JP2008110576A - Printer, its printing execution method, and printing execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the automatic processing of determining whether the processing of a job halfway through printing is stopped on the basis of the order of the priority of the job halfway through the printing and a stand-by job, or the processing of the following job is stopped without the stop of the present printing processing, depending on the order of the priority of the job. <P>SOLUTION: When an interrupt printing job is input, a suspension command for an interrupt is executed, and the printing processing of the job midway through the printing is suspended. When the priority printing job is input, a suspension command for priority is executed, and the printing processing is interrupted at the completion of the printing of the job midway through the printing. In the case where the interrupt printing job is input when the job halfway through the printing is the priority job, the suspension command for priority is executed, and the printing processing is interrupted at the completion of the printing of the job halfway through the printing. As above, a printing system enables a user to arbitrarily set the job for being preferentially printed, depending on the degree of the urgency of the job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing execution method thereof, and a printing execution program, and more particularly to a print job processing method capable of setting a priority order when executing printing.

  Conventionally, a third party (customer, client) receives an order to create a printed matter (magazine, newspaper, catalog, advertisement, gravure, etc.), creates the desired printed matter for the client, and delivers it to the client In the so-called commercial printing industry that receives a reward from a client, a large-scale printing apparatus such as an offset plate-making printing machine is still in use today. In the printing industry, submission, design and layout, comp (presentation by printer output), proofreading (layout correction and color correction), proof printing (proof print), block printing, printing, post-processing, shipping, etc. We have been working through various processes. This is because it is indispensable to create a block for the use of a printing press as described above. Once a block is created, it is not easy to modify the block and it is very disadvantageous in terms of cost. That is, this is because the layout check and the color confirmation work are essential. As described above, in this type of industry, a large-scale apparatus is required, and a certain amount of time is required for a client to create a desired printed matter. Moreover, each of these operations requires specialized knowledge, so to speak, it requires the know-how of a skilled worker called a craftsman.

  On the other hand, recently, printing on demand (hereinafter, referred to as POD) is opposed to the printing industry as described above, as the speed of electrophotographic and inkjet printing apparatuses increases and the image quality increases. ) Is emerging. POD aims to be able to handle jobs in relatively small lots compared to jobs handled by printing devices with a short delivery time without using large-scale devices or systems. For example, digital printing using electronic data is realized by making maximum use of a digital image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine or a digital multifunction machine. In such a POD market, digitization is more integrated than in the conventional printing industry, and management and control using a computer have permeated. The computer is used to approach the level of the printing industry to some extent. Against this background, the POD market includes PFP (Print For Pay), which is called a printing service of a copy / print shop printing company, and CRD (Centralized Reproduction Division), which is called an in-house printing service. Exists.

As a conventional example, for example, when a stop key is pressed, a job type to be canceled / a job to be paused / a type of job to continue printing processing is registered in advance, and a job that has been paused when the stop key is pressed is registered. A list is displayed, and a job to be canceled can be selected from the list (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2000-76083 A

  Advantages of the PFP and CRD include a short delivery time in addition to being inexpensive for offset printing. Therefore, in the POD market, how to increase the printing productivity by reducing the downtime of the printing apparatus is a problem.

  In the POD market, an operator mainly processes (prints) a job submitted by a customer. In such an environment, if an urgent job comes in, interrupts the currently printing job and wants to print the urgent job (interrupt printing), or does not want to interrupt the current job, In some cases, priority is given to printing after a job (priority printing). Furthermore, if finishing is set for a job that is currently being printed and printing can only be interrupted at a well-separated place, or if the job that is currently printing is a priority print job, interrupt printing was executed. In this case, it is necessary to control the print order of the job according to the user's request, for example, to print next to the current job without interrupting the current job.

  However, if there are multiple interrupt submissions, whether the job currently being printed or the job submitted by the interrupt has priority, whether the current job is interrupted, interrupted, In particular, when a plurality of jobs are in a waiting state, such as whether printing is executed next to a job (before a waiting job), the operation of the print priority order of the jobs is complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to stop processing of a job that is currently printing based on the priority of a job that is currently being printed or waiting, or to process a subsequent job without stopping the current printing process. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing execution method, and a program for executing printing, which can automatically process whether to stop according to the priority order of jobs.

  In order to achieve the above object, the printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein input means for inputting print data from an external apparatus, priority setting means for setting priority of the print data, and according to the priority A print order control means for controlling the order of print execution processing; a print processing means for analyzing print data input to the input means and executing print processing based on control by the print order control means; and A stop instructing unit for issuing an instruction for stopping the print execution process, a stop unit for stopping the print execution process in response to an instruction from the stop instruction unit, and a restart unit for restarting the print process stopped by the stop unit. When the print stop request is received from the stop instruction means, the print execution process for the print data currently being printed is performed according to the priority of the print data currently being executed. A printing apparatus that controls whether to stop the print execution process of the print data currently being printed without stopping the print execution process of the print data currently being printed, and to stop the print execution process of the subsequent print data by the stop means .

  The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stop position setting unit for arbitrarily setting a stop position when the stop unit stops the print execution process based on an instruction from the stop instruction unit. A printing apparatus comprising:

  The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restart condition setting unit that sets a condition for restarting the print execution process stopped by the stop unit. The printing apparatus as described.

  2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a job status is transmitted to the transmission source of the print data when the print execution process is stopped by the stop unit and when the print execution process is restarted by the restart unit. A printing apparatus comprising job status notification means for notifying a user.

  It is possible to arbitrarily change the order of print processing according to the urgency level of the job that the user wants to print.

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

  The configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described using the detailed block diagram of the MFP in FIG.

  The MFP includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of job data in its own apparatus, and a copy function that allows a printer unit to print job data output from the scanner via the memory, a computer The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions such as a print function that enables job data output from an external device such as the print unit to be printed via the memory.

  MFPs include full-color devices and monochrome devices, and full-color devices mainly include the configuration of monochrome devices in the basic part except for color processing and internal data. A description of the monochrome device will be added as needed.

  Further, regarding the configuration of this system, as described above, there is a single function peripheral such as a single function type image forming apparatus having a multi-function type image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and having only a print function. : A single-function peripheral device), or a configuration having only one type of image forming apparatus. In addition, any type of image forming apparatus may be provided. In any case, any configuration capable of realizing the control of the present embodiment may be used.

  As shown in the detailed block diagram of the MFP in FIG. 1, an input image processing unit 101 that reads an image such as a paper document and processes the read image data, and an image using a telephone line typified by a facsimile or the like. A FAX unit 102 that performs transmission / reception, a NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 103 that exchanges image data and device information using a network, a dedicated interface unit 104 that exchanges information such as image data with an external device, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) A USB device typified by a memory (a kind of removable media) and a USB interface (USB I / F) unit 105 for transmitting and receiving image data and the like are provided.

  The MFP control unit 106 plays a role of traffic control such as temporarily storing image data or determining a route according to the use of the MFP.

  Next, the document management unit 111 includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of image data. For example, a control unit (for example, a CPU of the MFP control unit 106) included in the image forming apparatus is mainly used. Image data from the input image processing unit 101, image data of a facsimile job input via the FAX unit 102, image data from an external device such as a computer input via the NIC unit 103, and dedicated I The image data stored in the hard disk is controlled by controlling a plurality of types of image data such as various image data input via the / F unit 104 or the USB I / F unit 105 to be stored in the hard disk. Read out as appropriate, transfer it to the output unit such as the printer unit 113, and control the printer unit 113 to execute output processing such as print processing. That. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the operator, the image data read from the hard disk is controlled so as to be transferred to an external device such as a computer or another image forming apparatus.

  When storing the image data in the document management unit 111, the image data is compressed and stored as necessary, or conversely, when the stored image data is read out, it is decompressed to the original image data. For example, the processing such as returning is performed via the compression / decompression unit 110. In addition, it is generally known that compressed data such as JPEG, JBIG, and ZIP is used when data passes through a network. After the data enters the MFP, the data is decompressed (decompressed) by the compression / decompression unit 110. Is done.

  The resource management unit 112 stores various parameter tables that are commonly handled, such as fonts, color profiles, and gamma tables. The resource management unit 112 can be called as needed, and stores or modifies new parameter tables. Can be updated.

  Next, when PDL data is input, the MFP control unit 106 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing in the RIP unit 108 or outputs an image processing unit 109 for an image to be printed as necessary. To perform image processing for printing. Further, intermediate data or print ready data (bitmap data for printing or data obtained by compressing it) can be stored again by the document management unit 111 as necessary.

  Then, it is sent to the printer unit 113 that performs image formation. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 113 is sent to the post-processing unit 114, where sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing are performed.

  Here, the MFP control unit 106 plays a role of smoothly flowing jobs, and path switching is performed as follows according to how the MFP is used. However, although it is generally known that image data is stored as intermediate data as necessary, access other than the document management unit 111 serving as a start point and an end point is not described here. In addition, processing such as the compression / decompression unit 110 and the post-processing unit 114 used as necessary or the MFP control unit 106 serving as the entire core is omitted, and is described so that an approximate flow can be understood.

Copy function: input image processing unit → output image processing unit → printer unit FAX transmission function: input image processing unit → FAX unit FAX reception function: FAX unit → output image processing unit → printer unit Network scan: input image processing unit → NIC unit Network printing: NIC unit → RIP unit → output image processing unit → printer unit Scan to external device: input image processing unit → dedicated I / F unit Printing from external device: dedicated I / F unit → output image processing unit → printer Scan to external memory: Input image processing unit → USB I / F unit Printing from external memory: USB I / F unit → RIP unit → Output image processing unit → Printer unit Box scan function: Input image processing unit → Output image Processing unit → Document management unit Box print function: Document management unit → Printer unit Box reception function: NIC unit → RIP unit → Output image Processing unit-> Document management unit Box transmission function: Document management unit-> NIC unit Preview function: Document management unit-> Operation unit In addition to the above, combinations with various functions such as E-mail service and Web server function are considered. I'm omitted here.

  The box scan, box print, box reception, or box transmission is a processing function of the MFP that involves writing and reading of data using the document management unit 111. This function divides the memory and temporarily stores data, and inputs and outputs data by combining user IDs and passwords. Further, the operation unit 107 is for selecting the above-described various flows and functions and instructing operations. However, as the resolution of the display device of the operation unit 107 increases, the image in the document management unit 111 is displayed. Data can be previewed and printed after confirmation if it is OK.

  Next, the MFP controller 106 will be described with reference to the block diagram of the MFP controller in FIG.

  The figure is roughly divided into four parts. That is, an input device management unit 201 that manages input devices, an input job control unit 202 that interprets input jobs, an output job control unit 203 that arranges job setting information, and an output device management unit 204 that allocates output devices It is.

  The input device management unit 201 plays a role of organizing input signals from each input unit in the block diagram of the MFP and determining a switching order. Here, there is an input device control unit, and input signals sent via each interface include not only signals input from outside the MFP, such as scanned image signals of paper originals and PDL data from the network. Also included are signals processed inside the MFP such as reprinting of image data stored in the document management unit 111 and cooperation with the RIP unit 108 and the output image processing unit 109.

  Next, the input job control unit 202 includes a protocol interpretation unit and a job generation unit. A series of operation requests sent from the input device control unit is received by command signals called commands (protocols), and the protocol interpretation unit interprets the outline of the operation requests and converts them into operation procedures that can be understood inside the MFP. Is done. On the other hand, the job generation unit generates various jobs such as a print job, a scan job, a PDL development job, and a fax reception job. The generated job is defined in each scenario such as what kind of processing is performed inside the MFP and where the job is sent, and flows inside the MFP according to the scenario.

  In the output job control unit 203, job setting information (commonly called a job ticket) and image information are created in the job analysis unit, binder analysis unit, document analysis unit, and page analysis unit. The job analysis unit analyzes the details of setting information related to the entire job such as the name of the document to be printed, the number of copies to be printed, the designation of the output destination paper discharge tray, and the binder order of the job composed of a plurality of binders. The binder analysis unit analyzes details of setting information related to the entire binder, such as bookbinding method settings, staple positions, and document order of a binder composed of a plurality of documents. The document analysis unit analyzes the details of setting information related to the entire document, such as the page order of a document composed of a plurality of pages, designation of double-sided printing, and addition of a cover or slip sheet. The page analysis unit analyzes the details of the setting information regarding the entire setting page such as the image resolution and the image orientation (landscape / portrait), and when the PDL data is input, calls the RIP unit to perform rasterization. Apply processing. In generating image information, the RIP unit is called and page image information is generated by rasterization processing. The page image information is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 110 and then stored in the document management unit 111 in association with the setting information.

  The output device management unit 204 includes a device allocation unit and an output device control unit. The image information stored in the document management unit 111 is decompressed by the compression / decompression unit 110 and read together with the associated setting information, and the setting information and the image information are paired and sent to the output device unit. come. The device allocating unit plays a role of arbitrating device conflicts when a plurality of jobs proceed at the same time when allocating output devices based on the defined job scenarios. The output device control unit schedules which device to use, such as the printer unit 113 and the post-processing unit 114.

  Next, the configuration of a 4D color MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) will be described with reference to the MFP (4D color) cross-sectional view of FIG.

  The 4D color MFP includes a scanner unit, a laser exposure unit, a photosensitive drum, an image forming unit, a fixing unit, a paper feeding / conveying unit, and a printer control unit (not shown) that controls these units.

  The scanner unit is a step of creating image data by optically reading a document image by illuminating a document placed on a document table and converting the image into an electrical signal.

  The laser exposure unit causes a light beam such as a laser beam modulated according to the image data to enter a rotating polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at an equal angular velocity, and irradiates the photosensitive drum as reflected scanning light.

  The image forming unit rotates the photosensitive drum, charges it with a charger, develops the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser exposure unit with toner, transfers the toner image to a sheet, This is realized by having four series of developing units (developing stations) for a series of electrophotographic processes in which minute toner remaining on the photosensitive drum without being transferred is collected. Four series of development units arranged in the order of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) can produce magenta, yellow, and black after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of cyan station image formation. Image operations are executed sequentially. By this timing control, a full color toner image without color misregistration is transferred onto the sheet.

  The fixing unit is configured by a combination of a roller and a belt, and includes a heat source such as a halogen heater, and melts and fixes the toner on the sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the image forming unit by heat and pressure.

  The sheet feeding / conveying unit has one or more sheet storages represented by sheet cassettes and paper decks, and selects one of a plurality of sheets stored in the sheet storage in response to an instruction from the printer control unit. Sheets are separated and conveyed to the image forming unit and fixing unit. The sheet is conveyed, and each color toner image is transferred by the above-described developing station, and finally a full-color toner image is formed on the sheet. Further, when forming an image on both sides of the sheet, control is performed so that the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit passes through a conveyance path for conveying the sheet to the image forming unit again.

  The printer control unit communicates with the MFP control unit that controls the entire MFP, executes control in accordance with the instruction, and also checks the status of each of the scanner, laser exposure, image forming, fixing, and paper feed / carrying units. While managing, give instructions to keep the whole in harmony and operate smoothly.

  The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit passes through the image reading sensor unit on the conveyance path, and the image data printed by the image reading sensor unit is read. The read image data is used for the density measurement of the output image and the inspection for checking whether the output image is normal.

  Next, the configuration of the RIP unit 108 will be described using the block diagram of the RIP unit in FIG.

  RIP (Raster Image Processor) reproduces vector information such as characters, line drawings and figures described in PDL (Page Description Language) or image scanning line information such as colors, patterns and photographs on the page at the same time. Therefore, it is a processor that develops each object information into a bitmap (raster image) on a memory. Originally, it was mounted on the output device side as hardware, but now it is realized by software by increasing the CPU speed.

  The RIP unit 108 generally includes two parts, an interpreter unit 401 and a rendering unit 402. The interpreter unit generates a PDL interpretation unit that translates PDL, and generates an intermediate file called a display list from the interpreted PDL data. And a DL (Display List) generator. On the other hand, the rendering unit includes a CMM (Color Matching Module) unit that performs color matching on the display list, and a DL development unit that develops the display list into a bitmap (raster image).

  The PDL interpretation unit is a part that analyzes various types of input PDL data. As an input format, the PostScript (registered trademark) language of Adobe or the PCL (Printer Control Language) of HP (Hewlett-Packard) is available. ) Language is famous. These are described as printer control codes for creating an image in units of pages, and include not only simple character codes but also graphic drawing codes and photographic image codes. A document display file format developed by Adobe called PDF (Portable Document Format) is also widely used in various industries, and this format directly thrown into the MFP without using a driver is also targeted. In addition, a format for VDP (Variable Data Print) called PPML (Personalized Print Markup Language), JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), and TIFF (Tagged Image Format) are also supported.

The CMM unit can input various image data such as grayscale, RGB, and CMYK. In the case of other color spaces, after being converted into CMYK space by CRD (Color Rendering Dictionary), Color matching is applied. In the CMM unit, color adjustment is performed based on the ICC profile. The ICC profile includes a source profile and a printer profile. The source profile converts RGB (or CMYK) data into a standardized L * a * b * space and converts this L ^* a ^* b ^* data again. Conversion to a CMYK space suitable for the target printer. At this time, the source profile is made up of an RGB profile and a CMYK profile. When the input image is an RGB image (Microsoft application software, JPEG, TIFF image, etc.), the RGB profile is selected and the CMYK image ( In the case of Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator partial data), the CMYK profile is selected. Next, the printer profile is created according to the color characteristics of each printer. In the case of RGB images, it is preferable to select Perceptual (color priority) or Saturation (brightness priority), and CMYK images. In this case, the optimal image is often output by selecting Colorimetric (minimum color difference). The ICC profile is generally created in a lookup table format. When RGB (or CMYK) data is input in the source profile, the ICC profile is uniquely converted to L ^* a ^* b ^* data, and conversely the printer profile. In this case, the L ^* a ^* b ^* data is converted into CMYK data that matches the printer. Note that RGB data that does not require color matching is converted to CMYK data by default color conversion and output, and is output as it is to CMYK data that does not require color matching.

  The image data expanded by the RIP unit 108 is held in the document management unit 111 via the compression / decompression unit 110.

  Next, the output image processing unit 109 will be described with reference to the block diagram of the output image processing unit (color system) in FIG.

  The image data input to the output image processing unit 109 (color system) is roughly divided into RGB data that handles output data from the input image processing unit 101 such as a copying operation, and output data from the RIP unit 108 such as a network printing operation. It is divided into CMYK system data that handles data.

  In the former case, it is input to the background removal unit, and in the latter case, it is input to the output gamma correction unit.

  First, the background removal unit performs non-linear conversion for removing the background part on the RGB image data read by the scanner based on the result of the BE sun printer unit 113.

  Next, the output direct mapping unit converts the RGB image data into CMYK image data. In the conversion, RGB values are input to a lookup table, and a C (Cyan) component is created from the sum of the output values. Similarly, each component of M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (breakK) is also formed by a lookup table and its addition operation. At this time, a three-dimensional lookup table is used based on the image area data detected by the input image processing unit 101, and different types of lookup tables are applied to the character area and the photograph area. .

  The output gamma correction unit corrects the density of the output image corresponding to the printer. Each CMYK uses a one-dimensional look-up table to maintain the linearity of output image data that differs for each image formation. Generally, the result of color calibration is reflected in this look-up table.

  The halftone processing unit can alternatively apply different types of screening according to the MFP function. In general, the copying operation uses an error diffusion screening that is less likely to cause moire, and the printing operation often uses a multi-value screen screening that uses a dither matrix in consideration of the reproducibility of characters and fine lines. . The former is a method in which the pixel of interest and its surrounding pixels are weighted with an error filter, and multilevel errors are distributed and corrected while maintaining the number of gradations. On the other hand, the latter is a method in which the threshold value of the dither matrix is set to multiple values, and a pseudo halftone is expressed, converted to CMYK independently, and reproduced by switching between a low line number and a high line number according to input image data. .

  Further, the smoothing processing unit is a method for reducing jaggies by detecting edge portions of each of CMYK by pattern matching and converting them into patterns that are reproduced more smoothly.

  Next, the operation unit will be described with reference to the schematic diagram of the operation unit in FIG.

  The figure shows the operation unit of the MFP, which consists of a key input unit and a touch panel unit. The details of each are shown in the schematic diagram of the key input unit in FIG. 7 and the schematic diagram of the touch panel unit in FIG. 8, and each detail will be described below.

  First, the schematic diagram of the key input unit is a key input part capable of performing routine operation settings.

  The operation unit power switch switches between standby mode (normal operation state) and sleep mode (the main controller is waiting for an interrupt in preparation for network printing, facsimile, etc., and the program is stopped to reduce power consumption) The main power switch for supplying power to the entire system can be controlled in the ON state.

  The power saving key is a key that can reduce the power consumption, although it takes time until the printer can be printed by lowering the control temperature of the fixing device in the standby mode. The control temperature can be lowered by setting the power saving rate.

  The start key is a key for instructing the start of copying or transmission, and the stop key is a key for interrupting it.

  The numeric keypad is a key for performing numerical settings of various settings, and the clear key is a key for canceling the numerical values. The ID key is a key for inputting a preset password in order to authenticate the operator of the MFP.

  The reset key is a key for invalidating various settings and returning to the default state. The help key is a key for displaying guidance and help, and the user mode key is a key for shifting to a system setting screen for each user.

  The counter confirmation key is a key for displaying the number of printed sheets stored in a soft counter that counts the number of printed sheets provided in the MFP. Depending on the operation mode such as copy / print / scan / fax, color mode such as color / black and white, paper size such as large / small, the number of output sheets can be displayed.

  The image contrast dial is a dial for adjusting the visibility of the screen by adjusting the backlight of the liquid crystal display of the touch panel unit.

  The execution / memory lamp blinks to notify you when a job is being executed or while accessing the memory. The error lamp indicates an error such as when a job cannot be executed, a serviceman call, or a jam or out of consumables. It is a lamp that flashes and notifies when an operator call is made.

  Next, [Schematic diagram of touch panel unit] is a schematic diagram showing a touch panel display composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a transparent electrode pasted thereon, and corresponds to a key displayed on the LCD. When the transparent electrode in this part is touched with a finger, it is detected in advance and another operation screen is displayed, for example. This figure is an initial screen in the standby mode, and various operation screens can be displayed according to the setting operation.

  The copy tab is a tab key for making a transition to an operation screen for copy operation, the transmission tab is a tab key for making a transition to an operation screen for instructing a send operation such as fax or e-mail transmission, and the box tab is , A tab key for switching to a screen for inputting / outputting a job in a box (storage means for storing a job for each user), and an option tab is a tab key for setting an extended function such as a scanner setting, The system monitor key is a key for displaying the state and status of the MFP. By selecting each tab, it is possible to transition to each operation mode.

  The color selection setting key is a key for selecting color copy, black-and-white copy, or automatic selection in advance. The magnification setting key is a key for shifting to a screen for setting magnification such as normal magnification, enlargement, reduction, etc. The processing setting key is a key for transitioning to a screen for setting the presence / absence, number, position, etc. of staples and punches, the duplex setting key is a key for transitioning to a screen for selecting single-sided printing or double-sided printing, and the paper size setting key is Key for transitioning to the screen for selecting the paper source, paper size, and media type, image mode setting key is a key for selecting an image mode suitable for the original image such as character mode and photo mode, and density setting key is output This key is used to make the image darker or lighter.

  Next, the status display unit is a display unit that performs simple status display such as standby state, warming up, jam, error, etc., and the magnification display unit displays the magnification set with the magnification setting key, and the paper The size display section displays the paper size and mode set with the paper size setting key, and the number display section displays the number of sheets specified with the numeric keypad and the number of sheets being printed during operation. Or In addition, the interrupt key is used to interrupt another job during the copying operation, and the application mode key is used for various image processing and layout such as page continuous shooting, cover / interleaf setting, reduced layout, image movement, etc. It is a key for transitioning to the screen for setting.

  Next, a status screen of a job being printed or waiting to be printed will be described. When the print tab on the touch panel shown in FIG. 8 is selected, the job status screen shown in FIG. 9A is displayed. On this job status screen, a list of jobs that are being printed or waiting to be printed is displayed, and the job name, user name, status, etc. are displayed for each job. Here, “print job 4.doc” in the job list is displayed in a state where the background color of the list is different from that of other jobs, indicating that the job is selected by the user. When the “priority print execution” button at the bottom center of the screen is pressed with respect to the selected job, this job is set as the next order of the job currently being printed as shown in FIG. 9B. When printing of “print job 1.doc” is completed, printing of “print job 4.doc” is started.

  Further, when the “interrupt print execution” button at the bottom center of the screen is pressed, as shown in FIG. 9C, printing of the currently printing job “print job 1.doc” is temporarily suspended. Printing of “print job 4.doc” is interrupted and started. When the printing of “print job 4.doc” is completed, the printing of “print job 1.doc” which has been temporarily suspended is resumed.

  Here, the internal control of the printing apparatus when performing job priority printing and job interrupt printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. For the job input to the output job control unit 203, job setting information is analyzed by the job analysis unit, and is sent to the RIP unit 108 through processing by the binder analysis unit, document analysis unit, and page analysis unit. The image data that has undergone the decompression process by the RIP unit 108 is compressed by the compression / decompression unit 110 and held by the document management unit 111. In the document management unit 111, the print order is managed according to the priority of the job. FIG. 10 shows the concept of printing order management. FIG. 10A shows a state in which jobs 1 to 5 are waiting in the print waiting queue as normal priority jobs. FIG. 10B shows the state of the print queue when printing of job 1 is started in this state, and then priority printing is executed for job 4, and FIG. FIG. 10 (c) shows the state of the print queue when interrupt printing is executed. In this way, print queues are prepared for each of the print priorities (interrupt / priority / normal), and if there is a job in the priority 1 (interrupt) queue, printing is prioritized over other queues. Processing is executed, and jobs in the queue of priority 2 (priority) are processed preferentially. The jobs held in the priority 3 (normal) queue are processed when there are no jobs in the priority 1 and priority 2 queues.

  Next, FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 relate to details of a processing method when a job enters a priority 2 (priority) queue when print processing of a job in a priority 3 (normal) queue is being executed. 2 and will be described with reference to FIG. When priority printing is executed for a job waiting for the printing order, the designated job is moved to a queue of priority 2 (priority). At this time, no control change is performed for the job currently being printed, and the printing process is continued. On the other hand, for the job 2 waiting in the priority 3 (normal) queue, the MFP control unit 116 enters a state where printing is not started by the print pause command. After the printing of job 1 is completed and the printing process of job 4 moved to the priority 2 (priority) queue is started, a resume command for releasing the paused state for job 2 is sent to MFP controller 116. The job 2 enters a normal standby state, and the printing process of the job 2 is started when the printing of the job 4 is completed.

  Next, FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 show the details of the processing method when a job enters the priority 1 (interrupt) queue when the print processing of the job in the priority 3 (normal) queue is being executed. 2 and will be described with reference to FIG. When interrupt printing is executed for a job waiting for the print order, the designated job is moved to a queue with priority 1 (interrupt). At this time, the printing process is temporarily suspended (stopped) by the MFP controller 116 by the pause command for the job currently being printed. When the printing process of job 1 is stopped, the printing process of job 4 is executed, and when the printing of job 4 is completed, the printing process of job 1 is resumed.

  Next, a description will be given of a processing method when a job enters a priority 1 (interrupt) queue when print processing of a job in a priority 2 (priority) queue is being executed. When interrupt printing is executed for a job waiting for the print order, the designated job is moved to a queue with priority 1 (interrupt). At this time, if the job currently being printed is a job in the queue of priority 3 (normal), the processing is performed as described above. However, the job currently being printed is a job in the queue of priority 2 (priority). In such a case, the MFP controller 116 does not execute a pause command for the job currently being printed, and does not execute a pause command for jobs waiting at priority 2 (priority) and priority 3 (normal). This is executed and the printing process is not started. When printing of a job in the priority 2 (priority) queue currently being printed is completed, printing of the job in the priority 1 (interrupt) queue is started, and then priority 2 (priority), priority A resume command is executed in the MFP control unit 116 for a suspended job waiting in the queue of degree 3 (normal), and the print processing of the job in the queue of priority 1 (interrupt) currently being printed is executed. When the processing is completed, the printing process is sequentially executed.

  Next, a screen for setting a condition for stopping a job currently being printed when executing interrupt printing will be described with reference to FIG. When the “user mode” key arranged in the key input unit of the operation unit shown in FIG. 6 is pressed, the user mode setting screen shown in FIG. 11A is displayed. When the “interrupt print setting” button displayed on the user mode setting screen is pressed, as shown in FIG. 11B, when executing an interrupt print job, the stop condition of the job currently being printed is set. A setting screen for enabling arbitrary setting change is displayed.

  For example, if you specify “I want to stop the current printing job immediately”, the print processing is temporarily interrupted when an interrupt print job occurs, regardless of the settings of the currently printing job. Start printing. In addition, when “stop at the break of the currently printed copy” is instructed, the print processing is stopped at the time of the break of the copy, and printing of the interrupt print job is started. In addition, if “Do not interrupt during execution of priority print job” is specified, if the job currently being printed is a job in the priority 2 (priority) queue, processing is performed even if an interrupt print job occurs. The printing process of the interrupt print job is started when printing of the priority job is completed without stopping. Also, if “Do not interrupt finish setting job” is specified, the printing process will not be interrupted if the currently printing job has finishing settings such as stapling, and the job will be printed. At that time, the printing process of the interrupt print job is started. This is because if the finishing job is interrupted halfway, it will end in an incomplete state, so it will be necessary to reprint from the first page when resuming. It is possible to prevent the used paper from being wasted. If “Manually instruct to stop the job currently being printed” is specified, the print processing of the job currently being printed is not stopped just by inputting the interrupt print job, and the stop of FIG. When the key is pressed, the printing process for the job currently being printed is interrupted, and the printing process for the interrupt print job is started.

  Next, a restart print setting screen for setting conditions for restarting the print processing of a job whose print processing has been paused will be described with reference to FIG. When the printing of the interrupt print job is completed and the print processing of the job that has been paused is resumed, the resume processing is executed based on the contents set on the resume print setting screen.

  When “restart from the beginning of the stopped job” is selected, the printing process is restarted from the first page of the job regardless of the paused state. If “restart from the beginning of the stopped part” is selected, the printing process is restarted from the first page of the part that has been paused. If “Resume from the continuation of the stopped page” is selected, the printing process is resumed from the next stopped page. If “Resume from any page” is selected, the printing process is resumed from the input page number. If nothing is entered in the page number input section, a page number designation screen (not shown) for resuming printing is displayed when the start key in FIG. 7 is pressed, and print processing is performed according to the input contents. Is resumed.

  Next, the flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIG.

  After receiving the print job, job setting analysis is executed by the job analysis unit (S1301). When job setting analysis is completed, the job setting is stored in a queue corresponding to the priority of the analyzed job (S1302). Next, whether or not a job is waiting in each queue is checked. First, it is checked whether or not a job is waiting in an interrupt print queue (S1303). If there is a job in the interrupt print queue, it is checked whether there is a job currently being printed, and if there is, whether it is a priority designation job or an interrupt designation job (S1304). On the other hand, if there is no job in the interrupt print queue, it is checked whether there is a job in the priority print queue (S1305). If the job currently being printed is an interrupt-specified or priority-specified job, and if there is a job in the priority print queue, use the priority print pause command to pause the processing of the subsequent job ( S1306). If the job currently being printed is not specified for interrupt or priority, the print processing of the job currently being printed is stopped using a pause command for executing interrupt printing (S1307). At this time, based on the setting on the interrupt print setting screen of FIG.

  It is confirmed whether the print processing of the job currently being printed has been stopped (S1310), and the priority print job or the interrupt print job is printed (S1311). When the execution of printing is completed, it is checked whether there is a paused job (S1312). If there is a paused job, a print resumption process is executed (S1313).

  On the other hand, if no job is waiting in the interrupt print queue and the priority print queue, it is checked whether there is a job in the normal print queue (S1308), and if there is a job, print processing is executed (S1309).

  As described above, when an interrupt print job is submitted, it is determined whether the current printing job is a priority print setting job, and whether the current printing job is interrupted based on the determination result. By performing this process, it is possible to perform an optimal print process according to the status of the printing apparatus and job. In addition, since the user can arbitrarily set the timing to pause the print processing when an interrupt print job is submitted while the job print processing is being executed, the job currently being printed can be stopped immediately. Since it is possible to temporarily stop printing when it is desired to execute printing or under the condition that the currently printed product is not wasted, it is possible to execute a job according to the priority of the user.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or recording medium) on which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or CPU) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, RAM, NV-RAM, floppy (registered trademark) disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, other ROM, etc. may be used as long as they can store the above programs. Alternatively, the program is supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

Detailed block diagram of MFP Block diagram of MFP controller MFP (4D color system) cross section Block diagram of RIP section Block diagram of output image processing unit (color system) Schematic diagram of the operation unit Schematic diagram of key input section Schematic diagram of touch panel Job status screen Conceptual diagram of print queue User mode setting screen Resume print setting screen Process flow for print jobs

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Input image processing part 102 FAX part 103 NIC part 104 Dedicated I / F part 105 USB I / F part 106 MFP control part 107 Operation part 108 RIP part 109 Output image processing part 110 Compression / decompression part 111 Document management part 112 Resource management part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 113 Printer part 114 Post-processing part 200 Image processing apparatus 201 Input device management part 202 Input job control part 203 Output job control part 204 Output device management part 401 Interpreter part 402 Rendering part

Claims (4)

A printing device,
Input means for inputting print data from an external device;
Priority setting means for setting the priority of the print data;
Print order control means for controlling the order of print execution processing according to the priority;
Print processing means for analyzing the print data input to the input means and executing print processing based on control by the print order control means;
Stop instruction means for issuing an instruction for stopping the print execution process in the print processing means;
Stop means for stopping the print execution process in response to an instruction from the stop instruction means;
Resuming means for resuming the printing process stopped by the stopping means;
Whether to stop the print execution process of the print data currently being printed by the stop unit according to the priority of the print data currently being executed when receiving a print pause request from the stop instruction unit An apparatus for controlling whether or not to stop the print execution process of the subsequent print data by the stop means without stopping the print execution process of the print data currently being printed.   2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising stop position setting means for arbitrarily setting a stop position when the print execution processing is stopped by the stop means based on an instruction from the stop instruction means. The printing apparatus according to 1.   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restart condition setting unit configured to set a condition for restarting the print execution process stopped by the stop unit.   Job status notifying means for notifying the print data transmission source of the job status when the print execution process is stopped by the stop means and when the print execution process is restarted by the restart means in the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

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