JPH10171616A - Picture processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to process a job of high importance as preferentially as possible and to efficiently process the job. SOLUTION: When an I/F control means 5 receives data, the means 5 requests a job from a job control means 3. The means 3 judges whether a resource remainder acquired from a resource detecting/judging means 1 is larger than a resoure residual threshold or not, and when the resource residual is larger than the threshold, instructs a job processing means 4 to start the job. When the resource residual is smaller than the threshold, the means 3 acquires the priority of job set up in the job request, requires system priority stored in a priority judging means 2, compares the job priority with the system priority, and when the job priority is higher, instructs the means 4 to start the job.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for executing jobs such as image formation and image output using limited resources such as an image storage memory, toner, and printing paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image processing apparatus that executes jobs such as image formation and image output using limited resources (for example, image storage memory, toner, printing paper, etc.), 2. Description of the Related Art There is known an image processing apparatus that, when resources are insufficient, cancels a job as an error or displays a message requesting a user to replenish resources on a display unit. In the above image processing apparatus,
There is known a technology in which, when an error occurs in a part of the system, execution of a job irrelevant to the location of the error is continued.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-38681 discloses a technique in which when an error occurs, processing irrelevant to the error (such as reception of a fax when an error occurs in the image reading unit) is continued, and the occurrence of the error is reported to the user. It has been disclosed. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-200001, errors related to a specific recording paper (paper shortage, paper jam, etc.)
A technology has been disclosed in which, when the error occurs, processing relating to recording paper that does not hinder subsequent processing is continued. Further, in JP-A-8-48460, a mailbox (sorter) is disclosed.
A technique is disclosed in which, when a paper jam occurs, the job is continued using a storage stage that does not use the paper jam occurrence location.

[0004]

However, in any of the above-mentioned prior arts, although job processing can be continued when an error occurs, the error that has occurred cannot be printed in the future (insufficient toner remaining). , Shortage of paper, near / full running out of the storage space of the mailbox, etc.), printing becomes impossible while processing a job of low importance. There is a problem that high jobs cannot be processed.

When a job that can be processed with the remaining resources is received after a job that cannot be processed with the remaining resources,
Since a previously received job that cannot be processed is executed, a job received later may not be able to be processed, and there is a problem that the job cannot be processed efficiently.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus capable of processing jobs with high importance as much as possible with priority and processing the jobs more efficiently. It is intended to be.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a remaining amount detecting means for detecting that a resource used for executing a job has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount. An execution unit for executing a job based on a preset priority condition when the remaining amount detection unit detects that the remaining amount of the resource has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

[0008] According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a priority recognition unit configured to recognize a priority of the job, wherein the execution unit sets a priority that the priority recognized by the priority recognition unit is higher than a preset priority. It is characterized in that a job is executed as a condition.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems,
In the invention according to claim 4, a remaining amount recognizing means for recognizing a remaining amount of resources used for executing the job, a use amount recognizing means for recognizing a used amount of resources required by the job, and the used amount recognizing means And executing means for executing the job when the used amount of the resource recognized by the job is smaller than the remaining amount of the resource recognized by the remaining amount recognizing means.

According to this invention, the remaining amount detecting means can
When it is detected that the remaining amount of resources used for executing the job has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the execution unit executes the job based on a preset priority condition, so that the resources are insufficient. By doing so, even if there is a possibility that processing will not be possible in the future, it is possible to process high-priority jobs with priority as much as possible,
Jobs can be processed more efficiently.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. A. Configuration of Embodiment A-1. Basic Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, resource detection /
The determination unit 1 monitors the remaining amount of resources (toner, image storage memory, printing paper, etc.) determined by the system, and notifies a detection result in response to a request from the job control unit 3. For example, in the case of toner, the remaining amount of toner is detected based on information from a toner sensor provided in the printing unit described later. Is detected. The setting priority determination unit 2 compares the system priority set in advance in the system with the job priority of the job specified in the job request, and notifies the job control unit 3 of the comparison result. . The system priority is input by a user from a UI (user interface) 8 and is held in the priority determination unit 2 by the UI control unit 6.

The job control means 3 judges whether or not the job can be executed based on the information from the resource detection / judgment means 1 and the priority judgment means 2. If it is judged that the job can be executed, the job processing means 4 A job processing request to. In the first embodiment, which will be described later, the job control unit 3 compares the remaining amount of the resource with a remaining amount threshold indicating an allowable limit, which is set in advance for each resource. It is determined whether the job can be processed.
In a second embodiment described later, the job control unit 3 calculates the amount of resources required for the job based on the processing content of the job. For example, in the case of a print job, the amount of toner and the amount of paper required for the job are calculated based on the number of pages of the job and the average amount of toner consumed for printing one page. The job processing means 4 responds to a processing request from the job control means 3,
It executes processing such as image development and printing of the job.

The I / F control unit 5 transmits and receives data to and from a public line or a network (for example, a LAN). As described above, the UI control unit 6 supplies the system priority input from the UI 8 to the priority determination unit 2 and supplies a job processing result (job processing result or job rejection, etc.) to the UI. . The user management storage unit 7 stores user information for identifying a specific user. The user information is used for processing a job preferentially when a job is supplied from the specific user. Referenced.

The above-described resource detection / judgment means 1, priority judgment means 2, job control means 3, job processing means 4, I / F control means, and UI control means 6 are provided by an RO
The program in M is executed by the CPU.
A part of the priority determination unit 2 and the user management storage unit 7 are realized by a RAM described later.

A-2. Next, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printer device to which the above-described image processing device is applied. In the figure, a CPU 10 realizes each unit described above by executing a predetermined program, and develops image data from print data and controls each unit for printing on paper. The ROM 11 stores the predetermined program. Next, the RAM 12 is used as a storage area for the above-described system priority and user information, a temporary storage area for data such as print data and image data, or a work area for the CPU 10. The above-described resource detection / judgment means 1 monitors the remaining capacity of the data temporary storage area of the RAM.

The printing unit I / F 13 is an interface for supplying data (for example, bitmap data) from the CPU to the printing unit 14. The printing unit 14 includes, for example, a printing mechanism that controls a laser beam in accordance with the above data, forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum, and prints on paper with toner, and a transport mechanism that transports the paper. The above-described resource detection / judgment means 1 monitors the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of paper, and the like.

The disk I / F 15 is an interface with a hard disk 16 used as a storage area for data such as print data and image data as required. The hard disk 16 is used as a so-called non-volatile storage area for storing data such as print data and image data. The communication unit I / F 17 transmits and receives data to and from a public line or a network. The external device I / F 18 transmits and receives data to and from an external device.

B. Next, an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

B-1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Upon receiving the data, the I / F control unit 5 issues a job request to the job control unit 3 in step Sa1. At this time, the job request includes the priority of the received job. Upon receiving the job request, the job control unit 3 proceeds to step Sa.
In step 2, an inquiry is made to the resource detection / determination means 1 to obtain the remaining resource amount, and in step Sa3, a threshold value for the remaining resource amount is obtained. Next, in step Sa4, the job control means 3 determines whether or not the resource remaining amount is larger than the resource remaining amount threshold.
For example, if the job is a process of developing print data into image data and printing the image data, the remaining memory amount of the RAM 11, the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of paper, and the like are resource remaining amounts.

If the resource remaining amount is equal to or larger than the resource remaining amount threshold, the job control means 3 proceeds to step Sa1.
At 0, the job processing unit 4 is instructed to start a job. Upon receiving the job start instruction, the job processing unit 4 processes the received job. For example, if the job is a process of expanding print data into image data and printing the image data, the image data is expanded in the RAM 11 and the printing unit 14 and the like are controlled to print on paper.

On the other hand, if the resource remaining amount is smaller than the resource remaining amount threshold value, the job control means 3 proceeds to step Sa5.
Then, after acquiring the priority of the job set in the job request, in step Sa6, the system priority held by the priority determination means 2 is acquired and set as a threshold.
Next, in step Sa7, the job control means 3 compares the priority of the job with a threshold value of the priority.

Here, if the threshold value is lower than the job priority, the process proceeds to step Sa8, where the execution of the job is rejected. If the job priority is higher than the threshold value, the process proceeds to step Sa10. To instruct the job processing means 4 to start the job. In step Sa9, whether the job has been processed or the job has been rejected, the job processing unit 3 determines the processing result of the job (whether the job processing is executed or rejected) in the UI.
Notifying the UI 8 via the control means 6 or
Notify the requester of the job via the / F control means 5.

B-2. Next, an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. I / F
When the control means 5 receives the data, in step Sb1,
A job request is made to the job control means 3. In step Sb2, the job control unit 3 calculates an amount of resources necessary for processing the job (hereinafter, referred to as a used resource amount) based on the processing content of the job. Next, in step Sb3, the job control means 3 inquires of the resource detection / determination means 1 to obtain the remaining resource amount, and determines in step Sb4 whether the remaining resource amount is larger than the resource usage amount. For example, if the job is a process of developing print data into image data and printing the image data, the remaining memory amount of the RAM 11, the remaining amount of toner, the remaining amount of paper, and the like are resource remaining amounts.

If the remaining resource is equal to or larger than the resource usage, the job control unit 3 instructs the job processing unit 4 to start a job in step Sb7. When the job processing unit 4 receives the instruction to start the job,
Process the received job. For example, if the job is a process of expanding print data into image data and printing the image data, the image data is expanded in the RAM 11 and the printing unit 14 and the like are controlled to print on paper.

On the other hand, if the resource remaining amount is smaller than the resource usage amount, the job control means 3 rejects the execution of the job in step Sb5. In step Sb6, whether the job has been processed or the job has been rejected, the job processing means 3 controls the processing result of the job (whether the job processing is executed or rejected) by UI control in step Sb6. A notification is sent to the UI 8 via the means 6 or to a requester of the job via the I / F control means 5.

In the above-described embodiment, toner, paper, and memory have been described as resources. However, any resource other than the above may be used as long as the resource has a finite amount and its amount can be detected. It goes without saying that it is good. Further, in the first embodiment, the configuration is such that jobs having a certain priority or higher are processed. However, only jobs from a specific user stored in the user management storage unit 7 shown in FIG. 1 are processed with priority. Is also good.

[0027]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount detecting means detects that the remaining amount of resources used for executing a job has become less than a predetermined amount. In this case, the execution means executes the job based on a preset priority condition. Therefore, even if there is a possibility that processing may become impossible in the future due to a shortage of resources, Since jobs with high importance can be processed with priority as much as possible according to the conditions, there is an advantage that jobs can be processed more efficiently.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a priority recognizing means for recognizing a priority of a job, wherein the executing means sets in advance the priority recognized by the priority recognizing means. Jobs are executed with the priority condition being higher than the specified priority, so even if there is a possibility that processing will not be possible in the future due to lack of resources, jobs with a high priority Since the job can be processed with priority, the advantage that the job can be processed more efficiently is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the remaining amount recognizing means recognizes the remaining amount of the resource used for executing the job, while the used amount recognizing means uses the resource required by the job. The job is executed by the execution unit when the amount of the resource recognized by the usage amount recognition unit is smaller than the remaining amount of the resource recognized by the remaining amount recognition unit. Even if there is a possibility that processing may become impossible in the future due to a shortage of resources, that is, a job that can be processed at the present Since the job can be processed with priority, the advantage that the job can be processed more efficiently is obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer device to which the image processing device according to the present embodiment is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 resource detecting / determining means (remaining amount detecting means, remaining amount recognizing means) 2 priority determining means (priority recognizing means) 3 job controlling means (executing means, used amount recognizing means) 4 job processing means (executing means) 5 I / F control means 6 UI control means 7 User management storage means (user identification means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A remaining amount detecting means for detecting that a resource used for executing a job has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount, and detecting that the remaining amount of the resource has become equal to or less than a predetermined amount by the remaining amount detecting means. An execution unit that executes a job based on a preset priority condition when the job is executed. And a priority recognizing means for recognizing a priority of the job, wherein the execution means sets a priority condition that the priority recognized by the priority recognizing means is higher than a preset priority. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus executes a job. 3. A user identification unit for identifying a user who has made a job request, wherein the execution unit executes the job with a priority condition that the user identification unit is a specific user. The image processing device according to claim 1. 4. A remaining amount recognizing means for recognizing a remaining amount of resources used for executing a job, a use amount recognizing means for recognizing a used amount of resources required by the job, and recognizing by the used amount recognizing means. An execution unit that executes the job when the used amount of the used resource is smaller than the remaining amount of the resource recognized by the remaining amount recognition unit.