KR100363163B1 - How the printer handles received print jobs - Google Patents

Abstract

A received print job processing method of a printer is disclosed. How to process received print job Determining whether a print data file has been received; If it is determined that the print data file has been received in step S, reading the print specification information received together with the currently received print data file; (C) determining whether the paper size set in the print specification can be supplied from the information read in step (b); If it is determined that the paper size set in the printing specifications is available, performing the printing operation according to a predetermined work order; If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not available in the multi-step, storing the received print data in the storage device, suspending the print job, and then returning to the above step. According to the received print job processing method of the printer, when the printer fails to supply the paper size set by the user for the received print data file, the print data file is continuously received while the print data file is subsequently received. By continuing the printing operation when the paper of the set size can be supplied, the efficiency of use of the printer is improved.

Description

How the printer handles received print jobs

The present invention relates to a method of processing a received print job of a printer, and more particularly, to a process of a received print job of a printer which adjusts a print job order when a paper size set for a received print data file is not currently available. It is about a method.

A printer is an apparatus that receives print data from a computer connected by a communication interface and prints an image corresponding to the received print data on paper.

Such a printer converts a print data file transmitted from a computer into image data suitable for engine driving, and then prints an image corresponding to the converted image data on paper by the engine.

If the printer in charge of printing is an electrophotographic method, the engine is exposed to a photosensitive medium, an optical scanning device for scanning the photosensitive medium to form an electrostatic latent image, a developer and a developing material for developing the electrostatic latent image as a developing material. A transfer device for transferring an image developed on a medium to paper is provided.

Recently, such a printer has been used to be shared and used by a large number of users by connecting to a network, which is a communication interface, for the purpose of increasing the efficiency of the printer.

On the other hand, the conventional printer determines the work order in the order in which the print data is received through the communication interface, that is, the first-in first-out method, and prints the file in file units according to the determined work order. Was performed.

In such an image printing system, a conventional printer can perform a print job due to a paper error when the paper size set for the print data file received from the user's computer through a communication interface such as a cable or a network is not in the printer's feed cassette. Message was sent through the display and / or the communication interface, and the operation was stopped until the error was resolved. To heal these paper errors, the paper set for the received print data should be filled in the printer. Alternatively, when another user wants to use the printer, the operation error is canceled by turning off the printer and deleting the received print data. Then, when the printer is turned on again, new print data can be received.

In such a conventional print job determination process, when a plurality of users share a single printer and use the same printer, the printer stops the operation after processing a print job error for the preprinted print data that cannot be supplied. Receiving a print job is blocked, and as a result, other users who want to transmit print data from the printer to the paper size that can be supplied can block the data reception and cannot proceed with the print job. There is a ham.

The present invention was devised to improve the above problems, and when the printer cannot supply the paper size set for the preprinted print data file, it is possible to perform a print job for the subsequent print data. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for processing a received print job of a printer that improves the efficiency of use.

1 is a block diagram showing an image printing system to which a printer according to the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating in detail the user computer of FIG. 1;

3 is a block diagram showing in detail the printer of FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print specification selection menu provided through a display device screen of the user computer of FIG. 1.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving a print job of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a process of receiving a print job of a printer according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10: User Computer 11: Central Processing Unit (CPU)

12: ROM 13: RAM

14: bus 15, 34: storage device

15a: Printer Driver 15b: Text Editor

16, 35: communication device 17: input device

18, 36: display device 20: network

30: printer 31: printer controller

32: engine 33: input panel

Received print job processing method of the printer according to the present invention to achieve the above object is a. Determining whether a print data file has been received; I. If it is determined in step a, that the print data file has been received, reading the print specification information received together with the currently received print data file; All. Judging whether the paper size set in the print specification can be supplied from the information read in step b; la. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is available, performing a print job according to a predetermined work order; hemp. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not available in the multi-step, storing the received print data in a storage device, suspending the print job, and then returning to the step A.

Preferably, if it is determined in the multi-step that the paper size set in the print specification is not supplyable, displaying a paper error on the display device; and f. After the multi-step, continuously determining whether the paper size set for the job data pending print data file can be supplied; four. If it is determined that the paper size set for the print data file pending operation in the bar step is available for supplying, the method returns to step d.

Alternatively, in order to achieve the above object, a method of processing a received print job of a printer according to the present invention is provided. Determining whether a print data file has been received; I. If it is determined in step a, that the print data file has been received, reading the print specification information received together with the currently received print data file; All. Judging whether the paper size set in the print specification can be supplied from the information read in step b; la. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is available, performing a print job according to a predetermined work order; Ah. And if it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not available in the multi-step, deleting the received print data and then returning to the temporary step so that subsequent print data can be continuously received. .

Hereinafter, a method of processing a received print job of a printer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing an image printing system to which a printer according to the present invention is applied.

Referring to the drawings, a plurality of user computers 10 and a printer 30 are interconnected through a network 20 which is a communication interface. Although not shown, the present invention also applies when the printer 30 and the user computer 10 are connected one-to-one by a parallel port, which is a communication interface.

Each user computer 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, interconnected by a bus 14, as shown in FIG. 2. A storage device 15, a communication device 16, an input device 17, and a display device 18 are provided.

The input device 17 includes a keyboard and / or a mouse. Examples of the communication device 16 include a network card.

The storage device 15 is provided with various application programs such as a printer driver 15a and a document editor 15b.

The printer driver 15a provided in the storage device 15 prints the print specification through the screen 18a of the display device 18 so as to select a print specification for the user to print the document file to be printed through the input device 17. It is responsible for providing a menu, converting a document file into a printer language, creating a print data file, and transmitting the print data file to the printer 30 together with the selected print specification information.

Referring to FIG. 4, which shows an example of the print specification selection menu 15d provided by the printer driver 15a through the screen 18a of the display device 18, the printing range, the number of copies, and the printing of the document file to be printed are shown. Selection items such as paper are displayed on the screen 18a. Viewing the print specification selection menu 15d provided on the screen 18a, the print specification information selected by the user using the input device 17 is sent to the printer 30 together with the print data file converted into the printer language. The transfer is processed. The paper size setting for the print paper item 15e in the print specification selection menu may be set initially at the time of creating a document using the document editor 15b.

On the other hand, the printer 30, which is connected by the computers 10 and the network 20, adjusts the print processing work order for the received print data files, and performs a print job according to the adjusted work order. As shown in the drawing, a printer controller 31, an engine 32, an input panel 33, a storage device 34, a communication device 35 such as a network card, and a display device 36 are provided.

In general, the input panel 33 provided outside the main body is provided with a plurality of input keys for selecting various printing functions provided by the printer 30. The key input signal corresponding to the input key operation is output to the printer controller 31.

The storage device 34 is used for temporarily storing the print data files received under the control of the printer controller 31 and the image data converted for the engine 32.

The printer controller 31 reads print specification information transmitted together with the print data file transmitted from the computer 10 through the communication interface 20, and controls the print job of the engine 32 in accordance with the set print specification. When the printer controller 31 cannot currently supply the paper size set for the received print data file, the printer controller 31 stores the print data file in the storage device 34, suspends the print job, and continues to the subsequent print data. The print job is performed while determining whether the print job is possible. Most printers 30 have one or more paper feed cassettes capable of loading various sizes of paper. In the case of a printer employing one or more paper cassettes capable of loading various sizes of paper, the printer controller 31 does not supply the paper of the size set for the received print data file because it is not currently loaded in the paper cassette. If not, the print job is suspended until the paper is filled by the user, and if the paper is filled, the print job for the print data file that is suspended because the paper size does not match when it is first received by the storage unit 34. Resume according to the specified work order.

Unlike this, even when a paper feed cassette for supplying only one size paper is provided or one or more paper cassettes for loading paper of various sizes are provided, the printer controller 31 receives the received print data. When the paper size set for the file and the paper size that can be supplied do not match, the received print data may be deleted, and the printing operation may be performed while determining whether a print job can be subsequently performed on the subsequently received print data.

On the other hand, when the printer controller 31 cannot supply because the paper size set for the received print data file is not loaded in the current paper cassette, the printer controller 31 generates a paper supply error to inform the user that there is no paper so that the paper can be filled. Display on the user computer via the display device 36 and / or the communication interface. The printer controller 31 controls the engine 32 so that an image corresponding to the print data is printed on the sheet with respect to the workable print data file.

The engine 32 converts the print data from the printer controller 31 in accordance with the engine driving, and prints the image corresponding to the transmitted image data on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette and discharges it. The engine 32 has a variety of configurations depending on the printing method. In the electrophotographic method, the engine 32 typically includes a light scanning device for scanning light onto a photosensitive medium, a developer for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive medium with a developing material, and a paper on which an image formed with a developing material is loaded onto the photosensitive medium. And a paper feeder for feeding the container loaded on the paper feed cassette to the transfer device.

Hereinafter, a method of processing a received print job of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5.

First, the printer controller 31 determines whether new print data has been received (step 100).

If it is determined in step 100 that new print data has been received, the print specification information received together with the print data file is read in step 110.

Then, it is determined whether the paper size set in the read print specification information is currently available for supply (120).

If it is determined that the paper of the size set for the print data file received in step 120 can be supplied, the print job is performed in accordance with a predetermined work order (step 130). That is, when there is no print job currently queued, the printer controller 31 converts the received print data file into image data for the engine, for example, bitmap data, and prints the image corresponding to the image data on paper and discharges it. The controlled engine 32 is driven. On the other hand, if there is a print data file that is waiting to be forwarded, the print job is processed when the work order is reached according to the work order determined by the set work order adjusting program, for example, a first-in, first-out method or other work order adjusting method. do.

If it is determined in step 120 that it is impossible to supply the paper size set for the received print data file, the print job is suspended and stored in the storage device (step 140). If the paper of the size set for the received print data file is not currently loaded in the paper feed cassette and cannot be supplied, a paper feed error 34 is displayed to indicate that there is no paper so that the paper can be filled by the user. And / or display on the user computer 10 via the communication interface (step 150).

After it is determined that it is impossible to supply the paper size set for the print data file received in step 120, the process returns to step 100 to continue receiving the subsequent print data along with performing steps 140 and 150.

Further, preferably, after step 140, it is determined whether or not the paper size set for the print data file which has been suspended in the storage device 34 is filled by the user and can be supplied (step 160).

If it is determined in step 160 that the paper size set for the print data file held in the storage device 34 is filled and supplied by the user, the process returns to step 130 to perform a print job according to a predetermined work order. At this time, the job may be prioritized so that the print job proceeds after the queued print jobs when it is determined that the corresponding paper set for the print data file held by the job can be supplied. When it is determined that supply is possible, the print job may be set to the next priority after the file being printed and the print job may be processed. In order to rank print jobs for such held jobs, the appropriate method may be selected from the method described above or other applicable methods.

When the job becomes a print job sequence of the pending print data file, as described above, the print data file stored in the storage device 34 and held in job hold is converted into image data for the engine, and the image corresponding to the image data. The engine 32 is controlled and driven by the printer controller 31 so as to be printed on this sheet and discharged.

6 shows a process of processing a received print job of a printer according to another embodiment of the present invention. In order to avoid duplication of description, blocks that perform the same function as the blocks described above with reference to FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The process of the received print job shown in FIG. 6 is only different from that of the received print job of the printer described in FIG. 5.

If it is determined in step 120 that paper of the size set for the received print data file cannot be supplied, the received print data file is deleted (step 170). Then, a job error message indicating that the user cannot perform a print job due to a paper mismatch is displayed on the user computer 10 connected by the display device and / or the communication interface.

In addition, after it is determined that it is impossible to supply the paper size set for the print data file received in step 120, the step 170 and 180 may be performed, and the subsequent print data may be continuously received to proceed with the print job. Return to 100

As described so far, according to the received print job processing method of the printer according to the present invention, when the printer cannot supply the paper size set by the user for the received print data file, the subsequent received print By accepting the data file, when the paper of the size set for the received print data file can be supplied, the printing operation is continued, thereby improving the use efficiency of the printer.

Claims (5)

end. Determining whether a print data file has been received; I. If it is determined in step a, that the print data file has been received, reading the print specification information received together with the currently received print data file; All. Judging whether the paper size set in the print specification can be supplied from the information read in step b; la. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is available, performing a print job according to a predetermined work order; hemp. If it is determined in step (a) that the paper size set in the print specification is not available, storing the received print data in a storage device, suspending a print job, and then returning to the step A; Received printer job processing method. The method of claim 1, And if it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not supplyable in the multi-step, displaying a paper error on the display device. The method of claim 1, bar. After the multi-step, continuously determining whether the paper size set for the job data pending print data file can be supplied; four. And if it is determined that the paper size set for the print data file pending the job in the bar step is available for supplying, returning to the step d). end. Determining whether a print data file has been received; I. If it is determined in step a, that the print data file has been received, reading the print specification information received together with the currently received print data file; All. Judging whether the paper size set in the print specification can be supplied from the information read in step b; la. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is available, performing a print job according to a predetermined work order; Ah. If it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not available in the multi-step, deleting the received print data, and then returning to the temporary step so that subsequent print data can be continuously received. A received print job processing method of a printer, characterized in that. The method of claim 4, wherein And if it is determined that the paper size set in the print specification is not available in the multi-step, displaying a job error on a display device.