JP4858772B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a control program.

  Image processing device (multi-function printer) that can use various functions that were not supported in the past, such as double-sided printing, sort processing, stack processing, and binding processing (stapling with stapler, etc.) )It has been known.

  A control method and apparatus for controlling various printing functions using commands in a predetermined printer control language, such as these image processing apparatuses, is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-307669.

  Further, in addition to the normal command processing function as in the previous period, there is an image processing apparatus configured to execute a so-called pass-through command process in the control of a printer engine as a print execution unit (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-1793). JP, 2002-202869, A).

An image processing apparatus capable of executing such pass-through command processing uses a recording medium (printing paper or the like) that has been subjected to printing processing by a post-processing device (so-called finisher) that is built in the image processing apparatus main body or installed as an accessory device. After sort processing for automatically allocating to a predetermined discharge tray, stack processing for stacking recording media in sequence, binding processing for binding a predetermined position of the recording medium with staples, punching processing for punching a predetermined position of the recording medium (punch processing) A processing operation instruction can be inserted at an arbitrary position in the print information.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-307663 JP-A-7-1793 JP 2002-202869 A

  An object of the present invention is to construct a technique for processing image processing control information equipped with a pass-through command processing function.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes means for reading a control command for one page from print information in which post-processing for the entire print document and a discharge destination are designated. , A command determination unit that determines whether or not there is a pass-through command that is a control command that can be instructed in units of pages of the print document, and if the command determination unit determines that there is the pass-through command, the discharge by the post-processing A determination unit that determines whether or not the combination of the destination and the specified discharge destination is possible, and if the determination unit determines that the combination is possible, print data for the corresponding page is generated, post-processing is performed, and When it is determined by the determining means that the print data generated at the discharge destination is not combined with the determining means, execution of the process corresponding to the control command is kept. And means for generating print data for the corresponding page and performing post-processing and discharging the generated print data to a specified discharge destination when the command determining means determines that the pass-through command is not present After the processing by these means is repeated until the last page of the print document, if there is a page for which execution of the processing corresponding to the control command is suspended, print data for the corresponding page is generated and the specified And a means for discharging to a discharge destination corresponding to a priority setting of either the discharge destination or the discharge destination by the post-processing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing system according to the first aspect, wherein the first or second image processing apparatus is connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication line and one or more image processing apparatuses. characterized in that composed of the above information processing apparatus.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control program that reads a control command for one page from print information in which post-processing for a whole print document and a discharge destination are designated, and instructs each page of the print document. Determining whether there is a pass-through command that is a possible control command, and determining, if there is the pass-through command, whether a combination of a discharge destination by the post-processing and a specified discharge destination is possible; When it is determined that the combination is possible, the print data of the corresponding page is generated, post-processing is performed, and the print data generated at the specified discharge destination is discharged. If the process corresponding to the control command is suspended, and if there is no pass-through command, print data for the corresponding page is generated and post-processing is performed. The process of discharging the generated print data to the output destination, and after repeating these processes up to the last page of the print document, if there is a page for which execution of the process corresponding to the control command is suspended, the corresponding page Generating print data and discharging to the discharge destination corresponding to the priority setting of either the designated discharge destination or the post-processing discharge destination by the processing means. .

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

That is, according to the invention described in claim 1, as compared with the case not having this constitution, it is possible to obtain a closer printed out by the intention of the author.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of obtaining a print output close to the intention of the document creator based on a plurality of control information.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a control program capable of obtaining a print output close to the intention of the document creator based on a plurality of control information.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus (printer) according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting example of priority setting, and FIG. 3 is a table showing a configuration example of rule information. FIGS. 4 to 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the determination process, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of output results according to the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the printer P includes a CPU (for example, can be configured by a one-chip microcomputer) 100, a program for control by the CPU 100, and various data (“rule information that determines whether a control command can be combined” And rewritable ROM 101 (which may be configured with a flash memory) and the like, and control by the CPU 100 Data (printing information, etc.) between a RAM 102 used as a work area for the computer, a hard disk 103 for storing spool data, and a host device (personal computer, host computer, etc.) PC via a network 200 such as a LAN. Including the network controller 104 , An I / F controller 105 connected to a device such as a personal computer without using the network 200 by EPP, USB, and the like, an operation instruction of the printer P, and various setting items (including setting of priority order of control commands, etc.) An operation display panel 106 configured by, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal display device that performs an input operation, a printer engine E that forms an image on recording paper based on image information in the acquired print information, and an engine that controls the printer engine E A controller 107 and an image process controller 108 that performs image processing so as to obtain an appropriate recorded image are provided.

  The printer engine E is not particularly limited, and a printer engine for a laser printer, a printer engine for a full color printer, or the like can be applied.

  In addition, the printer P includes a plurality of paper feed trays and a paper feed unit 109 including a pickup roller and a passage sensor for supplying recording paper on each paper feed tray (both not shown) and a paper feed control for controlling the paper feed unit 109. Part 110 and the like.

  The printer P further includes a finisher F (post-processing device) that performs post-processing (finishing processing) such as punching processing and binding processing. The finisher F includes a finisher control device 301 and a finisher communication unit 111 on the printer P side. A communication unit 302 that transmits and receives signals, a punching processing unit 303 that punches filing holes in the recording paper, a punch control unit 304 that controls the punching processing unit 303, and a plurality of recording papers are stapled. A binding processing unit (staple processing unit) 305, a staple control unit 306 that controls the staple processing unit 305, and a conveyance roller and a passage sensor that discharge a recording sheet to a paper discharge tray (stack tray, mail box 1, etc.) T1. A paper discharge processing unit 307 including a paper discharge processing unit 307 that controls the paper discharge processing unit 307, and the like. It has.

  The finisher F may include a paper folding processing unit that folds the recording paper in half, a sorter processing unit that sorts the recording paper, and the like. In this embodiment, the finisher F is externally attached to the printer P. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the finisher function may be built in the printer main body.

  In the present embodiment, the recording paper that has been punched by the punching processing unit 303 is discharged to the punching tray T2, and the bundle of recording papers that have been bound by the staple processing unit 305 is the stapling tray T3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the recording paper subjected to the punching process or the binding process is transported to the paper discharge processing unit 307 through a predetermined transport path, and the discharge tray T1. May be discharged together.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a center tray, a mail tray (mailbox 1), a side tray, a booklet tray, and the like are provided, and printed recording paper is ejected to each of them according to a control command. Also good.

  Note that PCL (PCLXL, PCL5, PCL6, etc .: Hewlett Packard, etc.) is used as a page description language (PDL) for describing a control command (command) embedded in print information of a document created by the personal computer or the host computer PC. (Trademark), PostScript (trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.), LIPS (trademark of Canon Inc.), ESC / Page (trademark of Epson Corporation), PRESCRIBE (trademark of Kyocera Corporation), and the like.

  Here, an outline of the flow of the printing process by the printer P having the above configuration will be described.

  First, priority is set for a predetermined control command (command) by operating the operation display panel 106 of the printer P.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the operation display panel 106 displays items “priority of discharge destination” and “priority of post-processing”, and radio buttons R1a and R1b that can be selected from either of them. A check mark is input to one of the radio buttons R1a and R1b. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a check mark is input to the radio button R1b that prioritizes post-processing.

  Further, when post-processing is given priority, “staple priority” or “punch priority” can be selected by radio buttons R2a and R2b. FIG. 2 shows a state in which a check mark is input to R2a that prioritizes the binding process.

  Note that the display example shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example, and is not limited thereto. For example, the priority order of other processing (for example, sorting processing, duplex printing processing, etc.) corresponding to other control commands can be set. You may do it.

  Next, print information including a control command described in the page description language or the like is generated by a print process of a personal computer or the like, and is transmitted to the printer P via the network 200. The printer P receives the print information under the control of the network controller 104, temporarily stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 101, extracts a control command by syntax analysis executed by the CPU 100, and stores it in the predetermined area of the RAM 101. .

  Further, the processing of the CPU 100 reads out rule information that determines whether or not a control instruction stored in the ROM 101 can be combined (mismatch rule) and handling information that defines a processing procedure corresponding to a mode in which the combination is impossible. In addition, a plurality of control commands stored in the RAM 101 are read out. Then, a determination process is performed to determine whether a plurality of control commands comply with the rule information.

  Here, a configuration example of the rule information will be described with reference to a table shown in FIG.

In the table of FIG. 3, examples 1 to 18 indicate control commands (commands) for the entire document on the left side, and control commands (commands) that can be specified in page units on the right side.
The control command for the entire document can be information added by a printer driver, for example.

  Further, the control command that can be specified in page units can be information inserted by the user at an arbitrary position of the print information by a pass-through command. Needless to say, even for a command that can be inserted at an arbitrary position, the discharge position and post-processing instructions are given in units of pages.

  The rule information shown in FIG. 3 defines a case where a control command for the entire document and a control command that can be specified in units of pages cannot be combined (when mismatch or contradiction occurs).

  FIG. 3 shows a case where “post-processing designation” and “discharge destination designation” cannot be combined. Specifically, “1: Staple and center tray”, “2: Staple and mail tray” are shown. ”,“ 3: Staple and side tray ”,“ 4: Staple and booklet tray ”,“ 5: Punch and center tray ”,“ 6: Punch and mail tray ”,“ 7: Punch and side tray ”,“ 8: Punch and booklet tray ”,“ 9: Center tray and staple ”,“ 10: Mail tray and staple ”,“ 11: Side tray and staple ”,“ 12: Booklet tray and staple ”,“ 13: Center tray and punch ” , “14: Mail tray and punch”, “15: Side tray and punch”, “16: Booklet tray and punch”, “17: S Kkatorei 1 (staple) and the stacker tray 2 (staple) "," 18: stacker tray 1 (punch) and the stacker tray 2 (punch) "are shown.

  Next, the procedure of the determination process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  When the determination process is started, first, a control command (command) for one page is prefetched for the print information received in step S10, and then the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, it is determined whether or not the pre-read control command is a combination (mismatch) in which the binding process and the discharge destination are not possible. Specifically, for example, based on the rule information, it is determined whether or not a combination of “staple and center tray”, “staple and mail tray”, “staple and side tray”, and “staple and booklet tray” is determined. . When the determination result is “Yes”, that is, when it is determined that a mismatch has occurred in the control instruction, the process proceeds to step S14, and the page is stored in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102. After the control command is spooled (that is, execution of the process corresponding to the control command is suspended), the process proceeds to step S13.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is “No” in step S11, that is, if it is determined that no mismatch has occurred in the control instruction, the process proceeds to step S12, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap). (Print data is generated) and processing such as print output is executed, and the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, it is determined whether the print information is the last page. If the print information is not the last page, the process returns to step S10 and the same processing is repeated until the last page is reached. Proceeds to step S15.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not there is a spool page. If it is determined that there is a spool page, the process proceeds to step S16 and the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and print data is generated). Processing such as printout is executed, and the process returns to step S15. As a result, it is possible to implement the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in step S14 that has been suspended for execution of the process corresponding to the control instruction for the corresponding page, and is closer to the intention of the document creator. Print output can be obtained.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S15 that there is no spool page, the process proceeds to step S17 to pre-read a control command (command) for one page for print information, and then the process proceeds to step S18.

  In step S18, it is determined whether or not the pre-read control command is a combination (mismatch) in which the punching process and the discharge destination are not possible. Specifically, for example, based on the rule information, it is determined whether or not the combination is “punch and center tray”, “punch and mail tray”, “punch and side tray”, and “staple and booklet tray”. . If the determination result is “Yes”, that is, if it is determined that a mismatch has occurred in the control instruction, the process proceeds to step S21, and the page is stored in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102. After the control command is spooled (that is, execution of the process corresponding to the control command is suspended), the process proceeds to step S20.

  On the other hand, if the determination result is “No” in step S18, that is, if it is determined that no mismatch has occurred in the control instruction, the process proceeds to step S19, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap). (Print data is generated) and processing such as print output is executed, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, it is determined whether or not the print information is the last page. If the print information is not the last page, the process returns to step S17 and the same processing is repeated until the last page is reached. Shifts to Step S22.

  In step S22, it is determined whether there is a spool page. If it is determined that there is a spool page, the process proceeds to step S23, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and print data is generated). Processing such as printout is executed, and the process returns to step S22. As a result, it is possible to implement the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in step S21 that has been suspended for execution of the process corresponding to the control instruction for the corresponding page, and is closer to the intention of the document creator. Print output can be obtained.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that there is no spool page, the process proceeds to step S24 in FIG. 5 to pre-read a control command (command) for one page for print information, and then the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, it is determined whether there is a pass-through command for the pre-read control command. If it is determined that there is a pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S28. If it is determined that there is no pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S26, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and printed data). Is generated) and processing such as printout is executed, and the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S28, it is determined whether there is a contradiction between the post-processing and the discharge destination. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the rule information 1 to 18 shown in FIG. 3 is satisfied, and if it is determined that there is no contradiction, the process proceeds to step S26, and the corresponding page is decomposed (to a bitmap). The print data is generated by conversion, and the printing process, the specified post-processing, and the discharge to the specified discharge destination are executed, and the process proceeds to step S27. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a print output as intended by the document creator.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S28 that there is a discrepancy between the post-processing and the discharge destination, the process proceeds to step S29, and the control command for the corresponding page is spooled in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 (that is, Then, the execution of the process corresponding to the control command is suspended), and the process proceeds to step S27.

  In step S27, it is determined whether the print information is the last page. If the print information is not the last page, the process returns to step S24 and the same processing is repeated until the last page is reached. Then, the process proceeds to step S30.

  In step S30, it is determined whether or not there is a spool page. If it is determined that there is a spool page, the process proceeds to step S31, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and print data is generated). Processing such as printout is executed, and the process returns to step S30. As a result, the execution of the processing corresponding to the control command for the corresponding page is suspended in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in step S21.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S30 that there is no spool page, the process proceeds to step S32, and a control command (command) for one page is pre-read for print information, and then the process proceeds to step S33.

  In step S33, it is determined whether there is a pass-through command for the pre-read control command. If it is determined that there is a pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S36. If it is determined that there is no pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S34, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and printed data). And the process such as printout is executed, and the process proceeds to step S35.

  In step S36, it is determined whether there is a contradiction between the post-processing and the discharge destination. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the rule information items 1 to 18 shown in FIG. 3 is satisfied. If it is determined that there is no contradiction, the process proceeds to step S34, and the corresponding page is decomposed (to a bitmap). The print data is generated by conversion, and the print processing, the specified post-processing, and the discharge to the specified discharge destination are executed, and the process proceeds to step S35. Thereby, it is possible to obtain a print output as intended by the document creator.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that there is a discrepancy between the post-processing and the discharge destination, the process proceeds to step S37 to determine whether or not priority is set for the discharge destination. Here, in the setting example shown in FIG. 2, “post-processing priority” is selected (a check mark is input to the radio button R1b), and “discharge destination priority” is not set, so step S37. The determination is “No”. In this case, the process proceeds to step S39, and the control instruction for the corresponding page is spooled in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 (that is, execution of the process corresponding to the control instruction is suspended), and the process proceeds to step S35. Transition.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S37 that the priority of the discharge destination is set (that is, if a check mark is input to the “discharge destination priority” radio button R1a in FIG. 2), the process proceeds to step S38. Then, the post-processing designation is invalidated and the process proceeds to step S39. As a result, for example, for a document composed of 6 pages, binding processing is performed on pages 1 to 6, pages 1, 2, 5, and 6 are discharged to the center tray, and pages 3 and 4 are discharged to the mail tray. If a control command including a contradiction such as “Yes” is included, the post-binding process is ignored (not executed), and “pages 1, 2, 5, 6 are ejected to the center tray, 3 , 4 pages are discharged to the mail tray "can be executed only. In step S35, it is determined whether the print information is the last page. If the print information is not the last page, the process returns to step S32 and the same processing is repeated until the last page is reached. Then, the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, it is determined whether there is a spool page. If it is determined that there is a spool page, the process proceeds to step S41, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and print data is generated). Processing such as printout is executed, and the process returns to step S40. As a result, it is possible to implement the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in step S39, which has been suspended from the execution of the process corresponding to the control instruction for the corresponding page, and is closer to the intention of the document creator. Print output can be obtained.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S40 that there is no spool page, the process proceeds to step S42 in FIG. 6, and a control command (command) for one page is pre-read for print information, and then the process proceeds to step S43.

  In step S43, it is determined whether there is a pass-through command for the pre-read control command. If it is determined that there is a pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S46. If it is determined that there is no pass-through command, the process proceeds to step S44, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and printed data). Is generated), processing such as printout is executed, and the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S46, it is determined whether there is a contradiction between the post-processing and the discharge destination. That is, it is determined whether or not any of the rule information items 1 to 18 shown in FIG. 3 is satisfied. If it is determined that there is no contradiction, the process proceeds to step S44, and the corresponding page is decomposed (to a bitmap). The print data is generated by conversion, and the print process, the specified post-process, and the discharge to the specified discharge destination are executed, and the process proceeds to step S45. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S46 that there is a discrepancy between the post-processing and the discharge destination, the process proceeds to step S47 and the control instruction for the corresponding page is sent to the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102. Separately, after spooling (that is, execution of processing corresponding to the control command is suspended for each type of discharge destination), the process proceeds to step S45.

  In step S45, it is determined whether or not the print information is the last page. If the print information is not the last page, the process returns to step S42 and the same processing is repeated until the last page is reached. Then, the process proceeds to step S48.

  In step S48, it is determined whether or not there is a spool page. If it is determined that there is a spool page, the process proceeds to step S49, where the corresponding page is decomposed (converted into a bitmap and printed data according to the type of discharge destination). ) To execute processing such as printout, and the process returns to step S48. As a result, in the temporary storage area formed in the predetermined area of the RAM 102 in step S39, the processing corresponding to the control command for the corresponding page can be executed according to the type of discharge destination, and the discharge destination can be executed. Can output the same document at once.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S48 that there is no spool page, the determination process is terminated.

  Here, an example of an output result when the above-described determination process is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In a document composed of 6 pages, binding is specified at the upper left, and for 3rd and 4th pages, a discharge tray called Mailbox 1 is specified as a discharge destination, and 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th pages If no discharge destination is specified, 1 page (no discharge destination specified) → 2 pages (no discharge destination specified) → 3 pages (discharge destination is mailbox 1) → 4 pages (discharge destination is mailbox 1) ) → 5 pages (no discharge destination designation) → 6 pages (no discharge destination designation) This corresponds to a case where the control contents are switched halfway.

In this case, the output result that the document creator originally intended is
(1) The upper left of pages 1 and 2 are stapled and discharged to a normal stacker tray.
(2) The upper left of pages 3 and 4 is stapled and discharged to the tray of mail box 1.
(3) The upper left of the 5th and 6th pages is stapled and discharged to a normal stacker tray.
It is thought that.

  According to the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, when the discharge destination priority is set, as shown as “example of output result according to the present invention” on the right side of FIG. In addition, the upper left of “pages 5 and 6” is stapled and ejected to the stacker tray, and “pages 3 and 4” are not bound, that is, post-processing staple processing is invalidated (cancelled) and mailed. It is discharged to the tray of the box 1 (corresponding to the processing of step S32 to step S35 in the flowchart of FIG. 5).

  When the output results shown in FIG. 7 are compared with the output results originally intended by the document creators (1) to (3), (1) and (3) are completely satisfied, and (2) is satisfied. Although the post-processing “stitch the upper left” is not fulfilled, the intention of ejecting it to the tray of the mailbox 1 is satisfied.

  In addition, in the output result shown in FIG. 8, in a document composed of 6 pages, it is specified that punching is performed at two places on the left side, and a discharge tray called a mailbox 1 is specified as a discharge destination for pages 3 and 4. If there is no discharge destination specified for pages 1, 2, 5, and 6, 1 page (no discharge destination specified) → 2 pages (no discharge destination specified) → 3 pages (the output destination is a mailbox) This corresponds to the case where the control contents are switched halfway, such as 1) → 4 pages (emission destination is mailbox 1) → 5 pages (no discharge destination designation) → 6 pages (no discharge destination designation).

  Here, (A) of the output result shows a case where post-processing priority is set, and (B) shows a case where discharge destination priority is set.

  In the output results (A) and (B), “pages 1, 2, 5, and 6” are both punched at two places on the left side and discharged to the stacker tray. As described above, even if the print information includes pages that are the same processing content and are not continuous, post-processing (punch processing in the present embodiment) can be performed in a batch in a continuous state. it can. When the post-processing priority is set as shown in the output result (A), the designation of the discharge destination (in this example, the mailbox 1 is designated) is ignored, and the higher setting (in this example) In this case, the punching process becomes effective, and after “3rd and 4th pages” are punched, they are discharged to the stacker tray.

  Also, as shown in the output result (B), when the discharge destination priority is set, the post-processing designation (designation for performing punch processing at the left two places) is ignored (cancelled), and “pages 3 and 4” are displayed. "Is discharged to the tray of the mailbox 1 without being punched.

  Both the output results (A) and (B) cannot be said to have completely obtained the output result intended by the document creator (designation of the discharge destination is ignored or post-processing is canceled). However, the document creator or the like can set “post-processing priority” or “discharge destination priority”. (See Figure 2 etc.)

  The present invention can also be applied to a printer driver.

  In this case, the printer driver determines whether or not a plurality of control information can be combined, determines post-processing or a discharge destination according to a predetermined priority order based on a user instruction, and then replaces it with control information that instructs the operation after the determination. By generating the print information, it is possible to issue a print instruction using the pass-through command instruction even when the printer that processes the print information does not have the capability of processing a pause-through command.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the determination processing is performed by the image processing apparatus has been described. However, depending on the processing content, it may be provided as a program executable on a computer or realized by a printer driver. When using a printer driver or a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to a laser printer, a full color printer, an ink jet printer, a printer driver, and the like.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus (printer) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a setting of priority setting. It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of rule information. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process sequence of a determination process. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process sequence of a determination process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output result by the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the output result by the image processing apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

P Image processing device (printer)
100 CPU (determination means)
101 ROM
102 RAM
103 Hard disk 104 Network controller 105 I / F controller 106 Operation display panel (priority setting means)
107 engine controller 108 image process controller 109 paper feed unit 110 paper feed control unit 111 finisher communication unit 200 network 301 finisher control device F finisher (post-processing device)
302 Communication Unit 303 Punch Processing Unit 304 Punch Control Unit 305 Binding Processing Unit 306 Staple Control Unit 307 Paper Discharge Processing Unit 308 Paper Discharge Control Unit E Printer Engine R1a, R1b Radio Button R2a, R2b Radio Button T1 Discharge Tray T2 Punch Tray T3 Staple tray

Claims (3)

Means for reading a control command for one page from print information in which post-processing for the entire print document and a discharge destination are designated;
Command determination means for determining whether or not there is a pass-through command that is a control command that can be specified in units of pages of a print document;
A determination means for determining whether or not a combination of a discharge destination by the post-processing and a specified discharge destination is possible when the command determination means determines that the pass-through command exists;
Means for generating print data of the corresponding page when the determination means determines that the combination is possible, performing post-processing, and discharging the print data generated at a specified discharge destination;
Means for suspending execution of the process corresponding to the control instruction when the determination means determines that the combination is not possible;
Means for generating print data of the corresponding page when the command determining means determines that the pass-through command is not present, performing post-processing and discharging the print data generated at a specified discharge destination;
After processing by these means is repeated until the last page of the print document, if there is a page for which execution of the processing corresponding to the control command is suspended, print data for the corresponding page is generated and the specified discharge destination Or means for discharging to a discharge destination corresponding to any priority setting of the discharge destination by the post-processing;
An image processing apparatus comprising: An image processing system comprising one or more image processing apparatuses according to claim 1 and one or more information processing apparatuses connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication line. A process of reading a control command for one page from print information in which post-processing and discharge destination for the entire print document are designated;
A process of determining whether or not there is a pass-through command that is a control command that can be specified in units of pages of a printed document;
When there is the pass-through command, a process of determining whether or not the combination of the discharge destination by the post-processing and the specified discharge destination is possible;
If it is determined that the combination is possible, a process of generating print data of the corresponding page, performing post-processing, and discharging the print data generated in a specified discharge destination;
If the combination is determined to be negative, a process of deferring execution of the process corresponding to the control command;
When there is no pass-through command, the process of generating print data of the corresponding page, performing post-processing and discharging the print data generated at the specified discharge destination;
After repeating these processes up to the last page of the print document, if there is a page for which execution of the process corresponding to the control command is suspended, print data for the corresponding page is generated, and the designated discharge destination or the A process of discharging to a destination corresponding to one of the priority settings of the destination by post-processing;
Is executed by an arithmetic processing means.

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