reception process of the job corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job, the communication unit receives another job reception request, and the reception priority setting unit acquires the other received by the communication status detection unit. Based on the radio wave intensity of the job reception request and the radio wave intensity of the currently received job, if a higher reception priority is set for the job of the other job reception request than the currently received job, A receiving order switching means for switching a job receiving order from a job to another job, and the job according to the job receiving order based on the receiving priority set by the receiving priority setting means A reception control unit that causes the communication unit to receive the job corresponding to a communication request, and switches the job according to the job reception order switched by the reception order switching unit and causes the communication unit to receive the job. It is characterized by having.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the data reception which considered the radio field intensity of the transmission source can be processed efficiently.

1 is a configuration diagram of a network system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The principal part block block diagram of a host apparatus. The figure which shows an example of a job reception request packet. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus. 6 is a flowchart showing job reception request ranking processing. The figure which shows the example of registration of the job reception request to a communication request queue. The figure which shows an example of a data reception waiting timeout setting screen. The flowchart which shows a communication request check process. The flowchart which shows a communication other party review process. The figure which shows an example of a data reception switching priority setting screen. The figure which shows an example of a data reception switching radio wave intensity setting screen. The figure which shows an example of a print output order setting screen. 5 is a flowchart showing print output order adjustment processing.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The range of this invention is unduly limited by the following description. However, not all the configurations described in the present embodiment are essential constituent elements of the present invention.

  1 to 13 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a job management apparatus, network system, image processing apparatus, job management method, and job management program according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the job management apparatus and network according to the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system 1 to which an embodiment of a system, an image processing apparatus, a job management method, and a job management program is applied.

  In FIG. 1, a network system 1 includes an image forming apparatus Gk and a plurality of host apparatuses HS1 to HSn connected to a network NW such as the Internet or an intranet. Among the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn, a mobile terminal or a notebook personal computer. Is connected to the network NW via the access point devices AP1 to APm. In FIG. 1, only the wireless terminals are described as the host devices HS1 to HSn. However, the host devices HS1 to HSn are not limited to the wireless terminals, and are connected to a wired computer or the like. May be.

  Access point devices AP1 to APm communicate wirelessly with host devices HS1 to HSn of wireless terminals, and are often connected to network NW by wire. The access point devices AP1 to APm wirelessly transmit / receive transfer data to / from the host devices HS1 to HSn, which are wireless terminals, and relay wireless communication in the network system 1.

  The host devices HS1 to HSn are image processing devices such as printer devices, scanner devices, and composite devices that request image processing from other image processing devices, wired or wireless terminals such as computers, smartphones, notebook personal computers, and the like. Wireless terminal or the like. The host devices HS1 to HSn have a block configuration as shown in FIG. 2 and include a control unit 11, an internal storage unit 12, a user I / F 13, a communication I / F 14, and the like. Note that the host devices HS1 to HSn shown in FIG. 2 are the host devices HS1 to HSn when they are wireless terminals, and even if they are wired terminals, the communication I / F 14 is a wired communication I / F. Only the configuration of the main part is the same.

  The internal storage unit 12 executes an OS (Operating System) that controls the host devices HS1 to HSn, various application software, data created and edited by the application software, and the job management method of the present invention. Of the job management program, a host-side job management program that is a part of a program executed by the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn is stored.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. In the control unit 11, the CPU executes processing as the host devices HS1 to HSn based on the OS and software in the internal storage unit 12 while using the RAM as a work memory, and based on the host-side job management program. The job management process executed on the host devices HS1 to HSn side is executed. For example, the control unit 11 performs processing such as inserting the radio wave intensity information Pk (see FIG. 3) into the job reception request packet P (see FIG. 3). The control unit 11 does not insert the radio wave intensity information Pk into the job reception request packet P when the host devices HS1 to HSn are connected to the network NW by wire.

  That is, the host devices HS1 to HSn include ROM, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), CD-RW (Compact Disc Rewritable), A job management program for executing the job management method of the present invention recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), an SD (Secure Digital) card, or an MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) is read. By being installed in the internal storage unit 12 or the like, it is constructed as a host device that executes a job management method for making a job reception request including insertion processing of radio wave intensity information Pk described later. This host-side job management program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), an object-oriented programming language, or the like. Can be stored and distributed.

  The user I / F 13 is an operation unit in which the users of the host devices HS1 to HSn perform various operations on the host devices HS1 to HSn, various commands input from the operation unit, and various information notified to the user from the host devices HS1 to HSn. And a voice output unit that outputs various information as voices. The operation unit and the display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) on which a touch panel is stacked. . The control unit 11 acquires contents operated by the user I / F 13 from the user I / F 13 and performs various operation controls, and also displays data to be displayed on the display unit of the user I / F 13 or output as audio. Output to F13.

  When the host devices HS1 to HSn are wireless terminals connected to the network NW wirelessly, the communication I / F 14 performs wireless communication with the access point devices AP1 to APm under the control of the control unit 11, and finally When the job reception request is permitted by communicating with the image forming apparatus Gk and making a job reception request, the job is transmitted. The communication I / F 14 communicates with the image forming apparatus Gk by executing a communication protocol with the network NW when the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn are wired terminals connected to the network NW.

  In the job reception request, the host devices HS1 to HSn transmit, for example, a job reception request packet P as illustrated in FIG. 3 from the communication I / F 14 under the control of the control unit 11. When the host devices HS1 to HSn are wireless terminals that communicate wirelessly, the job reception packet P including the radio wave intensity Pk shown in FIG. 3 is sent to the image forming device Gk via the access point devices AP1 to APm and the network NW. Transmission is performed from the communication I / F 14 under the control of the control unit 11. As shown in FIG. 3, when the host devices HS1 to HSn are wireless terminals, the packet P includes a header Ph, radio wave intensity information Pk, and data Pd. The header Ph and the data Pd have a normal packet configuration. Is. Therefore, when the host devices HS1 to HSn are wired terminals connected to the network NW by wire, as the packet P, a packet including only the header Ph and the data Pd that does not include the radio wave intensity information Pk is transmitted.

  The radio wave intensity information Pk is information in which, for example, the radio wave intensity is numerically classified into a plurality of stages, and the current radio wave intensity of the host devices HS1 to HSn is numerically indicated among the classified radio wave intensity. The radio field intensity indicated by the radio field intensity information Pk is the radio field intensity between the host devices HS1 to HSn and the access point devices AP1 to APm, and is acquired by the communication I / F 14. In the host devices HS1 to HSn, the control unit 11 converts the radio wave intensity acquired by the communication I / F 14 into a numerical value for each stage based on the job management program, and inserts it into the packet P as the radio wave intensity information Pk. The radio wave intensity information Pk may be inserted as part of the header Ph or may be inserted as part of the data Pd.

  That is, when the host devices HS1 to HSn are wireless terminals, they communicate wirelessly with the access point devices AP1 to APm via the communication I / F 14, and via the network NW to which the access point devices AP1 to APm are connected. It communicates with the image forming apparatus Gk.

  As described above, the access point devices AP1 to APm transmit and receive data wirelessly to / from the communication I / F 14 of the host devices HS1 to HSn that are wireless terminals, and the image forming apparatus Gk via the network NW. It relays wireless communication with the host devices HS1 to HSn.

  The image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) Gk is an apparatus provided with an image processing unit (image processing means) such as a copying apparatus, a printer apparatus, or a composite apparatus. As shown in FIG. An internal storage unit 22, an image output unit 23, a user I / F 24, a communication I / F 25, and the like are provided. The image processing apparatus is not limited to the image forming apparatus Gk, and can be applied to general image processing apparatuses that receive job data from the outside and perform image processing on the job data.

  The image forming apparatus Gk includes a job management unit (job management device) JK that functions by the control unit 21 and the communication I / F 25, as will be described later.

  The internal storage unit 22 is configured by a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and includes various types of application software and various types of image forming apparatus Gk for executing various functions of the OS that controls the image forming apparatus Gk and the image forming apparatus Gk. Of the job management program for executing the job management method of the present invention, such as settings and logs, the image processing apparatus side job management program, which is a part of the program executed by the image forming apparatus Gk, particularly the job management unit JK Remember.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a RAM, and the like. In the control unit 21, the CPU executes various processes based on a program in the internal storage unit 22 while using the RAM as a work memory. That is, the control unit 21 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus Gk to execute basic processing as the image forming apparatus Gk, and among the job management programs for executing the job management method of the present invention, the image forming apparatus. Job management processing executed on the image forming apparatus Gk side is executed based on a management apparatus side job management program which is a part of the program executed on Gk. Specifically, the control unit 21 determines whether the job reception request is transmitted from the host devices HS1 to HSn that are the transmission source of the job reception request, depending on whether or not the job reception request received by the communication I / F 25 described later includes the radio wave intensity information Pk. Whether or not a wireless communication path exists in the communication path is detected, and if the radio wave intensity information is included, a communication status detection process for acquiring the radio wave intensity is performed. In addition, when the control unit 21 receives a plurality of the job reception requests, the control unit 21 receives a job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is detected in a higher reception order than the job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is not detected. In addition to setting the priority, a reception priority setting process for setting a higher reception priority for the job reception request having a lower radio wave intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio wave intensity information is performed. Furthermore, the control unit 21 causes the communication I / F 25 to receive another job reception request during the job reception process corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set as described above. And receiving a higher priority for the job of the other job reception request than the currently received job based on the radio field intensity acquired from the other job reception request and the radio field intensity of the currently received job. Is set, a reception order switching process for switching the job reception order from the currently received job to the other job is performed. Further, the control unit 21 causes the communication I / F 25 to receive a job corresponding to the job reception request in accordance with the job reception order based on the reception priority set as described above, and the switched job reception. A reception control process is performed in which the job is switched according to the rank and received by the communication I / F 25. Further, the control unit 21 sets a permissible waiting time from when a job reception request is received to when image processing of a job corresponding to the job reception request is executed by a user I / F 24 described later. When the permissible waiting time elapses after the request is received and the job image processing for the job reception request has not been executed, the job reception order of the job reception request is switched to the top, and the received image processing of the job is performed. Is given priority to the image output unit 23.

  Therefore, the control unit 21 functions as a communication status detection unit, a reception priority setting unit, a reception order switching unit, a reception control unit, and a control unit.

  The image forming apparatus Gk is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD, SD card, MO, etc. A job management unit JK that executes a job management method for performing a job management process for a job reception request including the radio wave intensity information Pk by reading a job management program for executing the job management method and introducing the job management program into the internal storage unit 22 or the like. It is constructed as a mounted image forming apparatus. This job management program is a computer-executable program written in a legacy programming language such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark) or an object-oriented programming language, and is stored in the recording medium. Can be distributed.

  A user I / F (setting unit, neglected radio wave intensity setting unit, function setting unit, allowable waiting time setting unit) 24 is input from an operation unit or an operation unit by which a user directly performs various operations on the image forming apparatus Gk. It has a display unit that displays various commands and various types of information notified to the user from the image forming apparatus Gk, and a voice output unit that outputs various types of information as voices. As the operation unit and the display unit, for example, a hard key may be used, or a touch panel may be stacked on a liquid crystal LCD without the hard key. The control unit 21 acquires the contents operated by the user I / F 24 from the user I / F 24 and performs various operation controls, and also displays data to be displayed on the display unit of the user I / F 24 and to be output as audio. Output to F24. In particular, the user I / F 24 is used to set a radio wave intensity condition related to the radio wave intensity for switching the job reception order by the control unit 21 as a reception rank switching unit, and sets the radio wave intensity for ignoring the job reception request. Used to set. Further, the user I / F 24 is used for setting on / off of processing for prioritizing job reception requests by the control unit 21 serving as a reception priority setting unit, and receives a job reception request. Is used to set an allowable waiting time until image processing of a job corresponding to the job reception request is executed.

  The communication I / F (communication means) 25 is a wired host device HS1 such as another image forming device on the network NW or a computer connected by wire among the host devices HS1 to HSn under the control of the control unit 21. Communicates with HSn, and communicates with wireless host devices HS1 to HSn such as portable terminals and notebook personal computers connected wirelessly via the network NW and access point devices AP1 to APm among the host devices HS1 to HSn. Wireless communication between them. The communication I / F 25 receives a job reception request from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn under the control of the control unit 21, and the control unit 21 receives a job reception request processing order according to a job management process described later. The order is controlled by priority based on the radio field intensity.

  Therefore, the control unit 21 and the communication I / F 25 function as a job management apparatus JK mounted on the image forming apparatus Gk as a whole.

  The image output unit (image processing means) 23 forms an image on a sheet by, for example, a predetermined image forming method (electrophotographic method, ink ejection method, etc.) as image processing. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic system, the image output unit 23 is not shown, but is a component necessary for performing an image forming process (printing process) on a sheet based on image image data (drawing data) in the electrophotographic system. A charging unit, an optical writing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are disposed around the photosensitive member. The optical writing unit is operated on the photosensitive member by image image data and a control signal. An electrostatic latent image is formed, and toner is supplied onto the photoconductor by the developing unit to develop the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. The image output unit 23 feeds a sheet from the sheet feeding unit between the photosensitive member and the transfer unit, transfers the toner image on the photosensitive member to the sheet, and conveys the sheet onto which the toner image is transferred to the fixing unit. Then, an image forming process is performed by fixing the toner image on the paper by heating and pressurizing in the fixing unit.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In the network system 1 according to the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus Gk efficiently processes data reception in consideration of the radio wave intensity of the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn that are transmission sources.

  The network system 1 sends a job reception request to the image forming apparatus Gk from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn connected by wire or wireless, and the image forming apparatus Gk sends the job reception request from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn to the communication request queue. (Job reception order) is registered, and job reception processing is performed in the order corresponding to the communication request queue.

  In the network system 1, the job reception from the host devices HS1 to HSn connected by wire or the host devices HS1 to HSn connected wirelessly with high radio field strength can be performed at high speed. In addition, since the connection is rarely cut off during the communication, it is not necessary to process the job reception request with priority. However, the jobs of the host devices HS1 to HSn connected by radio with weak radio field strength are not required. As for reception, a large amount of power consumption is used to increase antenna sensitivity in order to disconnect the connection in the middle of communication or to maintain communication by the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus Gk stores in advance in the internal storage unit 22 whether the host apparatus is making a job reception request wirelessly or wiredly, or when it is wirelessly, depending on the degree of the radio field intensity. A job reception request job reception order, that is, a reception request permission priority table for setting job reception order is stored, and this reception request permission priority table gives priority to a job reception request by wireless rather than wired, Even a wireless reception request is a table that gives priority to a job reception request with weaker radio field intensity.

  In the network system 1 of the present embodiment, the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn that make a job reception request wirelessly insert the radio wave intensity information Pk into the packet P of the job reception request as shown in FIG. The image is transmitted to the image forming apparatus Gk.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the communication I / F 25 receives a new job reception request in a situation where job reception requests are crowded to a preset level, the image forming apparatus Gk It is checked whether the job reception request is transmitted through wireless communication (step S101). The control unit 21 checks whether or not the job reception request is transmitted through wireless communication by checking whether or not the radio wave intensity information Pk is inserted in the packet P of the job reception request.

  In step S101, the control unit 21 obtains the radio wave intensity information Pk inserted in the packet P of the job reception request if the job reception request is wireless communication (YES in step S101). The control unit 21 determines the reception priority of the job reception request according to the radio field strength of the acquired radio field strength information Pk, and sets the job reception order that is the registration position of the job reception request to the communication request queue. Then, the job reception request ranking process is terminated (step S102).

  If it is determined in step S101 that the job reception request is not wireless communication, that is, if it is a wired job reception request (NO in step S101), the control unit 21 finally determines the reception priority of the job reception request. Then, the job reception request is registered at the last position of the communication request queue, and the job reception request ranking process is ended (step S103).

  When the image forming apparatus Gk performs the job reception request ranking process as described above, a job reception request is registered in the communication request queue, for example, as shown in FIG. In the communication request queue of FIG. 6, job IDs are assigned in the order in which job reception requests are received, and job reception requests with job IDs “1” to “4” are registered. In the communication request queue, the job reception request of job ID “1” is received in order and the job reception request of job ID “4” is received, and the upper side of FIG. That is, the state registered as the head for performing the reception process is shown. In the communication request queue of FIG. 6, among the four reception request radio field strengths having a radio field intensity of “2”, the job reception request of job ID = 2 having the weakest radio field intensity is registered. Among the radio field intensities of the four job reception requests “4”, the job reception request of job ID = 3 having the second weakest radio field intensity is registered. In FIG. 6, two job reception requests, job ID = 1 and job ID = 4, are registered as wired job reception requests. They are registered in order. FIG. 6 shows that the wireless strength is stronger as the numerical value is larger. That is, in FIG. 6, the control unit 21 wirelessly received the job reception request with job ID = 2 in a state where the job reception request with job ID = 1 is received by wire and registered in the communication request queue. Registered in the communication request queue before job ID = 1 (position with higher priority), and then received a job reception request with job ID = 3 wirelessly, but the radio field strength is stronger than job ID = 2 , Registered at the position of the communication request queue between job ID = 1 and job ID = 2. Further, the control unit 21 has received the job reception request with the job ID = 4, but since it is wired, it is registered at the position of the next communication request queue with the previously received wired job ID = 1. ing.

  Then, for example, the image forming apparatus Gk displays a data reception waiting time-out setting screen G1 as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit of the user I / F 24 to wait for the reception processing of the job reception request with a low priority. The time limit to be kept may be settable.

  In the data reception waiting time-out setting screen G1 in FIG. 7, when “Set timeout” and “Do not set timeout” are selected, and “Set timeout” is selected, enter the number of seconds, You can set the maximum waiting time for acceptance.

  The control unit 21 has many job reception requests from the host devices HS1 to HSn having low radio field strength, and reception of data (jobs) of job reception requests from the host devices HS1 to HSn having high wire strength or radio field strength is received for a long time. If not, when the time-out period (seconds) set on the data reception wait time-out setting screen G1 in FIG. 7 elapses after receiving the job reception request, the job reception request regardless of wired / wireless or radio wave intensity. Data reception (job reception) starts. When the control unit 21 receives a job due to a timeout, the control unit 21 promptly causes the image output unit 23 to process the job, for example, print processing using print data of the job.

  Further, when “Do not set timeout” is selected on the data reception waiting timeout setting screen G1 in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 does not set a waiting time limit, and the host devices HS1 to HSn always having weak radio field strength. Priority is given to data reception in response to a job acceptance request from.

  Then, when executing the data reception process, the control unit 21 performs a communication request queue check process for determining whether or not the communication request queue needs to be rearranged, as shown in FIG. 8, at a predetermined check timing. This check timing is a timing at which a predetermined time interval, a timing at which a new request is registered in the communication request queue, or a timing set in advance by the user is appropriately set. In FIG. 8, the host devices HS1 to HSn are represented as terminals, and in the following, the host devices HS1 to HSn are appropriately referred to as terminals and are represented on the drawing.

  That is, the control unit 21 checks the communication request queue at a predetermined check timing (step S201), and is weaker than the currently communicating host devices HS1 to HSn (indicated as terminals in FIG. 8). It is checked whether there is a job reception request (communication request) from the host devices HS1 to HSn having the radio wave intensity (step S202).

  If there is a job reception request (communication request) in step S202 (YES in step S202), the control unit 21 performs a communication partner review process described later and ends the communication request check process (step S203). .

  If there is no job reception request (communication request) in step S202 (NO in step S202), the control unit 21 ends the communication request check process without performing the communication partner review process.

  And the control part 21 performs a communication other party review process, as shown in FIG. That is, when the control unit 21 shifts to the communication partner review process, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the control unit 21 calculates the time required until the reception of the currently received data (job) is completed (step S301). The control unit 21 determines the time required to complete the reception of the data currently being communicated (current communication data reception completion remaining communication time: currently received job reception completion time): current communication data reception completion remaining communication time = remaining Calculated by data capacity / communication speed. For example, if the communication speed of the data currently being communicated is 5 MB / s, the remaining data capacity is 50 MB, and the radio wave intensity is 95, the control unit 21 has the current communication data reception completion remaining communication time = 50 (MB). / 5 (MB / s) = 10 s.

  Next, the control unit 21 calculates a time required until the reception of the top data in the communication request queue is completed (step S302). The control unit 21 determines the time required to complete the reception of the head data of the communication request queue (queue head data reception completion remaining communication time: other job reception completion time), queue head data reception completion remaining communication time = remaining data capacity. / Communication speed. For example, if the communication speed of the queue head data is 3 MB / s, the remaining data capacity is 20 MB, and the radio wave intensity is 65, the control unit 21 receives the queue head data reception completion remaining communication time = 20 (MB) / 3. Calculate as (MB / s) = 6.66 s.

  Then, the control unit 21 compares the priority of the data currently being received with the priority of the data at the head of the queue, and determines whether the priority of the data at the head of the queue is higher than the priority of the data currently being received. Judgment is made (step S303).

  The control unit 21 determines the data priority based on the remaining communication time, the radio wave intensity of each data, user setting priority conditions (such as radio wave intensity), and the like.

  Then, the control unit 21 displays, for example, a data reception switching priority setting screen G2 as shown in FIG. 10 or a data reception switching radio wave intensity setting screen G3 as shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit of the user I / F 24. Then, the user setting priority condition is acquired by making the user set.

  That is, on the data reception switching priority setting screen G2 shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 21 selects whether to receive data reception from the host devices HS1 to HSn based on the radio field strength (in FIG. 10, In the case of priority reception (selection of “priority” and “not priority” radio buttons), selection of the strength of priority reception (in FIG. 10, radio buttons of “strong”, “medium”, and “weak”) This is a screen for performing selection.

  That is, on the data reception switching priority setting screen G2 in FIG. 10, the user wants to give priority to data reception from the host devices HS1 to HSn (indicated as wireless terminals in FIG. 10) having low radio field intensity. Select the “Preferred” radio button. If the user chooses to give priority to data reception from a wireless terminal with weak radio field strength, select the “High”, “Medium”, and “Weak” radio buttons to determine how much priority is given, and click OK. Press the button. For example, “strong”, “medium”, and “weak” as priority levels are, for example, “strong”, always the weakest radio wave at that time, regardless of the remaining communication time and the difference in radio wave intensity. Priority is given to communication with the host devices HS1 to HSn having high strength. In “medium”, the remaining communication time of the current communication data reception completion is 1/10 or more of the remaining communication time of the queue head data reception completion, and the radio wave intensity of the data located at the head of the communication request queue is If it is 2/3 or less of the radio field intensity of the data being received, the current data being received is switched to the queue head data for reception. In “weak”, the current communication data reception completion remaining communication time is 1/5 or more of the queue head data reception completion remaining communication time, and the radio wave intensity of the data located at the head of the communication request queue is currently communicating. If the data is less than 2/5 of the radio field intensity of the data, the currently received data is switched to the queue head data for reception. Note that the above switching priority condition and option settings are examples, and can be defined as appropriate and allowed to be selected by the user.

  In the data reception switching radio wave intensity setting screen G3 shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 21 receives a job from the host devices HS1 to HSn (indicated as terminals in FIG. 11) having low radio wave intensity. Set whether to ignore the request (communication request) or how strong it should be. In other words, data transmission from the host devices HS1 to HSn with extremely weak radio wave intensity may cause many data transmission retries during communication, and may take time to complete data reception. Therefore, the control unit 21 allows the user to set so as to ignore a job reception request from a terminal with extremely weak radio field intensity on the data reception switching radio field intensity setting screen G3 in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the radio wave intensity threshold value ignoring the job reception request is set to 60%, 40%, 20%, “all radio wave intensity”, and the user selects a radio button corresponding to one of the radio wave strengths. Then, press the OK button. Note that the choice of radio wave intensity is not limited to the above example. “All radio field strengths” means that job reception requests from host apparatuses HS1 to HSn having all radio field strengths are accepted without ignoring job reception requests from host apparatuses HS1 to HSn having low radio field intensity. Yes.

  Returning to FIG. 9 again, in step S303, the control unit 21 compares the priority of the data currently being received with the priority of the data at the head of the queue, and the queue head is higher than the priority of the data currently being received. In the priority comparison determination, for example, in the data reception switching priority setting screen G2 in FIG. 10, the user gives priority to a terminal with weak signal strength. Assume that the communication destination switching condition for setting (medium) ”and switching the communication partner to the first data in the communication request queue is as follows.

a) 0.1 × (queue head data reception completion remaining communication time) <(current communication data reception completion remaining communication time),
And b) (the signal strength of the queue head data) <2/3 × (the signal strength of the data currently being communicated)
The condition of a) is a condition for confirming that the remaining communication time of the current communication data reception completion is long enough to switch the communication partner, and the condition of b) is the radio wave intensity of the queue head data. This is a condition for confirming that the radio wave intensity of the currently communicating data is sufficiently different to switch the communication partner. Each coefficient 0.1 and 2/3 in the above conditions varies depending on user settings.

  For the communication switching condition, the communication speed of the data currently being communicated is 5 MB / s, the remaining data capacity is 50 MB, the radio wave intensity is 95, and the communication speed of the queue head data is 3 MB / s. Applying the example when the remaining data capacity is 20 MB and the radio wave intensity is 65, the following is obtained.

a) 0.1 × 10 <6.66 = 1 <6.66
b) 60 <2/3 × 95 = 60 <63.3
Therefore, since the two conditions of the communication destination switching condition are satisfied, the control unit 21 switches the communication partner from the data currently being received to the first data in the communication request queue.

  That is, in FIG. 9, when the communication switching condition is satisfied in step S303 (YES in step S303), the control unit 21 changes the communication partner from the currently communicating partner to the first data in the communication request queue. Switching to the other party ends the communication partner review process (step S304).

  If the communication switching condition is not satisfied in step S303 (NO in step S303), the control unit 21 ends the communication partner review process without switching the communication partner.

  Even if the communication partner switching process is performed as described above, the control unit 21 may want to perform the print output order in the job reception order. Therefore, the print output order switching process is performed according to the user setting. I do.

  Therefore, the control unit 21 displays a print output order setting screen G4 as shown in FIG. 12 on the display unit of the input I / F 24 to allow the user to set the print output order.

  In the print output order setting screen G4 shown in FIG. 12, the user can select either the order of communication request generation or the order of completion of print data reception as the print order. The communication request generation order is a printing order in which printing (image output) is performed in the order in which communication requests are generated. The communication request generation order is a printing order in which printing is performed in the order in which the communication requests (job reception requests) are received, not the order in which the print data is actually received. Therefore, the control unit 21 receives the previously received data so that the order of printing becomes the order of occurrence of communication requests when the order of communication requests in the communication request queue is changed after the occurrence of communication requests in the order of occurrence of communication requests. Are stored in the internal storage unit 22 and when the order of communication requests is reached, the data is read from the internal storage unit 22 and printed by the image output unit 23. In the print data reception completion order, when data is received according to the order of the communication request queue, printing is performed in the order of reception and output.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 21 first checks whether printing is set to be performed in the order of communication requests (step S401).

  If the order of communication requests is set in step S401 (when YES in step S401), the control unit 21 stores the received data in the internal storage unit 22, and changes the order of the data to the order of communication requests. Data is read from the internal storage unit 22 in the order of communication requests and printed out by the image output unit 23 (step S402).

  When the communication request order is not set in step S401 (NO in step S401), the control unit 21 stores the received data in the internal storage unit 22 and changes the order of the data. Instead, they are read out from the internal storage unit 22 in the order received and printed out by the image output unit 23 (step S403).

  In this way, in the image forming apparatus Gk, the actual printing order is performed in the order in which communication requests (job reception requests) are generated or the order in which jobs are received is not affected by the radio wave intensity of the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn. It is possible to process promptly according to the user's selection. As a result, usability can be improved.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a communication I / F (communication unit) 25 that communicates with the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn and a job reception request that requests reception of a job from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn. If the communication I / F 25 receives the job reception request including the radio field strength information for notifying the radio field strength on the wireless communication path when the wireless communication path exists in the communication path, the job reception request is received. Whether or not the radio wave intensity information is included is detected, and if the radio wave intensity information is included, a control unit (communication status detecting unit) 21 that acquires the radio wave intensity and a plurality of job reception requests are received. When receiving, a job reception request in which the control unit 21 as the communication status detecting means detects the radio wave intensity information is received in a higher reception order than the undetected job reception request. A control unit (reception priority setting means) 21 for setting a priority and setting a higher reception priority for a job reception request having a lower radio wave intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio wave intensity information; The communication I / F 25 receives another job reception request during the job reception process corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set by the control unit 21 as the reception priority setting means. And the control unit 21 as the reception priority setting unit sets the radio field strength of the other job reception request acquired by the control unit 21 as the communication status detection unit and the radio field strength of the job currently being received. Based on this, when a higher reception priority is set for the job of the other job reception request than the currently received job, the job reception order is switched from the currently received job to the other job. The control unit (reception order switching unit) 21 communicates the reception of the job corresponding to the job reception request according to the job reception order based on the reception priority set by the control unit 21 as the reception priority setting unit. A control unit (reception control unit) 21 that causes the communication I / F 25 to switch the job according to the job reception order switched by the control unit 21 serving as the reception order switching unit. A job management unit (job management device) JK is provided.

  Therefore, priority can be given to job reception requests that include wireless communication paths in the communication path, and job reception requests with lower radio field strength can be received, and priority must be given during job reception. When a job reception request with a certain radio field intensity is generated, the job can be received by switching from the job being received to the highest priority job. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication failure while reducing power consumption in the host devices HS1 to HSn having weak radio field strength, and efficiently process data reception in consideration of the radio field strength of the transmission source. be able to.

  The image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a communication processing step in which the job management unit JK communicates with the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn, and a job reception request for requesting reception of a job from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn. If a wireless communication path exists in the communication path, when the job reception request including the radio field strength information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path is received in the communication processing step, the job reception request includes Whether or not radio wave intensity information is included is detected, and if the radio wave intensity information is included, a communication status detection processing step for acquiring the radio wave intensity and a plurality of the job reception requests are received. In the case of the job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is detected in the communication status detection processing step, the radio wave intensity information is set in the reception order more than the undetected job reception request. A reception priority setting processing step for setting a high reception priority and setting a higher reception priority for the job reception request having a weaker radio wave intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio wave intensity information; During the reception processing of the job corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set in the reception priority setting processing step, another job reception request is received in the communication processing step. In the reception priority setting processing step, the currently received job is based on the radio field strength of the other job reception request acquired in the communication status detection processing step and the radio field strength of the currently received job. If a higher reception priority is set for the other job reception request job, the job reception order is switched from the currently received job to the other job. And receiving the job corresponding to the job reception request in the communication processing step according to the job reception order based on the reception priority set in the reception priority switching processing step and the reception priority setting processing step. And a reception control processing step of switching a job in accordance with the job reception order switched in the reception order switching processing step and receiving the job in the communication processing step.

  Therefore, priority can be given to job reception requests that include wireless communication paths in the communication path, and job reception requests with lower radio field strength can be received, and priority must be given during job reception. When a job reception request with a certain signal strength occurs, it is possible to switch from the job being received to the job with the highest priority and to receive the job, and to efficiently process the data reception considering the signal strength of the transmission source. it can.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment, the job management unit JK requests a control processor such as a CPU to perform communication processing for communicating with the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn and receive jobs from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn. When the job reception request is a wireless communication path in the communication path, the job reception request including the radio wave intensity information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path is received by the communication process. It is detected whether or not the radio wave intensity information is included in the job reception request. If the radio wave intensity information is included, a communication status detection process for acquiring the radio wave intensity, and a plurality of the job reception requests In the case of receiving the job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is detected in the communication status detection process, the radio wave intensity information is received in the receiving order more than the undetected job reception request. A reception priority setting process for setting a higher reception priority for the job reception request having a lower radio field strength among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio field strength information, During the job reception process corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order according to the reception priority set in the priority setting process, another job reception request is received in the communication process, and In the reception priority setting process, based on the radio field strength of the other job reception request acquired in the communication status detection process and the radio field intensity of the currently received job, the other job than the currently received job When a high reception priority is set for a job requesting job, a reception priority switching process for switching the job reception priority from the currently received job to the other job, and the reception priority setting process. The communication process receives the job corresponding to the job reception request in accordance with the job reception order based on the reception priority set in step S1 and the job reception order switched by the reception order switching process. In response to this, a job management program is executed to execute a reception control process in which jobs are switched and received by the communication process.

  Therefore, priority can be given to job reception requests that include wireless communication paths in the communication path, and job reception requests with lower radio field strength can be received, and priority must be given during job reception. When a job reception request with a certain signal strength occurs, it is possible to switch from the job being received to the job with the highest priority and to receive the job, and to efficiently process the data reception considering the signal strength of the transmission source. it can.

  In addition, the job management unit JK of the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment is configured so that the control unit 21 serving as the reception order switching unit and the received job reception completion time until the reception of the received job is completed and the other Calculates another job reception completion time until completion of job reception request job reception, the received job reception completion time, the other job reception completion time, the radio wave intensity of the receiving job, and the other job reception Whether or not to switch the job reception order is determined based on the requested radio wave intensity.

  Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and appropriately switch the reception order between a job being received and a job with a weak radio wave intensity.

  Furthermore, the job management unit JK of the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment sets a user I / F that sets a radio wave intensity condition related to the radio wave intensity for switching the job reception rank by the control unit 21 as the reception rank switching unit. (Setting unit) 24, and the control unit 21 as the reception priority setting unit includes the radio field intensity condition set by the user I / F 24, the radio field intensity of the other job reception request, and the currently received signal. Based on the radio field intensity of the job, it is determined whether or not to switch the job reception order from the currently received job to the other job reception request job.

  Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not to switch the reception job based on the radio wave intensity condition intended by the user, and to process it, thereby reducing the power consumption of the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn while improving the usability. be able to.

  In addition, the job management unit JK of the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment includes a user I / F (ignore radio wave intensity setting unit) 24 that sets a radio wave intensity that ignores the job reception request, and the reception priority setting unit. And the control unit 21 as the reception order switching unit receives the job reception if the radio field intensity acquired by the control unit 21 as the communication status detection unit is less than the radio field intensity set by the user I / F 24. Ignore the request.

  Therefore, by ignoring the job reception request less than the radio wave intensity intended by the user, the power consumption of the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn can be reduced while improving the efficiency of the processing.

  Further, the job management unit JK of the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present exemplary embodiment sets a user I / F (function setting unit) that sets validity / invalidity of the job reception order switching processing function by the control unit 21 as the reception order switching unit. ) 24, and the control unit 21 serving as the reception order switching means performs the job reception order switching process only when the switching processing function is set to be effective in the user I / F 24.

  Therefore, it is possible to control the switching of the job reception order in accordance with the usage status of the user, and the usability can be improved.

  Further, the network system 1 according to the present embodiment is a job reception request for requesting reception of a job, and when a wireless communication path exists in the communication path, the radio wave that notifies the radio field intensity of the wireless communication path The job reception request including the intensity information is transmitted from the plurality of host devices HS1 to HSn to the job management unit (job management device) JK, and the job management unit JK sets the job reception order of the job reception request to the radio wave. A network system that performs management based on the strength and receives a job corresponding to the job reception request from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn according to the job reception order, and the job management unit JK performs the job management. ing.

  Therefore, priority can be given to job reception requests that include wireless communication paths in the communication path, and job reception requests with lower radio field strength can be received, and priority must be given during job reception. When a job reception request with a certain signal strength occurs, it is possible to switch from the job being received to the job with the highest priority and to receive the job, and to efficiently process the data reception considering the signal strength of the transmission source. it can.

  Further, the image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus) Gk according to the present embodiment receives a job reception request from the host apparatuses HS1 to HSn, manages the job reception order, and receives a job according to the job reception order. A management unit (job management unit) JK; and an image output unit (image processing unit) 23 that executes the job received by the job management unit JK and performs image processing. The job management unit JK includes the job management unit JK. Processing is in progress.

  Therefore, priority can be given to job reception requests that include wireless communication paths in the communication path, and job reception requests with lower radio field strength can be received, and priority must be given during job reception. When a job reception request with a certain signal strength occurs, it is possible to switch from the job being received to the job with the highest priority and to receive the job, and to efficiently process the data reception considering the signal strength of the transmission source. it can.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus Gk according to the present embodiment sets a user I / F (allowable) for setting an allowable waiting time from when the job reception request is received until image processing of a job corresponding to the job reception request is executed. Wait time setting means) 24, and when the allowable wait time set by the user I / F 24 elapses after the job reception request is received and the image processing of the job for the job reception request is not executed, A control unit (control unit) 21 that causes the management unit JK to switch the job reception order of the job reception request to the top and causes the image output unit 23 to preferentially execute image processing of the job received by the job management unit JK. And.

  Therefore, depending on the usage status of the user and the like, communication from the host devices HS1 to HSn on the wired communication path and job reception request jobs from the host devices HS1 to HSn having high radio field intensity are not executed indefinitely and are put on standby. It is possible to prevent a situation from occurring. As a result, usability can be improved.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network system NW network Gk Image forming apparatus HS1-HSn Host apparatus AP1-APm Access point apparatus 11 Control part 12 Internal storage part 13 User I / F
14 Communication I / F
21 Control Unit 22 Internal Storage Unit 23 Image Output Unit 24 User I / F
25 Communication I / F

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-22908

Claims (10)

A communication means for communicating with the host device;
A job reception request for requesting reception of a job from the host device, and when there is a wireless communication path in the communication path, the job reception including the radio field intensity information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path When the request is received by the communication means, it is detected whether or not the radio wave intensity information is included in the job reception request, and if the radio wave intensity information is included, the radio wave intensity is acquired. Means,
When a plurality of job reception requests are received, a priority is given to a job reception request for which the communication status detection unit has detected the signal strength information in a reception order higher than a job reception request for which the signal strength information has not been detected. A reception priority setting means for setting a higher reception priority for a job reception request having a lower radio field intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio field intensity information;
During the reception process of the job corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order according to the reception priority set by the reception priority setting unit, the communication unit receives another job reception request, The reception priority setting unit is configured to determine the other job than the currently received job based on the radio field strength of the other job reception request acquired by the communication status detection unit and the radio field strength of the currently received job. When a high reception priority is set for the job of the job reception request, reception order switching means for switching the job reception order from the currently receiving job to the other job;
The communication unit is made to receive the job corresponding to the job reception request according to the job reception order based on the reception priority set by the reception priority setting unit, and the reception order switching unit is switched. A reception control means for switching the job according to the job reception order and receiving the communication means;
A job management apparatus comprising: The reception order switching means is
The received job reception completion time until the reception of the received job is completed and the other job reception completion time until the reception of the job of the other job reception request is completed, and the received job reception completion time is calculated. And determining whether or not to switch the job reception order based on the reception completion time of the other job, the radio wave intensity of the job being received, and the radio wave intensity of the other job reception request. The job management apparatus described. The job management device includes:
Setting means for setting a radio wave intensity condition related to the radio wave intensity for switching the job reception rank by the reception rank switching unit;
The reception priority setting means includes:
Based on the radio wave intensity condition set by the setting means, the radio wave intensity of the other job reception request, and the radio wave intensity of the currently received job, the job of the other job reception request from the currently received job 3. The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not to switch the job reception order to. The job management device includes:
Ignoring radio wave intensity setting means for setting radio wave intensity ignoring the job reception request,
The reception priority setting means and the reception order switching means are:
4. The job reception request is ignored if the radio field intensity acquired by the communication status detection unit is less than the radio field intensity set by the ignore radio field intensity setting unit. The job management apparatus according to any one of the above. The job management device includes:
A function setting unit for setting validity / invalidity of the job reception rank switching processing function by the reception rank switching unit;
The reception order switching means is
5. The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job reception order switching processing is performed only when the switching processing function is enabled by the function setting unit. If a job reception request for requesting job reception and a wireless communication path exists in the communication path, a plurality of job reception requests including radio field strength information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path From the host device to the job management device, the job management device manages the job reception order of the job reception request based on the radio wave intensity, and the job is received from the host device according to the job reception order. A network system for receiving a job corresponding to a reception request,
The network system according to claim 1, wherein the job management apparatus is the job management apparatus according to claim 1. A job management unit that receives a job reception request from the host device and manages the job reception order, receives a job according to the job reception order, and executes the job received by the job management unit to perform image processing. An image processing device comprising:
An image processing apparatus comprising the job management apparatus according to claim 1 as the job management unit. The image processing apparatus includes:
An allowable waiting time setting means for setting an allowable waiting time from when the job reception request is received until image processing of the job corresponding to the job reception request is executed;
When the allowable waiting time set by the allowable waiting time setting means elapses after the job reception request is received and the image processing of the job for the job receiving request has not been executed, the job management means receives the job Control means for switching the requested job reception order to the top and causing the image processing means to preferentially execute image processing of the job received by the job management means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: A communication processing step for communicating with the host device;
A job reception request for requesting reception of a job from the host device, and when there is a wireless communication path in the communication path, the job reception including the radio field intensity information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path When the request is received in the communication processing step, it is detected whether or not the radio wave intensity information is included in the job reception request, and if the radio wave intensity information is included, the radio wave intensity is acquired. A detection processing step;
When a plurality of the job reception requests are received, the job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is detected in the communication status detection processing step is higher in the reception rank than the job reception request in which the radio wave intensity information is not detected. A reception priority setting processing step for setting a reception priority and setting a higher reception priority for a job reception request having a weaker radio wave intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio wave intensity information;
During the reception process of the job corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set in the reception priority setting processing step, another job reception request is received in the communication processing step. In the reception priority setting processing step, based on the radio field strength of the other job reception request acquired in the communication status detection processing step and the radio field strength of the job currently being received, A reception priority switching processing step for switching the job reception priority from the currently received job to the other job when a higher reception priority is set for the job of the other job reception request than the job;
In response to the job reception order based on the reception priority set in the reception priority setting processing step, the job corresponding to the job reception request is received in the communication processing step, and the reception order switching processing step. A reception control processing step for switching the job according to the job reception order switched in step (b) and receiving the job in the communication processing step;
A job management method. To the control processor,
A communication process for communicating with the host device;
A job reception request for requesting reception of a job from the host device, and when there is a wireless communication path in the communication path, the job reception including the radio field intensity information for notifying the radio field intensity in the wireless communication path When the request is received by the communication processing, it is detected whether or not the radio wave intensity information is included in the job reception request, and when the radio wave intensity information is included, the radio wave intensity is acquired. Processing,
When a plurality of job reception requests are received, the reception status of the job reception request in which the radio field intensity information is detected in the communication status detection process is higher in the reception order than the job reception request in which the radio field intensity information is not detected A reception priority setting process for setting a priority and setting a higher reception priority for a job reception request with a weaker radio wave intensity among a plurality of job reception requests including the radio wave intensity information;
During the reception process of the job corresponding to the job reception request at the head of the job reception order corresponding to the reception priority set in the reception priority setting process, another job reception request is received in the communication process. In the reception priority setting process, based on the radio field intensity of the other job reception request acquired in the communication status detection process and the radio field intensity of the job currently being received, When a high reception priority is set for a job of another job reception request, a reception order switching process for switching the job reception order from the currently receiving job to the other job;
In response to the job reception order based on the reception priority set in the reception priority setting process, the job corresponding to the job reception request is received in the communication process and switched in the reception order switching process. A reception control process for switching the job according to the job reception order and receiving the job by the communication process;
A job management program for executing

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