JP2006001127A - Printer and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for performing secure print sustaining confidentiality even if an interruption job is received during secure printing. <P>SOLUTION: An interruption job is registered in the order next to a print job under printing such that printing based on the interruption job is carried out upon ending printing based on the print job under printing (S508) when the print job under printing is such a type as requiring authentication at the prestage of printing (S507) and the interruption job is inputted during printing of that print job (S503). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing technique for performing printing based on a print job that requires authentication for printing.

  Conventionally, there has been a secure print technique as means for avoiding the possibility of being viewed by others when outputting a printed matter. The secure print technology temporarily stores print data to which information about a user is added in a memory in the printing apparatus, and the user information input by an input device such as an operation panel provided in the printing apparatus, and the memory The user information stored in the memory is collated, and only when they match, printing based on the print data stored in the memory is performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Here, as information about the user, for example, there is much information based on password authentication such as a user ID.

On the other hand, there is an interrupt printing technique as a means for performing print output with the highest priority. Interrupt print technology means that when the printing device receives print data for which interrupt printing is instructed, even if there is print data that is already being printed, this printing is temporarily interrupted, and Prioritize output processing (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-249848 JP-A-3-65721

  However, in the above-described secure print technology, for example, when print data instructed to interrupt printing is received, even if the print data instructed to secure print is being output, the output is stopped and an interrupt print instruction is issued. Prioritized print data output processing. For this reason, the owner of the print data including the temporarily interrupted secure print instruction has to wait in front of the apparatus until the output of the print data instructed to be interrupted is completed. This is not preferable in terms of confidentiality, which is also the purpose of secure print technology.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for performing secure printing while maintaining confidentiality even when an interrupt job is received during printing instructed by secure printing. And

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a printing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a storage unit that stores print jobs input from the outside in the order of input, and a print process stored in the storage unit is referred to in the input order, and an authentication process is required to perform printing based on the referred print job. A determination means for determining whether or not there is present; a first input means for prompting and accepting input of authentication data for the print job when the authentication process is required; and an authentication input by the first input means Printing means for performing printing based on a first type of print job that is permitted to be printed by data being authenticated or a second type of print job that does not require the authentication process for printing; A printing apparatus comprising:
While the printing unit is performing a printing operation based on a print job, whether or not an interrupt job for interrupting the printing operation and causing printing to be given priority over the printing job is input from the outside. A judging means for judging;
When the print job being printed by the printing unit is the first type print job and the interrupt job is input from the outside during the printing, the printing unit prints the print job being printed. Storage control means for storing the interrupt job in the next order of the print job being printed in the storage means so as to perform printing based on the interrupt job after completion of printing based on .

  In order to achieve the object of the present invention, for example, a control method for a printing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

That is, a storage unit that stores print jobs input from the outside in the order of input, and a print process stored in the storage unit is referred to in the input order, and an authentication process is required to perform printing based on the referred print job. A determination means for determining whether or not there is present; a first input means for prompting and accepting input of authentication data for the print job when the authentication process is required; and an authentication input by the first input means Printing means for performing printing based on a first type of print job that is permitted to be printed by data being authenticated or a second type of print job that does not require the authentication process for printing; A printing apparatus control method comprising:
While the printing unit is performing a printing operation based on a print job, whether or not an interrupt job for interrupting the printing operation and causing printing to be given priority over the printing job is input from the outside. A judging process for judging;
When the print job being printed by the printing unit is the first type print job and the interrupt job is input from the outside during the printing, the printing unit prints the print job being printed. A storage control step of storing the interrupt job in the next order of the print job being printed in the storage means so as to perform printing based on the interrupt job after completion of printing based on .

  With the configuration of the present invention, even if an interrupt job is received during printing for which secure printing is instructed, secure printing can be performed while maintaining confidentiality.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment and a data processing apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a data processing device as a computer such as a PC (personal computer) or WS (workstation), which generates text and image data and prints the data to be printed by the printing device 102. It converts to data (image information), adds various setting data to be described later to the converted print data, and supplies it to the printing apparatus 102.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a laser beam printer as a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Needless to say, the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to a laser beam printer, and may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer.

  The printing apparatus 102 includes a video controller 103, a panel unit 104, and a printer engine 105.

  The video controller 103 generates raster data for each page based on print data (for example, ESC code, page description language, etc.) supplied from the data processing apparatus 101, and sends it to the printer engine 105.

  The printer engine 105 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum based on the raster data supplied from the video controller 103, and records the image by transferring and fixing the latent image on a recording medium (electrophotographic method). To do.

  The panel unit 104 is used as a user interface. The user can instruct a desired operation by operating the panel unit 104. The panel unit 104 displays processing contents of the printer 102 and warning contents to the user.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the printing apparatus 102. In the figure, the configuration is a tandem color printer, but the configuration is not limited to this.

  In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a printer housing. Reference numeral 202 denotes an operation panel on which a switch for giving various instructions by the user, an LED display for displaying messages, printer settings, and the like, an LCD display, and the like are arranged. It is one mode. A board accommodating unit 203 accommodates a board 299 that constitutes an electronic circuit portion of the video controller 103 and the printer engine 105.

  A paper cassette 220 holds the paper (recording medium) S and has a mechanism for electrically detecting the paper size by a partition plate (not shown). Reference numeral 221 denotes a cassette clutch which takes out the uppermost sheet S of the paper S placed on the paper cassette 220 and feeds the taken paper S by a driving force transmitted from a driving means (not shown). It has a cam that conveys up to The cam rotates intermittently each time a sheet is fed, and feeds one sheet S corresponding to one rotation. Reference numeral 223 denotes a paper detection sensor that detects the amount of paper S held in each paper cassette 220.

  The paper feed roller 222 is a roller that conveys the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. Reference numeral 224 denotes a registration shutter that can stop paper feeding by pressing the paper S.

  230 is a manual feed tray, and 231 is a manual paper feed clutch. The manual paper feed clutch 231 is used for conveying the leading edge of the paper S to the manual paper feeding roller 232, and the manual paper feeding roller 232 is used for conveying the leading edge of the paper S to the registration shutter 224. The sheet S to be used for image formation is fed by selecting one of the sheet cassette 220 and the manual feed tray 230.

  The printer engine 105 disposed on the board 299 communicates with the video controller 103 disposed on the board (or may be on a different board) according to a predetermined communication protocol, According to the instruction, one of the paper feeding units is selected from the paper cassette 220 and the manual feed tray 230, and the paper S is conveyed from the corresponding paper feeding unit to the registration shutter 224 in accordance with the print start instruction. The printer engine 105 includes a sheet feeding unit, a mechanism relating to an electrophotographic process such as formation, transfer, and fixing of a latent image, a sheet discharge unit, and a control unit thereof.

  Reference numerals 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d are image forming units having photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d, a toner holding unit (not shown), and the like, and form toner images on the paper S by an electrophotographic process. On the other hand, 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d are laser scanner units that supply image information by a laser beam to the image forming unit.

  In the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a sheet conveying belt 250 that conveys the sheet S is flattened in a sheet conveying direction (from the bottom to the top in the figure) by a plurality of rotating rollers 251 to 254. In the most upstream area, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the sheet conveying belt 250 by the attracting roller 225 to which a bias is applied. Further, four photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d are arranged in a straight line so as to face the belt conveyance surface, and constitute an image forming unit. In each of the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d, a charger and a developing device are disposed so as to sequentially surround the vicinity of the periphery of the photosensitive drum.

  In the laser scanner units 206a, 206b, 206c, and 206d, reference numerals 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are laser units that drive a built-in semiconductor laser in accordance with an image signal (/ VIDEO signal) sent from the video controller 103. And fire a laser beam. Laser beams emitted from the laser units 207a, 207b, 207c, and 207d are scanned by polygon mirrors (rotating polygon mirrors) 208a, 208b, 208c, and 208d to form latent images on the photosensitive drums 205a, 205b, 205c, and 205d. To do.

  A fixing unit 260 heat-fixes the toner image formed on the paper S by the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d on the recording paper S. Reference numeral 261 denotes a conveyance roller that discharges and conveys the paper S. A paper discharge sensor 262 detects a paper discharge state of the paper S. Reference numeral 263 denotes a paper discharge roller / double-sided printing transport path switching roller that transports the paper S in the paper discharge direction. If the transport instruction of the paper S is a paper discharge, the paper S is discharged to the paper discharge tray 264 as it is. In the case of double-sided conveyance, immediately after the trailing edge of the paper S passes the paper discharge sensor 262, the rotation direction is changed to the reverse direction, and the paper S is conveyed to the double-sided printing conveyance path 270 by switching back. Reference numeral 265 denotes a discharge stack amount detection sensor that detects the stack amount of the sheets S stacked on the discharge tray 264.

  Reference numeral 270 denotes a duplex printing conveyance path. The sheet S conveyed for duplex printing by the paper discharge roller / double-sided printing conveyance path switching roller 263 is conveyed again to the registration shutter 224 by the duplex conveyance rollers 271 to 274. It waits for a conveyance instruction to the image forming units 204a, 204b, 204c, and 204d.

  The printing apparatus 102 can be further equipped with optional units such as an optional cassette and an envelope feeder.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a video interface for connecting the video controller 103 and the printer engine 105 and a functional configuration of the printer engine 105.

  In the figure, a video controller 103 manages communication with a plurality of data processing apparatuses 101 (including reception of image information), generation (development) of raster data based on received image information, and control of the printer engine 105.

  The engine control unit 150 controls the units 151 to 158 in the printer engine 105 based on a control signal supplied from the video controller 103.

  The outline of the units 151 to 158 will be described. Reference numeral 151 denotes a paper size detection unit that detects the size of the paper placed in the paper cassette 220 and other optional cassettes (not shown) and notifies the engine control unit 150 of the size. A paper feed port detection unit 152 detects the presence or absence of paper feed ports of the paper cassette 220, the manual feed tray 231, the option cassette (not shown), and the envelope feeder (not shown) and notifies the engine control unit 150 of the presence or absence. , 153 is an option investigation unit for confirming the connection status of options such as an option cassette and an envelope feeder, 154 is a conveyance control unit for controlling the conveyance of paper, and 155 is a polygon mirror 208a, 208b, 208c, Optical system such as 208d drive motor and laser units 207a, 207b, 207c, 207d An optical system control unit 156 is a fixing temperature control unit 156 that performs not only temperature control of the fixing device 260 but also abnormality detection in the fixing device 260, and 157 controls options such as an option cassette and an envelope feeder. An option control unit 158 is a sensor for detecting environmental changes (status changes) such as the presence / absence of paper in the conveyance path such as registration, paper discharge, double-sided, and reversal, the outside air temperature, the number of printed pages, and the remaining amount of toner. Part.

  Next, an outline of signals constituting a video interface connecting the video controller 103 and the engine control unit 150 will be described.

  Reference numeral 170 denotes a / CPRDY signal indicating that the video controller 103 is communicable with the engine controller 150, and reference numeral 171 denotes a / PPRDY signal indicating that the engine controller 150 is communicable with the video controller 103. , 172 indicates a / RDY signal indicating that the engine control unit 150 is ready to print, 173 indicates a / PRNT signal for the video controller 103 to issue a print request to the engine control unit 150, and 174 indicates engine control. The / TOP signal as a vertical synchronization signal output from the unit 150 to the video controller 103, 176 is a / BD signal as a horizontal synchronization signal output from the engine control unit 150 to the video controller 103, and 178 is for serial communication. / SCLK signal as a synchronous clock signal of 79 is a / CMD signal as a command signal for the video controller 103 to transmit a command to the engine control unit 150, 180 is a / CBSY signal as a strobe signal for transmitting the command, and 181 is a video controller. A / STS signal for returning a response (including the internal status of the printer engine 105) to the command transmitted from the terminal 103, 182 is a / SBSY signal as a strobe signal for returning a response such as a status, and 183 is This is a / VIDEO signal as raster data.

  177 is a status in which the status of the printer engine 105 is not directly related to the / RDY signal, that is, a status change that is not directly related to whether or not printing is possible (for example, the temperature, the number of printed pages, the remaining amount of toner, etc. are reference values) / CCRT (Condition Change Report) signal that becomes “TRUE”.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of the video controller 103.

  In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a panel interface unit that performs data communication with the panel unit 104. The CPU 309 can confirm “contents set / instructed by the user in the panel unit 104” input via the panel interface unit 301.

  Reference numeral 302 denotes a host interface unit for two-way communication connection with the data processing apparatus 101 via a network.

  An intermediate data creation unit 303 performs processing for converting print data received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the host I / F 302 into intermediate data having a data format that is easy to handle inside the printing apparatus 102.

  A ROM 304 stores programs and data for causing the CPU 309 to execute each process described below, and programs and data for causing the CPU 309 to control the entire printing apparatus 102.

  A RAM 305 is an area for temporarily holding various data received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the host I / F 302, and an area for holding intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 303. , And an area for holding bitmap data as a result of rendering by the CPU 309 based on the intermediate data. Further, it is also used for temporarily storing data for other purposes, and further includes a work area used when the CPU 309 executes each process. Also, an area for storing various setting data input via the panel I / F unit 301 is provided.

  Reference numeral 306 denotes an engine I / F unit for communication connection with the printer engine 105. The CPU 309 controls the signals 170, 173, 175, 178, 179 and 180 via the engine interface unit 306, and the signals 171, 172, 174, 176, 176, 177, 181 and 182, that is, the printer engine. 105 states can be recognized.

  A DMA control unit 308 transfers bitmap data in the RAM 305 to the engine I / F unit 306 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 309.

  Reference numeral 309 denotes a CPU that controls each unit of the printing apparatus 102 using programs and data stored in the ROM 304 and executes each process described below.

  Reference numeral 310 denotes an EEPROM composed of a non-volatile memory for holding control information such as a density correction table.

  Reference numeral 311 denotes a bus connecting the above-described units, and the above-described units can communicate data with each other via this bus.

  Next, when print data is input to the printing apparatus 102 having the above-described configuration, processing when printing is performed based on the print data will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of print processing according to the present embodiment performed by the printing apparatus 102. Note that the program according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 is stored in the ROM 304, and is read out to the RAM 305 as necessary, and the control unit such as the CPU 309 and other units execute the program to thereby relate to the present embodiment. The printing apparatus executes a printing process described below.

  First, the CPU 309 of the printing apparatus stores a print job received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the host I / F 302 in a predetermined area in the RAM 305 (step S501). In this print job, in addition to the print data, authentication data to be input on the printing apparatus 102 side before printing in order to cause the printing apparatus 102 to perform printing according to the print data, and the print job Data indicating the print mode is included.

  The print mode is set on the data processing apparatus 101 before the print instruction. In this embodiment, the print mode is set to “normal print mode”, “secure print mode”, “save mode”, “ The “interrupt mode” is four.

  The “normal printing mode” is a mode for performing normal printing processing, and is an operation mode for causing the printing apparatus 102 to perform the same processing as general printing processing.

  The “secure print mode” refers to a print job input to the printing apparatus 102 (only a print job output from the data processing apparatus 101 if the printing apparatus has only a printer function, but the printing apparatus has a copy function. Authentication data such as password information, IC card information, fingerprint information, etc., when printing is performed by the printing apparatus 102. When this mode is set and printing is performed (when a print job is submitted to the printing apparatus 102), authentication data is input as a pre-procedure for printing on the printing apparatus 102. It is obliged to do. That is, this print mode corresponds to an operation mode that requires authentication processing in the printing apparatus 102 when performing print processing.

  In the “save mode”, a print job (including a print job output from the data processing apparatus 101 and / or a print job output from the scanner unit) to be input to the printing apparatus 102 is displayed on the printing apparatus 102. Instead of printing immediately, it is held (held) in an appropriate storage unit (for example, RAM 305 or hard disk) that can be controlled by a control unit such as the CPU 309 of the printing apparatus 102, and later the panel of the printing apparatus 102 In this mode, printing is started only when a print request instruction is input from the user via the unit 104.

  The “interrupt mode” refers to a print job (including a print job output from the data processing apparatus 101 and / or a print job output from the scanner unit) currently being printed. This is a mode for interrupting any print job (in other words, any print mode print job is printed) and preferentially printing the print job.

  Therefore, when a print instruction is input on the data processing apparatus 101 side, the print data is created as described above, and the authentication data and data indicating the print mode are added to the print data and transmitted to the print apparatus 102 as a print job. The

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of data indicating a print mode when the print mode is a secure job as data indicating the print mode added to the print job data.

  The print job data is an example composed of general job language (JL) data and page description language (PDL) data. By setting SECRETPRINT as JOBMODE in the fourth line, secure job data It is set to be.

  Next, the print mode data included in the print job is analyzed to determine which of the above four print modes the print job is (step S502). If it is determined from the analysis result in step S502 that this print job is to be printed in the “normal print mode” or “save mode” (step S503), the process proceeds to step S504. The print job data is registered at the end of the print queue managed in the RAM 305 (step S504).

  On the other hand, if it is determined by the analysis process in step S502 that the print mode of the received print job is the secure print mode, the process proceeds from step S503 to step S505, and the print job data is managed in the RAM 305. Is registered at the head of the print queue (step S505).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S502 that the print mode of the received print job is the interrupt mode, the process proceeds from step S503 to step S506, and whether or not the current state of the printer engine 105 is “printing”. Is checked (step S506). This check is made by receiving a status indicating whether printing is in progress or not by referring to this signal from the printer engine 105.

  If printing is in progress, the process advances to step S507 to refer to the print job data registered at the head of the print queue managed in the RAM 305, and whether the referenced print job is a secure job. It is determined whether or not (step S507). In other words, it is checked whether the print mode included in the referred print job is the secure print mode. In other words, this is a check as to whether or not the currently printed print job is a secure job.

  If it is determined in step S507 that the secure job is being printed, that is, if the print job registered at the top of the print queue is a secure job, the process proceeds to step S508, and the interrupt mode job (hereinafter referred to as the interrupt mode job). The interrupt job is registered at the next registration position of the secure job being printed (step S508) so that the interrupt job is printed next to the currently printing job (secure job).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S507 that a job other than a secure job is being printed, that is, if the print job registered at the top of the print queue is a job other than a secure job, the process proceeds to step S509. Then, the printer engine 105 is controlled to stop printing for the job currently being printed (that is, the print job registered at the head of the print queue). Then, an interrupt job is registered before (i.e., the head of) the print job whose printing has been stopped (step S510). Thus, the interrupt job can perform printing by interrupting the current printing.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that printing is not in progress, the process proceeds to step S510, and the above process is performed.

  Through the above processing, the received print job can be registered in the print queue in the registration order corresponding to the print mode. As a result, an interrupt job can be registered in the print queue so that it can be printed in preference to any other print job, but the current print job is a secure job. In order to maintain the confidentiality of secure print and maintain the speed of printing for the interrupt job, this interrupt job is set to secure job so that the interrupt job is printed after the secure job is printed. Register at the next registration position.

  Next, the CPU 309 refers to the print mode data included in the print job registered at the head of the print queue (step S511), and determines the print mode of this print job (step S512).

  As a result, if the print mode of this print job is the normal print mode or the interrupt mode, the process proceeds to step S513, and the print job registered at the head of the print queue (the print mode referred to in step S511). A print thread for causing the printer engine 105 to print (a print job including the data) is operated (step S513).

  This print thread is a processing system independent of this flowchart and is performed in parallel with the processing according to this flowchart. In step S513, an instruction to start the operation of the print thread is given. Then, the print thread performs a printing process by the printer engine 105 in parallel with the process according to the flowchart. In this printing process, the intermediate data generation unit 303 converts the print data into intermediate data, and sends this intermediate data to the printer engine 105.

  On the other hand, if the print mode of the print job is the secure print mode in step S512, the process proceeds to step S514, and a GUI (operation screen) for inputting authentication data by the user on the display screen of the panel unit 104 is displayed. It is displayed (step S514). If the same authentication data as the authentication data included in the print job is input on this operation screen, the CPU 309 permits the start of printing of the secure job. On the other hand, if the authentication data different from the authentication data included in the print job is input, the CPU 309 does not permit the start of printing of the secure job.

  For this purpose, in step S514, a user input of authentication data to be input using the panel unit 104 is waited.

  In this embodiment, a password is used as an example of authentication data. However, as described above, depending on the authentication data input interface, biometric information such as voice or fingerprint may be used.

  If the CPU 309 confirms that the input password matches the password included in the secure job (step S515), the process proceeds to step S516, and at the top of the print queue in the same manner as step S513. A print thread for causing the printer engine 105 to print the registered print job (this secure job) is operated (step S516).

  On the other hand, if the print mode of the print job is the save mode in step S512, the process proceeds to step S517, and whether or not a print instruction is input by the user using the panel unit 104 is determined in the panel unit 104. A determination is made based on detection information such as a touch sensor that detects key operations by various users (step S517). If the CPU 309 detects that a print instruction has been input, the CPU 309 permits the print start of the print job in the save mode (hereinafter referred to as “store job”), advances the process to step S518, and performs the same process as step S513. Then, the print thread for causing the printer engine 105 to print the print job registered at the head of the print queue (the print job in the storage mode) is operated (step S518).

  Then, the process returns to step S501, and the subsequent processes are repeated. The above processing is continued as long as a print job is received.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating registration of an interrupt job in the print queue when the print job being printed is not a secure job.

  In the figure, as shown in the upper row, print jobs (job 1, job 2, job 3) are registered in this order in the print queue (job queue). The head is job 1, and printing according to job 1 is currently being performed by the printer engine 105. Both jobs 2 and 3 are waiting for print output (they are themselves at the head of the print queue). The printer is ready for printing at any time. In addition, as described above, these print jobs (job 1, job 2, job 3) are not secure jobs, but are print jobs in the normal print mode.

  When job A as an interrupt job is input to the print queue in this state, first, the printer engine 105 is controlled to stop printing according to job 1 as shown in the middle row, and further, job 2 and job 3 The output waiting state is temporarily stopped. Then, job A as an interrupt job is registered at the head of the print queue. Then, the CPU 309 resumes the printing process. After the restart, the print job registered at the head of the print queue is printed. That is, here, since printing is performed according to job A as an interrupt job, the data of job A is read and sent to the printer engine 105.

  Next, as shown in the lower row, since printing according to job A is started, job A is in the middle of print output, and other print jobs, job 1, job 2, and job 3, are waiting for print output. It becomes.

  As described above, when there is no secure job in the print queue, when job A is input as an interrupt job, the print job currently being printed is stopped and any print job is preceded. Priority can be printed.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining registration of an interrupt job in the print queue when the print job being printed is a secure job.

  In the figure, as shown in the upper row, print jobs (job 1, job 2, job 3) are registered in this order in the print queue. The head is job 1 and is a secure job. Currently, printing according to job 1 is being performed by the printer engine 105, and both job 2 and job 3 are in a print output waiting state. Jobs 2 and 3 are neither secure jobs.

  When job A as an interrupt job is input to the print queue in this state, the job according to job A as the interrupt job is printed after the secure job currently being printed as shown in the middle row. 1 is registered at the next registration position. Further, the output waiting state of job 2 and job 3 is temporarily stopped.

  Next, as shown in the lower part, each of the jobs 2 and 3 is in a print output waiting state.

  When printing according to job 1 is completed, the top of the print queue is job A as an interrupt job. Therefore, after the secure job, any print job is prioritized according to job A. Printing can be performed.

  As described above, when there is a secure job in the print queue, the end of printing in accordance with the secure job is waited, so that the confidentiality of secure job printing can be maintained. In addition, since job A is registered at the registration position next to the secure job, when printing according to the secure job is completed, printing according to job A is performed with priority over any of the next print jobs. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the speed of printing for job A as an interrupt job.

[Second Embodiment]
In step S501, all print jobs transmitted from the data processing apparatus 101 are stored. Next, a screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display screen of the panel unit 104, and a plurality of print jobs to be printed are displayed. You may make it select.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a list display example of a print job list displayed on the display screen of the panel unit 104 under the control of the CPU 309.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1100 denotes an area for displaying a print job list. As shown in the figure, the area 1100 includes information (“reception date”, “user”, and information on each print job registered in the print queue. Name ”and“ Document name ”) can be displayed.

  If information about all print jobs cannot be displayed in the area 1100, the list displayed in the area 1100 can be scrolled up and down in order to display an undisplayed portion. Button images 1101 and 1102 are provided on the same screen.

  A button image 1101 is used to scroll the list displayed in the area 1100 upward, and a button image 1102 is used to scroll the list displayed in the area 1100 downward. In the area 1100, each piece of information included in the print job is displayed in the order registered in the print queue (the order received by the printing apparatus). In the example of FIG. 5, the reception date and time, the name of the user who sent the print job, and the file name of the print data included in the print job are displayed. However, the information to be displayed is not limited to this.

  In the present embodiment, a timer (not shown) is provided in the CPU 309 and measures the date and time, so when the printing apparatus 102 receives a print job, the received date and time is counted by this timer. Accordingly, the reception date and time of each print job timed is displayed on the display screen 1100.

  Similarly, the user name and sentence name displayed are included when creating a print job on the data processing apparatus 101 side. As described above, the print job is configured to be able to be transmitted and displayed by including information related to the transmission source device and the user.

  Then, the job list displayed in the area 1100 on the display screen is viewed by the user, and a print job desired to be printed from now on can be instructed by using a button group included in the panel unit 104. If the panel unit 104 is of a touch panel type, the panel unit 104 corresponds to this touch panel. In this case, the user can submit a print job to be printed on the display screen 110 with his / her finger or pointing tool. When a touch sensor (not shown) senses pressing information on the touch panel key and transmits the detected information to the CPU 309, the CPU 309 confirms which job the user has selected.

  In step S502, the print modes of the selected print jobs are analyzed.

  In step S503 and subsequent steps, when a print job to be printed is selected on the display screen described above, a plurality of selected print jobs are registered in the print queue. As described above, it is determined according to the print mode of the selected print job.

  Then, printing is performed in the order of registration, but when an interrupt job is input to the printing apparatus 102, in the print queue at that time, as described in the first embodiment, waiting for the interrupt job to be printed. Registration to the matrix may be performed.

1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a printing system including a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a data processing apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing apparatus 102. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a video interface for connecting a video controller 103 and a printer engine 105 and a functional configuration of the printer engine 105. 2 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a video controller 103. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a printing process performed by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data indicating a print mode when the print mode is a secure job as data indicating a print mode added to the print job data. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating registration of an interrupt job in a print queue when a print job being printed is not a secure job. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating registration of an interrupt job in a print queue when a print job that is being printed is a secure job. 6 is a diagram illustrating a list display example of a print job list displayed on the display screen of the panel unit 104 under the control of a CPU 309. FIG.

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing externally input print jobs in the order of input, and whether print processing stored in the storage means is referred to in the input order, and authentication processing is required to perform printing based on the referenced print job Determining means for determining whether or not authentication processing is required; first input means for prompting and accepting input of authentication data for the print job; and authentication data input by the first input means. A printing unit that performs printing based on a first type of print job that is permitted to be printed by being authenticated, or a second type of print job that does not require the authentication process for printing. A device,
While the printing unit is performing a printing operation based on a print job, whether or not an interrupt job for interrupting the printing operation and causing printing to be given priority over the printing job is input from the outside. A judging means for judging;
When the print job being printed by the printing unit is the first type print job and the interrupt job is input from the outside during the printing, the printing unit prints the print job being printed. Storage control means for storing the interrupt job in the next order of the print job being printed in the storage means so as to perform printing based on the interrupt job after completion of printing based on Printing device.   When the print job being printed by the printing means is the second type print job, the storage control means controls the printing means to interrupt printing based on the print job being printed, and 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores the printing based on the interrupt job in an order before the print job being printed in the storage unit so that the printing is performed first after the interruption. 3. . The storage control means further includes
When the interrupting job is input from the outside when the printing unit is not printing, the printing unit stores in the head order in the storage unit so that printing based on the interrupt job is performed with priority. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: Storage means for storing externally input print jobs in the order of input, and whether print processing stored in the storage means is referred to in the input order, and authentication processing is required to perform printing based on the referenced print job Determining means for determining whether or not authentication processing is required; first input means for prompting and accepting input of authentication data for the print job; and authentication data input by the first input means. A printing unit that performs printing based on a first type of print job that is permitted to be printed by being authenticated, or a second type of print job that does not require the authentication process for printing. An apparatus control method comprising:
While the printing unit is performing a printing operation based on a print job, whether or not an interrupt job for interrupting the printing operation and causing printing to be given priority over the printing job is input from the outside. A judging process for judging;
When the print job being printed by the printing unit is the first type print job and the interrupt job is input from the outside during the printing, the printing unit prints the print job being printed. A storage control step of storing the interrupt job in the next order of the print job being printed in the storage means so as to perform printing based on the interrupt job after completion of printing based on Control method of printing apparatus.

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