JP6217094B2 - Image forming apparatus, printer driver for setting printing, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that prints a plurality of print jobs from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user according to a print instruction order, and a printer driver , an image forming method, and an image forming program for setting the print job. .

  Conventionally, a plurality of print jobs transmitted via a network from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user (a general-purpose personal computer PC can be applied) are printed by a printer (image forming apparatus) according to a print instruction order. When printing, the user starts printing depending on the difference in processing time required for PDL conversion processing to convert the print job executed by each printer driver function into printer language data (hereinafter referred to as PDL data) to be print data. The order of instructions may differ from the order of reception of print jobs by the printer. In such a case, printing may occur in an order that is not intended by the user.

  More specifically, assuming that one print data is divided into a plurality of jobs, the function corresponds to the case where the print attributes differ depending on the page unit of the job, and at the time of recovery printing from a client computer in mass printing. There is a need to improve the efficiency of print data retransmission processing. For example, when printing print data for 20 pages, 1 to 5 pages are divided into print job 1, 6 to 18 pages are printed job 2, and 19 to 20 pages are printed job 3 depending on a tray to be fed. In the case of transmission, the user sequentially issues a print instruction to a printer driver in which each print attribute is registered as a default value. Here, when printing is performed using the printer driver A for the print job 1, the printer driver B for the print job 2, and the printer driver C for the print job 3, the print order intended by the user is print job 1 → print job 2 → print job. 3 When the user divides a print page for each of the printer drivers A, B, and C and continuously presses the print start button, the printer drivers A, B, and C sequentially perform PDL conversion processing for the print job according to the instructions. .

  However, the completion time of the PDL conversion process varies depending on the printer drivers A, B, and C. In this example, simply considering the number of pages, the completion order of PDL conversion processing is printer driver C → printer driver A → printer driver B. In such a case, since the print jobs are transmitted from each client computer to the printer in the order in which the PDL conversion processing is completed, the printer receives the print jobs in the order of print job 3 → print job 1 → print job 2 and prints in that order. May be done.

  In view of this, a technique has been proposed that enables printing in the order intended by the user in response to such a problem. For example, a job including a transmission source, a user name, a transmission time, and an order priority command is created on the transmission side. An “image forming apparatus system” (see Patent Document 1) that can improve the convenience of the user by allowing the image forming apparatus that has received the information to be sorted for each user and printing in the order of transmission.

  In the technology of the image forming apparatus system according to Patent Document 1 described above, printing is performed in advance by using information such as a print start instruction time added to a print job for the purpose of printing in the order intended by the user. After receiving the number of jobs, the print start instruction time is compared and printing is performed in the order of the earlier time, so that it has the function of printing in the order intended by the user. Can be arranged and printed.

  However, in order to actually print in the order intended by the user, after receiving a predetermined number of print jobs, the print order is determined using the print order data included in the received jobs. In such a case, the print order determination process is not executed until the reception of the predetermined number of print jobs is completed, and the reception of the predetermined number of print jobs is completed. Since printing is not started until the printing is started, there is a problem that an unnecessary waiting time until printing is started occurs and the printing performance is deteriorated.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its technical problem is that a print performance when a user transmits a print job divided into a plurality of pieces and performs printing in the intended order. An image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the decrease in image quality, a printer driver that prints the image forming method, an image forming method, and an image forming program .

In order to solve the above technical problem, the present invention is an image forming apparatus for printing a plurality of print jobs transmitted from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user via a network according to a print instruction order. When the user issues a print start instruction to one of the printer driver functions of a plurality of client computers, the print order of the print job requested by the printer driver function before converting the print job into printer language data A print order identification ID generating means for generating the print order identification ID in response to a print order identification ID acquisition request for identifying the print order, and a print order designated by the printer driver function based on the print order identification ID Print order indicating the number of jobs The order queue registration means for registering and managing in the order queue and the print order identification ID are sent to one of the printer driver functions of a plurality of client computers, and conversion processing into printer language data is performed by the printer driver function. In order to print the print data based on the print order identification ID registered in the order queue in accordance with a communication means for receiving the print data transmitted via the network after adding the print order identification ID and the user's operation input instruction Image output means for outputting the image , and print control means for automatically changing the paper discharge destination for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration means The print control means includes an order queue registration means for a print job group when performing printing according to an intended order. Which comprises carrying out the printing processing for job RIP already check the printing state stored more sub-ordered queue.

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the above structure can suppress a decrease in printing performance when implementing printing according to the order intended by sending a print job to Yu over THE is divided into a plurality.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printer driver having a printer driver function of a client computer that performs print setting for the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing a sequence (procedure) of an operation process until a print start instruction from the printer driver shown in FIG. 2 is received and the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a configuration of a communication packet when a print order identification ID acquisition request after a print start instruction by the printer driver described in FIG. 3 is requested. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication packet when print data is transmitted by the printer driver described in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication packet when a printing order identification ID is transmitted by the printer driver described in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process related to a process of registering a print job in a print order queue in the image forming apparatus described in FIG. 3. FIG. It is the schematic diagram shown in order to demonstrate the specific example of registration to the order queue demonstrated in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process related to a printing process according to a print order identification ID and a print job state registered in the order queue described in FIG. 7 by the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example when a print job registered in an order queue is printed using the print order identification ID described in FIG. 9. FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a print setting screen on a user interface displayed on a display screen of a display unit when performing a print setting in which a printing order is guaranteed by the printer driver described in FIG. 3.

Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus of the present invention, a printer driver that prints the image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus (printer) 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 stores a control unit 110 that controls the entire apparatus, a main storage device 120 that stores basic information necessary for the control of the control unit 110, and print data, various settings, logs, and the like of the apparatus. The auxiliary storage device 130, the image output device 140 that outputs an image based on a command from the control unit 110 and prints the print data in accordance with a user instruction, and the display screen of the display unit mounted on the device. A user I / F 150 that receives an operation input instruction (whether it is a touch panel type or a cursor instruction type) for the display contents of the operation panel function, and a communication I / F 160 that is connected to the network 30 and controls communication connection. And comprising.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a printer driver 200 that assumes the printer driver function of a client computer (also a general-purpose personal computer PC can be applied here) that prints the image forming apparatus 100.

  The printer driver 200 performs a PDL conversion on a print job, a control unit 210 that performs overall control, a UI provision unit 220 that provides a user interface UI that accepts a print setting operation by a user, and print data (PDL). Print data (PDL data) conversion means 230 for generating data), data storage means 240 for storing data such as print settings received by the UI providing means 220 and print order identification ID acquired from the image forming apparatus 100, and a network 30 and data communication means 250 connected to 30 and controlling the communication connection.

  The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 and the printer driver 200 shown in FIG. 2 are connected via a network 30 to constitute a printing system. In such a printing system, the printer driver 200 via the network 30 is configured. The image forming apparatus 100 has a function of printing a plurality of transmitted print jobs in accordance with the print instruction order.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, when the user issues a print start instruction using any one of the printer drivers 200 of a plurality of client computers, the printer driver 200 uses the print data (PDL data) generation unit 230 to execute a print job. A request for acquiring a print order identification ID for identifying the print order of a print job is made before performing the conversion process to PDL data. The print order identification ID acquisition request is made by the user to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30 through the data communication unit 250 under the control of the control unit 210 using the UI providing unit 220 in the printer driver 200. .

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 110 that has received a print order identification ID acquisition request via the network 30 and the communication I / F 160 generates a print order identification ID. Further, the control unit 110 guarantees the number of print order guarantee jobs indicating the number of jobs for which the print order specified by the printer driver 200 is to be guaranteed based on the print order identification ID (the order instructed when the print order identification ID is requested). The number of jobs to be printed) is registered and managed in the order queue. The number of printing order guarantee jobs here is also set by the user using the UI providing unit 220 in the printer driver 200, and is controlled by the control unit 210 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30 through the data communication unit 250. To be sent. Further, the control unit 110 controls the communication I / F 160 to transmit the print order identification ID to the printer driver 200 that has requested acquisition of the print order identification ID via the network 30.

  That is, the control unit 110 here functions as a printing order identification ID generation unit and an order queue registration unit. In addition, the control unit 110 may have a function as a print control unit that automatically changes the paper discharge destination for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration function. good.

  The communication I / F 160 in the image forming apparatus 100 receives the control of the control unit 110, transmits a print order identification ID to the printer driver 200, and adds the print order identification ID after performing PDL conversion processing by the printer driver 200. It functions as a communication means for receiving print data transmitted via the network 30. The image output apparatus 140 is similarly controlled by the control unit 110 in accordance with a user operation input instruction in the user I / F 150 that is controlled by the control unit 110, and print data is based on the print order identification ID registered in the order queue. Function as image output means for outputting an image for printing.

  On the other hand, in the printer driver 200, as described above, the UI providing unit 220 that is controlled by the control unit 210 sets the number of print order guarantee jobs, and the ID that makes a print order identification ID acquisition request. It functions as an acquisition request means. The data communication unit 250 transmits a print order identification ID acquisition request by the ID acquisition request function to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30, and print order identification ID from the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30. Functions as communication means for performing transmission to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30, and transmission of print data after PDL conversion added with the acquired print order identification ID.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a sequence (procedure) of operation processing until the image forming apparatus 100 performs print processing in response to a print start instruction from the printer driver 200. However, information can be transmitted and received between the printer driver 200 and the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30 here.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when the user first issues a print start instruction (step S101) to the printer driver 200 by pressing a print button or the like, the printer driver 200 follows the instruction received from the user according to the instruction received from the user. Before executing the conversion process, a print order reservation request is made to obtain a print order identification ID with the number of print order guarantee jobs indicating the number of jobs for which the designated print order is to be guaranteed to the image forming apparatus 100 (step S102). . The communication packet used for this print order identification ID acquisition request will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

  Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100 generates a print order identification ID in accordance with the received print order identification ID acquisition request (step S103). The print order identification ID generated here is a unique ID that can determine which user is the user and can uniquely determine the print job. Incidentally, the determination of the user can be obtained from the header in the communication packet at the time of the print order identification ID acquisition request.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 100 registers and manages the generated print order identification ID in the order queue (step S104) using the generated print order identification ID and the set number of print order guaranteed jobs. Processing for transmitting a print order identification ID to be transmitted to the printer driver 200 (step S105) is performed.

  Further, after receiving the print order identification ID transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100, the printer driver 200 performs a PDL conversion process to generate print data (PDL data) (step S106). Data transmission (step S107) is performed to transmit the generated print data to the image forming apparatus 100 together with the print order identification ID. A communication packet used for transmitting the print data will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 100 receives print data that has been subjected to PDL conversion processing and has been added with a print order identification ID from the printer driver 200 and performs printing based on the order queue, the image forming apparatus 100 determines whether or not to allow printing based on the print order identification ID. Determine and execute the printing process.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a configuration of a communication packet at the time of a print order identification ID acquisition request after a print start instruction by the printer driver 200. Referring to FIG. 4, the communication packet includes a header 410, a print order identification ID acquisition request flag 420, and a print order guarantee job number 430.

  Among these, the header 410 indicates that it is stored in the same form as in the case of a conventional communication packet. The print order identification ID acquisition request flag 420 indicates that a print order identification ID used in the first embodiment is requested. The print order guarantee job number 430 stores the number of print jobs that the user wants to guarantee the print order. Incidentally, when the print order guarantee job number 430 is not designated, “1” is stored. Here, in addition to the well-known header 410, the print order identification ID acquisition request flag 420 and the print order guarantee job number 430 are transmitted in a communication packet. The print order identification ID acquisition request flag 420 and the print order guarantee job number 430 here can be handled as a part of the header 410.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication packet when the printer driver 200 transmits print data. This communication packet includes a header 510, a print order identification ID 520, and print data 530.

  Among these, the header 510 indicates that it is stored in the same form as in the case of a conventional communication packet. The print order identification ID 520 indicates that the print order identification ID used in the first embodiment is stored. The print data 530 is stored in the same form as in the case of a conventional communication packet. Here, in addition to the known header 510 and print data 530, a print order identification ID 520 is transmitted in a packet. Here, the print order identification ID 520 can be handled as a part of the header 510, and can also be handled as a part of the print data 530.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication packet when the printer driver 200 transmits a printing order identification ID. This communication packet includes a header 610 and a print order identification ID 620.

  Among these, the header 610 indicates that it is stored in the same form as in the case of a conventional communication packet. The print order identification ID 620 indicates that the print order identification ID used in the first embodiment is stored. Here, the print order identification ID 620 is transmitted in a packet in the well-known header 610. Note that the print order identification ID 620 here can be handled as a part of the header 610.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation process related to the registration process of the print job in the order queue of the print job by the image forming apparatus 100. However, the order queue for managing the print order identification ID here is a queue provided in the image forming apparatus 100, and for each print job from each user, the print order identification ID and the status of the print job. , And the number of print order guaranteed jobs.

  Referring to FIG. 7, when the registration process of the print job in the order queue is started, it is first determined whether or not a sub-order queue for the same user has already been generated in the order queue (step S701). If a sub-order queue for the same user has been generated as a result of this determination, it is subsequently determined whether or not the maximum registration number of the sub-order queue is satisfied (step S702). As a result, the maximum registration number is satisfied. If the maximum registration number is not satisfied (if registration is still possible), the print job is registered in the order queue (step S703). Is registered (step S704), and the operation process is terminated. The print job information registered in the order queue includes a print order identification ID, a print job status, and a link to the sub order queue.

  Incidentally, the printing order identification ID here is an ID that can uniquely determine the user and the print job. For the print job status, “Issued”, “Receiving”, “RIP in progress”, and “RIP completed” are used. “Issued” indicates that the print order identification ID is generated by the image forming apparatus 100, and “Receiving” receives data (print data + print order identification ID) transmitted after the PDL conversion process from the printer driver 200. “RIP in progress” indicates that the received print data is being RIP processed, and “RIP completed” indicates that the RIP processing has been completed. Note that a print job in the “RIP completed” state is printed when a print condition described later is satisfied.

  If the sub-order queue for the same user is not generated in the first order queue (step S701), the printer driver 200 designates the sub-order queue for the same user. It is then determined whether or not a print order guarantee job number indicating the number of jobs for which the print order is to be guaranteed is specified (step S705). If the number of print order guaranteed jobs is not specified as a result of this determination, the print job is registered in the order queue (step S703), and the operation process is terminated. However, the number of print order guaranteed jobs is specified. Then, after performing the process of generating a user sub-order queue for each print job unit (step S706), a print job (print order identification ID, print job status) is registered in the generated sub-order queue (step S706). S707) The process is performed, and further, the link of the sub-order queue is registered in the order queue (step S708), and then the operation process is terminated. Incidentally, the maximum number of registered sub-order queues described above matches the number of print order-guaranteed jobs.

  That is, in FIG. 7, when the printing order identification ID is generated in the image forming apparatus 100, the printing order identification ID, the print job status, and the link to the sub order queue are sequentially registered in the order queue, and the user guarantees the printing order. If the number of jobs is specified, it indicates that processing for generating a sub-order queue separately for each user is performed.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example of registration in the order queue described in FIG. In FIG. 8, the user A has a job 810 (job 1, print order identification ID = 10100, print job status = RIP completed), job 830 (job 2, print order identification ID = 10110, print job status = RIP completed), job 860 (job 3, print order identification ID = 10120, print job status = receiving) and job 870 (job 4, print order identification ID = 10130, print job status = issued) are requested to obtain a print order identification ID. B obtains the print order identification ID of job 840 (job 1, print order identification ID = 20200, print job status = RIP in progress) and job 850 (job 2, print order identification ID = 2210, print job status = receiving). Registration in the sequential queue when each request is transmitted will be described. At this time, the order in which the image forming apparatus 100 receives the print order identification ID acquisition request is as follows: job 810 (job 1), job 830 (job 2), job 840 (job 1), job 850 (job 2), job 860 (job 3), job 870 (job 4), and the jobs for which the print order is specified are user A's job 830 (job 2), job 860 (job 3), and job 870 (job 4). It is assumed that the print order is not designated for other jobs.

  In such a case, the job 810 (job 1) is registered directly in the order queue without generating the sub-order queue because the print order guarantee job number is not designated. Next, when a print order identification ID acquisition request for job 830 (job 2) is made, the number of print order guaranteed jobs is set in the request packet, and therefore the image forming apparatus 100 generates sub-order queue A. Then, the print order identification ID of the job 830 (job 2) is registered in the sub-order queue A, and the link of the sub-order queue A is set to the sub-order queue maximum registration number 3 of the print order guarantee job number 3 related to the user A. The job 820 to be satisfied is registered in the order queue.

  Further, the job 840 (job 1) is registered in the order queue because the sub-order queue of the same user (user B) is not generated and the number of print order guarantee jobs is not specified. Job 850 (job 2) is registered in the order queue because the sub-order queue for the same user (user B) has not been generated and the number of print order guarantee jobs is not specified.

  In addition, since the sub-order queue of the same user (user A) is generated for job 860 (job 3) and does not satisfy the maximum registration number 3 of the sub-order queue (registration number = 1), the sub-order queue Register with A. For job 870 (job 4), the sub-order queue A of the same user (user A) is generated, and the maximum registration number 3 of the sub-order queue A has not yet been satisfied (registration number = 2). Register in sub-order queue A.

  According to such a procedure, the print order identification ID is registered in the order queue.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process related to the printing process according to the print order identification ID and the print job state registered in the order queue described with reference to FIG. 7 by the image forming apparatus 100.

  Referring to FIG. 9, when the printing process using the order queue is started, it is first determined whether or not the order queue is empty (step S901). If the result of this determination is that the order queue is empty, the operation process (printing process) is terminated because there is no need to perform printing. If it is not empty, the registration information at the head of the order queue is confirmed (step S902). ) Process to confirm whether the print order identification ID is registered at the head of the order queue or whether the link to the sub-order queue is registered.

  Next, a variable (X) to be used in the subsequent loop processing is prepared, the processing of X = 0 (step S903) in which 0 is substituted as an initial value, and then the loop processing X using the variable X (step S904). ). In this loop processing X (step S904), 1 is added in the processing of X = X + 1 (step S911) in the loop, and X <the total number of trays that can be discharged (for example, 2 when there is tray 1 / tray 2). Is repeated for the total number of trays that can be discharged.

  Specifically, in the loop process X (step S904), it is determined whether or not the head of the confirmed order queue has a link to the sub-order queue (step S905), and the determination result is transferred to the sub-order queue. The result of determining whether or not the print job status of the head of the sub-order queue that is continued when there is a link (the print order identification ID registered in it) is “RIP completed” (step S906) is “ If it is not “RIP completed” and if there is no link to the sub-order queue, it is determined whether or not the print job status of the print sequence identification ID registered in the sequential queue is “RIP completed” (step S914). In the case where the result of performing is not “RIP completed”, the process of X = X + 1 (step S911) for adding 1 to the value of the defined variable X is performed, and then the next sequence queue Check the recording information (step S912) the process from performing X <tray discharge can total up to the end of the operation process reached (step S913), it is repeated a total number of times of discharge tray capable. Incidentally, in the process of confirming the registration information of the next order queue (step S912), it is confirmed whether the print order identification ID is registered in the next order queue or the link to the sub order queue is registered.

  If the result of the determination as to whether or not the top print job state of the previous sub-order queue is “RIP completed” (step S906) is “RIP completed”, the print processing is performed using the print order identification ID. (Step S907), and after setting the paper discharge destination on an appropriate tray according to the user, the registered print order identification ID is excluded from the sub-order queue (step S908). The sub-order queue is empty, and the printing order identification ID registered in the sub-order queue is empty by determining whether or not the maximum number of registrations has been excluded (step S909). It is confirmed whether or not the number of times that the process is excluded is the same as the maximum registration number of the print order identification ID of the sub-order queue. If the result of this determination is that the sub-order queue is empty and the maximum number of registrations has been excluded, the link from the order queue to the sub-order queue is excluded (step S910), and the operation process ends. However, if the sub-order queue is empty and the maximum number of registrations is not excluded, the operation process is terminated as it is. Incidentally, in the process of excluding the link from the sequence queue to the sub sequence queue (step S910), the link from the sequence queue to the sub sequence queue is excluded and the sub sequence queue is also erased.

  Further, if the result of the determination as to whether or not the previous print job status is “RIP completed” (step S914) is “RIP completed”, the printing process is performed using the print order identification ID (step S915). Then, after setting the paper discharge destination to an appropriate tray according to the user, the registered print order identification ID is excluded from the sub-order queue (step S916), and the operation process is terminated. .

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a specific example when a print job registered in the order queue is printed using the print order identification ID described in FIG. In FIG. 10, in the order queue, job 1010 for user A (job 1, print order identification ID = 10100, print job status = RIP completed), job 1030 (job 2, print order identification ID = 10110, print job status) = RIP completed), job 1040 (job 3, print order identification ID = 10120, print job status = RIP completed), job 1050 (job 4, print order identification ID = 10130, print job status = receiving), job 1020 ( Link to sub-order queue A), job 1060 for user B (job 1, print order identification ID = 20200, print job status = RIP completed), job 1070 (job 2, print order identification ID = 2020, print Job status = receiving) and job 1030 for user A (job 2) ), A job 1040 (job 3) and a job 1050 (job 4) are set with the number of print order guarantee jobs, and need to be printed in this order, and the prints of user B who is another user are mixed. Suppose that it is not necessary.

  In such a case, when the print processing by the order queue is performed, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the first job 1010 (job 1) in the order queue is first confirmed. Since the confirmed registration information is not a link to the sub-order queue, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the head job 1010 (job 1) in the order queue is “RIP completed”. Since the print job state of the job 1010 (job 1) is “RIP completed”, the first print processing is performed on the tray 1 that can be discharged as the print order. Thereafter, the job 1010 (job 1) is excluded from the order queue, and the printing process using the order queue ends.

  Next, when print processing is performed using the order queue, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the job 1020 at the head of the queue is confirmed. Since the job 1020 is a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1030 (job 2) in the sub-order queue A is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of job 1030 (job 2) is “RIP completed”, the second print processing is performed with the tray 1 that can be discharged as the print order as the discharge destination. Thereafter, the job 1030 (job 2) is excluded from the sub-order queue A. Since the sub-order queue A is not empty, the printing process using the order queue ends.

  Further, when the print processing by the order queue is performed, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the job 1020 at the head of the queue is confirmed. Since the job 1020 is a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1040 (job 3) in the sub-order queue A is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of the job 1040 (job 3) is “RIP completed”, the third print processing is performed with the tray 1 that can be discharged as the print order as the discharge destination. Thereafter, the job 1040 (job 3) is excluded from the sub-order queue A. At this point in time, the sub-order queue A is not empty, so the printing process using the order queue is completed.

  Subsequently, when the print processing by the order queue is performed, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the job 1020 at the head of the queue is confirmed. Since the job 1020 is a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1050 (job 4) in the sub-order queue A is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of job 1050 (job 4) is “receiving”, X = X + 1 (step S911) to add 1 to the variable (X) described in the operation processing of FIG. 9, registration information of the next order queue (Step S912), after confirming the printing order identification ID registered next to the order queue, X <total number of tray dischargeable (step S913), X = 1, and X <2. Therefore, it is confirmed whether the job 1060 (job 1) registered next to the order queue is a link to the sub-order queue A. Since the job 1060 (job 1) is not a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the job 1060 (job 1) is “RIP completed”. Since the print job state of the job 1060 (job 1) is “RIP completed”, the fourth print processing is performed with the tray 2 that is not the discharge destination used by the user A as the print order as the discharge destination. Thereafter, the job 1060 (job 1) is excluded from the order queue, and the printing process using the order queue is completed.

  Further, when the print processing by the order queue is performed, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the job 1020 at the head of the queue is confirmed. Since the job 1020 is a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1050 (job 4) in the sub-order queue A is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of job 1050 (job 4) is “receiving”, the registration information of job 1070 (job 2) registered next to the order queue is confirmed. Since the job 1070 (job 2) is not a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the job 1070 (job 2) is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of job 1070 (job 2) is “receiving”, 1 is added to the variable (X) described in the operation processing of FIG. 9, X = X + 1 (step S911), registration information of the next order queue (Step S912) After confirming the printing order identification ID registered next to the order queue through the process, X <total number of tray dischargeable (step S913), X = 2 and X <use Since the total number of possible trays (2) is not satisfied, the loop processing X (step S904) to X <the total number of tray dischargeable papers (step S913) ends, and the operation processing for the print processing by the order queue ends.

  Therefore, it is assumed that the print job states of the job 1050 (job 4) and the job 1070 (job 2) are “RIP completed” at the time of the processing so far.

  When the print process using the order queue is performed under such a situation, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the job 1020 at the head of the queue is confirmed. Since the job 1020 is a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1050 (job 4) in the sub-order queue A is “RIP completed”. At this time, the print job status of job 1050 (job 4) has changed to “RIP completed”, so that the fifth print is performed with the tray 1 discharged in job 1040 (job 3) as the print order as the discharge destination. Perform the process. Thereafter, the job 1050 (job 4) is excluded from the sub-order queue A. After this exclusion, the sub-order queue A is empty, and the number of exclusions (three times) is the same as the maximum registration number 3, so the job 1020 linked to the sub-order queue A is excluded from the order queue. Then, the printing process using the order queue is completed.

  Further, when the print processing by the order queue is performed, the order queue is not empty, so the registration information of the first job 1070 (job 2) in the queue is confirmed. Since the confirmed registration information is not a link to the sub-order queue A, it is confirmed whether the print job status of the first job 1070 (job 2) in the order queue is “RIP completed”. Since the print job status of the job 1070 (job 2) has changed to “RIP completed”, the sixth print processing is performed with the tray 2 that can be discharged as the print order as the discharge destination. Thereafter, the job 1070 (job 2) is excluded from the order queue, and the printing process using the order queue is completed.

  After this, when the printing process using the order queue is performed, the order queue is empty, and thus the printing process using the order queue ends.

  According to such a procedure, the printing process is performed according to the order queue. When the user designates the number of print order guarantee jobs, printing is performed in the order intended by the user. Further, even if a plurality of users use it, it is possible to perform printing in which printed materials of other users are not mixed by changing the paper discharge destination. Furthermore, if printing is possible (provided that printing is in accordance with the printing order and printing that is not mixed is a condition), the prints of other users can be printed sequentially. It is possible to execute non-mixed printing as many as the number of discharge destination trays at the same time, and there is no need to wait for unnecessary printing. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in performance of printing efficiency.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram exemplifying a print setting screen on the user interface UI displayed on the display screen of the display unit when performing the print setting in which the printing order is guaranteed by the printer driver 200.

  Referring to FIG. 11, the function of the printer driver 200 is expressed as “guaranteed job and print order” for designating the number of jobs (print order guaranteed job number) whose print order is to be guaranteed on the print setting screen. The job designation form field 1100 is provided, and the user can input the print order guarantee job number in the job number input field 1110 included in the job designation form field 1100.

  Therefore, when the number of printing order guaranteed jobs is input and the print button of the operation input unit is pressed, the control unit 210 of the printer driver 200 stores the input value as the number of printing order guaranteed jobs in the data storage unit 240 and the data The communication unit 250 is controlled to transmit the print order guarantee job number to the image forming apparatus 100 via the network 30. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the control unit 110 performs printing while guaranteeing the printing order by the number of printing order guarantee jobs received and input via the network 30 and the communication I / F 160. However, if the print button is pressed without specifying the print order guarantee job number on the printer driver 200 side, the image forming apparatus 100 performs printing without guaranteeing the print order.

  According to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the printer driver 200 performs PDL conversion processing of a print job when the user issues a print start instruction using any of the printer drivers 200 of a plurality of client computers. In response to a print order identification ID acquisition request requested before execution, a print order identification ID is generated and transmitted to the printer driver 200, and a print order guarantee specified by the printer driver 200 based on the print order identification ID is provided. The print order of print jobs is registered and managed in the order queue according to the number of jobs, and after that, print data to which a print order identification ID is added after PDL conversion processing from the printer driver 200 is received and printed based on the order queue. In this case, the printing process is performed by determining whether printing is possible based on the printing order identification ID. It is possible.

Therefore, it is not necessary to compare the print priority order after receiving a predetermined number of print jobs in the image forming apparatus as in the prior art, and there is no need to wait for reception of all print jobs for which the print order must be determined. Thus, it is possible to sufficiently suppress a decrease in print performance when the user transmits a print job divided into a plurality of pieces and performs printing in the intended order. As a result, according to the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, even when data of a plurality of print jobs cannot be received in the print output order, it is possible to print in the print order intended by the user. By the way, the technical gist of the image forming apparatus 100 described above is that an image is formed when a plurality of print jobs transmitted from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user via the network 30 are printed in the order of print instructions. It can be paraphrased as a method. In this image forming method, when the user issues a print start instruction to any of the printer driver functions of a plurality of client computers by the printing order identification ID generation unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100, the printer driver function performs a print job. A printing order identification ID generating step for generating a printing order identification ID in response to a request for acquiring a printing order identification ID for identifying the printing order of the print job requested before the conversion process into the printer language data; Further, the order queue registration unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100 sets the print job print order according to the print order guaranteed job number indicating the number of jobs for which the print order specified by the printer driver function is to be guaranteed based on the print order identification ID. An order queue registration step of registering and managing in the order queue is included. Further, the print order identification ID is transmitted to one of the printer driver functions of a plurality of client computers by the communication means provided in the image forming apparatus, and after the conversion process to the printer language data by the printer driver function, the print order is executed. A communication step of receiving print data transmitted via a network with an identification ID added thereto; In addition, the image output unit provided in the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image output step of outputting an image for printing the print data based on the print order identification ID registered in the order queue in accordance with a user operation input instruction. . In addition, there is a print control step in which the print control unit provided in the image forming apparatus automatically changes the paper discharge destination for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration unit and performs the printing process. Have. However, in the print control step, the print status stored in the sub-order queue is confirmed in the order queue registration step for the print job group when the printing is performed according to the intended order, and the RIP-completed job is printed. Perform the process. Each of these steps can be constructed as an image forming program executed by a computer.

30 network 100 image forming apparatus (printer)
110 Control Unit 120 Main Storage Device 130 Auxiliary Storage Device 140 Image Output Device 150 User I / F
160 Communication I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 200 Printer driver 210 Control means 220 UI provision means 230 Print data (PDL data) generation means 240 Data storage means 250 Data communication means 410, 510, 610 Header 420 Print order identification ID acquisition request flag 430 Number of print order guarantee jobs 520, 620 Print order ID
530 Print data 1100 Job specification form field 1110 Job number input field

JP 2006-268466 A

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that prints a plurality of print jobs transmitted from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user via a network according to a print instruction order,
The print job requested by the printer driver function before converting the print job into printer language data when the user issues a print start instruction to any of the printer driver functions of the plurality of client computers A printing order identification ID generating means for generating the printing order identification ID in response to a request for obtaining a printing order identification ID for identifying the printing order, and designated by the printer driver function based on the printing order identification ID In order queue registration means for registering and managing the print order of the print jobs in the order queue in accordance with the number of print order guarantee jobs indicating the number of jobs for which the print order is desired to be guaranteed, The print driver ID is transmitted and the printer driver machine And a communication means for receiving the print data transmitted through the network after adding the print order identification ID after performing the conversion process to the printer language data, and the print data according to the operation input instruction of the user. Image output means for outputting an image for printing based on the print order identification ID registered in the queue, and automatically for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration means And a print control means for performing a printing process by changing the paper discharge destination ,
The print control unit confirms the print state stored in the sub-order queue by the order queue registration unit with respect to a print job group when performing printing according to the intended order, and the print control unit checks the print status of the RIP-completed job. An image forming apparatus that performs a printing process . A printer driver responsible for the printer driver function of the plurality of client computers configured to print the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A job number setting means for setting the number of print order guarantee jobs, an ID acquisition request means for requesting acquisition of the print order identification ID, and an acquisition request for the print order identification ID by the ID acquisition request means via the network. Transmission to the image forming apparatus, reception when acquiring the print order identification ID from the image forming apparatus via the network, and the print data to which the acquired print order identification ID is added And a communication means for performing transmission to the image forming apparatus via the network . An image forming method applied to an image forming apparatus that prints a plurality of print jobs transmitted from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user via a network according to a print instruction order,
When a user issues a print start instruction to any of the printer driver functions of the plurality of client computers by a printing order identification ID generation unit provided in the image forming apparatus, the printer driver function is configured to use the printer language of the print job. A print order identification ID generating step for generating the print order identification ID in response to a print order identification ID acquisition request for identifying the print order of the print job requested before the conversion to data;
The print order of the print jobs according to the print order guarantee job number indicating the number of jobs for which the print order specified by the printer driver function is guaranteed based on the print order identification ID by the order queue registration unit provided in the image forming apparatus. Order queue registration step to register and manage
The communication means provided in the image forming apparatus transmits the print order identification ID to the printer driver function of any of the plurality of client computers, and performs conversion processing to the printer language data by the printer driver function. A communication step of receiving print data transmitted via the network with the print order identification ID added thereto;
An image output step of performing image output for printing the print data based on the print order identification ID registered in the order queue according to a user operation input instruction by an image output means provided in the image forming apparatus;
Print control for executing print processing by automatically changing the discharge destination for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration means by the print control means provided in the image forming apparatus And having steps,
In the print control step, the print state stored in the sub-order queue in the order queue registration step is confirmed for a print job group when performing printing according to an intended order, and the RIP-completed job is checked. An image forming method comprising performing a printing process. An image forming program applied to an image forming apparatus that prints a plurality of print jobs transmitted from a plurality of client computers having a printer driver function for a user via a network according to a print instruction order,
When a user issues a print start instruction to any of the printer driver functions of the plurality of client computers by a printing order identification ID generation unit provided in the image forming apparatus, the printer driver function is configured to use the printer language of the print job. A print order identification ID generating step for generating the print order identification ID in response to a print order identification ID acquisition request for identifying the print order of the print job requested before the conversion to data;
The print order of the print jobs according to the print order guarantee job number indicating the number of jobs for which the print order specified by the printer driver function is guaranteed based on the print order identification ID by the order queue registration unit provided in the image forming apparatus. Order queue registration step to register and manage
The communication means provided in the image forming apparatus transmits the print order identification ID to the printer driver function of any of the plurality of client computers, and performs conversion processing to the printer language data by the printer driver function. A communication step of receiving print data transmitted via the network with the print order identification ID added thereto;
An image output step of performing image output for printing the print data based on the print order identification ID registered in the order queue according to a user operation input instruction by an image output means provided in the image forming apparatus;
Print control for executing print processing by automatically changing the discharge destination for each user with respect to the print order of the order queue registered by the order queue registration means by the print control means provided in the image forming apparatus And an image forming program that causes a computer to execute
In the print control step, the print state stored in the sub-order queue in the order queue registration step is confirmed for a print job group when performing printing according to an intended order, and the RIP-completed job is checked. An image forming program for performing a printing process.

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