CN100480981C

CN100480981C - Printing system, job processing method, and printing apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN100480981C
Application number: CNB2006101381487A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 山田道彦; 牛山和彦
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 2005-11-14
Filing date: 2006-11-14
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-14
Also published as: CN1967463A

Abstract

The invention provides a printing system, a job processing method and printing apparatus. In the event that the printing operations of a printing job have been interrupted by an interruption cause, and the cause of interruption for the interruption job is removed, resuming of the printing operations of the interrupted job is enabled with a resuming method corresponding to a user request, received from a user via a user interface, for a selection option that has been selected from multiple selection operations relating to resuming methods of the printing operations. This enables job resuming processing of a job regarding which printing has been interrupted to be suitably executed even under a printing environment such as a POD environment.

Description

Print system, job processing method and printing device

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of control method, it is used for control: after printing is interrupted, and the continuation again (resumption) of the printing of print job.

Background technology

Current, office equipment manufacturer is just entering commercial printing market (print on demand market, abbreviate " POD market " as, Print On Demand).According to current situation, wish to be implemented in and has considered the POD environment in the product design, not only at printing environment, and generally in printing environment have enough conveniences and an adaptive product based on the POD environment based on working environment.Yet up to now, this problem seldom is considered.

For example, a lot of printing device are the MPF (multi-function peripheral, Multi-Function Peripheral) that design for the printing environment based on working environment, and it has the automatic job restore funcitons.This function is to continue the function of operation after eliminating interruption source automatically again.

In recent years, the concrete operations as such automatic job restore funcitons have proposed configuration as described below.

With following situation is example, when printing a certain operation X that will handle in printing device, the interruption source that thin slice for example uses up has taken place.In this case, the print system processing of X that temporarily stops operation.Suppose except this operation X, also have another operation Y for preparing processing.In this case, when operation X interrupts, begin the printing of operation Y automatically.Further hypothesis is added the cause that thin slice has been eliminated the interruption of the operation X that is in the interruption status by for example operator.

Now, as mentioned above, eliminated the cause of the interruption of interrupted operation (being operation X in this example), but at this moment, other subsequent job (being operation Y in this example) is being printed still.In this case, even eliminated the cause of the interruption of interrupted operation (operation X), the printing of the operation that printing device still continues to be performed (being operation Y in this example).When the moment that the operation that is being performed (being operation Y in this example) is finished, printing device continues the processing of interrupted operation (being operation X in this example) automatically again.In other words, even eliminated the cause of the interruption of operation X, also only after the print processing of waiting for operation Y is finished, carry out the continuation again of operation X automatically and handle.

Current printing device and the print system that has proposed to be configured to realize above-mentioned action.This point can be by understanding with reference to Japanese kokai publication hei 4-305777 communique more fully.

Yet,, not necessarily satisfy based on the needs in the printing environment of POD environment though the printing environment based on working environment is satisfied in function that realizes in this printing device and print system and control.

Reason is: in printing environment based on the POD environment, and the most likely commercial printing of the topmost undertaker general company of this print system.Such commerce is printed company and is obtained the printing order from client, and uses print system to generate the printout (article) that client orders.When printout was consigned to client, client paid to commerce printing company.

In such printing environment based on POD, printing device and print system are not the instruments that is used in the auxiliary affairs of working environment, and this says that becoming is to be used to produce the business tool of its transaction by the product of client's paying.

In addition, in printing environment, most probable is existed handling the print request from client in the shorter time, and obtain and handle the needs of the ability of more substantial print request simultaneously based on POD.In other words, printing environment like this based on POD, comprehensively throughput rate may be most important.

In addition, can expect that various print request will be from the client of broad variety, the operation that the print system under this printing environment receives will comprise a large amount of large-scale operations (will print the operation of large amount of thin sheets).In addition, can expect that so large-scale operation concentrates on the situation of a certain period.Consider this kind situation, with regard to regard to the printing environment of POD, existence is from the market in for example POD market needs to following print system: this print system can be handled various a plurality of operations with high-level efficiency and high productivity in the exhausted limit of considering from client.

Therefore, can be easy to imagination: using situation and user to need aspect two, very big difference is being arranged based on the printing environment and the working environment of POD environment.

In view of the foregoing, let us is rethought the top example of operation restore funcitons in the print system.Though this operation restore funcitons may be satisfied the demand in the printing environment based on working environment fully, have difficulties aspect process user needs in based on the printing environment of POD probably.Provide concrete example and further analyze this problem now by launching top example.

For example, suppose that it is the large-scale operation that need print that printing owing to operation X is interrupted the operation Y that begins print processing on large amount of thin sheets.In this case, because print system has above-mentioned operation restore funcitons, operation X will have to print quilt at it and wait for for a long time before continuation.In other words, no matter how soon the printing interruption source of operation X eliminates ground, up to the printing end of operation Y, the printing of operation X could continue again.Even expecting easily that operation X almost completely finishes also may this thing happens.In working environment, such use situation seldom occurs itself, so it does not almost cause any attention.Yet this situation in this example is concerned about extremely that in based on the printing environment of POD environment in the printing environment based on the POD environment, it is very important handling a plurality of so large-scale efficiency of operation and throughput rate.

And, even disposed the print system that can overcome the above problems, it is also anticipated that other problem.

For example, the structure that the let us analysis is such overcomes the above problems by following setting in this structure: wherein, when the interruption source of operator's cancel job X, the processing of the operation Y that begins in the printing of interruption operation X is stopped by force.

According to the content of operation Y, the particular type of the operation Y aftertreatment that may comprise for example, such structure can influence the print result of operation Y.

In addition, have such situation probably in the POD environment: wherein, system moves under predetermined scheduling, makes with the large-scale operation of suitable sequential processes from different clients' broad variety.Under the environment of such scheduling, making equipment may be inappropriate with its oneself judgment processing situation.

As mentioned above, the technology that will be used for working environment be applied to use situation and user need aspect diverse POD environment, may cause unpredictalbe brand-new problem in working environment.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides a kind of print system, job processing method and the printing device that can handle above problem.

The invention provides a kind of print system, job processing method and printing device, it can facilitate the realization of the product with following digital printing system foresight, this product is not only under working environment, and is and also satisfactory under the printing environment of for example POD environment.

The invention provides a kind of print system, job processing method and printing device, it has considered for example printing environment of POD environment, and in such environment, it is very important to handle a plurality of efficiency of operation and throughput rate.

The invention provides a kind of print system, job processing method and printing device, even it begins under the situation of another operation when interrupting operation to be processed, considered environment for use and operator's intention, making can be efficiently, handle a plurality of operations with high productivity.

The invention provides a kind of print system, job processing method and printing device, it not only can use the restore funcitons of enough processing working environments, but also can handle at the use situation and the user's needs that are difficult to realize take place under the printing environment based on POD of restore funcitons.

The invention provides a kind of job processing method of print system, described print system is to print the print system of second operation different with described first operation when first operation is in interruption status, and described job processing method comprises the steps:

Under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, make the user's request that to accept to be used for before the printing of described second operation is finished, to continue again the printing of described first operation by user interface; And

Under the situation of having made described user's request by described user interface, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again,

Described job processing method also comprises the steps:

Allow the user to select options from a plurality of options of the timing of the printing that is used for determining continuing again described first operation by described user interface.

Described job processing method also comprises the steps:

Allow the user to select options from a plurality of options of the timing of the printing that is used for determining continuing again described first operation by described user interface; And

Forbid that the user selects to ask corresponding options with inexecutable user.

Described job processing method also comprises the steps:

Only have at user option options under one the situation, make the printing that can the printing of described second operation is finished after, continue described first operation automatically again, ask and do not accept the user by described user interface.

Described job processing method also comprises the steps:

Occurring under the wrong situation at described printing device place as described interruption source, stopping to carry out the printing of the operation of printing.

The invention provides a kind of job processing method of print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be printed and interrupt printing the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

Described job processing method comprises the steps:

When printing described second operation, eliminated under the situation of described interruption source of described first operation that is in interruption status, make and to accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, and it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described second operation is finished; And the second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished;

Under the situation of having made described first user request, the feasible printing that can after the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again; And

Under the situation of having made described second user request, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again.

The invention provides a kind of job processing method of print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be carried out and interrupt printing the printing of the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

Carry out the printing of described second operation, and exist under the situation that is in the 3rd operation of printing waiting state, described job processing method comprises the steps:

Under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, make and to accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished, and continues the printing of described first operation before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation from the printing waiting state again; Second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished; And the 3rd user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished and continues the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is also finished;

Under the situation of described first user request in made described a plurality of user request by described user interface, the printing of described second operation is finished after and before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation, continue the printing of described first operation again;

Under the situation of described second user request in made described a plurality of user's request by described user interface, before finishing, the printing of described second operation continues the printing of described first operation again; And

Under the situation of described the 3rd user request in made described a plurality of user request by described user interface, after the printing of described second operation is finished and after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is finished, continue the printing of described first operation again.

Wherein, described interruption source comprises a kind of in the following interruption source at least: the wrong or thin slice relevant mistake required with the printing of operation to be processed that is included in the original reading unit place in the described printing device.

Wherein, eliminating described interruption source, and described second operation is to need under the situation of the operation of the automatic arrangement of particular type, makes the printing that can after the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again;

Eliminating described interruption source, and described second operation is not need under the situation of the operation of the automatic arrangement of particular type, makes the printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, keep described first operation of described interruption status again.

The invention provides a kind of printing device, described printing device is to print the printing device of second operation different with described first operation when first operation is in interruption status, and described printing device comprises:

Accept the unit, it is used under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, makes the user's request that can accept to be used for to continue again the printing of described first operation by user interface section before the printing of described second operation is finished; And

Controller, it is used under the situation of having made described user's request by described user interface section, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again,

Wherein, allow the user to select options from a plurality of options of the timing of the printing that is used for determining continuing again described first operation by described user interface section.

Wherein, allow the user to select options from a plurality of options of the timing of the printing that is used for determining continuing again described first operation by described user interface section; And

Only have at user option options under one the situation, make the printing that can the printing of described second operation is finished after, continue described first operation automatically again, ask and do not accept the user by described user interface section.

Wherein, occurring under the wrong situation at described printing device place, stopping to carry out the printing of the operation of printing as described interruption source.

The invention provides a kind of print system, described print system is to print the print system of second operation different with described first operation when first operation is in interruption status, and described print system comprises:

The invention provides a kind of print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be printed and interrupt printing the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

Wherein, when printing described second operation, eliminated under the situation of described interruption source of described first operation that is in interruption status, accepting the unit makes and can accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface section, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, and it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described second operation is finished; And the second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished;

Under the situation of having made described first user request, the feasible printing that can after the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again of controller; And

Under the situation of having made described second user request, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again of described controller.

The invention provides a kind of print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be carried out and interrupt printing the printing of the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

Wherein, carrying out the printing of described second operation, and exist under the situation that is in the 3rd operation of printing waiting state, accept the unit under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, make and to accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface section, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished, and continues the printing of described first operation before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation from the printing waiting state again; Second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished; And the 3rd user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished and continues the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is also finished;

Under the situation of described first user request in made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, controller is the printing of described second operation is finished after and continued the printing of described first operation before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation again;

Under the situation of described second user request in made described a plurality of user's request by described user interface section, described controller continued the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished; And

Under the situation of described the 3rd user request in made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, described controller is after the printing of described second operation is finished and continue the printing of described first operation after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is finished again.

Accept the unit, under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, make the user's request that to accept to be used for before the printing of described second operation is finished, to continue again the printing of described first operation by user interface section; And

Controller, under the situation of having made described user's request by described user interface section, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again,

Wherein, eliminating described interruption source, and described second operation is to need under the situation of the operation of the automatic arrangement of particular type, described controller makes the printing that can continue described first operation after the printing of described second operation is finished again;

Eliminating described interruption source, and described second operation is not need under the situation of the operation of the automatic arrangement of particular type, the feasible printing that can keep described first operation of described interruption status before the printing of described second operation is finished again of described controller.

The invention provides a kind of printing device, can print and interrupted printing the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred, described printing device comprises:

User interface section is used to import user's request;

Accept the unit, be used for when printing described second operation, having eliminated under the situation of described interruption source of described first operation that is in interruption status, make and to accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface section, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, and it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described second operation is finished; And the second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished; And

Controller is used under the situation of having made described first user request feasible printing that can continue described first operation after the printing of described second operation is finished again; And be used under the situation of having made described second user request feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again.

The invention provides a kind of printing device, can carry out and interrupted printing the printing of the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred, described printing device comprises:

User interface section is used to import user's request;

Accept the unit, be used for carrying out the printing of described second operation, and exist under the situation that is in the 3rd operation of printing waiting state, under the situation of the described interruption source of having eliminated described first operation that is in interruption status, make and to accept in a plurality of users' requests any one by user interface section, described a plurality of user's request comprises: first user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished, and continues the printing of described first operation before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation from the printing waiting state again; Second user request, it is used for continuing the printing of described first operation again before the printing of described second operation is finished; And the 3rd user request, it is used for after the printing of described second operation is finished and continues the printing of described first operation again after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is also finished; And

Controller, be used under the situation of described first user request of having made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, the printing of described second operation is finished after and before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation, continue the printing of described first operation again; Be used under the situation of described second user request of having made described a plurality of user's requests by described user interface section, continuing the printing of described first operation before the printing of described second operation is finished again; And be used under the situation of described the 3rd user request of having made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, after the printing of described second operation is finished and after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is finished, continue the printing of described first operation again.

Controller, under the situation of having made described user's request by described user interface, the feasible printing that can before the printing of described second operation is finished, continue described first operation again,

From the explanation below with reference to the exemplary embodiments of accompanying drawing, further feature of the present invention will become obvious.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the figure that is used to illustrate according to the structure of the Web-compatible print system of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the figure of explanation according to the detailed structure of the print system of this embodiment.

Fig. 3 is the cross-sectional view that automatic collating unit is assemblied in the system architecture among the embodiment on the printing device master unit 101 shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 4 is the synoptic diagram according to the operating unit of the print system of embodiment.

Fig. 5 is the synoptic diagram according to the key input unit of the print system of embodiment.

Fig. 6 is the synoptic diagram of the touch panel unit (duplicating label) according to the print system of embodiment.

Fig. 7 A is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Fig. 7 B is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Fig. 8 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Fig. 9 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 10 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 11 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 12 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 13 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 14 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 15 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 16 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 17 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 18 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 19 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 20 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 21 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 22 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 23 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 24 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 25 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 26 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 27 is the figure that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Figure 28 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the control example of embodiment.

Embodiment

With reference now to print system, job processing method, recording medium, program and the printing device of description of drawings according to the embodiment of the invention.

As an example, illustrate with the following examples: as comprising for example situation of the system of the digital multifunction apparatus (MFP) of a plurality of functions (being also referred to as pattern) such as copy function, printing function, facsimile function, and the situation that comprises the print system of relevant device.Be noted that and be also referred to as image formation system with the print system of present embodiment explanation.

Fig. 1 is explanation according to the figure corresponding to the structure of the print system of network of the first embodiment of the present invention.In Fig. 1, print system 100 is carried out various data communication (transmission/receptions of data) by the telecommunication media 700 of for example network with another device.The example that system 100 can carry out another device of data communication with it comprises: the client computer A by Reference numeral 300 expression of server computer 200, for example principal computer, and by the client computer B of Reference numeral 400 expressions etc.Another device of data communication can also be carried out with it as for system 100,, digital multifunction apparatus 500 or the Internet facsimile equipment 600 can be used as comprising and another system of the same 26S Proteasome Structure and Function of corresponding system 100.Being noted that the data communication between system 100 and another device is not limited to wired type, may be wireless type, or mixed type.

Print system 100 comprises a plurality of patterns (a plurality of function), for example copy mode, printing model, fax pattern etc.Structure print system 100 makes by for example storage unit of the hard disk of equipment, is printed on the print job data of scanner unit 103 scannings of equipment at the printer unit 104 of equipment, and from the print job data of external device (ED) input.In the present embodiment, backup of memory 109 is as this storage unit.Structure print system 100 is to receive the work data as print object from various external device (ED)s.An one example is that for example, native system 100 permissions are from the work data of the signal conditioning package of for

example client computer

300 or 400 etc.In addition, configuration is included in the print job data as the scanning of the scanner unit in the digital multifunction apparatus 500 of another print system, makes its slave unit 500 be received.In addition, configuration receives it from the work data of the Internet facsimile equipment 600 outputs as the work data that will print.In addition, structure print system 100 comes communication unit (for example, computer interface unit 106) by equipment this another equipment to be carried out the various output processing or the transmission process of above work data.

In addition, with regard to print system 100, the scanner unit of equipment self comprises the auto document feeder (so-called ADF) as physical construction, and this feeder can automatically scan a plurality of original copys from page top margin in order.In addition, a plurality of thin slices that print system 100 is included in the printer unit of equipment provide unit (thin slice provides box), these thin slices provide the unit to provide the recording chart of respectively storing different medium type (for example, recording chart size, recording chart type etc.) in the unit to thin slice.Therefore, print system 100 can be printed to carry out on the recording chart of desired type by optionally providing the unit to sending recording chart to be supplied to printer unit from the desirable thin slice of user.

In addition, print system 100 comprises the automatic collating unit as the wafer processes treatment facility, and it is used to carry out two-page separation function, orders nail function, the punching function, reach the saddle stitching function.For example, with this print system 100, the automatic collating unit that setting can be carried out various automatic arrangements makes it be connected to printing device master unit 101.In addition, do such setting: the print processing of print data that can be by the operation that will print in printer unit 104 execute stores 109, for example the storer 109 of hard disk can accumulate the print data of a plurality of operations.In addition, constitute corresponding print system 100 the operation thin slice is offered corresponding automatic collating unit internal element, this operation thin slice has carried out print processing by the printer unit that is included in the printing device 101.In addition, constitute corresponding automatic collating unit, make the thin slice of corresponding operation carry out the automatic arrangement of user for the purpose appointment of operation to be processed.For example, be to be used to carry out the function that the paging of the recording chart of printing at printer unit is handled as the two-page separation function of an example of automatic arrangement function.Ordering the nail function is to be used to make recording chart to order the function that nail is handled.The punching function is to be used to make that the recording chart of printing at printer unit carries out the function that (punching processing) (be also referred to as perforation and handle (puncturing processing)) handled in punching.The saddle stitching function is to be used to carry out the folding processing of the recording chart of printing at printer unit and the function that bookbinding is handled.According to the present invention, read and, carry out control together by the control module among Fig. 2 108, the user interface control or the operation control of each unit to the various operations in the print system 100 with reference to being stored in computer-readable control program in storer 109 grades.

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that illustrates according to the detailed structure of the print system 100 of embodiment illustrated in fig. 1.As shown in Figure 2, the print system 100 according to present embodiment mainly comprises: system's master unit 101, image I/O control module 105.Printing device master unit 101 comprises: operating unit 102, reader unit (scanner unit) 103 and printer unit 104.Be noted that in fact image I/O control module 105 also is arranged on the inside of the casing of printing device master unit 101.

Operating unit 102 is used to operate printing device master unit 101 and image I/O control module 105.For example, operating unit 102 comprises touch panel type liquid crystal display, the mechanical hardware key that allows the operator carry out various settings.In addition, reader unit 103 comprises the auto document feeder of aforesaid for example ADF etc., reader unit 103 is carried out the processing of reading of the original image that is placed on the document board, comes the view data that is read to printer unit 104 and 105 outputs of image I/O control module.In addition, printer unit 104 is according to the print processing condition for the work data setting, will be from the Imagery Data Recording of reader unit 103 and image I/O control module 105 on the recording medium of for example recording chart.Comprise that the operating unit 102 of this display unit is equal to an example of the user interface section (hereinafter, being also referred to as the UI unit) according to present embodiment.Be included in computing machine 200 to 400 signal conditioning packages such as grade for example, and for example the UI unit in the various external device (ED)s of other printing device be UI unit (indicating device of keyboard, for example mouse etc. according to corresponding embodiment, display device, guidance panel etc.) example, other printing device for example: MFP 500, the Internet facsimile equipment 600 etc.Yet the UI unit is not limited to such example.

Image I/O control module 105 comprises: be connected to the control module 108 of reader unit 103, the computer interface unit 106 that is connected to network 700, video memory 107 and backup of memory (RAM/HDD) 110.Control module 108 comprises: CPU and program storage (not shown), the whole print system 100 of control module 108 controls.

Computer interface unit 106 is as external communications units, and it externally installs between (each device that is connected to telecommunication media 700 shown in Fig. 1) and the control module 108 as interface.Print system 100 uses corresponding units 106 and external device (ED) to carry out data communication.The example that is noted that external device (ED) comprises printing server (server computer) 200 of being made up of personal computer or workstation (PC/WS) etc.Computer interface unit 106 will transmit from the code data of the presentation video of server computer 200 draws (render) for can be in the view data of printer unit 104 records, and it is submitted to control module 108.In addition, (for example: order data, state request information, status information, instant data etc.) the transmission/reception of the various data outside 106 pairs of external device (ED) carries out image of computer interface unit data.Be noted that control module 108 control reader unit 103, computer interface unit 106, video memory 107, reach the data stream between the backup of memory 109.

Even being powered-downs, backup of memory 109 can not wipe the Nonvolatile memery unit of the data of being stored yet.This storer 109 is used for preserving need be at the significant data of printing

device master unit

101 and 105 backups of image I/O control module.That is to say that backup of memory 109 comprises the memory block that can store and keep a plurality of untreated work datas (sequences of a plurality of view data).Thus, can store and keep will be from the view data of reader unit 103 or external device (ED) input and work data etc.Be noted that backup of memory 109 by for example back up RAM, backup hard disk, CD-RW etc. are formed.Be noted that this example uses such setting, wherein, print system 100 itself comprises the nonvolatile mass storage that can accumulate a plurality of work datas, but is not limited to this setting.For example, may carry out such setting: wherein, the memory cell that is used for storing a plurality of work datas that will be printed by print system 100 is included in external device (ED).

In addition, also dispose this backup of memory 109 to be used to preventing that data from disappearing.Yet it not only is used for this intention.For example, also dispose respective backup storer 109 for example to be used to handle the needs of printing the data of wishing by user's printing model arbitrarily time with the timing of hope and hope.

As an one example, construct this print system 100 and use storer 109 that the storage box function is provided.In this case, followingly make setting.For example, make such setting: wherein, the user can select the storage box function by outer computer or print system 100 user interface sections own.The user selects the storage box function, and master copy data that uses the operation that this function can handle etc. is input to this print system 100 from reader unit 104 or outer computer.The master copy data of the operation that will be imported under the state of choosing the storage box function is saved in the user from the actual storage box that is arranged on a plurality of data storage storage box appointment in the storer 109.In addition, structure print system 100 makes the user to select the storage box function by operating unit, selects the storage box of hope, and can also select the data of hope from the storage box of choosing.Control module 108 control these print systems 100 are printed like this at printer unit 104 selected work datas, or by the treatment conditions that the user is provided with this work data are sent to external device (ED) based on the operating unit by equipment 100.Storer 109 also is set when this storage box function is provided, to use.According to present embodiment, the control module 108 of print system 100 is carried out so various controls.

As mentioned above, structure according to the print system 100 of present embodiment a plurality of print job data are stored in the backup of memory 109 and processed in sequence.For example, even carry out in printer unit 104 during the printing of a certain print job, also can receive from the reader unit (scanner unit) 103 of external device (ED) or equipment self will be in the print job data (view data) of printer unit 104 printings.Be noted that according to present embodiment, be included in the print system 100 control module 108 control these be included in various unit in the system 100.

Fig. 3 is the cross-sectional view that automatic collating unit is assemblied in the system architecture under the situation on the printing device master unit 101 that is included in the print system shown in Figure 2 100.In Fig. 3, auto document feeder 201 be used in order from the top one next flakily original copy is given and is delivered to contact glass 202, along with finishing of the read operation of original copy, discharge the original copy on the contact glass 202.

When original copy being sent on the contact glass 202, turn on the light 203, begin moving of scanner unit 204, scanning thus exposes original copy.At this moment, by mirror 205,206,207, and lens 208 will be directed to ccd image sensor (hereinafter being called CCD) 209 from the reflected light of original copy.Read the image of the original copy of such scanning by CCD 209.The image that is read is stored in the backup of memory 109 as digital output image data.

Laser driver 221 comes according to output image data emission laser according to the output image data driving laser luminescence unit 210 that is stored in the backup of memory 109.This laser projections on photosensitive drums 211, will be formed on the photosensitive drums 211 corresponding to the sub-image of this laser.Developer is attached to the part of the sub-image of this photosensitive drums 211 by developing apparatus 212.If color machines is then installed the developing apparatus that for example has yellow, magenta, cyan, 4 kinds of colors of black.

With with the beginning timing simultaneously of the emission of laser, sent record sheet from box 213 or box 214, send it to transfer printing unit 215.At transfer printing unit 215, the developer that is attached to photosensitive drums 211 is transferred to record sheet.The record sheet that will adhere to developer is transferred to fixation unit 216, heat by fixation unit 216 and pressure with the developer photographic fixing to record sheet.Discharge the record sheet that has passed through fixation unit 216 by distributing roller 217.

If be provided with double-sided recording modes, along with record sheet being transported to distributing roller 217, the sense of rotation counter-rotating of distributing roller 217 is directed to paper again to sending transmission path 219 by movable lug retaining 218 with record sheet thus.Give for again the record sheet send transmission path 219 once more to deliver to transfer printing unit 215, carry out the record of the reverse side of respective record thin slice with top timing with being directed into paper.

If system 100 comprises Z-folded unit 226, then control module 108 control system 100 will be transferred to the Z-folded unit through the record sheet that printer unit 104 is printed.Control module 108 control Z-folded unit 226 according to being the print processing condition of operation to be processed from operating unit 102 settings by the operator corresponding printout carry out Z-folded.In addition, if system 100 comprises automatic collating unit 220, then control module 108 control system 100 will be provided to corresponding automatic collating unit 220 via the printout that printer unit 104 is printed.In addition, the corresponding automatic collating unit 220 of control module 108 controls handles based on the paging of being carried out the printout of handled operation by the operator for the print processing condition of operation setting to be processed.In addition, control module 108 control puncher 223 are handled (perforation is handled) based on the punching of being carried out the printout of handled operation by the operator for the print processing condition of operation setting to be processed.In addition, the corresponding automatic collating unit 220 of control module 108 controls comes based on being the print processing condition that handled operation is provided with by the operator, carries out the saddle stitching of the printout of handled operation and handles.For example, in this case, when using saddle gang stitcher 225, ordered the core of record sheet, by the core of folding record sheet it has been bound thus.In addition, control module 108 control staplers 224 come based on by the operator being the print processing condition that handled operation is provided with, and execution is handled the nail of ordering of the printout of handled operation.

In addition, use inserter 222, record sheet or the front cover of printing in advance can be sent as inserting page or leaf.According to such structure, pre-print record thin slice does not pass through the record sheet passage of printer unit 104, so the transmission that thin slice can can't harm.The operation of not using saddle gang stitcher 225 is discharged to one of movable plate 228 or 229 by escape hole 231.Movable plate 228 and 229 can vertical moving, if output to movable plate 228, movable plate 228 drops to the position of escape hole 231.On the other hand, if use the operation of saddle gang stitcher 225, record sheet is discharged to bookbinding dish 230 by escape hole 232.Control module 108 is also carried out control according to above various operations.

Next, with reference to " synoptic diagram of operating unit " among the figure 4, illustrate according to the operating unit 102 in the printing device master unit 101 that is included in print system of present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is the figure of an example of the operating unit 102 of explanation MFP, and this example comprises key input part 302 and touch panel portion 301.In addition, Fig. 5 is the synoptic diagram of the details of explanation key input part 302, and Fig. 6 is the synoptic diagram of the details of explanation touch panel portion 301.Below each details will be described.

At key input part 302 illustrated in fig. 5 are the key input parts that can executable operations be provided with.

Operating unit power switch 401 is used to switch standby mode (normal mode of operation) and sleep pattern, controls when these two kinds of patterns can be in the ON state at the main power switch of the power supply supply that is used to carry out total system.Should be pointed out that sleep state is such state: master controller reduces energy consumption thus at the interruption holding state shut down procedure of preparing to carry out network printing, fax etc.

Economize on electricity key 402 is control temperature of the fixation facility when being used for setting operation and reducing standby mode, and the key that cuts down the consumption of energy, and wants spended time although get back to printable state.Be noted that and reduce the control temperature by power saving rate is set.

Initiating key 403 is the keys that are used in reference to the beginning of give instructions in reply seal, transmission etc., and stop key 404 is the keys that are used for interrupt operation.Numeric keypad 405 is the keyboards that are used to import the digital number of every kind of setting, and clear key 406 is the keys that are used to cancel its input numbers.ID key 407 is to be used to allow the operator import the key that prescribed password is verified the operator of MFP.

Reset key 408 is to be used to make variously be provided with invalidly, will the key that content turns back to default conditions be set.Help button 409 is to be used to show the key that instructs or help.User model key 410 is to be used for the picture of monitor unit 301 is changed to the key that picture is set at each user's system.

Counter acknowledgement key 411 is the keys that are used for showing the quantity of the output thin slice that is stored in software counter, and this software counter is arranged in the MFP, is used for the quantity of the thin slice printed etc. is calculated.With the demonstration of number of output thin slice, can be based on for example duplicatings/printings/scanning/operator schemes such as fax, the color mode of colour/black and white for example, or for example greatly/little antiquarian demonstration exports other quantity of branch of thin slice.Picture contrast modulator 412 is the modulators that are used to regulate the visual convenience of picture, and for example the backlight liquid crystal display of touch panel portion etc. is regulated on vision ground.

Execution/storage lamp 413 is to be used for carrying out operation or just at the lamp of reference-to storage by flicker untill further notice operator.Error light 414 is to be used for for example can not carrying out operation, calling out the mistake of situations such as maintainer by flicker untill further notice operator, or is used to notify call operation persons' such as paperboard, consumables shortage lamp.

Next, will be with reference to an example of figure 6 explanation touch panel portions 301.Touch panel portion 301 comprises: by the touch panel display that LCD (Liquid Crystal Display, LCD) forms, transparency electrode fixed thereon.When being equal to the transparency electrode portion of the key that is presented on the LCD with finger touch, programme in advance to carry out the processing that detecting operation for example shows another operation screen etc.Fig. 6 is the initial picture at standby mode, and it can show various operation screens based on setting operation.

In Fig. 6, duplicate label 501 and be the label key of the operation screen that is used to be transformed into copying operation.Send label 502 and be and be used to be transformed into the label key that is used in reference to the operation screen that example operates as the transmission (transmissions) of fax, E-mail transmission etc.Storage box label 503 is to be used to be transformed into be used to import operation to storage box (being used for the memory unit at each user storage operation) or from the label key of the operation screen of storage box output operation.Extension tag 504 is to be used to be transformed into be used to be provided with the label key that scanner for example such as is provided with at the operation screen of expanded function.System state/cancel key 505 is to be used to show the state of MFP or the key of situation.Select any feasible making and the corresponding conversion of operator scheme picture in the above key 501 to 505.

Fig. 6 is illustrated in the example of choosing operation screen under the situation of duplicating label 501.In this operation screen, color options button 506 is to be used for selecting in advance carrying out that colour print, black and white are printed, or the key of selecting automatically.It is to be used to be transformed into be used to be provided with key for example original, that the picture of convergent-divergent such as amplify, dwindle that convergent-divergent is provided with key 507.It is the keys that are used to be transformed into the picture that is used to be provided with the existence of ordering nail, punching etc., quantity, position that aftertreatment is provided with key 508.The two-sided key 509 that is provided with is to be used to be transformed into be used to select single face to print or the key of the picture of duplex printing.It is to be used to be transformed into be used to select thin slice that stage, lamina dimensions, and the key of the picture of media type are provided that lamina dimensions is provided with key 510.It is to be used to select for example key of the image model of suitable original image such as Text Mode, picture mode that image model is provided with key 511.It is to be used to regulate the deep or light key of output image that concentration is provided with key 512.

State display part 513 is to be used for during preheating preparation, paperboard, mistake etc., carry out holding state for example simplification state show.In addition, convergent-divergent display part 514 shows the convergent-divergent that key 506 settings are set by convergent-divergent.In addition, 515 demonstrations of lamina dimensions display part are provided with the lamina dimensions of key 509 settings etc. by lamina dimensions.Thin slice quantity display part 516 shows the number of leaves by numeric keypad 405 appointments, or which thin slice operating period is printing.In addition, break key 517 is used for interrupting the situation of another operation during copying operation.Application model key 518 is to be used to be transformed into the key that is used to be provided with for example page write the two or more syllables of a word together, front cover/insertion paper setting, dwindles various Flame Image Process, layouts etc. such as moving of layout, image.Like this, control the print processing condition of operation to be processed to accept from the user by control module 108 by display part.

To describe various controls below in detail to the operation of accepting in print system 100.Suppose if interruption source takes place,, and carry out the printing of another operation outside the interrupted operation then according to the job processing method interruption operation of present embodiment.Subsequently, when the interruption factor is cancelled, select the continuation method again of the processing of interrupted operation according to the job processing method permission operator of present embodiment.Be noted that according to present embodiment, by the main control of carrying out the processing operation that is used to carry out this operation of control module 108, relate to the demonstration control of the demonstration of using etc. for this reason.

In addition, response receives the print execution request of operation to be processed, and control module 108 control these equipment 101 are carried out the printing of corresponding operation.In addition, control module 108 is accepted will be by the reader unit 103 that is included in the printing device 101 itself, by being included in the operating unit 102 in the printing device 101 itself, and the print execution request of the print data of the operation of reading from the operator.

Be noted that according to storage box function of the present invention,, become the data that to print from the original image data of the operation of the external device (ED) of accepting by computer interface unit 106 from the original image data of the operation of reader unit 103.Like this, control module 108 is also accepted the print execution request of the print data of storage box function from the operator by operating unit 102.

Therefore, suppose that control module 108 accepts the print execution request of operation to be processed from the operator by operating unit 102.In this case, control module 108 control system 100 by the print processing condition of operating unit 102 at the operation setting, are carried out a series of printings according to the operator in the moment of importing corresponding print execution request for corresponding operation.

On the other hand, suppose the operator of control module 108,, accept the print execution request of operation to be processed by the UI unit of PC 200 external device (ED)s such as grade among Fig. 2 for example from external device (ED).In this case, control module 108 is accepted the print processing condition data of corresponding operation and the print data of operation to be processed by computer interface unit 106.Like this, if external device (ED) is carried out the print execution request, then control module 108 control system 100 are being that the print processing condition of corresponding operation setting is carried out the printing sequence according to the UI unit by respective external devices.

Concrete control example is shown below to be illustrated and has carried out which kind of control.Wherein, native system 100 adopts the various structural requirements with above-mentioned example explanation, and control module 108 is equal to an example according to the control module of present embodiment.

Now, main explanation: after beginning with the printing of the operation of making its print execution request, the printing interrupting factor of operation takes place, thereby control printing with interruption operation.In addition, will illustrate: at the printing intercourse of corresponding operation, control system 100 is carried out the printing of another operation.In addition, will illustrate: relate to which kind of and regularly reaching under which kind of condition, system 100 continues to carry out the printing of the operation of interrupting during printing again.

In the present embodiment, control module 108 control system 100 are carried out the processing of disclosed various process flow diagrams in the present embodiment (be included in Fig. 7 A, 7B, 15,17,22,25, and the processing of each process flow diagram shown in 28), carry out these various controls in system 100 thus.In addition, the computer-readable control program that is used for carrying out the processing of disclosed various process flow diagrams in the present embodiment (be included in Fig. 7 A, 7B, 15,17,22,25, and the processing of each process flow diagram shown in 28) is stored in storer 109 in advance.

In addition, control module 108 can be performed the disclosed in the present embodiment various demonstrations that relate to this processing (being included in the various demonstrations shown in Fig. 6,8～14,16,18～21,23,24,27 etc.) by using the user interface part according to present embodiment.Be used for using the computer-readable control program of these various demonstrations of UI cell enable also to be stored in storer 109 in advance according to present embodiment.

Control module 108 makes that system 100 can be by reading and with reference to being stored in these control programs in the storer 109, carries out to be used for the disclosed in the present embodiment various controls of illustrational various control examples below comprising.Hereinafter, with the processing of process flow diagram among the key diagram 7A.

At first, control module 108 judges whether to accept from the operator print execution request of operation to be processed.If be judged as and made the print execution request, the data (print data of this operation, the various print processing condition data that are provided with by the operator of this operation) that control module 108 will be referred to this print job are stored in the storer 109.This is handled corresponding to the processing among the S601 among Fig. 7 A.

Subsequently, when the print data of one page at least of the operation that will make its print execution request is stored in the storer 109, control module 108 with corresponding operation as in the print queue of the job login that will print (registration) in storer 109.This is handled corresponding to the processing among the S602 among Fig. 7 A.

The aid illustration that comprises the object lesson of the processing that relates to step S601 and S602 below.

For example, will such situation be described: wherein, control module 108 is carried out printing by operating unit from the print execution request that the operator accepts operation, and this operating unit is corresponding with an example according to the UI unit of present embodiment.

For example, suppose to have placed in the auto document feeder (also being called ADF) 201 of user's (being equal to the operator) in being included in reader unit 103 a folded original copy of forming by a plurality of original copys of 50 pages A4 size.

At this moment, control module 108 controlling packet are contained in the touch panel portion (being also referred to as display part) in the operating unit 102, carry out the demonstration at the setting of printing picture of the demonstration of the print processing condition that is used to allow the operator that corresponding operation is set illustrated in fig. 6.In addition, control module 108 is accepted the various print processing conditions of operation to be processed from the operator by the demonstration of relative set picture.

Now, suppose that the user is provided with printing umber " 5 " by the numeric keypad 405 of operating unit 102, as the sum of the required printing umber of a series of printings of operation.

With the operator print processing condition of operation to be processed is set, control module 108 control display parts 301 come the content of update displayed content to confirm to be provided with by the operator.For example, in this case, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out demonstration as shown in Figure 8.

The demonstration that control module 108 control display parts 301 shown in Fig. 8 are carried out is the control example, wherein, because this operation to be processed is " the required operations of print execution of a series of print datas of being made up of the original copy of 50 pages of A4 sizes ", so by the user following print processing condition is set.

A. printed copy quantity is " 5 parts " altogether

B. needing the size and the type of the thin slice printed is " A4 size and common paper "

C. print scaling is " original size (100%) "

D. the setting of arrangement is " nothing " automatically

E. duplex printing is " nothing " (carrying out single face prints)

Therefore, in the present embodiment, be configured and make the UI unit can carry out demonstration, show with this, the user can confirm the print processing condition accepted from the user for operation to be processed before accepting the print execution request from the user.This configuration also is an improved example that is used to realize the operability of present embodiment.

Therefore, to make the user be the setting that a series of print processing conditions of for example various treatment conditions (setting of the enabling/forbid of the size of thin slice and type, duplex printing, application model, the enabling/forbid of execution of arrangement and type thereof) automatically etc. are carried out in operation to be processed by the UI unit according to present embodiment to control module 108.

In addition, control module 108 control stores 109 keep the configuration information from the user, and the configuration information that will be referred to the print data of operation manages as a series of print processing condition data of corresponding operation.

Control module 108 judgements have received by the user presses the print execution request of key 403 from user's operation to be processed.With its simultaneously, response receives this operation and handles and begin request, control module 108 control native systems 100 begin to carry out the sequence of operations of the operation of the printing that needs to realize operation.

For example, above operation is the print job that needs the original copy read operation.Therefore, in this case, control module 108 response users press key 403, the original copy read operation that the original copy that 103 beginnings of control reader unit are made up of 50 original copys that are placed on the ADF is piled.

In addition, when having read an original copy, the original image data (being equal to print data) that control module 108 will carry out the operation of this read operation successively are stored in the storer 109 at every turn.In addition, control module 108 continues the storage operation of the print data of corresponding operation in storer 109, up to reading of the last original copy of the original copy heap that fulfils assignment at ADF.In addition, after the storage operation in respective memory 109, control module 108 control printer units 104 are according to the print data of the print processing condition print job of corresponding operation.The print execution request of wanting processing operation from the user is accepted in control module 108 responses, and control system 100 is carried out a series of like this printings.

Be noted that in the present embodiment print job to be processed is not limited to and need carries out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 before print execution.For example, such operation also is operation to be processed: the print execution request that response is carried out by the user from external device (ED) (computing machine 300, computing machine 400 etc.) by the UI unit of respective external devices, the CPU of external device (ED) transmit a request to system 100.

Therefore, if receive work data, then by control module 108 existence of operation of print execution request of having confirmed the external device (ED) executeds from respective external devices at the computer interface 106 of system 100.In addition, when receiving the data of corresponding operation, control module 108 with the data storage of operation in storer 109.Subsequently, when will be when externally the device print data of one page at least of making the operation of its print execution request is stored in the storer 109, control module 108 with this operation as in the print queue of the job login that will print (registration) in storer 109.The processing of carrying out in such processing and S601 in Fig. 7 A and the processing among the S602 is corresponding.In addition, control module 108 control printing device 101 carry out the printing of the print data that is stored in the operation in the storer 109 according to by the print conditions of user by the UI unit setting of external device (ED).

As mentioned above, according to present embodiment, control module 108 control system 100 have been carried out the print execution request by the UI unit of system 100 operation, and the print execution request is handled as the operation that will print by the operation that the UI unit of external device (ED) has been carried out.

Be noted that control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration that is associated with the disposition of operation if in the processing of system 100 beginning operation to be processed.Fig. 9 is an one example.

Picture shown in Fig. 9 that control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out is an operation disposition picture, is used to notify user's disposition of the operation that its processing just is being performed.Picture shown in control module 108 control charts 9 for example needs to print how many page or leaf and how many copies of these a series of print datas with demonstration, and handles the degree of carrying out.

It should be noted that: print job to be processed is " need carry out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 before printing ".In this case, control module 108 is determined the quantity of the original copy of operation by using the original copy number count operation of carrying out from the information of the sensor that is arranged on the detection thin slice among the ADF that is included in the reader unit 103.For example, control module 108 is carried out control with the number count of related sensor to giving the original copy that send from the original tray of ADF based on ADF, when sensor does not have thin slice to ADF, its count number is presented on the number of copies display part 607.At this moment, can be configured, for

example show

1,2,3 etc. give and send quantity with during being used for to the processing of sending original copy.

In this control example, more than the sum of original copy of operation to be processed be 50 pages (thin slices).Therefore, if reader unit 103 has been finished the read operation of whole original copys of corresponding operation, " 50 " that number viewing area 607 shows are as shown in Figure 9 printed in control module 108 controls.This information " 50 " is to be used to notify the user should handle the information of handling, and wherein, by a branch of printing (a printing) of the operation carried out, the quantity of the type face of the print data that print is 50 pages (50 thin slices) altogether.

In addition, it is altogether that the operation that control module 108 control display parts 301 display message, this information are used to notify the user carrying out needs the quantity of printed copy for what parts, and is printing which part on the number of copies viewing area 605 of the picture in Fig. 9.For example, in this embodiment, operation to be processed is " need print the operation by 5 parts of 50 pages of print datas of forming altogether ".In addition, suppose just to print first part now by printer unit 104.Therefore, control module 108 control areas 605 show " 1/5 ".

Suppose that operation to be processed is " from an external device (ED) need not carry out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 before printing ".In this case, control module 108 confirms that how many pages or leaves altogether have been stored in the storer 109 from the print data of the operation of external device (ED).Like this, control module 108 is determined the sum of original copy page or leaf.In addition, control module 108 is confirmed a series of print processing condition data that are associated with print data operation in the storer 109 that are stored in.Like this, control module 108 is determined the number of print pages altogether of operation.Based on the printing situation of determined content and operation, control module 108 is carried out as operation treatment situation picture for example shown in Figure 9 display part 301, and the demonstration of the treatment situation of operation in printer unit 104 is shown.

In addition, control module 108 controls viewing area 603 shown in Figure 9 shows the treatment situation (progress situation) of the operation of carrying out, and the numeral expression mode is not only used in this demonstration, but also with allowing the user vividly to understand the progress show bar of treatment situation intuitively.For example, the progress situation of the operation carried out in real time of control module 108 and from the information of each unit of system 100.Control module 108 control display units 301 change the progress situation of display format and operation explicitly, launch to be presented at the progress show bar on the respective regions 603.

Therefore, the progress situation of control module 108 control display part 301 operations that reflection is in real time being carried out on the picture of Fig. 9.For example, finished first part printing of this operation, printed second part if printer unit 104 is being carried out, then control module 108 control viewing areas 605 its information of renewal show " 2/5 ".In addition, like this, when printing the processing of operation, control module 108 control areas 603 are upgraded and are shown the progress bar that will show.

In addition, be configured as follows: the picture shown in Fig. 9 that control module 108 control display parts 301 show comprises, following various display modules are used to allow the user to confirm the various information of the operation of being printed by printer unit 104 clearly.

1. (print scaling viewing area 601) control module 108 control areas 601 show the information of the print scaling that is used to notify the operation that the user printing.

2. (lamina dimensions/direction/surplus viewing area 602) control module 108 control areas 602 show the information of amount etc. of residue thin slice of feeder of direction, its storage foils of the thin slice that is used to the operation notifying user's lamina dimensions, printing.

3. (storer surplus viewing area 604) control module 108 control areas 604 show the information of amount of remaining memory of the storer 109 of the print data that is used to notify the operation that user storage prints.

4. (gradation of drop-out colour adjustment district 606) control module 108 control areas 606 show the information of the gradation of drop-out colour that is used to notify the operation that the user will print, and also show the display key of instruction that is used for accepting to change from the user gradation of drop-out colour of operation.

Realize that with being used to so the improved various configurations of operating performance are assemblied in native system 100.

Control module 108 response users press " close " key on the picture, finish the demonstration that picture is handled in the operation shown in Fig. 9.In this case, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration that the print processing condition (for example shown in Fig. 8) that is used to make operation to be processed can be accepted by the user.In addition, control module 108 can be accepted the print execution request of new operation to be processed by corresponding demonstration from the user.

Be noted that in the S601 of Fig. 7 A the moment that the printing of accepting the operation that will be handled by the user begins to ask, have such situation, printer unit 104 is being printed another operation.In addition, also has such situation: exist to be in the operation of printing waiting status, that is, registered a plurality of operations, be the standby of finishing of the printing of last operation.

Therefore, the print execution request has been carried out in the operation outside the operation of supposing to handle in S601, and has the operation of registration in print queue.In this case, control module 108 controls are printed and are begun to ask received operation to be used as printing the wait operation in storer 209 standbies.In this case, control module 108 is when control printer unit 104 is carried out the printing of another operations, and control store 109 is at first carried out the storage operation of the print data of the operation that the print execution request has been performed.Subsequently, the printing of another operation once finishing, control module 108 is just read the print data of its operation, and control printer unit 104 is carried out its printing.

On the other hand, suppose moment of beginning to ask in the printing of accepting operation to be processed, the operation of not printing does not have operation to be in the printing waiting status yet.In this case, with the storage operation of the print data of making the operation that corresponding printing begins to ask simultaneously, control module 108 control printer units 104 are carried out the printing of the print data of operation.

For example, control module 108 has been confirmed except that the operation that will handle in the S601 of Fig. 7 A, not in the print queue of the job logging that will print in storer 109.In this case, be stored in the storer 109 simultaneously with first page print data of the operation that will handle in S601, control module 108 control printer units 104 begin the printing of the print data of this operation.Therefore, control module 108 makes system 100 can carry out the parallel simultaneously operation of printing of the print data of print data storage operation in the storer 109 with identical operation and this operation in the storer 109.

In addition, the needed print data of operation that control module 108 control stores 109 come storage print to handle in S601 is also controlled the operation that will register in print queue in S602.In addition, control module 108 has been controlled printer unit 104 and has been begun printing in the print data of S603 in storer 109.After these were handled, printer unit 104 was being carried out the printing of corresponding operation.The term of execution of this printing, control module 108 permission systems 100 accept the print execution request of another new operation.In addition, when carrying out the corresponding printing of the operation printed, the print data that control module 108 control system 100 are carried out the operation that will newly carry out the print execution request simultaneously is stored in the operation in the storer 109.

For example, with the print conditions that is provided with as shown in Figure 8, the printing that is used to carry out the operation of printing above print data is formed by 50 pages.Be noted that this operation is corresponding to " receive number 0001 operation " on the top in the operation treatment situation shown in Figure 11 tabulation display frame.Under this situation, for example, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 10.In addition, during the printing that receives number 0001 operation, control module 108 can be accepted the print conditions of new operation by the demonstration among Figure 10.Demonstration that should be in Figure 10 illustrates the situation of the print conditions below by the user new operation being provided with.

A. printing umber is " 10 parts " altogether

The size and the type of the thin slice that b. print to need is " A3 size, and be ground paper "

C. print scaling is " original (100%) "

D. the setting of arrangement is " nothing " automatically

E. duplex printing is " nothing " (carrying out single face prints)

It is corresponding with beginning from the top operation treatment situation tabulation display frame shown in Figure 11 second " receive number 0002 operation " to receive the operation of print processing condition by the demonstration among Figure 10 from the user.In addition, the user has placed a series of laminar original copys by 100 A3 sizes in auto document feeder 201.In addition, after supposing to be provided with more than this operation is carried out, the user supresses key 403.Control module 108 is pressed key 403 by the user and is determined the print execution request that has received corresponding operation.In addition, according to this request, control module 108 control reader unit 403 are carried out altogether the read operation of the original copy of this operation of being made up of the original copy of the A3 size of 100 thin slices, will be stored in the storer 109 through the print data of the operation of read operation subsequently.The parallel storage when control printer unit 104 is carried out the printing that receives number 0001 operation of control module 108 control stores 109 receives number 0002 operation.

Now, suppose that the operation of newly carrying out the print execution request is the operation from external device (ED) during the printing by the operation of printer unit 104 numbers of reception 0001.That is to say that this operation is " need carry out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 before printing beginning ".In this case, in the moment that receives the print data of operation by computer interface unit 106, control module 108 is according to the print processing condition data of the page number and operation, and the print data with corresponding operation is stored in the storer 109 in order.Print by printer unit 104 receive number 0001 operation in, the 100 parallel storages of control module 108 control system are from the print datas of the operation of this external device (ED).

Therefore, the print execution request of the new operation of control module 108 controls is to be accepted when printing another operation.When the printing of corresponding operation finished, control module 108 began to print the new work page or leaf.

In addition, according to the present invention, when carrying out the printing of the operation of printing, the various unit of control module 108 from be included in system 100 obtain relating to the information of the treatment situation of operation to be processed, and described various unit comprise for example reader unit 103, storer 109, printer unit 104, operating unit 102 etc.Therefore, when at system's 100 processing operations, the situation of control module 108 real-time monitoring systems 100.

By such method, during the printing of the operation of printing, control module 108 is judged the printing interrupting factor whether operation has taken place in system 100.Subsequently, if confirm to have taken place the printing interrupting factor of the operation of printing, control module 108 control system 100 are interrupted the printing of this operation of printing.In addition, at the printing intercourse of corresponding operation, under concrete condition, control module 108 control system 100 have begun to ask the printing of another subsequent job of print execution.

Now, we will get back to the explanation of Fig. 7 A.The print execution request that control module 108 response receives from the user is stored in the print data of new operation in the storer 109.This is corresponding to the processing among the S601.Meanwhile, control module 108 confirms that other operation to be processed outside whether this operation waits in storer 109.Control module 108 should confirm by the information and executing with reference to admin table, and this admin table for example is used for making date of acceptance and time, page order, the job title in the operation that will print of storer 109 management to be used by control module 108.

Suppose that the result who carries out above-mentioned affirmation is: control module 108 is judged as except that the new operation that will handle in S601 does not have operation to print.In this case, be stored in moment in the storer 109 in print data with one page of new operation, control module 108 control job loggings are in print queue, and simultaneously, control printer unit 104 begins to be stored in the printing of print data of each page of this operation in the storer 109.

On the other hand, suppose that the result who carries out above-mentioned affirmation is: control module 108 is judged as the operation that existence will be printed except that the new operation that will handle in S601.In this case, be stored in moment in the storer 109 in the print data with one page of new operation, the new operation of control module 108 controls is registered in the print queue, but at this moment, controls new operation and be registered in after the operation of having registered.Therefore, control module 108 is controlled to be operation and waits for each finishing in the printing of the operation of preceding registration.In addition, each is finished in the printing one of the operation of preceding registration, control module 108 is carried out the read operation of the print data of this operation with regard to control store 109, also begins printing according to the user for the print conditions control printer unit 104 of this operation setting.

Above-mentioned in S601 and subsequent handle corresponding to processing among the S602 and the processing among the S603.

As mentioned above, control module 108 user interface (UI) unit that the UI unit by for example operating unit 102 that provided by present embodiment or external device (ED) is provided can be accepted from user's print execution request.Even control module 108 is accepted a plurality of print execution requests in addition, as required, the print data of these operations is stored and kept to control module 108 also control store 109, and storer 109 comprises the HD of the print data that can store a plurality of operations.

In addition, control module 108 is read also with reference to being used as management and keeping the job information of the print queue of object with the admin table form in storer 109.Control module 108 is based on this job information control system 100, comes order to make these a plurality of operations of having carried out the print execution request print processing with the order identical with the reception order of the print execution request of each operation.

Therefore, control module 108 uses the job information of print queues to determine the time for the page order of each operation that will print.In addition, control module 108 uses the job information (title of the reception of operation number and time of reception point, operation, be used for determining the information of the treatment state of each operation) of each operation of having carried out the print execution request for the demonstration control of following explanation as an example.

As mentioned above, the operation of having accepted from the user by disclosed UI unit (the UI unit that comprises operating unit 102 or external device (ED)) in the present embodiment by control module 108 control is stored in print data in the storer 109 with job information at each operation relatedly.This job information comprises the required a series of print processing condition data by user's setting of the printing of operation to be processed, job title, reaches the original copy title.In addition, this job information comprises: the information of reception that control module 108 is provided with for each operation when printing device 101 receives operations automatically number and time of reception point.Therefore, control module 108 control stores 109 are carried out the association of data.

Control module 108 control stores 109 are stored the data of operation to be processed like this.Therefore, this storage operation the term of execution, parallel therewith, control module 108 is based on the scheduling of above-mentioned print queue, control system 100 is carried out another printing in preceding operation of having registered in print queue.

As mentioned above, if system 100 has accepted a plurality of operations, in carrying out operation during any one printing, for example, the user supresses " system state/cancellation " key 505 in the display frame shown in Fig. 6, then respond user's operation of key 505, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out demonstration shown in Figure 11.

Control module 108 control display parts 401 show picture shown in Figure 11, and this display frame shows the tabulation of the treatment situation of the operation of having carried out the print execution request.If a plurality of operations of having made print request are arranged, the picture that constitutes among this Figure 11 shows that the print processing that allows these operations of User Recognition in proper order, also allows the information of the current treatment situation of each operation of User Recognition.

For example, the demonstration shown in Figure 11 is the control example that control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the situation of the demonstration that is used to notify the current job status of user.Job state display field 710 on the picture of control module 108 control Figure 11 shows following information.

1. present, being registered in operation number in the print queue, that made the print execution request is 4 altogether.

2. the time that these four operations is ranked carries out according to the order that receives number 0001 operation, receives number 0002 operation, receives number 0003 operation and receive number 0004 operation and prints.

3. receive number 0001 operation and be the operation that receives from the user at 16:30 at its print execution request, the type of operation is " duplicating " operation.In addition, printer unit 104 present " printing " these operations.

4. to receive number 0002 operation be the operation that receives from the user at 16:35 at its print execution request to the second print execution object, and the type of operation is " duplicating " operation.In addition, this operation is " ready-to-print " state now.

5. to receive number 0003 operation be the operation that receives from the user at 16:50 at its print execution request to the 3rd print execution object, and the type of operation is " printing " operation.In addition, this operation is " ready-to-print " state now.

6. to receive number 0004 operation be the operation that receives from the user at 16:51 at its print execution request to the 4th print execution object, and the type of operation is " printing " operation.In addition, this operation is " ready-to-print " state now.

So the user is notified in the configuration demonstration aforesaid various information, and as shown in figure 11, the response user presses key 505, and control module 108 control display parts 301 show the information of each operation with the form of tabulation.

Control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 11, and this demonstration also comprises the various display keys 701～709 that configuration responds user's operation and presses.

According to the present invention, also make such configuration, wherein, the demonstration among Figure 20, the demonstration among Figure 21, the demonstration among Figure 23 and the demonstration among Figure 24 can be carried out by the control module according to present embodiment, and this is one of unique point of present embodiment.

Be noted that according to the present invention, as an example, the disclosed in the present embodiment display control program that shows control that relates to, with in the present embodiment disclosed be used for by system 100 carry out the processing that relates to each flow process various operations operating control procedure together, be stored in advance in the storer 109.In addition, control module 108 reads and carries out disclosed in the present embodiment display control program from storer 109.

As mentioned above, according to the present invention, when according to present embodiment when the operator accepts print execution request at operation to be processed by the UI unit, control module 108 control system 100 begin the printing of operation.

In addition, when carrying out the printing of operation to be processed, control module 108 control stores 109 are stored whole pages or leaves of the print data of operation to be processed.If this operation is a copying operation, control module 108 is by the print data (original image data) of the corresponding operation of reader unit 103 receptions, and control store 109 is with its storage.In addition, if this operation is the operation from external device (ED), control module 108 is by the print data of computer interface unit 106 these operations of reception, and control store 109 is with its storage.In addition, control module 108 control printer units 104 carry out by respective memory 109 print processing of the print data of this operation.

In addition, control module 108 control stores 109 are stored first page print data of a series of print datas of being made up of the multipage of operation to be processed, with its while, under other operation was not registered in situation in the print queue, control printer unit 104 began the printing of this print data of first page.Subsequently, control module 108 control store 109 is in order carried out the storage operation of the print data of corresponding operation, is stored in the storer 109 up to the last page or leaf with the print data of corresponding operation.In addition, parallel with the storage operation to storer 109, control module 108 control printer units 104 are carried out the print data of corresponding operation.

Therefore, the storage operation of control module 108 parallel control simultaneously print data of operation in storer 109, and the print data that is used for reading operation from storer 109, and press of the printing of page number order with its printing.Therefore, realized the improvement of throughput rate in the system 100 as much as possible.

As prerequisite, for example, control module 108 provides device in order to the thin slice that the UI unit is indicated by the operator that passes through that send as the required thin slice of the printing of operation to be processed from the thin slice of printing device 101 with above-mentioned configuration.In addition, control module 108 control printer units 104 are carried out the printing to the print data of corresponding operation of being given the thin slice that send in order.Therefore, control module 108 control printer units 104 come one next flakily give the thin slice that send by operator's appointment in order, carry out printing in order.Control module 108 control system 100 come a series of like this printing is carried out in operation to be processed.

Now, explanation will be got back to the explanation of Fig. 7 A.In step S603, according to present embodiment, control module 108 confirms whether imported the print execution request by the UI unit by the user, and whether print data stores storer 109 into, and whether the operation that will print is registered to print queue.For example, suppose that a plurality of operations have been registered in the print queue.In this case, in these operations, control module 108 control system 100 are carried out the printing in first operation of time of reception point registration the earliest.

For example, with reference to the control example shown in Figure 11, the operation that its printing in the present embodiment should be finished the earliest is to receive number 0001 operation.Therefore, control module 108 is read the print data of this operation from storer 109, and control printer unit 104 is with its printing.Suppose that this operation is the operation that will handle in above-mentioned S601, wherein use the demonstration among Fig. 8 to carry out setting of printing, also imported the print execution request by pressing key 603.That is to say that this operation is " be used for print data with A4 size original copy and be printed on operation on the record sheet that is equal to A4 size common paper ".In addition, now, suppose that the thin slice that is equal to A4 size common paper is stored in the thin slice dish 213 of an example that is equal to feeder.Therefore, control module 108 is carried out to control from thin slice dish 213 and is given the required thin slice of printing of the print data of sending corresponding operation.In addition, control module 108 control system 100 are printed giving from this feeder to carry out when sending thin slice here.

As mentioned above, even when control printer unit 104 when carrying out the printing of the operation that will handle in S603, whether control module 108 is confirmed in system 100 cause that the printing of corresponding operation is interrupted to have taken place.This is corresponding to the processing in S604.At this moment, the control module 108 various sensors from each unit of being arranged on system 100 (reader unit 103, printer unit 104, storer 109, and operating unit 102) in order obtains information, based on the judgement of this information and executing in S604.

Subsequently, suppose that control system 108 confirmed not take place the cause of interruption of the corresponding printing of operation in S604.In this case, control module 108 control and treatment advance to S605 from S604.

In step S605, control module 108 judges based on the information from the sensor of above-mentioned each unit whether the printing of the operation that begins is finished in system 100 in S603.

Suppose that control module 108 confirmed that in S605 the printing of this operation do not finish in system 100.In this case, control module 108 will be handled from S605 and turn back to S603, and the printing of corresponding operation is finished in the printing that control printer unit 104 continues corresponding operation subsequently.

On the other hand, suppose that control module 108 confirmed that in S605 the printing of operation in S603 finishes in system 100.In this case, control module 108 is judged as the printing of corresponding operation and finishes, and control and treatment advances to S606 from S605.

In S606, control module 108 will be confirmed to print the operation that finishes and delete from print queue in S605.Subsequently, in S607, control module 108 is deleted corresponding print job from storer 109.

In addition, with the processing while of just in S606 and S607, carrying out, the information that control module 108 upgrades in the print queues.Specifically, for example, if be in the printing waiting status in more than 109 print job of storer, control module 108 is the page order of each operation in advance one by one.In addition, control module 108 is judged except that having confirmed in S605 and is printed the operation that finishes based on the reference result of printing sequence in the storer 109, whether has the operation that will print.This processing is equal to the processing in S608.

In addition, if confirm to have the operation that will print, control module 108 will be handled from S608 and turn back to S603, and control printer unit 104 begins the printing of corresponding operation.Be noted that at this moment the printing that follows the next operation after in S605, being confirmed to be the operation of printing end closely that 104 beginnings of control module control printer unit are registered on the printing sequence.Thus, control module 108 is according to the acceptance order of the print execution request of each operation, and control system 100 continues to handle the operation that will print.

On the other hand, do not have the operation that will print if be judged as except that having confirmed to print the operation that finishes in S608 in S605, control module 108 is made the "No" judgement in S608, be judged as in system 100 not have operation to be processed, end process.

As mentioned above, because the finishing of the printing of operation to be processed, control module 108 control system 100 are carried out the printing of the processed corresponding operation of wanting of having begun to print in S603.Yet, suppose that control module 108 confirms in S603 the cause of the interruption of printing to occur in system 100 during the printing of operation of beginning print processing in S604.In this case, control module 108 controls will advance to the processing among the step S609 Fig. 7 B from step S604 in the processing that system 100 carries out.

If in system 100 cause of the interruption of corresponding printing has taken place, corresponding with following situation as an example, make "Yes" among the determining step S604 of control module 108 in Fig. 7 A and judge.

Control module 108 is considered as printing the situation A of interruption source: the work of printing The paper mistake takes place to lack in industry

Suppose that in the time of print job control module 108 confirms to no longer include paper based on sensor in feeder.In the present embodiment, this is called " lacking the paper mistake " or " no paper mistake ".

Suppose that control module 108 is from the feeder of printing device 101,, accepted to represent that this operation lacks the information of paper, the cause of interrupting as the printing of the above-mentioned operation that has begun printing by internal signal wire.

Control module 108 was handled as " lacking the paper mistake " of producing the corresponding operation of object during printing in operation in the mistake of system 100, and it becomes the Rule of judgment that is judged as "Yes" at step S604.

In this case, control module 108 has been determined to take place in system 100 to print the cause of interrupting, and the S604 of control and treatment from Fig. 7 A advances to the S609 among Fig. 7 B.With its simultaneously, control module 108 control display parts 301 show and comprise and be used for notifying the user not have the notice of paper at operation to be processed in system 100, and are used to point out the user that the information of the notice of corresponding thin slice is provided.With regard to this situation A, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out demonstration shown in Figure 14, and it is formulated as notifies the user not have paper at the printing of operation to be processed.

As mentioned above, under the situation of the cause that the printing of generation operation is interrupted during confirming to print in S604, control module 108 is in the printing of S609 interruption operation.With its simultaneously, whether the type that control module 108 is carried out the cause of for example interrupting is for example as the judgement of situation A " lacking the paper mistake ", " original copy paperboard " shown in the case B～situation D of explanation after a while, " discharge destination mistake " or " from user's printing interrupt request ".

Therefore, when the generation of the cause of confirming to interrupt at the printing of the operation of just printing in S604, control module 108 judges that what kind is the cause at the interruption of operation be.Should be understood that, control module 108 should judge that the current state information of system 100 comprised based on the various information and executing of the current state information of for example system 100: the print processing condition data of operation to be processed, from the status information of each unit in the system that is included in 100 shown in Fig. 2.

In addition, for example, shown in situation A, the type that control module 108 is judged as the cause of interrupting at the printing of operation is " lacking the paper mistake ".

Control module 108 is based on judged result, and control operation unit 102 is carried out and is used to notify the demonstration of user based on the information of the judgement type of printing the cause of interrupting.With regard to situation A, control module 108 control operation unit 102 show that formation illustrates the display frame for example shown in Figure 14 of the printing of having interrupted operation, for the cause that cancellation is interrupted, as operator's intervention operation, ask " providing thin slice by the operator ".

Therefore, the demonstration that illustrates as sending a notice is carried out in control module 108 control UI unit, and this notice is used for by the cause of user's cancellation in the printing interruption of the operation of S609 interruption printing, and its canceling method is identical with the processing that will carry out in step S609.

Therefore, according to present embodiment, control module 108 control system 100 are carried out demonstration for example as implied above with the interruption of the printing of the operation that will handle in S609.

System 100 according to present embodiment comprises such configuration: wherein, based on the type of printing the cause of interrupting as mentioned above in S609, control and carry out demonstration.Afterwards, the operation of the cause influence of the interruption that is not detected can be printed by system.

Case B: the operation generation original copy paperboard mistake that just is being printed in reader unit 103

As mentioned above, structure is handled copying operation according to the system 100 of present embodiment as operation to be processed.That is to say that the structure present embodiment is handled " before need beginning to print, carrying out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 after user's print execution request and by printer unit 104 " as operation to be processed.In other words, for example above shown in operation be equal to " can make the print execution request the user, reader unit 103 is carried out after the original copy read operations, the operation that is begun to print by printer unit 104 ".

By way of parenthesis, " externally device has been made the external procedure of print execution request ", " operation that will handle in the storage box function in the system of being included in 100 " are the operations that is not equal to " need carry out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103 before printer unit 104 begins to print ".In other words, these operations are the operations that are equal to " can make the print execution request the user, and reader unit 103 not being carried out under the situation of original copy read operation, by the operation of printer unit 104 its printings of beginning " at least.

Therefore, according to present embodiment, control module 108 control system 100 are accepted several work.

Can make such configuration: wherein, control module 108 can be based on the information from the sensor among the ADF that is included in reader unit 103, confirm whether to have taken place with need be in the information of the relevant mistake of the original copy read operation of the operation of the original copy read operation of reader unit 103.

Suppose that the operation of accepting is " needing reader unit 103 to carry out the operation of original copy read operation " before printer unit 104 begins to print in S601.This is called as condition 1.In addition, suppose except that the corresponding operation that will in S601, accept, do not have other job logging in print queue.This is called as condition 2.

If satisfy this two conditions, at every turn the print data with one page of corresponding operation is stored in the storer 109, and control module 108 control printer units 104 are carried out the printing of the print data of operation.

Therefore, if satisfy above-mentioned two conditions, to be stored in memory cell 109 parallel with print data with operations specific, and control module 108 control printer units 104 are carried out the printing of identical operation.

That is to say that above-mentioned condition is such situation: wherein, during carrying out the read operation of a series of original copys of forming by the multipage of operation to be processed, carry out the printing of corresponding operation by printer unit 104 by reader unit 103.

In this case, even when control printer unit 104 when carrying out the printing of corresponding operation, control module 108 confirms whether to relate in reader unit 103 mistake of the original copy read operation of corresponding operation.For example, as an example of this mistake, the original copy paperboard as mistake generation object during the conveying operations of the original copy that is undertaken by the ADF that is included in the reader unit 103 is equal to this.

" original copy paperboard " that control module 108 will be during S603 has begun the printing of the operation of printing produces the corresponding operation of object as the mistake of system 100 handled as printing the cause of interrupting, and it is as the Rule of judgment that is judged as "Yes" in S604.

Therefore, suppose that control module 108 detects during the printing mistake that the required original copy read operation of the printing of corresponding operation to be processed has taken place to relate in reader unit 103.In this case, control module 108 is judged as and has taken place to print the cause of interrupting, and the S604 of control and treatment from Fig. 7 A advances to the S609 among Fig. 7 B.With its simultaneously, control module 108 control display parts 301 show and comprise and be used to notify the user that wrong notice has taken place, and the information of the notice of the corresponding mistake that is used to point out the user to cancel reader unit 103.According to the present invention, as an one example, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 20, and Figure 20 during the required original copy read operation of operation to be processed is shown the original copy paperboard has taken place.

According to this case B, operation to be processed is " need carry out the operation of original copy read operation after accepting the print execution request by the UI unit from the user ".In addition, this is such example: wherein, control module 108 confirm with the parallel original copy read operation of the printing of this operation the term of execution, in reader unit 103, the original copy paperboard with the wrong corresponding operation that relates to the original copy read operation has taken place.Therefore, according to case B, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 20, and Figure 20 is used for notifying user's generation of corresponding original copy paperboard.

Still according to case B, confirm that in S604 control module 108 is in the printing of S609 interruption operation under the situation of the printing interruption source that operation has taken place during the printing of operation.In addition, when confirming that it takes place, control module 108 judges that the type of the cause of interrupting at the printing of operation is the interruption source of what kind.Therefore, according to this case B, as mentioned above, it is the mistake of reader unit 103 that control module 108 is judged as the type of printing the cause of interrupting.

System 100 according to present embodiment comprises such configuration: wherein, the type of the cause of interrupting based on the printing in S609 is as mentioned above controlled and is carried out demonstration, can begin the printing of the operation of not interrupted corresponding cause influence subsequently.

Situation C: the discharge destination mistake of the operation that generation is being printed

According to the system 100 of present embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the printout of operation to be processed can output to a plurality of discharges destination that comprises dish 228 and dish 229, and dish 228 and dish 229 can load the printout of printing through printer unit 104.Control module 108 can be based on whether in this discharge destination paperboard having taken place from the validation of information that is included in the sensor in the equipment for after-treatment (for example, the automatic collating unit among Fig. 3 220).

Suppose that control module 108 makes affirmation: during the printing of operation, the thin slice paperboard has taken place in the discharge destination of the equipment for after-treatment that is included in system 100.In addition, suppose that printout (dish is filled) has been piled in the required discharge destination, output destination of the printout of operation during the printing of operation, to such an extent as to can not continue the output to the printout of corresponding discharge destination, control module 108 is confirmed its generation.

This " in the mistake of discharging the destination " that control module 108 will be during carrying out the printing that S603 begun the operation of printing produces object as the mistake of system 100 handled as printing the cause of interrupting, and it is as the Rule of judgment that is judged as "Yes" in S604.

In this case, control module 108 is judged as and has taken place in the operation that begins to print in S603 to print the cause of interrupting, and the S604 of control and treatment from Fig. 7 A advances to the S609 among Fig. 7 B.With its while, control module 108 control display parts 301 show the notice of the paperboard that comprises the thin slice that is used to notify the print data that operation to be processed has taken place in the discharge destination of system 100 to print the user, and are used to point out the user to cancel the information of the notice of corresponding thin slice paperboard.According to present embodiment, as an one example, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 23, and this demonstration is illustrated in the generation of thin slice paperboard of the discharge destination of operation to be processed.

For example, according to this situation C, when having taken place in the output destination of the printout of operation during the printing of confirming at S604 in operation when wrong, control module 108 interrupts the printing of the operation of printing in S609.With its while, control module 108 control display parts 301 are carried out the demonstration shown in Figure 23, and the demonstration shown in Figure 23 is used to notify user's generation of " in the thin slice paperboard of discharging the destination ".

Still according to this situation C, in S604, confirm during system 100 carries out the printing of the operation that has begun printing in S603, taken place under the situation of the cause that the printing of operation interrupts, control module 108 interrupts the printing of the operations in S609.In addition, when having confirmed at S604 to print the generation of this cause of interrupting, control module 100 judges that the type at the printing interruption source of this operation is the interruption source of what kind.Under the situation of this situation C, as mentioned above, the type that control module 108 is judged as the cause of print interrupting is " in the mistake that is located in the output purpose that is the output destination of printout " based on the print processing condition judgment from the user.

In addition, the demonstration that is used for notifying based on judged result the type of judging of the cause that the user prints interruption is carried out in control module 108 control operation unit 102.Under the situation of this situation C, control module 108 control operation unit 102 show display frame for example shown in Figure 23, and the printing that Figure 23 illustrates operation is interrupted, and request " is eliminated in the thin slice paperboard of discharging the destination by the operator ".Like this, still under the situation of situation C, control module 108 control UI unit are carried out the demonstration of notice that is used for having been interrupted at S609 by user's cancellation the printing interruption source of the operation of printing are shown, and its canceling method is identical with the processing that will carry out in S609.

System 100 according to present embodiment comprises such configuration: wherein, control based on the type of aforesaid printing interruption source in S609 and to carry out demonstration, subsequently, beginning is not by the printing of the operation of the cause of respective interrupt influence.

Situation D: temporarily print the situation that stops to ask by the input of UI unit by the user

According to present embodiment, do such configuration: wherein, the tabulation of disposition as shown in Figure 11 is presented on the touch-sensitive picture, it makes the user can be by touching one of picture and selecting situation (for example, operation 0001).

Suppose, use for example aforesaid method to select the operation of now printing by the user.Under such situation, suppose the user supress the operating key that is used to import clearly the instruction that temporarily stops the operation of printing (for example, be included in the operating unit 102 unshowned hardware keys or as the unshowned display key (soft key) of the display object of display part 301).Then, control module 108 based on key operation be judged as the user made temporarily stop the request, interrupt the printing of corresponding operation.

As mentioned above, " user's printing temporarily stops request " for corresponding operation that control module 108 will be during S603 has begun the printing of the operation of printing produces object as the mistake of system 100 handles as printing the cause of interrupting, and it becomes the Rule of judgment that is judged as "Yes" in S604.

If control module 108 detects the printing interrupt request of having made corresponding operation to be processed during print execution according to the present embodiment user by the UI unit, control module 108 is judged as and has taken place to print the cause of interrupting, and control and treatment advances to the S609 of Fig. 7 B from the S604 of Fig. 7 A.

Still under the situation of this situation D, if taken place during the printing of affirmation operation to print the cause of interrupting in step S604, control module 108 is in the printing of S609 interruption operation.Control module 108 judges that also the type at the printing interruption source of operation is the interruption source of what kind.Under the situation of this situation D, as mentioned above, it is " the temporary transient printing from the user stops request " that control module 108 is judged as the type of printing interruption source.

In addition, control module 108 control operation unit 102 as before be used to notify the picture of the type of the printing interruption source that the user judges based on judgment result displays.

Thus, still under the situation of situation D, control module 108 control UI carries out demonstration in unit, and this demonstration illustrates the notice that is used for having been interrupted at S609 by user's cancellation the cause that the printing of the operation of printing interrupts, and its canceling method is identical with the processing of carrying out in S609.

System 100 according to present embodiment comprises such configuration: wherein, control to carry out based on the type of aforesaid printing interruption source in S609 and show, make the printing that can carry out not the operation that influenced by described cause.

According to present embodiment situation A～situation D is illustrated as printing the cause of interrupting, but present embodiment is not limited to this.Therefore, the configuration present embodiment makes it be not limited to concrete content and the type of printing the cause of interrupting.

As prerequisite, suppose that control module 108 confirmed during the printing of operation with above-mentioned configuration, the cause that the printing of operation is interrupted has taken place in system 100.Then, control module 108 control and treatment advance to S609 Fig. 7 B from S604.

Among the step S609 in Fig. 7 B, the printing of the operation that control module 108 control system 100 interrupt printing.

At this moment, if can carry out constantly at the printing of giving the thin slice that send in the generation of this interruption source from feeder, control module 108 control printer units 104 continue the printing at corresponding printing thin slice, whole thin slices are discharged to the discharge destination of system 100.When the discharging operation of thin slice from the machine intimate to the outside that prints in printing interrupted operation finished, control module 108 interrupted the printing of corresponding operation.

Therefore, according to present embodiment, even the cause that the printing of the operation of printing is interrupted has taken place, control module 108 control system 100 make and will not remain in the device interior of system 100 through the thin slice of normal printing under possible situations.In addition, control module 108 control system 100 will be discharged to the discharge destination that the user can take the system 100 of printout away through the thin slice of normal printing.In addition, then, control module 108 interrupts the printing of (stopping) corresponding operation.

Above-mentioned configuration is an example that is used to realize the configuration of boosting productivity according to present embodiment, it as possible, even under the situation of take place to print interrupting, also can carry out the printing of operation, and as possible, can carry out operation to be processed and do not waste unnecessary thin slice.

Now, the type of supposing the cause that the printing among the step S604 is interrupted is " the thin slice paperboard in the printer unit 104 on the thin slice transmission path ".In this case, control module 108 interrupts the printing that (stopping) being undertaken by printer unit 104 immediately in the moment of taking place to interrupt.In this case, stop the operation of printer unit 104 under the situation of control module 108 in thin slice remains in the equipment of system 100.In other words, if the cause of interrupting corresponding to the printing of the type takes place in S604, follow closely its take place control module 108 forbid from the new thin slice of feeder sent operation, and forbid the transmission operation of the thin slice in equipment.

Above-mentioned configuration is an example that is used for realizing the configuration of described effect when the thin slice paperboard takes place the inside at printer unit 104, for example can avoid as much as possible by present embodiment in the internal trigger generation of printer unit 104 or the problem of a plurality of thin slice paperboards.

By the Interrupt Process in step S609, the moment that control module 108 makes the print data of discontinued operation continue in the cause that response is cancelled interruption by user's interference to print again uses.Then, control module 108 permission systems 100 continue to handle again.

Specifically, control module 108 control stores 109 are retained in whole pages or leaves of the print data of the operation of interrupting among the S609, use this data in the moment of the printing that continues operation again.

Now, suppose that discontinued operation is in step S609 " needing the operation of many parts of printings ".In this case, the required umber of print data of control module 108 control system 100 duplicate printing same page.In addition, control module 108 control printing device 100 are accepted the only printing of portion, and the operation that also needs a folded printout to put in order automatically.

Therefore, control module 108 control stores 109 are preserved whole pages print data of the operation that has comprised with the interruption that is right after the corresponding print data of having printed of page or leaf before taking place to print the cause of interrupting in S603 its printing, so that use this data in the moment of continuing again to print.In addition, control module 108 control stores 109 are preserved the print processing condition data of a series of interrupted operations as making control module 108 can judge that the printing of printing interrupted operation needs the information of the print processing condition of what kind.In addition, control module 108 control stores 109 are also preserved the data of the treatment situation that operation is shown, as making control module 108 can judge the information of the processing progress of processed operation before the interruption that is right after in printing at S607.Control module 108 uses and is used to obtain obtaining the data that this illustrates the progress situation by display part 301 in the identical method of the method for the required information of the demonstration operation treatment situation picture shown in Fig. 9.

These various information that control module 108 control stores 109 are preserved as the required job information of the printing of the operation that continues again to interrupt in S609, and the required print data of printing that continues operation again are associated job information with print data.

Therefore, according to present embodiment, control module 108 is carried out in the S610 of Fig. 7 B and is used for control store 109 and stores as mentioned above the processing of having interrupted the job information of the operation of printing at S609.

Be noted that each step of utilizing each accompanying drawing of face, promptly according to S610 and S613 among Fig. 7 B of present embodiment, after a while the S707 among Shuo Ming Figure 15, the S903 among Figure 17, the S806 among Figure 22, and Figure 25 in S1009, " discontinued operation " is described.Should " discontinued operation " promptly the referring to of explanation in the present embodiment " in processing, print among the S609 in Fig. 7 B be interrupted operation ".In other words, this " discontinued operation " that illustrates in the present embodiment promptly refers to " under the situation that printing interruption source takes place, interrupted the operation of its printing by control module according to present embodiment by system 100 " according to present embodiment.

By way of parenthesis, by each step of each accompanying drawing, i.e. S621 and S623 among Fig. 7 B, S701, S702, the S711 among Shuo Ming Figure 15 after a while, the S901 among Figure 17, S902, and S908, the S801 among Figure 22, the S1002 among Figure 25 illustrates " current operation ".Should " current operation " refer to " print the operation that begins among the S616 in Fig. 7 B, they are different with the operation of having interrupted printing in the S609 of Fig. 7 B, and it is corresponding with another operation that will print ".In other words, this " current operation " that illustrates in the present embodiment refers to " under the situation of the cause of take place to print interrupting, during the interruption status stage of the interrupted operation of printing, the printing executable operation that becomes ".That is to say that Shuo Ming " current operation " in the present embodiment refers to " carry out under the situation of the printing interrupt operation interrupted the operation of printing, allow the operation of beginning printing in system 100 according to the control module of present embodiment " in S609.Again in other words, should " current operation " refer to " replacement has prevented to interrupt the printing of the operation of printing in S609, printing interruption (temporarily stopping) during the period, begun the operation of printing by control module according to present embodiment in system ".

As prerequisite, describe configuration with top explanation below in detail according to the system 100 of present embodiment.

Control module 108 control stores 109 are kept at the information (being also referred to as job information) of having interrupted the operation of printing among the S610 of Fig. 7 B, and subsequently, the control module control and treatment advances to S611 from S610.

Be noted that this " information of operation " comprises " will be printed on operation continue to print print data (original image data) on the required thin slice ", " the print processing condition data of operation " and " being used for printing the deal with data of progress that the moment of interrupting judges the processing of operation " again.In addition, control module 108 control stores 109 are in the information of S610 preservation as the display object in the display list among Figure 11, for example " receive number " of operation, " original copy number ", " homework type " etc., and the required job information of disclosed control in the present embodiment carried out of control module 108.

In the S611 of Fig. 7 B, control module 108 is by reading and with reference to the information by the above-mentioned print queue of storer 109 management, confirms whether to exist in storer 109 " operation that will print of the cause influence that the printing of the operation that has not been interrupted is interrupted ".

In addition, if be judged as the operation that will print of the cause influence that the printing of the operation that existence has not been interrupted interrupts in S611, control module 108 control and treatment advance to S614 from S611.

On the other hand, if be judged as the operation of the cause influence that the printing that do not have the operation that has not been interrupted interrupts at S611, then control module 108 control and treatment advance to S612 from S611.

Interrupt the period in the printing of interrupted operation during (print and temporarily stop), 100 beginnings of control module 108 control system are not printed the printing of operation of the cause influence of interruption.Be noted that " having interrupted the operation of printing " is corresponding to " the interrupted operation " of having interrupted printing in S609, as mentioned above.On the other hand, should " do not printed the operation that the cause of interruption influences " corresponding to " the current operation " that in S616, begin to print, as mentioned above.

In other words, according to present embodiment, control module 108 control system 100 are postponed the continuation again of the printing of interrupted operation, begin the printing of another operation.

As mentioned above, comprise such configuration according to the system 100 of present embodiment: wherein, during the printing that is interrupted operation temporarily stopped the period, beginning was not the printing of another operation of the cause influence interrupted of the printing of interrupted operation.

The meaning of this configuration is,, also can begin " corresponding to the operation of another printing of needs of the operation that can fully normally print " even do not cancel in system 100 under the situation of the cause that the printing of having interrupted the operation of printing interrupts.

Now, below object lesson is explained, this example relates to control module 108 and judges that the operation of what kind is the operation that not influenced by the cause of the printing of interrupted operation interruption, how to control this operation to begin printing at S616.With following situation, control module 108 control system 100, with interrupt the period (print and temporarily stop the period) in the printing of interrupted operation during, beginning is not subjected to the printing of another subsequent job that cause that the printing of interrupted operation is interrupted influences.

Now, hereinafter, the control example of situation 1～situation 4 will be open as corresponding 4 the control examples of situation of 4 kinds of causes of interrupting with the printing of said circumstances A～situation D.1: the first situation of situation identifies to exist in print queue in step S611 and is not printed the operation that interruption influences, and under this situation, control module 108 begins to print this operation.

This situation 1 is that the type of the cause of hypothesis printing interruption is " lacking paper " mistake.

This situation 1 time, whether control module 108 search print queues exist is used the thin slice that uses with interrupted operation to have the operation that different size or dissimilar paper are printed.In addition, control module 108 control print systems 100, so that during print interrupting the period, can begin the printing of such operation: this operation does not need and the required thin slice same size of interrupted operation and the thin slice of type, and needs the thin slice of different size or type.

In this case, control module 108 is confirmed the size and the type of the thin slice that the printing of each operation is required.Control module 108 is carried out from storer 109 and is read and with reference to the print processing condition data, and in storer 109, with job login during to print queue, the print processing condition data of operation is saved as job information at step S602.

In addition, whether control module 108 confirms to exist in print queue another to use the thin slice that uses with interrupted operation to compare the operation of the thin slice of another size or type.

With following is example, and during the operation that receives number 0001 was printed, the required thin slice of the printing of this operation had been used up, and when when step S604 makes this judgement, control module interrupts the printing of this operation at step S604.As mentioned above, this has and receives the operation that number 0001 operation is the thin slice of its printing thin slice type of needing the lamina dimensions of A4 and common paper.

In this case, confirm whether to exist the operation of being lined up, wait for printing at step S611 control module 108, the printing of this operation need be different from the thin slice of the type of A4.Perhaps, in this case, control module 108 confirms whether to exist the operation of being lined up, wait for printing in step S611, and the printing of this operation need be different from the thin slice of the type of common paper.

In other words, in this case, control module 108 will be judged as its printing in step S611 need the operation of the thin slice of the size of A4 size and common paper type to get rid of from select.That is to say, in this case, do not need the operation of the thin slice of the size of A4 size and common paper type in its printings of step S611 control module 108 search, as the operation that will from print queue, select.The Rule of judgment of the thin slice that this printing that relates to operation to be processed is required will be called as first condition, and control module 108 judges whether there is the operation that will print of satisfying first condition in the storer 109 in step S611.

When having confirmed whether to have the operation of satisfying first condition, in step S611, the thin slice whether thin slice that control module 108 further affirmations are used for this operation is placed on print system 100 provides the unit.This relates to the thin slice whether thin slice be placed on print system 100 provides the Rule of judgment in the unit will be called as second condition.

Still use above-mentioned example, provide its object lesson.As example, receive number 0001 operation during printer unit 104 is printed having, receive as being registered in the print request that having of next operation in the print queue receives number 0002 operation.As mentioned above, have and receive the operation that number 0002 operation is the thin slice of the printing type that needs the size of A3 and recycled writing paper.That is to say that the operation of this reception number 0002 is the operation that is not subjected to printing to need the operation of thin slice of the type of the size of A4 size and common paper to influence.

In step S611, control module 108 is judged as to have and receives number 0002 operation and do not had the cause that the printing that receives number 0001 operation interrupts and influence, and has to receive number 0001 operation owing to lack the paper mistake and suffered to print and interrupt in step S609.In addition, also in step S611, carry out and have thin slice that whether the required thin slice of printing that receives number 0002 operation be placed on print system 100 affirmation in the unit is provided.

According to present embodiment, a plurality of thin slices that the user can use operating unit 102 registered in advance print systems 100 to have provide the lamina dimensions and the thin slice type of each unit of unit.Control module 108 obtains providing the log-on message of the thin slice the unit about what made by the user at thin slice from operating unit 102.In addition, have according to the print system 100 of present embodiment and to be used to detect the size that the thin slice of unit is provided at each thin slice, and also be used to detect at each thin slice the existence of unit thin slice or the sensor of shortage are provided.Control module 108 obtains providing the unit at each thin slice the information of existence about thin slice, its size etc. from each sensor, and it is obtained as status information.Based on this information, control module 108 confirms to provide at each thin slice of print system 100 size and the type of the thin slice of placing in the unit, provides location mode information as the thin slice of print system 100.

Utilize thin slice that location mode information is provided, control module 108 is also confirmed to carry out and is had the thin slice whether needed thin slice of printing that receives number 0002 operation be placed on print system 100 and provide in the unit, as mentioned above.

Suppose that control module 108 is judged as to carry out and has the thin slice that the needed thin slice of printing that receives number 0002 operation has been placed on print system 100 and provide in the unit.This means and satisfied above-mentioned second condition.

Made above judgement, control module 108 is judged as has that to receive number 0002 operation be not to be subjected to have the operation that cause that the printing that receives number 0001 operation interrupts influences, and based on this judged result, flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.

In this case, control module 108 is got rid of the operation that its printing need have the thin slice of same size and identical thin slice type with the required thin slice of the printing of interrupted operation at step S611 from select.Simultaneously, in this case, control module 108 is considered as selectable operation at step S611 with following operation, the i.e. operation that is not influenced by the type just is not the operation that its printing need have the thin slice of same size and identical thin slice type with the required thin slice of the printing of the operation of having interrupted at step S609 printing.In addition, in this case, if be judged as the selectable like this operation of existence in print queue at step S611, control module 108 is made "Yes" at step S611 and is judged that flow process enters into step S614 from step S611.On the other hand, in this case, do not have so selectable operation if be judged as in print queue in step S611, control module 108 is made "No" and is judged that flow process enters into step S612 from step S611 in step S611.

Above-mentioned situation is the example according to the situation of present embodiment, and wherein, control module 108 is judged as in print queue the operation that exists the cause of not printed interruption to influence at step S611.

Now, in the example of explanation early, having having of the job information that shows in status list display frame, to receive number 0002 operation be the operation that does not need the lamina dimensions identical with the operation with reception number 0001.Therefore, in step S611, control module 108 will have and receive number 0002 operation and be considered as having next operation after receiving number 0001 operation in reception.Under these circumstances, at step S616, when having when receiving number 0001 operation and keep interrupting, control module 108 permission systems 100 begin to have the printing that receives number 0002 operation.

Yet, suppose to have receive number 0002 operation be need be identical with having the required thin slice of print processing that receives number 0001 operation lamina dimensions and the operation of thin slice type.In this case, control module 108 is judged as to have at step S611 and receives number 0002 operation and had the operation that cause that the printing that receives number 0001 operation interrupts influences.

If made this judgement, when having when receiving number 0001 operation and interrupting, control module 108 forbids that system 100 begins to have the printing that receives number 0002 operation.

Now, under above situation, supposing to be presented at having in the status list display frame of Figure 11, to receive number 0003 operation be the operation of the thin slice of size that need be different with the A4 size thin slice that is used for printing, or the operation of the thin slice of type that need be different with the common paper that is used for printing.In addition, suppose that control module 108 confirmed the existence of following status information in step S611: this status information represents that the thin slice that satisfies these conditions provides available in the unit at the thin slice of system 100.In this case, in step S611, control module 108 is judged as has that to receive number 0003 operation be the operation that not influenced by cause that the printing of No. 0001 operation is interrupted.

In this case, have receive number 0001 operation and interrupt in, control module 108 allows the printing of No. 0003 operation of print systems 100 beginnings.

Therefore, the printing waiting status is stayed in the operation that control module 108 will not satisfy condition in step S611, and the cause that has been interrupted the operation of printing in step S609 remains on to be printed in the interruption status, and the operation that satisfies condition in step S611 is carried out.

Even this operation is interrupted, also throughput rate has been improved on the highland as far as possible.

Present embodiment also can be handled following situation.

Situation 2: wherein, control module 108 identifies in print queue the operation that exists the cause of not printed interruption to influence in step S611, the printing of interrupting the operation that influences is not printed in control module 108 beginning during the interruption period of printing discontinued operation.

This situation 2 is used to illustrate and a example in the corresponding control of control of said circumstances B illustrated.That is to say an example of this situation 2 to be control modules 108 carry out control under the type of the cause that the printing of the operation of having interrupted printing is interrupted is the situation of " original copy paperboard ".

For example, suppose that this situation 2 times, the operation of having interrupted in step S609 Be Controlled unit 108 printing is to carry out the operation of original copy read operation by reader unit 103.

Handling under the situation of this operation, when receiving when pressing the print execution request that initiating key 403 makes by the user, control module 108 is carried out in step S601～S603 of Fig. 7 A, a series of printings that utilize print system 100 that the following describes.

When to this operation when the user receives the print execution request, control module 108 is carried out the ADF that is set on the reader unit 103 to the operation of sending each original copy in the original copy heap.Control module 108 is also controlled and is made reader unit 103 carry out to delivering to the read operation that original copy reads each original copy of position, the image data storage of the original copy that will be read by reader unit 103 is in storer 209, from the view data that storer 209 is read the original copy of operation, print by printer unit 104.

Now, to identify operation to be processed be to carry out the operation of original copy read operation (first condition) by reader unit 103 to control module 108.Suppose that also this operation is not the unique operation that will print, that is, also have an operation to print at least, or wait is printed (second condition).When satisfying these two conditions, control module 108 is controlled, and makes reader unit 103 carry out the read operation of operation, with the read operation while (walking abreast), by the printing of printer unit 104 execution operations, that is, control module 108 control print systems 100 can be carried out parallel work-flow.

Now, in this example, suppose that print system 100 is current and carry out parallel processings, suppose in this case, become the original copy paperboard of the printing interruption source of operation at step S604 at the ADF of reader unit 103 in reader unit 103 and printer unit 104.The printing of control module 108 interruption operation in step S609.In addition, in step S611, control module 108 identifies prints rising because " original copy paperboard " of interrupting, it is to print in order to carry out at printer unit 104 that this external step S611 is judged as the operation that not influenced by the type printing interruption source, need not carry out the operation of original copy read operation in reader unit 103.Therefore, in step S611, it is the printing interruption source of what type that control module 108 is identified in the cause that the printing of having interrupted the operation of printing among the step S609 interrupts, and what condition the operation that not influenced by the cause of this printings interruption satisfies.Among this external step S611, the operation that the cause whether control module 108 confirms to exist in the print queue of storer 109 printing that is not subjected to be confirmed by judged result to interrupt influences.

For example, from external device (ED), may be such operation from the operation of its print datas of computer interface unit 106 input.In addition, be kept at the operation that will print in the storer 109, for example operation under the storage box function may be such operation.Reason is that the storage box operation is such operation: its print data is stored in the storer 109 before receiving the print execution request by the UI unit from the user.

Therefore, in situation 2, at step S611, control module 108 is judged as the operation that does not need the original copy read operation to print, and for example external procedure or storage box operation is not to be subjected to print the operation that the cause of interruption influences, that is, and and selectable operation.

If there is not such operation that does not need the original copy read operation to print in control module 108 in 2 times affirmations of situation in storer 109, flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.

On the other hand, if control module 108 is confirmed for 2 times to have the operation that does not need the original copy read operation to print in storer 109 in situation, flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.After this step S614, for example in step S616, when the operation of having interrupted printing kept interrupting, control module 108 began the printing of this operation.

So constitute present embodiment, make, can handle multiple needs neatly by allowing for example processing of various several work such as copying operation, external procedure, storage box operation.This also is the example of advantage of the structure of present embodiment, even this structure exists under the situation of interruption operation, has also improved throughput rate as much as possible.

Consider above structure, the situation below present embodiment for example can also be handled.

Situation 3: wherein, identify in print queue to exist at step S611 and do not printed the control module 108 that interrupts the operation that influences, the printing of interrupting the operation that influences is not printed in beginning during the interruption period of the operation that is printed interruption.

This situation 3 is to be used to illustrate and an example of the corresponding control of control of situation C illustrated in the above.That is to say that this situation 3 is that control module 108 is an example of controlling under the situation of " mistake of discharging the destination " in the type of the printing interruption source of the operation of having interrupted printing.

For example, the control example that this situation 3 will comprise is such situation: wherein, discharge the destination and be the dish 229 of automatic collating unit 220 shown in Figure 3, this discharge destination is that the user passes through the UI unit as the treatment conditions of operation and appointment, as the output destination of the printout of the operation that has begun to print in step S603.Therefore, this operation that be printed in step S603 is the operation that need be used for the dish of the output of printout 229.Now, suppose that when printing this operation, dish 229 has been filled printout.Respond this situation, the full mistake of automatic collating unit 220 notice control modules, 108 dishes.When automatic collating unit 220 receives this information, control module 108 judges that in step S604 the cause of interrupting has taken place to print in this operation, flow process advances to step S609 from step S604, in step S609, and the printing of control module 108 interruption operations.

In this situation 3, control module 108 determines that the type of the printing interruption source of operation is " discharging the destination mistake ".Based on printing this cause of interrupting, in step S611, the operation that control module 108 is judged this cause of not being subjected to print interruption to be influenced is printout need be outputed to and the operation of coiling 229 different output destinations, and dish 229 is the required output destinations of interrupted operation.In step S611, control module 108 also searches for whether there is the printing wait operation of satisfying this condition in storer 109.

For example, in this situation 3, control module 108 is judged the operation of the dish 228 of the output that need be used for printout in step S611, and need be used for the operation of dish 230 of the output of printout, all is selectable operation.If such operation exists, with the printout of these operations output to can the overslaugh printout into the output destination of this operation appointment normal load.Therefore, even under the situation that printout can not continue to the output of coiling 229, also can carry out the output of the printout of other output destination.Therefore, in this situation 3, control module 108 is judged " need be used for the operation of the output destination outside the dish 229 of output of printout " at step S611 be selectable operation.That is to say that it is the operation that not influenced by the cause of the printing of operation interruption that control module 108 is judged the operation of satisfying this condition in step S611.

Here suppose in storer 109 to have the operation of printing under waiting for, this operation is the operation different with interrupted operation, but this operation need be coiled 229 outputs that print part, and this has identical output destination with interrupted operation.In this case, to be judged as this operation that has an identical output destination with interrupted operation at step S611 be not options to control module 108.

By this structure, if control module 108 confirms not exist the operation of selectable wait printing in step S611, flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.On the other hand, if control module 108 confirms to exist the operation of selectable wait printing in step S611, flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.

Therefore, according to this situation 3, in step S611, control module 108 judges that to satisfy the operation can not be subjected to the discharge destination erroneous effects of interrupted operation and to finish the condition of printing be selectable operation.

In addition, according to this situation 3, can not discharged the operation that printing is finished in the destination with influencing if control module 108 is judged not exist in step S611 in storer 109, flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.

On the other hand, can not discharged the operation that the destination erroneous effects is finished printing if control module 108 is judged to exist in step S611 in storer 109, flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.After this step S614, for example in step S616, when the operation of having interrupted printing kept interrupting, control module 108 began the printing of this operation at printer unit 104.

As mentioned above, suppose in step S609, the type of the cause that the printing that has taken place in step S604 is interrupted is " in the mistake of discharging the destination ", in this case, in step S611, whether control module 108 search exist to satisfy can not discharged the printing wait operation that the destination influences the condition of finishing printing.Then, control module 108 control print systems 100 are carried out the printing of the operation that can finish printing during the period is interrupted in the printing of interrupted operation.

The structure present embodiment is so that can solve various needs neatly by handling the back print processing simply like this.This also is the example of advantage of the structure of present embodiment, even this advantage is to have interrupted also improving throughput rate as much as possible under the situation of the operation of printing in existence.

Though be noted that the discharge destination mistake that provides as the type of printing the cause of interrupting is " printout will be discharged the destination and is loaded with full " in this situation 3, the cause that printing in this situation 3 is interrupted is not limited to the type, the cause that following printing is interrupted is also contained in wherein: no longer include the required thin slice of printout that the bundle of the thin slice Shu Zhacheng after a plurality of printings is tied and handle member (the automatic consumables of putting in order, for example, staple, paste etc.) situation; Such thin slice is handled the situation that member stops up in after-treatment device; Print the situation of thin slice paperboard in after-treatment device, be included in in here " discharging the destination mistake ".

Cause that in type operation is under the situation that step S609 interrupts owing to such discharge destination mistake, control module 108 control print systems 100 make it possible at step S616 the operation in storer 109 be begun to print, and this operation is confirmed to be the condition that satisfies the printing that can fulfil assignment under the state that mistake does not have to recover in step S611.

Situation 4: wherein, identify in print queue to exist in step S611 and do not printed the control module 108 that interrupts the operation that influences, the printing of the operation that interruption source influences is not printed in beginning during the interruption period of the operation that is printed interruption.

This situation 4 is examples of the control in said circumstances D.That is to say that this situation 4 is the examples of " user has imported the interrupt request that is used for temporarily stopping printing clearly by the UI unit situation ".

For example, suppose that control module 108 receives the clearly request of instruction that is equal to from user's the printing that temporarily stops operation by the UI unit that illustrates in the present embodiment from the operator.Used " the UI unit " of present embodiment refers to operating unit 102 or one of the outside UI unit 200,300,400,500 that illustrates or 600 in the example shown in Fig. 1.When receiving clear and definite like this printing interrupt request from the user, control module 108 is made "Yes" and is judged the printing of the current operation of printing of interruption in step S609 in step S604.

In this situation 4, it is not to be subjected to print the operation that the cause of interruption influences that control module 108 is judged operation that the user do not make clear and definite printing interrupt request.

Now, suppose, except that in step S609, being interrupted the operation of printing, in storer 109, having three and wait for the operations of printing this situation 4 times.Control module 108 takes out three and prints in the waiting status operation the earliest, promptly makes print execution request operation the earliest, and as the operation that can preferentially select in step S611, control print system 100 makes it possible to begin the printing of this operation in step S616.

Perhaps, suppose except the operation of in step S609, having interrupted printing, the operation of in storer 109, exist to wait for printing, and the hypothesis user has also made clear and definite printing interrupt request to this operation and makes that this operation is current and be in temporary transient halted state about printing.Control module 108 is also made judgement to this operation as to discontinued operation in step S609: it is " user has imported the situation of printing interrupt request clearly ".Therefore, if there is such operation in storer 109, control module 108 is judged as this operation in step S611 be not selectable options.

Therefore, in this situation 4, in step S611, it is not to be subjected to print the operation that the cause of interruption influences that control module 108 is judged " user does not clearly import the operation of the printing of printing interrupt request (the temporary transient printing stops request) under waiting for by the UI unit ", that is selectable operation.

If this situation 4 times, control module 108 is judged " user does not clearly import the operation of the printing of printing interrupt request (the temporary transient printing stops request) under waiting for by the UI unit " and is not present in the storer 109, and flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.

On the other hand, if this situation 4 times, control module 108 is judged " user does not clearly import the operation of the printing of printing interrupt request (the temporary transient printing stops request) under waiting for by the UI unit " and is present in the storer 109, and flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.

After this step S614, for example in step S616, when the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609 kept interrupting, control module 108 began the printing of this operation at printer unit 104.

As mentioned above, if suppose in step S609, the cause that the printing that has taken place in step S604 is interrupted is " by the UI unit; from the clearly input of user's printing interrupt request (the temporary transient printing stops request) ", then in step S611, control module 108 search whether exist as the user clearly the input printing of printing interrupt request and print execution request received operation wait for operation, the operation that influences as the cause of not printed interruption.

Then, control module 108 control print systems 100, make it possible to imported clearly owing to the user print interrupt request and interrupted the printing interruption period of the operation of printing during, carry out the printing of impregnable operation.

The structure present embodiment makes it possible to the various needs of process user neatly like this, comprises temporarily stopping the needs to print.This also is the example of advantage of the structure of present embodiment, even this advantage is to have interrupted also improving throughput rate as much as possible under the situation of the operation of printing in existence.

As mentioned above, the control of the processing that relates to process flow diagram of the control described in the situation 1～4 above for example comprising by present embodiment is disclosed, for example Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B carry out the computer-readable program that is stored in the storer 109 by control module 108 in the present embodiment and carry out.

According to present embodiment, in step S609, control module 108 is when the type of determining to print the cause of interrupting when step S604 takes place to print the cause of interrupting.The type of the cause of interrupting based on determined printing, in step S611, control module 108 is carried out the identification of the operation that the cause of not printed interruption influences.In addition, in step S616, control print system 100 makes it possible to begin the printing of following operation, even this operation is not printed the cause of interruption yet when the printing interruption status of not eliminating in step S609 influence.

Though be noted that according to present embodiment to disclose such structure, structure need not be confined to this.For example, can make the structure that to handle one of situation 1～4.Perhaps, can make such structure: wherein, can be by carrying out the situation outside the structure treatment situation 1～4 with identical with the processing shown in the example form in Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B or the processing that is equal to.Although can be configured to handle various like this changes and adjustment, also can be configured to be included among Figure 16,21 and 24 and control with the disclosed in the present embodiment UI shown in the example form.

In the step S601 and step S602 of Fig. 7 A, control module 108 is stored in print data and print processing condition data in the storer 109.In the step S603 of Fig. 7 A, control module 108 begins the execution of the printing of operation to be processed at printer unit 104 according to the page order of the print queue of management in storer 109.

In step S604, control module 108 judges whether to have taken place to print the cause of interrupting in print system 100 in step S604 during the printing of printing the operation that has begun, and carries out this judgement as mentioned above.

Judge that control module makes flow process advance to step S605 from step S604 based on judged result if in step S604, make "No".

In step S605, be the criterion of the print processing condition of operation setting and the treatment state of the operation in the print system 100 etc. based on for example user, control module 108 judges whether to have finished the required Print All operation of operation of printing at printer unit 104 in step S603.

Judge that control module turns back to step S603 with flow process from step S605 based on judged result if in step S605, make "No".Thus, the printing of control module 108 control print systems 100 continuation execution operations is finished up to it.

On the other hand, if make the judgement of "Yes" in step S605, control module 108 advances to step S606 with flow process from step S605 based on judged result.

In step S606, control module 108 is deleted to be judged as in step S605 from print queue and has been finished the operation of printing.Subsequently, in step S607, also delete the information of these print jobs from storer 109.At this moment, control module 108 is used for making at step S605 the various data (will be printed on the view data and the attribute data of print conditions data etc. for example thereof on the print media) of the printing of judgement from storer 109 deletion, for example, as the information of the print job that will in step S607, delete.Subsequently, flow process advances to step S608 from step S607.

In step S608, by the information with reference to above-mentioned print queue, control module 108 judges whether there is the operation that will print except the operation of making judgement in step S605 in storer 109.

Judge that control module 108 turns back to step S603 with flow process from step S608 based on judged result if in step S608, make "Yes".Thus, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the printing of another operation that will print, and this operation is to be identified as to wait for the operation of being printed by print system 100 in step S608 in storer 109.Control module 108 is also controlled print system 100 and is carried out the processing according to the process flow diagram among Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B about this operation.Control module 108 continues 100 pairs of control print systems and has all made the processing of the operation repetition of print execution request according to the process flow diagram among Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B by the user.

Subsequently, when not having the judgement of the operation that will print in being made at print system 100, control module 108 is made the "No" judgement at step S608, and based on judged result, whole processing that control module 108 finishes according to the flow process among Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B.

Consider above structure, if making "No" in step S604 judges, mean the cause that the printing of having confirmed to have taken place the operation of printing in step S603 is interrupted, when control module 108 was made "Yes" and judged in step S604, flow process advanced to step S609 Fig. 7 B from step S604.

In step S609, the generation of the cause that control module 108 interrupts according to the printing of having confirmed in step S604, control printer unit 104 interrupts the printing of the operation that just just is being printed in step S603, as mentioned above.Subsequently, flow process advances to step S610 from step S609.

In step S610, to interrupt during the period even in step S609, interrupted the printing of the operation of printing, the state storage that control module 108 interrelates the information of this operation with the print data with this operation is in storer 109.Then, control module 108 control stores 109 make the information that is stored in the operation in the storer 109 can need in the back to read in this information processing (for example, step S611～615, S620, S622, S624, S625 etc.) in step S610.

The example of the information of the operation that will store in step S610 comprises: by the information about the type of printing the cause of interrupting that control module 108 is confirmed, that is, the printing interruption source of what type causes that the operation of having interrupted printing is interrupted in step S609.

In step S611, control module 108 will be referred to interrupt the information of waiting each operation of printing in the print queue of information and storer 109 of printing interruption source of the operation of printing and has compared.As mentioned above, in step S611, control module 108 is the result based on the comparison, the waiting operation of printing that judges whether in storer 109 to exist the printing interruption source that can not be subjected to interrupt the operation of printing in step S609 to influence.

If in step S611, confirm as in storer 109 operation that exists the printing interruption source that can not be subjected in step S609, to interrupt the operation of printing to influence and begin to print, then control module 108 is made the "Yes" judgement at step S611, and flow process advances to step S614 from step S611.

On the other hand, if in step S611, confirm as the operation that in storer 109, does not exist the printing interruption source that can not be subjected in step S609, to interrupt the operation of printing to influence and begin to print, then control module 108 is made the "No" judgement at step S611, and flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.

In the present embodiment, the processing among the step S612 is to interrupt the period processing carried out during (printing by the period of temporary transient stopping period) by control module 108 has interrupted the operation of printing in step S609 printing.

In the processing of this step S612, control module 108 judges whether the cause that the printing of the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609 is interrupted is eliminated from print system 100.Control module 108 is based on make judgement from information of the information of each unit (unit that relates to is operating unit 102, reader unit 103, printer unit 104, storer 109 etc. for example) of print system 100, the operation of preserving as mentioned above etc. at step S612 in step S610.

Now, if in step S612, control module 108 does not have the operation of printing has been interrupted in affirmation in step S609 printing interruption source to be eliminated, and control module 108 is obtained this result, and flow process is turned back to step S611 from step S612.

On the other hand, if in step S612, control module 108 confirms to have eliminated the printing interruption source of interrupted operation, and control module 108 is obtained this result, and flow process advances to step S613 from step S612.In step S613, control module 108 prepares to continue the printing of interrupted operation again.Specifically, control module 108 uses the information that is stored in the operation in the storer 109 in step S610, checks and has finished what job scheduling about print processing.When receiving it as a result the time, what form output is how many amounts control module 108 confirm also will have with.Like this, the necessary affirmation work of complete interruption operation in step S613, subsequently, flow process turns back to step S603 Fig. 7 A from step S613.Then, control module 108 control print systems 100 continue the printing of interrupted operation again.Then, flow process advances to step S604.Thus, can carry out aforesaid same treatment in print system 100.

Consider said structure, suppose that control module 108 confirmed in storer 109 to exist the waiting operation of printing of the influence of the printing interruption source that has not been subjected to interrupt the operation of printing in step S609 in step S611, and flow process has been advanced to the flow process of step S614 side from step S611.In this case, control module 108 is for example carried out the control in situation 1～4 illustrated.

Read out in the operation that influences as the cause of not printed interruption the step S611 and the job information of the operation of selecting at step S614 control module 108 from storer 109.Use this job information can in step S614, make and be provided with the affirmation what printing what print conditions, operation need for the operation in step S611, selected about the user.Afterwards, control module 108 advances to step S615 with flow process from step S614.

Now, in this step S615, whether control module 108 decision operation persons have eliminated the cause that the printing of interrupted operation is interrupted in print system 100.In this case, control module 108 uses the current state information of the job information that is stored in step S610 in the storer 109 and print system 100 to carry out in step S615 to judge.

Now, suppose in step S615, confirm as the cause of not eliminating the printing interruption of interrupted operation print system 100 operators.In this case, control module 108 is made the "No" judgement at step S615, and based on this judged result, control system 100 makes flow process advance to the flow process of step S616 side from step S615.

On the other hand, suppose in step S615, confirm as the operator has eliminated the printing interruption of interrupted operation in print system 100 cause.In this case, control module 108 is made the "Yes" judgement at step S615, based on this judged result, system 100 is controlled to be the flow process that makes flow process advance to step S620 side from step S615.

At first, the following describes the control that control module 108 is carried out in print system 100, if flow process is followed such processing sequence up to now: " among the step S604 of Fig. 7 A for being " → S609 → S610 → " among the S611 for being " → S614 → " being to deny among the S615 ".

Control module 108 has confirmed to have interrupted the cause that the printing of the operation of printing interrupts in step S609 be unsolved.This is a first condition.In addition, control module 108 confirms that another operation that the cause of not printed interruption under printing waiting status influences is present in the storer 109.This is a second condition.In other words, suppose that control module 108 made the "Yes" judgement in step S611, in step S615, made the "No" judgement.When first condition and second condition all satisfy, in the printing interruption status of the operation that keeps having interrupted in print system 100 printing, control module 108 is not printed the printing of the operation that the cause of interruption influences in printer unit 104 beginnings in step S616.Like this, we say that print system 100 is under the control of control module 108.

As already mentioned, in the present embodiment, be called as " interrupted operation " owing in step S604, print the operation of in step S609, having interrupted printing that makes of the cause of interrupting.In addition, the operation that will be begun to print (S616) that not printed the cause of interruption influences is the operation that control module 108 is selected from print queue in step S616, is also referred to as " current operation ", as in step S612.

As described in the situation 1～4, illustrated that control module 108 prints the structure of the operation which operation influences as the cause of not printed interruption in step S616.That is to say, the type (content) of the cause of interrupting based on the printing of the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609, control module 108 is selected in a plurality of operations under the waiting status and determines to begin the operation of print processing from the print queue of storer 109 in step S616.

Yet, according to present embodiment to note a bit: as also mentioning elsewhere, exist to be used for during the period is interrupted in the printing of the operation of having interrupted printing, allowing the general rule condition that begins the printing of another operation at step S616.Promptly the type of having interrupted the cause that the printing of the operation of printing interrupts at step S609 is not " paperboard of the printing thin slice of the operation in the printer unit 104 on the thin slice transmission path ".If confirm the cause that such printing is interrupted at step S604, then control module 108 is forbidden being transformed into step S614 from step S611, and flow process advances to step S612 from step S611.

Now, suppose that control module 108 confirms that really the type of the printing interruption source of interrupted operation is the paperboard of the printing thin slice of the operation on the thin slice transmission paths in the printer unit 104.In this case, even in storer 109, exist outside this operation other to print under the situation of waiting for operation, print interrupt the period during, control module 108 is any and all beginnings of the printing of other operations in the non-print system 100 also.In this case, control module 108 is waited for, has eliminated the cause of the printing interruption of operation from print system 100 up to the operator.

When the operator has eliminated when printing the cause of interrupting, control module 108 will be handled step S612 from Fig. 7 B and turn back to step S603 among Fig. 7 A, restart the printing of the operation that (continuation again) will print.Be noted that at this and continue again under the situation of printing of operation that control module 108 control print systems 100 are printed the untreated residue printing of the moment before adjacent printing in operation is interrupted.

If the cause of interruption is the paperboards of printing thin slices in the printer unit 104 really, at first do not eliminate rising thereby the new thin slice paperboard of permission in another operation meetings generation print system 100 of print system 100 beginnings of printing interruption.System 100 according to present embodiment initiatively prevents such problem.

In the following description, cause that the operation of having interrupted printing will be called as " operation X " owing in step S604, confirmed to take place to print the cause of interrupting in step S609 by control module 108.In addition, thereby have under the situation that its printing of print processing condition can finish regardless of the printing interruption source of the operation X that takes place in print system 100 in operation, control module 108 allows to begin at step S616 the printing of this operation, and this operation will be called as " operation Y ".

Can be expressly understood that from the comparison of said circumstances 1～4 according to present embodiment, this operation Y is equal to the operation that cause that the printing that is not subjected to operation X interrupts influences.In addition, this operation Y is equal to after the print execution request that receives in step S601 at operation X, and control module 108 has received the operation of print execution request.More particularly, operation Y is such operation: when carrying out the printing of operation X by printer unit, operation Y is stored in the storer 109 with print data and the print processing condition data associated state that will print by control module 108.That is to say that be " in preceding operation " if we are called industry X, then operation Y is " in the back operation ".

Now, when carrying out the printing of operation X, control module 108 has arrived the data storage of this operation Y in the storer 109, during the print execution period of operation X, operation Y is waited for that as the printing of the beginning of non-print operation is stored in the storer 109 with waiting status.Yet when the cause of interrupting when the printing of operation X took place, control module 108 had interrupted the printing of operation X at step S609.In addition, confirmed the type of the cause that the printing of operation X is interrupted, confirmed the result based on it, control module 108 has selected operation Y can finish the operation of printing in print system 100 as the influence of not printed the cause of interruption.

Therefore, control module 108 has begun the printing of operation Y in step S616 during the period is interrupted in the printing of operation X.Now hypothesis print system 100 is under such state and just at print job Y.Like this, disclosed herein is such structure: wherein, be in still at preceding operation X that printing is not finished and current printing interruption status following time, beginning as the printing of operation X at the operation Y of back operation.In view of the above, operation Y does not wait for the finishing of printing of operation X and the operation of carrying out printing.Therefore, as shown in the example, the printing of having interrupted the operation of printing in step S609 was interrupted during the period, and control module 108 provides at step S616 and prints the operation that begins to permit and can be defined as " leading print job (print job in advance) ".That is to say that the operation Y that provides in this example refers to " current operation " or " surmounting print job " in the present embodiment.

Now, suppose current state, remain at operation X under the situation of printing interruption status that control module 108 just makes print system 100 continue the printing of the operation Y that begins in step S616 to system 100.That is to say, this means that control module 108 is repeating circulation such among Fig. 7 B: S616 → in S617 and be "No" → be "No" → S616 in S615.

That is to say, the cause of interrupting when the printing of the operation X that has interrupted printing in step S609 is not as yet when print system 100 solves, and control module 108 keeps print systems 100 operations to realize the finishing of printing of operation Y under the situation of the interruption status of the operation X that keeps having interrupted printing.

It should be noted that: if in step S616, begin to be printed on the operation of selecting among the step S611 (being operation Y in this case), control module 108 makes print system 100 be the print processing condition of this operation with the setting of UI unit according to the user, and execution is as the print processing of the required printing of this operation.

For this reason, control module 108 is carried out the affirmation that is stored in the print processing condition data in the storer 109 in step S616 with the print data of the operation that will begin to print explicitly.As an one example, in step S614, control module 108 reads and with reference to the job information of the operation selected among step S611 from storer 109.This processing is the processing that will carry out in step S614.Be noted that this operation that will begin to print is to have made the print execution request after the print execution request with the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609 in step S616, and do not interrupted the operation that cause that the printing of the operation of printing interrupts influences.That is to say that this refers to for example " leading print job (print job in advance) " of operation Y.

Subsequently, for example, suppose that the printing of the operation Y that begins to print finishes in step S616 in system 100.In this case, when the printing that receives operation Y finished as a result, control module 108 advanced to step S618 with flow process from step S617.In step S618, the print queue deletion operation Y of control module 108 from storer 109, at step S619, control module 108 is from the job information (comprising the actual print data of printing the operation Y on the thin slice, the print processing condition data of operation Y of being printed on) of storer 109 deletion operation Y.When finishing processing at step S619, control module 108 turns back to step S611 with flow process from step S619.

Above illustrational treatment scheme be not to be operated under the situation that the person eliminates from print system 100 in the cause that the printing of operation X is interrupted, carry out the corresponding control example of when step S616 has begun the print processing of the operation Y that prints, having carried out of treatment scheme with control module 108.

According to present embodiment, even when the printing of the print job in advance that is equal to the operation that begins to print in step S616 is just being carried out in print system 100, control module 108 monitors also whether the printing interruption source that is interrupted operation that is equal to the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609 is eliminated.

According to this structure, for example, if being printed among the step S616 of operation Y finishes in S617 after the beginning, flow process turns back to step S615 from step S617, reaffirms in step S615 whether the cause of the printing interruption of operation X is eliminated.The processing of this cycle of treatment repeating step S615～S617.

For example, with being to be "No" to arrive S615 again for being among "No" → S616 → S617 among "Yes" → S614 → S615 among "Yes" → S609 → S610 → S611 among such treatment scheme: S601～603 → S604, in step S615, make "Yes" and judge.In other words, when the printing of operation Y just when print system 100 is carried out, control module 108 has confirmed that the cause that the printing of operation X is interrupted eliminated by the operator.In this case, because the elimination of the cause that the printing of operation X is interrupted during the print execution of operation Y, control module 108 advances to step S620 with flow process from S615.

In step S620, control module 108 is carried out on according to the UI unit of present embodiment and is used for making the operator can indicate (request) to interrupt the demonstration of continuation method again (resuming method) (restoration methods (recovery method)) of the operation printing of printing at step S609 clearly.Hereinafter, this demonstration may also be called " specific demonstration ".

According to this embodiment, control module 108 control print systems 100 make printer unit 104 can begin the printing of print job in advance (being operation Y in this example) during the period is interrupted in the printing of interrupted operation (being operation X in this example).Adopt this structure, control module 108 is confirmed to have eliminated the cause of printing interruption operation in print system 100 during the printing of operation Y.In this case, carried out control module 108 controls confirmed and enabled to make " specific demonstration " according to the UI unit of present embodiment.Is processing corresponding to this structure according to present embodiment in the processing of step S620.Though being noted that this structure is the key character of present embodiment, print system 100 also has the structural requirement based on following each point, and the example as further feature provides here.

For example, if allow top " the specific demonstration " of UI unit execution, control module 108 when printer unit 104 continues the printing of print jobs in advance, is somebody's turn to do " specific demonstration " with the execution of UI unit in print system 100.That is to say that in other words, control module 108 is made " specific demonstration " on the UI according to present embodiment, but non-print system 100 carries out the action that for example stops just to be carried out by printer unit 104 printing of the above-mentioned print job in advance of printing.

Now, suppose the operator not in the schedule time in time point past of making " specific demonstration " in the UI unit (for example, in a minute of moment of showing the picture 900 of explanation after a while), make instruction in the mode of " specific demonstration " about the restoration methods of interrupted operation.

According to present embodiment, if do not make the instruction of the restoration methods of interrupted operation in the given time by " specific demonstration ", even control module 108 control print systems 100 make that the UI unit keeps (for example carrying out " specific demonstration ", the state of display frame 900 on operating unit 102), also continue to carry out the printing that shifts to an earlier date print job of just printing by printer unit 104.

Therefore, if the operator does not have finally to specify the restoration methods of interrupted operation within the predetermined time, control module 108 continues the printing of print jobs in advance at printer unit 104, and does not stop printing.

An example as " specific demonstration ", allow to carry out specific demonstration according to present embodiment control module 108 by UI unit according to present embodiment, wherein, selection candidate item (selection candidate) (options (selectionoption)) the prompting user of the timing appointment that can continue again in print system 100 for the printing of the operation having interrupted printing with the user makes the user can specify the options of hope from the options of prompting.

In addition, as the example according to the control module of the print system 100 of present embodiment, control module 108 is controlled and is made can be made by the UI unit of present embodiment by the demonstration that constitutes at for example assembly shown in Figure 16,21 and 24 as the example of " specific demonstration ".

In addition, as mentioned above, control module 108 allows printer units 104 during the period is interrupted in the printing of interrupted operation, beginning be not subjected to that cause that the printing of interrupted operation is interrupted influences in the back operation printing of (being equal to print job in advance).Adopt this structure, in print system 100, print under the situation of the cause of interrupting when the printing manipulate person who is carrying out forward job at printer unit 104 has eliminated, control module 108 makes makes " specific demonstration " according to the UI unit of present embodiment.

Be noted that according to present embodiment should " print job in advance " also be called as " current operation " and " leading print job ", these terms are synonyms.

The operating unit 102 of printing device 101 is as disclosed UI unit in the present embodiment, thus as in Figure 16,21 the same execution with 24 illustrated " specific demonstration ".In addition, this structure being set makes the UI unit of remote-control device outside the printing device 101 (for example PC200 among Fig. 1～400, other printing device 500 and signal conditioning packages such as 600) can carry out " specific demonstration ".In addition, feasible various instructions and the operational order that relates to the various controls of the various demonstration examples that the following describes of this structure being set can carry out from the UI unit of external device (ED).Therefore, promptly use the UI unit outside the operating unit 102, such structure also can realize: wherein, can carry out same operation about print system 100 with disclosed operation in the present embodiment.Can also construct print system 100 according to present embodiment to be applicable to this structure.

In addition, based on the multiple information that relates to the operation that will handle in system 100, the candidate item that the operator who comes mode with " specific demonstration " dynamically to change print system 100 according to the control module 108 control UI unit of present embodiment can indicate as options.For example, the example of " multiple information " comprising: for example the information of the print processing condition of the print job of representing with operation Y in advance, for example in storer 109, wait in the print queue job information of the printing waiting status of back operation etc.Adopt said structure, as Figure 16,21 and 24 illustrational, as mentioned above, based on the multiple information that relates to the operation that will print with print system 100, control dynamically distinguishes mutually with the candidate item of the options that the mode of " specific demonstration " receives from the user.Like this, use this structure, also control the content displayed of making as the UI unit of " specific demonstration ".

For example, according to the print processing condition of the print job in advance of carry out printing beginning during the printing Interrupt Process of interrupted operation, control module 108 forbids showing the demonstration shown in the example of passing the imperial examinations at the provincial level of for example Figure 16 as " specific demonstration ".What replace is, according to the structure of the print system 100 of present embodiment, control module 108 is controlled and made the UI unit for example carry out Figure 24 demonstration shown in the example of passing the imperial examinations at the provincial level.

In addition, based on printing the accepting state of waiting for operation, control module 108 shows for example the showing for example in Figure 16 and 24 of forbidding as " specific demonstration ".What replace is, according to the structure of the print system 100 of present embodiment, control module 108 is controlled and made the UI unit for example carry out Figure 21 demonstration shown in the example of passing the imperial examinations at the provincial level.

For example, suppose also in print system 100, during the period of the printing interruption source of the interrupted operation of solution, not keep the printing of interrupted operation according to the control module 108 of present embodiment the operator.In addition, during this printed the interruption period, control module 108 control print systems 100 kept repeating as much as possible the printing in the back operation of conduct print job in advance.Therefore, control module 108 control print systems 100 keep the printing of the printer unit 104 of print system 100 to continue as much as possible, and do not stop.

Adopt this structure, suppose that control module 108 confirmed during the execution period of the printing of 104 pairs of printer units print jobs in advance, the operator of print system 100 has eliminated the cause that the printing that is interrupted operation is interrupted.Further suppose: confirm that based on this control module 108 has been used according to the UI unit of present embodiment and made " specific demonstration ".

Therefore, we say that the state of current print system 100 is states of being carried out " specific demonstration " by the UI unit.Yet, even at this state, during selecting up to the user and the final mode of determining with " specific demonstration " is used for continuing being interrupted the scheduled time slot of method of operation again, control module 108 control print systems 100 continue the printing of the print job of carrying out at printer unit 104 in advance that begins to print at step S616.

When having realized the disclosed advantage of present embodiment, above-mentioned configuration itself also is an example of considering the configuration of the overall production rate of a plurality of operations, it is significant in the printing environment based on POD, for example the continued operation as much as possible of the printing of print system 100.

Consider the control structure of above-mentioned various print system 100, explanation is controlled according to the control module of present embodiment made the object lesson that can show the structure that " specific demonstration " is required according to the UI unit of present embodiment.

At first, identical with above-mentioned control example, control module 108 has interrupted the printing at printer unit 104 places operation X, has begun the printing of operation Y then.This structure is based on being used in the illustrated control of control example shown in the said circumstances 1～4.

Adopt said structure, if the operator does not solve the cause that the printing of operation X is interrupted, the printing of the operation Y that control module 108 began during the printing interruption period of printer unit 104 continuation at operation X.In other words, control module 108 control print systems 100 are in the printing of printer unit continuation operation Y, up to the cause of operator in the printing interruption of the 100 cancel job X of system.

Subsequently, control module 108 has confirmed to have eliminated in print system 100 the printing interruption source of operation X during the printing of operation Y.According to this structure, control module 108 is controlled and is made and can be carried out by the display unit 301 of operating unit 102 in the pass the imperial examinations at the provincial level demonstration of the display frame 900 shown in the example of Figure 16,21 and 24 in step S620.

In Figure 16,21 and 24 user interface images 900 shown in the example (hereinafter being also referred to as the UI picture) of passing the imperial examinations at the provincial level is the example of picture structure of " the specific demonstration " of control module 108, its conduct is carried out according to the example of the UI unit of present embodiment, and control module 108 is the examples according to the control module of present embodiment.

Be noted that according to present embodiment in print system 100, when execution had begun the print job in advance of printing in step S616, control module 108 confirmed that operators have eliminated the cause of the printing interruption of the operation of having interrupted printing in step S609.When making this affirmation, based on the various information that are stored in the storer 109, control module 108 confirms to be printed by print system 100 information of the operation of operation, and this operation comprises: as the operation X that is interrupted operation, as the operation Y that shifts to an earlier date print job.Described various information comprises: for example print processing condition data of each operation etc. determine in storer 109 to wait for that to the unique information of each operation, control module 108 printing of printing waits for the information etc. of print queue of the quantity of operation.Based on this structure results, control module 108 is controlled the quantity that dynamically changes as the candidate item of the options that allows to receive from the user, and this candidate item is as the user's request that is used to determine in the timing that continues printing again of printer unit 104 interruption operations.As its concrete structure, according to present embodiment, the control that control module 108 carries out the UI unit of present embodiment limits or increases number as the candidate item of options, this options allows to receive from the user as the method that is used for continuing again interrupted operation, shown in Figure 16,21 and 24 demonstration example.Yet, be noted that also to exist to Figure 16,21, each shared display module of 24, i.e. " specific demonstration ".

Now, show the display module that example is total below with reference to Figure 16 explanation of representing these three accompanying drawings and each in Figure 16,21 and 24.

Display module 1: print interruption operation state notifying hurdle 901

This notice hurdle 901 is examples of the demonstration that shows of control module 108 usefulness UI unit, and the current state that is used for notifying user's print system 100 is to continue the printing of the operation interrupted at step S609 again.

According to this control example, when at printer unit 104 print job Y, the operator has eliminated the cause of the printing interruption of operation X in system 100.In response to this, control module 108 is carried out the demonstration of UI picture 900, UI picture 900 example that " specific demonstration " illustrates among Figure 16,21 and 24 in operating unit 102.

Therefore, control module 108 is controlled by the notice hurdle 901 of UI picture and is notified the user can continue printing again in system 100.

Demonstration control example among Figure 16 discloses such structure: wherein, control module 108 can be continued in current state by the printing of operator's operation X of notice hurdle 901 notice print systems 100 again.

Be noted that this notice hurdle 901 also is used to notify the user, the timing that is used for continuing again the printing of operation X can be selected from the selection operation that has the UI picture 900 of notifying hurdle 901 and show and determined at last by the user.

Now, for example, suppose to have passed through preset time, and the user does not use UI picture 900 to select and finally be identified for continuing again the timing of the printing of operation X, eliminated then and printed the cause of interrupting according to present embodiment.Like this, we say that the schedule time amount user after the demonstration of the UI picture 900 on the UI unit does not make the operation that is used to select option.In this case, for this situation, use to be equal to and determine one continuation method again in the options, control module 108 control print systems 100 are can continue the printing of operation X automatically again.Adopt this structure, control module 108 is also carried out and is related to as in this embodiment in the demonstration control of the directiveness control of the situation of the automatic selection of UI picture 900 options, to notify the user by notice hurdle 901.

The UI picture 900 with notice hurdle 901 that control module 108 shows on operating unit 102 can also be constructed the display module below having.

Display module 2: print interruption operation information notice hurdle 902

This notice hurdle 902 is examples of the demonstration of control module 108 usefulness UI unit demonstration, is used for notifying the user to interrupt the information of the operation of printing at step S609.

According to present embodiment, control module 108 can show the details that relate to interrupted operation on the display field 902 of UI picture 900, when the operator of system 100 eliminated the cause of printing interruption, control module 108 allowed re-executing of printings now.

As this example of structure, demonstration control example shown in Figure 16 discloses and has made and can pass through the structure of notice hurdle 902 to the following details of user notification by control module 108.

The information " 1 " that will in display field 902, present

The example of the information that the operation that this information " 1 " is to use the family can discern interrupted operation receives number.Demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: thus to control the operator of print system 100 can identify the operation X that control module 108 specified by notice hurdle 902 when receiving the print execution request reception number be " 0001 " to control module 108.

The information " 2 " that will in display field 902, present

This information " 2 " is to use the family can discern the operation date received of interrupted operation and the example of the information of time.

Demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: thus to control date received and the time that the operator of print system 100 can identify the operation X when receiving the print execution request by notice hurdle 902 be " 2005/3/29 16:30 " to control module 108.

The information " 3 " that will in display field 902, present

This information " 3 " is to use the family can discern the example of information of the operation treatment conditions of interrupted operation.Demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: thus control module 108 control print system 100 the operator can by the notice hurdle 902 identify about need the operation treatment conditions of the operation X of which kind of printing for the required a series of printings of the processing of the X that fulfils assignment.

For example, use demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, the original copy thin slice size of operation X is " an A4 size ".In addition, the total page number of the original copy of operation X is " 50 pages ".The size and the type of the print media that print job X is required is " A4 size and common paper ".Not needing to be used in the automatic reorganizer that is provided with on the print system 100 puts in order the printout of operation X.Operation X needs single face to print, rather than duplex printing.This typical case of print processing condition discloses following structure: thus control module 108 is controlled the required a series of treatment conditions of a series of printings that the operator of print system 100 can identify operation X by notice hurdle 902.

The information " 4 " that will in display field 902, present

This information " 4 " is to use the family can discern the example of information of the type of the cause that operation print to interrupt.Demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: can to identify in step S604 the cause that the printing of the operation X that is confirmed by control module 108 interrupts by notice hurdle 902 be the printing interruption source of which kind of type thereby control module 108 is controlled the operator of print system 100.

For example, thus the demonstration control example among Figure 16 discloses control module 108 to be controlled the operator of print system 100 can to identify the cause that the printing of operation X interrupts by notice hurdle 902 is " printer paper uses up ".

Should be pointed out that it is that control module 108 makes the UI unit remove the demonstration of carrying out when printing interruption source that Figure 16 and Figure 21 and Figure 24 typical case illustrate demonstration with the example of open " specific demonstration ".That is to say, when carrying out this demonstration, removed the cause of interrupting printing, therefore control module 108 is not the information of the printing interruption source of current existence in the system 100 by this notice hurdle 902 to the information " 4 " of user notification, but the interruption source of operation X is the historical information of " printer paper uses up ".

Yet, should be understood that, even under information the situation as historical information of user notification about interruption source, control module 108 also is used for discerning the information that is contained in the printing interruption source in the job information that will be kept in the storer 109 in the processing of step S610.

The information " 5 " that will in display field 902, present

The example of the information of the date and time when this information " 5 " is to use the family can discern as generation printing interruption source.Demonstration control example according to present embodiment discloses following structure: thus control module 108 is controlled the date and time that the operator of print system 100 can identify the printing interruption source appearance among the step S609 by notice hurdle 902.

For example, the demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: can to identify the date and time that the printing interruption source of operation X occurs by notice hurdle 902 be " 2005/3/29 16:32 " thereby control module 108 is controlled the operator of print system 100.

That is to say, use the situation of demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, the user can be used in the information " 2 " and the information " 4 " that show in the notice hurdle 902 and confirm about printing the various affirmations of interrupted operation with information " 5 ".

For example, by confirming this three kinds of information, the operator can confirm " receive two minutes after the print execution request of operation X, because the required print media of printing of operation X uses up, the printing of operation X is interrupted ".

Control module 108 makes operating unit 102 carry out demonstration according to the example of Figure 16 of present embodiment and Figure 21 and conduct " specific demonstration " shown in Figure 24, to realize this function.

The information " 6 " that will in display field 902, present

This information " 6 " be to use the family can discern in the middle of the example of broken hair information of the progress status of interrupted operation when giving birth to.Demonstration control example according to present embodiment shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: thus control module 108 is controlled the operator of print system 100 and can be identified the operation of having interrupted before the printing that is right after interruption operation in step S609 printing by notice hurdle 902 and proceed to which kind of degree.

Use demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, the above-mentioned information " 6 " in the notice hurdle 902 makes the user confirm following information by notice hurdle 902 with information " 3 ".

For example, the operation X that has interrupted printing in step S609 need duplicate 50 pages master copy data 50 parts and be that A4 size, type are the operation of carrying out under the condition of printing on face of recording medium of common paper in size.Be right after before print interrupting, will have needed the operation X of this printing to print to the 4th part the 40th page.

This discloses following structure: thus control module 108 is controlled the operator of print system 100 and can be identified the whole following three kinds of affirmations shown in the typical case by notice hurdle 902: confirm 1 to affirmation 3.

Confirm 1: interrupted operation needs the affirmation of which kind of printing of which kind of print conditions.

Confirm 2: about the affirmation of total printing amount of interrupted operation, for example this operation is extensive operation, still operation on a small scale.

Confirm 3: what affirmation the printing that is right after interrupted operation before printing interruption finished.

Can carry out these various affirmations with UI picture shown in Figure 16.

The information " 7 " that will in display field 902, present

This information " 7 " is to use the family to discern to need how many print processing are example with the information of whole processing of finishing interrupted operation.

Present embodiment discloses following structure: thus control module 108 is controlled the operator of print system 100 and can be identified interrupted operation by notice hurdle 902 and finish required thin slice quantity and time quantum from continuing to print to print again.

For example, demonstration control example shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: the operator of print system 100 can identify operation X by notice hurdle 902 and print from continuing to print to that to finish remaining number of pages be 10 pages again, and the required time quantum of this printing is 15 seconds.

Should be understood that, use present embodiment, control module 108 are controlled this information " 7 " of notifying hurdles 902 to carry out result calculated with notice as the performance information based on the above-mentioned information " 3 " that presents and information " 6 " and print system 100 in notice hurdle 902 and obtaining.

For example, in this example in Figure 16, control module 108 is by reading and identifying the treatment conditions of the operation X that will show as information " 3 " in notice hurdle 902 with reference to the job information that before is kept at the operation X in the storer 109 in step S610.

In addition, control module 108 identify be right after before interrupting, because what the progress msg of operation X " printer paper uses up mistake " printing of the interrupted operation X of printing at printer unit 104 places in step S609 finished as information " 6 ".Equally, control module 108 is discerned information " 6 " with reference to the job information that is kept at the operation X in the storer 109 in step S610.

Based on information " 3 " and information " 6 ", control module 108 at first calculates the required remaining thin slice quantity of printing of the X that fulfils assignment.Particularly, will from the total printing amount of operation X that will print what parts, every part of how many pages or leaves, deduct the residue printing amount that the value that obtains up to the printing amount that is right after the processing of handled operation X before operation X interrupts is defined as operation X.Control module 108 confirms also that in storer 109 it is specification informations of print system 100 that printer unit 104 per minutes of registration can be printed the performance etc. of the automatic reorganizer of the performance of how many pages or leaves, print system 100.Printing the thin slice amount based on the residue of the operation X of the performance information of print system 100 and above calculating calculates from continuing to print to the time quantum of finishing printing again.Control module 108 control operation unit 102 make and show that on notice hurdle 902 these two result of calculations are as information " 7 ".

Use present embodiment, the above-mentioned production method of control module 108 usefulness produces information " 7 ", but can use any method.In other words, for example, as the configuration of considering the throughput rate of crucial a plurality of operations in based on the printing environment of POD, can use any structure, as long as when removing the cause of printing interruption, the information of for example information " 7 " can be presented to the operator of print system 100.

In addition, the UI picture 900 with this notice hurdle 902 that control module 108 is made operating unit 102 show constitutes and also has following demonstration key element.

Show key element 3: the information of the operation that will print when removing the cause of printing interruption is logical

Know hurdle

903

This notice hurdle 903 is demonstration examples that control module 108 usefulness UI unit show, being used for making can be to user notification and the relevant information of the operation of satisfying following two conditions itself.

Condition 1: can not influenced and do not print interruption source by printer unit 104 print jobs.

Condition 2: when control module 108 confirms that the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) has been removed in the intervention of the operator by print system 100 places, the print execution of carrying out this operation just at printer unit 104 places.

Demonstration control example by shown in Figure 16 discloses following structure: thus control module 108 control can be by notice hurdle 903 notice print systems 100 operator and conduct satisfy the two the relevant information of operation X itself of operation of this condition 1 and condition 2.

In step S616, at the printing intercourse of operation X, control module 108 has begun the printing of operation Y.Control module 108 is controlled based on the Rule Information that is equivalent to above-mentioned condition 1 that is kept in advance among the HD 209 as management information.

In addition, the cause of operation X printing interruption has been removed at printer unit 104 places that control module 108 is confirmed in print system 100 the print execution manipulate person of operation Y.In other words, control module 108 confirms that the operation of having been printed by printer unit 104 is operation Y when having removed the printing interruption source of operation X.This structure means that present embodiment discloses following structure: control module 108 is controlled based on the Rule Information that is equivalent to above-mentioned condition 2 that is kept in advance among the HD 209 as management information.

By the demonstration control example among Figure 16, satisfy condition 1 and the two operation of condition 2 be operation Y, so control module 108 control UI unit make and can notify the user by notifying hurdle 903 with the information relevant with operation Y itself.

For example, suppose that printer unit 104 carrying out the printing of operation X, about operation X, when receiving the print execution request of operation X by the UI unit, control module 108 allows to begin to print in step S603.Then, during the printing of carrying out operation X, the UI unit of control module 108 by present embodiment receives the print execution request as the operation Y of subsequent job.In addition, suppose after this that during the printing of carrying out operation X, control module 108 receives the print execution request as another operation Z of the operation that separates with operation Y of subsequent job.Therefore, suppose just in print job X, receiving the operation Y and 108 acceptance of Z Be Controlled unit of print execution request, and in storer 109, wait for as the subsequent job of waiting for printing at printer unit 104 places.

Under this situation, supposing to have occurred at printing device 101 places subsequently size is " printer paper uses up mistake " of the thin slice of common paper for A4, type.When operation X occur to print interruption source, control module 108 control printer units 104 made the printing of interruption operation X.

Simultaneously, control module 108 is read and with reference to be kept at the print conditions data of the operation Y in the storer 109 when accepting the print execution request, is needed which kind of printing thereby discern this operation Y.Therefore, suppose that control module 108 affirmation operation Y are the operations that need print on the thin slice of A3 size, common paper type.Further hypothesis control module 108 confirms can obtain " thin slice of A3 size, common paper type " that be used to print that operation Y needs in the thin slice feed unit of printing device 101.

Suppose that by these two affirmations, control module 108 identifies and have operation Y in storer 109, the print processing condition that is independent of the printing interruption source of the operation X that prints interrupted operation as use can be finished the operation of printing.

Suppose that based on this recognition result in step S616, control module 108 has begun the printing of operation Y at printer unit 104 places, and print system 100 remains on interruption status with the printing of operation X.Now, even carry out at printer unit 104 places during the printing of operation Y, whether control module 108 monitors also that the intervention by the operator provides " thin slice of A4 size, common paper type ", has been equivalent to remove the printing interruption source of operation X.

Under above-mentioned condition, suppose that control module 108 confirms not solve under the state of interruption source of operation X (in this case, also not being provided for the thin slice of operation X) in system 100, finished the printing of operation Y at printer unit 104 places.In this case, control module 108 is judged as "Yes" in the step S617 of conduct for the judgement of operation Y, and this processing turns back to the S611 side from step S617.In addition, in the step S611 that has proceeded to, control module 108 judges whether the operation Z after the operation Y is the operation that can finish printing with the print processing condition of the printing interruption source that is independent of operation X.Simultaneously, control module 108 is read and with reference to be kept at the print conditions data of the operation Z in the storer 109 when accepting the print execution request, is needed which kind of printing thereby discern this operation Z.Therefore, suppose that control module 108 affirmation operation Z are the operations that need print on the thin slice of A4 size, recyclable papers type.Further hypothesis control module 108 confirms can obtain " thin slice of A4 size, recyclable papers type " that be used to print that operation Z needs in the thin slice feed unit of printing device 101.

Suppose that control module 108 identifies and have operation Z in storer 109 by these two affirmations, be independent of the operation that the print processing condition of printing interruption source can be finished printing as except operation Y, using.Suppose that also control module 108 affirmation current times also do not solve the printing interruption source of operation X.In this case, control module 108 makes this processing proceed to step S616 from step S611 once more.That is to say that control module 108 makes this flow process advance to processing among the previous step S616 that carries out owing to allow the printing of beginning operation Y, and is used for the processing of operation Z specifically.

The control module 108 that again proceeds to step S616 begins the printing as the operation Z of the subsequent job of operation Y at printer unit 104 places, and keeps the printing of operation X to interrupt at print system 100 places.Now, even carry out at printer unit 104 places during the printing of operation Z, whether control module 108 monitors also that the intervention by the operator provides " thin slice of A4 size, common paper type ", has been equivalent to remove the printing interruption source of operation X.

According to said structure, control module 108 is controlled, thereby printer unit 104 can be printed " subsequent job that a plurality of printing interruption sources that are not interrupted operation influence " always continuously, for example for example by the operation Y and the operation Z of the intercourse that is interrupted operation shown in the operation X typical case.

Now, suppose in said structure, proceeded among the step S616 in flow process, during the printing of the operation Z that printer unit 104 place's control modules 108 begin to print, control module 108 confirms that the operator of print system 100 has removed the printing interruption source of operation X.

That is to say, suppose operation Z that control module 108 confirms to allow beginning by control module 108 the printing of the Y that fulfils assignment after during the print execution at printer unit 104 places, removed printing interruption source as the operation X of the interrupted operation of printing print system 100 operators of place.Should be pointed out that this is that control module 108 confirms that the interventional procedure by the operator supplied with the thin slice of A4 size, common paper type to the thin slice feed unit of printing device 101, has been equivalent to solve the example of the printing interruption source of operation X.

Confirm based on this that result, control module 108 make according to the UI unit of present embodiment and carry out for example demonstration of the UI picture 900 shown in Figure 16, Figure 21 and Figure 24 typical case, as the example of above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".

Yet in this case, the UI unit of control module 108 control present embodiments makes that no thoroughfare and the notice hurdle 903 of UI picture 900 of example is shown to the information of the user notification operation Y of print system 100 as the typical case of above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".In addition, in this case, the UI unit of control module 108 control present embodiments makes and by the typical case as above-mentioned " specific demonstration " information of the notice hurdle 903 of routine UI picture 900 to the user notification operation Z of print system 100 is shown.

According to said structure, operation Y and operation Z satisfy above-mentioned condition 1, have promptly shifted to an earlier date the operation of print job.Yet, because therefore the above-mentioned structure that is used to boost productivity of print system 100 had finished the printing prior to the operation Y of operation Z before the printing interruption source of removing operation X.In other words, when removing the printing interruption source of print job X, the operation that printer unit 104 is being printed is not operation Y, but as the operation Z that after operation Y, receives the subsequent job of print execution request.

That is to say that in this case, operation Y satisfies

condition

1 and 2 the operation of not satisfying condition, and operation Z satisfies condition 1 and the two operation of condition 2.

Therefore, in this case, even the operation of the print job that operation Y is shifting to an earlier date of can being allowed to begin to print in step S616, according to the information of the control module 108 of control law no thoroughfare notice hurdle 903 at place, UI unit notice operation Y.In addition, in this case, control module 108 illustrates the information of the notice hurdle 903 of routine UI picture 900 to the user notification operation Z of print system 100 according to the UI unit of control law control present embodiment is feasible by the typical case as above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".

Now, by this example, control module 108 be judged as operation Y satisfy condition 1 and condition 2 the two the time, control module 108 shows the information of operation Y in notice hurdle 903, further describe based on this control example.That is to say, suppose that operation Y needs the print processing condition not to be subjected to the operation of the printing that the printing interruption source of operation X influences, also is the operation that printer unit 104 is being printed when removing the printing interruption source of operation X at print system 100 places.Confirm that according to this UI unit of control module 108 control present embodiments makes and can notify and the relevant information of operation Y itself in notice hurdle 903.

Use now present embodiment, whether the subsequent job that control module 108 uses various information to confirm to receive the print execution request after printing interrupted operation satisfies condition 1 and condition 2.For example, control module 108 uses following information to carry out this affirmation: the information relevant with the print processing condition data of each operation that needs printing of preserving in storer 109, the surplus information of the consumptive material of print system 100 (thin slice, toner, staple etc.), the mode of operation of print system 100, the status information that operation is handled etc.

In this example, control module 108 uses the information of notice hurdle 903 notices to be and the relevant information of operation Y itself.This operation Y be control module 108 in notice hurdle 903 as satisfy condition 1 and condition 2 the two operation and the operation that shows.

For example, use this example, operation Y satisfies condition 1 and the two operation of condition 2, and therefore, control module 108 shows the job information relevant with operation Y in notice hurdle 903.In other words, this means that operation Y is printer unit 104 current operations of printing when the operator of print system 100 has removed the printing interruption source of printing interrupted operation X.

Therefore, use present embodiment, can for example in Figure 16, Figure 21 and Figure 24, show on the UI picture 900 shown in the typical case as the example of above-mentioned " specific demonstration " satisfy condition 1 and the two operation of condition 2 be " current operation of printing ".This structure also is the configuration that is used to increase the advantage of the good operability that the operator that system 100 for example is provided that can obtain by present embodiment can understand intuitively.

In view of this, use present embodiment, should be understood that the part that for example has the statement of " current operation of printing " in the explanation of embodiment and accompanying drawing means in the present embodiment to satisfy condition 1 and the two operation of condition 2.

Demonstration control example typical case shown in Figure 16 shows following structure: control module 108 control operation unit 102 make can by notice hurdle 903 to the following details of user notification as with as should " current operation of printing " and the relevant details of operation shown in typical.

The information " 1 " that will in display field 903, present

This information " 1 " is to use the family can discern the example of information of the treatment conditions of current operation of printing.Present embodiment discloses following structure: the operator of print system 100 can promptly need the processing required a series of printings of which kind of printing as the Y that fulfils assignment by the print processing condition of notice hurdle 903 identification operation Y.

For example, use demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, the total page number of the original copy of operation Y is " 100 pages ", and the required total umber of the printing of operation Y is " 5 parts ", does not need to be used in the automatic reorganizer that is provided with on the print system 100 printout of operation Y is put in order automatically.Disclose following structure: control module 108 is controlled, and is the required a series of treatment conditions of a series of processing operation of operation Y thereby the operator of print system 100 can identify the print processing condition enactment shown in the typical case herein by notice hurdle 903.Should be pointed out that and can carry out following configuration: the information that be rendered as information " 1 " in display field 903 is and identical of the print processing condition entry that will be rendered as information " 3 " in display field 902.Yet, use present embodiment, thereby reducing unnecessary information as far as possible, the structure shown in adopting shows, only present essential information.

The information " 2 " that will in display field 903, present

This information " 2 " is to use the family to discern also to need carries out how many print processing are example with the information that finishes the required whole processing of current operation of printing fully.Use this example, operation Y is current operation of printing at printer unit 104 places.Therefore, control module 108 is controlled and is made the operator of print system 100 also to need to carry out how many printings to finish the printing of this operation by notice hurdle 903 identification operation Y.

Information " 2 " is constituted the clearly statement of sentential form, and it prints what parts, every part of how many pages or leaves to finish the printing of current operation of printing about needs.For example, use demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, disclose following structure: control module 108 is controlled with display message on the UI unit " the current operation Y that is printing need print two parts, every part 100 pages to finish printing ".

In addition, control module 108 control UI unit make and can finish the time quantum of current operation of printing as this information " 2 " by notice hurdle 903 notices.For example, use demonstration control example shown in Figure 16, disclose following structure: control module 108 control UI unit make can be by notice hurdle 903 to user notification " the current operation Y that is printing will finish after 3 minutes ".

Should be understood that, use present embodiment, control module 108 checks the above-mentioned information " 1 " wanting to show simultaneously in notice hurdle 903, be used to discern about the operation of current printing and at this moment finished the information of the job scheduling what print and the performance information of system 100.Control module 108 control operation unit 102 make that demonstration obtains the result based on calculating as this information of information " 3 " in notice hurdle 903.The computing method etc. that are created in the information " 3 " that shows in the notice hurdle 903 and the computing method of the information " 7 " that shows in notice hurdle 902 etc. are identical, therefore omit its explanation here.

Yet, should be pointed out that control module 108 control UI unit make the information " 3 " that continuous updating shows in notice hurdle 903, thereby show in real time.

Under the state of display frame 900 on the operating unit 102, even during the predetermined amount of time of operator by the instruction of the method for picture 900 inputs the continuation again operation X, control module 108 is also controlled the printing of the print system 100 feasible current operation Y that printing of continuation.

As mentioned above, even print system 100 is constituted UI unit display frame 900, also continue printing preset time section (being 1 minute in the present example) at least, with finishing of the processing of finishing the current operation that is printing (being operation Y in the present example).

Therefore, will form following structure: even show UI picture 900, also continue the printing of current operation of printing, in the required processing of this operation, shift to an earlier date progress as far as possible.Therefore, the actual progress status of operation changes in real time.

Therefore, present embodiment has following structure: notice be rendered as in the hurdle 903 information " 2 " information response the actual progress status of printing of printer unit 104 of current operation of printing.

Therefore, the information " 2 " that presents in the notice hurdle 903 that shows in UI picture 900 as an example according to " the specific demonstration " of present embodiment and the different fact of information " 7 " that presents in notice hurdle 902 also are features of present embodiment.

Yet, should be pointed out that and can use any method to produce information " 2 ".That is to say, can use any structure, as long as can when removing printing interruption source, the operator to print system 100 present for example information of information " 1 ".

Use present embodiment, to constitute as the demonstration of the UI picture 900 of the example of " the specific demonstration " shown in the typical case in Figure 16, Figure 21 and Figure 24 and have aforesaid three kinds of display modules, be display notification hurdle 901, display notification hurdle 902 and display notification hurdle 903, hereinafter be also referred to as

display module

1,2 and 3.

As mentioned above, with three kinds of

display modules

1,2 and 3, promptly notify hurdle 901,902 and 903 to constitute the information informing function that is used as the operator of print system 100.

Therefore, using and adopting the as above present embodiment of structure, three kinds of

display modules

1,2 and 3 is the assemblies of " specific demonstration ", and the dynamic factor of judgment that dynamically changes with state according to system 100 is irrelevant.

Therefore, present embodiment has with the structure of doing operator's guiding function, thereby indicates the method that continues interrupted operation (being operation X in the present example) again by conduct clearly according to the demonstration of the picture 900 of " specific demonstration " example of present embodiment.

For example, control module 108 makes notice hurdle 901,902 and 903 be in effective show state on picture 900 according to present embodiment control UI unit, and irrelevant with the demonstration as the picture 900 of the example of for example Figure 16, Figure 21 and " specific demonstration " shown in Figure 24.

Should be understood that, use present embodiment, the example of " dynamically factor of judgment " required when the disclosed various demonstration controls of present embodiment are used in control module 108 execution with the operation processing controls " with the relevant information of treatment conditions that need carry out the operation of printing at print system 100 places ".In other words, this information is to make control module 108 can confirm to need the operation of printing to need which kind of printing under what print conditions at system 100 places.In addition, use present embodiment, the information relevant with the operation number of waiting for printing in storer 109 also is dynamic factor of judgment.

According to present embodiment with said structure, propose a kind of configuration and be used to realize the print system product, it is not limited to working environment, has also considered the printing environment based on the POD environment.For example, can improve operability, for example the operator being operated with definite printing that when continues interrupted operation (being operation X in the present example) when having removed printing interruption source again picture 900 is that support is operated in best providing.

For example, according to present embodiment with said structure, except above-mentioned advantage, can also improve operability, for example, when the operator clearly indicates the method that continues interrupted operation again, thereby prompting operation person operates picture 900 and carries out suitable judgement, not only consider an interrupted operation (being operation X in this case), also consider following two aspects: the relation of (1) and current operation of printing (being operation Y in this case), (2) progress of these operations compares with it, promptly considers the state of two operations.

According to present embodiment with said structure, except above-mentioned advantage, can also improve operability, for example, when the operator clearly indicates the method that continues interrupted operation again, considering not only to comprise interrupted operation (the operation X in this example), current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), comprise that also the operator can continue the printing of interrupted operation again with the desirable restoration methods of the user of operation screen 900 under the operating environment of a plurality of operations that need print at print system 100 places of subsequent job (the operation Z in this example).

In the printing environment based on POD, the undertaker of the maximum of this print system 100 is likely the commercial printing factory of the printing order of handling client, uses print system 100 to produce printout.When printout was paid client, client paid to commercial printing factory.

In this printing environment based on POD, this print system 100 not conduct is assisted the instrument of affairs simply in working environment, but can be described as the business instrument of production by the product of the affairs of client's paying.

In addition, the print request that needs print system 100 to have probably to handle at short notice from client, accept and handle the performance of more substantial print request simultaneously.In other words, use such printing environment based on POD, can handle a plurality of operations effectively, promptly overall production is likely crucial.

In addition, in printing environment, can reckon with various print request, comprise a large amount of large-scale operations (comprising the operation of the thin slice that will print in a large number) from various client based on POD.In addition, to print system 100, can reckon with the situation that this extensive operation becomes concentrated in the certain hour section.

Consider this point, exist from the market in for example POD market to can be efficiently and high productivity ground handle various a plurality of operations, consider the demand of print system 100 in client's time limit simultaneously.

Therefore, can easily suppose aspect two a great difference to be arranged all in operating position and user based on the printing environment and the working environment of POD environment.

Redescribe the above-mentioned explanation of carrying out with embodiment that provides with typical way, printing device of describing according to background technology with operation restore funcitons and print system can satisfy the needs based on the printing environment of working environment fully.Yet,, can not solve the following problem that provides with canonical form that in printing environment, occurs based on the POD environment though this traditional printing device and print system can have the operation restore funcitons.More specifically, use this traditional printing device with operation restore funcitons and print system, what consideration may occur in the printing environment based on the POD environment is unique operating position and user's needs to the POD environment.Consideration is the example of a key character of present embodiment at the fact of this point, present embodiment is constituted can solve the following problem that provides with canonical form that occurs in the printing environment based on the POD environment.

For example, can provide following structure:, can begin the printing of operation Y at the printing intercourse of operation X by the traditional printing device and the print system with operation restore funcitons of expansion according to description of the Prior Art.In addition, printing device that can this is traditional and print system for example extend further to and can continue print job X again after the printings of the Y that fulfils assignment.Yet, suppose that it is the extensive operation that need print that printing owing to operation X is interrupted the operation Y that begins print processing on large amount of thin sheets.In this case, use to have the print system of above-mentioned operation restore funcitons, operation X must wait for for a long time before printing continuing it again.In other words, how promptly to recover irrespectively from print interruption source with operation X, the printing end up to operation Y could continue print job X again.When even operation X almost completely finishes, this situation also appears probably.

In working environment, therefore this operating position does not seldom note this situation.In this environment, user X only is concerned about his print job X, do not consider the print job Y of another user Y, and user Y only is concerned about his print job Y, does not consider the print job X of user X equally.This is because in the printing environment based on working environment, and the individual prints its own original copy, and the recipient of printout makes print request to print system, and oneself picks up printout from the thin slice deliverying unit of print system.

Yet the situation of this example more is concerned about the printing environment based on POD, and is can a plurality of extensive operation how efficient, that this key is handled on the many highlands of throughput rate extremely important.Present embodiment considered to estimate from the demand in POD market and handle this situation, therefore, constitute and can address the above problem according to the print system 100 of present embodiment.

Especially meriting attention is the following fact: even constituted the print system that can handle the problems referred to above, also can reckon with other problem, will constitute except problem listed above according to the print system 100 of present embodiment and can also solve the new problem that in based on the printing environment of POD, may occur.

For example, suppose the structure of research by following configuration process the problems referred to above: the processing of the operation Y that begins when when the operator removes the interruption source of operation X, forcing to stop at the printing interruption of operation X.This structure may influence the print result of operation Y according to the content of operation Y, for example the particular type of the operation Y aftertreatment that may comprise.

Present embodiment has considered that the possible demand from the POD environment handles this situation, therefore, constitutes and can address the above problem according to the print system 100 of present embodiment.

As mentioned above, owing to the above reason of present embodiment, control module 108 constituted in working environment with under based on the printing environment of POD can both carry out various controls.An assembly that is even more important of present embodiment is " specific demonstration ", thereby can carry out various relevant controls.

Display module

4,5 and 6 shown in the typical case is that the UI unit that is used for making the operator pass through present embodiment is imported the assembly of indication of method that appointment has continued to remove the printing of the interrupted operation (the operation X of this example) of printing interruption source more clearly.

In addition, using present embodiment,

display module

4,5 and 6 also is " assembly of dynamically controlling based on dynamic factor of judgment ".

In addition, use present embodiment,

display module

4,5 and 6 is that the UI unit that is used to make the operator pass through present embodiment is imported the assembly that appointment continues to print the timing of interrupted operation more clearly, and the print execution manipulate person that this timing promptly restarts to carry out in current operation of printing (operation Y) at system 100 places has removed the moment of printing the printing that is interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) of interruption source.

Should be pointed out that the use present embodiment, UI picture 900 is provided with

display module

4,5 and 6, thus the operator can be clearly and selectively from three common candidate item (options) appointment continue the method for interrupted operation (the operation X under this situation) again.Use present embodiment, display module 4 is set to first options in three kinds of options, display module 5 is set to second options, display module 6 is set to the 3rd options.

Use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make and show the operation indication key 904 on the UI picture 900 of being set to according to present embodiment, be used in response to the operation of being undertaken by the operator of touch panel intuitively, as an example of display module 4.

In addition, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make and show the operation indication key 905 that is set on the UI picture 900, are used in response to the operation of being undertaken by the operator of touch panel intuitively, as an example of display module 5.

Control module 108 control operation unit 102 make demonstration be set to the operation indication key 906 on the UI picture 900 and hurdle 907 is set in detail, make it possible in response to the operation of being undertaken by the operator of touch panel intuitively, as an example of display module 6.

Use the said structure of present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make and on UI picture 900

display module

4,5 and 6 are effectively shown, thus the operator can be clearly and selectively from three common candidate item (options) appointment continue the method for interrupted operation (the operation X under this situation) again.

In addition, when having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example), control module 108 confirms which kind of printing current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) need carry out under what print processing condition.Confirm the result based on this, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make with above-mentioned three kinds of corresponding display keys of selection operation (being also referred to as soft key) 904,905 and 906 in, on picture 900, be in invalid show state corresponding to the key 905 of second options.Therefore, control module 108 is forbidden receiving from the user request of use corresponding to the operator of the key 905 of second options.

In addition, control module 108 confirms whether there is the operation of any wait in storer 109, if having, has several.Confirm that based on this result, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make in three kinds of selection operations, corresponding to the key 906 of the 3rd options with hurdle 907 is set in detail on picture 900, is in invalid show state.Therefore, control module 108 is forbidden receiving from user's request of using corresponding to the operator on the key 906 of the 3rd options and information setting hurdle 907.

In addition, use present embodiment,

display module

4,5 and 6 is in the relation of clearly considering interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), when operator's indication continues the timing of interrupted operation again, make the operator import the assembly of the timing that continues interrupted operation more clearly.

For example, use present embodiment, will constitute display module, " after the printing of current operation of printing finishes, continue this operation immediately again " thereby the operator can be expressly understood content as the display key (soft key) 904 of display module 4.In addition, will constitute display module, and " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " thereby the operator can be expressly understood content with the display key as display module 5 (soft key) 905 that key 904 constitutes discretely.Therefore, the operator that this structure can have a system 100 can select that will be provided with and the operation instruction unit selection operation equivalence, for example display key 904, display key 905 etc., and control module 108 dynamically limits its effective show state according to the operation treatment state.

Therefore, when operator's indication continues to print the timing of interrupted operation again, thereby the operator can consider to carry out suitable judgement clearly with the relation of current operation of printing (the operation Y under this situation) and the progress of these operations by operation screen 900.It is also advantageous in that, when carrying out this judgement, can indicate the desirable options of operator clearly for the timing of the printing that continues interrupted operation again by the demonstration on the picture 900.

In addition, use present embodiment, will constitute display module, " after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes, continue this operation again " thereby the operator can be expressly understood content as the display key (soft key) 906 of display module 6.

Therefore, the operator can operation screen 900 not only considers interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) but also considers that in storer 109 queuing need carry out suitable judgement clearly with the subsequent job (the operation Z in this example) that print system 100 prints operation.

According to aforesaid present embodiment, the operator can not only consider interrupted operation and current operation of printing by the demonstration of picture 900 but also consider that the overall production that need print a plurality of operations of operation at print system 100 places judges.

It is also advantageous in that, when the overall production of considering to print at print system 100 places a plurality of operations of operation is judged, can indicate the desirable options of operator clearly for the timing of the printing that continues interrupted operation again by the demonstration on the picture 900.

In addition, use present embodiment, control module 108 is controlled and is made not only have

display module

4,5 and 6 with operating unit 102 demonstrations, also has the picture 900 of above-mentioned

display module

1,2 and 3.

In addition, as mentioned above, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make in as the notice hurdle 902 of display module 2 residue thin slice number that the print processing condition that shows, the printing that fulfils assignment are required and required time quantum, as the information of the operation (the operation X under this situation) that has been interrupted.

In addition, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make in as the notice hurdle 903 of display module 3 residue thin slice number that the print processing condition that shows, the printing that fulfils assignment are required and required time quantum, as the information of current operation of printing (the operation Y under this situation), thereby compare with the information that in display module 2, presents.

Therefore, use present embodiment, when selecting one in three options of operator in three kinds of

display modules

4,5 and 6, show the

information display module

2 and 3 of operation, be presented to the operator clearly to distinguish and to compare.According to this structure, present embodiment can also obtain with canonical form following advantage to be shown.

For example, this structure can help the operator to make decision when operation screen 900, for example, and " again by can the fulfil assignment printing of X of a small amount of printing.On the other hand, the fulfil assignment printing of Y also needs the plenty of time.If like this, it is more efficient then to continue print job X again before the printing of finishing the current operation Y that is printing, therefore finishes the printout of production operation X ".

In another example, this structure can help the operator to make decision when operation screen 900, and for example, " printing of operation Y continues a little time again and can finish by printing.If like this, then at first finishing the print over of the current operation Y that is printing, to continue print job X more efficient ".

Like this, the operation support embodiment of good outfit can be provided, wherein, the operator at the print position place in the printing environment of for example POD environment, operating system 100 time limit of the overall production of considering a plurality of print jobs and the printout set by client etc. can be made more suitably decision when of selecting in above-mentioned three selection operations by picture 900.

Therefore, except

display module

4,5 and 6, also increase the information informing function by

display module

1,2 and 3, this has further increased the advantage of present embodiment.

The following describes in said structure and the

display module

4,5 and 6 and the relevant concrete control of

display module

1,2 and 3 on the UI picture 900 of being set to that is showing on the operating unit 102 by control module 108.

Display module 4: with the display key 904 of operation indicating member equivalence, it is constituted after the printing of finishing current operation of printing, and the operator can import the instruction of the printing that has continued to remove the interrupted operation of printing interruption source more clearly.

That is to say, key 904 is first options in three options in the present embodiment, and it is to have continued to remove during the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example) method (timing of Ji Xuing again) of printing the printing that is interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) of interruption source again.

In this structure, during the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example), removed under the condition of the printing interruption source that is interrupted operation (the operation X in this example), control module 108 allows with operating unit 102 display frames 900, thereby on picture 900 key 904 is shown as effective status.

In addition, when printer unit 104 places continue the printing of current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), can receive operator's request by the key that on picture 900, shows 904 that is in effective status with the first options equivalence.

Now, use this structure, suppose that the operator by for example pressing the key 904 that shows that is in effective status carrying out touch panel operation on the picture 900 on picture 900, presses the OK key 908 on the picture 900 in addition.In this case, control module 108 is accepted this operation as Rule of judgment, and is judged as the operator and has made first user request, as the method for the printing that continues interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again.

If received with three candidate item in first user request of the first options equivalence, then control module 108 disabled interrupt are in the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example).

In this case, at this moment eliminated printing interruption source, also finished just to continue again the printing of interrupted operation up to the printing of current operation of printing even control module 108 control print systems 100 make.

Should be pointed out that the term that for example uses " finishing to print " or " finishing printing " according to present embodiment.These terms of Shi Yonging are synonyms in the present embodiment.

If made first user request, then control module 108 control system 100 make after the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example) finishes, and continue the printing of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again at printer unit 104 places.

For example, under the situation of the demonstration control example in Figure 16, control module 108 is controlled and is made the printing finish whole operation Y, this operation Y need to print 5 parts 100 pages the required a series of printings of print data under the print processing condition of operation Y.

Therefore, in the demonstration control example in Figure 16, control module 108 identifies this operation Y based on the treatment conditions data relevant with operation Y and progress msg also to need to carry out two parts and prints 100 pages every part.Therefore, control module 108 makes print system proceed the printing of 100 pages * 2 parts of in operation Y remaining residues.

Then, suppose that control module 108 is based on confirming that from the status information of printer unit 104 printing of operation Y finishes.When receiving this information, control module 108 forbids beginning any subsequent job (the operation Z in this example) in the print memory 109, but this subsequent job is remained on the wait print state, is continued the printing of operation X again by print system 100.When continuing the printing of operation X again, control module 108 based on the progress msg of operation X confirm to be right after in step S609, be interrupted before the progress of operation X, also confirm the print processing condition of operation X.Subsequently, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the print processing of not finishing part of operation X, as the required print processing of the print processing that continues operation X again.

For example, under the situation of the demonstration control example in Figure 16, control module 108 is controlled and make to be confirmed that operation X is the operation that needs to print the required a series of printings of 5 parts 50 pages print data under the print processing condition of operation X.In addition, control module 108 identifies this operation X based on the print conditions data relevant with operation X and progress msg also needs to print 10 pages to finish printing.Therefore, the print processing of 10 pages of control module 108 residues that print system 100 carried out be used to print untreated operation X owing to be interrupted.Therefore, control module 108 is finished the required a series of printings of print job X that continue again immediately after the printing of operation Y is finished.

At this moment, for example, if the subsequent job (the operation Z in this example) that has wait to print in storer 109, then control module 108 allows the printing of beginning subsequent job under the condition of the printing of the X that fulfils assignment.Therefore, control module 108 begins to print the required printing of subsequent job immediately at print system 100 places after the printing of the X that fulfils assignment.

Therefore, receiving the operator when asking by first user who makes as the key 904 of display module 4, control module 108 control print systems 100 make handles the operation that each needs print processing at system 100 places by aforesaid page order.

The print processing 1 that should be pointed out that the step S622 that this flow process proceeds to when receiving first user that the operator makes by key 904 control sequence that control module 108 carries out when asking and be judged as "Yes" in step S621 in Fig. 7 B is corresponding.Should be pointed out that the use present embodiment, control module 108 is carried out the treatment scheme of the step S801 to S810 among Figure 22, as the detailed process flow process in the print processing 1 that is included among the step S622.

With present embodiment constitute can by picture 900 receive from first user request of the key 904 of the first options equivalence outside user's request.Example be as with above-mentioned three candidate item in the key 905 of display module 5 of the second options equivalence.Be described with object lesson below.

Display module 5: with the display key 905 of operation indicating member equivalence, it was constituted before the printing of finishing current operation of printing, and the operator can import the instruction of the printing that has continued to remove the interrupted operation of printing interruption source more clearly.

That is to say, key 905 is second options in three options that the operator can select in the present embodiment, and it is to have continued to remove during the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example) method (timing of Ji Xuing again) of printing the printing that is interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) of interruption source again.

Above-mentioned first user request with the first options equivalence is the user's request that continues the printing of interrupted operation after the printing of finishing current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) again.

On the contrary, above-mentioned second user request with the second options equivalence is the user's request that continued the printing of interrupted operation before the printing of finishing current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) again.Should be understood that, use present embodiment, as this second user request of following user's Request Processing, promptly interrupt the printing of the operation (the operation Y in this example) of current printing, continued to remove the printing that is interrupted operation (the operation X under this situation) of printing interruption source afterwards immediately again.

Yet, in the present embodiment, using this second options, control module 108 is according to the affirmation that current operation of printing is existed which kind of print processing condition control operation unit 102 as a result, thus quiescing person carries out this selection.

An example as present embodiment, when having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X under this situation), control module 108 is being confirmed the print processing condition of current operation of printing (the operation Y under this situation) before the display frame 900 on the operating unit 102.At this moment, control module 108 is read the also print processing condition data of reference current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) of preservation in storer 109.

Suppose that consequently control module 108 confirms that current operation of printing is that the after-treatment device (for example sheet handling device 230) that needs using system 100 uses the aftertreatment member to carry out the operation of aftertreatment (being also referred to as " thin slice processing " or " arrangement is handled automatically ") to the printout of being printed by printer unit 104.

As mentioned above, before display frame 900 on the operating unit 102, when having removed interruption source, control module 108 confirms that current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) is the operation that need put processing to print media automatically in order.

In this case, control module 108 quiescing persons select this second options by the UI unit of present embodiment.For example, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make the operator can not select this second options.Display frame 900 on operating unit 102, but control module 108 control operation unit 102 make key 905 be in invalid show state on picture 900.

Now, as Figure 21 and shown in Figure 24, can be by showing this part with " become ash " or " shade " or not showing that on picture 900 structure of this part carries out this invalid demonstration control.

With this structure-irrelevant ground, at least under this situation (current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) is the situation that needs the operation that arrangement automatically handles), the UI unit of control module 108 no thoroughfare present embodiment receives any second options from the operator.Therefore, in this case, control module 108 is forbidden print system 100 is controlled to be the printing that continued interrupted operation before the printing of current operation of printing is finished again.

Should be pointed out that this is an example that is used to prevent the configuration of the new problem that may occur when having removed the printing interruption source of operation X under the above-mentioned situation of the processing of the Y that forces to stop operation.

On the other hand, suppose when having removed printing interruption source that before display frame 900 on the operating unit 102, control module 108 confirms that current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) is the operation that does not need arrangement automatically to handle.In this case, control module 108 allows the operator to select this second options by the UI unit of present embodiment.For example, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make the operator can select this second options.As an example of present embodiment, as Figure 16 and shown in Figure 21, display frame 900 on operating unit 102, and control module 108 control operation unit 102 make key 905 be in effective show state on picture 900.

In this case, control module 108 allows use to be in second options of key 905 receptions of effective show state from the operator on picture 900.This means that control module 108 is controlled makes when printer unit 104 places continue the printing of operation (the operation Y in this example) of current printing, can receive the operator's request with the second selection operation equivalence.

In this structure, suppose that the operator by for example pressing the key 905 that shows that is in effective status carrying out touch panel operation on the picture 900 on picture 900, also supresses the OK key 908 on the picture 900.In this case, control module 108 is judged as the operator and has made second user request, as the method for the printing that continues interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again.

If received with three candidate item of presenting to the operator by picture 900 in second user request of the second options equivalence, then control module 108 allows to interrupt the printing at the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example).In this case, control module 108 control print systems 100 make and continued the printing of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again before the printing of finishing current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) finish, thereby finish the printing of interrupted operation.

For example, under the situation of the display structure example in Figure 16, if receive second user request of being made by the key that is in effective show state 905 that is pressed, then control module 108 interrupts the printing of the current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) that (stopping) printing at printer unit 104 places.

At this moment, control module 108 is enabled the job scheduling of current point in time of the progress of the print job (the operation Y in this example) about current point in time, makes and can discern this job scheduling when continuing to print this operation after a while again.As an example, control module 108 is stored in the progress msg of operation Y current point in time in the storer 109 with print data and print processing condition data associated state with operation Y.

Therefore, the printing receiving second user from operator interruption operation Y when asking after the interruption, can be continued the printing of operation X apace again by print system 100.

Suppose in storer 109, except operation X and operation Y, to also have in this case another subsequent job (the operation Z in this example).With identical in this case, control module 108 does not begin to print subsequent job after the printing of current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) is interrupted, but subsequent job is remained on the wait print state, continue the printing of interrupted operation again.

When continuing the printing of operation X again, control module 108 based on the progress msg of operation X confirm up to be right after in step S609, be interrupted before the progress of operation X, also confirm the print processing condition of operation X.Subsequently, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the print processing of not finishing part of operation X.

For example, control module 108 is controlled and make to be confirmed that operation X is the operation that needs to print the required a series of printings of 5 parts 50 pages print data under the print processing condition of operation X.In addition, control module 108 identifies this operation X based on the print conditions data relevant with operation X and progress msg also needs to print 10 pages to finish printing.Therefore, control module 108 is carried out print system 100 to be used to print the print processing of 10 pages of owing to print interruption source untreated operation X residues.Therefore, control module 108 is finished the required a series of printings of print job X that continue again immediately after the printing of interruption operation Y.

When finishing the printing of the operation X that continues again at system 100 places after interruption operation Y, control module 108 continues the printing of interrupted operation Y in order to continue print job X more again.Now, suppose in storer 109, except operation Y, to also have in this case another subsequent job (the operation Z in this example).With identical in this case, control module 108 does not begin to print subsequent job after the printing of operation X is finished, but subsequent job is remained on the wait print state, and control print system 100 makes it possible to begin the printing of operation Y.

When after the printing of the X that fulfils assignment, continuing the printing of operation Y again, control module 108 based on the progress msg of operation Y confirm up to be right after be interrupted before the progress of operation X, also confirm the print processing condition of operation Y.Subsequently, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the print processing of not finishing part of operation Y.

Then, suppose that control module 108 is based on confirming that from the status information of printer unit 104 printing of operation Y finishes.When receiving this information, control module 108 confirms whether the subsequent job (the operation Z in this example) that is in the wait print state is arranged in storer 109.

At this moment, for example, if the subsequent job (the operation Z in this example) that has wait to print in storer 109, then control module 108 allows the printing of beginning subsequent job under the condition of the printing of the Y that fulfils assignment.Therefore, control module 108 begins to print the required printing of subsequent job immediately at print system 100 places after the printing of the Y that fulfils assignment.

Therefore, receiving the operator when asking by second user who makes as the key 905 of display module 5, control module 108 control print systems 100 make handles the operation that each needs print processing at system 100 places by aforesaid page order.

The print processing 2 that should be pointed out that the step S624 that this flow process proceeds to when receiving second user that the operator makes by key 905 control sequence that control module 108 carries out when asking and be judged as "Yes" in step S623 in Fig. 7 B is corresponding.Should be pointed out that the use present embodiment, control module 108 is carried out the treatment scheme of the step S901 to S910 among Figure 17, as the detailed process flow process in the print processing 2 that is included among the step S624.

In said structure, with present embodiment constitute can by picture 900 receive from second user request of the key 905 of the second options equivalence outside user's request.Example be as with above-mentioned three candidate item in the key 906 of display module 6 of the 3rd options equivalence.Also be described below with object lesson.

Display module 6: with the display key 906 of operation indicating member equivalence with hurdle 907 is set in detail, it is constituted after the printing of having finished current operation of printing, and also finished after the printing of waiting for the operation of printing in storer 109, the operator can import the instruction of the printing that has continued to remove the interrupted operation of printing interruption source more clearly.

Key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 is set in detail) is the 3rd options in three options in the present embodiment, is to have continued to remove the method (timing of Ji Xuing again) of printing the printing that is interrupted operation of interruption source again during the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places.

Carry out more specific description, above-mentioned the 3rd user request with the 3rd options equivalence is after the printing of having finished current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), and also finished and waited for after the printing of the operation (the operation Z in this example) of printing, continued to remove user's request of the printing of the interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) of printing interruption source again.

Yet, use present embodiment, when having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example), whether control module 108 bases are about existing the operation conduct of waiting for printing except when also need the affirmation result of another operation of printing outside the preceding operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) in storer 109, control operation unit 102 makes the 3rd options also become and can not be selected by the operator.

As an example that uses present embodiment, with before operating unit 102 display frames 900, control module 108 is checked the print queue of management in storer 109 when having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example).Whether control module 108 is also checked to exist in storer 109 and is waited for the operation of printing, as the operation that needs printing outside interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and the current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example).

This situation is to have used when having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) before operating unit 102 display frames 900, and control module 108 confirms not wait for the situation of the operation of printing in storer 109.

In this case, confirm the result based on this, control module 108 quiescing persons use according to the UI unit of present embodiment and select the 3rd options.For example, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make forbids selecting the 3rd options to the operator.

As an example that uses present embodiment, as Figure 21 and shown in Figure 24, display frame 900 on operating unit 102, but control module 108 control operation unit 102 make key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 is set in detail) be in invalid show state in picture 900.

With this structure-irrelevant ground, at least under this situation (not being in the situation of the operation of waiting for print state except interrupted operation and current operation of printing in storer 109), the UI unit of control module 108 no thoroughfare present embodiment receives any the 3rd options from the operator.This is in order to prevent that the operator from carrying out wrong operation on picture 900, prevent that the operator from making inappropriate decision.

Suppose that control module 108 affirmations except interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), exist to be in the operation of waiting for print state in storer 109.For example, use this example, except operation X and operation Y, in storer 109, exist operation Z at least as waiting for the operation of printing.

In this case, confirm the result based on this, control module 108 allows the operator to use according to the UI unit of present embodiment and selects the 3rd options.For example, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make the operator to select the 3rd options.As an example that uses present embodiment, as Figure 16 and shown in Figure 24, display frame 900 on operating unit 102, and control module 108 control operation unit 102 make key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 is set in detail) be in effective show state in picture 900.

In this case, when printer unit 104 places continued the printing of operation (the operation Y in this example) of current printing, control module 108 was controlled the operator's request with the 3rd options equivalence of can receiving by the key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 is set in detail) that is in effective show state on picture 900 that makes.

Suppose that the operator by for example pressing the key 906 that shows that is in effective status carrying out touch panel operation on the picture 900 on picture 900, also supresses the OK key 908 on the picture 900.In this case, control module 108 is judged as the operator and has made the 3rd user request, as the method for the printing that continues interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again.

If received the 3rd user request, then control module 108 disabled interrupt are in the printing of the current operation of printing in printer unit 104 places (the operation Y in this example).In this case, control module 108 is and the printing of the operation of the wait in the forbidden storage device 109 finishes the printing that (with " printing is finished " synonym) continues interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) before again.

In this case, control module 108 control print systems 100 make after the printing of current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), also after the printing of the operation (the operation Z in this example) under waiting for print state, continue the printing of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) at printer unit 104 places again, thereby finish the printing of interrupted operation.

For example, under the situation of the demonstration control example in Figure 16, control module 108 is controlled and is made the Print All operation of Y of fulfiling assignment, this operation Y need to print 5 parts 100 pages the required a series of printings of print data under the print processing condition of operation Y.

Therefore, in the demonstration control example in Figure 16, control module 108 identifies this operation Y based on the treatment conditions data relevant with operation Y and progress msg also needs to carry out two parts every part 100 pages printing.Therefore, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the printing of 100 pages * 2 parts of in operation Y remaining residues.Then, suppose that control module 108 is based on confirming that from the status information of printer unit 104 printing of operation Y finishes.

Finish even confirmed the printing of operation Y, this situation also is a situation of having made the 3rd user request.Therefore, even solved printing interruption source, control module 108 forbids beginning interrupted operation.In addition, control module 108 will be in this interrupted operation of waiting for print state and be placed in the storer 109.In this case, the printing that control module 108 will continue operation X again remains on to be waited for, the printing of the operation Z that begins when the printing at operation Y finishes finishes at least.

Finish in the printing of confirming operation Y, and during the printing of beginning operation Z, control module 108 is confirmed the print processing condition of operation Z.Then, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out a series of printings that operation Z needs.

Subsequently, when the printing of confirming operation Z also finished, control module 108 continued the printing of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again at print system 100 places.

When continuing the printing of operation X again, control module 108 based on the progress msg of operation X confirm to be right after in step S609, be interrupted before the progress of operation X, also confirm the print processing condition of operation X.Subsequently, control module 108 makes print system 100 carry out the print processing of not finishing part of operation X, as the required print processing of the print processing that continues operation X again.

For example, control module 108 is controlled and make to be confirmed that operation X is the operation that needs to print the required a series of printings of 5 parts 50 pages print data under the print processing condition of operation X.In addition, control module 108 identifies this operation X based on the print conditions data relevant with operation X and progress msg also needs to print 10 pages to finish printing.Therefore, the print processing of 10 pages of control module 108 residues that print system 100 carried out be used to print untreated operation X owing to print interruption source.

Therefore, control module 108 is finished the required whole a series of printings of printing of the operation X that continues again after the printing of operation Y and operation Z is finished.

Therefore, receiving the operator when asking by the 3rd user who makes as the key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 is set in detail) of display module 6, control module 108 control print systems 100 make the operation of handling each print processing that needs at system 100 places by aforesaid page order.

Should be pointed out that the use present embodiment, hurdle 907 is set except key 906 in detail is also contained in the display module 6., present embodiment constituted hurdle 907 can be enough be set in detail handle and ask relevant detail operations request with shown in the canonical form as following with the 3rd user.

For example, suppose when the user presses the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900, in storer 109, to have the operation of a plurality of waits.Suppose that also these a plurality of operations are three operations of waiting for printing, for example operation Z1, operation Z2 and operation Z3 in storer 109.The reception that should also be noted that the print execution request of these operations is the order of operation Z1, operation Z2 and operation Z3 in proper order.

The foregoing description is also handled following situation: the operator when print system 100 has been removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation, the operation that in storer 109, exists a plurality of waits outside interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and the current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example) to print.

Now, suppose in these cases that the user presses the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900.In this case, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make that the operator can be by specifying the printing that should continue operation X after the printing of the operation which wait is printed again on the hurdle 907 that is provided with in detail that is in effective show state on the picture 900.

For example, illustrate as typical case in these cases, if there be operation Z1, Z2 and the Z3 made the print execution request in order in storer 109, then control module 108 carries out following control.

For example, suppose the operator use numeric keypad 405 on the operating unit 102 on picture 900, be in effective show state hurdle 907 is set in detail 907B place, hurdle input " 1 " is set.If the operator has carried out such setting, then control module 108 carries out two operations by the order of operation Y → operation Z1, when the Print All operation of finishing these two operations, and the 100 feasible printings that continue operation X again of control print system.

On the other hand, suppose the operator use numeric keypad 405 on the operating unit 102 on picture 900, be in effective show state hurdle 907 is set in detail 907B place, hurdle input " 2 " is set.If the operator has carried out such setting, then control module 108 carries out three operations by the order of operation Y → operation Z1 → operation Z2, when the Print All operation of finishing these three operations, and the 100 feasible printings that continue operation X again of control print system.

Perhaps, suppose the operator use numeric keypad 405 on the operating unit 102 on picture 900, be in effective show state hurdle 907 is set in detail 907B place, hurdle input " 3 " is set.If the operator has carried out such setting, then control module 108 carries out four operations by the order of operation Y → operation Z1 → operation Z2 → operation Z3, when the Print All operation of finishing these four operations, the 100 feasible printings that continue operation X again of control print system.

Therefore, as mentioned above, if the user presses the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900, then control module 108 control operation unit 102 make that the operator can be by specifying the printing that should continue operation X after the printing of the operation which wait is printed again on the hurdle 907 that is provided with in detail that is in effective show state on the picture 900.

As mentioned above, present embodiment has the various configurations that the digital printing system in the future of realization in the anticipation is produced.This structure also has the configuration under following situation.

For example, use present embodiment, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make that the operator can press OK key 908 and not operate hurdle 907 is set in detail after pressing the key 906 that is in effective show state.

In other words, be judged as after pressing the key 906 that on picture 900, is in effective show state and press OK key 908 immediately even this structure is constituted control module 108, and do not operate, also received the 3rd user request hurdle 907 is set in detail.

Now, suppose that the operator presses OK key 908 immediately, and does not operate hurdle 907 is set in detail after pressing the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900.

If having carried out this operator is provided with, then control module 108 is controlled and is made that having continued to have removed the printing of printing the interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) of interruption source again waits for that the printing of last in being in a plurality of operations of waiting for print state finishes.When the printing that is in last operation of waiting for print state finishes, the 100 feasible printings that continue interrupted operation again of control module 108 control print systems.In other words, even in hurdle 907B is set in detail, do not import " 3 ", also realized control with above-mentioned equivalence.

This structure means if receive the 3rd user request that the operator makes by pressing the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900, then can receive the default setting of following request as the 3rd user request from the operator.

The default setting of the 3rd user request: be used at storer 109 except interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) and current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), receive at last after being in of print execution request wait for the printing of operation at place, print queue rearmost position of operation of print state at control module 108, continue the setting of the printing of interrupted operation again.

Should be understood that, use present embodiment, if allow on picture 900 display key 906 effectively, then control module 108 control operation unit 102 make the setting that hurdle 907A is set that hurdle 907 is set in detail that is in effective show state on picture 900 be in selecteed state.Therefore, clearly the above-mentioned default conditions of notifying operation person are effective.This is another example according to the advantage of the raising operability of present embodiment.

In printing environment, thereby there is print system 100 to arrange operation down to handle the situation that the extensive operation of a great difference is arranged from different clients with suitable order at the fixed time probably based on POD.In this environment with arrangement of time, make the equipment may be improper based on himself judgment processing situation.

In addition, may wish in the time period of concentrating, to print the situation of print job together continuously with similar treatment conditions.

That is to say, in printing environment, thoroughly adjust and monitor for example equipment of printing device etc., need then as far as possible this equipment to be carried out continued operation based on POD.In this case, suppose that we do not have a plurality of operations of common ground to rank to the print processing condition of the type and size of the print media that for example is used for printing.In this case, each operation may occur and print the unnecessarily elongated state of the preceding preparatory function of beginning (for example, the thin slice feed unit is switched in the temperature adjustment, adjusts the delivery interval of print media etc.).Therefore, in based on the POD printing environment, may there be the situation of in the time period of concentrating, printing print job for minimized this stop time together continuously with similar treatment conditions.

In view of this; with the structure of interrupted operation in the formation (the operation Z1 in this example outside operation X and the operation Y is to operation Z3) of agree inserting the operation that a plurality of waits of arranging in order to reduce stop time as far as possible print, will cause extra stop time.

Therefore, as mentioned above, use present embodiment, if allow on picture 900 display key 906 effectively, then control module 108 control operation unit 102 make the setting that hurdle 907A is set that hurdle 907 is set in detail that is in effective show state on picture 900 be in selecteed state.

If press OK key 908 immediately after pressing the key 906 that is in effective show state on picture 900, and do not operate hurdle 907 is set in detail, then control module 108 carries out above-mentioned control.

The print processing 3 of the step S625 that this flow process proceeds to when receiving the 3rd user from key 906 (comprise hurdle 907 the is set in detail) control sequence that control module 108 carries out when asking and be judged as "No" in step S623 in Fig. 7 B is corresponding.Should be pointed out that the use present embodiment, control module 108 is carried out the treatment scheme of the step S1001 to S1013 among Figure 25, as the detailed process flow process in the print processing 3 that is included among the step S625.

As mentioned above, present embodiment has employing based on the printing environment of POD and consider as structure that how high productivity is handled a plurality of operations expeditiously at print system 100 places.Also considered this two aspect as another following structure of structure example that further increases the advantage of present embodiment.

For example, as mentioned above, use present embodiment, when during the time-write interval section of current operation of printing (the operation Y in this example), having removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example), 102 display frames 900 of control module 108 usefulness operating units.

In this structure,, also there are not three kinds of any requests in user's request even suppose beginning to have pass by predetermined amount of time (as previously mentioned, this example is 1 minute) from time point afterwards with operating unit 102 display frames 900.Should be pointed out that control module 108 control print systems 100 make the printing that continues current operation of printing at printer unit 104 places.According to this structure this time point is illustrated, therefore omits its detailed description.

Therefore, suppose to begin over and done with 1 minute, and the operator does not have indication to continue the method (timing of Ji Xuing again) of interrupted operation (the operation X in this example) again from time point with operating unit 102 display frames 900.Over and done with 1 minute and any one situation that the operator does not press in key 904,905 or 906 falls into this situation.

In this case, control module 108 control print systems 100 make and automatically perform action with the first options equivalence of above-mentioned three options.

Confirm the result based on this, control module 108 finishes the Print All operation of operation Y by the printing that continues the current operation Y that is printing.Subsequently, when finishing the printing of operation Y, control module 108 continues the printing of operation X again.Subsequently, when finishing the printing of operation X, the printing of control module 108 beginning operation Z.

As mentioned above, if the operator has removed printing interruption source, but have a mind to or by mistake select at picture 900 places, then automatic selection is considered to first options of the options of risk minimum.Therefore, control module 108 control print systems 100 make and carry out and make first user asking identical operations.Treatment scheme equivalence when being judged as "Yes" among this control and the step S710 in Figure 15, this flow process proceeds to step S711.

Therefore, present embodiment have employing based on the printing environment of POD and consider as how high productivity handle a plurality of operations expeditiously at print system 100 places, reduce the structure of the unnecessary work of on-the-spot operator simultaneously.

In addition, if control module 108 has been selected first options automatically, then in order not make the operator puzzled, control module 108 control operation unit 102 make and show in notice hurdle 901.

For example, as described in the above-mentioned display module 1, if in operating unit 102 places display frame 900, then control module 108 shows: " if do not select in these options any one after the certain hour amount, will select (1) automatically ".

As mentioned above, below the term " current operation " in the explanation mean identical with above-mentioned operation Y satisfy shifting to an earlier date of above-mentioned condition 1 and condition 2 print job.In addition, with reference to figure 7A and Fig. 7 B with the canonical form explanation comprise the operation for example when the printing interruption source of operation to be processed occurring, interrupting will carrying out at system 100 places, in a series of processes of having removed when printing interruption source the process that continues the operation that will carry out at system 100 places again.Use present embodiment, for example the control module 108 that is stored in the control program in the storer 109 by execution comes (comprising unshowned CPU) processing in the process flow diagram of execution graph 7A and Fig. 7 B.

First example: because Interrupt Process and the continuation processing again that paper uses up takes place

Below be that interruption source in the operation of being carried out is to be used under the situation that the appointment thin slice of print job runs out the example that control module 108 is controlled.

Should be pointed out that here, for example, among step S604, the processing that the printing interruption source of the operation that will print that occurs in step S603 is confirmed is begun to describe from control module 108.

If detected printing interruption source in step S604, this flow process proceeds to step S609, interrupts the operation of printing.In the present example, the situation that the thin slice of the A4 size in the thin slice dish 213 uses up is described.The picture of shown duplicating machine and the button of each dish when as shown in figure 14, the thin slice in the demonstration thin slice dish has been used up on touch panel 301.Figure 14 is illustrated in the warning picture on the touch panel 301 under the situation that does not have thin slice in the thin slice box 1.As shown in figure 14, the message that does not have thin slice that shows expression printing interruption source in the upper left corner of picture.When the user pressed OK key 1401, picture became picture shown in Figure 12 from picture shown in Figure 14 on the touch panel 301.

As shown in figure 12, display text " paper uses up " in state display part 513.

Thereby when operating system of user monitoring key 505 operating means labels 704, picture becomes device information display frame shown in Figure 13.This device information display frame has facsimile message display part 801, network receiving information display part 802, device label 803, receives label 804, Print Label 805, fax label 806, transmission label 807, duplicating label 808, thin slice information display section 809, remote copy information display section 810, Printer Information display part 811, scanner information display part 812 and network transmission information display part 813.According to picture shown in Figure 13, be appreciated that the thin slice cursor of the A4 thin slice dish of thin slice information display section 809 is blank.In demonstration example shown in Figure 13, it represents that with thin slice information display section 809 the A4 thin slice uses up.

Therefore, device information display frame shown in Figure 14 illustrates at the display frame on the touch panel 301 of the situation that does not have thin slice in thin slice box 1.

Return Fig. 7 B, in step S610, control module 108 is registered in the information of interrupted operation in the print queue when interrupting.In step S611, confirm in print queue, whether registering other operation that is not interrupted the cause influence.If wherein registration has this operation, then this flow process proceeds to step S614 from step S611, reads in this operation, prints in step S615 and S616, up to removing interruption source.For example, second operation of supposing to register in print queue (receive among Figure 11 number be 0002 operation) uses the thin slice of A3 to print.In this case, not having the thin slice of A4 is not the printing interruption source of second operation.Therefore, this flow process proceeds to step S614, reads in this second operation.In step S615 and S616, handle second operation as current operation, use prints for the thin slice that send from the thin slice box 214 of the thickness sheet of maintenance A3 size, up to removing interruption source (the A4 thin slice uses up).Can easily understand, if second operation is the operation that needs the record sheet of A4 size, and the record sheet of A3 size is used in the 3rd operation, then carries out the 3rd operation in this case.

In step S617, judged whether to finish the printing of current operation, if do not finish this operation, then this flow process turns back to step S615, continues to monitor the removal of interruption source and the printing of current operation.On the other hand, if be judged as the printing of having finished current operation in step S617, then this flow process proceeds to step S618, and the current operation of deletion is deleted print job from backup of memory 109 in step S629 from print queue.Then, this flow process turns back to step S611, judges whether other operation that does not relate to interruption source of registering in print queue.If registration has this operation therein, then this flow process proceeds to step S614, repeats processing same as described above.

When having removed in step S615 detected interruption source, this flow process proceeds to step S620.In this example, reach the removal of interruption source to the common paper of thin slice box 213 adding A4 sizes by the user.In step S620, show as shown in figure 16 to make the user can select operation to continue the user interface (UI) of method again that the user selects operation to continue method again by this user interface.

If assignment key 904 (continuing the method selector button again) " 1 " then select " continuing this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " as the method that continues again to print, so this flow process proceeds to step S622 from step S621.In step S622, wait for that the printing of current operation finishes to continue afterwards interrupted operation (describing with reference to Figure 22 after a while) in step S609 again.

If assignment key 905 (continuing the method selector button again) " 2 " then select " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " as the method that continues again to print, so this flow process proceeds to step S624 from step S623.In step S624, interrupt the printing of current operation immediately, continue interrupted operation (describing with reference to Figure 17 after a while) in step S609 again.

If assignment key 906 (continuing the method selector button again) " 3 " then select " continuing this operation again after the current printing that is in the operation of waiting for printing finishes " as the method that continues again to print, so this flow process proceeds to step S625 from step S623.In step S625, wait for current operation and the printing of the operation of registering continues interrupted operation (describing with reference to Figure 25 after a while) in step S609 after finishing again in print queue.Should be pointed out that if select " be in the printing of waiting for the operation of printing and continue this operation again after finishing ", then can use among Figure 16 the printing that operation which wait hurdle 907 specify in continues interrupted operation afterwards again to be set in detail current.Operating Figure 25 after a while is elaborated to it.

On the other hand, among the step S611 in Fig. 7 B, if the operation in print queue all relates to interruption source, then this flow process proceeds to step S612, waits for and removes interruption source.When having removed interruption source, this flow process proceeds to step S603, continues interrupted print job in step S609 again.

Figure 15 is the process flow diagram of the detailed process that UI handles among the step S620 that illustrates among Fig. 7 B.Carry out processing shown in Figure 15 and present UI for example shown in Figure 16, the continuation again operation of the operation that the operation of carrying out on UI according to the user has been determined to be interrupted.

In step S701, judge whether the current operation of handling (reading in the current operation that replaces interrupted operation to handle in step S614) has automatic arrangement setting.If the current operation of handling has automatic arrangement setting, then this flow process proceeds to step S702, and it is invalid to make options " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " selection of (key 905 among Figure 16).On the other hand, if not arrangement setting automatically of current operation, then this flow process proceeds to step S703 from step S701.

In step S703, confirm in print queue, whether there being the operation (print job outside interrupted operation and the current operation) that is in the wait print state.If be not in the operation of waiting for print state, then this flow process proceeds to step S705, makes the options selection of (key 906 among Figure 16) and invalid to the appointment that it carries out with hurdle 907 is set in detail that " continues this operation again after the current printing that is in the operation of wait for printing finishes ".On the other hand, wait for the operation of printing if having, then this flow process proceeds to step S706 from step S703.

In step S706, judged whether that a plurality of being in can select State Selection operation.If only remain an options, then this flow process proceeds to step S712, selects automatically to handle with corresponding the continuation again of this options.On the other hand, if but there are a plurality of selection operations to be in selection mode, then this flow process proceeds to step S707 from step S706.In step S707, show that for example shown in Figure 16 being used to select to be interrupted the UI that the printing of operation continues method again.

When the user selected in the options one on UI, this flow process proceeded to step S709 from step S708, carried out the selection operation of being selected by the user.On the other hand, if the schedule time is measured the selection operation that does not also carry out options in the past afterwards show UI in step S707 after, then this flow process proceeds to step S711, selects options " to continue this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " automatically.

For example, reference example example as shown in figure 11 illustrates this processing, and three operations of wait for printing are wherein arranged in print queue, and receiving number is that 0001 operation is interrupted owing to thin slice uses up, and now, current operation is that reception number is 0002 operation.At first, if current operation (receive number to be 0002 operation) is not put in order setting automatically, then this flow process proceeds to step S703 from step S701.In addition, as shown in figure 11, at this moment have two to wait for the operation of printing, so this flow process proceed to step S706 from step S703.Therefore, all selection operation (whole options shown in Figure 16) all is selectable in step S706, and this flow process proceeds to step S707.

In step S707, show that the printing be used to select to be interrupted operation continues the UI of method again.Figure 16 illustrates the UI that the printing that is used to select to be interrupted operation continues method again.In UI shown in Figure 16, in the description of UI shown in notice hurdle 901 (handle and continue state display part again).Notice hurdle 902 (being interrupted the job information display part) shows interrupted Job Details.Notice hurdle 903 (current job information display part) shows the current Job Details of carrying out.Key 904 to 906 is to be used for the button that selective printing continues method again.Key 904 is used for system of selection " (1) continues this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes ".Key 905 is used for system of selection " (2) finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again ".Key 906 is used for system of selection " (3) current printing that is in the operation of waiting for printing continues this operation after finishing again ".Hurdle 907 is set in detail is used to specify the printing that after which waits for the operation of printing, continues interrupted operation again.

If amount was for example operated key 905 in the past at the fixed time, then this flow process proceeds to step S709 from step S708, selects " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again ", and this processing finishes.

Return Fig. 7 B, continue method again if determined operation as mentioned above, then this flow process proceeds to step S621.In step S621, judged whether to select " after the printing of current operation of printing finishes, continuing this operation immediately again ", because do not select this options, this flow process proceeds to step S623.In step S623, confirm that to whether having selected " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " because selected this options, this flow process proceeds to step S624.

Now, with reference to the processing among the process flow diagram detailed description step S624 shown in Figure 17.If Figure 17 show selected " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " continue the print processing that method is carried out again.

At first, in step S901, interrupt the current operation of carrying out (current operation), this flow process proceeds to step S902.In step S902, the information of the current operation of registration in print queue, this flow process proceeds to step S903.In step S903, information that will interrupted operation in step S609 (interrupted operation) is read in print queue, continues operation again as printing.In step S904, continue to print the print processing that continues operation more again.In above-mentioned example, sent the common paper of A4 size to print from thin slice box 213.As shown in figure 18, touch panel 301 illustrates in response to the printing that continues again the demonstration that printing continues the print state of operation again is shown.The progress show bar advances on print state display part 603, for example, also sentences form " 2/5 " at umber display part 605 umber that advances is counted.

In step S905, whether finish to confirm that to printing the printing that continues operation again if do not finish, then this flow process is returned step S904.Therefore, continue the printing of operation again.On the other hand, if confirm that in step S905 printing the printing that continues operation more finishes, then this flow process proceeds to step S906.

In step S906, the information that continues operation is again printed in deletion from print queue, and this flow process proceeds to step S907.In step S907, this operation of deletion from backup of memory 109, this flow process proceeds to step S908.In step S908, read among the step S901 the term of execution interrupted operation information, as the operation (current operation) of current execution, this flow process proceeds to step S909.In step S909, continue the print processing of current operation again.In above-mentioned example, sent the ground paper of A3 size to print from thin slice box 214.In step S910, whether finish to confirm that to printing if do not finish, then this flow process is returned step S909.Therefore, carry out the printing of current operation.

On the other hand, finish if confirm the printing of current operation in step S910, then this flow process proceeds to step S911.In step S911, deletion finishes the current operation of printing from print queue, and this flow process proceeds to step S912.In step S912, this operation of deletion from backup of memory 109, this flow process finishes.

Return Fig. 7 B, when the print processing in step S624 finished, this flow process proceeded to step S608.In step S608, the residue operation whether affirmation will print in print queue in addition if having, turns back to step S603 in this flow process and carries out repetition, thereby print.On the other hand, if the print job that affirmation will not printed in print queue in step S608, then this flow process finishes.

Second example: owing to the Interrupt Process of paperboard takes place and continue again to handle

Next explanation is because original copy blocks the example of the Interrupt Process of carrying out, and the method for wherein selecting " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " is as the Interrupt Process and the method for continuation processing again.Should be pointed out that it is that original copy is in the jammed situation in auto document feeder 201 places that original copy blocks.Describe below with reference to Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B.

Placed 50 pages of original copys and in order to print 5 parts and when specifying " 5 " in auto document feeder 201 the user, as shown in Figure 8 thin slice is counted display part 516 " 5 " is shown on touch panel 301.In addition, when the initiating key 403 of pressing key input part 302 the user begins to read, begin to read original copy.As described in first example, when from ADF, reading the original copy end, as shown in Figure 9, on touch panel 301, in number of pages display part 607, show " 50 ", in umber display part 605, show " 1/5 ".If the operation that is not printing then begins to print the operation of reading in, print state display part 603 progress displaying bars advance.Finish first part, proceed to after second part, umber display part 605 shows " 2/5 ".The image that control module 108 will be read by reader unit 103 is by the sequential storage that reads (step S601) in backup of memory 109.In addition, if the user has imported print job from client computer A300, then control module 108 is with this job storage (step S601) in backup of memory 109.

The job information (step S602) that registration is read as mentioned above in print queue.In addition, will from the print job of client computer A300 input store into finish the backup of memory 109 after, control module 108 produces corresponding job information, and it is registered in the print queue.Operating touch panel 301 in the following order in this state: system monitoring key 505 (Fig. 6), Print Label 607 (Figure 19) and job state table 702 (Figure 19), as shown in figure 19, press said sequence and show job state display part 710.In this second example, first operation of registration is a copying operation, and second operation is print job, and display part carries out this demonstration.

Next, control module 108 is read the operation of minimum number in the print queue from backup of memory 109, begins to print the processing (step S603) of this operation.In this example, read that to receive number be 0001 operation, give the thin slice that send A4 from thin slice dish 213,104 places print at printer unit.Subsequently, to whether existing interruption source to confirm (step S604),, then confirm that based on the print-job information of in print queue, registering the printing of operation finishes (step S605) if there is not interruption source.Do not finish if print, then continue to print (step S603 to S605).

On the other hand,, then this is shown the warning picture, interrupt the operation (step S609) of current printing if detected interruption source.That is to say,, on touch panel 301, show the warning picture that blocks thin slice at auto document feeder 201 places for example shown in Figure 20, interrupt current operation detecting when blocking thin slice at auto document feeder 201 places.Information (step S610) when then, in print queue, being registered in this interrupted operation and interrupting.When in demonstration as shown in figure 20, OK key 2001 being operated, notify status display part 513 paperboards, they are different with demonstration shown in Figure 12.

Next, in print queue, whether existing another operation that does not relate to interruption source to confirm (step S611).(Figure 19) in the present example, second operation is print job, is not subjected to interruption source (being that original copy is given card feed paper) influence, therefore reads in second operation (step S614).Carry out this second operation as current operation, up to remove interruption source (up to having removed the thin slice that in auto document feeder 201, blocks) (step S615, S616, S617).If the printing of operation finishes before deserving, another printable operation (step S611) is searched in operation before deletion is deserved from print queue and backup of memory 109.

If removed interruption source (thin slice that in auto document feeder 201, blocks), then present for example shown in Figure 21 being used to and select operation to continue the user interface (step S620) of method again.Describe presenting in detail with reference to Figure 15 according to the user interface of this second example.

At first, judge whether automatic arrangement setting (step S701) has been carried out in the current operation of handling.Suppose not arrangement setting automatically of current operation.Therefore, next, confirm (step S703) to whether having operation to be in to wait for printing.As shown in figure 19, do not wait for the operation of printing in the present example.Therefore, make key 906 (" after the current printing that is in the operation of waiting for printing finishes, continuing this operation again ") not optional, also make being provided with of hurdle 907 invalid (step S705) is set in detail.

As the result of above-mentioned processing, two selectable options are arranged: key 904 and 905, therefore show the UI that for example shown in Figure 21 being used to select to be interrupted the printing of operation and continue method again (step S706, S707).Figure 21 illustrates with this example being used to of showing and selects the printing of interrupted operation to continue the UI of method again.As mentioned above, option " continues this operation " again after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes can not select, so key 906 becomes grey with the hurdle 907 that is provided with in detail that uses with key 906, and it can not be selected.Now, subsequent treatment under the situation of having selected " (1) continues this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " is described the user.

Carrying out printing according to method selected (in this case, " continuing this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes ") continues to handle again.Figure 22 is the process flow diagram that is used for illustrating in the processing of " the continuing this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " shown in the step S622 of Fig. 7 B.Now, describe the processing of " after the printing of current operation of printing finishes, continuing this operation immediately again " in detail with reference to Figure 22.

At first, in step S801 to S803, the printing that continues to handle up to the current operation of carrying out finishes.That is to say, in step S803, the printing of whether carrying out the current operation of carrying out is confirmed that if this operation does not finish, then this flow process turns back to step S802 and carries out repetition, thereby continues the printing of the current operation of carrying out.On the other hand, finish if confirm the printing of the current operation of carrying out in step S803, then this flow process proceeds to step S804.

In step S804, the deletion current operation that end is printed in above-mentioned processing is detailed from print queue, next, in step S805, this print job of deletion from backup of memory 109.

Next, in step S806, read in the interrupted operation of interrupting printing among the step S609, in step S807, continue interrupted operation again, print.In step S808, whether the printing of interrupted operation is finished to confirm if do not finish, then this flow process turns back to step S807 and carries out repetition, thereby continues to print.On the other hand, if confirming to print in step S808 finishes, then this flow process proceeds to step S809, the current operation of carrying out of deletion from print queue, and this processing finishes.

Therefore, during the processing of the step S622 in finishing Fig. 7 B, this flow process turns back to step S608.In step S608, confirm that to whether the print job that will print is arranged if having, then this flow process turns back to step S603 and carries out repetition, thereby prints in print queue.On the other hand, if the print job that affirmation will not printed in print queue, then this flow process finishes.

The 3rd example: owing to the Interrupt Process of paperboard taking place at the movable plate place and continue handles

Next, illustrate from interrupting printing to the example that continues the processing of printing again of removing interrupted operation after the interruption source owing to interruption source that thin slice blocks occurs at movable plate 228.

Placed 50 pages of original copys and in order to print 5 parts and when specifying " 5 " in auto document feeder 201 the user, as shown in Figure 8 thin slice is counted display part 516 " 5 " is shown on touch panel 301.In addition, when the initiating key 403 of pressing key input part 302 the user begins to read, begin to read original copy.As described in first example, when from ADF, reading the original copy end, as shown in Figure 9, on touch panel 301, in number of pages display part 607, show " 50 ", in umber display part 605, show " 1/5 ".If the operation that is not printing then begins to print the operation of reading in, print state display part 603 progress displaying bars advance.Finish first part, proceed to after second part, umber display part 605 shows " 2/5 ".The image that control module 108 will be read by reader unit 103 is by the sequential storage that reads (step S601) in backup of memory 109.In addition, if the user has imported print job from client computer A300, then control module 108 with this job storage in backup of memory 109.Should be pointed out that in the 3rd example the situation that has an automatic arrangement setting with the operation from client computer A300 input describes below.

Read side by side with above-mentioned, in print queue, register job information (step S602).In addition, will from the print job of client computer A300 input store into finish the backup of memory 109 after, control module 108 produces corresponding job information, and it is registered in the print queue.That is to say registration and the corresponding job information of print job of in backup of memory 109, storing in print queue.Operating touch panel 301 in the following order in this state: system monitoring key 505 (Fig. 6), Print Label 607 (Figure 19) and job state table 702 (Figure 19) as shown in figure 19, show job state display part 710.In the present example, first operation of demonstration is copying operation (printing the operation of the original image that reads in reader unit 103), and second operation is print job (from the print job of outer computer input).

Control module 108 is read the minimum operation of numbering in the print queue from backup of memory 109, give the thin slice that send A4 from thin slice dish 213, and 104 places print (step S603) at printer unit.Subsequently, to whether existing interruption source to confirm (step S604),, then confirm that based on the print-job information of in print queue, registering the printing of operation finishes (step S605) if there is not interruption source.Therefore, continuing print processing finishes up to printing.

Yet, if before printing end, interruption source occurred, show warning picture for example shown in Figure 23, interrupt the operation of printing.In this example, below the situation of blocking thin slice in movable plate 228 is described.

As shown in figure 23, on touch panel 301, warn demonstration in movable plate 228, blocking thin slice.When in demonstration as shown in figure 23 the OK key being operated, interrupt printing in step S609, this flow process proceeds to step S610.

Next, in print queue, whether existing another operation that does not relate to interruption source to confirm (step S611).In the present example, second operation among Figure 19 is to have the operation that automatic arrangement is provided with, and therefore, does not use movable plate, not influenced by interruption source.Therefore, read in second operation (step S614).Then, print processing, finish (step S615 to S617) up to removing interruption source or print job.

If removed the thin slice that blocks at movable plate 228 places, solved interruption source, then present and be used to select operation to continue the user interface of method again, the user selects operation to continue method (step S620) more thus.The display process of user interface is described with reference to Figure 15 here.

Under the situation of the 3rd example, automatic arrangement setting has been carried out in the current operation of handling (current operation), so key 905 (" finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again ") change ash, make its not optional (step S702).In addition, as shown in figure 19, the operation of wait printing, so key 906 in the present example (" continuing this operation again after the current printing that is in the operation of waiting for printing finishes ") change is grey, makes it not optional.At this moment, the hurdle 907 that is provided with in detail that uses with key 906 also becomes ash, makes it not optional.

Therefore, in the present example, only surplus " continuing this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " therefore selects this options automatically as the options that continues method again.Should be pointed out that (Fig. 7 B) in the present example, if in three options two not optional, only surplus options does not then show UI, selects optional options automatically, but can be configured to present optional options by the user it is confirmed to the user.

If in step S620, determined the continuation method again that is interrupted operation of " after the printing of current operation of printing finishes, continuing this operation immediately again ", then carry out selected processing (step S621, S622).

22 pairs of selections of earlier in respect of figures " continue this operation " afterwards immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes processing is illustrated, and therefore omits its explanation here.

The 4th example: selected " after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes, to continue again Continuous this operation " situation under processing

Up to now, " continuing this operation immediately again after the printing of current operation of printing finishes " and two options of " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " are illustrated.Next, the processing under the situation of having selected " continuing this operation again after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes " is described.In addition,, suppose under the state of the interruption in first example occurring automatic arrangement setting have been carried out in current operation, therefore can not select " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " as continuing method again for the 4th example.Therefore, the UI that is used to select to continue again method in the 4th example is same as shown in Figure 24, rather than UI shown in Figure 16.That is to say, be used for selecting the key 905 of " finish the printing of current operation of printing immediately, continue this operation again " to become ash, and/or can not be selected.When options button 906 from UI shown in Figure 24 (" continuing this operation again after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes "), this flow process proceeds to the step S625 among Fig. 7 B.Figure 25 is the process flow diagram that the printing that is used for description of step S625 continues the detailed content handled again.

In step S1001, at first print the value storage of which operation that is in the wait print state in counter with indicating.In control module 108, constitute this counter with RAM storer (not shown).If selected to select " after the printing of the operation that current wait is printed finishes, continuing this operation again ", then in counter, set the operation number (comprising current operation) in print queue at present in shown in Figure 24 being provided with in detail in the hurdle 907.In addition, finish to continue again afterwards to print, then counter is set at n if in hurdle 907 is set in detail, be set in the printing of n operation.The value of n can not be set at greater than the quantity of in print queue, waiting for the operation of printing.

In step S1002, continue to print current operation.Processing by among step S1003 and the S1004 prints processing, and up to the printing end of current operation, when printing end, this flow process proceeds to step S1005.In step S1005, the current operation of deletion from print queue, in step S1006, the current operation of deletion from backup of memory 109.

Subsequently, this flow process proceeds to step S1007, judges whether counter is zero.If counter is not zero, then its value reduces 1, carries out the next printing of waiting for the operation of printing.After repeating above-mentioned processing, be zero if in step S1007, be judged as counter, then this flow process proceeds to step S1009, continues the printing of interrupted operation again.That is to say, read interrupted operation in step S1009, the continuation again that is interrupted operation in step S1010 is printed.When the printing of interrupted operation finished, this flow process proceeded to step S1012 from step S1011, the interrupted operation of deletion from print queue, the interrupted operation of deletion from backup of memory 109 in step S1013.

As mentioned above, use present embodiment, for providing printing to continue disposal route again according to interruption source interruption operation and the print system that except interrupted operation, can also print other operation with higher operability.Use at the removal of interruption source, can be selected in following three continuation methods again instruction according to the continuation disposal route again of present embodiment:

(1) is used to discern the processing of whether interrupting current operation of printing (current operation) instruction with the processing that begins interrupted operation;

(2) be used to discern the instruction that the processing of whether waiting for current operation before the processing of the interrupted operation of beginning finishes; And

(3) after the processing that is used for being identified in current operation finishes in the instruction of the quantity of handling the operation carried out that also will carry out before the interrupted operation (operation that not influenced by interruption source in print queue).

Present all or part of of three instructions by user interface for example shown in Figure 16, continued to remove the interrupted operation of interruption source again.If selected instruction (1), then interrupt the processing of current operation, begin the processing of interrupted operation immediately.If selected instruction (2), then after the processing of current operation, begin the processing of interrupted operation immediately.In addition, if selected instruction (3), then after the processing of the processing of current operation and all operations of appointments, begin the processing of interrupted operation immediately.Therefore, the user can continue interrupted print job again with desirable sequence.

Make the instruction (the inexecutable method that continues again) that to select in the instruction of handling according to the operation outside the interrupted operation (1) to (3) unacceptable, therefore be convenient to easily indicate and continue again to handle.

In addition, if in instruction (1) to (3) only an instruction can select, then not being used in the instruction that continues method again on user interface can accept, and begins operation processing this instruction after.For example, if when having removed interruption source, except interrupted operation, there is not other operation, then after having removed interruption source, continue this operation immediately again.This has prevented unnecessary selection operation, has improved operability.

Now, the shared structure of above-mentioned whole embodiment is described.

Mainly carry out the control of the action of each unit in the foregoing description by the control module 108 of print system 100.For example, suppose that control module 108 receives print request, and the operation of printing is not waited in the operation of at this moment not printing in storer 109.In this case, control module 108 beginnings are print job printed.When carrying out printing, whether control module 108 occurs interruption source based on the information monitoring from each sensor of print system 100 to this operation.If control module 108 confirms to have occurred interruption source, then at this moment control module 108 interrupts the printing of the operation of printing.In addition, if at this moment the operation of wait is arranged in storer 109, then control module 108 is read the print data of this operation, begins to wait for the printing of the operation of printing during the time period that the printing of interrupted operation stops.

Subsequently, when carrying out these operations, control module 108 is based on the interruption source of whether having removed interrupted operation from the information monitoring of sensor.If confirm to have removed interruption source in this state, then control module 108 is controlled based on the processing execution in the above-mentioned process flow diagram.For example, use the user interface of print system 100 to show demonstration in above-mentioned timing with above-mentioned display module (referring to accompanying drawing).Control module 108 also makes the user that can receive from the user ask, and indication continues the timing of the printing of interrupted operation more clearly.Then, control module 108 continues the printing of interrupted operation again at print system 100 places in the desirable timing of user according to request.The disposal route of a plurality of print jobs that received by 108 pairs of print systems 100 of control module is carried out major control.

Now, which kind of operation provides print system 100 has received, which kind of has been appearred in this operation has printed interruption source, stores which kind of operation printing and in which kind of condition go down except the object lesson of interruption source in response to this interruption source.

For example, suppose to have received print request from the print job of reader unit 103 input of print system 100 as print job A by operating unit 102 from the user.If at this moment there is not print job to be processed in storer 109, then control module 108 makes printer unit 104 carry out the printing of print job A.For example, the ADF that control module 108 makes reader unit 103 once gives and send one page in the multipage original copy in the original copy stacker that constitutes print job A, thereby reader unit 103 reads original copy, with the data storage of the operation A that reads in storer 109.Then, according to the setting of printing condition that the user by operation A sets by operating unit 102, carry out the print processing of the print data that is stored in the operation A in the storer 109 by printer unit 104.Now, suppose during a series of printings of this operation A that the jam detection sensor among the ADF is to paperboard occurred on the ADF of the reader unit 103 of the original copy with operation A.The printing interruption source that this original copy paperboard of operation A on the ADF of reader unit is operation A.Because the printing interruption source of operation A, control module 108 have stopped the printing of the operation A that being carried out by print system 100.Should be pointed out that control module 108 is kept at use when continuing again in the storer 109 with the print data of interrupted operation A.Now, if suppose to store in this state another operation outside the operation A that is in waiting status in storer 109, then control module 108 judges that whether operation that this wait prints is can carry out printing and the operation that not influenced by the interruption source of operation A.

Can carry out printing and not be subjected to an example of the operation that the interruption source of operation A influences is for example for example operation that receives of computing machine 300 or 400 of the data source outside the reader unit 103.In other words, do not use the operation of ADF.Reason is at the ADF place operation A have been occurred under the situation of original copy paperboard, can not read action with the original copy that ADF carries out other operation by reader unit 103.In other words, in the printing interruption source that operation A occurred, can not carry out the required original copy of operation and read action by reader unit 103.On the other hand, the print data from the operation of the external unit of for example computing machine 300 or 400 is not this operation.Reason is to print the print data of the operation of external unit by the path of computer interface unit 106 → storer 109 → printer unit 104.Therefore, during the time period of the printing of the A that stops operation, the printing of the operation that the wait that control module 108 beginnings are not influenced by the interruption source of operation A is printed.This helps to make the throughput rate optimization of this print system.In addition, even carrying out between other operational period, whether control module 108 has also removed the original copy paperboard of operation A based on the information monitoring user from the sensor of ADF.If be judged as the original copy paperboard of having removed operation A, then be judged as the interruption source of having removed operation A.Therefore, present embodiment comprises the mistake as reader unit 103 places of the print system 100 of the example of printing interruption source.The mistake that should be pointed out that reader unit 103 places comprises that the ADF place blocks the mistake outside the original copy.For example, the various error events at reader unit 103 places of fault of the fault of the lamp of reader unit 103, ADF supply unit etc. all are above-mentioned interruption source.Should be pointed out that the structure outside described here is consistent with control and treatment conditions in the above-mentioned various configurations.That is to say that this is identical with above-mentioned form, therefore omit explanation here.Next, another object lesson is described.

For example, suppose that print system 100 is from reader unit 103 or for example computing machine 300 or 400 external unit have received print data to be processed as print job B.Suppose that also it is that to want the thin slice of the data of print job be the thin slice of A4 size, common paper type that the user specifies print conditions to this operation B.Therefore, print system 100 acceptance need be carried out the operation B of the print processing of " A4 common paper thin slice " at printer unit 104 places.Should be pointed out that print system 100 is provided with a plurality of thin slice feed units of for example first to the 3rd thin slice feed unit of the thin slice of placing different sizes and type in each.For example, suppose in the first thin slice feed unit, to place " A4 common paper thin slice ", in the second thin slice feed unit, place " A3 common paper thin slice ", in the 3rd thin slice feed unit, place " the A4 thin slice that is different from the chromatics paper type of common paper ".In addition, based on the sensor in the thin slice feed unit with from the thin slice of operating unit 102 registration (registration) relevant information-setting by user, control module 108 confirm in the thin slice feed unit of print system 100 each in be placed with the thin slice of which kind of size of which kind of type.

If do not have operation in storer 109 when receiving operation B, then control module 108 is carried out the printing of print job B at printer unit 104 places.Particularly, control module 108 is since first page of print data that reads out in the storer 109 the operation B that is made of multipage of storage in regular turn.In addition, once give from the first thin slice feed unit and to send a thin slice that print job printed B is required, be in the printing of the print data of carrying out the operation B that reads from storer on the thin slice of being supplied with at printer unit 104.The whole pages or leaves that are included among the operation B that comprises the multipage master copy data are carried out above-mentioned printing, print the umber of user operation B appointment.

Now, suppose therefore during a series of printings of carrying out this operation B, paper to have occurred and used up mistake at thin slice feed unit place owing in the first thin slice feed unit, placed the thin slice that is less than the required quantity of operation.At this moment, control module 108 goes out the required thin slice of operation B based on the information Recognition from the residue thin slice detecting sensor in the first thin slice feed unit and paper occurred and use up mistake.The paper of the thin slice that operation B is required uses up the printing interruption source that mistake is operation B.Because the printing interruption source of operation B, control module 108 stop the printing of the operation B that print system 100 carrying out.Control module 108 is kept at the print data of interrupted operation B in the storer 109, uses when continuing again.

Now, suppose in storer 109, to store in this state outside the operation B another and be in the operation of waiting status.In this case, control module 108 is judged and is waited for that whether the operation of printing is can carry out printing and the operation that not influenced by the interruption source of operation B.Can carry out printing and not be subjected to an example of the operation that the interruption source of operation B influences is that for example " A3 common paper thin slice " is used for the operation of the print processing at printer unit 104 places.Another example is that for example " A4 chromatics paper thin slice " is used for the operation of the print processing at printer unit 104 places.In other words, this be need with the operation of the thin slice that varies in size of the required thin slice of the print processing of operation B, perhaps need the operation of the thin slice different with the type of the required thin slice of the print processing of operation B.That is to say that the operation that prints processing in the thin slice feed unit of print system 100 on the thin slice that operation B need place when paper occurring and using up mistake is printable operation.During the time period of the printing of the B that stops operation, the printing of the operation that the wait that control module 108 beginnings are not influenced by the interruption source of operation B is printed.This helps to make the throughput rate optimization of this print system.

In addition, in the printing of carrying out another operation, control module 108 monitors the interruption source of whether having removed operation B.In the present embodiment, for example, whether control module 108 has supplied with " the A4 common paper thin slice " that be used to print that operation B needs to the first thin slice feed unit based on the validation of information user from the sensor in the thin slice feed unit.Therefore, the present embodiment paper that is included in the required thin slice of printer unit 104 places operation to be processed uses up mistake.Should be pointed out that the structure outside described here is consistent with control and treatment conditions in the above-mentioned various configurations.That is to say that this is identical with above-mentioned form, therefore omit explanation here.Therefore, control module 108 controls make it possible to handle various printing interruption sources according to the print system of present embodiment.

Now, the paper that can occur the mistake at reader unit 103 places and printer unit 104 places in this print system uses up the mistake outside the mistake, therefore can similarly handle these mistakes.For example, the mistake at printer unit 104 places comprises that toner uses up, blocks thin slice etc.In addition, can carry out the sheet handling device that for example bookbinding waits thin slice to handle to the thin slice from printer unit 104 if print system 100 is equipped with, then the mistake at sheet handling device place is also included within the printing interruption source.Its example comprises for example relevant with stapling unit mistake, and for example saddle stitching uses up, saddle stitching blocks mistake etc.In addition, can carry out the punch unit that perforation is handled to the thin slice from printer unit 104 if print system 100 is equipped with, then the mistake at punch unit place is also included within and prints in the interruption source.In addition, can carry out the stapling unit that bookbinding is handled to the thin slice from printer unit 104 if print system 100 is equipped with, then the mistake at stapling unit place is also included within and prints in the interruption source.Present embodiment is constituted control module 108 can be from identifying the interruption source that occurs during the printing in operation to be processed in the multiple printing interruption source that print system occurs.Control module 108 stops the printing of the operation that will print in response to the interruption source that occurs.

Yet, if the interruption source of particular type, control and make during the time period of the printing of the operation that has stopped interrupting printing the printing of forbidding carrying out the subsequent job that interrupts the operation of printing at printer unit 104 places.Its example is that the interruption source that occurs in print system is that thin slice in the printer unit 104 blocks wrong situation.In this case, the printing that stops operation does not still allow the printing of subsequent job.Reason is that the thin slice that the beginning printing of subsequent job and user do not remove after the printing of having interrupted the operation of printing will cause other mistake.In other words, if interruption source falls into the type of the printing that should not allow to carry out subsequent job, then control module 108 is forbidden the printing of this subsequent job in advance.In addition, outside this example,, then also forbid the printing of subsequent job in advance if operation formerly is to be compiled as a folded operation.In other words, this structure is consistent with control and treatment conditions in the above-mentioned various configurations.

In addition, present embodiment can also adopt following structure.For example, above-mentioned interruption source is the mistake that is set to the device place on the print system 100, prints interruption source and present embodiment can also be constituted by following processing.

For example, suppose that print system 100 is from reader unit 103 or for

example computing machine

300 or 400 external unit have received print data to be processed as print job C.At this moment suppose does not have current print job to be processed in storer.In this case, control module 108 is carried out the printing of print job C at printer unit 104 places.Particularly, control module 108 is read the print data that is stored in the operation C that is made of multipage in the storer 109 in regular turn since first page.In addition, carry out the printing of the print data of the operation C that reads from storer at printer unit 104 places.The whole pages or leaves that are included among the operation C that comprises the multipage master copy data are carried out above-mentioned printing, print the umber of user operation C appointment.

Control module 108 can show the display unit 301 of operating unit 102 during a series of printings of this operation C, make the user can input instruction to stop the printing of the current operation C that is printing temporarily.For example, control module 108 makes be used on the display unit 301 temporarily the stopping operation display key of printing of C effective in response to user's instruction, makes the user to show the printing of input instruction with the C that stops operation temporarily by this.The function of equivalence can be set external unit from user interface section in addition.The status surveillance picture that for example, can on the display unit of computing machine 300 and 400, show the state that to confirm print system 100 to the key operation of computing machine in response to the user.In response to the indication of user, on the status surveillance picture, show the display key of the printing of the C that is used for temporarily stopping operation to computing machine.The CPU that should be pointed out that external unit is the principal organ that carries out the control relevant with the display unit of this external unit.Therefore, use present embodiment, the various user interfaces of print system 100 are shown make the user can input instruction with the printing of the C that stops operation temporarily.Then, if receive the user instruction of the printing of the C that is used for stopping operation by this demonstration temporarily, then control module 108 interrupts the printing of these operations.That is to say that user's input of the current operation C that is printing of control module 108 definite indications temporarily stopping is the interruption source of operation C.

Control module 108 is kept at the print data of interrupted operation C in the storer 109, uses when continuing again.Now, suppose that another operation that stores outside the operation C in this state is in waiting status in storer 109.In this case, control module 108 begins the printing of subsequent job during the time period of the printing of the C that stops operation.This helps to make the throughput rate optimization of this print system.In addition, in the printing of carrying out subsequent job, control module 108 monitors the interruption source of whether having removed operation C.Particularly, control module 108 can show the display unit 301 of operating unit 102 during a series of printings of subsequent job, make the user can input instruction with the printing of the operation C that continues again to stop temporarily.For example, control module 108 makes that in response to user's instruction the display key that continues request again of the printing that is used to import operation C on the display unit 301 is effective, makes the user can carry out the request of continuation again of the printing of operation C by this demonstration.The function of equivalence can be set external unit from user interface section in addition.The status surveillance picture that for example, can on the display unit of computing machine 300 and 400, show the state that to confirm print system 100 to the key operation of computing machine in response to the user.On the status surveillance picture, show make the user can input instruction with the display key of the printing that continues operation C again.The CPU that should be pointed out that external unit is the principal organ that carries out the control relevant with the display unit of this external unit.Therefore, use present embodiment, the various user interfaces of print system 100 are shown make the user can input instruction with the printing of the operation C that continues again to stop temporarily.Then, if receive the user instruction of the printing that is used for continuing again operation C by this demonstration, then control module 108 has determined to remove the interruption source of operation C.

Now, as mentioned above, the structure of the feature with present embodiment of aforesaid operations Fig. 1 to Figure 25 explanation has and is implemented in the various configurations based on the production of the following print system in the printing environment of POD that surmount working environment.Therefore, consider this printing environment based on POD, can be with of the configuration of following structure as the advantage that is used to increase above-mentioned present embodiment.

For example, in printing environment, has the order of producing printout from the various forms of various clients' usefulness based on POD.

According to this situation, use present embodiment, as shown in figure 26, constitute the structure of print system 100 extendible.

Here, the printing device 101 about present embodiment discloses following structure: replace sheet handling device 230 shown in Figure 3, connect two kinds of after-treatment devices, thereby can carry out dissimilar aftertreatments.

As shown in figure 26, print system 100 has high capacity stacker 2601, as the example of the after-treatment device with stacker unit that can load the thin slice after a large amount of printings of printer unit 104 delivered inside.Should be pointed out that various operating positions and the user's request considered in the present embodiment, high capacity stacker 2601 has the structure that can pile up 5000 thin slices after the printing.

In addition, print system 100 has saddle stitching binding apparatus 2602, example as after-treatment device, wherein can be to carry out various aftertreatments (being six kinds of arrangements automatically in the present example, i.e. bookbinding, punching, cutting edge, displacement discharge, saddle stitching bookbinding and folding) selectively from the thin slice of the process print processing of printer unit 104 delivered inside.

Therefore, in based on the present embodiment in the printing environment of POD, print system 100 has a plurality of after-treatment devices that constitute in the mode that can be connected to printing device 101.In addition, can carry out the aftertreatment of particular type to each aftertreatment.Therefore, in response to operator's request, can carry out various aftertreatments to the print media that has carried out print processing by 104 pairs of operations of printer unit.

In this structure, control module 108 control UI unit make the UI unit by the present embodiment of for example operating unit 102 can receive the aftertreatment of the desirable type that will carry out operation to be processed.

For example, press key 508 among Fig. 6 in response to the operator, control module 108 makes and can show UI picture for example shown in Figure 27 on operating unit 102 based on the system architecture information of print system 100.

In this structure, control module 108 is controlled and is made that print system 100 can be according to the process flow diagram executable operations shown in Figure 28 of canonical form.Its object lesson is described.The control example of using this Figure 28 be with Fig. 7 B in the relevant control example of step S620.

Should be pointed out that control module 108 also is stored in the computer-readable program relevant with the processing of process flow diagram among Figure 28 in the storer 109 in advance in readable executable mode.

In the control example of using Figure 28, illustrate from above-mentioned step S615 among Fig. 7 B to be judged as the processing that "Yes" begins.That is to say, the processing that the interruption source of interrupting the interrupted operation (the operation X in the above-mentioned example) of printing from control module 108 confirms to have removed step S609 among Fig. 7 B begins is described.

In said structure, when control module 108 was confirmed to have removed the printing interruption source of interrupted operation, this flow process proceeded to the processing among the step S2801 among Figure 28.

In step S2801, as mentioned above, control module 108 judges based on the specification information in the storer 109 whether print system 100 is " system architectures with a plurality of after-treatment devices that comprise the high capacity stacker that can hold 5000 printouts ".

If be judged as "Yes" in step S2801, then control module 108 makes this flow process advance to step S2802 from step S2801.

In this step S2802, control module 108 confirms that whether operations (the operation Y in the above-mentioned example) are " operations that needs the loading of the printout of high capacity stacker to handle ".

For example, suppose to press key shown in Figure 27 2707 by the operator, the operator has made the print execution request by operating unit 102.In this case, to be judged as this operation be " operation that needs the loading of the printout of high capacity stacker to handle " to control module 108.In the present example, this operation is called " loading operation in enormous quantities ".

On the other hand, suppose that the operator does not press key shown in Figure 27 2707, and carry out being used to of pressing and the key 2701 to 2706 that loads the different automatic arrangement (aftertreatment) of the type handled in enormous quantities by the operator, the operator has made the print execution request by operating unit 102.In this case, to be judged as this operation be " operation that does not need the loading of the printout of high capacity stacker to handle " to control module 108.For example, will make the operation that print request binds processing to the print media of being printed by printer unit 104 with key 2701 and be called " bookbinding operation ", and this falls into the situation of " operation that does not need the loading of the printout of high capacity stacker to handle ".In addition, will make print request with key 2702 operation that the print media of being printed by printer unit 104 carries out the punching processing is called " punching operation ", and this falls into identical situation.In addition, will make print request with key 2703 operation that the print media of being printed by printer unit 104 carries out the cutting edge processing is called " cutting edge operation ", and this falls into identical situation.In addition, the operation that the request of execution has been made in other key 2704,2705 and 2706 processing also falls into identical situation.Therefore, hereinafter " operation that does not need the loading of the printout of high capacity stacker to handle " is called " non-loading operation in enormous quantities ".

In said structure, if be judged as "Yes" in step S2802, then control module 108 makes this flow process advance to step S2803 from step S2802.

If proceed to step S2803, then control module 108 allow by operating unit 102 show as in Figure 16, Figure 21 and Figure 24 with the picture 900 of the example of above-mentioned " the specific demonstration " shown in the canonical form.That is to say that in this case, control module 108 allows print systems 100 to use with the user to continue the printing that method continues interrupted operation more again by the options of Figure 16 and other picture 900 appointments shown in the drawings is corresponding.In this case, control module 108 makes this flow process advance to processing among the step S620 among Fig. 7 B by the processing among the step S2803.The front has illustrated subsequent treatment and control, and they are identical, therefore, omits its explanation here.

In this structure, if be judged as "No" in step S2801, then control module 108 makes this flow process advance to step S2805 from step S2801.Perhaps, if this flow process proceeds to step S2805, then control module 108 quiescing unit 102 show Figure 16 and other picture 900 shown in the drawings.That is to say that in this case, control module 108 bans use of with the user and continues the printing that method continues this operation (the operation X in the above-mentioned example) more again by the options of picture 900 appointments is corresponding.In addition, in this case, after the processing in step S2805, control module 108 makes this flow process advance to step S2806.

If proceed to step S2806, then in step S2806, the continuation method again of print processing 1 (the being options 1) equivalence among the step S622 among control module 108 uses and Fig. 7 B continues the printing of interrupted operation in step S609 (the operation X in the above-mentioned example) automatically again.In this case, after the printing of the operation that begins in step S616 (the operation Y in the above-mentioned example), control module 108 continues the printing of interrupted operation in step S609 immediately automatically again.Then, the processing of this flow process from step S2806 proceeds to the processing among the step S608 among Fig. 7 A.The front has illustrated subsequent treatment and control, and they are identical, therefore, omits its explanation here.

If identical with said structure, satisfy condition 1 and the operation (the operation Y in the above-mentioned example) of condition 2 are " loading operations in enormous quantities ", then control module 108 allows UI unit by present embodiment to show picture 900 as the example of above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".Control module 108 also makes the print system 100 can be by carry out the operation according to the control example identical with the control example of using Fig. 1 to Figure 25 explanation as the picture 900 of the example of above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".

On the other hand, if it is identical with said structure, satisfy condition 1 and the operation (the operation Y in the above-mentioned example) of condition 2 are " non-loading operations in enormous quantities ", then control module 108 forbids that UI unit by present embodiment shows the picture 900 as the example of above-mentioned " specific demonstration ".In this case, control module 108 automatically performs and the corresponding operation of first options print system 100, and the operator passes through any intervention operation of one that picture displayed 900 is selected in three candidate item on UI and for example need not.

This structure is at only needing the minimum operation of operator by the intervention operation that reduces the operator as far as possible simultaneously and the problem based on the printing environment of POD that may occur, the configuration that improves operability and throughput rate because operation Y is operation in enormous quantities.

In addition, can constitute and to carry out with the structure of Figure 26 to Figure 28 by control module 108 with the control shown in the canonical form.

As mentioned above, can also be to handling based on the clearly printing interruption source of instruction from the user relevant with printing interrupt request.In this structure, can also handle removing printing interruption source based on the clearly instruction from the user relevant with printing continuation request again.Present embodiment also covers these structures.Should be pointed out that the structure outside described here is consistent with control and treatment conditions in the above-mentioned various configurations.

Other embodiment

Embodiment more than has been described, but can have implemented the present invention by for example system, equipment, method, computer program, storage medium etc.Particularly, can apply the present invention to the system that constitutes by a plurality of equipment, perhaps apply the present invention to the device that forms by individual unit.

The present invention includes following situation: directly or remotely provide software program to system or equipment, read and carry out the function that the program code that is provided is realized the foregoing description by system or equipment.In this case, the program that is provided is the program corresponding to the process flow diagram shown in the embodiment.

Therefore, in order to obtain function treatment of the present invention with computing machine, the program code itself that is installed in the computing machine is also realized the present invention.That is to say, realize that the computer program of function treatment of the present invention is also contained among the present invention.

In this case, this program can be an arbitrary format, and for example object code, the program of being carried out by code translator, the script data that provides to operating system etc. are as long as this program has the function of program.

Be used to provide program the example of storage medium comprise as follows: soft (floppy, registered trademark) dish, hard disk, CD, magneto-optic (MO) dish, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, tape, Nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) etc.

In addition, provide the example of the method for program to comprise: with the homepage of browser access on the Internet, will computer program according to the present invention to download to from homepage on the storage medium of hard disk for example etc. from client computer.In this case, the program of download can be the file from installation function of having of compression.In addition, be divided into a plurality of files, realize this method by the program code that will constitute from different homepage download this document according to program of the present invention.That is to say that the www server itself that a plurality of users can be downloaded to the program file of realizing function treatment of the present invention on the computing machine comprises in the present invention.

In addition, can and be stored in the recording medium of CD-ROM for example program encryption according to the present invention and be used for issue.In this case, can form following configuration: the user with clear and definite specified conditions can download the key information that is used to decipher from the homepage on the Internet, uses this key information to carry out encrypted program, and this program is installed on the computing machine.

In addition, except the program of reading by execution realizes the function of the foregoing description, can also wait the function that realizes the foregoing description in conjunction with the operating system of operation on computers.In this case, operating system etc. are carried out some or all of actual treatment, handle the function that realizes the foregoing description by this.

In addition, the program of reading can be write the storer of the expansion board of inserting computing machine or be connected to the functional expansion unit of computing machine from recording medium, thereby realize the some or all of function of the foregoing description.In this case, after with program write-in functions expansion board or functional expansion unit, CPU that is set to expansion board or functional expansion unit etc. carries out some or all of actual treatment based on the instruction of program.

For example, be input to the object lesson of example explanation the foregoing description of the situation of print system 100 from principal computer 300 with the print data of the operation that will handle.

When preliminary the preparation, carry out following operation.At first, user's operation of carrying out in response to the user interface section place at computing machine 300 will download in the storer of computing machine 300 as the routine data of the printer driver of print system 100.Should be pointed out that user interface section is the various operating units that computing machine 300 self has, for example display unit, keyboard, mouse etc.Perhaps, for example, can directly download this routine data from external server.Perhaps, the particular memory medium that stores for example CD-R etc. of this routine data can be put into computing machine 300, data download from this storage medium.Should be pointed out that this routine data comprise with the relevant routine data of the processing of above-mentioned flowchart text.In addition, these data also comprise the demonstration control required UI routine data relevant with above-mentioned various display frames.In other words, can carry out the required routine data of the structure of the foregoing description with the external unit that print system 100 is carried out data communication and be stored in the routine data that downloads to this external unit making to use.When these data were downloaded to computing machine 300, in response to user's operation of computing machine 300, the CPU of computing machine 300 showed the printer driver picture of print system 100 on the display unit of computing machine 300.By the various settings of printing of this picture reception from user's the work data that will print.

Suppose to print setting by the user subsequently the instruction of input print execution.Correspondingly, the print data and the setting of printing condition of the operation that will handle of the CPU of computing machine 300 send to print system 100 from computing machine 300.Then, carry out this operation at print system 100 places.In this case, by the CPU of computing machine by reading and the referral procedure data are carried out control with the control equivalence of the foregoing description.For example, for example on the display unit of computing machine 300, show with reference to the accompanying drawings above-mentioned various interface images.In addition, the user of computing machine 300 can be asked by the various users that illustrate in this picture input the foregoing description.Carry out corresponding to user's requested operation of importing by print system 100.

Because said structure can be carried out the operation identical operations that is used for the foregoing description with external unit.The user interface of external unit that in other words, can be by for example computing machine etc. receives continuing again owing to the timing of printing that interruption source has been interrupted the operation of printing occurred printing from the user of this external unit.If made user's request, then control module 108 passes through for example computer interface unit 106 receptions from the request of external unit.In addition, control module 108 control print systems 100 make in the printing that continues to have interrupted print job corresponding to the timing from user's request of external unit again.Should be pointed out that the structure outside described here is consistent with control and treatment conditions in the above-mentioned various configurations.That is to say that this configuration with above-mentioned form is identical, therefore omit its explanation here.Make it possible to carry out by this way operated from a distance and can further increase advantage of the present invention.Therefore, make it possible to all use and be out of shape, and do not break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Yet, should be pointed out that these configurations are the settings that are used to improve the simplicity that the user uses, rather than indispensable assembly.

For example, as mentioned above,, have and to carry out and interrupted the printing device of the printing of the second different operation of first operation of printing owing to interruption source having occurred printing according to the print system of present embodiment.In this structure, control this print system and make with for example carrying out the job processing method shown in for example following typical case as the control module 108 of principal organ.

If control module 108 is controlled and made and to have removed the interruption source of having interrupted first operation of printing, then operating unit 102 may be received in user's request of the printing that has continued to interrupt first operation of printing after the printing of having finished second operation again.Should be pointed out that the user interface section (being also referred to as " UI unit ") that print system provides is not only operating unit 102.What external unit had can be also contained among the present invention with the UI unit that print system 100 is carried out for example display unit (monitor), keyboard, mouse etc. of data communication.In said structure, if made user's request by the UI unit, then control module 108 control print systems 100 make the printing that can continue interrupted first operation after the printing of finishing second operation again.

Use makes it possible to carry out above-mentioned control according to the system of present embodiment, in addition, can also carry out following control.

If control module 108 is controlled and made and to have removed the interruption source of having interrupted first operation of printing, then operating unit may be received in user's request of the printing that has continued to interrupt first operation of printing before the printing of finishing second operation again.If made user's request by the UI unit, then control module 108 control print systems 100 make the printing that can continue interrupted first operation before the printing of finishing second operation again.

Use makes and not only can carry out above-mentioned control according to the system of present embodiment, in addition, can also carry out following control.

For example suppose in the printing that has stopped first operation, to carry out the printing of second operation, have the 3rd operation to be under the situation of waiting for print state in storer 109, the user has removed the interruption source of having interrupted first operation of printing.In this case, control module 108 is controlled the feasible following operation of carrying out.At first, control UI unit makes it possible to be received in the printing of current second operation of printing and user's request that the current printing that is in the 3rd operation of waiting for print state continues the printing of first operation afterwards again.If made this user request by the UI unit, then control module 108 control print systems 100 make the printing that continues first operation after the printing of the printing of second operation and the 3rd operation again.

Suppose that the above-mentioned control of at least a portion can be used according to the print system of present embodiment and carry out for example following control.It below is the example of carrying out by control module 108.

For example suppose in the printing that has stopped first operation, to carry out under the situation of printing of second operation, the user has removed the interruption source of having interrupted first operation of printing.In this case, control module 108 is controlled and is made and can receive from one in following a plurality of users' requests of user by the UI unit.For example, control module 108 makes it possible to be received in first user request that the printing of finishing second operation continues printing afterwards again by the UI unit.Perhaps, for example, control module 108 makes it possible to be received in second user request that the printing of finishing second operation continues printing before again by the UI unit.In said structure, control operation below feasible can the execution by print system 100.For example, if do not make second user request by the UI unit, and make first user request, then control module 108 continues the printing of first operation again after the printing of finishing second operation.On the other hand, if do not make first user request by the UI unit, and make second user request, then control module 108 continued the printing of first operation again before the printing of finishing second operation.

Above-mentioned control can be extended further to the print system that to use according to present embodiment and carry out for example following control.It below is the example of carrying out by control module 108.

For example suppose in the printing that has stopped first operation, to carry out the printing of second operation, have the 3rd operation to be under the situation of waiting for print state in storer 109, the user has removed the interruption source of having interrupted first operation of printing.In this case, control module 108 is controlled and is made and can receive from one in a plurality of users' requests of comprising at least of user of following user's request by the UI unit.For example, control module 108 makes it possible to be received in first user request that continues printing after the printing of finishing second operation, before the printing of beginning the 3rd operation again by the UI unit.In addition, control module 108 makes it possible to be received in second user request that the printing of finishing second operation continues printing before again by the UI unit.In addition, control module 108 makes it possible to be received in after the printing of finishing second operation and the 3rd user that continues printing the printing of finishing the 3rd operation after again asks by the UI unit.Yet, should be pointed out that forbidding receiving simultaneously first to the 3rd user asks, control with realization for example to receive from one exclusive control in user's the request.In said structure, if made first user request by the UI unit, then control module 108 continues the printing of first operation again after the printing of finishing second operation, before the printing of beginning the 3rd operation.On the other hand, if make second user request by the UI unit, then control module 108 continued the printing of first operation again before the printing of finishing second operation.In addition, if make the 3rd user request by the UI unit, then control module 108 is after the printing of finishing second operation and finish the printing that continues first operation after the printing of the 3rd operation again.Therefore, control module 108 control print systems 100 make it possible in response to a printing of carrying out first operation in a plurality of users' requests of indicating by the UI unit.

In addition, in said structure, suppose except the 3rd operation the operation that in storer 109, also has a plurality of waits to print.In this case, control module 108 control UI unit make and allow the timing of user by the printing of UI unit appointment the continuation again first operation, also comprise and wait for a plurality of operations of printing.

In order further to improve the simplicity of using, can be constructed as follows structure.For example, control module 108 control UI unit make in a plurality of selection operations of the timing that is used to specify the printing that continues first operation again, are made and can ask corresponding options optional with the user by what the user selected by the UI unit by the user.Yet, control and make in a plurality of selection operations of the timing that is used to specify the printing that continues first operation again, make can not select by the user ask corresponding options not select by the UI unit with the user by the user.

In order further to improve the simplicity of using, can be constructed as follows structure.For example, if an at user option selection operation is only arranged, then after the printing of finishing second operation, continue the printing of first operation automatically again, and do not accept user's request by the UI unit.Control module 108 control print systems 100 make carries out this operation, and can provide various structures with this print system.

In said structure, present embodiment constituted with this print system also provides following structure.

For example, except accept various users request from the UI unit of print system 100, can also can receive various users' requests with the UI unit that print system 100 is carried out the external unit of data communication by being set to.In addition, print system 100 has printer unit 104, and it can be undertaken from for example printing of the external unit of computing machine 300 grades by memory cell 109 printings at least one print data from reader unit 103.

In addition, in following structure, also carry out following operation control.For example, if in the mistake of print system 100 places appearance as above-mentioned interruption source, the then control module 108 control print systems 100 feasible printings that stop current operation of printing.In addition, if the user by the UI unit imported stop printing user request as interruption source, then stop the printing of the operation of printing.Control module 108 control print systems 100 make carries out this operation.

In addition, for example, as described in the above-described embodiments, structure is constituted at least and can handle the interruption source of following type.For example, if mistake occurs, then carry out above-mentioned control by control module 108 at reader unit 103 places that are set to print system 100.In addition, for example, if the thin slice relevant mistake required with the printing of operation to be processed then carried out above-mentioned control by control module 108.In addition, as mentioned above, these various structures are the configurations that are used for further increasing user's advantage, and it is not indispensable therefore having all components.

Constitute in this structure each and make that the performance that can be arranged so that the advantage that can make present embodiment with above-mentioned print system is the most desirable.As its example, can handle the traditional problem that exists.In addition, can handle neatly owing to interruption source having occurred and interrupt current operation, and carry out the situation of the printing of another operation outside the interrupted operation.Particularly, the operator can select to remove the method for the processing that has continued to interrupt the operation of printing after the interruption source again.Therefore, can improve work production rate in the print system according to environment and operator's intention.In other words, can provide the digital printing system flexibly that is not only applicable to working environment and is applicable to the POD environment.Therefore, can constitute towards the environment of the printing environment of the POD environment that for example can receive a large amount of operations.In other words, can handle for example environment of POD environment, even, also can improve the overall production of handled a plurality of operations wherein owing to the processing that interruption source has stopped operation that handling occurring.In addition, even in this environment, also can form to simplify and use the structure that can not make the operation deterioration of having interrupted printing.In addition, can be in the processing of the operation of paying attention to as far as possible having continued again to interrupt under the state of user to the intention of the operation having interrupted printing printing.

For example can make it possible to provide the print system of the traditional problem that can handle appearance with the illustrated structure of present embodiment.The print system of the production that can help to realize the digital printing system that faces the future especially, can be provided.In addition, especially, can provide and consider for example print system of the printing environment of POD environment, it is important wherein as far as possible high-level efficiency, high productivity printing operation.In addition, especially, the print system of the globality of considering a plurality of operations to be processed can be provided, even wherein the intercourse in operation to be processed has begun under the treatment state of another operation, also can be in the intention of paying attention to environment for use and operator, high-level efficiency, carry out a plurality of operations to high productivity.In addition, can provide and to handle the restore funcitons that enough is used for dealing with working environment and can also handle the operating position that occurs at the printing environment that is difficult to realize restore funcitons and the print system of user's request based on POD.

In addition, can provide printing device, computer-readable program and the storage medium that can present same advantage.Can form use printing environment simply and flexibly with these various advantages.

Though describe the present invention, should be appreciated that to the invention is not restricted to disclosed exemplary embodiments with reference to exemplary embodiments.The scope of claims meets the wideest explanation, to cover whole distortion, equivalent structure and function.

Claims

1. the job processing method of a print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be printed and interrupt printing the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

Described job processing method comprises the steps:

2. the job processing method of a print system, described print system is the print system that comprises following printing device, and described printing device can be carried out and interrupt printing the printing of the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred;

3. according to each described job processing method in the claim 1～2, it is characterized in that, also comprise the steps:

Making can be by being included in the user interface in the described printing device, perhaps is included in to accept described user's request with the user interface that described printing device is carried out in the external unit of data communication.

4. according to each described job processing method in the claim 1～2, it is characterized in that, also comprise the steps:

Under the situation of making the user request that stops printing as described interruption source user by described user interface, stop to carry out the printing of the operation of printing.

5. printing device can be printed and interrupted printing the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred, and described printing device comprises:

User interface section is used to import user's request;

6. printing device can be carried out and interrupted printing the printing of the second different operation of first operation that is in interruption status owing to interruption source having occurred, and described printing device comprises:

User interface section is used to import user's request;

Controller, be used under the situation of described first user request of having made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, the printing of described second operation is finished after and before the printing that begins described the 3rd operation, continue the printing of described first operation again; Be used under the situation of described second user request of having made described a plurality of user's requests by described user interface section, before the printing of described second operation is finished, continuing the printing of described first operation again; And be used under the situation of described the 3rd user request of having made described a plurality of user request by described user interface section, after the printing of described second operation is finished and after the printing of described the 3rd operation that begins from described printing waiting state is finished, continue the printing of described first operation again.

7. according to each described printing device in the claim 5～6, it is characterized in that, described printing device makes can be by being included in the user interface section in the described printing device, perhaps is included in to accept described user's request with the user interface section that described printing device is carried out in the external unit of data communication.

8. according to each described printing device in the claim 5～6, it is characterized in that, described printing device comprises print unit, described print unit is used to print the print data that comprises from the operation of original reading unit, perhaps comprise print data from the operation of computing machine, described computing machine can carry out data communication by storage unit and described printing device, and described storage unit can be preserved the print data of a plurality of operations.

9. according to each described printing device in the claim 5～6, it is characterized in that, under the situation of making the user's request that stops printing as described interruption source user by described user interface section, the printing that described print system stops operation.