JP2001063188A - Device and method for processing image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To judge the practicability of a printing job before the starting of the execution of the printing job and realize the outputting of status information to a personal computer when the new printing job is accepted under the condition that the preceding printing job is held on a printer. SOLUTION: This controlling part 21 calculates the estimated residual amount of expendables at the starting time point of the execution of a newly accepted printing job or the like on the basis of the amount of the expendables detected by a detecting part 26 or the like and the usage of the expendables used in the preceding printing job stored in a storage part 23. Further, the controlling part 21 compares the estimated residual amount with the usage of the expendables used in the newly accepted printing job so as to judge whether the newly accepted printing job can be practicable in future or not. The result of the judgment is outputted through I/F parts 25 and 14 to a personal computer 10 as status information so as to be displayed on a status displaying part 15 at an early point of time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing technique, and more particularly to an image processing technique capable of holding and executing a plurality of print jobs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are printers capable of displaying a printing status as a "status". For example, when consumables necessary for executing a print job are insufficient, consumables and the like are insufficient. A status indicating that the operation cannot be performed is displayed.

When a plurality of print jobs are received, another print job is in a print job execution waiting state while one print job is being executed. in this case,
Only the status “waiting state” is displayed for the print job in the waiting state. Therefore,
A conventional printer cannot display a detailed status of whether a print job is executable or not until a stage where the execution of the print job in a waiting state is actually started. .

In recent years, when it is determined that consumables are insufficient for a print job to be executed, not only a status indicating that consumables are insufficient is displayed to the sender of the print job, but also There has been proposed a technique for displaying a similar detailed status to a sender of a "waiting print job" that is affected by a shortage of articles or the like (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-8727).

[0005]

However, according to the technique disclosed in the above publication, there is no shortage of consumables for a print job to be executed, but there is a shortage of consumables for a print job in a waiting state. Cannot show detailed status. The detailed status indicating that the consumables are insufficient and cannot be executed is displayed only when the execution of the print job in the waiting state is actually started.

A user who wishes to execute a print job in a waiting state has only a status such as "waiting state" until the execution of all preceding print jobs is completed and the execution of the print job in the waiting state is started. , And later know that the execution of the print job is impossible.

For this reason, when it is impossible to execute a print job in a waiting state, measures such as replenishment and preparation of consumables are delayed. In particular, in a printer of a type in which registration of a print job that cannot be executed is deleted, the user must re-register the print job after replenishing consumables and the like. Slows down.

An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem. When a new print job is received while a preceding print job is held in a printer, the newly received print job is received. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of promptly responding by predicting whether or not it can be executed in the future and outputting status information in advance.

Another object of the present invention is to predict whether or not the newly received print job can be executed in the future, and to output status information in advance if the print job cannot be executed. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of transferring an unexecutable print job to another image processing apparatus.

[0010]

The object of the present invention is achieved by the following constitution.

(1) In the image processing apparatus, a receiving means for receiving a print job, a holding means capable of holding a plurality of the print jobs, and a second means when the first print job is held by the holding means. When a print job is received by the reception unit, the reception unit includes a determination unit that determines whether the second print job is executable, and an output unit that outputs a determination result by the determination unit.

(2) The judging means detects a quantity of consumables used for executing the print job, a quantity of the consumables and a consumable used for executing the first print job. Means for calculating an expected remaining amount of consumables at the time of starting the execution of the second print job based on the usage amount of the second print job; and an expected remaining amount of the consumables and the second print job. And comparing means for comparing the amount of consumables used in the execution of the operation.

(3) The determining means is responsive to occurrence of an event relating to the consumable used for executing a print job.
It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the second print job can be executed.

(4) The event relating to the consumable item is replenishment of the consumable item or reception of an interrupt print job.

(5) The consumables are staples for binding printed matter and printing paper.

(6) The output means comprises display means for displaying a result of the judgment by the judgment means as a status.

(7) If the determination means determines that the second print job is not executable, the second print job is sent to another image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus.
And a transfer unit for transferring the print job.

(8) receiving means for receiving a transfer instruction to transfer the second print job when the determination means determines that the second print job is not executable; The means performs the transfer processing when a transfer instruction is received by the receiving means.

(9) If the determination means determines that the second print job is not executable, the other image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus will execute the second print job.
A second determining unit for determining whether the second print job is executable by another image processing apparatus; and a second determining unit determining whether the second print job is executable by another image processing apparatus. Transfer means for transferring the second print job to the image processing apparatus.

(10) When the second determining means determines that the second print job can be executed by another image processing apparatus, receiving a transfer instruction for transferring the second print job Means, the transfer means, when receiving a transfer instruction by the receiving means,
The transfer processing is executed, and the output unit outputs a result of the determination by the second determining unit.

(11) The second determination means makes a determination based on information received from the another image processing apparatus.

(12) The output means outputs a transfer result when the second print job is transferred.

(13) In the image processing method, a step of receiving a print job, a step of holding the print job, and a step of holding the second print job when the first print job is held
An image processing method comprising: determining whether the second print job is executable when the print job is received; and outputting a result of the determination.

(14) A computer-readable storage medium storing a procedure for forming an image, wherein a step of receiving a print job, a step of holding the print job, and a step of storing the first print job When a second print job is received during the operation, a step of determining whether the second print job is executable and a step of outputting the result of the determination are stored.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. The basic control circuit and mechanical configuration of this printer are the same as those of a conventional printer, and thus description thereof is omitted.

The personal computer 10 is a general computer, and is connected to the printer 20 via a network 30. The personal computer 10 has a CPU 11, a ROM 1
2, a RAM 13, and an I / F unit 14. I
The / F unit 14 is an interface for transmitting a print job to the printer 20 and receiving status information output from the printer 20. In addition, personal computer 10
Has a status display unit 15. The status display unit 15 displays a status related to a print job based on the status information captured via the I / F unit 14.

The printer 20 receives a print job from the personal computer 10 and executes the print job. I / F part 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes an interface for receiving a print job output from the personal computer 10 via the network 30. The received print job is stored in the storage unit 23. The storage unit 23 can hold a plurality of print jobs, and is configured by a RAM or a hard disk. The held print jobs are sequentially executed by the printing unit 24. The printing unit 24 performs not only printing on printing paper but also stapling according to the content of a print job. A ROM 22 is provided for storing font information and various setting information of the printer 20.

The detection unit 26 includes a print paper sensor 27 for detecting the amount of each print paper size, a staple sensor 28 for detecting the amount of staples used for stapling a printed document, and a discharge tray ( (Not shown) is provided with a paper discharge sensor 29 for detecting the amount of paper discharged.

The control unit 21 not only controls the entire printer, but also newly stores one or more preceding print jobs when the print job is held in the storage unit 23 or executed by the printing unit 24. When a new print job is received, it is determined whether the newly received print job can be executed in the future.

Whether or not the received print job can be executed in the future can be determined from the viewpoint of, for example, whether or not the amount of consumables is sufficient.

When judging the feasibility of the print job from the viewpoint of whether or not the print paper is sufficient, the control unit 21 determines whether the print paper sensor 27 has detected the amount of print paper,
The preceding print job held in the storage unit 23 or started to be executed by the printing unit 24 (“first
From the amount of print paper used in the first print job, the estimated remaining amount of print paper at the start of execution of the newly received print job (referred to as “second print job”) is calculated. calculate. The control unit 21 determines the feasibility of the second print job by comparing the estimated remaining amount with the amount of printing paper required for the second print job.

When judging the feasibility of the print job from the viewpoint of whether or not the staples are sufficient, the control unit 21
The estimated remaining amount of staples is calculated from the detection result of the amount of staples by the staple sensor 28 and the amount of staples used in the first print job. The control unit 21 determines the feasibility of the second print job by comparing the estimated remaining amount with the staple use amount required for the second print job.

When judging the feasibility of the print job from the viewpoint of whether or not the paper can be discharged to the paper discharge tray, the control unit 21
From the detection result of the amount of paper on the paper discharge tray by the paper discharge sensor 29 and the amount of paper discharged in the first print job,
The expected dischargeable amount at the start of the execution of the second print job is obtained, and the estimated dischargeable amount is compared with the amount of the document discharged in the second print job. , Judge the executability of the second print job.

The control section 21 outputs the result of estimating whether or not the second print job can be executed to the personal computer 10 via the I / F section 25 as status information. The status display unit 15 provided in the personal computer 10 displays a status based on the status information.

FIG. 2 shows a display example of the status display section 15.
To FIG.

FIG. 2 shows five print jobs. The print jobs are stored in the storage unit 23, and are registered and given registration numbers (hereinafter, the print job with the registration number i is referred to as “print job Noi”). The status is displayed for each print job. For example, for print job No. 3, “A3N
The status "ear Empty" (that is, A3 size printing paper is too small to be executable) is displayed. This status is displayed prior to the start of the execution of the print job No. 3 based on the result of the determination that there is not enough A3 size paper required for the execution of the print job No. 3. In this regard, the printer 20 of the present embodiment is different from a conventional printer in which detailed status display is performed only when a print job of registration number 3 is actually started. In FIG. 2, when it is determined that there is not enough print paper for the execution of the print job, the current print paper amount detected by the print paper sensor 27 is already insufficient, Although the amount of paper is sufficient, it is expected that the print paper will be used in the preceding print job stored in the recording unit 23, and the expected remaining print paper at the start of the execution of the print job of registration number 3 This includes cases where the quantity does not satisfy the required number.

FIGS. 2 and 3 to 7 show how the status display changes as a plurality of print jobs are registered.

Here, one sheet of A3-size printing paper remains in the printer 20, and 10 sheets of A4-size printing paper remain.
Assume that 00 sheets remain. The remaining amount of staples is 0, and the number of sheets that can be output to the paper output tray is 300.
It is assumed that the number is zero.

FIG. 3 shows a status display when the printer 20 has no print job.

FIG. 4 is a display example of the status when print job No. 1 is received. The status is displayed together with the contents of the print job, for example, registration number, execution order, file name, number of pages, number of copies, owner name, and registration time.

Print job No. 1 is for printing 30 pages of 10 pages of A4 size printing paper and performing stapling.

First, based on the detection result of the detection unit 26 comprising the printing paper sensor 27, the staple sensor 28, and the paper ejection sensor 29, the amount of A3 size printing paper is one, and the amount of A4 size printing paper is Is 1000,
It is detected that the number of staples is 0 and the number of sheets that can be output to the paper discharge tray is 3000. Further, since there is no preceding print job whose execution has been started, the amount of consumables detected by each sensor and the like are set as "information 1" indicating the state of the image processing apparatus without change. Here, “information 1” is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of printing paper used in a print job that has started printing from the amount of printing paper detected by the detection unit 26, and the like. In addition,
When the print job is not being executed as in the case of FIG. 4, the amount of the print paper detected by the sensor and the like are “information 1”.

Next, the control unit 21 analyzes the contents of the print job No. 1 and acquires the amount of the consumable used in the print job No. 1 as “information 2”. In the case shown in FIG.
"Information 2" indicates that 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper (= 10
Page x 30 copies), and the content includes that 30 staples are required. Note that the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job held in the storage unit 23 is considered as “information 3”. However, in the case of FIG. 4, since the preceding print job is not stored in the storage unit 23, there is no need to consider “information 3”.

The control section 21 compares "information 1" with "information 2". As a result, it is determined that print job No. 1 cannot be executed because there is no staple, and the determination result is output to the personal computer 10 via the I / F unit 25 as status information. Status display section 15
Displays the status based on this status information. In FIG. 4, a status indicating that the staple amount is 0 and print job No. 1 cannot be executed is displayed. The execution of the print job determined to be unexecutable is suspended, and the setting of the execution order is also suspended.

FIG. 5 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 2 is subsequently received. Print job No
No. 2 prints 10 copies of 30 pages of A4 size printing paper without performing stapling.

The printing paper sensor 27 and the like detect the amount of consumables such as printing paper. Since the execution of the preceding print job No. 1 is suspended, there is no print job whose execution has been started. Therefore, “information 1” is the amount of consumables detected by the print paper sensor 27 or the like. “Information 1” indicates that the amount of A3-size printing paper is one,
The contents include that the amount of 4-size printing paper is 1000 sheets, the remaining amount of staples is 0, and the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 3000 sheets. The control unit 21 controls the print job N
The content of o2 is analyzed, and the amount of consumables used in the print job No. 2 is acquired as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 5, “information 2” indicates that 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper (=
(30 pages x 10 copies) Includes that it is necessary. The print job No. 1 held in the storage unit 23 is
Since it is determined that the job is not executable and the consumable is not used in the print job No. 1, there is no need to consider “information 3”. The control unit 21 compares “information 1” and “information 2”. As a result, the print job No. 2 is determined to be executable, and since there is no print job currently being executed, the execution is immediately started. Therefore, the status that the print job 2 is executing the print job is displayed as the status.

FIG. 6 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 3 is subsequently received. Print job No
Reference numeral 3 denotes one for printing two pages of A3 size printing paper without performing stapling.

The print paper sensor 27 and the like detect the amount of consumables such as print paper. In the case of FIG. 6, the print job No.
2 has been started, the “information 1” is calculated based on the amount of consumables detected by the print paper sensor 27 and the like.
This is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of consumables used until the execution of the print job No. 2 whose execution has been started is completed. Therefore, “information 1” includes one sheet of A3 paper, 700 sheets of A4 paper (300 sheets are used by the completion of the execution of print job No. 2 in which printing has been started out of 1,000 sheets at the beginning), The content is that the remaining amount is 0, and the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 2,700 (300 sheets are output by the completion of execution of the print job No. 2 whose printing has been started among the number of output sheets 3000). Including. On the other hand, the control unit 21 analyzes the content of the print job No. 3,
The usage amount and the like of the consumables required for the print job No. 3 are acquired as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 6, "information 2"
Means that two A3 size printing papers are required. The print job number that has already been started
In addition to 2, the preceding print job that is determined to be executable is not stored in the storage unit 23, so it is not necessary to consider “information 3”.

The control section 21 compares "information 1" with "information 2". As a result, it is determined that the print job No. 3 cannot be executed because the A3-size print paper is insufficient, and the determination result is output to the personal computer 10 as status information. The status display unit 15 displays a status based on the status information.

FIG. 7 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 4 is received subsequently. Print job No
No. 4 prints 10 copies of 50 pages of A4 size printing paper without performing stapling.

As in the case of FIG. 6, “Information 1” is calculated based on the amount of consumables detected by the print paper sensor 27 and the like.
This is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of consumables used until the execution of the print job No. 2 whose execution has been started is completed. Therefore, “information 1” indicates that the amount of A4 size printing paper is 7
The contents include that there are 00 sheets. On the other hand, the control unit 21
Analyzes the contents of print job No. 4 and
The usage amount and the like of the consumable used in step 4 are acquired as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 7, "Information 2" includes that 500 sheets of A4 size printing paper are required. In addition to the print job No. 2 whose execution has already been started, since the preceding print job which is determined to be executable is not stored in the storage unit 23, it is necessary to consider “information 3”. There is no. The control unit 21 compares “information 1” and “information 2”. As a result, the amount of A4 paper is 700
While the number of A4 sheets used in the print job No. 4 is 500, the amount of consumables is sufficient. Therefore, it is determined that the print job No. 4 is executable, but the print job No. 2 is in the process of being executed, and is in a waiting state. Therefore, the print job No.
The status indicating that 4 is waiting is output to the personal computer 10 and displayed by the status display unit 15.

FIG. 2 shows a display example of the status when the print job No. 5 is subsequently received. Print job No
Reference numeral 5 denotes a unit for printing 10 copies of 40 sheets of A4 size printing paper without performing stapling.

"Information 1" is A4 as in the case of FIG.
The content includes that the amount of printing paper is 700 sheets. In the case of FIG. 2, “Information 2” indicates that A4 size printing paper is 400
Include in the content that you need more. Further, in addition to the print job No. 2 which has already been started to execute, a print job No. 4 which is a preceding print job and is determined to be executable.
Are stored in the storage unit 23. The amount of consumables used in the print job 4 is acquired as “information 3”. In the case of FIG. 7, “information 3” is A for print job No. 4
The content includes that 500 sheets of printing paper of four sizes are used.

The control unit 21 determines whether the print job No. 5 can be executed by checking “information 1”, “information 2” and “information 3”.
Judge based on. Specifically, printing is performed by subtracting the amount of consumables used in the print job held in the storage unit 23 indicated by “information 3” from the amount of consumables indicated by “information 1”. The expected remaining amount of the consumable at the time when the execution of the job No. 5 is started is calculated. In the case of FIG. 2, the estimated remaining amount of A4 size printing paper is 200 sheets (= 700−500). The control unit 21 determines the estimated remaining amount and 40, which is the number of sheets used in the print job No5.
Compare 0 sheets. As a result of the comparison, when the execution of the print job No. 5 is started, it is determined that the A4 size print paper is insufficient and the print job No. 5 cannot be executed. The control unit 21 outputs the result of the determination to the personal computer 10 as status information. Status display section 15
Displays the status based on this status information.

As described above, the printer 20 according to the present embodiment predicts a future printing situation in consideration of the usage amount of the consumable member used by the preceding print job stored in the storage unit 23. Further, the printer 20
Can determine whether or not a newly received print job can be executed based on the predicted future printing status, and can output the determination result.

The printer according to the present embodiment configured as described above performs the following processing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer in this embodiment. After performing the initial setting, the printer 20 performs a printing process (S1, S2). In step S2 of the printing process, the print job is received,
Be executed. The control unit 2 provided in the printer 20
1 judges the feasibility of the print job and outputs the result of the judgment to the personal computer 10 as status information. The control unit 21 checks whether or not a new print job is received at regular intervals by a loop counter (not shown) in the printer 20 (S3). Therefore, the status display is updated sequentially.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the printing process in the embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the subroutine of step 2 in FIG.

First, if no new print job is received, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG. Further, the control unit 21 checks at regular time intervals whether a new print job has been received (S100).

When a new print job is received, first, "information 1" indicating the state of the image forming apparatus is obtained (S10).
1). As described above, “information 1” is obtained by subtracting the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job started to be executed from the amount of consumables (for example, printing paper) detected by the detection unit 26, as described above. And indicates the initial value of the amount of consumables. Therefore, in order to obtain “information 1”, the control unit 21 needs to obtain the amount of consumables, the amount of consumables used in the print job whose execution has been started, and the like. When a print job is not being executed, “information 1” is the amount of consumables detected by various sensors. The amount of the consumable is detected by the detection unit 26. Printing paper sensor 2
7 detects the amount of printing paper for each size. For a printer with a staple processing function (print paper binding function),
The staple sensor 28 detects the amount of staples. The paper discharge sensor 29 detects the amount of paper discharged to the paper discharge tray.

The control unit 21 acquires the amount of consumables used in the print job whose execution has been started. The control unit 21 detects whether there is a print job started to be executed by the printing unit 24. In addition, the control unit 21 acquires the amount of consumables to be used until the print job that has been started to be executed is completed. The control unit 21 performs processing until the processing is completed based on information on the number of print pages and the number of copies included in data such as a printer language output from the personal computer 10 and count information on the number of pages that have already been printed. The number of print sheets to be used can be obtained.

The control unit 21 acquires “information 2” for the newly received print job (S102). The control unit 21 analyzes the printer language data when it is output from the personal computer 10, and outputs “information 2” as data on the usage amount of each type of consumable used by the newly received print job. Can be obtained.

The control unit 21 determines whether the preceding print job is stored in the storage unit 23 and registered (S103). If the preceding print job is retained and not registered, the control unit 21 compares “information 1” acquired in step S101 with “information 2” acquired in step S102, and can execute the newly received print job. It is determined whether or not it is (S104, S107). From the viewpoint of the amount of consumables, if the amount of consumables used in "information 2" is larger than the amount of consumables used in "information 1," it is determined that this print job cannot be executed. .

On the other hand, if the preceding print job is held and registered, "information 3" is acquired (S10).
5). “Information 3” includes information on the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job stored in the storage unit 23 and registered. The control unit 21 includes the storage unit 2
3, among the print jobs stored and registered in step S <b> 3, the content of the data of the print job that is determined to be executable and is in a waiting state is fetched, and the amount of consumables used for each type of consumables is used. Get information about

The control unit 21 determines that the newly received print job can be printed in the future based on “information 1” obtained in step S101, “information 2” obtained in step S102, and “information 3” obtained in step S105. Is determined (S106).

First, the control unit 21 calculates the expected remaining amount of consumables at the time when the execution of the newly received print job is started by subtracting “information 3” from “information 1”. The estimated remaining amount of the consumable is compared with “information 2” to determine whether the print job received this time can be printed in the future. From the viewpoint of the amount of consumables, if the amount of use of the consumable indicated by “Information 2” is larger than the expected remaining amount of the consumable, it is determined that this print job cannot be executed.

If the control unit 21 determines that the newly received print job is executable (S1)
07: YES), the print job is executed (S10)
8). If you can start executing the print job immediately,
Execution of the print job is started. In this case, information indicating that the print job is being executed is output to the personal computer 10 via the I / F units 25 and 10 and the network 30.
The status display unit 15 provided in the personal computer 10 displays that a print job is being executed. On the other hand, if another print job is already being executed, the execution of the print job cannot be started immediately.
, Is registered and enters a waiting state. In this case, information indicating that the apparatus is in the waiting state is output to the personal computer 10, and the status display unit 15 displays that the apparatus is in the waiting state.

When the control unit 21 determines that the newly received print job is not executable (S10
7: NO), the control unit 21 suspends this print job without executing it (S109). In this case, the fact that the print job cannot be executed and the cause thereof are output to the personal computer 10 as status information. Based on the status information, the status display unit 15 provided in the personal computer 10 displays a status such as "A4 paper is not available", "A4 paper is low", "staples are low" or the like. indicate.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the personal computer 10.

The personal computer 10 determines whether status information output from the printer 20 has been received, and if new status information has been received, updates the status display sequentially based on the status information, and updates the status display. It is displayed on the unit 15 (S120, S121).

As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 20 performs processing at regular time intervals, detects a printing state, makes a judgment, and sequentially outputs status information to the personal computer 10. Receiving this output, the personal computer 10 can sequentially update and display the status. Therefore, the printer user can sequentially grasp the status of the print job. In particular, according to the printer of the present embodiment, the result of determining whether a newly received print job can be executed in the future is output and displayed at an early point in time without waiting for the start of execution of this print job. be able to.

[Second Embodiment] The printer of the present embodiment detects the occurrence of a new event such as replenishment of consumables, and changes the status of a print job according to the detection result. It is displayed on a computer.

The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the newly received print job is determined to be unexecutable and the execution of the print job is suspended, the printer 20 determines that the execution of the print job is not possible and the cause thereof at an early stage. At this stage, the data is output to the personal computer 10 and the status is displayed. This is the same as the case of the printer according to the first embodiment.

The printer 20 according to the present embodiment generates a new event based on the status display, such as when the user of the printer replenishes consumables, and executes the print job. To detect that a change has occurred. The printer 20 according to the present embodiment sequentially obtains and determines the “information 1”, “information 2”, and “information 3” in accordance with the execution state of the print job, thereby determining the print job feasibility. Is reflected in the status display.

The new events include, for example, replenishment of consumables such as replenishment of printing paper, replenishment of staples, and removal of paper discharged to a paper discharge tray.

When the printer 20 is a printer having an interrupt printing function, a preceding print job is newly generated when an interrupt printing is instructed from the personal computer 10. This case also corresponds to the case where a new event occurs because the expected remaining amount of the consumables changes due to the use of the consumables by the newly generated preceding print job.
Furthermore, a print job whose execution has been suspended due to a shortage of consumables may become executable by replenishment of consumables. This case also corresponds to a case where a printable job with a preceding execution order is newly generated. Therefore, this corresponds to a case where a new event occurs as in the case where the interrupt printing is performed.

The occurrence of a new event is determined by, for example, the printing paper sensor 27, the staple sensor 28, and the paper ejection sensor 2.
9 and the control unit 21.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are display examples of statuses that change when consumables are supplied in the state shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a display example of the status when 500 sheets of A4 size printing paper have been supplied in the state shown in FIG.

The printing paper sensor 27 detects that the amount of A4 size printing paper has increased. The control unit 21 recognizes that a new event has occurred based on the detection result. The control unit 21 receives a new event occurrence,
"Information 1" is acquired. Here, “information 1” is defined in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the case of FIG. 11, “information 1” is the print job number that has been started to be executed based on the amount of print paper newly detected by the print paper sensor 27 or the like.
The value obtained by subtracting the used amount of the printing paper used in step 2 is used. “Information 1” indicates that the amount of A4 size printing paper is 1200
Includes that it is a sheet. Therefore, compared to the case of FIG. 2, the amount of A4 size printing paper increases by 500 sheets.

The control unit 21 newly determines whether or not each print job can be executed in the future based on “information 1”. For print job No. 1, stapling is not enough and execution is still impossible, so the status display is
There is no change from the state of FIG. Similarly, print job Nos.
The status display up to print job No. 4 does not change.

On the other hand, the status display for print job No. 5 changes.

As described above, “Information 1” includes that the number of A4 size printing sheets is 1200, while “Information 2” and “Information 3” do not change from the state of FIG.
"Information 2" indicates that 400 sheets of A4 size print job No. 5
And "Information 3" include that 500 print sheets of A4 size are used in print job No. 4. Therefore, the estimated remaining amount of A4 size printing paper at the time when the execution of print job No. 5 is started is 700 sheets (1200-500 sheets) by subtracting “information 3” from “information 1”. Control unit 2
1 compares this expected remaining amount with “information 2”. As a result of the comparison, when the execution of print job No. 5 is started, A4
It is determined that print paper of the size is sufficient and print job No. 5 can be executed. Therefore, the print job No.
The status display for No. 5 is “A4 Ne” in FIG.
ar Empty ”(that is, a message indicating that the A4 size paper is too small to be executable) is displayed in FIG.
To "Waiting" (that is, a display indicating that it is executable and is in a print waiting state).

FIG. 12 is a display example of the status when 100 staples are supplied in the state shown in FIG.

The staple sensor 28 detects that the amount of staples has increased. The control unit 21 recognizes that a new event has occurred based on the detection result. The control unit 21 outputs “information 1” as in the case of FIG.
To get. In the case of FIG. 12, "Information 1" includes that there is one A3-size print sheet, 700 A4-size print sheets, and 100 staples. Accordingly, compared to the case of FIG.
From 100 to 100.

The control unit 21 newly determines whether or not each print job can be executed in the future based on “information 1”. Print job No. 1 is determined to be executable as a result of staple replenishment. Therefore, print job N
The status display for o1 is “Stap” in FIG.
The display “le Empty” (that is, the display indicating that there is no staple and printing is not possible) is changed to “W
aiting "(that is, executable,
Display to indicate that the printer is waiting for printing). Also,
The print job No. 1 becomes executable, and the execution suspension state is released. When the hold state of the print execution process of the print job No. 1 is released, the execution order of the print job No. 1 is set. Print job No. 1 is originally print job No.
Since the instruction is registered and registered earlier than 4 etc., the execution order of the print job No. 1 can be set to be earlier than the execution order of the print job No. 4 according to this original order. In the case of FIG. 12, the execution order of the print job No. 1 is No. 2, and the print job No.
Will be started immediately after the execution of the print job No. 2 currently started is completed.

The status display of print job No. 2 and print job No. 3 does not change from the state shown in FIG. 2, but the status of print job No. 4 changes.

The execution order of print job No. 4 is 2 due to the execution order of print job No.
It goes down from number 3 to number 3. Therefore, print job N
In determining the future performance of o4, it is necessary to consider the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job No. 1 stored in the print job storage unit 20.

The execution of print job No. 4 is determined based on “information 1”, “information 2”, and “information 3”. As described above, the “information 1” includes in its content that there is one A3-size print sheet, 700 A4-size print sheets, and 100 staples. "Information 2" includes that 500 sheets of A4 size printing paper are required. "Information 2" is the same as in FIG.

On the other hand, the control section 21 acquires “information 3”. In the case of FIG. 12, “information 3” is a new print job N
The content includes that 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper are used in o1. Therefore, the expected remaining amount of A4 size printing paper at the time when the execution of print job No. 4 is started is:
By subtracting "information 3" from "information 1", 3
00 sheets (700-400 sheets). The control unit 21 compares the estimated remaining amount with “information 2”. As a result of the comparison,
When the execution of the print job No. 4 is started, it is determined that the print paper of No. 4 cannot be executed because the A4 size print paper is insufficient. Therefore, print job N
The status display for o4 is shown in “Wait in FIG.
ing ”(that is, a display indicating that the print job is executable and is in a print waiting state) is changed to“ A4 Ne ”in FIG.
ar Empty ”(that is, a display indicating that the A4 size paper is too small to be executable). As described above, when a print job that has been determined to be executable at first becomes unexecutable due to the occurrence of a subsequent event, an interrupt printing instruction may be issued.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of the printer 20 when a new event occurs, such as when replenishment of consumables is performed, and the status of the print job changes.

The control unit 21 detects that a new event such as replenishment of printing paper has occurred based on the detection result of the detection unit 26 (S200).

When the occurrence of a new event is detected,
The control unit 21 newly acquires "information 1" based on the detection results of the print paper sensor 27, the staple sensor 28, and the paper discharge sensor 29 (S201). Also,
When the print order is changed, for example, when an interrupted print job is generated or when a print job whose execution process has been suspended becomes executable, the control unit 21 sets “information 3”.
Can also be newly acquired.

Based on the newly acquired "information 1" and "information 3", whether or not the execution of each print job changes according to the same processing as that described in the first embodiment. Is determined (S202).

The result of the judgment is output to the personal computer 10 as status information. The personal computer 10 creates a new status based on the new status information,
It is displayed on the status display section 15 (S203).

[Third Embodiment] A printer to which the image processing apparatus according to the first and second embodiments is applied receives a new print job when a preceding print job is held. In this case, whether the newly received print job can be executed in the future is predicted, and status information is output in advance.

On the other hand, a printer to which the image processing apparatus according to the third, fourth and fifth embodiments described below is applied, when a preceding print job is held, a new When a print job is received, it is predicted whether or not the newly received print job can be executed in the future, and status information is output in advance. The job is transferred to another printer connected via a network.

Therefore, according to these embodiments,
Before the execution of the print job is started, the feasibility of the print job is determined and the status information is output in advance to enable the user to respond quickly and to other network-connected devices. The print job can be transferred to the printer and the print job can be executed.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer to which the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied. The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Further, for the sake of convenience, the same numbers as those shown in FIG. 1 are used for each member number.

In this embodiment, a plurality of printers 2
0 and 40 are mutually connected via a network 30. Printer 40 connected to printer 20
Can receive a print job and execute the print job, similarly to the printer 20.

The printer 20 of the present embodiment is a personal computer 1
It is determined whether the print job received from 0 is executable in the future. If the print job is not executable, the print job can be transferred to the printer 40 and the printer 40 can execute the print job.

Therefore, the I / F unit 25 not only receives the print job output from the personal computer 10 via the network 30 but also
0 and commands and print jobs can be transmitted and received. The storage unit 23 includes an I / F unit 25
In addition to holding the print job received via the printer, information about the printer to which the print job is transferred can be stored.

The control unit 21 determines the amount of consumables and the amount of paper on the sheet discharge tray by the detection unit 26 and the preceding first print job started by the printing unit 24. From the used amount of consumables and the number of discharged papers, the amount of consumables at the start of execution of the newly received second print job, the dischargeable amount, and the like are determined to determine whether the second print job can be executed. Predict whether or not. As a result of the estimation, if the second print job cannot be executed by the printer 20, the second print job is transferred to another printer 40 via the I / F unit 25. Further, the fact that the second print job is not executable, the reason thereof, and the fact that the second print job has been transferred to another printer 40 are output to the personal computer 10 via the I / F unit 25 as status information. The status display unit 15 provided in the personal computer 10 displays a status based on the status information.

FIG. 1 shows a display example of the status display section 15.
5 to FIG.

FIG. 15 shows two print jobs and three transfer jobs. The print jobs are stored in the storage unit 23, and are given registration numbers. Here, the point that the print job with the registration number i is referred to as “print job Noi” is the same as in the first embodiment.

A transfer job is a job that is once received by the printer 20 as a print job and then transferred to another printer 40 because it is expected that the job cannot be executed by the printer 20. Note that the registration number of the print job is directly given as the registration number of the transfer job (hereinafter, the transfer job with the registration number i is referred to as “transfer job N
oi "). Each job and status are displayed separately for a print job list and a transfer job list. For example, for transfer job No. 3,
"A3 Near Empty / Forward to
A status of "Printer 40" (that is, the A3 size printing paper is too small to be executable and has been transferred to the printer 40) is displayed. The status of the print job No. 3 is determined based on the result of the determination that the A3-size sheets required for the execution of the print job No. 3 are not sufficient before the start of the execution of the print job No. 3.
Is transferred to the printer 40. Note that, in conjunction with the transfer of the print job to the printer 40,
The status display of the transferred job also moves from the print job list to the transfer job list. In this regard, the printer 20 of the present embodiment differs from the conventional printer in which detailed status display is performed and transferred only when the print job of the registration number 3 is actually started.

FIGS. 15 and 16 to 20 show how the status display changes as a plurality of print jobs are registered.

In this case, one A3-size print sheet remains in the printer 20, and 10 A-size print sheets remain.
Assume that 00 sheets remain. The remaining amount of staples is 0, and the number of sheets that can be output to the paper output tray is 300.
It is assumed that the number is zero. The above situation is
This is the same as the situation in the first embodiment described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 shows a status display when the printer 20 has no print job or transfer job.

FIG. 17 shows that print job No. 1 is received,
9 is a display example of a status when print job No. 1 is transferred as transfer job No. 1; The contents of the transfer job,
For example, registration number, execution order, file name, number of pages,
The status is displayed along with the number of copies, owner name, and registration time.

The print job No. 1 (transfer job No. 1)
It prints 30 pages of 10 pages of A4 size printing paper and performs stapling processing. Since the preceding print job whose execution has been started does not yet exist, the amount of consumables detected by each sensor and the like are directly displayed in “Information 1”.
Is set as Next, the control unit 21 sets the print job N
The content of o1 is analyzed, and the usage amount of the consumable used in the print job No. 1 is acquired as “information 2”. In the case shown in FIG. 17, "Information 2" includes that 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper (= 10 pages × 30 copies) and 30 staples are required. In the case of FIG. 17, since the preceding print job is not stored in the storage unit 23, it is not necessary to consider “information 3”.

The control section 21 compares "information 1" with "information 2". As a result, it is determined that the print job No 1 cannot be executed in the printer 20 because there is no staple. As a result of referring to the information regarding the transfer destination printer stored in the storage unit 23, the printer 40 is determined as the transfer destination printer of the print job, and the print job No. 1 is transmitted via the I / F unit 25 and the network 30. The data is transferred to the printer 40. The fact that the print job No. 1 cannot be executed, the cause thereof, and the fact that the print job No. 1 has been transferred to the printer 40 are output to the personal computer 10 via the I / F unit 25 as status information. The status display unit 15 displays a status based on the status information. In FIG. 17, the status indicating that the staple amount is 0 and the print job No. 1 has been transferred to the printer 40 because it cannot be executed is displayed.

FIG. 18 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 2 is subsequently received. Print job N
In o2, 30 copies of 30 pages of A4 size printing paper are printed, and the stapling process is not performed.

The printing paper sensor 27 and the like detect the amount of consumables such as printing paper. Since the preceding print job No. 1 has been transferred as the transfer job No. 1, there is no print job whose execution has been started in the printer 20. Therefore, “information 1” is transmitted to the printing paper sensor 27.
And the like, the amount of consumables detected. "Information 1"
Includes that the amount of A3-size printing paper is 1, the amount of A4-size printing paper is 1000, the remaining amount of staples is 0, and the number of printable sheets to the paper discharge tray is 3000. The control unit 21 analyzes the content of the print job No. 2 and acquires the usage amount of the consumable used in the print job No. 2 as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 18, “information 2” includes that 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper (= 30 pages × 10 copies) are required. The print job No. 1 is transferred as a transfer job, and
Since it does not exist at 0, there is no need to consider “information 3”. The control unit 21 compares “information 1” and “information 2”. As a result, the print job No. 2 is determined to be executable, and since there is no print job currently being executed, the execution is immediately started. Therefore, the status that the print job No. 2 is executing the print job is displayed as the status.

FIG. 19 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 3 is subsequently received. Print job N
o3 prints one copy of two pages of A3 size printing paper,
No stapling is performed.

The printing paper sensor 27 and the like detect the amount of consumables such as printing paper. In the case of FIG. 19, the print job N
Since the execution of the print job No. 2 has been started, the “information 1” is based on the amount of the consumables detected by the print paper sensor 27 and the like, and the amount of consumable used until the execution of the print job No. It is the value obtained by subtracting the usage of the product. Therefore, “information 1” indicates that one A3 sheet, one A4 sheet
700 sheets (300 sheets will be used by the end of execution of print job No. 2 which has started printing out of 1,000 sheets at the beginning), the remaining amount of staples is 0, and the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 2700 sheets (3000 sheets that can be output)
(300 sheets are output by the time printing job No. 2 whose printing has been started is completed). On the other hand, the control unit 21 analyzes the contents of the print job No. 3 and acquires the amount of consumables used in the print job No. 3 as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 19, "Information 2" includes that two A3 size printing papers are required. Note that, other than the print job No. 2 whose execution has already been started, the preceding print job which is determined to be executable is not stored in the storage unit 23, and therefore, it is necessary to consider “information 3”. There is no.

The control section 21 compares "information 1" with "information 2". As a result, it is determined that the print job No. 3 cannot be executed because the A3-size print paper is insufficient. Therefore, the print job No. 3 is transferred as the transfer job No. 3 to the printer 40 stored as the transfer destination in the storage unit 23. The fact that print job No. 3 cannot be executed, its cause, and print job No.
The fact that 1 has been transferred to the printer 40 is output to the personal computer 10 as status information. Status display section 1
5 displays a status based on the status information.

FIG. 20 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 4 is subsequently received. Print job N
In o4, 50 copies of 50 pages of A4 size printing paper are printed, and the stapling process is not performed.

As in the case of FIG. 19, “information 1” is determined by the amount of consumables detected by the print paper sensor 27 and the like in the printer 20 until the execution of the print job No. 2 started is completed. This is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of consumables used. Therefore, “information 1” is A
The content includes that there are 700 sheets of 4-size printing paper. On the other hand, the control unit 21 analyzes the contents of the print job No. 4 and acquires the usage amount of the consumable used in the print job No. 4 as “information 2”. In the case of FIG. 20, "information 2" includes that 500 sheets of A4 size printing paper are required. In addition to the print job No. 2 whose execution has already been started, since the preceding print job which is determined to be executable is not stored in the storage unit 23, it is necessary to consider “information 3”. There is no. The control unit 21 compares “information 1” and “information 2”. As a result, while the amount of A4 paper is 700 sheets, the amount of A4 paper used in print job No. 4 is 500 sheets, and consumables are sufficient. Therefore, it is determined that the print job No. 4 is executable, but the print job No. 2 is in the process of being executed, and is in a waiting state. Therefore, a status indicating that print job No. 4 is in a waiting state is output to the personal computer 10 and displayed by the status display unit 15.

FIG. 15 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 5 is subsequently received. Print job N
o5 prints 10 copies of 40 sheets of A4 size printing paper,
No stapling is performed.

“Information 1” is the same as the case of FIG.
The content includes that the amount of four printing papers is 700 sheets.
In the case of FIG. 15, “Information 2” indicates that A4 size printing paper is 4
The contents include that 00 sheets are required. In addition, a print job that is a preceding print job other than the print job No.
4 is stored in the storage unit 23. Therefore, the usage amount of the consumable used in the print job 4 is acquired as “information 3”. In the case of FIG. 15, “information 3” includes that 500 print sheets of A4 size are used in print job No. 4.

The control unit 21 determines whether the print job No. 5 can be executed by checking “information 1”, “information 2” and “information 3”.
Judge based on. Specifically, printing is performed by subtracting the amount of consumables used in the print job held in the storage unit 23 indicated by “information 3” from the amount of consumables indicated by “information 1”. The expected remaining amount of the consumable at the time when the execution of the job No. 5 is started is calculated. In the case of FIG. 15, the estimated remaining amount of A4 size printing paper is 200 sheets (= 700−500). The control unit 21 determines the estimated remaining amount and 40, which is the number of sheets used in the print job No5.
Compare 0 sheets. As a result of the comparison, when the execution of the print job No. 5 is started, it is determined that the A4 size print paper is insufficient and the print job No. 5 cannot be executed. Therefore, print job No. 5 is
Transferred as transfer job No5. Print job No5
Is output to the personal computer 10 as status information indicating that the job is not executable, the cause thereof, and the fact that the print job No. 1 has been transferred to the printer 40. The status display unit 15 displays a status based on the status information.

As described above, the printer 20 according to the present embodiment predicts a future printing situation in consideration of the usage amount of the consumable member used by the preceding print job stored in the storage unit 23. Then, the print job that is not expected to be executed in the future is transferred to another image forming apparatus as a transfer job. Further, the printer 20 outputs, as status information, a result of determining whether or not the print job can be executed in the future, and that the print job has been transferred when the printer 20 cannot be executed in the future, and displays the status. be able to.

The printer according to the present embodiment configured as described above performs the following processing. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the printing process in the present embodiment, and is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the subroutine of step S2 in FIG. Steps S300 to S3 in FIG.
08 corresponds to step S in FIG. 9 described as the first embodiment.
Steps S100 to S108 are the same as those described above, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S301, the printer 20 according to the present embodiment subtracts the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job started from the amount of consumables detected by the detection unit 26 in step S301. "Information 1" is acquired, and in step S302, "information 2" is acquired as data on the usage amount of each type used by the newly received print job, and in step S305, the storage unit 23 of the printer 20 is acquired. "Information 3" relating to the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job held in the preceding print job, and newly received based on "information 1", "information 2", and "information 3". It is determined whether the print job is executable (S306).

If it is determined that the newly received print job cannot be executed in the future (S307: N
O), the control unit 21 refers to the data regarding the destination printer stored in the storage unit 23 and determines the printer 40 as the destination. As a result, the print job determined not to be executable by the printer 20 is transferred to the printer 40 via the I / F unit 25 and the network 30 and executed by the printer 40 (S309). In this case, the printer 20 cannot execute the print job,
The cause and the fact that the print job has been transferred to the printer 40 are output to the personal computer 10 as status information. Status display unit 1 provided on personal computer 10
5 is based on this status information, such as "Transfered because there is no A4 paper", "Transferred because A4 paper is running out", "Transferred because staples are running out" Display status.

[Fourth Embodiment] In a printer to which the image processing apparatus of the fourth embodiment is applied, when a new print job is received while a preceding print job is held, this new Predicts whether the received print job can be executed by the printer in the future, outputs status information in advance, and if the print job cannot be executed in the future, connects the print job via a network. Then, the print job is transferred to the other printer. In this regard, the printer of the present embodiment is common to the printer of the third embodiment. However, the printer 20 of the present embodiment
Determines whether the print job can be executed by another printer 40 determined as a transfer destination candidate, and transfers the print job only when the print job can be executed by the printer 40. In this regard, the printer of this embodiment is
This is different from the printer of the third embodiment in which the print job is transferred to the printer 40 without determining whether the print job can be executed by another printer 40.

The configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 14, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the control unit 21 determines that the print job to be transferred is
It has a function of determining whether or not it can be executed by another printer 40. For example, the control unit 21 transmits to the printer 40 a signal inquiring whether the print job to be transferred can be executed by another printer 40,
By receiving the result of the determination by the printer 40 as to whether or not the print job can be executed, it is determined whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40 determined as the transfer destination. In this case, the printer 40 receiving the inquiry about whether the print job can be executed is
And the same configuration as that of the personal computer 10 and the printer 2
It has a function of predicting whether a print job newly received from 0 can be executed in the future and outputting a determination result.

FIGS. 22 and 23 to 27 show how the status display changes as a plurality of print jobs are registered.

Here, in the printer 20, the remaining amount of A3-size printing paper is one, the remaining amount of A4-size printing paper is 1,000, and the remaining amount of staples is zero.
It is assumed that the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 3000 sheets. In the printer 40, A3
The remaining amount of the printing paper of the size A is 0, the remaining amount of the printing paper of the A4 size is 1000, the remaining amount of the staples is 100, and the number of printable sheets of the discharge tray is 2000.
It is assumed that the number is one.

FIG. 23 shows a status display when the printer 20 has no print job or transfer job.

FIG. 24 shows that print job No. 1 is received,
This is an example of status display when print job No. 1 is transferred as transfer job No. 1, and corresponds to FIG. 17 in the third embodiment. By the same processing as that shown in FIG. 17, the control unit 21 compares “information 1” with “information 2”. As a result, the print job No. 1 is executed because there is no staple in the printer 20. Judge that it is impossible.

When the print job cannot be executed by the printer 20, the print job is immediately transferred to the transfer destination printer 40 in the third embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, the print job is transferred before the transfer. Then, it is determined whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40, and as a result of the determination, the print job is transferred only when the print job can be executed by the transfer destination printer 40.

The control unit 21 transmits to the printer 40 a signal inquiring whether or not the print job to be transferred can be executed by another printer 40. The printer 40 that has received the inquiry determines the feasibility of the print job by performing the same processing as that of the printer 20 described above.

More specifically, the printer 40 performs the following processing. Since there is no print job in the printer 40, “information 1” in the printer 40 is such that the amount of A3-size printing paper is 0, the amount of A4-size printing paper is 1000, the amount of staples is 100, The content includes that there are 2,000 sheets that can be output to the discharge tray. Further, “information 2” including the usage amount of consumables used in the print job No. 1, that is, “information 2” including 300 sheets of A4 size printing paper and 30 staples is required. As a result of comparing the acquired “information 1” and “information 2”, it is determined that the print job No. 1 can be executed by the printer 40, and the determination result is transmitted to the printer 20. The printer 20 finally determines that the print job No. 1 is the printer 4 based on the determination result.
The print job No. 1 is recognized as executable and the print job No. 1 is transferred to the printer 40 as the transfer job No. 1. Note that the fact that the print job cannot be executed and the status that the print job has been transferred to the printer 40 are displayed in the same manner as in the third embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 2 is received subsequently. Print job N
In o2, 30 copies of 30 pages of A4 size printing paper are printed, and the stapling process is not performed. The print job No. 2 can be executed in the printer 20 and there is no print job currently being executed in the printer 20, so that it is immediately executed. Therefore, print job N
The fact that o2 is being executed is displayed as a status.

FIG. 26 shows the status when print job No. 3 is received subsequently. Print job No3 is
One copy of two pages of A3 size printing paper is printed without stapling. As in the case shown in FIG. 19 in the third embodiment, print job No. 3 is A3
Since the printing paper of the size is insufficient, it is determined that the printing cannot be performed in the printer 20. As a result, the storage unit 2
The printer information of the transfer destination stored in No. 3 is referred to,
The printer 40 is determined as the transfer destination.

However, the print job is immediately sent to the printer 4.
Instead of being transferred to “0”, first, the control unit 21 determines whether the print job No. 3 can be executed in the printer 40. In practice, the printer 20 is
A signal is sent to inquire whether print job No. 3 is executable. Upon receiving the inquiry, the printer 40 determines that the print job No. 3 cannot be executed, and transmits the determination result to the printer 20. By receiving the result, the control unit 21 of the printer 20 sends the print job No. 3 to the printer 40.
Recognizes that it is not feasible. As a result, print job No. 3 is not transferred. Therefore, the print job No. 3 is held in the printer 20 without being executable, and the result is output to the personal computer 10 as status information. The status display unit 15 performs a status display based on the status information.

When the print job No. 3 is transferred, whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40 can be determined by the printer 40 as follows.

The “information 1” in the printer 40 is A3
The amount of size printing paper is 0 sheets, the amount of A4 size printing paper is 700 sheets (300 sheets are used by the end of the execution of the transfer job No. 1 out of 1000 sheets in the printer 40), and the remaining amount of staples Are 70 (initially printer 4
30 out of the 100 sheets that have been used for the transfer job No. 1), and the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 1700 (300 out of the 2,000 sheets that can be output before the execution of the transfer job No. 1). Is output). “Information 2” indicating that the number of A3-size print sheets used to execute the print job No. 3 is two is acquired. As a result of comparing the “information 1” with the “information 2”, it is determined that the print job No. 3 cannot be executed in the printer 40.

FIG. 27 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 4 is subsequently received. Print job N
In o4, 50 copies of 50 pages of A4 size printing paper are printed, and the stapling process is not performed. In this case, as in the case of FIG. 20, the acquired “information 1” and “information 2” are compared, and it is determined that print job No. 4 is executable. However, since print job No. 2 is being executed, print job No. 4 is in a waiting state.
Therefore, status information indicating that print job No. 4 is in the waiting state is output to the personal computer 10, and the status display unit 15 displays the status based on the status information.

FIG. 22 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 5 is subsequently received. Print job N
o5 prints 10 copies of 40 sheets of A4 size printing paper,
No stapling is performed.

“Information 1” is the same as A in FIG.
The content includes that the amount of four printing papers is 700 sheets.
"Information 2" includes that 400 sheets of A4 size printing paper are required. In addition, since the print job No. 4 that has already been executed is stored in the storage unit 23, the usage amount of the consumable used in the print job No. 4 is acquired as “information 3”. In the case of FIG. 22, “Information 3” indicates that print job No. 4
The content includes that 00 sheets are used.

The control unit 21 determines whether the print job No. 5 can be executed by checking “information 1”, “information 2” and “information 3”.
Judge based on. Specifically, printing is performed by subtracting the amount of consumables used in the print job held in the storage unit 23 indicated by “information 3” from the amount of consumables indicated by “information 1”. The expected remaining amount of the consumable at the time when the execution of the job No. 5 is started is calculated. In the case of FIG. 22, the estimated remaining amount of A4 size printing paper is 200 sheets (= 700−500). The control unit 21 determines the estimated remaining amount and 40, which is the number of sheets used in the print job No5.
Compare 0 sheets. As a result of the comparison, when the execution of the print job No. 5 is started, it is determined that the A4 size print paper is insufficient and the print job No. 5 cannot be executed. In response to the determination result, the control unit 21 transmits to the printer 40 a signal for inquiring whether the print job No. 5 can be executed by the printer 40. The printer 40 that has received the inquiry performs the following processing.

"Information 1" in the printer 40 is A3
The amount of size printing paper is 0 sheets, the amount of A4 size printing paper is 700 sheets (300 sheets are used by the end of the execution of the transfer job No. 1 out of 1000 sheets in the printer 40), and the remaining amount of staples Are 70 (initially printer 4
30 out of the 100 sheets that have been used for the transfer job No. 1), and the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 1700 (300 out of the 2,000 sheets that can be output before the execution of the transfer job No. 1). Sheets are output). The printer 40 receives the “information 1”
To get. In addition, the printer 40 has a print job No. 5
Are acquired as “information 2”. In addition to the transfer job No. 1, the preceding print job which is determined to be executable is not stored in the printer 40,
At 0, "information 3" need not be considered.

Therefore, the acquired “information 1” and “information 2” are compared, and the print job No. 5 is
0 is determined to be executable. The judgment result is
It is transmitted from the printer 40 to the printer 20. As a result of determining that the print job No. 5 can be executed by the printer 40, the printer 20 transfers the print job No. 5 to the printer. Insufficient A4 size printing paper,
Since print job No. 5 cannot be executed, the fact that the job has been transferred to printer 40 is output as status information, and the status is displayed based on the status information.

The printer according to the present embodiment configured as described above performs the following processing.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the printing process in this embodiment, and is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the subroutine of step S2 in FIG.

Steps S400 to S408 in FIG. 28 are the same as steps S300 to S308 in FIG. 21 described as the third embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In step S401, the printer 20 according to the present embodiment subtracts the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job started from the amount of consumables detected by the detection unit 26 in step S401. "Information 1" is acquired, and in Step S402, "Information 2" which is data on the amount of use for each type used by the newly received print job is acquired, and in Step S405, the storage unit 23 of the printer 20 is acquired. Of the consumables used in the preceding print job stored in the “information 3” and the “information 3” based on the “information 1”, “information 2”, and “information 3”. It is determined whether the received print job can be executed in the future (S407).

If it is determined that the newly received print job cannot be executed in the future (S407: N
O), the control unit 21 refers to the data regarding the image processing device of the transfer destination stored in the storage unit 23, and determines another image processing device, for example, the printer 40, as the transfer destination.
However, the print job is not immediately transferred to the printer 40. First, the control unit 21 sends a signal for inquiring whether or not the print job can be executed in another image processing apparatus via the I / F unit 25. Performed for the printer 40 (S40
9). The printer 40 that has received the inquiry signal determines whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40, and transmits the determination result to the printer 20. The printer 20 determines whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40 by receiving the determination result by the printer 40 (S410).

If it is determined that the print job that cannot be executed by the printer 20 is executable by the printer 40 (S411: YES), the print job is transferred to another image processing apparatus as a transfer job. I do. The fact that the print job cannot be executed, the cause thereof, and the fact that the print job has been transferred to the printer 40 are output to the personal computer 10 as status information (S412).
Status display unit 15 provided on personal computer 10
Displays a status such as "A4 paper is short, so it has been transferred" based on the status information.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the print job that cannot be executed by the printer 20 cannot be executed by another image processing apparatus (S411: NO), the print job is not transferred. Therefore, the execution of the print job is suspended (S413). As a result, the fact that the print job cannot be executed and the cause thereof are output to the personal computer 10 as status information, and the status display unit 15 displays a status such as "A3 paper has run out" based on the status information. I do.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the processing of the printer 40 for receiving the transfer of the image data from the printer 20.

The printer 40 performs the initialization (S
450), upon receiving the inquiry signal as to whether or not the print job can be executed (S451: YES), the processing is performed as follows.

When a signal for inquiring whether or not a new print job can be executed has been received (S451: YES), the printer 40 acquires "information 1" (S452).
“Information 1” is obtained by subtracting the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job that has been started from the amount of consumables (for example, printing paper) and the like. Indicates a value.

Next, "information 2" is obtained for the print job (S453). Specifically, by receiving the printer language data transmitted from the printer 20 and analyzing the contents thereof, when the print job is transferred, the usage of each type of consumable used in the job is determined. "Information 2" which is data relating to the amount is obtained.

Next, it is determined whether or not there is a preceding print job held and registered in the printer 40 (S4).
54). If the preceding print job is held and registered, "information 3" is acquired (S455). “Information 3” includes information on the amount of consumables used in the preceding print job held in the printer 40.
"Information 1" acquired in step S452, step S
"Information 2" acquired in step 453, and step S45
It is determined whether or not the print job can be executed in the future based on “information 3” acquired in S5 (S456). First, by subtracting “information 3” from “information 1”, if the print job is transferred from the printer 20, the expected remaining amount of consumables at the time when the transferred print job is started to be executed is calculated. Then, the estimated remaining amount of the consumable is compared with “information 2” to determine whether the print job can be executed in the future (S456, S458).
Concerning the amount of consumables, if the amount of consumables used in “information 2” is larger than the expected remaining amount of consumables, it is determined that this print job cannot be executed (S458: NO).

On the other hand, when the preceding print job is held and not registered, there is no need to consider the “information 3”. Therefore, "information 1" and "information 2"
Then, it is determined whether or not the print job is executable (S457, S458). Concerning the amount of consumables, if the amount of consumables used in "information 2" is larger than the amount of consumables used in "information 1," it is determined that this print job cannot be executed (S457). : NO).

If it is determined that the print job is executable (S458: YES), the result of the determination that the print job is executable in the printer 40 is sent to the printer 2.
0 (S459). On the other hand, if it is determined that the print job cannot be executed (S458: N
O), a determination result indicating that the print job cannot be executed by the printer 40 is transmitted to the printer 20 (S460).

The printer 40 checks at regular intervals whether or not a new inquiry signal has been received as to whether or not a print job can be executed by the loop counter (S461, 450).

[Fifth Embodiment] A printer to which the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is applied predicts whether or not a newly received print job can be executed by the printer in the future. Is not feasible,
The printing is suspended, another printer capable of executing the print job is displayed on the screen of the personal computer, and the print job is transferred to the other printer based on an instruction input from the personal computer.

Therefore, the present embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that transfer is performed only when an unexecutable print job can be executed by another printer, but waits for a transfer instruction from the user. This is different from the fourth embodiment in that the actual transfer is performed.

FIGS. 30 and 31 to 36 show how the status display changes as a plurality of print jobs are registered and when a transfer instruction is issued.

Here, in the printer 20, the remaining amount of A3-size printing paper is one, the remaining amount of A4-size printing paper is 1,000, and the remaining amount of staples is zero.
It is assumed that the number of sheets that can be output to the discharge tray is 3000 sheets. In the printer 40, A3
The remaining amount of the printing paper of the size A is 0, the remaining amount of the printing paper of the A4 size is 1000, the remaining amount of the staples is 100, and the number of printable sheets of the discharge tray is 2000.
It is assumed that the number is one.

FIG. 31 shows a status display when there is no print job or transfer job in the printer 20.

FIG. 32 shows that print job No. 1 is received,
9 is a status display example when it is determined that print job No. 1 can be transferred as transfer job No. 1; As in the case shown in FIG. 24 in the fourth embodiment, it is determined that the print job No. 1 cannot be executed because there is no staple in the printer 20, and the print job No. 1 can be executed in the transfer destination printer 40. It is determined that there is.
The control unit 21 outputs to the personal computer 10 status information indicating that the print job cannot be executed due to lack of staples, but is executable if transferred to the printer 40. The status display unit 15 displays the status based on the status information.

Further, in the present embodiment, the status display section 15 displays the transfer instruction section 31 on the screen. The transfer instruction unit 31 is a part to which a transfer instruction by a user is input. For example, the transfer instruction unit 31 is shown as a transfer instruction button on the display screen of the status display unit 15. The user can input a transfer instruction to the transfer instruction unit 31 using a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. The printer 20 transfers the print job to the printer 40 on condition that a transfer instruction is issued. When the transfer instruction is not issued, the printer 20 holds the print job without transferring the print job to the printer 40.

FIG. 33 shows a display example of the status when print job No. 2 is subsequently received. Print job N
In o2, 30 copies of 30 pages of A4 size printing paper are printed, and the stapling process is not performed. The print job No. 2 can be executed in the printer 20 and there is no print job currently being executed in the printer 20, so that it is immediately executed. Therefore, print job N
The fact that o2 is being executed is displayed as a status.

FIG. 34 is a display example of the status when the print job No. 3 is subsequently received. Print job N
o3 prints one copy of two pages of A3 size printing paper,
No stapling is performed. As in the case shown in FIG. 26 in the fourth embodiment, print job No. 3
Indicates that there is not enough A3 size printing paper.
At 0, it is determined that execution is not possible. Moreover, it is determined that the print job No. 3 cannot be executed even in the printer 40, and thus the print job No. 3 is not transferred. Therefore, the print job No. 3 is held in the printer 20 without being executable. As a result, the fact that the print job cannot be executed and the cause thereof are output to the personal computer 10 as status information. The status display unit 15 provided on the personal computer 10
Based on this status information, a status such as "A3 paper has run out" is displayed.

FIG. 35 shows a display example of the status when print job No. 4 is received. in this case,
As in FIG. 27, the acquired “information 1” and “information 2” are compared, and it is determined that print job No. 4 is executable. However, since print job No. 2 is being executed, print job No. 4 is in a waiting state. Therefore, a status indicating that print job No. 4 is in a waiting state is output to the personal computer 10 and the status display unit 1
5 is indicated.

FIG. 36 shows a status display example when the user instructs to transfer print job No. 1.

As described with reference to FIG. 32, in the present embodiment, the status display unit 15 displays the transfer instruction unit 3
1 is displayed, and the user can input a transfer instruction to the transfer instruction unit 31 using a pointing device such as a mouse. When the user issues a transfer instruction to a transfer instruction unit 31 provided on the screen of the personal computer 10, the control unit 21 of the printer 20 transmits the print job No. 1 from the personal computer 10 via the I / F unit 25. Receive a transfer instruction. As a result, the print job No. 1 is stored in the I / F unit 25.
Is transferred to the printer 40 as a transfer job No. Therefore, the print job No. 1 cannot be executed due to insufficient staples, so that the fact that the job has been transferred to the printer 40 is output as status information, and the status display unit 15 displays the status based on the status information. The display of print job No. 1 moves from the print job list to the transfer job list.

FIG. 30 shows a display example of the status when print job No. 5 is subsequently received. As in the case of FIG. 22 in the fourth embodiment, the control unit 21 determines that the print job No. 5 cannot be executed in the printer 20 based on “information 1”, “information 2”, and “information 3”. to decide. In the printer 40, the print job N
It is determined whether o5 is executable. The control unit 21
The printer 20 cannot execute the print job because of a shortage of four sheets. However, when the printer 20 transfers the print job to the printer 40, it outputs status information to the personal computer 10 indicating that printing is possible. The status display unit 15 performs status display based on the status information.

Further, status display section 15 displays transfer instruction section 31 on the screen. As a result, the user instructs the transfer instructing unit 31 to use a pointing device such as a mouse.
, And enters a transfer instruction waiting state in which a transfer instruction can be input.

The printer according to the present embodiment configured as described above performs the following processing.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart for explaining the contents of the printing process in this embodiment, and is a flow chart for explaining the contents of the subroutine of step S2 in FIG.

Steps S500 to S511 in FIG. 37 are the same as steps S400 to S411 in FIG. 28 described as the fourth embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

If the print job determined to be unexecutable in the printer 20 is determined not to be executable in another image processing apparatus (S511: NO), the print job is not transferred, and Is suspended (S513). As a result, the fact that the print job cannot be executed and the cause thereof are output to the personal computer 10 as status information. The status display unit 15 displays a status such as "A3 paper is running out" based on the status information. This is the same as the case shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the print job determined not to be executable by the printer 20 is executable by another image processing apparatus (S511: YES),
Unlike the case shown in the flowchart of FIG. 28, the print job is not immediately transferred to the printer 40 as a transfer job, and the execution of the print job is suspended by the printer 20 (S512). As a result, the fact that the print job cannot be executed, the cause thereof, and the fact that the print job can be transferred to the printer 40 are output to the personal computer 10 as status information, and the status display unit 15 displays Based on the status, a status display such as "A3 paper is insufficient, but can be transferred to the printer 40" is displayed. Further, on the status display screen, a transfer instruction unit 31 for instructing the transfer of the print job is shown. The user can give a print job transfer instruction using a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. When a plurality of print jobs are held in the printer 20 in a transferable state, the transfer instruction unit 31 is displayed on the screen for each print job, and the user may give a transfer instruction for each print job. it can. The transfer instruction given by the user is transmitted from the personal computer 10 to the printer 20 via the network 30.
Is received by the I / F unit 25.

When receiving the transfer instruction (S514: YES), printer 20 transfers the print job to printer 40, which is another image processing apparatus, based on the transfer instruction. The fact that the print job has been transferred is output to the personal computer 10 as status information, and the status display unit 15
Based on this status information, a status such as "The print job has been transferred to the printer 40 because A3 paper is insufficient" is displayed. The printer 20 checks at regular intervals whether a new transfer instruction has been received (S514).

In the above description, it is assumed that an inquiry as to whether or not a print job can be executed is transmitted to the printer 40, which is another image processing apparatus, and that a determination result is received from the other image processing apparatus. In the meantime, the process of suspending the execution of the print job is performed (S509 to S513), but the printer of the present embodiment is not limited to this. The printer according to the present embodiment is of a type that temporarily suspends a print job regardless of whether or not the print job can be executed by another image processing apparatus. Without receiving the judgment result,
Execution of a print job can be suspended. in this case,
The processing of different print jobs can be performed simultaneously and in parallel while waiting for the determination result to be transmitted from another image processing apparatus. Therefore, there is no need to wait for a determination result from another image processing apparatus, and the execution efficiency of the print job is improved.

FIG. 38 shows a personal computer 1 according to this embodiment.
11 is a flowchart showing a process of No. 0. PC 10
Determines whether status information output from the printer 20 has been received (S700). If new status information has been received (S700: YES), the latest status is displayed based on this status information. Further, it is also confirmed whether or not a transfer instruction of the print job has been input by using a mouse, a keyboard or the like (S702). If a transfer instruction has been input (S7
02: YES), and transmits a print job transfer instruction to the printer 20 (S703). When the print instruction is transmitted and the print job is transmitted, as a result, new status information such as “the print job has been transmitted” is transmitted from the printer 20.
The personal computer 10 receives the new status information, and sequentially displays the latest status based on the status information.

By repeating the above processing, the personal computer 10 communicates with the printer 20, receives new status information, and transmits a transfer instruction to the printer 20.

In the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the printer is provided with both the processing section such as the control section and the storage section and the printing section for performing actual printing. The image processing apparatus can be configured separately from the printing unit as a printer controller or a printer server computer.

In the above description, the case where the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a printer has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a digital copying machine. The digital copier can receive a plurality of print jobs by reading them from a scanner, hold the plurality of print jobs in a memory, and perform actual printing and stapling processing.

In the case of a printer, a print job output from a personal computer is received and processed, whereas in the case of a digital copying machine, a print job is received by reading an original with a scanner. Although the two are different, the actual processing contents are common. Therefore, it is clear that the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied as an image processing unit of a digital copying machine.

In the above description, the function of displaying the status of the print job is provided to the personal computer that has transmitted the print job, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the function can be provided to a printer or a computer other than the personal computer that transmitted the print job. If the printer itself has a function to display the status, the user who has come to retrieve the original printed by the printer or the user who uses the copier,
By looking at the status display, it is possible to replenish consumables indicated to be short in the future. When a function for displaying a status on a computer other than the printer that has transmitted the print job is provided, a person other than the person who instructed the print job can replenish consumables on behalf of the user who instructed the print job. .

In the above description, when the printer cannot execute the print job, the printer transmits a signal inquiring whether or not the print job can be executed by another printer. The other printers determine the feasibility, and by receiving the determination result, it is finally determined whether or not to transfer the print job to another printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this. I can't.

For example, the printer receives the status of the printing process from the other printer, for example, the type of the job currently registered in the other printer, the transmission of the consumable amount data used in the job, or Receiving the data of the “information 1”, “information 2”, and “information 3” in the other printer, and based on the data,
It is possible to determine whether a print job can be executed by another printer.

In the above description, the storage unit 23 has information on the transfer destination printer. here,
The storage unit 23 can store a plurality of printers as candidate printers as transfer destinations. In the case where a signal for inquiring whether or not a print job can be executed by the transfer destination printer is transmitted, a signal for inquiring as to whether or not the print job can be executed can be transmitted to the plurality of printers at once. By setting the order of inquiring the plurality of printers and storing printer information as a transfer destination list in that order, one printer at a time can be executed according to the order of the list until an executable printer is found. It is also possible to send a signal.

Further, instead of storing information on the printer at the transfer destination in the storage unit 23, when the transfer becomes necessary, the printer searches for another printer at the transfer destination via the network. Can be adopted. According to this configuration, when the power of the first printer in the list is turned off, the data can be transferred to the next printer.

[0195]

According to the present invention described above, the following effects can be obtained.

In claims 1, 13 and 14,
When the second print job is received while the first print job is held, it is determined whether or not the second print job can be executed, so that the execution of the second print job is started. Without waiting for the second print job to be executed, it is possible to promptly respond. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the execution start of the print job from being delayed or postponed.

In the present invention, the estimated remaining amount of the consumable at the time of starting the execution of the second print job is calculated, and the estimated remaining amount and the consumable used for the execution of the second print job are calculated. The second print job is compared with the consumables used in the first print job without waiting for the second print job to be started. Can be executed and output. Therefore, the user:
It is possible to quickly supply and prepare consumables, and it is possible to avoid delaying the start of execution of a print job. In addition, since the amount of consumables used in the first print job is taken into account, it is possible to predict the execution of the second print job with high accuracy.

In the present invention, it is determined whether or not the second print job can be executed according to the occurrence of an event relating to the consumable used to execute the print job.
Even in the case where the execution of the second print job changes in accordance with the change in the situation related to the consumables, it is possible to output the execution of the second print job. Therefore, the user can quickly supply and prepare consumables according to the change in the situation. In addition, since the occurrence of an event related to the consumable is considered, the execution of the second print job can be predicted with higher accuracy.

According to the fourth aspect, in order to consider the supply of consumables or the reception of an interrupt print job as the event relating to the consumables, the second event is performed in response to the supply of consumables or the reception of an interrupt print job. Even if the execution of the print job changes, it is possible to output the execution of the second print job. Therefore, the user can supply and prepare consumables in response to the supply of consumables or the reception of the interrupt print job. In addition, since the amount of consumables newly used by the interrupt printing is taken into consideration, the execution of the second print job can be predicted with higher accuracy.

In the present invention, since the staples and the printing paper are included as the consumables, when the second printing job runs short of staples and the printing paper, the second printing job does not have to be started. In addition, it is possible to output that execution is impossible due to insufficient staples or printing paper. Therefore, the user is given an opportunity to replenish staples and printing paper in advance, and it is possible to avoid delay in starting the execution of the print job.

In the present invention, since the second print job is transferred to another connected image processing apparatus, the execution of the print job can be continued with a simple system configuration. In particular, since a special configuration is not required for another image processing apparatus to be a transfer destination, a print job can be transferred to an existing image processing apparatus.

According to the ninth aspect, the transfer is performed only to another image processing apparatus capable of executing the print job.
Execution of the print job can be performed reliably.

According to the eighth and tenth aspects, when the transfer instruction is received by the receiving means, the print job is transferred, so that the user's judgment can be reflected in the processing of the print job, and the consumption of the consumables can be reduced. It is possible to select whether replenishment or the like is performed or transfer to another image processing apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status display unit according to the first embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 5 is received.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when there is no print job in the printer.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 1 is received in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 2 is received in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 3 is received in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 4 is received in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of the personal computer.

11 is a display example of a status when 500 sheets of A4 size printing paper have been supplied in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a display example of a status when 100 staples are supplied in the state shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of the printer when a new event occurs and the status of the print job changes.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer to which an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status display unit according to the third embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 5 is received.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when there is no print job in the printer in the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 shows print job No. 1 in the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when is transferred.

FIG. 18 illustrates a print job No. 2 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a print job No. 3 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when is transferred.

FIG. 20 illustrates a print job No. 4 according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status display unit according to the fourth embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 5 is received.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when there is no print job in the printer in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 24 shows a print job No. 1 in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when is transferred.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a print job No. 2 according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 26 shows a print job No. 3 in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 27 shows a print job No. 4 in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of processing of another printer in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status display unit according to the fifth embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when print job No. 5 is received.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a status when there is no print job in the printer in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows a print job No. 1 in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 33 shows a print job No. 2 in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a print job No. 3 according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 35 shows a print job No. 4 in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a message is received.

FIG. 36 shows print job No. 1 in the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a status when a transfer instruction is received.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of a printing process according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the contents of processing of a personal computer in the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Personal computer, 20 ... Printer, 40 ... Printer, 30 ... Network, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... RAM, 14 ... I / F part, 15 ... Status display part, 21 ... Control part, 22 ... ROM, 23: storage unit, 24: printing unit, 25: I / F unit, 26: detection unit, 27: printing paper sensor, 28: staple sensor, 29: paper ejection sensor

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] July 31, 2000 (2007.3.
1)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Name of invention

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Title of the Invention] image processing apparatus and an image processing how

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0011

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0011] (1) An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises receiving means for receiving the print job, and holding means for holding a plurality of the print job, which can be used to perform the print job vanishing
Detecting means for detecting first information indicating the amount of consumables;
If a new print job when the print job is being held by said holding means is received by the receiving means, said first information, execution of the new print job
Second information that is the amount of consumables used for
Consumables used to execute the preceding print job
And the third information, and the first information
And printing the new print job based on the third information.
The expected remaining amount of consumables at the start is calculated, and the calculated
Comparing the expected remaining amount with the second information,
A determining means for Do print job to determine whether the executable has, possess and output means for outputting a result of determination by the determination means, the determination means further it relates to the consumable
Reacquiring the first information in response to occurrence of an elephant, and reacquiring the first information
Based on the first information obtained, the preceding print job is
It is characterized in that it is determined again whether or not execution is possible .

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0012

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0013

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014] (2) an event relating to the consumable, the consumable supply, or a reception of an interrupt print job.

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 3 ) The consumables are staples for binding printed matter or printing paper .

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0016

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 4 ) The output means includes a stator for displaying a determination result by the determination means as a status.
Output source information.

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0017

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 5 ) The image processing apparatus according to (1), wherein when the determination unit determines that the new print job is not executable, the other image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus Transfer means for transferring the new print job to the printer .

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0018

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 6 ) The image processing apparatus according to the above (5), wherein the determination means determines that the image processing apparatus is not executable.
A second <br/> receiving means for receiving a transfer instruction for transferring the Do print job, the transfer means, when receiving a transfer instruction by said second receiving means, performs the transfer processing.

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 7 ) The image processing apparatus according to (1), wherein when the determination unit determines that the new print job is not executable, the other image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus If the second judgment means for judging whether it is possible to execute the new print job, the new print job by said second determining means is determined to be feasible in other image processing apparatus in, Transfer means for transferring the new print job to the other image processing apparatus .

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0020

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0020] (8) The image processing apparatus of (7), in the other image processing apparatus by said second determination means
A second receiving means for receiving a transfer instruction for transferring the new print job is determined to be feasible, the transfer means, when receiving a transfer instruction by said second receiving means, said A transfer process is performed, and the output unit outputs a result of the determination by the second determining unit .

[Procedure amendment 13]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 9 ) The second determination means makes a determination based on information received from the another image processing apparatus .

[Procedure amendment 14]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 10 ) When the new print job is transferred, the output means outputs a transfer result .

[Procedure amendment 15]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0023

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

( 11 ) In the image processing method according to the present invention, a step of receiving a print job, a step of holding the print job, and a consumable that can be used to execute the print job
Detecting a first information is the amount of, when a new print job when <br/> print job preceding is held is received, said first information, said new printing Jo
Information that is the amount of consumables used to execute the
And consumables used to execute the preceding print job
And the third information that is the usage amount of
The new print job based on the first information and the third information.
The estimated remaining amount of consumables at the start of printing
By comparing the estimated remaining amount with the second information.
Determining whether the new print job is executable, outputting a result of the determination ,
In response to occurrence of an event relating to a consumable, the first information is
Reacquired, and based on the reacquired first information,
Re-determining whether or not the print job to be executed is executable .

[Procedure amendment 16]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0024

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 17]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0153

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

If it is determined that the newly received print job cannot be executed in the future (S407: N
O), the control unit 21 refers to the data regarding the image processing device of the transfer destination stored in the storage unit 23, and determines another image processing device, for example, the printer 40, as the transfer destination.
However, the print job is not immediately transferred to the printer 40. First, the control unit 21 sends a signal for inquiring whether or not the print job can be executed in another image processing apparatus via the I / F unit 25. Performed for the printer 40 (S40
9). The printer 40 that has received the inquiry signal determines whether or not the print job can be executed by the printer 40, and transmits the determination result to the printer 20. The printer 20 by Rukoto to receive the determination result by the printer 40, the print job to determine whether it is possible to perform the printer 40 (S410, S411).

[Procedure amendment 18]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0161

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

On the other hand, when the preceding print job is held and not registered, there is no need to consider the “information 3”. Therefore, "information 1" and "information 2"
Then, it is determined whether or not the print job is executable (S457, S458). Regarding the amount of consumables, if the amount of consumables used in "information 2" is larger than the amount of consumables used in "information 1," it is determined that this print job cannot be executed (S 458 : NO).

[Procedure amendment 19]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0163

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

The printer 40 checks at regular intervals whether or not a new inquiry signal has been received as to whether or not a print job can be executed by using a loop counter (S461, S451 ).

[Procedure amendment 20]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

In claims 1 and 11 , the consumables
Can be used to execute a print job when an event related to
Re-acquire the first information which is the amount of
The preceding print job can be executed based on the first information
Since the re-determine the ability or not, the occurrence of an event related to consumables
Considering the change in the execution of the preceding print job accompanying
Executability of each print job can be predicted .

[Procedure amendment 21]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 22]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name]

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 23]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0199

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0199] In the second aspect, as an event related to the consumables, consumables supply, or to account for reception of an interrupt print job, consumables replenishing, or, in response to receiving the interrupt printing, the preceding print Even if the job execution changes, it is possible to output the execution of each print job. Therefore, in response to replenishment of consumables or reception of an interrupt print job, the user
Replenishment and preparation of consumables can be performed. In addition, since the amount of consumables newly used by interrupt printing is taken into account, it is possible to more accurately predict the execution of each print job.

[Procedure amendment 24]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0200

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0200] In a third aspect, the staple as the consumable, or because it contains a printed sheet, in the case of missing staple and printing paper in the print job, without waiting for the print job is started performed In addition, it is possible to output that execution is impossible due to insufficient staples or printing paper. Therefore, the user is given an opportunity to replenish staples and printing paper in advance, and it is possible to avoid delaying the start of execution of each print job.

[Procedure amendment 25]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0201

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the fifth aspect , since the new print job is transferred to another connected image processing apparatus, the execution of the print job can be continued with a simple system configuration. In particular, since no special configuration is needed in addition to the image processing apparatus as a transfer destination, it can transfer the print job to the existing image processing apparatus.

[Procedure amendment 26]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0202

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

According to the seventh aspect , the transfer is performed only to another image processing apparatus capable of executing the print job.
Execution of the print job can be performed reliably.

[Procedure amendment 27]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0203

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0203] In the claims 6 and 8, when receiving the transfer instruction by the second reception means, since the transfer of the print job, it is possible to reflect the user's judgment in the processing of the print job, consumables It is possible to select whether to supply the product or to transfer the product to another image processing apparatus.

[Procedure amendment 28]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG. 28

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 28

[Procedure amendment 29]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 37

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 37

[Procedure amendment 30]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] FIG.

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

FIG. 38

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit for receiving a print job; a holding unit capable of holding a plurality of print jobs; and a second printing unit when a first print job is held by the holding unit. An image, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the second print job is executable when a job is received by the reception unit; and an output unit that outputs a determination result by the determination unit. Processing equipment. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit is configured to detect an amount of the consumable used for executing the print job, and to determine an amount of the consumable used for executing the first print job. An expected remaining amount calculating means for calculating an estimated remaining amount of the consumable at the time of starting the execution of the second print job based on the usage amount; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison unit configured to compare a consumption amount of the consumable used for execution. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines whether the second print job is executable according to occurrence of an event related to the consumable used for executing the print job. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the event relating to the consumable item is replenishment of the consumable item or reception of an interrupt print job. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the consumable supplies are staples for binding printed matter and printing paper. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a display unit that displays a result of the determination by the determination unit as a status. 7. When the determination unit determines that the second print job is not executable, the second print job is transferred to another image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit that performs the transfer. 8. A receiving unit for receiving a transfer instruction to transfer the second print job when the determining unit determines that the second print job is not executable, the transfer unit comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the transfer instruction is received by the receiving unit, the transfer processing is performed. 9. When the determination unit determines that the second print job cannot be executed, whether the second print job can be executed in another image processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus. A second determining unit for determining whether or not the second print job can be executed by another image processing apparatus; The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit that transfers the second print job. 10. A receiving unit for receiving a transfer instruction to transfer the second print job when the second determining unit determines that the second print job can be executed by another image processing apparatus. Wherein the transfer means executes the transfer processing when the transfer instruction is received by the receiving means, and the output means outputs a result of the judgment by the second judgment means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second determination unit makes a determination based on information received from the another image processing apparatus. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the output unit outputs a transfer result when the second print job is transferred. 13. An image processing method, comprising: receiving a print job; holding the print job; and receiving a second print job while holding the first print job. An image processing method, comprising: determining whether the second print job is executable; and outputting a result of the determination. 14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a procedure for forming an image, wherein a step of receiving a print job, a step of holding the print job, and a first print job are stored. A step of determining whether the second print job is executable when the second print job is received, and a step of outputting the result of the determination. Storage media.