JPH0816331A - Printing apparatus and job control method for printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] It is possible to provide a user-friendly print processing environment in which cancellation of a job that is not desired to be canceled can be avoided by an external instruction. [Configuration] If a timeout error occurs during the execution of a job when the job execution time set by the job timeout generation unit 106 has elapsed, the host I / F and I / O unit 105 may discard the job being executed. The host computer 100 is inquired as to whether or not the CPU 102 determines whether or not the CPU 102 determines the status information from the host computer 100.
Is characterized in that the job timeout control unit 107 determines whether or not to discard the job being executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for analyzing data from a data source such as a host computer for each job and performing printing, and a job control method for the printing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing apparatus that analyzes and prints data from a data source such as a host computer for each job has a function called a job timeout in order to avoid occupation of an image processing unit in one job. Was.

The job timeout is a function of canceling a job being executed according to the length of time set by the user (for example, 1 minute, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, etc.). For example, if the job timeout is set to 5 minutes, the continuation of the job will be canceled at the time when 5 minutes have passed from the start of the job.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional example, there is a problem in that when a job time-out occurs, a job that is not desired to be canceled is forcibly cancelled.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to fourth inventions of the present invention is to determine whether or not to cancel the continuation of a job when a job timeout occurs. By inquiring of the host computer, even if one job processing time exceeds a preset time, switching or control of cancellation or continuation of the job being executed is instructed by the host computer. In addition, it is to provide a user-friendly print processing environment in which cancellation of a job that is not desired to be canceled can be avoided by an external instruction.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus which analyzes data from a data supply source for each job and prints by a printer engine.
Job execution time setting means for setting the job execution time for limiting the execution time of one job, job execution time measuring means for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting means, and job execution A timeout error generating means for generating a timeout error based on the job execution time measurement completion state by the job execution time measuring means, a job discarding means for discarding the job being executed, and a timeout error by the timeout error generating means When an error occurs, the job continuation inquiry means for inquiring to the data supply source as to whether or not the running job may be discarded, and the status information from the data supply source in response to the inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means Based on the job being executed by the job discarding means. Those having a job discarding determining means for determining whether the blanking discarded.

The second aspect of the present invention is based on the bitmap image control means for printing the generated bitmap image on the printer engine and the status information from the data supply source in response to the inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means. When a time-out error occurs, select whether to discard the job that is being executed by the job abandonment unit or whether the bitmap image generated by the time when a time-out error occurs is printed by the printer engine by the bit map image control unit. And means are provided.

A third aspect of the present invention is a job control method for a printing apparatus, wherein data from a data supply source is analyzed in units of jobs and printed by a printer engine.
A job execution time setting step for setting a job execution time for limiting the execution time of one job in a job control method of a printing apparatus that analyzes data from a data supply source in units of jobs and prints with a printer engine When,
A job execution time measuring step for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting step, and a timeout error occurs during the execution of the job based on the job execution time measurement completion state by the job execution time measuring step. A time-out error generating step, a job continuation inquiring step for inquiring of the data supply source as to whether or not a job being executed may be discarded when a time-out error occurs in the time-out error generating step, and this job continuation inquiring step According to the status information from the data supply source, a job discarding decision step for deciding whether or not to discard the running job, and a discarding step for discarding the running job according to the job discarding decision. is there.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when a time-out error occurs based on status information from a data supply source in response to a job continuation inquiry, the job being executed is discarded or a time-out error is generated. And a time-out process selecting step of selecting whether to print the bitmap image by the printer engine.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a time-out error occurs during the execution of a job when the job execution time set by the time-out error generation means is exceeded by the time-out error generation means, the job continuation inquiry means executes the job being executed. To the data supply source, whether to discard the job is determined by the job discard determination means based on the status information from the data supply source, Even if a time-out error occurs, it is possible to externally instruct to continue job execution without uniquely discarding the job currently being executed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the time-out processing selecting means discards the job being executed at the time of the time-out error by the job discarding means based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means, The bitmap image generated by the time of the timeout error is selected by the bitmap image control means to be printed by the printer engine, and the bitmap image generated by the time of the timeout error is printed without being discarded. It is possible to do things with instructions from the outside.

In the third invention, the job execution time set in the job execution time setting step is measured, and if a time-out error occurs during the execution of the job, whether or not the job under execution may be discarded. Whether to cancel the job being executed based on the status information from the data supply source according to the inquiry, and to determine the job being executed according to the job discarding decision. It is possible to limit the discarding of jobs that are discarded and that have timed out due to an instruction from the outside.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a time-out error occurs based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the job continuation inquiry, the job being executed is discarded or a bit map generated by the time the time-out error occurs. By selecting whether the image is printed by the printer engine, it is possible to print from the outside without discarding the bitmap image generated until the time-out error occurs.

[0014]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] Before describing the configuration of the present embodiment, the configurations of a laser beam printer and an inkjet printer suitable for applying the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. Needless to say, the printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to the laser beam printer and the inkjet printer, and may be a printer of another printer type.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the arrangement of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. For example, a laser beam printer (L
The case of BP) is shown.

In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body (printer), which stores and stores print information (character codes, etc.), form information, macro commands, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer. A corresponding character pattern, form pattern, or the like is created in accordance with the information, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1501 is an operation panel on which switches for operation and LED displays are arranged, and 1000 is a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP main body 1500 and analyzing character information supplied from the host computer. This printer control unit 1000 is
The character information is mainly converted into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and output to the laser driver 1502.

The laser driver 1502 is a semiconductor laser 1
A circuit for driving 503, which switches on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from a semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. Laser light 15
A rotary polygon mirror 1505 is shaken in the left-right direction to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 1506 on the surface 04. As a result, an electrostatic latent image having a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506.

This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 arranged around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording paper. A cut sheet is used as this recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a sheet cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a sheet feeding roller 1509, a conveying roller 1510, and a conveying roller 1511, and electrostatically discharged. It is supplied to the drum 1506.

The LBP main body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in font. .

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of control of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1700 is an interface for inputting recording symbols, 1701 is an MPU, 1702 is a ROM for storing a control program executed by the MPU 1701 and host print information, etc., 1703 is a DRAM for storing various data (the above-mentioned recording and printer). Save the record data supplied to the engine). 1705 is a printer engine.

The recording apparatus thus configured receives input information from the host computer 100 described later via the bidirectional interface 1700.

The MPU 1701 is a host computer 10 which will be described later via the bidirectional interface 1700.
Communication processing with 0 is possible, and the DRAM 1703
Memory information and resource data regarding the ROM 170
Host computer 1 which will be described later with host print information in 2
00 can be notified.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the system configuration of the printing device and the data source shown in FIG. Here, a laser beam printer (FIG. 1) will be described as an example.

As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices is a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer, which executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed based on a document processing program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 3. To do C
The CPU 1 is provided with the PU 1 and controls each device connected to the system device 4 as a whole.

A RAM 2 functions as a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from the keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown). 6 is a CRT controller (CRTC) and a CRT display (CRT)
Controls the display of 10.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory controller (MC) for accessing the external memory 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files and the like. Control. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is a printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (interface) 21.
And executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes the rasterizing process of the outline font in the display information RAM set in the RAM 2, for example, and the W on the CRT 10 is executed.
It enables YSIWYG. Further, the CPU 1 is C
Open various windows registered based on commands designated by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the RT10,
Performs various data processing.

In the printer 1500, a printer CPU 12 includes various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Access is collectively controlled, and an image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the above output information, and in the case of a printer in which the data ROM of the ROM 13 does not have an external memory 14 such as a hard disk, it is used on the host computer. It stores the information to be displayed.

The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with the host computer via the input unit 18, and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer and the like. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown).

The RAM 19 has an output information expansion area,
Used for environment data storage area, NVRAM, etc. Access to the external memory 14 such as the hard disk (HD) or IC card described above is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, emulation programs, form data and the like.

The input section 18 is the operation panel 15 described above.
01, a switch for operation, an LED display and the like are arranged.

Further, the above-mentioned external memory is not limited to one, but at least one external memory is provided, and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing interpreter programs for printer control languages of different languages can be connected. It may be configured as follows.

Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

In the printing apparatus constructed as above,
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the control arrangement of the printing apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 100 is a host computer, 101 is a laser beam printer, 102 is a CPU that controls the laser beam printer 101, and 103 is a CPU 10.
A ROM 104 that stores a control program executed by the printer 2, host print information, and the like is a RAM that temporarily stores various data.

Reference numeral 105 is a host interface (host I / F, I / O unit) for communicating with the host computer 100, and 106 is a job time-out for generating a job time-out when a predetermined time has passed. A generation unit 107 is a job time-out control unit, and in response to the time-out generated by the job time-out generation unit 106, inquires of the host computer 100 via the host interface unit 105 whether or not to cancel the job being executed in conjunction with the time-out. Have a function.

Then, according to the status contents from the host computer 100 in response to the inquiry, the job timeout generating unit 106 is controlled whether or not the job timeout is generated.

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the first invention and its operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

According to the first aspect of the invention, in a printing apparatus that analyzes data from a data supply source (host computer 100) on a job-by-job basis and prints with a printer engine, the execution time of one job is limited. Job execution time setting means for setting the job execution time (by the function of the job timeout control unit 107) and job execution time measuring means for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting means (job timeout generation unit 106). And a timeout error generating unit (job timeout generating unit 10) that generates a timeout error based on the job execution time measurement end state by the job execution time measurement unit during execution of the job.
6), a job discarding unit that discards the job being executed (by the function of the job timeout control unit 107), and when the timeout error occurs by the timeout error generating unit, the job being executed is discarded. Job continuation inquiring means (host I / F, I / O unit 10) for inquiring of the data supply source whether or not
5) and, in response to the inquiry from the job continuation inquiring means, a job discard determining means (job timeout control unit 107) that determines whether or not the job discarding means can discard the job being executed based on the status information from the data supply source. When a time-out error occurs when the job execution time set by the time-out error generation unit 106 elapses during the execution of the job, the job being executed by the host I / F, I / O unit 105 To the host computer 100, and based on the status information from the host computer 100, the CPU 102 decides whether or not to discard the job being executed by the job timeout control unit 107, and outputs the timeout error. Even if the error occurs, the job being executed is Without a makes it possible to perform an instruction from the outside possible to continue the job.

The present embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the first job control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (5) indicate each step.

A job timeout time is set for the laser beam printer 101 by a job timeout setting command that can be set from an operation panel (not shown) or the host computer 100 (1). This is the setting of the time that one job can occupy the image processing unit, and the user can set an arbitrary time.

When the predetermined time set during the execution of the job has passed (2), the job timeout control unit 107 causes a job timeout to the host computer 100 via the host I / F and I / O unit 105. Inquire whether or not is good (3).

If the status from the host computer 100 in response to this inquiry is Yes, the job timeout control unit 107 instructs the job timeout generation unit 106 to cancel the job being executed, and the job timeout generation unit 106 causes the job being executed. Cancel (4).

When the status from the host computer 100 is NO, the job timeout control unit 107 instructs the job timeout generation unit 106 not to cancel the job being executed, and the job timeout generation unit 1
06 does not cancel the job in order to continue the job being executed (5). Correspondence between the present embodiment and each step of the third invention and its action will be described below with reference to FIGS.

A third aspect of the present invention is a job control method for a printing apparatus in which data from a data supply source is analyzed on a job-by-job basis and printed by a printer engine, in which data from the data supply source (host computer 100) is used as a job. A job execution time setting step (step (1) in FIG. 5) of setting a job execution time for limiting the execution time of one job in a job control method for a printing apparatus that performs analysis processing in units and performs printing by a printer engine. ) And a job execution time measuring step (step (1) in FIG. 5) for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting step.
And (by a timer process not shown in step (2)),
During the execution of the job, a timeout error generation step (step (2) in FIG. 5) that generates a timeout error based on the job execution time measurement end state by the job execution time measurement step, and a timeout error by the timeout error generation step When an error occurs, a job continuation inquiry step for inquiring of the data supply source as to whether or not the job being executed may be discarded (executed between step (2) and step (3) in FIG. 5) And a job discarding step means (step (3) in FIG. 5) that determines whether or not to discard the job being executed based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the job continuation inquiry process.
And a discarding step (step (5) in FIG. 5) of discarding the job being executed according to the job discarding decision, discarding the job being executed according to the job discarding decision, and It is possible to limit the discard of jobs that have timed out errors by the instruction from. [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6 in the printing apparatus having the functions described in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 200 is a laser beam printer, 201 is a host computer, 202 is a CPU that controls the laser beam printer 200, 203 is a ROM in which a program for controlling the laser beam printer 200 is stored, 204 is a RAM, 205. Is a time-out process selection unit, such as an operation panel unit.

Reference numeral 206 denotes a time-out generating section for generating a time-out when a specified time elapses, and 207 denotes a bitmap control section, which outputs the bitmap data that has been image-processed up to that point when the time-out occurs by the time-out generating section 206. It controls whether to discard or send the bitmap data to the printer engine 208 for printing. Hereinafter, the correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the second invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

A second aspect of the invention is a bitmap image control means (bitmap control section 207) for printing the generated bitmap image on the printer engine 208 and a data supply source in response to an inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means (CPU 202). When a time-out error occurs based on the status information from, the job being executed is canceled by the job canceling means (by the function of the CPU 202),
And a time-out process selecting unit (time-out process selecting unit 205) for selecting whether or not the bitmap engine generated by the time of occurrence of the time-out error is printed by the bitmap engine control unit.
It is possible to print the bitmap image generated up to the time of occurrence of the timeout error without discarding it by an external instruction.

The detailed operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the second job control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, the time-out process selection unit 205, for example, the operation panel unit is used to select a time-out process (1).

In the present embodiment, the timeout means, for example, wait timeout (= the purpose is to limit the time until additional data for the job currently in progress is received) or job timeout (= job The purpose is to limit the total time to run). The selection of the process in step (1) above means
When a time-out occurs, it is selected whether to discard the image-processed bitmap up to that point or send the bitmap data to the printer engine 208 to print.

Further, in the time-out process selection section 205, a concrete time such as wait time-out or job time-out can be set. This is, for example, an operation panel unit configured by an LCD display, a key switch, or the like, or the user sets an arbitrary time in the host computer 201 by a command for time-out setting (2).

When a print command is received from the host computer 201 and the job is being executed, the timeout process selecting section 205
When the predetermined time set by is elapsed, the timeout generation unit 206 causes a timeout (3).

When a time-out occurs, it is selected whether or not to discard the job according to the process selected in step (1) (4). In the judgment of this step (4), Y
In the case of es, the job being executed is discarded (5), and in the case of No, the bitmap control unit 207 determines that the printer engine 20
The bitmap data generated until the time-out occurs is sent to 8 (6). Then, the printer engine 20
8 prints based on the bitmap data (7).

Correspondence between the present embodiment and each means of the fourth invention and its operation will be described below.

A fourth aspect of the invention is to discard the job being executed when a timeout error occurs based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the job continuation inquiry,
Timeout process selection step (steps (4) and (6) in FIG. 7) for selecting whether to print the bitmap image generated by the time when the timeout error occurs with the printer engine
Alternatively, execute steps (4) and (5) in FIG.
It is possible to print the bitmap image generated up to the time of occurrence of the timeout error without discarding it by an external instruction.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0064]

As described above, the first aspect of the present invention
According to the invention, when a time-out error occurs when the job execution time measuring means sets the job execution time during execution of the job, the job continuation inquiry means discards the job being executed. The data discard source is inquired as to whether or not it is appropriate, and the job discard determination unit determines whether to discard the job being executed by the job discard unit based on the status information from the data source, so a time-out error occurs. However, it is possible to externally instruct to continue the job execution without uniquely discarding the job currently being executed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, whether the timeout processing selecting means discards the job being executed at the time of the timeout error by the job discarding means based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means. Since the bitmap image generated by the time of the time-out error is selected by the printer engine control means by the printer engine, printing is performed without discarding the bit-map image generated by the time of the time-out error. You can do what you do from outside.

According to the third aspect, the job execution time set in the job execution time setting step is measured, and if a time-out error occurs during execution of the job, may the job being executed be discarded? A job continuation inquiry for inquiring whether or not to the data supply source is made, and in response to the inquiry, it is determined whether or not to cancel the job being executed based on the status information from the data supply source. It is possible to discard jobs and limit the discard of jobs that have timed out errors according to instructions from the outside.

According to the fourth invention, when a time-out error occurs based on the status information from the data supply source in response to the job continuation inquiry, the job being executed is discarded or the bit generated by the time the time-out error occurs. Since it is selected whether or not the map image is printed by the printer engine, it is possible to print from the outside without discarding the bitmap image generated by the time when the timeout error occurs.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a user-friendly print processing environment in which cancellation of a job that is not desired to be canceled can be avoided by an external instruction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of control of the printing apparatus illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system configuration of the printing apparatus and the data source illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a first job control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second job control method of the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Host Computer 102 CPU 103 ROM 104 RAM 105 Host I / F, I / O Unit 106 Job Timeout Generation Unit 107 Job Timeout Control Unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A job execution time setting for setting a job execution time for limiting the execution time of one job in a printing apparatus that analyzes data from a data supply source for each job and prints by a printer engine. Means, a job execution time measuring means for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting means, and a timeout error based on the job execution time measurement completion state by the job execution time measuring means during execution of the job. A time-out error generating means, a job discarding means for discarding a running job, and whether or not the running job may be discarded when a timeout error occurs by the time-out error generating means. Job continuation inquiry means for inquiring the source and this job continuation inquiry A printing apparatus, comprising: a job discard determining unit that determines whether or not the job discarding unit can discard the job being executed based on status information from the data supply source in response to an inquiry from the unit. 2. A bitmap image control means for causing the printer engine to print the generated bitmap image, and a timeout error occurring based on status information from a data supply source in response to an inquiry by the job continuation inquiry means, which is being executed. A time-out process selecting unit is provided for selecting whether to discard the job by the job discarding unit or to print the bitmap image generated by the time when a timeout error occurs by the printer engine by the bitmap image control unit. The printing device according to claim 1. 3. A job control method for a printing apparatus, wherein data from a data supply source is analyzed on a job-by-job basis and printed by a printer engine, wherein a job execution time for limiting the execution time of one job is set. A job execution time setting step, a job execution time measuring step for measuring the job execution time set by the job execution time setting step, and a job execution time measurement end state by the job execution time measuring step during execution of the job. A time-out error generation process that generates a time-out error based on
When a time-out error occurs in the time-out error generation step, a job continuation inquiry step for inquiring of the data supply source as to whether or not the job being executed may be discarded, and a data supply source according to the job continuation inquiry step A job discarding step of deciding whether or not to discard a job being executed based on status information from the job, and a discarding step of discarding a job being executed according to the job discarding decision. Job control method. 4. When a timeout error occurs based on status information from a data supply source in response to a job continuation inquiry, the job being executed is discarded, or a bitmap image generated by the time the timeout error occurs is printed by the printer engine. 4. The job control method for a printing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a time-out process selecting step of selecting whether to print.