JP6529626B2 - Job management apparatus, method and program for changing job execution order - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a job management apparatus, a method of changing the job execution order, and a program .

  When the user causes a plurality of print jobs to be executed, the user may want to change the execution order of print jobs for which print instructions have been issued. In such a case, conventionally, the user cancels the print instruction and then changes the order of the plurality of print jobs by giving the print instruction again in the order in which the user desires to print. Alternatively, the user uses the print job whose print order is to be advanced as an interrupt job, and executes the print job earlier than the print job for which the print instruction has already been issued, thereby realizing the change of the print order. .

  However, in the method of temporarily canceling all of the former print job and issuing a print instruction again, complicated procedures and operations such as screen switching are required. Also, the latter method of advancing the execution order of a specific print job using an interrupt job must consider various factors such as the characteristics of the interrupt job and the timing when the interrupt job is executed. It was difficult to change the printing order as it is.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the user more intuitively changes the print job execution order. According to this method, the user can change the print job execution order by dragging and dropping the print job on the list of print jobs displayed on the touch panel to change the order of the print job.

JP, 2002-63004, A

  However, in the above-mentioned prior art, it is possible to intuitively change the order of execution of print jobs. However, changes in the print status, such as start time and end time of the print job and changes in productivity caused by changes in jobs before and after the print job, are not known until the print job is actually executed. Therefore, the user had to change the order of execution of print jobs by guessing or imagining the change of the print situation caused by changing the order of execution of the print jobs by experience or feeling. As a result, by changing the order of execution of print jobs, there is a possibility that the user may fall into a printing situation not expected.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

  A feature of the present invention is that when moving a job in a list of jobs and changing the execution order of the job, the change of the job status generated by changing the execution order of the job is displayed, and the actual change is displayed. It presents the user with changes in the job status before executing the job.

In order to solve the above problems, a job management apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
Storage means for storing information of the input job;
Display processing means for causing a display unit to display a list of jobs in order of execution based on the information of the job stored in the storage means;
For changing the execution order of the previous SL jobs, depending on the job drag and drop operation in the list of the jobs displayed on the display unit by the user for the specified job by the user, the execution order of the jobs And changing means for changing
It said display processing means, after the start of the drag operation of the drag-and-drop operation, before drop operation a drop operation of a job causes a change in execution order of the job is done in a list of the jobs, the drop Information related to the execution of the job accompanying the change of the execution order of the job which may be caused by the operation is displayed on the display unit together with the list of the job.
It is characterized by

  According to the present invention, when moving a job in a list of jobs and changing the job execution order, it is possible to display a change in job status that is generated by changing the job execution order. As a result, since the user can change the job execution order after grasping the change of the job status, changing the job execution order can prevent the user from falling into an unintended situation.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the arrangement of a system including a printing apparatus which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining program modules of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 8A is a view for explaining the arrangement of a print job list displayed on the operation panel, and FIG. 7B is a view showing a display example of the print job list when five types of print jobs are stored in the print queue. Diagram (A) showing a state in which the user performs drag operation by selecting a line of print job (JobD) whose print order is to be changed from the state of FIG. 3B, and (A) print job by job operation (JobD) The figure (B) which shows the state which moved the line of (2) just under the line of print job (JobA). Adjustment of the case binding machine when the print job execution order is changed, the figure (A) showing a display example showing the amount of change in productivity due to the adjustment of the fixing device when the print job execution order is changed, and the print job execution order is changed. The figure which shows the example of a display which displayed the change amount of productivity resulting from. A diagram (A) showing a display example in which the information on the lacking sheet and the indication of the sheet feed tray in which the sheet is currently stored is added when the execution order of the print job is changed, and in the print job currently being printed FIG. 7B shows a display example in the case where an interrupt of the print job being dragged is not recognized before. A diagram (A) showing a display example when stopping the job being printed is displayed by moving the print job being dragged before the print job currently being printed, and printing currently being printed FIG. 7B is a diagram showing a display example for notifying that the print order of the job can not be changed. Diagram (A) showing a display example notifying that the print processing by the print job is stopped when the print job currently being printed is moved, and dragging the line of the print job (JobA) being executed to move The figure which shows the example of a display at the time of doing (B). A figure (A) showing a display example at the time of dragging and moving a line of a print job (Job A) being executed, and a print job analyzed by the print job analysis unit according to the embodiment are stored in the print queue (B) illustrating how the FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a print job management table for managing print jobs registered in a print queue. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a control unit when the user changes the order of print jobs on the operation panel of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating processing in the case where printing start and end times are displayed as auxiliary information of the print job being dragged in S1105 of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of a fixing device. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine. FIG. 12 is a flowchart in which the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 is detailed and limited to the case where information on a sheet feed stage is displayed. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in the case where the print job being dragged is moved before the print job being printed, in the processing of S1105 in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing in the case where the change of the printing order of the print job currently being printed is permitted. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of changing the print order of jobs belonging to a group job. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for describing the details of another process of S1801 in FIG. 18; FIG. 19 is a flowchart describing another process of S1802 of FIG. 18;

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a system including a printing apparatus 110 which is an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

  In this system, an external terminal 101, which is an information processing apparatus such as a PC, and a printing apparatus 110 are connected via a network 105. As a matter of course, a plurality of external terminals 101 may be connected to the network 105, and many users can use their own computers as external terminals.

  The external terminal 101 executes various applications, acquires input information from the user under the application, generates a print job to be transmitted to the printing apparatus 110, and transmits the print job to the printing apparatus 110 via the network 105.

  Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus 110 will be described.

  The control unit 150 includes an I / O control unit 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a CPU 114, an HDD 115, and a system bus 116. The control unit 150 performs various data processing to control the operation of the printing apparatus 110. The operation panel 120 receives various operations from the user via a touch panel or the like via the UI. The paper feed unit 130 has a plurality of paper feed stages, and each paper feed stage can accommodate a plurality of sheets of paper. During printing, the paper fed from the selected paper feed stage is sent to the printer engine 140 It is conveyed and printed on the sheet. The printer engine 140 prints an image on paper according to the image data.

  Next, the configuration of the control unit 150 will be described.

  The I / O control unit 111 controls communication with the external terminal 101 via the network 105. The ROM 112 stores a boot program, and when the power is turned on, the CPU 114 executes this boot program to read out the OS and control program installed in the HDD 115 and deploys them in the RAM 113. The RAM 113 functions as a main memory for storing a control program, and the CPU 114 provides a work area at the time of execution of control processing. The CPU 114 executes a control program developed in the RAM 113 to control the overall operation of the printing apparatus 110. The HDD 115 is used for temporarily or long-term storage of a large capacity data such as a program, image data, and print data. A system bus 116 connects the CPU 114 and the above-described units to transmit control signals, data, address signals, and the like. Furthermore, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store mode information from the operation panel 120. In addition, a job list, which is a list of print jobs to be described later, is displayed on the operation panel 120, and the user drags and moves a row of print jobs in the list to change the execution order of the print jobs. Can.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining program modules of the printing apparatus 110 according to the embodiment. Note that these program modules indicate functions implemented by the CPU 114 executing a program developed in the RAM 113.

  The print job analysis unit 201 analyzes the print job received from the external terminal 101, and reads out print data, print setting information, and the like included in the print job. The print setting information is information mainly relating to a sheet size, a sheet type, a sheet feed stage, a finishing setting and the like used for printing. The print settings read out by the print job analysis unit 201 are temporarily stored in a storage unit such as the RAM 113 or the HDD 115. The input processing unit 202 receives various inputs input by the operator via the operation panel 120. The display processing unit 203 displays a list of print jobs, a message to be described later, and the like on the operation panel 120. When the execution order of the print job is changed by the above-described drag operation, the status change acquisition unit 204 acquires information indicating how the printing state changes as compared with the current printing order. When the user drags the print job on the print job list, the change prediction unit 205 drops the print job from the coordinate information of the dragged print job and the display coordinates of the print job list. Order of printing etc. A memory unit 206 corresponds to the RAM 113 or the HDD 115, and holds data acquired by the status change acquisition unit 204 or the change prediction unit 205. The control processing unit 207 controls the execution of each unit described above.

  FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a print job list displayed on the operation panel 120. The data of this screen is stored in the memory unit 206 and displayed on the operation panel 120 under the control of the CPU 114. The operator can grasp the execution order of the print job and the print status by looking at this screen. The data of this screen can be transferred to the external terminal 101 via the network 105 for display, and the external terminal 101 can receive an input for displaying the list.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes an area for displaying a print job name. In the area 301, the print jobs displayed in the print queue of the RAM 113 are displayed in the order, and the print job currently being printed or to be printed next is displayed at the top. The display field 302 displays information for each print job, such as the number of pages and the number of copies to be printed in each print job, or the current print status, corresponding to the print job name 301. Note that these pieces of information do not have to be always displayed.

  FIG. 9B is a view for explaining how a print job analyzed by the print job analysis unit 201 according to the embodiment is stored in a print queue in the RAM 113. The print job input to the print queue is managed by the print job management table (FIG. 10) in the RAM 113. The update of the print job management table (FIG. 10) and the drawing process of the job list screen are periodically performed even during the printing process.

  FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a display example of a print job list when five types of print jobs (JobA, JobB, JobC, JobD, JobE) are stored in the print queue. In FIG. 3B, Job A is printing, and other print jobs are in a print waiting state.

  FIG. 10A is a view showing an example of a print job management table for managing print jobs registered in the print queue in the case of FIG. 3B. At this time, the CPU 114 reads print job information from the print job management table shown in FIG. 10A according to the print order number. Then, information on the read print job is passed to the display processing unit 203 and displayed on the operation panel 120.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the user selects a row 400 of a print job (JobD) whose printing order is to be changed from the state of FIG. 3B and performs a drag operation.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a state in which the row 400 of the print job (JobD) is moved immediately below the row of the print job (JobA) by the drag operation.

  In this state, when the line 400 of the print job (JobD) is dropped, the display processing unit 203 acquires coordinate information of the dropped print job (JobD) and information of the dropped print job, and performs control processing. Pass to section 207. Accordingly, the control processing unit 207 updates the print job management table by obtaining a new printing order of the dropped print job from the coordinate information of the dropped position and the information of the dropped print job. In FIG. 4B, the print start time (16:30) and the scheduled print end time (17:00) when the print job (JobD) is dropped are displayed, which will be described later. .

  FIG. 10B is a view showing an example of the print job management table updated by performing the drop operation in the state of FIG. 4B. In FIG. 10B, the print job (JobD) is moved next to the print job (JobA), and the print job execution order is changed.

  Thus, when the print job management table is updated, the CPU 114 reads the print job information from the print job management table in the order of the print job and displays the information on the operation panel 120. Thus, the order of print jobs is changed and displayed in the print job list.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the control unit 150 when the user changes the order of print jobs on the operation panel 120 of the printing apparatus 110 according to the embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 114 executing a program developed in the RAM 113 at the time of execution. Therefore, in the following description, it is assumed that the CPU 114 performs the process shown in the flowchart.

  The user selects a line of a print job whose print order is to be changed on the print job list displayed on the operation panel 120 and performs a drag operation. Thus, the CPU 114 detects the user's operation on the operation panel 120. Note that while the print job is being dragged, processing of another print job may be paused, and drag and drop operations may be performed while executing another print job. In step S1101, the CPU 114 determines whether the operation is a drag operation of a displayed print job line as illustrated in, for example, FIG. If it is determined that the operation is an operation other than the drag operation of the print job, the process advances to step S1106 to execute processing corresponding to the operation. In step S1106, if the operation is a print job drop operation, a print job list in which the print job execution order has been changed is displayed in accordance with the print status or the like at that time.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1101 that the drag operation is a print job, the process advances to S1102, and the CPU 114 acquires information of the print job being dragged from the print job management table stored in the RAM 113. Next, in step S 1103, the CPU 114 acquires information on the coordinate position of the line of the print job currently being dragged. Next, in step S1104, the CPU 114 displays the display coordinates of each print job row displayed in the print job list, the position information of the print job row during the drag operation acquired in step S1103, and the drag operation acquired in step S1102. The following processing is performed based on the print job information. That is, when the line of the print job currently being dragged is dropped at the current display position, the printing order to be changed is determined. Next, in step S1105, the CPU 114 changes the display on the operation panel 120 based on the current printing order, the printing order obtained in step S1104, and the information of the print job currently being dragged. The above process is repeated during the drag operation.

  With this processing, when the user drags the line of the print job and the printing apparatus 110 is dragged at the position where the print job is dragged and the order of the print job is changed, the information regarding the changing print status is displayed on the operation panel It can be displayed at 120. As a result, the user can drag the print job line on the print job list to change the print order, and if the print job order is changed, how the print status changes is actually You can change the order of print jobs to understand without printing.

  Hereinafter, an example of the job status display and a specific example of displaying a change in the job status display as the auxiliary information will be described in detail.

<When displaying print start time and print end time>
First, processing for displaying the print start time and print end time of the moved print job when moving the line of the print job on the print job list will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the case of displaying the print start and end times as auxiliary information of the print job being dragged in S1105 of FIG. The process shown in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 114 executing a program developed in the RAM 113 at the time of execution. Therefore, here, the CPU 114 will be described as performing the process shown in the flowchart. The flowchart of FIG. 12 is a process in which the process of S1105 shown in FIG. 11 is limited to the case where the print start time and the print end time are displayed. Therefore, description of the parts such as detection of a drag operation and acquisition of job information will be omitted.

  First, in step S1201, when the CPU 114 stops moving the line of the print job being dragged on the print job list, the print times and current times of all print jobs that are printing and are scheduled to print before the print job being dragged. Get time Then, the print start time of the print job being dragged is calculated according to the order of the print job according to the stopped position. Next, in step S 1202, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for printing from the information on the print job being dragged, and calculates the scheduled print end time based on the calculated time required for printing and the print start time calculated in step S 1201. Then, in step S1203, the CPU 114 displays the print start time and the print end scheduled time of the print job being dragged together with the print job being dragged on the operation panel 120.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example in which the print start time and the scheduled end time when the print job is dropped at the current position are displayed together with the print job being dragged.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, when the print job (JobD) is moved immediately below the print job (JobA), the print start time of the print job (JobD) is 16:30, and the scheduled end time is 17: It turns out that it will be 00. Then, when the user drops the print job (JobD) at the drag position in FIG. 4B, the print order in the print queue is changed as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, in S1106 in FIG. In FIG. 10B, the print job (JobD) is moved next to the print job (JobA), followed by the print job (JobB), the print job (JobC), and the print job (JobE).

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when the print job is dragged on the print job list to change the print order, the print start time and the print end schedule of the print job moved by the drag are scheduled. Time can be displayed in real time. As a result, the user can grasp the print start time and the scheduled end time of the print job without executing printing by the print job, and the convenience of the user is enhanced.

<When displaying the change in productivity due to the adjustment of the fixing device>
Next, a description will be given of a case where information related to a change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device is displayed instead of the above-mentioned print start time and print end scheduled time.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of the fixing device. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  First, in step S1301, when movement of the line of the print job being dragged is stopped, the information on print jobs located before and after the stopped print job is acquired from the job management table of the RAM 113 on the print job list. Do. Then, from the sheet types included in the two print jobs before and after the CPU 114, the CPU 114 determines whether printing of these two print jobs is possible with the same state of the fixing device (hereinafter, fixing mode). As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, since the order is originally capable of improving productivity, the process advances to step S1303, and when it is determined that printing in a different fixing mode is performed, the process advances to step S1302. In step S1302, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for the adjustment of the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1301 are continuously printed. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the obtained time, the obtained time is stored in the RAM 113 as the productivity change amount. This is because putting the print job currently being dragged between these two print jobs eliminates the need to adjust the fuser that would have occurred if two print jobs were to be executed in succession, so that This is to determine that productivity can be improved.

  Next, in step S1303, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be executed immediately before the stopped print job being dragged. Then, based on the sheet type included in the print job being dragged and the sheet type included in the print job scheduled to be printed immediately before, it is determined whether these two print jobs can be printed in the same fixing mode. If it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the productivity can be improved by the amount obtained in S1302, and thus the process proceeds to S1305, but if it is determined that printing in a different fixing mode is performed, the process proceeds to S1304. In step S1304, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for the adjustment of the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1303 are continuously executed. Then, it is determined that the productivity is reduced by the obtained time, and the obtained time is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount. This is because, if the print order of the print job currently being dragged is changed to the position on the print job list where the drag is stopped, it takes time to adjust the fuser, and that amount of productivity This is because a drop occurs.

  Next, in step S1305, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job stopped during dragging. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether these two print jobs can be printed in the same fixing mode from the print job being dragged and the sheet type of the print job to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged. As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the productivity can be improved by the amount obtained in S1302, and thus the process proceeds to S1307. If it is determined that printing in a different fixing mode is performed, the process proceeds to S1306. In step S1306, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for the adjustment of the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1305 are continuously printed. Then, the productivity is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the obtained time.

  Next, in step S1307, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on print jobs originally located before and after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when the print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on print jobs (JobC) and print jobs (JobE) located before and after the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. It corresponds to acquiring. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not the two print jobs can be executed in the same fixing mode, from the sheet types included in the two print jobs acquired. This is to determine whether the print job before and after the print job will be continuously executed by moving the print job, thereby causing a decrease in productivity, which is a decrease in productivity. If it does not occur, it does not affect the amount of productivity change. If it is determined in S1307 that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the processing proceeds to S1309. If it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the processing proceeds to S1308. In step S1308, the CPU 114 acquires the time required for the adjustment of the fixing device that occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1307 are continuously printed. Then, assuming that the productivity is lowered by the acquired time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount.

  Next, in step S1309, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be printed immediately before the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. This corresponds to, for example, acquiring information on a print job (JobC) located before the print job (JobD) on the list in FIG. 3B when the print job (JobD) is dragged. Do. Then, based on the information of the print job being dragged and the sheet type included in the print job to be printed immediately before the print job being dragged in the current printing order, the two print jobs are in the same fixing mode It is determined whether printing is possible. As a result, if it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the process advances to step S1311, and if it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the process advances to step S1310. In step S1310, the CPU 114 adjusts the fixing device that occurs when the print job being dragged and the print job to be printed immediately before are sequentially printed in the current print order and the information on the print job being dragged. Find the time it takes to Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity. This means that the print job being dragged is moved to another place in the print order of the current print job list, so that the adjustment of the fuser with the print job to be printed immediately before will be unnecessary. It is for.

  Next, in step S1311, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. This corresponds to, for example, acquiring information on a print job (JobE) located after the print job (JobD) on the list in FIG. 3B, for example, when the print job (JobD) is dragged. . The CPU 114 can print the two print jobs in the same fixing mode based on the information of the print job being dragged and the sheet type of the print job to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current printing order. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that printing can be performed in the same fixing mode, the processing proceeds to step S1313, and if it is determined that printing is performed in a different fixing mode, the processing proceeds to step S1312. In step S1312, the CPU 114 requires adjustment of the fixing device, which is generated when the print job information being dragged and the print job scheduled to be printed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current printing order are continuously printed. Ask for time. Then, assuming that the productivity has been improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  Thus, the process advances to step S1313, and the CPU 114 obtains the sum of the productivity change amounts generated by the adjustment of the fixing device, which are stored in the RAM 113 in steps S1302, S1304, S1306, S1308, S1310, and S1312. Then, on the operation panel 120, the amount of change in productivity when the print job is moved to the position of the line of the print job currently being dragged and stopped is displayed.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a display example in which the amount of change in productivity resulting from the adjustment of the fixing device is displayed when the order of execution of print jobs is changed.

  In FIG. 5A, it is displayed that when the print job (JobC) being dragged is moved after the print job (JobD), the productivity is improved, and the time required for the adjustment of the fixing device is reduced by 5 minutes. In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobC) at the current position, the print order of the print job of the print queue is changed in the order of JobA, JoD, and JobC in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when changing the print job execution order by dragging the line of the print job on the print job list, it is caused by the adjustment of the fixing device according to the movement position thereof The amount of change in productivity can be displayed in real time. As a result, even if the user does not actually execute the print job, the user can confirm whether or not the productivity of the entire job is lowered due to the adjustment of the fixing device only by performing the operation of changing the order of the print job.

<When displaying the change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine>
Next, an example of displaying a change in productivity resulting from the adjustment of the case binding machine will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process of S1105 of FIG. 11 in the case of displaying a change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  First, in S1401, when movement of the line of the print job being dragged is stopped, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table of the RAM 113, information on print jobs located before and after the stopped print job on the print job list. Do. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether or not case binding is set for one of the print jobs based on the acquired information of the print job before and after. If the two print jobs are both set to case binding or if no case binding is set for any print job, the process advances to step S1403, and if only one case is set for case binding. It progresses to S1402. In step S1402, the CPU 114 obtains a time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1401 are continuously executed. Then, the productivity is set to increase by the determined time, and the change amount of productivity is set and stored in the RAM 113. This means that when the print job currently being dragged has moved to the position where the drag operation is currently stopped, the adjustment of the case binding machine, which should have occurred in the order of print jobs so far, becomes unnecessary. That is because the productivity is improved.

  In step S1403, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be executed immediately before the print job stopped by dragging. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether case binding is set for one of the print job being dragged and the print job scheduled to be executed immediately before the print job being dragged. Do. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if both case bindings are not set, the process advances to step S1405; if case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs, the process advances to step S1404. In step S1404, the CPU 114 obtains a time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when the print job being dragged and the immediately preceding print job are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the obtained time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount. This means that if the print job currently being dragged has moved to the current position, adjustment of the case binding machine, which should not occur in the current print order, is required, which causes a decrease in productivity. It is for.

  Next, in step S1405, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job scheduled to be executed immediately after the print job that is being dragged and stopped. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of the print job stopped during the drag and the print job scheduled to be executed immediately after the print job stopped during the drag. It is determined whether or not the If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if both case bindings are not set, the process advances to step S1407. If only one case is set for case binding, the process proceeds to step S1406. move on. In step S1406, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when these two print jobs are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the obtained time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount.

  Next, in step S1407, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on print jobs before and after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. For example, when the print job (JobD) is dragged, for example, information on print jobs (JobC) and print jobs (JobE) located before and after the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. It corresponds to acquiring. Then, the CPU 114 determines whether case binding is set for only one of the two print jobs based on the acquired information of the two print jobs. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if both case binding is not set, the process advances to step S1409. If only one case is set for case binding, the process proceeds to step S1408. move on. In step S1408, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when the two print jobs acquired in step S1407 are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is reduced by the obtained time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a productivity change amount.

  Next, in step S1409, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be executed immediately before the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. This corresponds to, for example, acquiring information on a print job (JobC) located immediately before the print job (JobD) on the list of FIG. 3B when the print job (JobD) is dragged. Do. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of print job information being dragged and print job executed immediately before the print job being dragged in the current print order. Determine if it is. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if both case bindings are not set, the process advances to step S1411; if case binding is set for only one of them, the process advances to step S1410. In step S1410, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when two print jobs are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity has been improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  Next, in step S1411, the CPU 114 acquires, from the job management table, information on a print job to be executed immediately after the print job being dragged in the print order of the current print job list. This corresponds to, for example, acquiring information on a print job (JobE) located immediately after the print job (JobD) on the list in FIG. 3B when the print job (JobD) is dragged. Do. Then, the CPU 114 sets the case binding for only one of the print job information being dragged and the print job to be executed immediately after the print job being dragged in the current print order. Determine if it is. If case binding is set for both of the two print jobs, or if both case bindings are not set, the process advances to step S1413, and if only one case is set for case binding, the process proceeds to step S1412. move on. In step S1412, the CPU 114 obtains the time required for adjusting the case binding machine, which occurs when two print jobs are continuously executed. Then, assuming that the productivity is improved by the determined time, the time is stored in the RAM 113 as a change in productivity.

  Thus, the process advances to step S 1413, and the CPU 114 moves the print job to the position of the line of the print job currently being stopped during dragging, as information on the total amount of productivity change occurring due to the adjustment of the case binding machine. Displayed as the amount of change in productivity in the case of

  FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example in which the display of the amount of change in productivity due to adjustment of the case binding machine is added to the line of the print job being dragged.

  In FIG. 5B, it is displayed that when the print job (JobC) being dragged is moved after the print job (JobD), the productivity is improved and the time required for adjusting the case binding machine is reduced by 5 minutes. . In this state, when the user drops the print job (JobC) at the current position, the print order of the print job of the print queue is changed according to the position in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when changing the print job execution order by dragging the print job line on the print job list, the adjustment time of the case binding machine is adjusted according to the moved position. The amount of productivity change caused can be displayed in real time. As a result, the user can check whether the productivity of the entire job decreases due to the adjustment of the case binding machine by changing the order of the print job without actually executing the print job.

<When displaying information about the paper feed tray>
Next, an example will be described in which information on the sheet feed tray is displayed as the printing auxiliary information.

  FIG. 15 is a flow chart for explaining the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of displaying information on the sheet feed tray. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  In step S <b> 1501, the CPU 114 acquires, from the paper feed unit 130, information (paper size, type, number of sheets, etc.) of the paper currently stored in the paper feed tray of the printing apparatus 110. Next, in step S 1502, the CPU 114 specifies a job that matches the information of the print job being dragged from the print job list representing the printing order. Then, the CPU 114 acquires sheet information (size, type, number of sheets) used by all print jobs to be printed before the identified print job from the print job management table (FIG. 10). Next, in step S1503, the CPU 114 acquires sheet information stored in the current sheet feed tray and sheet information to be used by the print job scheduled to be executed before the print job being dragged. Then, based on the information on the sheets, when the print job being dragged is executed, information on the sheets stored in the sheet feed tray is obtained. Next, in step S1504, the CPU 114 executes the print job being dragged based on the sheet information used by the print job being dragged for printing and the sheet information stored in the sheet feed stage obtained in step S1503. It is determined whether paper out occurs at the time of printing. If the CPU 114 determines in step S1504 that paper out occurs, the process advances to step S1505; if it determines that paper out does not occur, the processing ends. In step S1505, the CPU 114 obtains the type and the number of sheets which become insufficient when the print job being dragged is executed. If the print job is moved to the position of the line of the print job currently being dragged on the operation panel 120 based on the information on the insufficient sheet in step S1506, the size, type, Displays the type and sheet feed tray in which the sheet is currently stored.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a display example in which the display of the size, type, and type of the missing sheet and the sheet feed stage in which the sheet is currently stored are added to the row of the print job (JobD) being dragged. It is. In FIG. 6A, it is displayed that a shortage of paper occurs, that the paper is A4 size, and the plain paper, the number of sheets is 500, and there is no paper feed stage storing the paper for that amount. There is.

  In this state, when the user drops the print job (Job D) at the position, the print order in the print queue is changed in accordance with the drop operation of the user in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when changing the print job execution order by dragging the line of the print job on the print job list, the sheet used in the print job is selected according to the movement position. Information and information on paper feed trays can be displayed in real time. As a result, the user can check whether there is a sheet on which the print job can be executed by changing the order of the print job without actually executing the print job. In this way, it is possible for the user to prevent the stoppage of printing due to a paper runout due to changing the order of execution of print jobs.

<If the destination of the print job being dragged is before the print job currently being printed>
Next, as auxiliary printing information, display of auxiliary information in the case where the destination of the job print being dragged is before the print job currently being printed will be described.

  FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts for explaining the process in the case where it is attempted to move the print job being dragged prior to the print job being printed. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  FIG. 16A is a flowchart showing processing in the case where an interrupt of another print job is not permitted before the print job currently being printed.

  In S1601, the CPU 114 identifies a print job corresponding to the line of the print job currently being dragged, and acquires information on a print job scheduled to be printed after the print job being dragged from the print job management list. If the CPU 114 determines that there is a print job being printed after the moved print job based on the acquired print job information, the process advances to step S1602; otherwise, the process ends. In step S 1602, the CPU 114 is trying to interrupt the print job currently being dragged before the print job being printed, so the print job currently being dragged can not be moved to the current dragging position. Displayed at 120.

  FIG. 6B is a view showing a display example in the case where interruption of the print job being dragged is not permitted before the print job currently being printed.

  In FIG. 6B, the print job (JobD) being dragged is moved before the print job (JobA) in which printing is being performed. Therefore, the print job (JobD) displays the message "Can't move to the print job currently being printed" to inform the user that the print job being dragged can not be moved to the current drag position. .

  If the print job being dragged is dropped at the position while the display in FIG. 6B is being performed, the print order of the print job (JobD) is changed in S1106 of FIG. End the process without doing.

  Next, FIG. 16B is a flow chart showing processing when interruption of another print job is permitted before the print job being printed.

  Since the process of S1611 is the same as the process of S1601 of FIG. 16A described above, the description thereof is omitted. If the print job being moved is moved in step S1611, the process advances to step S1612, and the CPU 114 displays that the print job currently being dragged is to be interrupted before the job being printed, and that the job being printed is to be stopped. Do.

  FIG. 7A is a view showing a display example in the case where the print job being dragged is moved prior to the print job being printed and thus the job being printed is displayed to be stopped. In FIG. 7A, the print job (JobD) being dragged is moved before the print job (JobA) in which printing is being performed. Therefore, in this case, the printing process by the print job (Job A) in execution of printing is stopped.

  When the user drops the print job (JobD) at the current position in the state of FIG. 7A, the CPU 114 causes the printer engine 140 to execute the process at S1106 in FIG. Issue a print job (JobA) stop instruction. Then, after the stop instruction of the print job being executed, the print order of the print job (JobD) is changed according to the drop operation of the user.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the print job row is dragged on the print job list to change the print job execution order, and the move destination is before the print job being printed. You can see what happens if you actually change it there. This makes it possible for the user to immediately understand the reason such as stopping the job being printed, or the execution order not intended by the user simply by changing the order of the print job, though the user does not intend.

<When trying to change the print order of the job currently printing>
Next, as auxiliary printing information, display of auxiliary information when it is attempted to change the print order of a job currently being printed will be described.

  FIGS. 17A and 17B are flowcharts showing processing in the case where the change of the print order of the print job currently being printed is permitted. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  FIG. 17A is a flowchart showing processing in the case where the change of the print order of the print job currently being printed is not permitted.

  First, in step S1701, the CPU 114 acquires the print status of the print job currently being dragged from the print job management list. If the acquired printing status indicates that printing is in progress, the process advances to step S1702, and if printing is awaited, the processing ends. In S1702, since the print job currently being dragged is a job being printed, the CPU 114 displays on the operation panel 120 that the printing order can not be changed.

  FIG. 7B is a view showing a display example for notifying that the print order of the print job being printed can not be changed by moving the print job currently being printed. In FIG. 7B, the print job (JobA) currently executing print processing is dragged and its execution order is about to be changed, so the message “The print order can not be changed because printing is in progress” is displayed. It is done.

  When the user drops the print job (JobA) in the display state of FIG. 7B, the CPU 114 ends the process without changing the execution order of the print job in S1106 of FIG.

  FIG. 17B is a flowchart showing processing in the case where the change of the print order of the print job currently being printed is permitted.

  The processing in step S1711 is the same as the processing in step S1701 of FIG. If it is determined in step S1711 that the dragged print job is being printed, the process advances to step S1712. If the print order of the print job has been changed, the CPU 114 displays, on the operation panel 120, an instruction to stop print processing for the print job.

  FIG. 8A is a view showing a display example for notifying that the print processing by the print job is stopped when the print job (Job A) currently being printed is moved.

  When the user drops the print job (Job A) at the displayed position in the state of the display of FIG. 8A, the job currently being executed to the printer engine 140 in S1106 of FIG. Give an instruction to stop the Then, after the instruction to stop the print job currently being executed, the execution order of the print job is changed in accordance with the user's drop operation.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to display what kind of operation will be performed when the execution order of the job currently being printed is changed. In this way, it is possible for the user to immediately understand reasons such as unintentionally stopping a currently executing job or changing the order of execution of unintended print jobs by changing the order of print jobs. It becomes.

<When trying to change the print order of jobs included in a group job>
Next, as auxiliary printing information, display of auxiliary information when it is attempted to change the printing order of jobs included in a group job will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the process of S1105 in FIG. 11 in the case of changing the printing order of jobs belonging to the group job. Therefore, the description of the part including the detection of the drag operation and the acquisition of the job information is omitted.

  First, in step S 1801, the CPU 114 determines a change in print status that occurs depending on whether the print job currently being dragged is a print job of a group, determines the content to be displayed, and stores the result in the RAM 113. Next, in step S 1802, the CPU 114 determines a change in the generated print status according to the print status of the group job to which the print job currently being dragged belongs, determines the content to be displayed, and stores the content in the RAM 113. Next, in step S1803, the CPU 114 acquires the display content stored in the RAM 113 in steps S1801 and S1802, and displays, on the operation panel 120, information on the printing order change of the group job to which the job currently being dragged belongs.

  FIGS. 19A and 19B are flowcharts for explaining the details of the process of S1801 in FIG. Therefore, the description of the information display part is omitted.

  FIG. 19A is a flowchart of the case where the change of the execution order of only some print jobs belonging to the group job is permitted.

  First, in step S1901, the CPU 114 determines from the job information of the print job currently being dragged whether it belongs to a group. As a result, if it is determined that it belongs to the group, the process proceeds to S1902, and if it is determined that it does not belong to the group, the process is ended as it is. In step S1902, the CPU 114 stores the print job currently being dragged in the RAM 113, which displays that the execution order of only the print job being dragged is changed although the print job belongs to a group.

  When the user drops a print job with the UI indicating that only the print job currently being dragged changes the execution order, the execution order of the print job in the print job management table is changed in S1106 of FIG. Do. That is, the information on the group is deleted from the print job attribute currently being dragged in the print job management table, and the execution order of the print job is changed according to the drop operation of the user.

  FIG. 19B is a flowchart of the case of changing the printing order for the entire job belonging to the group.

  The processing of S1911 is the same as S1901 of FIG. If the print job being dragged belongs to a group in step S1911, the process advances to step S1912, and the CPU 114 stores the print order of the entire group in the RAM 113 so as to be displayed.

  In this case, by dragging the print job, a UI indicating that the print order of the entire group to which the print job belongs is changed is displayed. In this state, when the user drops the print job being dragged, in S1106 of FIG. 11, a group to which the print job currently being dragged belongs is obtained from the print job management table. Then, the print order of all print jobs belonging to the group is changed.

  This makes it possible to move the entire group to which the print job being dragged belongs, or to move only the print job being dragged in the group.

  20A and 20B are flowcharts for explaining the process of S1802 in FIG.

  FIG. 20A is a flowchart showing processing in the case where the change of the printing order is permitted even if part of the print jobs belonging to the group job is printing.

  First, in step S2001, the CPU 114 acquires, from the print job management table, the print statuses of all print jobs belonging to the same group as the print job currently being dragged. Then, it is determined whether there is a print job among the acquired print jobs, and if it is determined that a print job is present, the process proceeds to S2002, and if not, the process ends. In step S2002, since there is a job being printed in the group to which the print job currently being dragged belongs, the CPU 114 displays that the execution of the print job being printed is to be stopped.

  FIG. 8B is a view showing a display example when dragging and moving a line of a print job (Job A) in progress. Here, it is displayed that the entire group to which the print job (JobA) belongs is moved along with dragging of the line of the print job (JobA), and the printing process of the print job (JobA) currently being printed is stopped.

  In this state, when the user drops a print job (JobA), the print order of the print job (JobA) and the job of the group to which the print job (JobA) belongs is changed in S1106 of FIG. If the printing apparatus permits the change of the execution order of some print jobs of the group in S1106, the execution order is changed according to the user's drop processing. At this time, if it is set to change the execution order of the print jobs belonging to the group, the printer engine 140 is instructed to stop the print job currently being executed. Then, the print job execution order is changed according to the user's drop operation.

  FIG. 20B is a flowchart for describing processing in the case where the change of the printing order is not permitted when a part of the jobs belonging to the group job is printing.

  Since S2011 is the same as S2001 of FIG. 20 (A), the description thereof is omitted. If it is determined in step S2011 that part of the group to which the print job currently being dragged belongs is printing, the process advances to step S2012, and the CPU 114 displays that the printing order can not be changed.

  FIG. 9A is a view showing a display example when dragging and moving a line of a print job (Job A) in execution. Here, since the group to which the print job (Job A) being dragged belongs includes the job being printed, it is displayed that the printing order can not be changed.

  In this state, when the user drops a print job (Job A), the process ends without changing the printing order in S1106 of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the print job being dragged belongs to a group, it is possible to display what kind of operation will occur if the printing order is changed. This makes it possible to prevent the printing order of print jobs belonging to a certain group from being unintentionally changed by the user.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a job drag operation can be performed on the list of jobs displayed on the touch panel to change the job execution order. At this time, it is possible to display, in real time, changes in the print status caused by changing the order of executing the job. As a result, the user can change the job execution order after understanding that the print status will change if the job execution order is changed. As a result, it is possible to prevent in advance the printing situation which the user does not intend due to changing the job execution order.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to execute.

  101 External terminal: 110 Printing device: 112 ROM: 113 RAM: 114 CPU

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing information of the input job;
Display processing means for causing a display unit to display a list of jobs in order of execution based on the information of the job stored in the storage means;
For changing the execution order of the previous SL jobs, depending on the job drag and drop operation in the list of the jobs displayed on the display unit by the user for the specified job by the user, the execution order of the jobs And changing means for changing
It said display processing means, after the start of the drag operation of the drag-and-drop operation, before drop operation a drop operation of a job causes a change in execution order of the job is done in a list of the jobs, the drop Information related to the execution of the job accompanying the change of the execution order of the job which may be caused by the operation is displayed on the display unit together with the list of the job.
Job management apparatus characterized in that.   The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes a start time and an estimated end time of the job.   The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes information indicating a change in productivity due to a change in the execution order of the job, which is obtained when dropped at the current position of the drag operation.   The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information includes information of a sheet used in the job.   2. The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display processing means further displays information indicating whether the change of the execution order of the job by the change means is permitted. Based on the ending time of the job immediately before the job which is dropped when the current position of the drag operation is changed and the execution order of the job is changed, and the time required to execute the changed job, And acquiring means for acquiring a job start time and an estimated job end time,
The display processing means displays a start time and an estimated end time of the job acquired by the acquisition means.
3. The job management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:   The job management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the job management apparatus further includes a printing unit. A method of changing the execution order of jobs executed in a job management apparatus, comprising:
A display processing step of causing a display unit to display a list of jobs in the order of execution based on the information of the job stored in the storage unit for storing the input information of the job;
For changing the execution order of the previous SL jobs, depending on the job drag and drop operation in the list of the jobs displayed on the display unit by the user for the specified job by the user, the execution order of the jobs Having a change process to change
Wherein in the display step, after the start of the drag operation of the drag-and-drop operation, before drop operation a drop operation of a job causes a change in execution order of the job is done in a list of the jobs, the drop Information related to the execution of the job accompanying the change of the execution order of the job which may be caused by the operation is displayed on the display unit together with the list of the job.
A method of changing the execution order of jobs characterized in that.   A program for causing a computer to function as the job management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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