JPH08142459A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To realize the correct recognition of the kind of print job processed at present by a user in a printer which receives print jobs from a plurality of data processors connected with a network so as to print and output images in response to the print job. CONSTITUTION: The state of a printer 11 and the information on print job are controlled by a control, table 18. At the same time, when the processing of the print job is started in a print outputting part 12 and the change occurs in the contents controlled in the control. table 18, a displaying controlling part 19 fetches the state of the printer 11 and the information on the print job processed at present so as to display these informations on a displaying part 17b.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network printer which receives a print job from a plurality of data processing devices such as a host computer and a workstation, and prints and outputs an image in accordance with the print job.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) shared by a plurality of users who join a network has been known. In this type of printer, print jobs randomly sent from a plurality of data processing devices such as a host computer or a workstation connected to a network are temporarily stored in a spool, and print processing is performed in the order of reception. . Then, during execution of the print processing, various information indicating the current state of the printer is displayed on the display panel which is the user interface.

In the conventional printer, in addition to the status of the printing apparatus such as the progress status of the print processing and the error status regarding the print job taken out from the spool on the display panel, a part of the information of the print job (for example, tray number, etc.). ) Was displayed.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional general printer, only the partial information of the print job is displayed on the display panel in addition to the status of the printing apparatus such as the progress status of the printing process and the error status. Since it is not displayed, when a plurality of print jobs are spooled, the print job currently being processed cannot be specified without waiting until the actual print result is output. That is, if the conventional printer does not output the actual print result, the user cannot know whether the print job currently being processed belongs to himself or another user.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-216521 discloses a printing apparatus which displays information for specifying emulation software on the display unit of a printer. The selected emulation program was made visible on the printer side, and it was not possible to identify whether the print job currently being executed belongs to me or another user.

The present invention provides a printer which allows a user to correctly recognize the type of print job currently being processed by displaying information on the print job currently being processed on the display panel of the printing apparatus. To aim.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer according to the present invention has a plurality of inputs for inputting print jobs from a plurality of data processing devices such as a host computer and a workstation connected to a network. A printer having at least an interface, a print job storage section for storing a print job input through the input interface, and a print output section for outputting an image of the print job stored in the print job storage section onto a sheet, Printer information holding means for holding information about the current state of the print output section, print job information holding means for holding information about the print job stored in the print job storage section, and change of the print output section or print job With A changing means for changing the contents of the printer information holding means or the print job information holding means, a display means for transmitting information to the user by characters, a print job processing start at the print output section, and a changing means When the content of the printer information holding unit or the print job information holding unit is changed by the, the information about the current state of the print output unit is acquired from the printer information holding unit, and the information about the print job currently being processed is displayed. Display control means for obtaining the information from the print job information holding means and displaying the information on the display means.

[0008]

According to the above-described printer, when the print job is started to be processed by the print output unit, the display control unit retrieves the information about the current state of the print output unit from the printer information holding unit and sets the target of the process. The information regarding the print job is extracted from the print job information holding unit. Then, these pieces of information are collectively displayed by the display means by the display control means.

When the state of the printer output section or the print job changes while the print job is being processed by the print output section, the display control means obtains information about the current state of the print output section by the printer information obtaining means. At the same time, information about the print job currently being processed is acquired by the print job information acquisition unit. Then, these pieces of information are collectively displayed by the display means by the display control means.

Therefore, in the printer according to the present invention, the current status of the print output unit and information about the print job currently being processed are collectively displayed on the display means, and the print output unit and the print job being processed are changed. When the occurrence of a print job occurs, the display content of the display means is updated each time, and therefore the user refers to the information displayed on the display means to check whether the print job currently being processed is his or her own. It can be correctly recognized whether it belongs to the user.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a printer according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a printer 11 according to this embodiment.
3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of FIG. The printer 11 is composed of the following parts.

The print output section 12 is a section that functions as an image recording section for recording an image on a predetermined recording sheet, and is equipped with a plurality of sheet storage trays (not shown) for storing the sheet for printing. There is.

The print processing unit 13 is a unit that interprets print data and print control data according to the print language of the input print job and supplies these data to the print output unit 12 as appropriate, and is internally provided via a network. In order to interpret the contents of the received print job, various printer language information 13a (201H),
It holds the same 13b (ESC / P) and the same 13c (PS).

A predetermined DC or AC power source is supplied to the print output unit 12 and the print processing unit 13 from a power source unit 14 connected to a commercial power source (AC) (not shown).

Further, the printer 11 has a job receiving unit 1 as an input interface for receiving a print job from a data processing device connected to a network (not shown).
5, the print data to be recorded can be input in a plurality of systems. This job reception unit 15
Is composed of a plurality of input interfaces. In FIG. 1, the print data is serial I / F 15a and parallel I / F 1
5b and lpd15c are shown for the case where they can be input by three systems. The job receiving unit 15 allows the printer 1
1 can receive print jobs from various data processing devices such as a host computer and a workstation connected to a network (not shown). Also,
The print jobs received by the job receiving unit 15 are temporarily stored in the spool 16 in the order of input.

On the other hand, the printer 11 is provided with an operation panel 17 arranged on the front surface of the apparatus main body (not shown). The operation panel 17 is composed of input keys 17a such as letters and numbers, and a display section 17b as a display means for transmitting information to the user by letters. Display 17
Reference numeral b denotes a display panel such as an LCD or an LED, which displays the current state of the printer and information about the print job in a predetermined area.

The management table 18 includes a print output unit 12
Of the print job stored in the spool 16 is stored.
The information regarding the current state of the print output unit 12 includes, for example, printer processing, data input waiting, and print cancel. The information about the print job includes the input interface name of the print job currently being processed, the print language name of the print job, and the number of the paper storage tray that stores the paper to be output (tray name). )and so on.

In the following description, the "current state of the print output unit 12" will be referred to as the "current state of the printer 11".

The management table 18 dynamically manages the information about the current state of the printer 11 and the information about the print job. That is, when the status of the printer 11 or the print job changes, the management table 18 appropriately changes the content according to the change, and the display control unit 19 indicates that the content has been changed.
I am trying to notify you.

The display control unit 19 includes the print output unit 1
2 when the processing of the print job is started and when the content change is notified from the management table 18, information about the current state of the printer 11 and information about the print job currently being processed are provided from the management table 18. The information is acquired and the information is displayed on the display unit 17b.

There are many types of data processing devices connected to the printer 11, and the print control data sent by them are not necessarily unified. For example, even if the print control data sent from one device specifies the size of the paper and the size of the characters to be printed in detail, the print control data of another device cannot specify such specifications. There are cases. Therefore, this printer 11
Then, it is possible to input necessary instruction information regarding printing from the input keys 17a of the operation panel 17. This instruction information is sent from the operation panel 17 to the print processing unit 13, and the print processing unit 13 sends back response information to the operation panel 17 in response thereto. This response information is the operation panel 17
Is displayed on the display unit 17b.

The printer 11 has an operation panel 1
7 is provided, the input key 17 of the operation panel 17 can be used even when the size of the paper to be printed or the size of the character is designated as the print control data from the data processing device side.
The instruction information can be input by operating the key at a. In this case, the instruction on the data processing device side can always be prioritized, or the input on the operation panel 17 side can be prioritized. It is also possible to give priority to those who give instructions later in time.

Further, in the printer 11 shown in FIG. 1, the print output unit 12 is composed of a basic portion as a laser printer, for example, and exchanges various signals with the print processing unit 13 to execute print processing. Eject the recording paper printed on one side or both sides. That is,
The print output unit 12 sends various status signals such as what kind of recording paper is stored in a cassette tray (not shown) provided therein or whether a fixing unit (not shown) has reached the fixing temperature. It is sent to the print processing unit 13. Similarly, for image transfer, the print output unit 12
A synchronization pulse for synchronizing with is also sent to the print processing unit 13. In response to these signals, the print output unit 12 supplies various operation command signals and image signals as print contents to the print output unit 12.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration for realizing the printer 11 shown in FIG.

The printer 11 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 21 which performs various controls according to a program. The CPU 21 is connected to each unit described later through a CPU bus 22. Among them, the panel I / F (interface) circuit 23 is the operation panel 1 shown in FIG.
This is a circuit for interfacing with 7. For example, when the user operates a key of the input key 17a of the operation panel 17, an instruction signal corresponding to this is output from the panel I / F circuit 23 and transferred on the CPU bus 22. Further, in order to display an LCD, an LED or the like that constitutes the display unit 17b of the operation panel 17, instruction information for display is transferred from the CPU 21 to the panel I / F circuit 23 through the CPU bus 22.

The host I / F circuit 24 is a circuit for interfacing with a host such as a host computer (not shown). For example, a print job such as print data or print control data input from the host is sent to RS232.
The circuit configuration is such that the signal is received based on the C standard and the Centronics standard.

The non-volatile memory (NVM) 25 is a memory backed up by a battery (not shown) and can retain necessary data even when the power source of the printer 11 itself is turned off.

The RAM 26 is a working memory, and temporarily holds data necessary for performing various controls of the printer 11 and print data input from the host I / F circuit 24. A bitmap memory 29, which will be described later, is also included in this. The program memory 27 is a memory that stores a program for controlling the printer 11, and for example, the print processing unit 13 shown in FIG.
Stores programs for implementing the functions of.

A job control structure as shown in FIG. 3 and a resource control structure as shown in FIG. 4 are created in the RAM 26 as data tables corresponding to the management table 18 shown in FIG. .

The job control structure shown in FIG. 3 is a data table created for each print job, and stores information about the print job. This job control structure is created in the RAM 26 when the print job is started, and is erased when the print job is completed. FIG. 3 shows that job control structures corresponding to two print jobs, print job 1 and print job 2, are created.

In each job control structure, "jobI
The job ID, which is the job identification number of the print job, is stored in D ", and the job control structure of the print job currently being processed is specified by this job ID. Also, in" jobType ", this print The type (language name) of the coded print language in which the job is processed, the "jobOption" stores a pointer that points to the request information structure, and the request structure pointed to by "jobOption". In “ifName” in the body, the input interface name to which this print job is input is stored as a character string.

On the other hand, the resource control structure shown in FIG.
It is a data table that stores information about the current state of the printer 11 and part of information about print jobs, and is always present in the RAM 26. In FIG. 4, the current status of the printer 11 is coded in “status”, and the job ID number of the job currently being fed in “feedjobid” is “feedtra”.
The number of the paper storage tray for feeding is stored in y ″.

That is, the job control structure shown in FIG. 3 stores an input interface name and a print language name as information about an input print job.
In the resource control structure shown in (1), in addition to the information about the current state of the printer 11, the number of the paper storage tray is stored as the information about the input print job.

The character pattern memory 28 is a so-called font memory, and stores a character pattern for printing. Bitmap memory 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a memory area for pasting a character pattern, an image, etc. generated according to the print data in correspondence with one page of the recording paper and performing electronic editing work.

The output unit I / F 30 supplies the bit data expanded in the bit map memory 29 to the print output unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 as an image signal as raster data, and the various other signals described above ( For example, an interface circuit for transmitting / receiving a status signal, a sync pulse, etc.) to / from the print output unit 12 of FIG. The bitmap controller 31 controls such data transfer between the bitmap memory 29 and the output unit / F30.

Since the printer 11 can be connected to various hosts as described above, a program or character pattern corresponding to print data or print control data sent from these devices may be required. is there. The program memory 32 and the character pattern memory 33 are both memory composed of a detachable ROM of an IC card type or a SIMM type, in order to correspond to various hosts or to realize a special function required by a user. It is selectively connected to this printer 11.

Further, the printer 11 can have a plurality of host interface terminals. Host I /
The F circuit 34 is added in accordance with the host interface required by the user, such as a Centronics interface or Ethernet. This allows print data to be input from a plurality of host interfaces.

The hard disk 35 is a storage device used for adding character patterns, storing form data, holding input data from the host computer, etc., and can be connected by the user as necessary.

Next, in the printer 11 shown in FIG. 1, a processing procedure for displaying the current state of the printer 11 and information about the print job on the display unit 17b will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The management table 18 determines whether or not there is a change in the state of the printer 11 or the print job for each control structure created inside (step 101). Here, it is determined that the state of the printer 11 has changed when the content of the resource control structure has changed, and when the content of the job control structure has changed or a new job control structure has been created. It is determined that there is a change in the print job when is created (when the processing of the print job is started). An example in which the print job changes midway is a case in which the number of the paper storage tray for the paper to be output is determined when the print is output.

When the status of the printer 11 or the print job is changed in step 101, the management table 18 notifies the display controller 19 of the change (step 1).
02). When the display control unit 19 receives a notification from the management table 18 that the content has been changed, the management table 1
8 to retrieve the current status of the printer 11 from “status” (step 10
3) It is sent to the display unit 17b and displayed in a predetermined area (step 104). Next, the display control unit 19 searches the management table 18 for a job control structure corresponding to the print job currently being processed, and extracts the print language name to be processed from "jobType" of the job control structure (step 105). Then, "jobOpt
"ifNa" of the request information structure pointed to by "ion"
The input interface name is extracted from "me" (step 106), and "feedt" of the resource control structure is further acquired.
The number of the paper storage tray in which the paper is stored is taken out from the "ray" (step 107). Then, each of these pieces of information is sent to the display unit 17b and displayed in a predetermined area (step 108). The process returns to 101 and waits until the state of the printer 11 or the print job changes.

In the flow chart described above, the status of the printer 11 is first taken out, and then the information concerning the print job is taken out, but the order of taking out the information to be displayed is not limited to this embodiment. Needless to say, it can be changed as appropriate.

Next, a specific example of the case where the current state of the printer 11 and information regarding the print job are displayed on the display unit 17b will be described.

On the display unit 17b of FIG. 1, information about the current state of the printer 11 and the print job is displayed in four areas as shown in FIG. The messages and information displayed in each area of FIG. 6 are shown in FIGS.
The types shown in 0 are prepared. By the way, Figure 7
8 shows a message indicating the state of the printer, FIG. 8 shows a print language name for processing a print job, FIG. 9 shows an input interface into which the print job is input, and FIG. 10 shows the number of the paper storage tray. 11 and 12 show display examples when these messages and information are combined and displayed. The arrangement of each display content is not limited to the example of FIG. 6 and can be changed as appropriate. Further, all combinations of the types shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 can be displayed on the actual display panel.

These display contents are updated in real time according to the procedure of the above-mentioned flowchart when the state of the printer 11 or the print job changes. Therefore, the user can correctly recognize whether the print job currently being processed belongs to himself or another user by referring to the information displayed on the display unit 17b.

[0047]

As described above, in the printer according to the present invention, the current status of the printer and the information about the print job being processed are collectively displayed on the display means, and the status of the printer and the print job are changed. When the error occurs, the display content of the display means is updated, so that the user can correctly recognize the type of the print job currently being processed by referring to these pieces of information.

Therefore, even when a plurality of print jobs are spooled, the user can easily specify whether the print job currently undergoing the print processing is his own or another user's.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific circuit configuration for realizing the printer shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a job control structure.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of a resource control structure.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when displaying information about a current state of a printer and a print job on a display unit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement of information displayed on a display unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing types of messages indicating printer status.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing types of print language names.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing types of input interfaces.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing types of numbers of paper storage trays.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example when a message and information are actually combined.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example when a message and information are actually combined.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Printer, 12 ... Print output section, 13 ... Print processing section, 15 ... Job receiving section, 16 ... Spool, 17
... operation panel, 17a ... input key, 17b ... display section, 1
8 ... Management table, 19 ... Display control unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of input interfaces for inputting print jobs from a data processing device connected to a network, a print job storage unit for storing print jobs input through the input interfaces, and a storage unit for storing the print jobs in the print job storage unit. A printer having at least a print output unit for outputting the image of the printed print job on a sheet, and a printer information holding unit for holding information about a current state of the print output unit; and a print stored in the print job storage unit. A print job information holding unit that holds information about a job, a changing unit that changes the contents of the printer information holding unit or the print job information holding unit according to a change in the print output unit or the print job, Convey information The display unit and the current state of the print output unit when the processing of the print job is started by the print output unit and when the contents of the printer information holding unit or the print job information holding unit are changed by the changing unit. Information from the printer information holding unit, information about the print job currently being processed from the print job information holding unit, and display information on the display unit. A printer characterized by the above.