JP4453576B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that executes print processing of an input print job.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that executes print processing of an input print job in response to input of the print job has been used. In the image forming apparatus, when printing a plurality of print jobs at once, it is necessary to collectively supply the plurality of print jobs to the image forming apparatus.

  However, the operation of collectively giving a plurality of print jobs to the image forming apparatus is complicated, and another print job is interrupted while giving a plurality of print jobs, and batch printing may be hindered.

  Therefore, a technique for printing a plurality of print jobs in a lump is being studied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that stores print jobs that are targets of batch printing and performs print processing of the stored print jobs in response to a batch printing instruction. ing.

JP-A-9-109503

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a complicated operation of giving a batch printing instruction to the image forming apparatus. The present invention has been made to solve this problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a convenient image forming apparatus capable of automatically printing a desired print job all at once.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus for executing print processing of an input print job, and inputs one or more setting attributes including a file name, a file format, or a user ID. Input means for specifying, a specifying means for specifying a print job having an attribute that matches one of the one or more setting attributes among the input print jobs, a holding means for holding the one or more setting attributes, An accumulating unit that accumulates the print job specified by the specifying unit, a printing unit that executes print processing of the print job, and a generation that generates an instruction to execute the print processing of the print job for each of the one or more setting attributes and means, wherein the printing means is responsive to generation of said execution instruction, stored in said storage means, having a attribute that matches the configuration attribute corresponding to the execution instruction Collectively print the print job, a print job that has not been specified by the specifying means, not through the accumulation in the storage means, for printing directly.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a time measuring unit that measures a date and time, and the generation unit is synchronized with the result of setting the measurement result of the time measuring unit Then, the execution instruction is generated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the printing unit integrates a plurality of print jobs accumulated in the accumulating unit and subjected to batch printing processing. As a result, the pages that make up the multiple print jobs are consolidated and printed on a single recording sheet for each set number of pages, and even if the print job changes, the printing destination recording sheet is changed. to continue printing without.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the holding unit is capable of holding a plurality of the setting attributes, and the generating unit is a plurality of the setting. The execution instruction is generated for each attribute.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the printing unit applies a printing form set for each of the one or more setting attributes to the printing process.

  According to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, since print jobs having attributes that match the set attributes can be automatically printed in a lump, it is possible to realize a highly convenient image forming apparatus. is there.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the measurement result of the time measuring unit is set, a print job having an attribute that matches the set attribute is automatically printed in a lump. Convenience is further improved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to reduce the number of recording sheets to be used.

According claims 1 to an invention of claim 5, since it is automatically printable collectively print job with an attribute that matches each of the plurality of configuration attributes, the convenience of the image forming apparatus is further improved .

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the printing form can be changed for each of the plurality of setting attributes, the convenience of the image forming apparatus is further improved.

<1 configuration>
<1.1 Configuration of image forming system>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 that forms an image on a recording sheet, and a PC (Personal computer) 20 that generates a print job. The image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 20 are communicably connected via the network 30, and the image forming apparatus 10 executes print processing of a print job input from the PC 20. A print job to be subjected to print processing by the image forming apparatus 10 is print data generated based on a file by a printer driver installed in the PC 20, and is typically described in a printer page description language such as PCL6. The Of course, the print job may be print data described in a printer page description language other than PCL6, or raster data rasterized in advance by the PC 20.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the image forming system 1 includes one PC, the image forming system 1 includes two or more PCs that are communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 10. Also good. Further, the communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the PC 20 does not need to be performed via the network 30 and may be performed by various serial transmissions and parallel transmissions.

<1.2 Hardware Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 which is a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a scanner function, and a printer function will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an MPU (microprocessor unit) 101, a ROM 102, and a RAM 103. The MPU 101 performs overall control of each component of the image forming apparatus 10 by reading and executing the program PRG stored in the ROM 102. The program PRG may be a single program or a set of a plurality of programs. The RAM 103 temporarily stores data necessary for overall control by the MPU 101. Of course, in addition to the RAM 103, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive may be provided. The computer realized by the MPU 101, the ROM 102, and the RAM 103 realizes various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 to be described later by comprehensively controlling each component of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the program PRG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a printer 105 and a scanner 106. The printer 105 reads the image data stored in the image memory 104 and forms an image related to the image data on a recording sheet. In the printer 105, various sheets such as an OHP film can be used as the recording sheet in addition to the recording paper. The scanner 106 reads a document image with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or the like, and generates image data related to the document image. The image data is stored in the image memory 104 and used as transmission image data in facsimile transmission or copy image data in document copy.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 107, a MODEM (Modem; Modulator DEModulator) 108, and a CODEC (Encoder / Cocoder). The NCU 107 controls connection to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The NCU 107 has a function of transmitting a dial signal corresponding to a communication destination telephone number (including a FAX number) and a function of detecting an incoming call. MODEM 108 is based on a facsimile transmission control procedure according to ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.30. 17, V. 27ter, V.L. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29 or the like. Alternatively, MODEM 108 can be used in addition to V.V. 37, modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data are performed. The transmission data modulated by the MODEM 108 is sent to the PSTN via the NCU 107. Also, received data to be demodulated by the MODEM 108 is given from the PSTN via the NCU 107. The CODEC 109 encodes (encodes) transmission image data stored in the image memory 104 using the MH, MR, MMR method, and the like, and decodes (decodes) reception data demodulated by the MODEM 108. The received image data obtained by decoding is stored in the image memory 104.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is provided with an operation unit 110 and a display unit 111 as a user interface. The operation unit 110 includes a member that can detect the operation of the operator, such as a mechanical switch or a touch panel. The operation unit 110 is used for inputting a setting of the image forming apparatus 10, an operation state change instruction, and the like. In the image forming apparatus 10, when an operation of the operator is detected in the operation unit 110, the MPU 101 performs a setting change process or an operation state change process based on the operation content. The display unit 111 includes a display member such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 111 displays information related to the setting and operation state of the image forming apparatus 10. The display unit 111 according to the present embodiment is a touch panel screen and has the function of the operation unit 110.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a RIP (Raster Image Processor) 112, an RTC (Real-Time Clock) 113, and a NIC (Network Interface Card) 114. The RIP 112 converts print data input from the PC 20 as a print job into bitmap format image data that matches the resolution of the printer 105. The RTC 113 measures the date and time (timekeeping), and can operate with a backup power source built in the image forming apparatus 10 even when the power supply to the image forming apparatus 10 is cut off. The image forming apparatus 10 acquires date and time information from the RTC 113 at the time of activation, and measures time by the program PRG after activation. The NIC 114 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 10 to the network 30.

  When print data described in the printer page description language is input as a print job, the image forming apparatus 10 converts the print data into image data in bitmap format using the RIP 112, and the obtained bitmap format. Image data is given to the printer 105. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can execute print processing for forming an image related to a print job on a recording sheet.

<1.3 Functional Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 10 can execute batch print processing for automatically printing print jobs having desired attributes at once. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 related to the batch printing process will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 capable of executing batch print processing of a print job having an attribute that matches an attribute set in advance (hereinafter also referred to as “set attribute”) 151, a setting attribute holding unit 152, a print job storage unit 153, a printing unit 154, a print execution instruction generation unit 155, and a timing unit 156. Hereinafter, each of these functional blocks will be sequentially described.

○ Batch printing target specific part;
A batch print target specifying unit 151 realized by executing the program PRG specifies a print job to be a target of batch print processing. More specifically, the batch print target specifying unit 151 refers to the setting attribute held in the setting attribute holding unit 152 and specifies a print job having an attribute that matches the setting attribute among the input print jobs. The print job is recognized as a print job to be subjected to batch print processing. Further, the batch printing target specifying unit 151 outputs a print job whose attribute matches the setting attribute to the printing unit 154 via the print job storage unit 153, and directly prints a print job whose attribute does not match the setting attribute. Output to.

○ Setting attribute holding part;
The setting attribute holding unit 152 is realized by the RAM 103 and holds setting attributes that are attributes that a print job to be subjected to batch printing processing should have. The attribute includes, for example, the file name and file format of the file that is the basis of the print job that is the target of batch print processing, the PC that generated the print job, and the user ID of the operator who logged in to the PC 20 when the print job was generated However, other than these may be used. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the setting attribute holding unit 152 can hold a plurality of setting attributes, and can hold a print execution time and a printing form set for each of the plurality of setting attributes. In FIG. 3, a plurality of file names (“business diary” and “morning message”) are set as setting attributes, and the print execution time (“20:00” “8:00”) is set for each of the plurality of file names. ) And a print mode (“4 pages” and “8 pages”) are illustrated. In FIG. 3, as an example of the printing form, the number of consolidated pages to be printed in one recording sheet is described. Such setting attributes, print execution time, and print form may be input from the operation unit 110 or may be input from the PC 20 that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 10. Note that, as a printing form, not only the aggregate printing such as “4 pages” and “8 pages” but also duplex printing can be set.

○ Print job storage unit;
The print job accumulation unit 153 is realized by the RAM 103 and accumulates print jobs to be subjected to batch printing processing specified by the batch print target specifying unit 151. The accumulated print job is deleted when the printing process in the printing unit 154 is completed.

○ Printing department;
The printing unit 154 is realized by using the printer 105 and the RIP 112 as main parts, and executes printing processing of the input print job. When a print job whose attribute does not match the setting attribute is directly input from the batch print target specifying unit 151, the print unit 154 executes print processing of the input print job (hereinafter also referred to as “normal print processing”). To do. In addition, the printing unit 154 executes batch print processing of the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 153 in response to the generation of the print execution instruction in the print execution instruction generation unit 155.

  In addition, the printing unit 154 reads the print form stored in the setting attribute holding unit 152 in association with the setting attribute, and uses the read print form for batch print processing of print jobs whose attributes match the setting attribute. Apply. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the setting attribute (file name) “business diary” and the printing form (number of consolidated pages) “4 pages” are associated with each other and held in the setting attribute holding unit 152 The printing unit 154 aggregates the pages constituting the print job into one recording sheet every four pages in the batch print processing of the print job generated based on the file having the file name “business diary”. In this way, collective printing (“4 in 1 printing”) is executed. As a result, even when a plurality of setting attributes are set, the printing unit 154 can apply the printing mode set for each of the plurality of setting attributes to the batch printing process. It is excellent in convenience that the print form can be changed for each of the setting attributes.

  Note that in the printing unit 154, a plurality of print jobs to be subjected to batch printing processing are integrated and subjected to aggregate printing. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a print job A composed of two pages A1 and A2, a print job B composed of one page B1, and a print job C composed of two pages C1 and C2. Are collectively printed, the four pages A1, A2, B1 and C1 corresponding to the set number of consolidated pages are collectively printed on one recording sheet SH1, and the remaining one page C2 is 1 Collective printing is performed on a sheet of recording paper SH2. In other words, when the print unit 154 mimics a plurality of print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 153 as a target of batch print processing and shifts the print target page, the print target page is changed. Even when the print job to which the print job belongs is changed, printing is continued without changing the print destination recording sheet. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, when the print target page shifts from page A2 to page B1, the print job to which the print target page belongs changes from print job A to print job B, but the print destination recording sheet is recorded. The sheet SH1 is maintained. Thereby, in the collective printing of the batch printing process, the recording sheets are not updated in synchronization with the change of the print job to be printed, and the recording sheets to be used can be reduced.

○ Print execution instruction generation unit;
The print execution instruction generation unit 155 generates an execution instruction for the batch print processing described above. More specifically, the print execution instruction generating unit 155 corresponds to the print execution time when the current time acquired from the time measuring unit 156 matches the print execution time held in the setting attribute holding unit 152. A print execution instruction is generated for a print job having an attribute that matches the setting attribute that is attached and held. As a result, the print execution instruction generation unit 155 can generate a print execution instruction for each of the plurality of setting attributes. In the example of FIG. 3, the print execution instruction generation unit 155 generates the print execution instruction based on the file having the file name “business diary”. A print execution instruction is generated at time 20:00 for the printed job, and a print execution instruction is generated at time 8:00 for a print job generated based on the file having the file name “morning message” To do. By generating such a print execution instruction, the image forming apparatus 10 can automatically print collectively a print job having an attribute that matches an attribute set in advance at a preset time. Even when multiple setting attributes are set, print jobs having attributes that match each of the plurality of setting attributes can be automatically printed separately and collectively, which is advantageous in terms of convenience. .

  Note that, instead of generating a print execution instruction when the print execution time stored in the setting attribute storage unit 152 matches, the earliest print job among the print jobs stored in the print job storage unit 153 A print execution instruction may be generated in response to the elapse of a set time from the input time. More generally, the print execution instruction generation unit 155 monitors the measurement result of the timer unit 156 so that the print execution instruction is generated in synchronization with the result of setting the measurement result. May be.

○ Timekeeping part;
The timer unit 156 is realized by the cooperation of the program PRG and the RTC 113, and functions as a timer unit for measuring the date and time.

<2 operation>
Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation related to a response to a print job input, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation related to batch printing processing.

<2.1 Detection of print job input>
As shown in FIG. 5, in the first step S101 of the operation relating to the response to the input of the print job, the presence / absence of the input of the print job is detected. If the input is not detected, the process returns to step S101, and the input is detected. Is transferred to step S102. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 10 maintains a print job input standby state until a print job is input, and performs various processes in subsequent steps S102 to S104 when the print job is input. .

  In step S102, the batch print target specifying unit 151 compares the input print job attribute with the setting attribute held in the setting attribute holding unit 152, and the input print job attribute matches the setting attribute. If so, the print job is stored in the print job storage unit 153 as a batch print process target (step S103). If they do not match, the normal print process of the print job is performed in the print unit 154 (step S104). ). Then, after step S103 or S104 is completed, the process proceeds to step S101 again. As a result, for a print job that is not an object of batch print processing, normal print processing is immediately performed in response to the input of the print job.

<2.2 Batch printing process>
As shown in FIG. 6, in the first step S <b> 201 of the operation related to the batch printing process, the print execution instruction generating unit 155 prints the current time acquired from the time measuring unit 156 and the setting attribute holding unit 152. The execution time is compared. In step S201, if the current time is the print execution time, batch printing processing is performed (step S202), and then the operation ends. On the other hand, if the current time is not the print execution time in step S201, the process proceeds to step S201. Thereby, the batch printing process at the printing execution time described above is realized.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to batch printing processing. FIG. It is a figure which illustrates the table in which the setting attribute, printing execution time, and the printing form were set. It is a figure explaining the integrated printing of a batch printing process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation related to a response to a print job input. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which concerns on a batch printing process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 20 PC
30 network 101 MPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Image memory 105 Printer 110 Operation unit 111 Display unit 112 RIP
113 RTC
114 NIC
151 Collective print target specifying unit 152 Copy setting attribute holding unit 153 Print job storage unit 154 Print unit 155 Print execution instruction generating unit 156 Timekeeping unit

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that executes print processing of an input print job,
An input means for inputting one or more setting attributes including a file name, a file format, or a user ID;
A specifying means for specifying a print job having an attribute that matches one of the one or more setting attributes among the input print jobs ;
Holding means for holding the one or more setting attributes;
Storing means for storing the print job specified by the specifying means;
Printing means for executing print processing of a print job;
Generating means for generating a print job execution instruction for each of the one or more setting attributes ;
With
The printing means includes
Wherein in response to the generation of the execution instruction, the stored in the storage means, and print at once a print job having attributes matching the set attribute corresponding to the execution instruction,
Printing a print job not specified by the specifying means directly without going through the storage in the storage means;
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
Further equipped with a time measuring means for measuring the date and time,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the generation unit generates the execution instruction in synchronization with a result of setting a measurement result of the time measuring unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The printing unit integrates a plurality of print jobs stored in the storage unit and is a target of batch printing processing, and sets the pages constituting the integrated print jobs for each set number of pages. Print on one recording sheet, and continue printing without changing the recording sheet of the print destination even when the print job changes.
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The holding means can hold a plurality of the setting attributes,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the generation unit generates the execution instruction for each of the plurality of setting attributes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the printing unit applies a printing mode set for each of the one or more setting attributes to the printing process.

Images