JP2009160849A - Printing apparatus, printing control method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the time required to obtain a post-processed printed matter than before.
SOLUTION: The printing of one copy of the preceding job (Job1) is finished, and the post-processing unit 17 which is an inline finisher performs the post-processing for the printed matter of the preceding job (Job1). (Job2) is printed one by one. Then, when printing of one copy of the next job (Job 2) is completed, it is determined whether or not a bookbinding completion notification for the preceding job (Job 1) has been issued. As a result of this determination, when a bookbinding completion notification for the preceding job (Job 1) is issued, printing of the next job (Job 2) is interrupted, and printing of the next copy of the preceding job (Job 1) is executed. By repeating such an operation, it is possible to increase the processing efficiency of the entire bookbinding printing composed of a plurality of jobs as compared with the prior art.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a computer program, and is particularly suitable for performing post-processing on a printed matter inside the printing apparatus.

  As electrophotographic printing devices and ink jet printing devices increase in speed and increase in image quality, the print on demand (hereinafter referred to as POD) market is expanding against the printing industry. is there.

POD aims to be able to handle relatively small lot jobs faster than jobs handled in the printing industry, with a short delivery time without using large-scale equipment and systems. is there.
Unlike a printing apparatus in the printing industry, POD has a feature that printing is performed for each copy unit and bookbinding processing such as saddle stitch binding and case binding can be performed.

  Conventionally, there has been a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151620 that executes printing processing at high speed. In this technology, based on the print target document data to be printed on a certain size of paper, printing is performed on a paper whose size is twice that size, and when the printed paper is cut into two and stacked, the original print The same printed matter as that obtained when the target data is directly printed by the printing apparatus is obtained.

  Further, there is a technique described in Patent Document 2 that prints by interrupting a plurality of jobs. In this technique, when a print job having a higher priority than the print job being processed is newly input, it is determined whether the image printed by the print job being processed is a text image or an image image. . Only when the image printed by the print job being processed is a text image, the newly input print job is interrupted. On the other hand, when the image printed by the print job being processed is an image, the processing of the print job being processed is continued.

JP-A-11-2127750 JP 2005-216252 A

  However, in general, the bookbinding processing time is slower than the printing processing time. Therefore, in the conventional technique described above, even if it is possible to increase the printing processing time, the total processing time required to obtain the printed material that has been bound and printed is increased by the slow binding time. There was a problem that it was difficult. In particular, when a plurality of documents are printed in a plurality of copies, this problem becomes remarkable, which is a burden on the user.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining conventional printing and bookbinding processing in the bookbinding printing apparatus. Here, a case will be described in which PDL (Page Description Language) data arrives from a PC via a network to a bookbinding printing apparatus, and the bookbinding printing apparatus performs printing / bookbinding processing on the PDL data.
In step S501, the bookbinding printing apparatus inputs a document received from the PC via the network in the form of PDL data.
In step S502, the bookbinding printing apparatus determines one job to be processed. Normally, the job that has the print command first among the held jobs is selected as the job to be processed.
In step S503, the bookbinding printing apparatus performs RIP processing on the job selected in step S502. That is, the bookbinding printing apparatus interprets the PDL data of the job selected in step S502, converts it into image data for printing, and stores it in a storage device in the bookbinding printing apparatus.

In step S504, the printer unit of the bookbinding printing apparatus prints image data stored in the storage device in units of copies. In step S505, the printer unit of the bookbinding printing apparatus conveys the printed matter to the post-processing unit.
In step S506, the post-processing unit (inline finisher) of the bookbinding printing apparatus performs bookbinding processing such as case binding.
In step S507, the bookbinding printing apparatus determines whether processing has been performed for all copies of the job being processed. If the result of this determination is that processing has not been performed for all copies of the job being processed, processing returns to step S504, and processing of steps S504 to S507 is repeated until processing has been performed for all copies of the job being processed. Do.
In step S508, the bookbinding printing apparatus determines whether all jobs have been processed. If the result of this determination is that processing has not been performed for all jobs, processing returns to step S502, and processing in steps S502 to S508 is repeated until processing has been performed for all jobs.

FIG. 17 is a diagram conceptually showing the progress of a job in the printing / binding process as described above. Conventionally, printing and bookbinding processing are repeated as described above. However, as shown in FIG. 17, the processing speed of the inline finisher that performs case binding or the like is very low compared to the processing speed of the printer unit.
In the example shown in FIG. 17, the processing speed of the inline finisher is 30 sheets / minute, and the processing time of the printer unit is 70 sheets / minute. Then, in the printer unit, a waiting time for waiting for printing of the next unit occurs until the inline finisher process is completed. Therefore, as described above, the conventional technique has a problem that it takes time to obtain a book-printed printed matter. In particular, when a plurality of documents are printed in a plurality of copies, this problem becomes remarkable, which is a burden on the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the time required to obtain a post-processed printed material as compared with the conventional technique.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an acquisition unit that forms a plurality of printed materials, and acquires a job for performing post-processing on the formed printed material; and a printing unit that performs printing based on the job acquired by the acquisition unit; A post-processing unit that performs post-processing on the printed matter obtained by the printing unit; and a switching unit that switches a job printed by the printing unit, wherein the switching unit prints a preceding job in units of copies. When the post-processing of the preceding job is performed by the post-processing means, the printing of the preceding job is interrupted and printing based on the job after the next job is performed. Printing based on a job is interrupted, and printing of the remaining copy of the preceding job is resumed.

  The printing control method of the present invention includes an acquisition step of forming a print of a plurality of copies and performing a post-processing on the formed print, and a printing step of performing printing based on the job acquired by the acquisition step A post-processing step for performing post-processing on the printed matter obtained by the printing step, and a switching step for switching a job printed by the printing step. The switching step includes a step of printing a preceding job. When finished in units, the printing of the preceding job is interrupted and printing based on the job after the next job is performed. When the post-processing of the preceding job is performed at the post-processing step, Printing based on the current job is interrupted, and printing of the remaining copy of the preceding job is resumed.

  The computer program according to the present invention includes: an acquisition step of forming a print of a plurality of copies, and obtaining a job for performing post-processing on the formed print; and printing means for performing printing based on the job acquired by the acquisition step A printing step instructing the printer, a post-processing step instructing the post-processing means to perform post-processing on the printed matter obtained in the printing step, and a switching step for switching a job to be printed by the printing means. When the printing of the preceding job is finished in units of copies, the switching step interrupts printing of the preceding job and performs printing based on the job after the next job. When the processing is performed by the post-processing means, the printing based on the job after the next job is interrupted, and the destination And wherein the resuming the printing of the remaining part of the job to be.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the entire processing time when post-processing printed materials of a plurality of jobs as compared with the conventional method.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral).
The MFP 1 includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing data of a plurality of jobs in its own apparatus. The MFP 1 has a copy function for printing job data obtained from a scanner or the like via the memory. The MFP 1 also has a print function for printing job data output from an external device such as a computer via the memory. The MFP 1 is an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions including these functions.

  When configuring the system, the above-described multi-function image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and a single-function image forming apparatus having a print function (for example, SFP (Single Function Peripheral)) In addition, the image forming apparatus may be configured to include only one type of image forming apparatus of a composite function type image forming apparatus and a single function type image forming apparatus. A post-processing unit 17 to be described later is incorporated in the forming apparatus.

In FIG. 1, an input image processing unit 10 reads a paper document or the like with an image reading device such as a scanner, and performs image processing on the data (image data) of the read paper document.
A NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 19 passes image data (mainly PDL data) input via the network to the RIP unit 12, and transmits image data, device information, and the like inside the MFP 1 via the network. Or send it to the outside. The RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 23 is a part that decodes input PDL data and performs RIP development (rasterization).

The input image data is sent to the MFP control unit 13. The MFP control unit 13 plays a role of traffic control for controlling input data and output data. The MFP control unit 13 is a CPU of the MFP.
Further, the image data input to the MFP control unit 13 is temporarily stored in the memory unit 20. The stored image data is temporarily stored or called as necessary.
A print switching control unit 14 is included in the MFP control unit 13.

  The print switching control unit 14 performs processing that is the core of the present embodiment. That is, the print switching control unit 14 determines whether or not a bookbinding completion notification has been received from the bookbinding completion notification unit 18 of the post-processing unit 17 while the printing process of the preceding job is being performed by the printer unit 16. To do. Here, it is assumed that the printer unit 16 performs job printing processing in units of copies. As a result of this determination, if the bookbinding end notification is not received while the print processing of the preceding job is being performed, the print switching control unit 14 has finished printing the “processing portion” of the preceding job. Thereafter, the print processing of the job after the next job is interrupted by the print processing of the preceding job. Thereafter, when a notice of bookbinding completion for the preceding job is received, the print switching control unit 14 performs printing for each preceding job as soon as printing of the “in process” of the subsequent job is completed. A process of switching the target of the printing process is performed.

  When the PDL data is input, the MFP control unit 13 instructs the RIP unit 12 to perform RIP processing on the PDL data, or prints image data to be printed as necessary. The output image processing unit 15 is instructed to perform processing. Further, the MFP control unit 13 generates “image data intermediate data and print ready data (bitmap data for printing and data obtained by compressing the data)” created by the RIP unit 12 and the output image processing unit 15 as necessary. Thus, it can be stored again in the document management unit 22.

The document management unit 22 includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of image data. For example, the MFP control unit 13 (CPU) stores a plurality of image data in a hard disk provided in the document management unit 22. Examples of the image data include image data from the input image processing unit 10, image data from an external device such as a computer input via the NIC unit 19, a dedicated I / F unit and a USB I / F unit. There are a plurality of types of image data such as various image data inputted through the network.
The MFP control unit 13 appropriately reads out image data stored in the hard disk included in the document management unit 22, transfers the image data to an output unit such as the printer unit 16, and executes output processing such as printing processing by the printer unit 16. It can be so. In addition, the MFP control unit 13 can transfer image data read from the hard disk included in the document management unit 22 to an external device such as a computer or another image forming apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the operator.

  When storing image data in the document management unit 22, the image data is compressed and stored as necessary, or conversely, when the image data compressed and stored in the document management unit 22 is read out, the image data is stored. Processing such as decompressing the data back to the original image data is performed. Such compression and decompression of the image data is performed by the compression / decompression unit 21. In addition, it is generally known to use compressed data such as JPEG, JBIG, and ZIP when transmitting data to a network. When such compressed data is input to the MFP 1, the compressed data is decompressed (expanded) by the compression / expansion unit 21.

  The output image processing unit 15 performs image processing necessary for printing the input image data and outputs the processed image data to the printer unit 16. The printer unit 16 feeds sheets (paper) and sequentially prints the image data created by the output image processing unit 15 on the sheets. The printed sheet is sent to the post-processing unit 17. The post-processing unit 17 performs sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing, that is, saddle stitch binding, case binding, and the like.

  The operation unit 11 is for selecting processes and functions of the MFP 1 as described above and for instructing operations. The operation unit 11 includes a high-resolution display device having a touch panel, for example, and can display a preview of image data in the memory unit 20 or the like. Then, when printing of the preview-displayed image data is instructed by the operator's operation on the touch panel, the image data is printed.

  As described above, the MFP 1 has various functions and usage methods. Examples are shown in the following A) to H). Note that “→” shown in A) to H) below indicates the order in which data is processed. Further, in the following A) to H), the MFP control unit 13 is omitted, but data is output to each unit via the MFP control unit 13.

A) Copying function: input image processing unit 10 → output image processing unit 15 → printer unit 16
B) Network scan: input image processing unit 10 → NIC unit 19
C) Network printing: NIC unit 19 → RIP unit 12 → output image processing unit 15 → printer unit 16
D) Box scan function: input image processing unit 10 → output image processing unit 15 → memory unit 20
E) Box print function: memory unit 20 → printer unit 16
F) Box reception function: NIC unit 19 → RIP unit 12 → output image processing unit 15 → memory unit 20
G) Box transmission function: Memory unit 20 → NIC unit 19
H) Preview function: memory unit 20 → operation unit 11

Note that the processing of the characteristic part of the present embodiment is realized mainly using the printer unit 16, the post-processing unit 17, and the MFP control unit 13 that controls jobs.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the printing system.
The printing system shown in FIG. 2 includes the following apparatuses in addition to “MFP 1 having printer unit 16, post-processing unit 17, and MFP control unit 13” that executes the processing of the characteristic part of the present embodiment. That is, the printing system includes an MFP 1, a print server 2, client PCs 3 a and 3 b, a paper folding machine 4, a cutting machine 5, a saddle stitch binding machine 6, and a case binding machine 7, which communicate with each other via a network 8. Connected as possible.

  The print server 2 mainly has two roles. One is “transmission / reception of information to / from the outside” in the digital print section. Image information, setting information, and the like of the submitted job are first input to the print server 2, and information such as status is notified to the outside from the print server 2 when the job is completed. The other is management control inside the digital print unit. Jobs input from the outside and jobs generated inside the digital print unit are centrally managed by the print server 2. Inside the digital print section, you can monitor the status of all devices under management and the status of all jobs, as well as “pause, change settings, and resume printing” of jobs and “copy, move, And deletion "can be controlled.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the print server 2 functions as a post press server.
The post-press server is a computer that performs overall management of post-processing processes. The post-press server creates post-processing conditions that can be finished by the post-press section based on job instructions received by the order receiving server, job instructions issued from the MIS server, etc. Next, the post-processing (finishing) process is instructed. The post press server uses information exchange means such as JDF to exchange information with a device that performs post-processing using commands and status information generated inside the post press section.

  The client PC 3 edits the input application file, issues a print instruction, and inputs a print ready file. The client PC 3 has a role of assisting in monitoring and controlling devices and jobs managed in the print server 2.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the MFP 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 1 includes a fixing unit 31, a paper feeding / conveying unit 32, a scanner unit 33, an image forming unit 34 including a photosensitive drum 34a, a laser exposure unit 35 including a polygon mirror 35a, and a sheet. Storage 36a, 36b is provided. Further, a double-sided conveyance path 37 is formed in the MFP 1. In addition, the MFP 1 includes a post-processing unit 17. The sheet (recording paper) on which the toner has been transferred and fixed is conveyed to a post-processing unit (inline finisher) 17. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the post-processing unit (inline finisher) 17.
When the MFP 1 has the post-processing unit 17 as in the present embodiment, the sheet discharged from the fixing unit 31 provided in the printer unit 16 enters the post-processing unit 17. The post-processing unit 17 includes a sample tray 41 and a stack tray 42. Depending on the type of job and the number of discharged sheets, the tray to be used is switched.

  If the staple mode is set for the job to be output, the sheets are discharged onto the stack tray 42. At that time, before the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 42, the sheets are sequentially stored for each job in the processing tray 43 inside the post-processing unit 17. The sheets stored on the processing tray 43 are bound by the stapler 44 to form a recording paper bundle, and the recording paper bundle is discharged to the stack tray 42.

  In addition to the sample tray 41 or the stack tray 42, there are a Z-folder 45 for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 46 for punching two (or three) holes for files. Each process is performed according to the type of the. For example, when the user sets the Z-folding process via the operation unit 11 as the setting related to the sheet process for the job to be output, the Z-folder 45 executes the folding process for the recording paper of the job. . Then, the folded recording paper is passed through the inside of the post-processing unit 17 and discharged to a discharge tray such as the stack tray 42 or the sample tray 41. Further, for example, when the user sets punch processing via the operation unit 11 as a setting related to sheet processing for a job to be output, punch processing by the puncher 46 is executed for the recording paper of the job. Then, the punched recording paper is passed through the interior of the post-processing unit 17 and discharged to a discharge tray such as the stack tray 42 or the sample tray 41.

  Further, the saddle stitcher 47 binds the central portion of the sheet at two places, and then folds the sheet by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller to create a booklet like a brochure (bookbinding processing). Do. The sheets that have been bound by the saddle stitcher 47 are discharged to the booklet tray 48. Whether or not a sheet processing operation such as a bookbinding process by the saddle stitcher 47 can be executed is also determined based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output, as described above.

  The inserter 49 is for sending a sheet set on the insert tray 50 to one of the discharge trays such as the stack tray 42 and the sample tray 41 without passing through the printer. Thereby, the sheet set on the inserter 49 can be inserted (inserted) between the sheets sent to the post-processing unit 17 (sheets printed by the printer unit 16). The insert tray 50 of the inserter 49 is set face up by the user. The sheet is fed in order from the sheet at the top of the insert tray 50 by the pickup roller.

Therefore, the sheet from the inserter 49 is conveyed to the stack tray 42 or the sample tray 41 as it is, and is discharged in a face-down state. When a sheet is sent from the inserter 49 to the saddle stitcher 47, the sheet conveyed from the inserter 49 is once sent to the puncher 46 side, and then switched back and sent to the saddle stitcher 47 to adjust the face orientation.
Whether or not a sheet processing operation such as a sheet insertion process by the inserter 49 can be executed is also determined based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output, as described above.

Next, the trimmer (cutting machine) 51 will be described.
The booklet (saddle stitch booklet) generated by the saddle stitcher 47 enters the trimmer 51. At that time, the booklet is fed by a predetermined length by the roller, cut by a predetermined length by the cutter unit 52, and the end portion that has been dispersed among a plurality of pages in the booklet. Will be neatly arranged. Then, the booklet whose ends are neatly aligned is stored in the booklet hold unit 53.
Whether or not the sheet processing operation such as the cutting process by the trimmer 51 can be executed is also determined based on the sheet processing setting set by the user for the job to be output as described above.
The bookbinding process is performed in this way, but it takes a long time because the process is complicated.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the printing / binding process in the MFP 1.
First, in step S <b> 601, the MFP control unit 13 receives PDL data, which is an example of document data, from the client PC 3, the print server 2, and the like via the network 8.
Next, in step S602, the MFP control unit 13 takes out the first job and the second job from the jobs existing in the memory unit 20 (hold job). Here, the first job is Job1, and the second job is Job2.

  In step S603, the MFP control unit 13 instructs the RIP unit 12 to interpret the PDL data and create image data for printing (RIP processing), and temporarily stores the image data in the memory. The data is stored in the unit 20 and then stored in the document management unit 22. The MFP control unit 13 similarly creates image data for all pages of Job1 and Job2 and stores them in the document management unit 22.

Next, in step S630, the printer unit 16 determines whether or not printing of Job1 remains. As a result of the determination, if Job1 printing remains, the process proceeds to step S631, and if not, the process proceeds to step S609. When step S630 is performed first, the job 1 is still printed, and the process proceeds to step S631.
In step 631, the MFP control unit 13 transmits the job 1 image data stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit 16, and the printer unit 16 forms an image based on the job 1 image data on paper. Print 1 copy of Job1.

Next, in step S 632, the printer unit 16 conveys the printed job 1 paper to the post-processing unit 17.
In step S650, the post-processing unit 17 binds one copy of the conveyed “Job1 paper”. When the bookbinding is completed, the bookbinding completion notification unit 18 in the post-processing unit 17 notifies the printer unit 16 and the MFP control unit 13 that the bookbinding has been completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S635. In parallel with step S650, step S633 is performed in the printer unit 16.
In step S633, the printer unit 16 determines whether Job2 printing remains. As a result of the determination, if Job2 printing remains, the process proceeds to step S634, and if not, the process proceeds to step S604. When this step S633 is performed first, since the printing of Job2 remains, the process proceeds to step S634.

  In step S634, the MFP control unit 13 transmits the job 2 image data stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit 16, and the printer unit 16 forms an image based on the job 2 image data on paper. Print 1 copy of Job2. Then, the printer unit 16 conveys the printed material of Job2 to a paper discharge port different from the printed material of Job1. The designation of the paper discharge port may be automatically assigned by the MFP control unit 13 or may be performed for each job based on the designation of the operator using the GUI of the operation unit 11 (for example, GUI 901 shown in FIG. 9). Also good.

  In step S635, the printer unit 16 determines whether one copy of Job1 bookbinding processing has been completed. If the bookbinding process is completed in step S650, a bookbinding completion notification is received from the post-processing unit 17. If the result of this determination is that one bookbinding process for Job1 has not been completed (that is, if a bookbinding completion notification has not been transmitted), the process returns to step S633 to repeat the printing of Job2. On the other hand, if one copy of the bookbinding process of Job1 has been completed (that is, if a bookbinding completion notification has been transmitted), the process returns to step S630 to return to printing of Job1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a first example of a job progress status in the printing / binding process of the present embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, after printing 1302 of the first part of Job1 is completed (step S631), printing 1403 of Job2 is performed (step S634). In this example, since the bookbinding completion notification is received during the processing of Job2 printing 1403, the process returns to step S630 upon determination in step S635. Since Job1 still remains, printing 1304 of the next part of Job1 is performed (step S631). In the example shown in FIG. 6, the printing of Job1 and the printing of Job2 are repeated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a second example of the progress of a job in the printing / binding process of the present embodiment.
In the example shown in FIG. 7, after the printing of the first part of Job 1 is completed (step S631), the printing of the first part of Job 2 is performed 1508 (step S634). In this example, since the bookbinding end notification has not been received during the processing of Job 2 printing 1508, the process returns to step S633 in the determination of step S635. Since Job2 still remains, printing 1509 of the next part of Job2 is performed (step S634). Then, two more copies of Job2 are printed, and a bookbinding end notification is received during the printing 1510 of the fourth portion of Job2. Since the bookbinding completion notification 1502 has been received, the process returns to step S630 upon determination in step S635. Since Job1 still remains, printing 1304 of the next part of Job1 is performed after the printing 1510 of the fourth part of Job2 is completed (step S631).

Returning to the description of FIG. 5, as described above, if it is determined in step S <b> 633 that printing of all the jobs 2 has been completed, the process proceeds to step S <b> 604.
In step S604, the MFP controller 13 determines whether Job2 is a job that requires bookbinding (bookbinding job). As a result of this determination, if Job2 is a bookbinding job, post-processing is necessary, and the process advances to step S605. On the other hand, if Job2 is not a bookbinding job, step S605 is omitted and the process proceeds to S606.

  In step S605, the MFP control unit 13 creates a job for flowing the printed material of Job2 to the finisher (for example, the case binding machine 7) as shown in FIG. Then, the printed material of Job 2 is bound near-line or off-line to complete Job 2 (for example, carry bookbinding to the case binding machine 7 to complete Job 2). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S606.

  In step S606, the MFP controller 13 determines whether there is a next job. If it is determined that there is a next job, the process proceeds to step S607. Then, the MFP controller 13 sets the next job as Job 2 and proceeds to step S608. On the other hand, if there is no next job, the process returns to step S635.

  In step S608, the MFP control unit 13 instructs the RIP unit 12 to perform RIP processing on the new job 2, and temporarily stores the image data obtained by the RIP processing in the memory unit 20. It is stored in the document management unit 22. Then, the process returns to step S634, and the printer unit 16 prints one copy of Job2 and transports the printed product of Job2 to a paper discharge port different from the printed product of Job1.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Previously, the printing up to Job1 printing 1505 was completed.
Next, in step S633, it is determined whether Job2 remains. In the example shown in FIG. 7, since the last copy 1511 remains, in step S634, the last print 1511 of Job 2 is performed.

Next, in step S635, it is determined that the bookbinding end notification has not been received, and the process proceeds to step S633. In step S633, it is determined that printing of the entire number of Job2 has been completed, and the process proceeds to step S604.
Since Job2 is a job that performs only printing, it is determined in step S604 that Job2 is not a bookbinding job, and the process proceeds to step S606. Since there is a job next to Job2, it is determined in step S606 that there is a next job, and the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, the job becomes a new Job2.
In FIG. 7, for easy understanding, the first job (Job 1) is represented as J1, the next job (Job 2) as J2, and the next job (new Job 2) as J3.

In step S608, RIP processing is performed on the new Job2.
Next, in step S634, the first copy 1512 of the new job 2 is printed.
Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the bookbinding end notification 1503 returns to the job 1 print 1507, and the new job 2 prints 1513 and 1414 are executed next.

Returning to the description of FIG. 5, the processing after the total number of Job1 is printed in step S630 will be described.
As described above, in step S630, when the printing of the entire number of Job1 is completed and the printing of Job1 does not remain, the process proceeds to step S609.
In step S609, the MFP controller 13 determines whether there is a next job. If it is determined that there is a next job, the process proceeds to step S610. If there is no next job, the process proceeds to step S636.

In step S610, the MFP control unit 13 sets the next job to Job1.
In step S611, the MFP control unit 13 causes the RIP unit 12 to perform RIP processing on the new job 1, and temporarily stores the image data obtained by the RIP processing in the memory unit 20. To the document management unit 22. In step S 631, the MFP control unit 13 transmits the “new job 1 image data” stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit 16, and the printer unit 16 displays an image based on the new job 1 image data. Print a new copy of Job1 on paper.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S609 that there is no next job and the process proceeds to step S636, the MFP control unit 13 transmits the remaining image data of Job 2 stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit 16. . Then, the printer unit 16 forms an image based on the image data of Job2 on the paper, executes the remaining number of prints of Job2, and conveys the printed matter of Job2 to a discharge port different from the printed matter of Job1. To do. As a result, all jobs existing in the hold job are processed.

  In step S637, the printer unit 16 determines whether Job2 is a bookbinding job. As a result of the determination, if Job2 is a bookbinding job, the process proceeds to step S651. If Job2 is not a bookbinding job, the process proceeds to step S651.

  In step S651, as in step S605, the MFP control unit 13 creates a job for flowing the printed material of Job2 to the finisher (for example, the case binding machine 7) as shown in FIG. Then, the printed material of Job 2 is bound near-line or off-line to complete Job 2 (for example, carry bookbinding to the case binding machine 7 to complete Job 2). Thereafter, the printing / binding process ends.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the printing unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S631 and S634, and the post-processing unit is realized by performing at least the process of step S650. In this embodiment, a switching unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S606, S607, S609, S610, S630, S633, and S635, and a creating unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S605 and S651. The

Next, an example of the GUI of the operation unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS.
8 to 10 show examples of job management screens for web applications. This web application may be installed on a device (MFP) provided with a web server, or may be installed on a server provided with a web server.
Moreover, the display screen of the web application can be displayed on any client PC or server as long as it is a client PC or server having a web browser due to the nature of the web application.
8 to 10 show examples of screens displayed on the operation unit 11.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI indicating the states of 12 jobs included in a hold job. The GUI 801 illustrated in FIG. 8 indicates the job status such as status, job name, number of pages, number of copies, and the like. The hold job is formed in the memory unit 20, for example.
In this GUI 801, job 1 is printing, jobs 2-7 are RIP completed and waiting for printing, job 8 is in RIP, and jobs 9-12 are waiting for RIP. In this embodiment, a job waiting for printing is processed as soon as possible.
As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, an acquisition unit is realized when the MFP control unit 13 puts a job input via the input image processing unit 10 and the NIC unit 19 into the memory unit 20 (hold job).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first example of a GUI for selecting printing / binding means for a job included in a hold job.
In the GUI 901 shown in FIG. 9, when “print and bind one by one from the head job” is selected, normal processing that does not perform the print processing of the next job until the processing is completely completed in order from the head of the job Is selected.
On the other hand, when “print simultaneously on hold job and output to separate discharge port” is selected, a plurality of jobs are processed in parallel (simultaneously processed) as described in the flowchart of FIG. This means that efficient printing and bookbinding processing has been selected. The number of the discharge port in the job list 901a of the GUI 901 can be changed by the operator, and the discharge port as the output destination is determined according to the contents.
When the operator presses the bottom left decision button 910b in the GUI 901, new settings made for the GUI 901 are read and the contents are reflected in the printing / binding process.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the processing selection unit is realized by using the GUI 901 shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a GUI for selecting printing / binding means for a job included in a hold job. In the GUI 1001 shown in FIG. 10, the processing contents in the case of “simultaneously process hold job printing and output to another discharge port” can be selected more finely than the GUI 901 shown in FIG. 9.
When “print hold job as early as possible” is selected in the GUI 1001 shown in FIG. 10, the printing / binding process is executed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.
Further, when “print only as long as hold job only for printing” is selected, only when Job 2 to be printed and output to a paper discharge port different from Job 1 is a job for printing only, FIG. The printing / binding process shown in the flowchart of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5 (steps S605 and S651), when Job2 is a bookbinding job, it is necessary to bring a bookbinding job print to another nearline / offline finisher for bookbinding. On the other hand, when the job that is Job2 is a print-only job and a job other than the print-only job never becomes Job2, or when it is not desired to move the printed material, this selection is performed. preferable. This is because the processes in steps S604, S605, S637, and S651 can be omitted. If this selection is made, only the print-only job is output to a paper discharge port different from Job 1, so that the bookbinding job is processed only by the post-processing unit (inline finisher) 17. .

If “print only for jobs that end within the bookbinding processing time” is selected, only jobs that complete processing within the bookbinding processing time of Job1 are interrupted in the job1 processing as Job2. In the flowchart of FIG. 5, the job is interrupted to Job1 as Job2 in the order of the hold job list. When this selection is made, a light job among the jobs stored in the hold job list is printed out. The For this reason, a printed matter can be obtained very quickly for the light job. When this selection is made, for example, the MFP control unit 13 performs a process of setting one of the jobs to be completed within the bookbinding processing time of Job1 as Job2 in steps S603 and S607. As a result, the same effect as the interrupt printing / passing printing can be obtained.
As described above, in the present embodiment, a printing method selection unit is realized by using the GUI 901 shown in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, printing of one copy of the preceding job (Job1) is completed, and the post-processing unit 17 that is an inline finisher performs post-processing on the printed matter of the preceding job (Job1). Next, the next job (Job 2) is printed one by one. When printing of one copy of the next job (Job2) (printing in units of copies) is completed, it is determined whether or not a bookbinding completion notification for the preceding job (Job1) has been issued. As a result of this determination, when a bookbinding completion notification for the preceding job (Job 1) is issued, printing of the next job (Job 2) is interrupted, and printing of the next copy of the preceding job (Job 1) is executed. By repeating such an operation, it is possible to increase the processing efficiency of the entire bookbinding printing composed of a plurality of jobs as compared with the prior art. In particular, when there is a job for which a large amount of bookbinding printing needs to be performed by the inline finisher (post-processing unit 17), it is possible to process a plurality of jobs, that job and subsequent jobs, in parallel (simultaneously). The overall processing efficiency can be increased.

In this embodiment, the GUIs 801 to 1001 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 are displayed on the operation unit 11 of the MFP 1, but it is not always necessary to do so. For example, the GUIs 801 to 1001 shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 may be displayed on the client PC 3 and the print server 2, and the content of the operation on the GUIs 801 to 1001 may be transmitted to the MFP 1.
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where a job is processed one by one has been described as an example. However, this is not necessarily required if a predetermined number of copies of a job are processed. For example, the job may be processed in two copies (multiple copies).
In addition, when the user operates the GUI of the operation unit 11 and designates the same paper discharge port for Job1 and Job2, an identification sheet is provided so that a warning is given or the boundary between Job1 and Job2 can be recognized. You may make it pinch | interpose in printed matter.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, printing of the preceding job (Job1) is resumed after printing of one copy of the next job (Job2) is completed. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, even in the middle of printing one copy of the next job (Job 2), the printing of the preceding job (Job 1) is resumed to execute the process more efficiently. . As described above, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above mainly in a part of processing when the job to be printed is re-transferred from Job2 to Job1. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the printing / binding process in the MFP 1. In FIG. 11, steps S701 to S703 are performed instead of steps S634 and S635 of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment described above.

  In step S701, the printer unit 16 prints Job2 while printing one copy of Job1 and performing bookbinding processing. The steps so far are the same as those in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, in steps S702 and S703, the printer unit 16 monitors the bookbinding completion notification of Job1 during printing of Job2, and if a bookbinding completion notification is received, the page number of Job2 is printed. Print history information indicating whether or not printing has been performed is stored in the memory unit 20. Then, the printing of Job2 is immediately terminated and the printing is returned to the printing of Job1 (step S630).

Thereafter, returning to Job2 printing, when step S701 is performed, the printer unit 16 checks the “Job2 printing history information” remaining in the memory unit 20, and if Job2 has already been printed halfway. Printing is resumed from the subsequent page (step S701).
As described above, in this embodiment, a printing unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S631 and S701, and a post-processing unit is realized by performing at least the process of step S650. In this embodiment, the switching unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S606, S607, S609, S610, S630, S633, and S701 to S703. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a creation unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S605 and S651.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job progress status in the printing / binding process of the present embodiment. FIG. 12A shows the progress status of the job according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 12B shows the progress status of the job according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 12A, after printing Job1 1601, printing Job2 1602 to 1605 is performed. In the middle of printing 1605, a bookbinding end notice 1607 for Job1 comes. In the first embodiment, Job2 is continued until Job2 printing 1605 is completed, and Job1 printing 1605 is performed when Job2 printing 1604 is completed. In this case, the time from when the bookbinding completion notification 1607 comes to the end of the job 2 printing 1605 is wasted because post-processing is in a waiting state.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, in this embodiment, when the bookbinding end notification 1607 is received, the printing 1605 of Job 2 being printed is ended. The print 1605 of Job 2 being printed is divided into a first half 1605a that has already been printed and a second half 1605b that has not been printed, and the number of pages printed is stored in the memory unit 20 (step S703).
Then, the printing 1606 of Job1 is immediately performed. By this processing, it is possible to minimize the “waiting state for post-processing” that has occurred in the first embodiment.

  When the job 1 printing 1605 is completed, the printing of the latter half 1605b of the job 2 printing 1605 that was interrupted earlier is resumed. Since the paper discharge outlets for Job 1 and 2 are different, there is no particular problem even if this is done.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when one copy of the next job (Job 2) is being printed, if the bookbinding completion notification for the preceding job (Job 1) is issued, the next job (Job 2) is issued. ) Is interrupted in the middle of each page. Then, after the preceding job (Job 1) is printed, the remaining portion of the next job (Job 2) is printed. Therefore, the waiting time for post-processing of the preceding job (Job1) can be reduced, and the overall processing efficiency can be further improved as compared with the first embodiment.

  In this embodiment as well, when the user operates the GUI of the operation unit 11 and designates the same paper discharge port for Job1 and Job2, a warning is given or the boundary between Job1 and Job2 is known. Such an identification sheet may be sandwiched between printed materials.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the present embodiment, a case where the post-processing unit that is an inline finisher has a buffer (tray) will be described as an example. In the first and second embodiments described above, the printing process is shifted from Job 2 to Job 1 based on the bookbinding completion notification from the post-processing unit 17. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the printing process is shifted from Job 2 to Job 1 based on the “notification that the buffer is empty (that is, bookbinding start notification)” from the post-processing unit. As described above, this embodiment is different from the first to second embodiments described above mainly in the configuration of the post-processing unit and part of the processing. Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. .

FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the printing / binding process in the MFP 1.
In FIG. 13, steps S800 to S804 are performed instead of step S650 of FIG. 11 of the second embodiment described above. The post-processing unit of the present embodiment has a buffer (tray) in addition to the bookbinding function (bookbinding unit) included in the post-processing unit 17 described in the first and second embodiments. This buffer temporarily stores printed matter output from the printer unit 16. This buffer temporarily stores one copy of the job (printed material). In the present embodiment, the storage means is realized by using at least this buffer.

  When the printed material of Job1 is conveyed from the printer unit 16, in step S800, the post-processing unit determines whether the printed material has already accumulated in the buffer. As a result of this determination, if the printed material has already accumulated in the buffer, the process proceeds to step S802, and if not, the process proceeds to step S801.

In step S802, the post-processing unit determines whether the bookbinding process is being executed (in the bookbinding unit included in the post-processing unit). If the bookbinding process is being executed as a result of this determination, the process waits until the bookbinding process is completed. When the bookbinding process is completed, the process proceeds to step S803, where the post-processing unit conveys the printed matter stored in the buffer to the bookbinding unit, and notifies the printer unit 16 that the buffer is empty. Then, the process proceeds to steps S702 and S804.
In step S804, the post-processing unit (bookbinding unit) binds one copy of the conveyed “Job1 paper”. Then, the process returns to step S802.

If it is determined in step S800 that no printed material has accumulated in the buffer, the process proceeds to step S801. In step S801, the post-processing unit stores one copy of the printed matter in the buffer, and returns to step S630.
As described above, in this embodiment, the printing unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S631 and S634, and the post-processing unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S800 to 804. In this embodiment, a switching unit is realized by performing at least steps S606, S607, S609, S610, S630, S633, and S635, and a creating unit is realized by performing at least steps S605 and S651. The

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job progress status in the printing / binding process of the present embodiment. FIG. 14A shows the progress of a job when the printer unit 16 is not notified that the buffer is empty, as in this embodiment, and FIG. 14B shows the job in this embodiment. Indicates progress.
In FIG. 14A, since the processing time of Job 2 printing 1701 is long, the movement of the paper from the buffer to the bookbinding unit in the post-processing unit is terminated after the bookbinding processing end notification 1702 is received, and the bookbinding start notification 1704 is completed. And a bookbinding end notification 1705 is received again. For this reason, the bookbinding unit is suspended during a period 1707 from the bookbinding end notification 1705 to the next bookbinding start notification 1706.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, at the time 1708 when the movement of the paper from the buffer to the bookbinding unit is finished, the printing of Job 2 during printing 1709 is interrupted as in the second embodiment (step S703). Job 17 printing 1710 is performed. As a result, the period from the bookbinding end notification 1705 to the next bookbinding start notification 1706 can be shortened.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the buffer of the post-processing unit becomes empty, even if one copy of the next job (Job2) is being printed, one copy of the job (Job2) is being printed. I stopped it. Therefore, the overall processing efficiency can be further improved even when a buffer exists in the post-processing unit.
As described in the present embodiment, even during the printing of one copy of the next job (Job 2), the printing of one copy of the job (Job 2) is interrupted and the preceding job (Job 1) is interrupted. It is preferable to restart the printing of () because the overall processing efficiency can be further improved. However, it is not always necessary to do this. As described in the first embodiment, printing of the preceding job (Job1) is resumed after printing of one copy of the next job (Job2) is completed. You may do it.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first to third embodiments described above, a plurality of jobs in the hold queue are selected in order from the top. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, among a plurality of jobs in the hold queue, a job for which the printing process is completed is selected within the time of the bookbinding process for one copy of the preceding job (Job1), and the next job ( Job2). As described above, this embodiment is different from the first to third embodiments described above mainly in the method for selecting the next job (Job 2). Therefore, in the description of the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the printing / binding process in the MFP 1.
First, in step S <b> 901, the MFP control unit receives PDL data, which is an example of document data, from the client PC 3, the print server 2, and the like via the network 8.
In step S902, the MFP control unit extracts the first job from the jobs existing in the hold job. This job is Job1.

In step S903, the MFP control unit estimates the time Tb of the post-processing unit 17 necessary for binding one copy of Job1 extracted in step S901. In the following description, the time Tb of the post-processing unit 17 necessary for binding one copy of Job1 taken out in step S901 is referred to as a post-processing time Tb. Further, if Job1 taken out in step S901 is a job that does not require bookbinding, the post-processing time Tb is set to zero.
The post-processing time Tb is estimated using a processing speed table that stores processing speeds for bookbinding processing. This processing speed table is determined in advance based on the product capability evaluation, and is stored in the memory unit 20, for example.

For example, the following information is stored in the processing speed table as the case binding processing speed.
10 sheets / min. 10 sheets / min. 10-30 sheets / 20 sheets / min. 30 sheets / min .... 30 sheets / min. When 60 sheets are used, the post-processing time Tb is 2 minutes (= 60 sheets / 30 sheets / minute).

In step S904, the MFP control unit extracts a print-only job from jobs other than the job at the head of the hold queue, and estimates the print end time Tp in the printer unit of the job as an example of the print processing time. To do.
The print end time Tp is estimated using a print processing speed table that stores information on the print processing speed in the printer unit. This print processing speed table is stored in the memory unit 20, for example.

For example, as print processing speed information, information of 70 sheets / min is stored in the print processing speed table.
If the number of pages of Job2 is 140 pages and the number of print copies is 3, the print end time Tp is 6 minutes (= 140 pages × 3 copies ÷ 70 sheets / minute).

In step S905, the MFP control unit creates a job list Lj that is a list of jobs that have a print end time Tp that is smaller than the post-processing time Tb (satisfies Tp <Tb). Next, in step S906, the MFP control unit instructs the RIP unit 12 to generate (RIP process) image data for printing by interpreting the PDL data of Job1 and Job2. The MFP control unit temporarily stores the image data in the memory unit 20 and then stores the image data in the document management unit 22.

Next, in step S930, the printer unit determines whether Job1 printing remains. As a result of the determination, if Job1 printing remains, the process proceeds to step S931. If not, the process proceeds to step S910.
In step 931, the MFP control unit transmits the image data of Job1 stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit, and the printer unit forms an image based on the image data of Job1 on paper and sets Job1 to 1. Make a copy.

Next, in step S <b> 932, the printer unit conveys the printed Job1 paper to the post-processing unit 17.
In step S950, the post-processing unit 17 binds one copy of the conveyed “Job1 paper”. When the bookbinding is completed, the bookbinding completion notification unit 18 in the post-processing unit 17 notifies the printer unit and the MFP control unit that the bookbinding has been completed. Then, the process proceeds to step S935. In parallel with step S950, step S933 is performed in the printer unit.

In step S933, the printer unit determines whether Job2 printing remains. As a result of the determination, if Job2 printing remains, the process proceeds to step S934, and if not, step S934 is omitted and the process proceeds to step S935.
In step S934, the MFP control unit transmits the image data of Job2 stored in the document management unit 22 to the printer unit, and the printer unit forms an image based on the image data of Job2 on a sheet of paper, and completes Job2. Print a few. Then, the printer unit conveys the printed material of Job2 to a paper discharge port different from the printed material of Job1. Thereby, the processing of Job2 is completed.

  Next, in step S935, the printer unit determines whether or not one copy of Job1 has been completed. As a result of the determination, if one copy of the bookbinding process of Job1 is completed, the process proceeds to step S907. If it is not completed, the process waits until it ends.

  In step S907, the MFP control unit determines whether there is a next job in the job list Lj. If the result of this determination is that there is a next job in the job list Lj, the process advances to step S908, and the MFP controller sets the job as new Job2. On the other hand, if there is no next job in the job list Lj, the process returns to step S930 to determine whether or not Job1 printing remains.

  In step S909, the MFP control unit instructs the RIP unit 12 to perform RIP processing for the new job 2, and temporarily stores the image data obtained by the RIP processing in the memory unit 20 before the document. Stored in the management unit 22.

  As described above, if it is determined in step S930 that there is no job 1 printed, the process proceeds to step S910. In step S910, the MFP control unit determines whether all jobs have been completed. If all the jobs are completed as a result of this determination, the printing / binding process is terminated. On the other hand, if all jobs have not been completed, the process returns to step S902, and the printing / binding process is continued until all jobs are processed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the printing unit is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S931 and S934, and the post-processing unit is realized by performing at least the process of step S950. In the present embodiment, the switching means is realized by performing at least the processes of steps S905, S907, S908, S930, S933, S935, and S635. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first derivation unit is realized by performing at least the process of step S903, and the second derivation unit is realized by performing at least the process of step S904.

As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, among a plurality of jobs in the hold queue, a job for which all the printing processes are completed is selected and selected within the time of one bookbinding process of the preceding job (Job1) Job (Job2). Therefore, the overall processing efficiency can be further improved.
In the present embodiment, the job for which all the print processes are completed is selected within the time of the bookbinding process for one copy of the preceding job (Job 1). However, this is not always necessary. That is, if a job for which at least one copy process is completed within the time of one bookbinding process of the preceding job (Job1) among a plurality of jobs in the hold queue is selected. You may select a simple job.
Further, in the present embodiment, the case where Job2 is a job that performs only printing has been described as an example. However, as in the first to third embodiments, Job2 performs bookbinding processing (post-processing) in addition to printing. It may be a job to perform.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
Each means constituting the printing apparatus and each step of the printing control method in the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by operating a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. This program and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are included in the present invention.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 5, 11, 13, and 15) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or directly stored in a system or apparatus. Supply remotely. In addition, this includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, and the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  It should be noted that each of the above-described embodiments is merely a specific example for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed in a limited manner. . That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an MFP according to a first embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows an example of the internal structure of a post-processing part (inline finisher). 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing / binding processing in the MFP according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a first example of a job progress status in a printing / binding process according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a first example of the present invention and a second example of a job progress status in printing and bookbinding processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI illustrating the state of twelve jobs included in a hold job according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a GUI for selecting a printing / binding means for a job included in a hold job according to the first embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a GUI for selecting a printing / binding unit for a job included in a hold job according to the first embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing and bookbinding processing in the MFP according to the second embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job progress status in the printing / binding process according to the second embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing / binding processing in the MFP according to the third embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job progress status in printing / binding processing according to the third embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of printing / binding processing in the MFP according to the fourth embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating conventional printing / binding processing in the bookbinding printing apparatus. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a job progress status in a printing / binding process.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Input image processing part 11 Operation part 12 RIP part 13 MFP control part 14 Print switching control part 15 Output image processing part 16 Printer part 17 Post-processing part 18 Bookbinding process notification part 19 NIC part 20 Memory part 21 Compression / decompression part 22 Document management Part

Claims (12)

An acquisition means for forming a print of a plurality of copies and acquiring a job for performing post-processing on the formed print;
Printing means for performing printing based on the job acquired by the acquisition means;
Post-processing means for performing post-processing on the printed matter obtained by the printing means;
Switching means for switching jobs printed by the printing means,
When the printing of the preceding job is completed in units of copies, the switching unit interrupts printing of the preceding job and performs printing based on the job after the next job. A printing apparatus that, when performed by the processing means, interrupts printing based on a job subsequent to the next job and resumes printing of the remaining part of the preceding job.   The switching unit, when notified from the post-processing unit about the preceding job, resumes printing of the remaining part of the preceding job after the printing of the next job is completed in units of copies. The printing apparatus according to claim 1.   When the post-processing means notifies the preceding job, the switching means, even if printing of the job after the next job is not finished in units of copies, When printing is interrupted in page units, the remaining part of the preceding job is printed, and when at least a part of the remaining part of the preceding job is printed, the subsequent jobs after the interrupted job are completed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the remaining printing is performed.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit causes printing of a job subsequent to the next job until the post-processing unit notifies the preceding job. 5. Having a storage means for temporarily storing a predetermined number of printed matter obtained by the printing means;
The post-processing means performs post-processing on the printed matter temporarily stored in the storage means,
When the post-processing unit notifies the storage unit that a predetermined number of printed materials are not stored, the switching unit interrupts printing of the job after the next job and sets the preceding job. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the remaining part is printed. First derivation means for deriving a post-processing time required for the post-processing means to post-process the predetermined number of copies of the preceding job;
The printing means has second derivation means for deriving a print processing time required to print a predetermined number of copies of a job different from the preceding job;
The switching unit selects, as the next job, a job in which the print processing time derived by the second deriving unit is shorter than the post-processing time derived by the first deriving unit. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when printing is completed in units of copies, printing based on the next selected job is performed.   The said printing means conveys the printed matter of the said preceding job and the printed matter of the job after the said next job to another paper discharge outlet, The any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Printing device.   8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a creation unit configured to create a job for post-processing the job by an external apparatus after the job after the next job is printed by the printing unit. The printing apparatus according to item. Processing selection means for selecting whether to print a job in order from the top or to interrupt the next job and print it
The switching stage switches a job to be printed by the printing unit when the processing selection unit selects to print the next job by interrupting the preceding job. The printing apparatus of any one of -8. When the processing selection unit selects to print the next job by interrupting the preceding job, the method for interrupting and printing the next job by the preceding job is selected from a plurality of methods. Having a printing method selection means;
The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switching unit switches a job printed by the printing unit in accordance with a method selected by the printing method selection unit. An acquisition step of forming a print of a plurality of copies and acquiring a job for performing post-processing on the formed print;
A printing step for performing printing based on the job acquired by the acquisition step;
A post-processing step of performing post-processing on the printed matter obtained by the printing step;
A switching step of switching a job to be printed by the printing step,
In the switching step, when printing of the preceding job is finished in units of copies, the printing of the preceding job is interrupted and printing is performed based on the job after the next job. A printing control method, comprising: when executed in a processing step, interrupting printing based on a job after the next job and resuming printing of a remaining part of the preceding job. An acquisition step of forming a print of a plurality of copies and acquiring a job for performing post-processing on the formed print;
A printing step for instructing the printing means to perform printing based on the job acquired in the acquisition step;
A post-processing step for instructing post-processing means to perform post-processing on the printed matter obtained by the printing step;
Causing the computer to execute a switching step of switching a job to be printed by the printing means,
In the switching step, when printing of the preceding job is finished in units of copies, the printing of the preceding job is interrupted and printing is performed based on the job after the next job. When executed by the processing means, a computer program characterized in that printing based on a job after the next job is interrupted and printing of the remaining part of the preceding job is resumed.

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