JP2004246771A - Print processing control system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention calculates a processing time of a print job of the entire network in consideration of a job other than a print function of a copy function and a facsimile transmission / reception function, and allocates an optimal print job.
A print job held in a print function job queue storage unit in a job management unit for monitoring and managing print jobs existing in the same network is provided. Job information is acquired, and a print job is assigned to an appropriate multifunction device 1 or print processing device 4. At this time, not only the print job information in the print function job queue storage unit 12 but also the information on the jobs in the job queues of all the functions existing in the multifunction peripheral is acquired. Based on the information of all these jobs, the most suitable print job is reassigned to the multifunction device 1 and the print processing device 4 connected to the network 3.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral, which is a print processing apparatus having at least a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printing function, and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the multifunction peripheral via a network. The present invention relates to a print processing control system and method for controlling a completed print job.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a print processing apparatus having only a plurality of print functions connected in the same network and a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a print function, information processing is performed. In order to minimize the print processing time when a print job is input from a device (for example, a personal computer; a PC), the purpose is to monitor the states of the plurality of print processing devices and optimally allocate the print job. Software (print server application; hereinafter simply referred to as print server) exists. The print server acquires information such as the number of print jobs and the amount of data existing as a job queue in each print processing device from the print processing device, and stores the information in the job queue of the print processing device in which the processing of the print job is completed in the shortest time. An operation of allocating a newly input print job is performed.
[0003]
In the print job start process, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-133873 discloses that the driver software installed in the information processing apparatus determines what kind of start mode (various modes in which the print job process is started) Even if the user does not know whether or not the information processing apparatus has a peripheral pattern, the user can recognize the start mode that can be executed by the peripheral device, and can select from the start modes that can be executed. It is described that the start mode can be designated from the information processing apparatus to the peripheral device by a control command, and the output start timing and start conditions can be freely controlled.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-123379
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a print processing apparatus in which a print job is controlled by a print server connected to the same network having such a configuration, a multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions such as a copying function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printing function is particularly useful. In most cases, each job queue for each function is maintained individually and the jobs are not related. When a user directly instructs the MFP to operate the copy function while a print job is being performed using the print function, the print function is temporarily stopped and the copy function operates. Basically, the priority of each function of the MFP is set higher when the user directly operates the device toward the MFP. Generally, the priority of a print job is lower in the order of the copy function, the facsimile transmission / reception function, and the print function. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing time of a print job that has been optimally assigned is greatly changed when an interrupt process such as a copy job intervenes even for a print job that has been optimally assigned.
[0006]
The present invention is directed to solving the above-described problem of the related art, and takes into consideration the processing time of a job other than a printing function such as a copying job of a copying function and a facsimile job of a facsimile transmission / reception function when assigning a printing job. It is another object of the present invention to provide a print processing control system and method for calculating a processing time of a print job as a whole of a print processing apparatus connected to the same network and allocating an optimum print job.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, a print processing control system according to claim 1 of the print processing control system and method according to the present invention provides a print processing control system having at least a plurality of functions of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a print function. A print processing control system for allocating and controlling an input print job to a print processing apparatus between a processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the plurality of print processing apparatuses via a network. A job queue storage unit for storing job information for each function, and a processing unit for processing and monitoring the job based on the job information, wherein the information processing apparatus includes all print processing apparatuses connected to the network. Job that obtains job information for each function of, and reallocates the input print job from this job information The processing time from when a print job is submitted to when it is completed can be more accurately predicted, and the copying function, facsimile transmission / reception function, and printing function of the print processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral) can be achieved. The processing order of the job for each function can be arranged more efficiently.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print processing control system according to the first aspect, wherein the information of the job of each function newly generated in the print processing apparatus is transmitted to the information processing apparatus at regular intervals. Means for periodically confirming, when the information of a newly generated job is confirmed by the confirming means, reassignment control of the input print processing to the print processing apparatus is performed, and newly generated job is generated in the print processing apparatus. Means for notifying the information processing apparatus of job information of each function, and when the information of a newly generated job is confirmed by the notifying means, reassignment control of the input print job to the print processing apparatus is performed; Further, the information processing apparatus is provided with a unit for setting a priority order of the input print processing. Even if interrupt processing occurs after a print job is submitted, the job is always rearranged optimally to reduce the processing time of the print job even if interrupt processing occurs after the print job is submitted. More accurate prediction can be performed, and the processing order of jobs for each function of the print processing apparatus (multifunction peripheral) can be more efficiently arranged.
[0009]
Further, according to the print processing control method of the present invention, a print processing apparatus having at least a plurality of functions of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a print function can communicate with a plurality of print processing apparatuses via a network. A print processing control method for allocating an input print job to a print processing apparatus between an information processing apparatus and a print processing apparatus, wherein each function stored in a job queue storage unit for processing and monitoring a job is provided. Processing from the time a print job is submitted to the time it is completed, by acquiring job information from all print processing devices connected to the network and allocating the submitted print job based on the acquired job information The time can be more accurately predicted, and the copy function, facsimile transmission / reception function, print function, etc. Processing order of jobs for each function can be arranged more efficiently.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print processing control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a multifunction peripheral which is a print processing apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a print function, 2 denotes an information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) which operates as a print server, and 3 denotes an existing information processing apparatus. A network 4 for exchanging information between devices connected using communication technology (HTTP; Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, SOAP; Simple Object Access Protocol, etc.), and 4 is a print processing device having only a printing function.
[0011]
The multifunction device 1 performs processing of a copying function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a printing function by a printer unit, a scanner unit, a communication unit (not shown), and a control unit that controls each unit including these units. The multifunction device 1 has a processing unit 11 that performs processing, monitoring, and the like of a job in each function. A job queue that stores job information for each function that has occurred is a print function job queue storage unit 12. The copy function job queue storage unit 13, the facsimile transmission / reception function job queue storage unit 14, and the other function job queue storage unit 15 hold the information.
[0012]
The information processing apparatus 2 includes a job management unit 22 that manages each print job based on information (stored in a job queue) of the print job requested to be output to the multifunction peripheral 1 or the print processing apparatus 4. The print server 21 includes a user interface 23 including an operation panel or the like for displaying and outputting information managed by the management unit 22 to a user and inputting a change instruction.
[0013]
It is possible for the information processing apparatus 2 to acquire information on a job queue possessed by each function in the multifunction peripheral 1 via the network 3. For example, monitoring of a print job of a print processing apparatus existing in the same network 3 The job management unit 22 of the print server 21 that performs management and the like obtains information of the print job held in the print function job queue storage unit 12 of the multifunction device 1 and performs appropriate processing so that the print processing time is minimized. A print job can be assigned to the MFP 1 or the print processing device 4.
[0014]
In the present embodiment, not only the information of the print job existing in the print function job queue storage unit 12 but also the job queues of all the functions existing in the MFP (for example, the copy function job queue storage unit 13, the facsimile transmission / reception function job). Job information stored in the queue storage unit 14). As a result, an optimal print job is assigned to the MFP 1 and the print processing device 4 connected to the network 3.
[0015]
The operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of the print job assignment process according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. As described above, in the multifunction peripheral 1, the copy function, the facsimile transmission / reception function, and the like are basically performed prior to the print function. First, when a print job is input, the job management unit 22 of the print server 21 sends a job other than the print job to all the multifunction peripherals 1 connected via the network 3 (for example, if the print server The processing unit receives a request to confirm the job queue, and the processing unit that receives the request confirms the existence of the job queue of each function and returns the result to the print server, etc.). Job information (the number of jobs existing in the job queue, the processing speed of the job, etc.) is acquired (S1). In this case, the print function, the copy function, the facsimile transmission / reception function, and other functions shown in FIG. 1 are obtained via the processing unit 11 through the job information in the job queue storage units 12, 13, 14, and 15.
[0016]
The job management unit 22 repeats the above-described processing S1 for all devices (the multifunction device 1 and the print processing device 4 in the example shown in FIG. 1) connected to the network 3 (S2), and Is obtained (Yes in process S2), the processing time of the job stored in each job queue, such as the print function, the copy function, and the facsimile transmission / reception function, is calculated for each MFP 1, and the same network is used. The calculation of the processing time of the print job is performed for the entire print processing apparatus connected to S3 (S3). Here, if the user specifies to print the print job in the shortest time to the print server 21 via the user interface 23, the job management unit 22 performs the job processing among the print processing apparatuses on the same network 3 most. A print job is input to a place where time is short (S4).
[0017]
Further, as described above, when an instruction for parallel output processing of a print job is set in advance by an instruction from a user, or when specified at the time of inputting the print job, one print job is printed by a plurality of print jobs. It is also possible to allocate to a processing device and print out in parallel.
[0018]
According to the first embodiment, when a print job is submitted, not only information about the print job existing in the job queue of the print function but also information about the job such as the copy function and the facsimile transmission / reception function is obtained. The print job can be optimally assigned to the print information device connected to the network more efficiently.
[0019]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a print job assignment process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the second embodiment will be described based on FIG. 3 and with reference to FIG.
[0020]
Now, when a print job is assigned to the job queue of each print processing apparatus so that print processing can be optimally performed, it is assumed that any one of the interrupt processing such as the copy function and the facsimile transmission / reception function has occurred in the multifunction peripheral 1. I do. The print job that has already been submitted is put into a wait state until the job of the interrupt processing that has occurred is completed, so that optimal print processing cannot be performed. At this time, there is a possibility that another print processing device can complete the input print job earlier than the print processing device to which the current print job has been input.
[0021]
Therefore, in the second embodiment, after the print job is assigned (S1 to S4) described in the first embodiment, the job management unit 22 of the print server 21 not only prints the job but also prints it. In the interrupt process generated by a job other than the job, the information of the job queue of each function of the multifunction peripheral 1 is obtained at certain intervals (S11).
[0022]
In the print server 21, for example, a means (not shown) for confirming the occurrence of an interruption such as a copying function or a facsimile transmission / reception function at regular intervals such as a 30-second interval (S12) causes a change in the printing processing time. When it is confirmed that the processing has been performed (Yes in the processing S12), the job management unit 22 returns to the processing S1 to perform the processing S1 to S4, which is the print job allocation processing, and returns to the composite existing on the same network 3 again. The processing time of the print job of the printer 1 and the print processing device 4 is recalculated, and the print job already allocated is reallocated to the optimal print processing device.
[0023]
According to the second embodiment, by monitoring job queues such as a print function, a copy function, and a facsimile transmission / reception function at predetermined intervals, if a processing time of a print job is shifted, the job is already input. It is possible to optimally re-assign the print job that has been performed.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a print job assignment process according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation in the third embodiment will be described based on FIG. 4 and with reference to FIG.
[0025]
In the third embodiment, as described in the second embodiment, after the print job is allocated (S1 to S4), the job management unit 22 of the print server 21 stores the job queue of each function of the multifunction peripheral 1 in the job queue. Instead of monitoring the information, the processing unit 11 of the multifunction peripheral 1 monitors the jobs existing in the job queue storage unit of each function, and during processing of the print job, for example, a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, or the like. (Not shown) for detecting the occurrence of an interrupt process. By this means, when a job occurs due to the interruption, the occurrence of the interruption is notified to the job management unit 22 of the print server 21 operating in the information processing apparatus 2.
[0026]
When the job management unit 22 confirms the notification of the interruption from the multifunction device 1 (Yes in step S15), the process returns to the first step S1, and the job information of all the devices in the same network is reacquired to perform optimal printing. Recalculate the print job assignments.
[0027]
According to the third embodiment, when an interrupt process for a job such as a copying function or a facsimile transmission / reception function occurs in the multifunction peripheral 1, the reassignment of the print job is recalculated, whereby the job is already input. Print jobs can be optimally reassigned.
[0028]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a print job assignment process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The operation in the fourth embodiment will be described based on FIG. 5 and with reference to FIG.
[0029]
In the fourth embodiment, when an interrupt process such as a copying function or a facsimile transmission / reception function occurs in the multifunction peripheral 1 described in the second or third embodiment, the priority is managed by the processing unit 11 and set in advance. The order is changeable, and a means (not shown) for setting the priority of a print job assigned after being submitted by the job management unit 22 to a higher order than other jobs generated in the multifunction peripheral 1 is provided. .
[0030]
In the job management unit 22, a print job whose priority is set higher is input to the multifunction peripheral 1 by means for setting the priority of the print job higher than the jobs of the copying function and the facsimile transmission / reception function generated in the multifunction peripheral 1. The setting of the priority is specified by the user from an operation panel or the like of the information processing apparatus 2. This change in the priority order is performed, for example, in the processing unit 11 of the multifunction peripheral 1, by the job of the facsimile transmission / reception function (priority = 5), the job of the copy function (priority = 4), and the job of the print function (priority = 3). If the priority of the print job of the print function is changed to the maximum when the print job is set to ()), the job management unit 22 sets the priority to MAX and submits the print job.
[0031]
By submitting a print job in which the priority is designated, the processes S1 to S4 are performed in the same manner as in the above-described second and third embodiments, and the optimum assignment of the print job is performed. Then, the processing unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 to which the print job of priority = MAX (see the print job 2 shown in FIG. 6) is input is stored in the job queue storage unit of each function as shown in FIG. The job priority of each function is checked, and processing is performed in order. For example, check whether the priority of a previously submitted print job is higher than the priority of a later generated job, and if so, the job of another function such as a copy function or a facsimile transmission / reception function until the print job is completed. Puts it in the waiting state.
[0032]
Also, as described in the second and third embodiments, when an interruption of the copy function or the facsimile transmission / reception function occurs in the multifunction peripheral 1, the job management unit 22 stores the job queue information in the job queue storage unit of each function. Information including the priority of the stored job is acquired, and the print job (print job 1 (priority = 3) shown in FIG. 6) is reassigned.
[0033]
According to the fourth embodiment, the priority of a print job is changed and reflected in the priority of a job such as a copy function or a facsimile transmission / reception function, so that the print job including the print job whose processing is to be given the highest priority can be optimized. And print job processing can be performed.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to more accurately predict the processing time from when a print job is submitted to when it is completed. There is an effect that the job processing order for each function can be more efficiently arranged.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a print processing control system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating print job assignment processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print job assignment processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing print job assignment processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing print job assignment processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing priority information in a job of each function.
1 Multifunction machine (print processing device)
2 information processing device 3 network 4 print processing device 11 processing unit 12 print function job queue storage unit 13 copy function job queue storage unit 14 facsimile transmission / reception function job queue storage unit 15 other functions job queue storage unit 21 print server 22 job management unit 23 User Interface

Claims (5)

A print job input between a print processing apparatus having at least a plurality of functions of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a print function, and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with the plurality of print processing apparatuses via a network. A print processing control system that controls allocation to the print processing device,
The print processing apparatus includes: a job queue storage unit that stores job information for each function; and a processing unit that processes and monitors a job based on the job information.
A job management unit that acquires information of a job for each function of all the print processing devices connected to the network, and reassigns the print job input from the information of the job to the information processing apparatus. A print processing control system comprising: The information processing apparatus includes means for periodically confirming information of a job of each function newly generated in the print processing apparatus at regular intervals, and is input when the information of the newly generated job is confirmed by the means. 2. The print processing control system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the reassignment of the print job to the print processing apparatus. The print processing apparatus further includes means for notifying the information processing apparatus of information on a newly generated job of each function. When the information on the newly generated job is confirmed by the means, the input print job is 2. The print processing control system according to claim 1, wherein reassignment control is performed for the print processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus further comprises means for setting a priority order of the input print processing. The setting of the means allows the input print processing to be given priority over job processing for each function generated in the print processing apparatus. The print processing control system according to claim 1, wherein the print processing control system performs a job. A print job input between a print processing apparatus having at least a plurality of functions of a copy function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a print function, and an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of the print processing apparatuses via a network. A print processing control method for controlling allocation to the print processing apparatus,
Job information for each function stored in the job queue storage unit for performing job processing and monitoring is acquired from all print processing apparatuses connected to the network, and the job information is acquired based on the acquired job information. A print processing control method characterized by allocating an input print job.

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