JPH11228018A - Method and device for outputting image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the mixing of printing jobs in a particular paper ejecting port by providing a device paper ejecting port control step for deciding a device paper ejecting port for outputting by making correspondence between a virtual paper ejecting port and the device paper ejecting port when a printing job instructed to be outputted to the virtual paper ejecting port is inputted. SOLUTION: A virtual paper ejecting port instruction command is analyzed from printing data inputted to a receiving buffer 306a, a virtual paper ejecting part is selected and instruction information is stored as printing job information in a page buffer 306b. Also, in an image generation module in a read-only memory(ROM) 307, when one printing job for outputting to the virtual paper ejecting port is stored as intermediate page data in a random access memory(RAM) 306, a paper ejecting port selection control 310 is started. Further, the paper ejecting port selection control 310 investigates the vacant state of each paper ejecting port to select a device paper ejecting port. Thus, the mixing of printing jobs in a particular paper ejecting port is prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image output method and apparatus for outputting an image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, computers have been interconnected by a LAN (local area network).
LAN connection is possible not only for printers but also for various peripheral devices such as a multifunction image processing device having a copy and fax function.

[0003] A LAN as a premises connection such as a floor has 1
Although one user group allows shared use of connected devices and data transfer, several LANs located at geographically separated locations are connected to a high-speed integrated digital network (I / O).
SDN) line or public telephone line, etc.
In some cases, a WAN (Wide Area Network) is configured.

Usually, each LAN is composed of a group of computers including a file server and a print server, and functions of a network operating system mounted in each computer include transfer and sharing of data and files, sharing of a printer, and the like. It supports various protocols.

A print job transferred from an application running on each computer can be generally transferred to a printer connected on a network via a print server.

Further, a communication protocol for remotely managing various devices for constructing a network and a device including a computer connected to the network has been standardized. For example, a simple network management protocol (SNMP: Simple Network) is used. Manag
element protocol). In the case of a network device that implements these protocols, various devices can be managed from a remote location on the network by network management software. For example, in the case of a printer, acquisition of printer information, printer status monitoring , Notification of printer status change, initialization control, and the like.

[0007] There are various user applications running on each computer constituting the LAN, such as document creation software and spreadsheet software. Data created by using these applications is converted to a printer control language PDL (Print) by printer driver software as a function of the operating system.
After being converted into rDescription Language (Data), the print job is often temporarily stored in a print spooler as a print job and sent to a printer.

The print job is generated as printer control language (PDL) data from one or a plurality of document files by printer driver software.
This is a unit constituting one print document, and is usually separated by a job start instruction and a job end instruction. Alternatively, when there is no clear delimiter in the print data, the start and end of the job may be independently defined on the printer side.

In an image output apparatus connected under such a network environment, since the print data is used by a plurality of users, the output print data is mixed in the output paper output port in the output job unit in the output order. Will be loaded.

Therefore, the image output apparatus can be provided with a plurality of paper discharge ports, and each user selects a specific paper discharge port with a printer driver or the like and discharges the print paper so as not to mix with print jobs output from other users. It can be loaded in the paper slot.

An automatic discharge port selection mode function for selecting and searching a dischargeable discharge port provided in the main body of the image output apparatus and automatically determining the discharge port is provided to automatically discharge the paper. In some cases, the paper mouth can be switched.

Further, a paper ejection outlet name corresponding to each paper ejection outlet provided in the image output apparatus is assigned on a one-to-one basis, and each user selects an apparatus paper ejection outlet name by a printer driver, thereby outputting each user. In some cases, a function (hereinafter, referred to as a mailbox function) that allows the user to select a discharge port to be used is provided.

[0013]

However, in the above-described conventional example, even if each user selects a plurality of paper discharge ports by a printer driver or the like by a specific paper discharge port or a paper discharge port name, the other The user can also select the same paper discharge port, and as a result, there is a problem that print jobs of different users may be mixed at a specific paper discharge port.

Further, even in an automatic discharge port selection mode in which a discharge port that can be discharged is searched and a discharge port is automatically determined, a large number of output jobs can be output using a plurality of discharge ports. However, since output is intended to be performed without generating such a problem, there is a problem that output jobs cannot be prevented from being mixed.

If an error occurred by a previous user, for example, when the stacking capacity of the paper discharge port is exceeded,
The output process due to the occurrence of the error is interrupted, and the output process of the print job of another subsequent user who designates the same paper discharge port is also interrupted.

Further, when a discharge port name is assigned in the mailbox function, a user name is conveniently assigned as a discharge port name, so that each user can select a discharge port to which his or her own user name is assigned. By using such a method, it is possible to avoid coexistence even when used by a plurality of users.

However, the conventional mailbox function is effective when the number of paper outlets provided in the image output apparatus is equal to or less than the number of paper outlets, but is effective when the number of paper outlets is larger than the number of paper outlets. Only a limited number of user names could be registered. Therefore, when a user who cannot be registered as a discharge port name is used, an operator call or the like is displayed to update the user name with the intervention of an operator, or a discharge port for a user who cannot use the mailbox function is used. For example, in a large-scale network environment where more users than the number of paper outlets are used, there is a problem that the mailbox function cannot be fully utilized.

Further, in an image output apparatus to which a plurality of paper discharge options can be connected, there is a problem that the paper discharge bins of each paper discharge option cannot be uniformly managed (sequentially) and output specified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of users to output output paper outlets of other users. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output method and apparatus capable of preventing a print job from being mixed at a specific discharge port by automatically executing exclusive control without being conscious of it.

A second object of the present invention is to allocate output output ports for each of N users without depending on the output ports provided in the apparatus, so that a print job can be executed to a specific output port. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output method and an image output apparatus capable of preventing a mixture at a mouth.

A third object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of users to detect the occurrence of a failure in an output sheet outlet caused by another user and to automatically execute exclusive control. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image output method and apparatus capable of outputting a print job without interruption.

Further, a fourth object of the present invention is to select an output outlet of a print job at the time of output to the apparatus, thereby enabling a finite number of apparatus outlets to be used by N persons. An object of the present invention is to provide an image output method and apparatus capable of preventing a mixed output of print jobs and realizing a mail boss function for each of N users.

[0023]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output method for outputting an image using an image output apparatus having a plurality of paper discharge ports. A virtual discharge port assignment step of assigning a virtual discharge port to a virtual N-stage discharge port, and a virtual discharge port selection step of selecting the virtual discharge port assigned by the virtual discharge port assignment step. A device discharge port selecting step of selecting a device discharge port to be output, and associating the virtual discharge port with the device discharge port when a print job instructed to output to the virtual discharge port is input. And a device discharge port selection control step of controlling so as to determine a device discharge port to be output.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output method according to the first aspect, further comprising a loading detecting step of detecting a loading state of the sheet discharge port of the apparatus. In the apparatus discharge port selection control step, the empty apparatus discharge port detected in the stacking detection step is preferentially selected and controlled as the apparatus discharge port to be output.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output method for outputting an image by an image output apparatus having a plurality of paper discharge ports. A user name assigning step of assigning a user name to the virtual sheet ejection port, and a virtual sheet ejection port selecting section by comparing and comparing the user name assigned in the user name assigning step with the user name of the input print job. A paper discharge port selecting step, a device discharge port selecting step of selecting a device discharge port to be output, and a correspondence between the virtual discharge port and the device discharge port when a print job with user name information is input. Device discharge port selection control step of performing control so as to determine a device discharge port to be attached and output.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image output method as set forth in the third aspect, wherein the current output which has already been output to the paper discharge port of the apparatus and is currently being loaded. A current user name detecting step of detecting a user name, wherein the apparatus discharge port selection control step includes a step of newly inputting the current user name detected by the current user name detecting step as the apparatus discharge port to be output. The apparatus discharge port to be output is selected and controlled by comparing and collating with the user name attached to the print job.

In order to achieve the first object, an image output apparatus according to a fifth aspect is an image output apparatus having a plurality of paper outlets, wherein a virtual N-stage paper outlet is provided. Virtual discharge port allocating means for allocating a discharge port, virtual discharge port selecting means for selecting a virtual discharge port allocated by the virtual discharge port allocating means, and an apparatus for selecting a device discharge port to be output When a print job instructed to be output to the virtual discharge port is input, the virtual discharge port is associated with the apparatus discharge port to determine an apparatus discharge port to be output. And a device discharge port selection control means for controlling the sheet discharge port.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus according to the fifth aspect, further comprising a loading detecting means for detecting a loading state of the paper discharge port of the image output apparatus. The apparatus discharge port selection control means preferentially controls an empty apparatus discharge port detected by the stacking detection means as a device discharge port to be output.

In order to achieve the third object, an image output apparatus according to a seventh aspect is an image output apparatus having a plurality of paper output ports, wherein a user name is assigned to an N-stage virtual paper output port. A user name allocating unit to be allocated; a virtual paper outlet selecting unit for selecting a virtual paper outlet by comparing and comparing the user name allocated by the user name allocating unit with the user name of the input print job; A device discharge port selecting means for selecting a device discharge port to be selected, and a device which should output a virtual discharge port and a device discharge port when a print job with user name information is input. A discharge port selection control means for controlling so as to determine the discharge port.

In order to achieve the fourth object, an image output apparatus according to claim 8 is the image output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image output apparatus has a plurality of paper discharge ports. A current user name detecting means for detecting a current user name which has already been output to the paper exit and is currently being loaded, wherein the apparatus discharge port selection control means detects the current user name as an apparatus discharge port to be output; 8. The image output apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus output port to be output is selected and controlled by comparing and collating the current user name detected by the means with a user name attached to the newly input print job. Output device.

[0031]

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

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description and drawings, a laser beam printer will be described as an example of an image output device. However, the present invention is not limited to a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used. In the following description and drawings, a case where two optional devices (optional units) are connected to the image output device will be described as an example. However, more optional devices can be connected. The functions may be shared by the image output apparatus main body.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a laser beam printer (LBP) which is an image output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a laser beam printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer).
Various types of optional devices can be connected, and connected to an external device 101 such as a host computer via a general-purpose interface (for example, a LAN interface or Centronics), and print information (eg, print information) transferred from the external device 101 via the general-purpose interface. (Including character code data based on a predetermined printer language, graphic drawing instructions, image information such as image data, and device control information such as paper switching and paper ejection opening switching).

The details of the external device 101 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The printer 100 has an operation panel 102, a control unit 103, a paper feed option device 104, and a paper discharge option device 105.

The operation panel 102 includes various switches (buttons) for operation, an LED (liquid crystal display) and an LED.
(Light Emitting Diode) This is an interface with a user constituted by a display device comprising a display device. The user operates the operation panel 102 to operate the printer 10.
A predetermined operation can be instructed to 0. Various data and the like set by the user are stored and managed in a nonvolatile memory, for example, a nonvolatile memory such as an NVRAM (shown in FIG. 3 described later).

The control unit 103 includes a video controller 106, an engine controller 107, and an option controller 108.

The video controller 106 is connected to the external device 1
01 via a general-purpose interface and an external device 10
1 receives print data (various PDL data and the like) transferred via a general-purpose interface, generates page information including dot data and the like based on the print data, and sends the page information to the engine controller 107 via the video interface 109. Image data (binary or multi-level)
Is transmitted to the option controller 108 via the general interface 110.

The engine controller 107 forms a latent image on the photosensitive drum by a well-known electrophotographic process based on the image data transferred from the video controller 106, and transfers and fixes it on the supplied paper to perform printing. . At this time, the option controller 108
For example, an instruction on the timing of paper supply / discharge is performed.

The option controller 108 includes a CPU (Central Processing Controller) (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. A general controller that controls and controls one or more optional devices based on a paper supply / discharge instruction from 107, etc., and communicates with optional controller units provided in various optional devices via the optional device interface 111, Controls various optional devices in an integrated manner.

The R of the option controller 108
The AM has a shared memory (not shown) that can be accessed by the video controller 106. The shared memory includes a transport status management area, a basic status area, a command status management area, and the like for about 40 pages. Designates each option device via each area of the shared memory.

The transport status management area is set by the video controller 106 in a printing method (sheet feeding port, sheet discharging port, color,
An area for notifying each optional device of stapling, shifting, and the like, and an area for notifying the video controller 106 of each option state (how far the printing has been performed, the discharge has been completed, and the like).

The basic status area is an area for notifying the video controller 106 of an abnormality (jam, paper missing, staple missing, etc.) of each optional device, and the command & status management area is for the video controller 106 and the command status. This is the area where the exchange takes place.

The paper feeding optional device 104 is, for example, a paper deck optional device, and has a paper deck controller (large capacity paper feeding cassette controller) 10 therein.
4a, and performs paper feed control based on control information transmitted from the option controller 108. The paper deck controller 104a includes a CPU (Central Processing Controller), a ROM (Read Only Memory),
Equipped with AM (random access memory) etc., CPU is RO
The paper feed option device 104 is controlled based on the program stored in M. Further, the ROM stores extended information of the paper feed option device 104, for example, information on paper sizes that can be stored in the paper deck.

The paper discharge option device 105 is, for example, a finisher option device having a staple function.
It has a finisher controller 105a inside and performs a stapling operation and a paper discharging operation based on control information transmitted from the option controller 108. The finisher controller 105a includes a CPU (Central Processing Controller), a ROM (Read Only Memory),
AM (random access memory) etc.
The paper discharge option device 105 is controlled based on a program stored in the OM. The ROM also contains extended information of the paper discharge option device 105, for example, the number of paper discharge bins, the presence or absence of a staple function, the presence or absence of a shift function for shifting the paper discharge in a predetermined direction, and the orientation of the face of the paper discharge. Information on the presence or absence of an inversion function for inversion is stored.

The paper feed option device 104 and the paper discharge option device 105 are provided with operation units 104b and 105b having a display unit and various keys, respectively, for displaying a message to the user when each option is used, an operation method, and the like. And can be operated.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the printer 100 shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a paper cassette,
It has a recording paper size detection mechanism that holds the recording paper S and is electrically separated by a partition plate (not shown) to detect the size of the recording paper S. Reference numeral 202 denotes a cassette paper feed clutch, which separates only one uppermost recording paper S from a bundle of recording papers S placed on the paper cassette 201 and feeds the separated recording paper S by a driving unit (not shown). A cam that conveys the sheet to the roller 203, intermittently rotates each time paper is fed, and feeds one recording sheet S in response to one rotation.

A recording paper detection sensor 204 detects the amount of the recording paper S held in the paper cassette 201. 2
Reference numeral 05 denotes a registration shutter which presses a sheet to stop sheet feeding. The paper feed roller 203 conveys the leading end of the recording paper S to the registration shutter 205. Reference numeral 206 denotes a manual feed tray on which the recording paper S is placed. Reference numeral 207 denotes a manual feed roller.
The recording paper S placed on the manual feed tray 206 is transported to the registration shutter 205. Reference numeral 208 denotes an optional paper feed roller (paper feed relay conveyance roller),
The recording paper S fed from the printer 04 is supplied to the inside of the printer 100.

Downstream of the cassette paper feed clutch 202, the manual paper feed roller 207, and the optional paper feed roller 208,
A pair of registration rollers 209 for synchronously transporting the recording paper S is provided. Downstream of the registration roller 209, there is provided an image recording unit 210 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S by a known electrophotographic process using a laser beam emitted from a laser scanner unit 211 described later.

Reference numeral 211 denotes a laser scanner unit, which includes a laser unit 212, a polygon mirror 213, and an imaging lens group 21.
4, a beam detector 215, a return mirror 216, and a light amount sensor 217. The laser unit 212
A laser beam is emitted based on an image signal sent from the video controller 106. The laser light emitted from the laser unit 212 is scanned by a polygon mirror 213 and irradiated to a photosensitive drum 218 described later via an imaging lens group 214 and a return mirror 216 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 218. I do. Beam detector 215
Detects a laser beam emitted from the laser unit 212 and outputs a main scanning synchronization signal. Light intensity sensor 217
Detects the amount of laser light emitted from the laser unit 212.

The image recording unit 210 includes a photosensitive drum 218,
Primary charger 219, developing unit 220, pre-exposure lamp 22
1, a transfer charger 222 and a cleaner 223.
The primary charger 219 charges the photosensitive drum 218 uniformly. The developing device 220 is charged by the primary charger 219, and develops a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 218 by laser exposure by the laser scanner unit 211. The pre-exposure lamp 221 removes electricity from the photosensitive drum 218. The transfer charger 222 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 218 by the developing device 220 to the registration roller 2.
In step S09, the image is transferred to a recording sheet S fed. Cleaner 2
23 removes the residual toner image on the photosensitive drum 218.

A fixing device 224 fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper S by the image recording unit 210 to the recording paper S. A transport roller 225 discharges and transports the recording paper S.
A paper discharge sensor 226 detects the paper discharge state of the recording paper S. Reference numeral 227 denotes a flapper that switches the conveyance direction of the recording sheet S on which recording has been completed to the discharge tray 228 side or the discharge option apparatus 105 side. 229 and 230 are discharge rollers for discharging the recording paper S conveyed by switching the flapper 227 to a discharge tray 228. Reference numeral 231 denotes a discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor which detects the stacked amount of the recording paper S stacked on the discharge tray 228.

The engine controller 107 in the control unit 103 controls the electrophotographic process by the image recording unit 210, the laser scanner unit 211, and the fixing unit 224, and controls the conveyance of the recording paper S in the printer 100.

Next, various optional devices detachably connected to the printer 100 will be described.

The option controller 10 shown in FIG.
Numeral 8 is provided in the printer 100 shown in FIG. 2 and is configured to be able to communicate various optional devices with the same protocol via the optional device interface 111 serving as a common bus. Also, the option controller 108
Is connected to the video controller 107 via the general interface 110.

The paper feed option device 104 has a paper deck 232, a paper deck paper feed roller 233, a conveyance roller 234, a paper feed relay conveyance roller 235, and a recording paper storage amount detection sensor 236. Paper deck 232
Is capable of moving up and down, and has a large amount of recording paper S stacked thereon. The paper deck paper feed roller 233 feeds the recording paper S stacked on the paper deck 232. The transport roller 234 transports the recording paper S fed from the paper deck paper feed roller 233 toward the optional paper feed roller 208. The paper feed relay conveyance roller 235 is fed from another paper feed system optional device (an optional device capable of feeding recording paper of different size or the same size) detachably connected to a plurality of lower portions of the paper feed option device 104. Relayed recording paper. Recording paper storage amount detection sensor 236
Detects the amount of the recording paper S placed on the paper deck 232.

The paper feed option device 104 is controlled by a paper deck controller 104a.

The paper discharge option device 105 includes a first paper discharge bin 237, a second paper discharge bin 238, and a third paper discharge bin 2
39, bin raising / lowering motor 240, flapper 241, discharge paper stacking amount detection sensor 242, discharge roller 243, transport rollers 244, 245, discharge roller 246, stapler 24
7. The staple remaining amount detection sensor 248 is provided.

The first to third discharge bins 237 to 239 are
The recorded recording paper S is sorted and stacked.
The bin lifting / lowering motor 240 includes first to third discharge bins 237.
To 239 are moved in the vertical direction to sort the recording paper S into bins. The flapper 241 is connected to the printer 10
The recording paper S sorted by the flapper 227 and sent to the paper ejection option device 105 is transferred to the video controller 1.
The transport switching is performed so that the face of the paper is switched based on the instruction from 06.

The discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 242 includes first to third discharged bins 2 which are raised and lowered by a bin lifting motor 240.
The stacking amount of the recording paper S discharged to 37 to 239 is detected. The discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 242 is a height sensor, and the height of the recording paper S stacked in the first to third discharge bins 237 to 239 is, for example, 88 mm (equivalent to about 700 sheets). ), The video controller 106 via the option controller 108 indicates that the finisher controller 105a is full.
Notify.

When the face-up designation of the recording paper S is specified by the video controller 106 via the general interface 110, the recording paper S sorted by the flapper 241 is directly sent to the paper output port by the paper output roller 243. When the face down of the recording paper S is designated by the video controller 106 via the general interface 110, the recording paper S sorted by the flapper 241 is once transported by the transport rollers 244 and 245 so that the rear end of the recording paper S is Transported to over 244,
Next, the transport roller 245 is reversed and fed to the paper discharge roller 246 from the rear end of the recording paper S, and is fed to the paper discharge port.

The stapler 247 stores the recording paper S in a staple tray (not shown) when the stapling is designated by the video controller 106 via the general interface 110, aligns the recording paper S, and stapler 2.
47 executes stapling and executes the first to third discharge bins 23;
7 to 239. When a shift is designated by the video controller 106 via the general interface 110, the recording paper S is stored in a staple tray (not shown) and the recording paper S is aligned and recorded in the same manner as in the case of the stapling designation. After the paper S is shifted together with the staple tray, that is, the mounting area (tray) of the recording paper S to be discharged is shifted, and then the paper S is discharged to any of the first to third discharge bins 237 to 239. . The staple remaining amount detection sensor 248 detects the remaining amount of the staple stored in the stapler 247.

The paper discharge option device 105 is controlled by a finisher controller 105a.

The option controller 108, the paper deck controller 104a, and the finisher controller 105a are connected by connectors, respectively, and perform serial communication by the option unit interface 111. They are connected in series by the same connector, and therefore, the sheet feeding option device 104 and the sheet discharging option device 105 can be connected in a different order.

Note that a pair of registration rollers 2 for transporting the recording paper S is located downstream of the manual paper feed roller 207, the cassette paper feed clutch 202, and the paper deck paper feed roller 233.
09, a paper feed roller 203, and a transport roller 234 are provided. Downstream of the registration roller 209, an image recording unit 210 that forms a toner image on the recording paper S by a laser beam emitted from the laser scanner unit 211
Is provided. Further, a fixing device 224 that fixes the toner image formed on the recording paper S is provided downstream of the image recording unit 210. Downstream of the fixing device 224, a paper discharge sensor 226 for detecting the conveyance state of the paper discharge unit, and a recording paper S
Roller 225 for conveying the recording paper S on which recording is completed
A flapper 227 and the like for switching the transport direction are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer control system according to the present embodiment. Here, the laser beam printer 100 shown in FIG. 2 will be described as an example. In addition, if the mechanism of the present invention is executed, a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN, whether it is a single device or a system including a plurality of devices. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium to the system or the device, the system or the device functions in a specific mode.

In FIG. 3, the printer control system connects the printer 100, the personal computer (1) 300, the personal computer (2) 301, and the print server 302, each of which is an image output device according to the present embodiment.
It is connected by AN303. Personal computer (1) 300 and personal computer (2) 301
Corresponds to the external device 101 in FIG.

Hereinafter, the personal computer (1) 30
0 and the personal computer (2) 301 are described as a personal computer (1) 300 and a personal computer (2) 301.

In FIG. 3, a print job is generated as a control language for a printer by an application software program running on the personal computer (1) 300 and stored in a print spooler in the print server 302. Personal computer (1) 300 and print server 302
Is realized as a function provided by the network operating system. The print server 302 has a LAN interface (I /
F) The communication control process is executed via the card 304 and the LAN 303 to transfer the print job to the video controller 106. The communication control processing is executed via the LAN interface card 304 and the LAN 303 constituting the linter 100, and the print job is transferred to the video controller 106.

Personal computer (2) 30 used by another user
Similarly, 1 is generated as a control language for a printer by an application program operating on the personal computer (2) 301 and stored in a print spooler in the print server 302. The print server 302 is a LAN interface card 3 that constitutes the printer 100.
A communication control process is executed via the LAN 04 and the LAN 303, and the print job is transferred to the video controller 106.

Here, a print job is input in data units delimited by a job start command and a job end command that define one block of an input page, and indicates this block.

The video controller 106 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 305, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 306, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30
7, input unit 308, NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) 309, paper discharge port selection control unit 310, MC
(Memory controller) 311, option interface (I / F) 312, printing unit interface (I
/ F) 313, and these components are connected via a system bus 314.

The CPU 305 comprehensively controls access to various devices connected to the system bus 314 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 307 a of the ROM 307, and controls the engine via the printing unit I / F 313. An image signal as output information is output to the printing unit 315 controlled by the controller 107.

The option I / F 312 is a CPU 305
The communication with the option controller 108 is performed in accordance with the instruction from. Also, a communication signal between the printing unit I / F 313 and the option controller 108 may be transmitted to the general interface 110 through.

Program ROM 307 of ROM 307
In a, a control program of the CPU 305 and the like as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 7 described below are stored.

Font ROM 307b of ROM 307
Stores font data (outline font data or dot font data) used when generating an output image. The CPU 305 is configured to perform a communication process with the print server 302 by the input unit 308 via the LAN interface card 304.

The RAM 306 is a memory functioning as a main memory, a work area, a reception buffer, and the like of the COU 305. The option R connected to an additional port (not shown)
The memory capacity can be expanded by the AM. Note that the RAM 306 has a reception buffer memory 305a, a page buffer memory 305b, and a paper discharge port information storage unit 305c. The reception buffer memory 305a stores the input print data. The page buffer memory 305b stores the print data input to the input unit 308 as an intermediate code or an intermediate bitmap image. Also, the paper discharge port information storage unit 305c
Is the paper ejection option 1 via the option I / F 312
The processing status of the paper discharge unit 316 obtained by the detection sensor and the like in FIG. 5, the presence / absence of paper loading in each of the paper discharge bins 237 to 239, the loading amount information, and the like are stored.

The external memory 317 can be connected to a secondary storage device such as a hard disk whose access is controlled by the MC 311. This external memory 317
Is used as a registration memory for storing registration data transferred from an external character file, a form file, or the like on the host computer 101. It is also used as a reception spool buffer for receiving and storing input data, and is also used as a page buffer memory for storing data to be printed and form data as intermediate codes or intermediate bitmap images and storing them.

The number of external memories 317 is not limited to one, and one or more external memories are provided. In addition to the built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing emulation programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems (PDL) are provided. It may be configured to be connectable. Further, the external memory 317 is not limited to a hard disk, but may be a flash memory card or the like.

A control program for controlling the CPU 305 includes a real-time OS (operating system) for performing time-division control in units of load modules called tasks by a system clock (not shown), and a plurality of load modules (tasks) operating in units of functions. It shall be constituted by

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image output apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

When the user designates printing using the application program on the personal computer (1) 300,
The generated print job is sent to the print server 302 and the LA
The communication control with the N interface card 304 is executed, and is input to the input unit 308.

The input print job includes, in addition to PDL data for generating an image, a virtual discharge port designation command for instructing the discharge option device 105, a stapling execution command, and the like. The details will be described in a second embodiment described later.

In FIG. 4, first, in step S401, a virtual discharge port designation command is analyzed from the print data input to the reception buffer 306a of the RAM 306, and in the next step S402, the virtual discharge bin (virtual discharge bin) specified. Paper exit)
Is stored in the page buffer 306b in the RAM 306 as print job information (not shown). Next, in step S403, the job analysis module in the ROM 307 analyzes the presence / absence of stapling designation, designation of an output surface, designation of a print job, and information constituting a print job, and stores the intermediate data in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306. The page is stored as print job information (not shown) to associate and associate the pages.

Next, in step S404, subsequent PDL data (such as a control code or a character code indicating a printing position) is read, and the PDL data is analyzed by the image generation module in the ROM 307. Are stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 as intermediate data, but are stored in the same page until a page end control code such as a meeting page command in the print data is detected. Is stored in page units as intermediate data of.

Next, in step S405, it is determined whether or not the print job has been completed. If the print job has not been completed, the flow returns to step S403 to execute the subsequent job data analysis.

As described above, when one print job is stored as intermediate page data in the RAM 306 as output to the virtual discharge port, the discharge port selection control unit 310 Is activated.

On the other hand, if the print job has been completed in step S405, in step S406, the discharge bin selection control unit 310 sets each of the discharge bins 237 to 239 of the discharge option device 105 to be actually output to an optional one. Select via interface 312. Next, in step S407, the intermediate pages stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 are sequentially bitmap-developed in the bitmap memory in the RAM 306, and the generated bitmap image to be output is output via the printing unit interface 313. After transmission to the engine controller 107 and printing by the printing unit 315, this processing operation ends.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing virtual discharge port information stored in the discharge port information storage section in the RAM 306. In the drawing, reference numeral 501 denotes virtual discharge port information, which has N levels of virtual discharge bins, a user selects a virtual discharge bin by an application program on a host, and a printer driver issues a virtual discharge port command. Thus, the virtual discharge bin (1) to the virtual discharge bin (n) which are the virtual discharge port numbers
Specify one of the following.

The virtual discharge port information 501 stores, for each virtual discharge bin, a discharge device number, a discharge port number of the discharge device, and information indicating the state of the device discharge bin. . The paper discharge device number specifies the paper discharge option device selected by the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 when there are a plurality of paper discharge option devices. N if the virtual paper exit is not used and no print job is input
ULL is described. The device discharge port is device discharge bin information selected by the discharge port selection control unit 310 from the discharge bins 237 to 239 of the discharge option device. If the virtual discharge port is not used and no print job is input, NULL is described.

The state of the apparatus discharge bin is the state information of the apparatus discharge bin selected by the sheet discharge port selection control unit 310. If the output is currently being performed, the output is in the output state. If the output and output sheets remain, the output is in the holding state. If the output sheets are overloaded or the like, an error occurs. If the virtual paper ejection port is not used and a print job is not input, NULL is described.

These information are stored in the paper discharge option device 10
5, information detected by a detection sensor such as the discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 242 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312, and is rewritten in real time by the option interface 312.

This information is notified to the host computer (user) which has output the print job by SNMP (Simple Network Monitoring Protocol), and the virtual utility bin selected by the user is notified by the network utility software receiving the notification. It is also used for notifying whether or not it has been output.

FIG. 6 is a view showing device discharge port information stored in the discharge port information storage unit in the RAM 306. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes device discharge port information, which is equivalent to the device discharge port. With an area. In the present embodiment, the discharge bin (1) 60
2. Paper discharge bin (2) 603, paper discharge bin (3) 604
It has a storage area for a stage.

In the apparatus discharge port information 601, the discharge apparatus number and the discharge port number are IDs (identifiers) for associating the information storage area with the discharge apparatus and the discharge bin. (A) The paper output surface is status information indicating the current state of face-down / face-up output of the paper discharge bin (uniquely determined by the configuration of the paper discharge device in this embodiment). (B) The paper stacking amount is status information indicating the presence / absence of paper stacking in the discharge bin and the stacking amount. This information is output to the discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 242 in the paper discharge option device 105.
Is detected from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312, and the option interface 312 rewrites the information if there is a state change. (C) The staple amount is status information indicating the presence or absence of staples used for all the discharge bins.
The information detected by the staple remaining amount detection sensor 248 in the paper discharge option device 105 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312, and is rewritten by the option interface 312 when there is a state change. . (D) Basic status is status information indicating the paper discharge state of the paper discharge bin. This information is stored in the video controller 1 in the RAM of the option controller 108 described above.
06 is accessible by a shared memory (not shown), which can be obtained by referring to the transport status management area and the basic status area stored in the shared memory.

The basic stator has an idle state, an output execution state, an error occurrence state, and a warning occurrence state.

Regarding (A) to (D) described above,
This is current status information whose status or state changes according to the processing status of the input print job. (E) The use user name indicates the name of the user who is currently outputting to the paper discharge bin or the name of the owner of the output material which has already been output but has been retained. This information stores the user name and notification address transmitted from the host, and when the output is completed or an output error occurs, the information is displayed on the operation panel 102 or displayed on the host computer (user) using SNMP or the like. Used to notify (F) Outputtable paper size is information indicating the paper size that can be output by the discharge bin. (G) Staplability is information indicating whether or not a discharge bin can be stapled. (H) Outputable paper type is information indicating the material of the paper that can be output by the discharge bin.

(E) to (H) described above are used when notifying the host computer as usable information or when the discharge port selection control unit 310 associates the virtual discharge port with the apparatus discharge port. It may be done.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the discharge port selection control unit 310 for associating a virtual discharge port with an apparatus discharge port in the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 7, first, in step S 701, when the print job stores at least one page of intermediate page data in the RAM 306 by the image generation module in the ROM 307, the device in the device discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306. Device ejection port information 602 for the ejection bin (1)
Referring to (B) of the paper stacking amount, it is checked whether or not the apparatus discharge bin (1) is empty. If it is empty, the apparatus discharge bin (1) is selected in step S702. Next, in step S703, the virtual discharge port information 50 in the RAM 306 is set.
The paper discharge device number and the paper discharge port are stored in the area of the virtual paper discharge bin number assigned to 1 and selected in step S702 in FIG. Next, after instructing the option controller 108 to move the discharge bin position to the option controller 108 in step S704, this processing operation ends.

Note that the option controller 108
When receiving the discharge bin position moving instruction, the control unit 110 moves the discharge bin in accordance with the output of the paper while communicating with the engine controller 107 as described above.

On the other hand, if the apparatus discharge bin (1) is not empty in step S701, step S70
In step 5, referring to (B) the paper stacking amount of the device discharge port information 603 for the device discharge bin (2) in the device discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306, it is determined whether the device discharge bin (2) is empty. Find out. If it is vacant, the device discharge bin (2) is selected in step S706, and the process proceeds to step S703, where it is assigned to the virtual discharge port information 501 in the RAM 306 and selected in step S706. The discharge device number and the device discharge port are stored in the area of the virtual discharge bin number.

On the other hand, if the device discharge bin (2) is not empty in step S705, the process proceeds to step S70.
At 7, reference is made to (B) the sheet stacking amount of the device discharge port information 603 for the device discharge bin (3) in the device discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306 to determine whether the device discharge bin (3) is empty. Find out. If it is vacant, the device discharge bin (3) is selected in step S708, and the process proceeds to step S703, where it is allocated to the virtual discharge port information 501 in the RAM 306 and selected in step S708. The discharge device number and the device discharge port are stored in the area of the virtual discharge bin number.

On the other hand, if the apparatus discharge bin (3) is not empty in step S707, the process proceeds to step S7.
The process proceeds to step S09, and after waiting for the output bin to be completed until the output sheet currently held is removed, the process returns to step S701.

In the above-described embodiment, if there is no device discharge port to be selected, the process proceeds to step S in FIG.
In step 709, a waiting state of the discharge bin is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the apparatus may be configured to notify the notification address of the user whose output is completed and holding the output and remove the sheet. good. In this case, the notification is made by utility software on the host computer using SNMP provided in the LAN interface card 304 and displayed on the screen.

It is also possible to refer to the (D) basic status of the device discharge port information 602 to 604 to exclude the discharge port in which an error has occurred from the selection target. Also,
The discharge port selection control unit 310 checks the empty state of each discharge bin and selects an apparatus discharge port. However, the (F) outputable paper size of the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604,
The selection may be made by comparing (G) the staple availability, (H) the capability of the apparatus discharge port such as the type of paper that can be output, and the information described in the input print job.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The image output device according to the present embodiment and the image output system provided with the image output device are the same as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first embodiment. This will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing virtual discharge port information stored in a discharge port information storage section in the RAM 306 in the image output system including the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment. , 801 is virtual discharge port information, which has N levels of virtual discharge bins that can be allocated to all users who use this apparatus, and assigns a user name corresponding to each discharge port on a one-to-one basis. The user selects a virtual output bin to which his / her user name is assigned by the application program on the host computer, or the printer driver obtains the user name from the system in the host computer and adds the user name to the print job. Specifies any one of the virtual discharge bin (1) to the virtual discharge bin (n).

The virtual discharge port information 801 includes, for each virtual discharge bin, information indicating a discharge device number, a discharge port number of the discharge device, a state of the discharge bin, and a registered user name. Is stored.

Here, the paper ejection device number, the paper ejection outlet, and the status of the paper ejection bin are exactly the same as those described in FIG. 5 of the first embodiment.

The registered user name is registered in advance by a host computer or the like, and is based on the user name registered by the discharge port selection control unit 310 and the user name added to the input print job. Used to select a virtual output bin.

Although the registered user name is assumed to exist in the RAM 306, if the registered user name is also stored in the NVRAM 309, the stored user name is retained even when the power is turned off, so that the convenience is improved.

These information are stored in the paper discharge option device 10
5, information detected by a detection sensor such as the discharged paper stacking amount detection sensor 242 is notified from the paper discharge unit 316 to the option interface 312, and is rewritten in real time by the option interface 312.

This information is notified to the host computer (user) that has output the print job by SNMP, and the user name selected by the user or added to the print job by the network utility software receiving the notification. Is also used to notify the output bin of the apparatus that the virtual output bin selected by the user is actually output.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for storing a registered user name assigned to each paper outlet in the paper outlet information 801 shown in FIG.

Normally, the process of registering a user name in each virtual paper exit is performed prior to the input of a print job, and the user (name) to be used by a user name registration application or the like on the host computer and the virtual paper ejection. The paper port is managed so as to be one-to-one.

In FIG. 9, when a user name registration command issued by the user name registration application is input in step S901, the next step S9 is executed.
In step 01, the area of the discharge port information 801 corresponding to the virtual discharge port number designated by the command is selected. Then
The user name is stored in the virtual discharge port number (discharge bin) selected in step S903. Next, step S904
It is determined whether or not the registration of names for all users has been completed. If the registration has not been completed, the process returns to step S901. If completed, the processing operation ends.

Therefore, the number of virtual paper discharge bins is the same as the number of registered users, or when using the same number of users and using multiple paper bins, the number of paper discharge bins can be equal to or greater than the number of registered users.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image output system having the image output device according to the present embodiment.

When a user instructs printing using an application program on the personal computer (1) 300,
The generated print job is sent to the print server 302 and L
The communication control with the AN interface card 304 is executed, and is input to the input unit 308.

The input print job includes, in addition to PDL data for generating an image, a virtual discharge port designation command and staple execution instruction for instructing the discharge option device 105, and a print job owner (user). It includes the name and the name of the print server that executes management / transfer of the print job.

In FIG. 10, first, at step S100
1, the user name of the print job from the print data input to the reception buffer memory 306a in the RAM 306;
Obtain information such as the print server name. Next, virtual discharge port information 801 registered in advance in step S1002
A virtual paper discharge bin that matches the registered user name stored for each virtual paper discharge port is selected, and the selected information is stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306 as print job information (not shown).

Next, in step S1003, the job analysis module in the ROM 307 analyzes the presence / absence of stapling designation, designation of an output surface, designation of a print job, and information constituting the print job, and stores the information in the page buffer memory 306b in the RAM 306. Each intermediate page is stored as print job information (not shown) to be associated with each other.

Next, in step S1004, the subsequent PDL data (control code or character code indicating the print position) is read, and the PDL data is analyzed by the image generation module in the ROM 307. RAM classified by band corresponding to print position
The page data is stored as intermediate page data in the page buffer memory 306b of the print data 306, but is stored in page units as intermediate data of the same page until a page end control code such as a page break command in print data is detected.

Next, in step S1005, it is determined whether or not the print job indicating the end of the print data has ended. If the print job has not ended, the flow returns to step S1003 to analyze the subsequent data.

As described above, when one print job is stored as intermediate page data in the RAM 306 assuming that the image generation module in the ROM 307 is to be output to the virtual discharge port, the discharge port selection control unit 310 is activated. Is done.

Next, in step S1006, the paper discharge bins of the paper discharge option device 105 to be actually output by the paper discharge port selection control unit 310 are output to the option interface 31.
Select via 2. Next, in step S1007, RA
The intermediate pages stored in the page buffer memory 306b in the M306 are sequentially bitmap-developed in the bitmap memory in the RAM 306, and the generated bitmap image to be output is transmitted to the engine controller 107 via the printing unit 315, After printing is performed by the printing unit 315, this processing operation ends.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the discharge port selection control unit 310 for associating a virtual discharge port with an apparatus discharge port in the image output apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 11, first, at step S110
In step 1, when the print job stores at least one page of intermediate page data in the RAM 306 by the image generation module in the ROM 307, the image forming module for each device discharge bin stored in the device discharge port storage unit in the RAM 306. By referring to the (E) user name in the device discharge port information 602 to 604, it is determined whether there is a device discharge port that is outputting or has already been output and is holding a sheet. If there is a currently used apparatus discharge port (any one of the apparatus discharge bin (1) 237 to the apparatus discharge bin (3) 239), step S is executed.
The process advances to step 1102 to select the currently used device discharge bin.

Next, in step S1103, the RAM 306
Is assigned to the virtual paper discharge port information 801 stored in the virtual paper discharge port storage unit in step S1102.
In the area of the virtual paper discharge bin number selected in the above, the paper discharge option device number and the paper discharge port information are stored. Next, in step S1104, a user name (user name currently used), a print server name, and the like associated with the print job are stored in the storage unit corresponding to the selected device discharge port in the discharge port information 602 to 604. I do. Next, step S1105
To instruct the option controller 108 to move the discharge bin position, and then terminates this processing operation.

Note that the option controller 108 moves the discharge bin in accordance with the output of the sheet while communicating with the engine controller 107 as described above.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1101 that there is no device discharge port currently in use, the process proceeds to step S1101.
Proceeding to 1106, device discharge port information 6 for each device discharge bin
It is determined with reference to (B) the paper stacking amount of 02 to 604 whether or not there is an empty apparatus discharge port. If there is an empty device discharge port, the process proceeds to step S11.
After selecting an empty device discharge bin in step 07, the flow advances to step S1103 to store the discharge option device number and the device discharge port information in the area of the virtual discharge bin number selected in step S1102.

On the other hand, if there is no empty device discharge port in step S1106, the process proceeds to step S1106.
Then, the process proceeds to step S11, where the waiting of the empty output bin is performed until the output sheet currently held is removed.
Return to 01.

In the present embodiment, when there is no apparatus discharge port to be selected, the waiting of the empty discharge bin is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The notification may be sent to the notification address of the completed output holding user and the sheet may be removed. In this case, the notification is made by utility software on the host computer using SNMP provided in the LAN interface card 304 and displayed on the screen.

It is also possible to refer to the (D) basic status of the device discharge port information 602 to 604 and exclude a discharge port in which an error has occurred from selection. Furthermore,
The discharge port selection control unit 310 checks the empty state of each discharge bin and selects an apparatus discharge port. However, the (F) outputable paper size of the apparatus discharge port information 602 to 604,
The selection may be made by comparing (G) the staple availability, (H) the capability of the apparatus discharge port such as the type of paper that can be output, and the information described in the input print job.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format of a print job transferred from the print server 302 in each embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a print job (1) 1201
Is a print job input in the first embodiment, a job start command that defines the start of the print job, a virtual discharge port designation command selected by the user himself or the like as described in FIG. 7, a staple execution instruction for instructing whether or not to execute, user name information and notification address information for notifying a user during output holding as described in FIGS. 7 and 11, and a paper size used by the print job. Usage information (this is also used as a selection condition of the device discharge port), usage information of a paper type (material) used by the print job (this is also used as a selection condition of the device discharge port), PD for instructing start of PDL data for which intermediate page data is generated by the image generation module
An L data start instruction, PDL drawing data, PDL data end instruction, and a job end instruction for instructing the end of a print job are provided.

Further, the print job (2) 1202
Is a print job input in the first embodiment, a job start command for defining the start of the print job, a virtual discharge port designation command for designating a virtual discharge port selected by the user or the like (selected by a user name) Therefore, no stapling is required), a staple execution instruction for instructing whether or not to execute stapling, and a user name designation instruction for selecting a virtual discharge port as described in FIGS. 10 and 11 (this is described in FIG. 11). As described above, the print job is also used as user name information and notification address information for notifying another user who is holding output, and usage information of the paper size used by the print job (this is the selection of the paper ejection port). Information on the paper type (material) used by the print job (this is also used as a selection condition of the paper ejection port), and an image generation module. PDL data start command instructing the start of the PDL data intermediate page data is generated by Le, PDL rendering data, PDL data end command,
And a job end command for instructing the end of the print job.

[0141]

As described above in detail, according to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of users automatically execute exclusive control without being aware of the output paper outlets of other users. This has the effect that print jobs can be prevented from being mixed at a specific discharge port.

Further, according to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to prevent discharge jobs from being mixed by allocating the discharge ports for each of N users without depending on the discharge ports provided in the apparatus. This has the effect.

Further, according to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of users detect the occurrence of a failure in the paper discharge port caused by another user, and automatically execute exclusive control. In addition, it is possible to output a print job without interruption, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in throughput.

Further, according to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, the discharge port of the print job is selected at the time of output to the apparatus, so that the finite apparatus discharge port can be used by N persons. This has the effect of preventing mixed discharge of print jobs.

Further, according to the image output method and apparatus of the present invention, a limited number of apparatus discharge ports are automatically assigned to a substantial user who has transferred a print job, thereby enabling a mailbox for each of N users. This makes it possible to realize the function, and has the effect of greatly improving the convenience for the user while suppressing the device cost in a large-scale network environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view showing a configuration of an image output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which includes an image output device and an optional device thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image output system including an image output device and an optional device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the image output system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of virtual discharge port information stored in a RAM in the image output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of device discharge port information stored in a RAM in the image output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a selection process performed by a discharge port selection control unit in the image output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of virtual discharge port information stored in a RAM in an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of registering a user name in virtual discharge port information in the image output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in an image output system having an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a selection process of a discharge port selection control unit in an image output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a print job in the image output device according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Image output device (laser beam printer: LB
P) 101 External device (host computer) 102 Operation panel 103 Control unit 104 Optional paper feed device 104a Paper deck controller 104b Operation unit 105 Optional paper discharge device 105a Finisher controller 105b Operation unit 106 Video controller 107 Engine controller 108 Option controller 109 Video interface 110 General Interface 111 Optional Device Interface 201 Paper Cassette 202 Cassette Feeding Clutch 203 Feeding Roller 204 Recording Paper Detection Sensor 205 Registration Shutter 206 Manual Feed Tray 207 Manual Feeding Roller 208 Optional Paper Feeding Roller 209 Registration Roller 210 Image Recording Unit 211 Laser scanner unit 212 Laser unit 213 Polygon mirror 214 Imaging lens group 215 Beam detector 216 Folding mirror 217 Light intensity sensor 218 Photosensitive drum 219 Primary charger 220 Developing device 221 Pre-exposure lamp 222 Transfer charger 223 Cleaner 224 Fixing device 225 Transport roller 226 Discharge sensor 227 Flapper 228 paper discharge tray 229 paper discharge roller 230 paper discharge roller 231 paper discharge stacking amount detection sensor 232 paper deck 233 paper deck paper feed roller 234 conveyance roller 235 paper feed relay conveyance roller 236 recording paper storage amount detection sensor 237 first paper discharge Bin 238 Second paper discharge bin 239 Third paper discharge bin 240 Bin lifting motor 241 Flapper 242 Paper discharge loading amount detection sensor 243 Paper discharge roller 244 Transport roller 245 Transport roller 246 Paper discharge roller 47 stapler 248 staple remaining amount detection sensor 300 personal computer (1) 301 personal computer (2) 302 print server 303 LAN (local area network) 304 LAN interface card 305 CPU (central processing unit) 306 RAM (random access memory) 306a Reception buffer memory 306b Page buffer memory 306c Discharge information storage unit 307 ROM (read only memory) 307a Program memory 307b Font memory 308 Input unit 309 NVRAM (non-volatile random access memory) 310 Discharge selection control unit 311 MC (memory controller) ) 312 option interface 313 printing unit interface 314 system bus 31 The printing unit 316 sheet discharge unit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image output method for outputting an image by an image output device having a plurality of paper outlets, wherein a virtual paper outlet is assigned to a virtual N-stage paper outlet, and A virtual discharge port selecting step for selecting a virtual discharge port assigned by the virtual discharge port assigning step, an apparatus discharge port selecting step for selecting an apparatus discharge port to be output, Device output port selection control step of controlling the virtual output port and the device output port to be associated with each other and determining the device output port to be output when a print job instructed to output is input And an image output method. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stacking detection step of detecting a stacking state of the apparatus discharge port, wherein the apparatus discharge port selection control step includes detecting an empty apparatus detected by the stacking detection step as an apparatus discharge port to be output. 2. The image output method according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is selectively selected and controlled. 3. An image output method for outputting an image by an image output device having a plurality of paper discharge ports, wherein a user name allocation step of allocating a user name to N-stage virtual paper discharge ports, and the user name allocation step A virtual paper exit selecting step of selecting a virtual paper exit by comparing and comparing the user name assigned by the user with the user name of the input print job, and a device exit selecting an apparatus output to be output A port selecting step, and when a print job with user name information is input, the apparatus discharge controlling the apparatus so as to determine the apparatus discharge port to be output by associating the virtual discharge port with the apparatus discharge port. An image output method, comprising a paper port selection control step. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a current user name detecting step of detecting a current user name which has already been output to the apparatus discharge port and is currently loaded. And selecting and controlling an apparatus discharge port to be output by comparing and comparing the current user name detected by the current user name detection step with a user name attached to the newly input print job as a mouth. 4. The image output method according to claim 3, wherein: 5. An image output apparatus having a plurality of paper outlets, wherein said virtual paper outlet assignment means allocates virtual paper outlets to virtual N-stage paper outlets, and said virtual paper outlet assignment means. Virtual outlet selection means for selecting a virtual paper outlet assigned according to the above, an apparatus paper outlet selecting means for selecting a device paper outlet to be output, and a print job instructed to output to the virtual paper outlet Device output port selection control means for performing control so as to determine a device output port to be output by associating a virtual paper output port with an apparatus output port when is input. Image output device. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a stack detecting unit configured to detect a stacking state of the apparatus discharge port, wherein the apparatus discharge port selection control unit detects the empty device detected as the apparatus discharge port to be output. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the discharge port is selectively selected and controlled. 7. An image output apparatus having a plurality of paper discharge ports, wherein a user name allocating means for allocating a user name to an N-stage virtual paper discharge port, and a user name allocated by the user name allocating means and an input. Virtual output port selecting means for selecting a virtual output port by comparing and collating with the user name of the generated print job, apparatus output port selecting means for selecting an apparatus output port to be output, and user name information Device output port selection control means for performing control so that when a print job accompanied by the above is input, the virtual paper output port and the device output port are associated with each other and the device output port to be output is determined. An image output device, comprising: 8. A current user name detecting means for detecting a current user name which has already been output to the apparatus discharge port and is currently loaded, and wherein said apparatus discharge port selection control means includes an apparatus discharge port to be output. And selecting and controlling an apparatus discharge port to be output by comparing and comparing the current user name detected by the current user name detection unit with a user name attached to the newly input print job. The image output device according to claim 7, wherein: