JPH11321039A - Print operation controller and control method for printer, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace a sheet during suspension of print operation by suspending print operation including an operation for feeding a sheet at a hand feed opening to a print means when a decision is made that a sheet for hand feed job is set at the hand feed opening. SOLUTION: Image information is managed using a table T-2 storing information in units of divided page, and a table T-1 storing information in units of job. A decision is made whether a hand feed print job is executed or not based on the fact that the paper feed cassette information in the job unit information stored in the table T-1 is hand fed or not. If the print job to be executed uses a sheet set at a hand feed opening, a paper feed mechanism for print job suspends print operation including an operation for feeding a sheet at the hand feed opening to a print means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer having a manual paper feed port. Also, via a network,
The present invention relates to an image forming system to which the above-mentioned printer, printer server computer, client computer and the like are connected. Further, the present invention relates to a printing control method for the printer, a printing operation control device for the printer, and a recording medium in which a program for a computer for controlling printing operation of the printer is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional printer is provided with several paper feed cassettes capable of accommodating about several hundred sheets of paper, and uses OHP paper, postcards and other non-standard paper infrequently. Some printers have a manual paper feed port for feeding paper. There is also an image forming system in which the printer is connected to a printer server computer, a client computer, and the like via a network.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned printer, when a manual paper feed port is designated as a paper feed port and a print instruction is issued, the paper in the manual paper feed port is automatically fed. However, the following problems have been encountered.

[0004] For example, in a state in which a user who has previously used the manual paper feed port has left the paper in the manual paper feed port,
If the next user instructs a print job to feed paper from the manual feed slot (hereinafter, manual print job), the manual print job of the next user will be printed on unintended paper.

Further, when one user instructs the printer to execute a print job including a plurality of manual print jobs using different papers, each print job is automatically executed. The timing of replacing the set paper in the manual paper feed port is missed, and printing is performed on unintended paper.

Further, in the case where the printer is connected to the network, the print jobs designated by the user are sequentially stored in the printer server computer, and the print jobs are sequentially executed in the order of the storage. There is a possibility that another user who specified a manual print job later replaces the paper placed in the manual feed slot by the user who specified the print job with another paper before executing the manual print job. is there. In such a situation, the manual print job of the first user is printed on unintended paper.

[0007]

The above object is achieved by the following means.

[0008] [Means for Solving the First Invention] One or more paper cassettes, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and any one of the paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port And a paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying the paper to the printing means. A printing operation control method for a printer, comprising: a print job executed by the printer. Determining whether or not the print job is a print job using the paper set in the manual feed port, and in the determining step, the print job executed by the printer is set in the manual feed port. When it is determined that the print job uses the set paper, the printing operation includes the operation of supplying the paper in the manual paper feed port to the printing unit by the paper feeding mechanism for the print job. Pause sign Print operation control method for a printer characterized in that it comprises the operation pause process, the.

[0009] In the printing operation control method for a printer according to the first invention, the printing operation control method further comprises the steps of: A printing operation control method for a printer, comprising a restarting process for restarting a printing operation for a print job when an instruction to restart a printing operation is received.

In a printing operation control method for a printer according to a second aspect of the present invention, the printing operation control method further comprises the steps of: A print operation control for a printer, comprising: a job start step for starting a print operation for another print job when an instruction to restart the print operation is not received within a predetermined time. Method.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or more paper cassettes, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and any one of the paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port. And a paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying the paper to the printing means. A printing operation control device for a printer, the printing operation control device comprising: Means for determining whether or not the print job is a print job using the paper set in the manual feed port. In the determining means, the print job executed in the printer is set in the manual feed port. When it is determined that the print job uses the set paper, the printing operation includes the operation of supplying the paper in the manual paper feed port to the printing unit by the paper feeding mechanism for the print job. Pause sign Printing operation controller for a printer characterized in that it comprises the operation halt means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided one or more paper cassettes, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and any one of the paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port. A paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying the paper to the printing means, and a recording medium storing a program for a computer for controlling printing operation for a printer, the computer for controlling printing operation. The program is
It is determined whether or not the print job executed in the printer is a print job using the paper set in the manual feed port, and the determination is made that the print job executed in the printer is the manual job. When it is determined that the print job uses the paper set in the paper feed port, the paper feeding mechanism supplies the paper in the manual paper feed port to the printing unit for the print job. A recording medium storing a program for a computer for controlling a printing operation for a printer, the program being a program for suspending a printing operation.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A print job to be executed in a printer is set in a manual feed port by a printing operation control method, a printing operation control device, and a program recorded on a recording medium for a printer according to the present invention. It is determined whether or not the print job uses paper, and this determination is that the print job to be executed in the printer is a print job that uses paper set in the manual feed port. At this time, the printing operation is suspended, including the operation of the paper feeding mechanism supplying the paper in the manual paper feeding port to the printing unit for the print job.

For this reason, when a manual print job is registered, the registered manual print job is not immediately executed and the printing operation is suspended, so that the paper can be replaced during the pause, and the desired paper can be replaced. It can be printed on paper.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A digital copying machine usually has a function as a copying machine and a function as a printer. In this embodiment, in the case of a digital copying machine or simply a copying machine,
Unless otherwise specified, it focuses on functions as a printer of a digital copying machine, and is not substantially distinguished from a printer as far as it is.

"System Overview" FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of the present invention. This system includes a network NW, a digital copying machine 1, a printer server computer PS, and a plurality of client computers CC1 to CC4. The printer server computer PS and the plurality of client computers CC1 to CC4 are connected to a network NW.
Connected between the client computers CC1 to CC4 and the printer server computer PS, or between the client computers CC1 to CC4.
To CC4, data communication such as image data and various commands can be performed.

The digital copying machine 1 is connected to a printer server computer PS, so that the digital copying machine 1 can perform not only normal functions such as copying of an original but also a client computer CC1 via the printer server computer PS. To print out the image data received from CC4.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the overall configuration of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.

The copying machine 1 includes an image reader IR, a page printer PRT, and an external interface unit IU.
And a digital copying machine.

The main body of the image reader IR includes a scanning system 10 for reading a document placed on a document table glass 18 by decomposing the document into pixels, quantization of photoelectric conversion signals output by the scanning system 10 and various image forming modes. And a memory unit 30 for storing image data corresponding to the document.

An automatic document feeder (ADFR) 50, which is an additional device also serving as a document cover, is provided above the main body.
No. 0 is assembled so as to be openable and closable around the rear end portion.

The scanning system 10 is a line scanning type image reading mechanism, and includes a document irradiation lamp 11 and a mirror 12.
Scanner 19 having fixed mirrors 13a, 13b,
A condensing lens 14, an image sensor 16 composed of a CCD array, and a scan motor M2 for driving a scanner 19
It is composed of The image signal processing section 20 and the memory unit section 30 will be described later.

The ADFR 500 discharges a document set on a document stacker 510 onto a document discharge tray 511 by a feed roller 501, a separating roller 502, a separating pad 503, an intermediate roller 504, a registration roller 505, and a transport belt 506. .

The ADFR 500 includes a manuscript scale 51
2. A document sensor SE50 for detecting the presence or absence of a document, a document size sensor SE51, and a discharge sensor SE52 are provided.

The page printer PRT includes a print processing unit 40 for outputting an exposure control signal, a print head 60 using a semiconductor laser 62 as a light source, a developing / transfer system 70A including a photosensitive drum 71 and its peripheral devices, and a fixing roller pair. It comprises a fixing / discharge system 70B having a discharge roller 84 and a discharge roller 85, and a circulating paper transport system 70C including a unit 600, and receives image data transferred from the image reader IR or via the external interface unit IU. A copy image is printed by an electrophotographic process based on the obtained image data.

At the bottom of the page printer PRT, two paper cassettes 80a and 80 capable of storing several hundred sheets of paper are provided.
b, paper size detection sensors SE11 and SE12, a multi-manual paper feed port 80c capable of storing OHP paper, postcards, and other irregular-size paper, a multi-manual paper size detection sensor SE13, and a paper feed roller group are provided. .

An empty sensor SE1 for detecting the presence / absence of paper in two paper cassettes and a multi-manual paper feed port.
1E, SE12E and SE13E are also provided.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1. FIG.

The control unit 100 includes nine CPUs 101 to 1
09 and these CPUs 101 to 109
Have ROMs 111 to 1 storing programs, respectively.
19 are provided. The CPU 106 is provided in the memory unit 30, and the CPU 109 is provided in the external interface unit IU.

The CPU 101 controls signal input and display from various operation keys on the operation panel OP. CPU10
2 controls each unit of the image signal processing unit 20 and
103 controls the driving of the scanning system 10. CPU 104
Controls the page printer PRT including the print processing unit 40.

The CPU 105 performs processing for adjusting the overall timing of the control unit 100 and setting the operation mode. Therefore, the CPU 105 performs serial communication with another CPU to transmit and receive commands and reports required for control.

The CPU 106 controls storage and reading of image information. The CPU 107 controls document conveyance by the ADFR 500. Then, the CPU 108 controls the sheet re-feeding unit 600.

The CPU 109 controls the external interface unit to receive image information from the printer server computer and to transfer the image information to the memory unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the memory unit 30.

At the time of reading, the image data D2 read by the image reader IR is first stored in the input page memory 30.
Transferred to 1.

The image transferred to the input page memory 301 is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units and transferred to the code memory 303. Similarly, image data received by the external interface unit is also transferred to the input page memory 301, the image is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units, and transferred to the code memory 303.

At the time of printing, the compressed image in the code memory 303 is expanded by the expander 304. If image rotation is necessary, the image is rotated by a rotator in page units at the time of expansion, and the rotation and expansion are performed simultaneously. The decompressed image data is transferred to the output page memory 305.

At the time of image output, image data is transferred from the output page memory 305 to the print processing unit. The data transfer indicated by the thick arrows in FIGS. 3 and 4 is configured to be operable independently and in parallel with each other in order to improve the copy speed.
MA transfer is performed.

The memory unit 30 is provided with a ROM 1
The CPU 106 controls according to the program stored in the CPU 16. Parameters necessary for operating the program are stored in the system RAM 126.

When the document image is temporarily stored, the code memory 303 is managed by a management table provided in the RAM 126.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the printer server computer PS. The printer server computer PS has a C for central control of the printer server computer.
PUγ01, memory γ02, hard disk controller γ03 for controlling hard disk γ04, hard disk γ04 for temporary registration of image data and storage of various data, client computers CC1 to CC4
Network controller γ05 and display γ11 for controlling a protocol on network NW with
Display controller γ06 for controlling display, display memory γ07, keyboard controller γ08 for controlling keyboard γ12 input, mouse controller γ09 for controlling mouse γ13 input, image data described in a page description language or the like received from client computers CC1 to CC4 Image generation unit γ14 for developing image into bitmap image, digital copier 1
I / F controller γ15 for controlling transmission and reception of image data and status information to and from, a display γ11 for performing layout, editing, menu display, etc., and a keyboard for inputting instructions from a server administrator γ12 and mouse γ13 are connected and operated.

The client computer has substantially the same configuration as the above-described printer server computer.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the management table. When reading and compressing a document, it is necessary to manage image information on a job basis, so that a plurality of pages are divided and stored in a job. Therefore, the table has a table (T-2) for storing information in units of divided pages and a table (T-1) for storing information in units of jobs.

The job unit information (T-1) is a job ID
And information such as where the job registration status and page management information are stored, the designated number (number of copies), whether or not OHP paper and interleaf copy are set, a copy mode indicating paper feed port selection information, and the like. . In addition, page management information (T-
In 2), the location of the compressed image data is stored.

When reading image data from the input page memory 301 and compressing the image data, the CPU 106 controls the compressor 302 and creates compressed information in the code memory 303 while creating information in the management table. Store.

When outputting the image data, the compressed image data is read from the code memory 303 by the reverse operation. The information in the management table is deleted when the information of the corresponding page is read out normally and the copy of the number (number of copies) M specified by the operator is completed.

Next, the operation sequence of the copying machine 1 relating to original reading print data reception and printing will be described focusing on the request command (Q), report (A), or data flow exchanged between the CPUs 101 to 106. A description will be given based on FIGS. 8 and 9. In the figure, [Q] is abbreviated meaning "request" and [A] is abbreviated meaning "notification".

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a print data receiving operation from the printer server computer.

In the print data receiving operation, image data is transferred from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30.

First, C which manages the entire sequence
The PU 105 requests the CPU 106 for memory preparation. In response to this, the CPU 106 sets the bus connection state for transferring the image data from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30 via the dual port RAM (DPRAM) 136 for the internal hardware.

When the preparation is completed after these settings are completed, the CPU 106 notifies the CPU 105 of the completion of the memory preparation. CPU 105 is CPU 106, 109
When the CPU 109 requests data transfer to the printer server computer, the CPU 109 requests data transfer to the printer server computer.

When the data transfer preparation is completed in the printer server computer, the print data (image data) is transferred from the external interface unit IU to the memory unit 30.

When the transfer completion is notified from the CPUs 109 and 106, the CPU 105 requests the CPU 106 to compress the data. In response to this, the CPU 106 starts up each unit. As a result, the compression process is performed, and the code data is stored in the code memory 303.

When the compression processing is completed, the CPU 106 notifies the CPU 105 of the completion of the compression.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an outline of the printing operation.

In the printing operation, image data is read from the code memory 303, and a copy image is printed on a sheet based on the image data.

The CPU 105 requests the CPU 106 to expand the data. The CPU 106 starts each unit.
As a result, the decompression process is performed, and the image data is written to the output page memory 305.

When the decompression process is completed, the CPU 105
It requests the PU 106 for a memory preparation request for reading image data from the output page memory 305. In response to this, the CPU 106 sets the bus connection state for outputting the image data D3 from the output page memory 305 to the print processing unit 40 to the internal hardware, and sets the rotation processing.

When these settings are completed and the preparation is completed, and the notification is received, the CPU 105
4 is requested to print. CP from CPU 104
A paper feed report notifying the paper transport state is sent to U105. Thereafter, the image data D3 read from the input page memory 305 is output to the print processing unit 40, and printing is performed.

When printing is completed, the CPU 106, C
The PU 104 sends a print completion report and an ejection completion report to the CPU 105. The CPU 105 that has received these reports, if necessary,
06, a memory clear request is given.

Hereinafter, the operation of the copying machine 1 will be described in more detail with reference to flowcharts, focusing on the characteristic control of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a main flowchart of the CPU 105 for controlling the control of the digital copying machine 1.

When the CPU 105 starts (# B00), it performs initialization (# B01), sets an internal timer (# B02), and checks input data from another CPU (# B03). ), A mode setting process for determining an operation mode according to the operation content (# B0
4), read processing (# B05), print processing (#B
06), an output data set (# B07) for making a command wait in a communication port, other processing (# B08), and waiting for an internal timer (# B09) are repeatedly executed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing step # B0 in FIG.
6 is a subroutine flowchart of print processing No. 6; In this subroutine, reading and switching of jobs relating to printing are performed.

When the printing process is started (# D00), in step # D01, it is checked whether or not a job is currently registered in the management table shown in FIG.

If no job is registered in the management table, it means that there is no job to be printed, and the process exits this routine (# D9).
9).

If a job is registered in the management table, it is checked in step # D02 whether the job is a manual job.

More specifically, based on whether or not the sheet cassette information (sheet inlet selection information) of the job unit information stored in the table (T-1) is "manual feed". It is checked whether the job to be executed is a manual job.

If it is not a manual job in this step ("NO"), the flow advances to step # D08 to set a print job in order to make the job at the head of the job queue in the management table in FIG. I
D is updated, and the print sequence of the job is executed (# D09).

In the above case, a manual print job execution instruction is issued to the printer without any paper being placed in the manual feed port. At this time, the printer recognizes from the empty sensor SE13E that there is no paper in the manual paper feed port, and does not immediately execute the print sequence but maintains the hold state (at this time, it is determined that there is no paper). For the user who registered the manual print job, the user PC
Notifying by displaying on the display of
Prompt the user to put the paper). After that, when the user who has registered the manual print job places paper in the manual paper feed port, the empty sensor SE13E causes
This is detected, and based on the detection result, the hold state of the print sequence is released, and the execution of the print sequence is started.

When empty sheets other than the manual print job are not provided by the empty sensors SE11E and SE12E provided in the two sheet cassettes, the same operation as described above is performed. Operate. Of course, the user who has registered the print job is displayed on the display of the user PC and notified that there is no paper, and the corresponding user is urged to put paper.

If it is a manual job in step # D02 (YES), the flow advances to step # D03 to check whether or not a forced print timer is set.

The forced print timer is a timer for stopping the printing operation for a fixed time, and this time (for example, 30 seconds) is set on the printer driver. If it has been set (YES), the process proceeds to step # D04 to check whether or not the timer is counting. This timer particularly has a bit indicating whether or not the timer is counting, and the timer is counting even if the remaining amount of the timer is "0". If this is counting ("YES"), the flow proceeds to step # D06.

If this is not counting time (“N
O "), the process proceeds to step # D05, and the forced print timer is started.

FIG. 16 shows a screen of the printer driver. In this figure, "manual waiting time" is the setting portion. The initial value is set to, for example, "30 seconds", and the settable pause time is adjusted by pressing the up / down key shown in FIG. 16 from the initial value of "30 seconds". When "no forced printing" is selected (# D03, NO), print permission is issued by pressing the start button of the digital copying machine 1 or clicking "confirm" in FIG. 23 on the client computer (# D06). Until), the printing operation stops.

If "forced printing" is selected (# D03, YES), after stopping the printing operation for the time set in Time or pressing the start button of the digital copying machine 1 The print operation is not started until the print permission is issued by clicking the confirmation button in FIG. 23 on the client computer (# D06).

Step # D08 and subsequent steps are as described above.

In the case of a manual job, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the processing of this job can be temporarily put on a shelf and the next job can be processed. An embodiment in this case is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

Steps in which the same processes as those in the flowchart of FIG. 11 are performed are denoted by the same reference numerals, and therefore will not be particularly described.

In the flowchart of FIG. 11, when the time is over (# D07), the printing process is started, but in the flowchart of FIG. 26, it is checked whether or not the next job exists (# D10). If there is a job, in step # D11, the current job and the next job are exchanged in the job management table of FIG. 7, and the process returns to step # D02.

If there is no next job, step # D9
Jump to 9 and exit this subroutine.

In the above example, step # D1
In FIG. 1, the current job and the next job in the job management table are exchanged. However, the current job may be moved to a place of an appropriate order such as the end of the job column.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 106 (memory unit).

When the operation of the memory unit is started (# F00), in step # F01, the unit is initialized, and an internal timer is set (# F02).

At step #F 03, a command requesting internal processing is received from the CPU 105. The received command is analyzed and determined in steps # F04 to # F08.
0 to step # F14 to check whether the internal timer has expired (# F09),
The operation from step # F02 to step # F09 is repeated at regular intervals.

In step # F10 "memory preparation", preparation is made to receive image data from the image signal processing unit 20 or the external interface IU.

Step # F11 “Reception of read data”
Then, preparation is made to receive read data from the CPU 102 at the time of copying. Receive when data comes.

In step # F12 "data reception", preparations are made to receive image data and a print mode from the CPU 109 during printing. Receive when data comes.

In step # F13 "compression process", the image is compressed by the compressor 302 in page units.

In step # F14 "expansion processing", the image compressed in the code memory 303 is expanded by the expander 304. Rotation processing by a rotator is also performed as necessary.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 109 (external interface unit).

When this routine starts upon turning on the power (# G00), the external interface unit is initialized in step # G01. Next, the internal timer is set (# G02), and the process proceeds to step # G03.
In step # G03, the operation state of the digital copier that has changed since the previous check is checked.
In step # G04, it is determined whether or not the status checked in step # G03 exists.

Here, if "yes", step # G0
Go to Step 5 to analyze the contents of the status, and
At 06, the status data to be notified to the printer server computer is converted into a format for SCSI,
Proceed to step # G07.

If the determination in step # G04 is "none", the flow advances to step # G08, where the command received from the printer server computer is analyzed.

If the result of the analysis corresponds to the next check from step # G09 to step # G12, the flow branches to processing from step # G13 to step # G16.

In the "polling response" process of step # G13, a process for responding to the polling of the printer server computer and notifying the operating state of the digital copying machine is performed.

In the "print mode setting" process in step # G14, a process for setting a print mode, for example, the number of prints, double-sided printing, magnification, and the like is performed.

In the "image data transfer" process of step # G15, the received image is transferred to the memory unit 30.

In the "job inquiry" process of step # G16, the status of the management table shown in FIG. 7 is notified to the printer server computer.

After performing these processes, step # G07
Proceed to.

At step # G07, it is checked whether or not the internal timer has expired, and this is repeated until the internal timer expires.

When the internal timer expires, step # G02
, And repeat the following routine again.

[Overview of Print Sequence] FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic diagrams of a print sequence of the network system. Here, these two figures are originally obtained by dividing a single figure into upper and lower parts by dotted lines, and lines extending downward from the printer server computer PS and the digital copying machine 1 are common * 1 and * 2, respectively. Indicates that it is connected to the line marked with.

Here, the sequence from when the user instructs printing on the client computers CC1 to CC4 to when the print data is registered in the digital copying machine 1, and when the print data is printed out from the digital copying machine 1. Later, the client computer CC1
Until a status such as print completion is displayed on the "status display application" operating at CC4.

(A) Creation of Document The user creates / edits * 102 a target document using a document creation application * 101 operating on the client computers CC1 to CC4.

Document creation application program * 1
01 is usually the client computers CC1 to CC4
Is stored in the hard disk, and is loaded into the memory when the user needs it, and is executed by being controlled by the CPU.

At this time, the document layout, print instruction information, and the like are displayed on a display in the client computers CC1 to CC4 using a display controller and a display memory.

The user's character input, image editing, print instruction and the like are transmitted to the client computers CC1 to CC4.
In this case, the information is transmitted from a keyboard or a mouse, and the information is notified to a CPU via a keyboard controller and a mouse controller, respectively, and is processed.

(B) Activation of Printer Driver The document created by the document creation application * 101 is
The printer server computer translates into a specific page description language so that it can be rasterized into image data by the raster image generation unit γ14, and specifies various operation modes such as designation of a paper feed port, staple, and punch in the digital copying machine 1. To make the setting, the user loads the printer driver * 105 dedicated to the digital copying machine 1 described in the present embodiment from the hard disk into the memory on the client computers CC1 to CC4 and starts it (* 103, *
104).

(C) Acquisition of status information The activated printer driver * 105 reports the mechanical status of the digital copier 1 itself and the status of the registered job to the printer server computer P.
S, network NW, and client computer C
It is obtained via the network controllers C1 to CC4 and the network controller γ05 of the printer server (* 106 → * 107 → * 108 → * 109).

At this time, the printer server computer PS communicates with the digital copying machine 1 via the I / F controller γ15 (* 107), acquires the status of the digital copying machine 1 (* 108), and obtains the status of the printer server computer PS. Memory γ02 and hard disk γ04 in PS
, And notifies the client computers CC1-CC4 via the network controller γ05 of the print server and the network controllers of the client computers CC1-CC4 via the network NW (* 109).

(D) Setting of print mode On the printer driver screen (FIGS. 16 and 17), paper size, paper feed port, number of copies, presence / absence of sorting, presence / absence of double-sided printing, presence / absence of staple, presence / absence of punch, etc. Various printing operation modes are set (* 110).

However, according to the status information acquired in the above (c), setting of the printing operation mode in which setting is impossible is prohibited at this stage. For example, if another print job instructed to feed paper from the manual feed slot already exists in the printer server computer or digital copier, the manual feed slot until the print job is completed. Since it is not possible to actually change the paper, setting of a print job in which a manual paper feed port is newly specified is prohibited.

(E) Print Start After the print mode setting (* 110) is completed, the user starts printing (* 1) with the document creation application (* 101).
11) is specified. In response, the document creation application (* 101) sends the printer driver (* 105)
Is instructed to start printing (* 112).
The printer driver (* 105) notifies the printer server computer PS of the print mode set in the above (d) via the network, the network controller of the client computer, and the network controller γ05 of the print server (* 113).

On the other hand, if the print server computer PS determines that the print job can be accepted, it notifies the return printer driver (* 105) that the print acceptance is permitted (* 115). ,
The printer driver (* 105) having received the reception permission transmits the image data to the printer server computer PS, and the printer server computer PS starts receiving the image data (* 116).

(F) Rasterization to Image Layout The image data output from the printer driver (* 105) is usually described in a page description language instead of bitmap image data. In order to print an image with the digital copying machine 1, the image is converted into a bitmap data form that can be printed by the digital copying machine 1 (rasterization, *
117) Then, the data is transferred to the digital copying machine 1.

(G) Image Spool The image data that has been rasterized in (f) is temporarily stored (spooled) on the hard disk γ04 in the printer server computer PS (* 119).

Thus, regardless of the state of the digital copying machine 1, for example, even if a print job of another person is being printed, a print job from the client computers CC1 to CC4 can be accepted.

(H) Activation of Status Display Application When the printer driver on the client computers CC1 to CC4 has completely transferred all print data from the document creation application to the printer server computer PS, the status display application program (* 127) To client computers CC1 to CC
It is loaded from the hard disk in C4 onto the memory of the computer and activated (* 128).

(I) Transfer of print job to digital copier The printer server computer PS issues a job registration request to the digital copier 1 at an appropriate timing (* 12
0), when job registration permission is received from the digital copying machine 1 (* 121), the spooled print job (print mode information and image data) is transferred to the digital copying machine 1 (* 122, * 123).

The digital copying machine 1 prints out according to the received print mode (* 124).

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the printer server computer.

When the printer server computer PS starts (# H00), it performs initialization (# H01) and sets an internal timer (# H02). This internal timer does not control the operation of the CPU but controls the operation of the printer server computer, and is on the order of several seconds to several tens of seconds.

After the internal timer is set, the subroutine "polling to copying machine"(# H03) is entered. This subroutine is shown in FIG. 19 described later. After exiting this subroutine, in step # H04, it is determined whether there is a job available to be registered in the digital copying machine 1 and there is a job to be sent from the printer server computer to the digital copying machine 1.

If this is "Yes", step #H
In step 05, print data and image data are transferred from the I / F controller γ15 via a SCSI cable (not shown) and the interface 139 (FIG. 3).

Upon completion of this step, or if “NO” in step # H04, step # H06
Proceed to. In step # H06, it is checked whether or not a command has been sent from the client computers CC1 to CC4. If there is no command, the process proceeds to the next step # H09.

When the above command is present, if the command requests a status, the status is sent to the client computers CC1 to CC4. This command is transmitted to the client computers CC1 to CC4.
If the request is to receive a print job from the client, a subroutine "receive print job from client" is executed. FIG. 22 (described later) is a flowchart of this subroutine.

In step # H09, the process waits for the internal timer to expire, returns to step # H02, and repeats the above-described processing.

FIG. 19 shows a subroutine in FIG.
It is a flowchart showing the content of step # H03.

When the subroutine "polling to copying machine"(# J00) is entered, a timer is set in step # J01. With this timer, polling is performed for a fixed time (several seconds) in order to confirm whether the operation of the main body of the digital copying machine 1 is normally performed (the polling here is to periodically confirm the status to confirm the connection. (# J03).

In steps # J04 and # J05, completion of reception of the status sent from digital copier 1 is checked, and status reception is repeated until completion.

In step # J06, the received status is analyzed, and after executing the subroutine "update management table in server" shown in FIG.
This subroutine is exited (# J99).

(J) Notification of end of printing The digital copying machine 1 uses the printer server computer PS
When the print job transferred from is completed,
The completion of printing is notified to the printer server computer PS by status information (* 125).

The printer server computer PS updates the information in its own job management table, and notifies the client computers CC1 to CC4 of the update (* 126).

(K) Status display When the client computers CC1 to CC4 are notified by the status information that the print job designated by themselves has been completed, the status display application (* 127) loaded on the memory γ02 uses the status display application (* 127). It is displayed on the display (FIG. 20) (* 130).

The above description mainly relates to the client computers CC1 to CC4 and the printer server computer PS.
This embodiment has been described with a focus on the flow of information between the digital copier 1 and the digital copier 1.

FIG. 21 shows a subroutine of step # J07 in FIG.
10 is a flowchart for notifying that the management table is updated and that a manual job is waiting.

Enter this subroutine (# K00)
Then, in step # K01, the management table in the printer server computer PS is updated based on the management table information (information on each paper feed port) in the RAM 124 of the digital copying machine 1 received from the digital copying machine 1.

The paper feed port management table in the digital copying machine 1 includes a sheet empty sensor SE11E to SE13E for detecting the presence or absence of a sheet in the digital copying machine 1 and a sheet size detection sensor SE1 for detecting the size / direction of the sheet.
It is automatically updated by the information from 1 to SE13.

In step # K02, the information in the job management table of the digital copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
5) is updated.

In step # K03, among the job unit information stored in the management table in the printer server computer PS, it is determined whether or not the sheet cassette information (sheet inlet selection information) is "manual feed". Is a manual job, and if it is a manual job, the printer server computer PS
Find the user of the manual job from the management table in the
In step # K04, a notification is issued to the client computers CC1 to CC4 owned by the user.

With this notification, the screen displayed on the displays of the client computers CC1 to CC4 becomes as shown in FIG. Since the printout is stopped while this screen is displayed, check the paper and click the “Confirm” button on this screen to execute the printout on the manual paper.

Printing can also be executed by pressing the start key on the operation panel OP of the digital copying machine 1 shown in FIG.

Step # K04 is completed or step #
If the next job is not a hand job in K03, the process exits this subroutine in step # K99.

FIG. 22 shows a subroutine "Reception of print job from client" in FIG. 18 (step # H0).
It is a flowchart of 8).

When this subroutine is entered (# M00),
At step # M01, an internal timer is set. This internal timer does not control the CPU, but controls the operation of the printer server computer PS, and is on the order of tens of seconds.

In step # M02, for example, a signal relating to the print mode such as the number of sheets, the number of copies, the magnification, and double-sided printing is received, and in step # M03, the signal is analyzed.

A job is added to the management table in the printer server computer according to the analysis result (# M0
4), image data is received (# M05).

In step # 06, the received image data is rasterized by the raster image generator γ142. In step # M07, the rasterized image data is stored (spooled) on the hard disk γ04, and the order of printing is set.

In step # M08, the process waits for the internal timer to expire, and then exits this subroutine in step # M99.

As mentioned earlier, FIG. 25 is a job management table in the printer server computer PS.

In this table, the queue indicates the place where the job is registered. In this embodiment, up to four jobs can be registered in the engine, that is, the digital copying machine 1. “Owner” is one of the client computers CC1 to CC4, and indicates that the job is a job issued from now.

In this table, when the first job is completed, the order of the second and subsequent jobs is advanced,
The fifth job is registered in the digital copying machine 1. At this time, “01” is given to the job ID column of the fifth job. The job ID and “owner” are associated with each other. For example, when a jam occurs in the first job, the job ID is sent from the digital copying machine 1 to the printer server computer PS. Within the job ID and its "ow"
"owner" is inquired, and owner5 is notified of that (jamming).

The job management table of the digital copying machine (printer side) is always monitored by the printer server computer side, and is reflected in the job management table of the printer server computer. It can be grasped on the printer server computer side. Therefore, the fact can be notified to the client computer side in step # K03 of FIG.

Note that the digital copier (printer) side can notify the owner client computer via the printer server computer that the job to be executed is a manual job. In this case, steps # D02 and #D in FIG.
A step of sending a signal indicating that the job is a manual job may be inserted between the step S03 and the step S03.

In the above, an example has been described in which the printer server computer performs the above-described printing operation control in a network environment. However, the functions of the above-described printer server computer are performed by the control device of the image forming apparatus (printer) itself. What has been given can be cited as an example. Further, an embodiment in which a device that performs the function of the printer server described above is provided as an additional device (optional device) of the image forming apparatus can be given as an embodiment.

Furthermore, even in a stand-alone environment,
An embodiment in which a printer driver of a personal computer has this function can be given as an example.

In other words, a recent personal computer can perform a printing operation in the background and issue a command for the next printing process before one printing process is completed, so that a large number of print jobs can be accumulated. become. In such a case, when there is a job using a plurality of different sheets from the manual feed port in the stored print job,
In particular, when this continues, printing may be performed as it is with the conventional ones, so that the timing of sheet replacement may be missed.

Therefore, the function described so far in the OS of the personal computer, that is, when a print job using paper in the manual paper feed slot is reached, the printing operation is stopped, or an additional warning is issued, and a print restart instruction is issued. Or
Printing that has been performed for a certain period of time after pausing is restarted, or processing of another print job is performed after a certain period of time has passed after pausing.

By doing so, the user can change the paper, and the other job is processed without replacing the paper at that time, so that the above-mentioned problem does not occur.

A recording medium on which a program for causing the above-described functions to operate in an image forming apparatus, a printer server computer, a personal computer, or the like is also an example of the present invention.

[0162]

When a manual print job is registered, the printing operation is suspended without immediately executing the registered manual print job, so that the paper can be replaced during the pause, and the desired paper can be replaced. Can be printed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a control unit 100 of the digital copying machine 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory unit 30.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a printer server computer PS.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a management table.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic sequence of a print data receiving operation from a printer server computer.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a printing operation.

FIG. 10 is a CPU 1 for controlling the control of the digital copying machine 1
It is a main flowchart of 05.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine “print processing” (step # B06) in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a CPU 106 (memory unit).

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPU 109 (external interface unit).

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence of the network system.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a print sequence of the network system.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating one screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating one screen of a printer driver.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the printer server computer.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine “polling to copying machine” (step # H03) in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a screen displayed on the display of the client computer by the status display application upon completion of the print job.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the contents of a subroutine “update server management table” (step # J07) in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a subroutine “receive print job from client” (step # H08) in FIG. 18.

FIG. 23 is a diagram of a screen displayed on the display of the client computers CC1 to CC4 when a manual job is set.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an operation panel surface.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a job management table in the printer server computer PS.

FIG. 26 is a subroutine flowchart of another embodiment in which the processing of this job is temporarily put on a shelf and the next job is processed after a lapse of a predetermined time in the case of a manual job.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copying machine 10 Scanning system 20 Image processing part 30 Memory unit part 40 Print processing part 60 Print head 80a, 80b Paper cassette 80c Manual feed port 100 Control part 101-109 CPU 111-119 ROM 121-129 RAM 136 Dual port RAM (DPRAM) 500 Automatic Document Feeder (ADFR) PS Printer server computer CC1-CC4 Client computer IR Image reader PRT Page printer IU External interface unit OP Operation panel M Memory NW Network SE11, SE12 Paper size detection sensors SE11E, SE12E, SE13E Empty sensor SE13 Multi manual paper size detection sensor SE50 Document sensor SE51 Document size sensor S 52 discharge sensor SE61 paper sensor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A paper feed cassette, a paper feed cassette, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and a paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port. And a paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying the paper feed mechanism to the manual paper feed port, wherein the print job executed in the printer is the manual paper feed port. Determining whether the print job is a print job that uses the paper set in the printer. In the determining step, the print job executed in the printer uses the paper set in the manual paper feed port. A print operation suspending step of suspending a print operation including an operation of supplying the paper of the manual feed port to the printing unit for the print job when the print job is determined to be a print job; , Print operation control method for a printer, wherein the obtaining. 2. The printing operation control method for a printer according to claim 1, wherein the printing operation control method comprises the steps of:
Further, after the printing operation is suspended in the printing operation suspension process, a restarting process for resuming the printing operation for the print job when receiving an instruction to restart the printing operation is provided. A printing operation control method for a printer. 3. The printing operation control method for a printer according to claim 2, wherein the printing operation control method comprises:
Further, after suspending the printing operation by the above-described printing operation suspending process, if no instruction to restart the printing operation is received within a predetermined time, another job for starting a printing operation for another printing job is performed. A printing operation control method for a printer, comprising a start step. 4. A paper feed cassette, one or more paper feed cassettes, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and a paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port. And a paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying to the printer a printing operation control device for a printer comprising:
The printing operation control device includes: a determination unit configured to determine whether a print job executed by the printer is a print job that uses a sheet set in the manual paper feed port; and When it is determined that the print job to be executed in the printer is a print job that uses the paper set in the manual paper feed port, the paper feeding mechanism for the print job uses the manual paper feed port. A printing operation control device for a printer, comprising: a printing operation pausing unit for pausing a printing operation including an operation of supplying paper to the printing unit. 5. A paper feed cassette, one or more paper feed cassettes, a manual paper feed port, a printing means, and a paper set in the paper feed cassette and the manual paper feed port, And a paper feed mechanism for selectively supplying a printing operation control computer program for a printer comprising the printer, wherein the printing operation control computer program is It is determined whether or not the print job to be executed is a print job that uses the paper set in the manual feed slot. The determination is made that the print job to be executed in the printer is the manual feed slot. If it is determined that the print job is a print job using the paper set in the paper feeder, the paper feed mechanism supplies the paper in the manual paper feed port to the printing unit for the print job. Recording medium having a program recorded thereon the print operation control computer for a printer, which is a program for halting a printing operation.