JP4060233B2 - Task control for print processing - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for generating printed matter output data representing a printed matter image and visually outputting the printed matter image on an image recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Along with the progress of computer technology, digitization using a computer has become widespread in the plate making process for commercial printing. In the digitized plate making process, first, a print data processing device performs data processing on document data (for example, PDF data and PostScript data, PostScript is a trademark of Adobe), and generates printed matter output data. Then, this printed matter output data is transferred to an output device (film recorder or printing plate making machine (CTP)), and a printed matter image such as a screen film or a printing plate is visually output on an image recording medium. Alternatively, a printing machine that directly prints a printed material from printed material output data can be used as the output device.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The print data processing apparatus can often execute a plurality of data processing processes in parallel. On the other hand, the output machine can usually only output one printed image. Since the output machine is more expensive than the print data processing apparatus, it is preferable to execute the task so that the output machine is operated as efficiently as possible. Here, “task” means one unit of work in the print data processing apparatus, and includes at least a data processing process for creating printed output data in the print data processing apparatus, and is generated in the data processing process. This means a unit of work that can further include an output process for transferring the printed output data to the output machine. However, conventionally, in such a print data processing apparatus, a technique for efficiently determining the task execution order has not been known.
[0004]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a technique for efficiently determining an execution order of tasks in a print data processing apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to achieve at least a part of the above object, a print data processing apparatus according to the present invention generates data for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium. A print data processing apparatus that performs a processing process,
A data processing execution unit capable of executing a plurality of data processing processes in parallel;
With respect to a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data generated by the data processing process to the output machine, the contents of the processes included in each task and the priority of each task; Task information registration unit that can register task information including multiple tasks,
An execution task determination unit that determines a task to start the data processing process next based on the task information registered in the task information registration unit when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
With
The execution task determination unit includes a first priority task having the highest priority among a plurality of tasks registered in the task information registration unit and waiting to be executed, and includes the output process. When a non-output task that does not include the output process exists in a task having a lower priority than the task, the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task Even if it is predicted that no waiting time will occur when starting the output process of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started in preference to the first priority task. It is characterized by making it.
[0006]
According to this print data processing apparatus, the task for starting the data processing process is selected so that the waiting time does not occur as much as possible when starting the output process of the first priority task. The order can be determined.
[0007]
The execution task determination unit
(I) By predicting the start time of the output process of the first priority task from the predicted output time of the output process being executed, and subtracting the predicted processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task from the start time , Predicting a scheduled start time as a time at which the data processing process of the first priority task should be started in order to avoid a waiting time when starting the output process of the first priority task;
(Ii) predicting the scheduled end time of the non-output task when it is assumed that the non-output task is started immediately after completion of the data processing process being executed;
(Iii) When the scheduled end time of the non-output task is earlier than the scheduled start time of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started in preference to the first priority task. You may do it.
[0008]
According to this configuration, it can be realized with considerable accuracy that no waiting time is generated when the output process of the first priority task is started.
[0009]
In addition, the execution task determination unit
When the first priority task includes an output process, the start of the data processing process of the first priority task may be waited until the scheduled start time of the first priority task.
[0010]
According to this configuration, another task may be executed while waiting for the start of the first priority task, and in this case, the other task can be executed earlier.
[0011]
The execution task determination unit
(I) at the end of the data processing process being executed, the number of tasks that are executing the output process, and the number of tasks that have not yet executed the output process after the execution of the data processing process Calculate the total number of output task reservations,
(Ii) If the number of reserved output tasks is less than a predetermined upper limit value, start the data processing process of the first priority task;
(Iii) When the number of reserved output tasks has reached a predetermined upper limit, the data processing process of the non-output task may be started.
[0012]
According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent a waiting time as much as possible when starting the output process of the first priority task by a relatively simple process.
[0013]
The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, a print data processing apparatus, a control method and control apparatus thereof, a computer program for realizing the functions of the method or apparatus, and the computer program Can be realized in the form of a recording medium or the like on which is recorded.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Device configuration:
B. First embodiment:
C. Second embodiment:
[0015]
A. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a plate making system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plate making system includes a print data processing apparatus 100 that creates printed matter output data based on document data, and an output device 200. The print data processing apparatus 100 includes a keyboard 110 as an input device, a monitor 120 as a display device, a data processing unit 130, and a hard disk device 140. The output device 200 visually outputs a printed material image on the image recording medium in accordance with the printed material output data created by the print data processing apparatus 100. As the output machine 200, a proof output machine that prints a proof, a film output machine that creates a mesh film, a plate output machine that prints a printing plate, a printing machine that directly prints a printed matter, and the like can be used. The plate output machine is also called a CTP (Computer To Plate) apparatus.
[0016]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the data processing unit 130. The job reception unit 302 receives a job including document data (PDF data or PostScript data) and stores it in the hard disk device 140 (FIG. 1). Note that “job” means a group of work including one or more tasks. Also, as described above, one task includes at least a data processing process and an output process. However, one task can be handled as one job. The job content analysis unit 304 analyzes the content of the received job and divides it into a plurality of tasks as necessary. The job content analysis unit 304 further associates each task and associates each task with a processing resource (described later), and transmits the task content to the task management unit 306.
[0017]
The task management unit 306 registers task information indicating the content of the designated task in the task information registration unit 310. The task information of each task includes the contents of the processes included in each task (the contents of the data processing process and the output process) and the priority of each task. The contents of the data processing process in the task information include, for example, the size of the processing target image and the data processing contents (which one of automatic plate making processing and RIP development processing described later is included). The contents of the output process include, for example, the size of the image recording medium and the number of plates (four in the case of CMYK). Note that the priorities of a plurality of tasks stored in the task information registration unit 310 are registered in the priority order table 312. Note that the priority of each task is normally assigned in the order received by the job receiving unit 302.
[0018]
Based on the task information registered in the task information registration unit 310, the execution task determination unit 320 determines a task for executing a data processing process in the data processing execution units 330 and 340. In order to make this determination, the execution task determination unit 320 includes a processing time calculation unit 322 and a time prediction unit 324. The processing content of the execution task determination unit 320 will be described later.
[0019]
The data processing execution units 330 and 340 are processing units for executing data processing processes. In this embodiment, two data processing processes can be executed in parallel by these data processing execution units 330 and 340. The number M of data processing processes that can be executed simultaneously in parallel (M is an integer of 2 or more) is determined according to the number of CPUs provided in the data processing unit 130, the memory capacity, and the like.
[0020]
The printed matter output data generated by the data processing execution units 330 and 340 is transferred from the processing result output unit 350 to the output device 200 or transferred to the hard disk device 140 as a data storage unit. The output destination of the printed product output data is designated in advance when each task is input. When the output device 200 has a large buffer, the output process (data transfer) by the processing result output unit 350 ends before the output (image recording operation) by the output device 200 ends. On the other hand, when the output device 200 has only a small buffer, the output process by the processing result output unit 350 ends almost simultaneously with the end of the output (image recording operation) by the output device 200. As can be understood from this description, the “output process” by the processing result output unit 350 is completed when the data transfer from the processing result output unit 350 to the output device 200 (or the hard disk device 140) is completed. The “output process” is also referred to as a “data transfer process”.
[0021]
Note that the function of each unit in the data processing unit 130 is realized by a computer program stored in the hard disk device 140.
[0022]
FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the data processing execution unit 330. The data processing execution unit 330 includes a preflight processing unit 332, an automatic plate making processing unit 334, and a RIP development processing unit 336. The function of each part is as follows.
[0023]
(1) Preflight processing unit 332:
This is so-called preprocessing, which is processing for analyzing whether or not the processing of the plate making can be executed without any problem by analyzing the contents of the document data. For example, from the description of a PDF file or PostScript file, (1) the existence of an object file linked in the document, (2) the presence or absence of non-standard font data in the document, etc. are confirmed. The If there is missing data or files, the user is requested to add data or specify specifications.
[0024]
(2) Automatic plate making processing unit 334:
Plate making processes such as so-called SumiNose, white border, and trapping are performed.
[0025]
(3) RIP deployment processing unit 336:
So-called raster image processing is performed to create raster data (printed product output data) representing a printed product image separated into ink colors in accordance with the output resolution.
[0026]
The second data processing execution unit 340 also has the same configuration as the first data processing execution unit 330. In this specification, the individual processing units 332, 334, and 336 in FIG. 3 are referred to as “processing resources”. Further, output to the output machine 200 by the processing result output unit 350 is also one processing resource. In this specification, the “processing resource” is a process that requires a substantial processing time, and means a part that executes a process to be considered when determining the task execution order.
[0027]
Note that it is not necessary for all the data processing execution units in the data processing unit 130 to include the same processing unit. For example, a data processing execution unit that does not include the RIP expansion processing unit 336 may be used. However, in this specification, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that all the data processing execution units 330 and 340 include the same processing units 332, 334, and 336, and there are three data processing processes for each task. It is assumed that all the processes by the processing units 332, 334, and 336 are included.
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a job is received. When the job reception unit 302 receives a job in step T1, the job content analysis unit 304 analyzes the job content and divides it into tasks in step T2, and registers the task in the task information registration unit 310. In step T3, the task management unit 306 determines whether there is a task that can be executed immediately. The determination in step T3 is performed for all tasks registered in the task information registration unit 310. Here, “task that can be executed immediately” means a task in which a processing resource used in the task is in a waiting state (that is, a task in which the processing resource is empty). For example, when there is a task that includes only the data processing process but does not include the output process at the stage where the data processing processes of all tasks are completed, the task corresponds to a “task that can be executed immediately”. In step T4, the task management unit 306 determines the task execution order according to the priority order table 312 in the task information registration unit 310, and executes the tasks in accordance with the execution order in step T5.
[0029]
When the task or process being executed ends, the execution task determination unit 320 selects a task or process to be executed next. This selection procedure will be described in the following first and second embodiments.
[0030]
B. First embodiment:
Before describing the processing procedure of the embodiment of the present invention, a processing example in the comparative example will be described with reference to FIG. Also in this comparative example, it is assumed that two data processing execution units 330 and 340 (FIG. 2) can execute two data processing processes in parallel. Before time t1 in FIG. 5, data processing processes (indicated by solid lines with arrows at both ends) of two tasks TSK (1) and TSK (2) are executed. Further, there are three execution waiting tasks TSK (3) to TSK (5), and priorities 1 to 3 are sequentially assigned to these execution waiting tasks TSK (3) to TSK (5). The first three tasks TSK (1), TSK (2), and TSK (3) have an output process (indicated by broken lines with arrows at both ends). On the other hand, the two waiting tasks TSK (4) and TSK (5) have only a data processing process, and do not have an output process.
[0031]
In the comparative example of FIG. 5, when the data processing process of the task TSK (1) being executed ends at the time t1, the data processing process of the execution waiting task TSK (3) having the highest priority is started. Similarly, the data processing process of the waiting task TSK (4) is started at time t2, and the data processing process of the waiting task TSK (5) is started at time t3. In this way, the tasks are started in order of priority, and the tasks are started sequentially so that two data processing processes are executed simultaneously. In the system shown in FIG. 1, since there is only one output machine 200, only one output process can be executed simultaneously. Therefore, for the output process, after the output process of one task is completed, the output process of the next task is executed.
[0032]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the execution task determination procedure in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing execution task determination and execution results in the first embodiment. In step S1 of FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the data processing process of the task being executed has been completed, and when it is completed, the processing from step S2 is executed.
[0033]
In step S2, it is determined whether or not the first priority task is an output task. Here, the “first priority task” means a task having the highest priority among the tasks waiting for execution, and the “output task” means a task including an output process. FIG. 7A shows the processing contents executed in the procedure of FIG. 6 at time t1. The processing contents of the plate making process (that is, the time required for each process) in the five tasks TSK (1) to TSK (5) in FIG. 7A are the same as those in the comparative example shown in FIG. The first priority task TSK (3) at time t1 is an output task (task including an output process). If the first priority task is a non-output task (a task that does not include an output process), the process proceeds from step S2 to step S8, and the data processing process of the first priority task is executed. This is because when the first priority task is a non-output task, the first priority task having the highest priority among the tasks waiting to be executed can be completed early by executing the data processing process immediately. .
[0034]
On the other hand, if the first priority task is an output task, it is determined in step S3 whether or not there is a non-output task among the execution waiting tasks after the second priority task. Here, the “second priority task” means a task having the second priority among the execution waiting tasks. If there is no non-output task after the second priority task, the first priority task that is the output task is executed as it is in step S8. On the other hand, if there is a non-output task after the second priority task, the scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task is predicted in step S4.
[0035]
The scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task TSK (3) is predicted as follows (see FIG. 7A). First, the processing time calculation unit 322 (FIG. 2) predicts the processing time (predicted output time) of the output process of the running tasks TSK (1) and TSK (2). This prediction is executed based on the task information of each task registered in the task information registration unit 310. The processing time calculation unit 322 further predicts the processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3). The time predicting unit 324 adds the predicted output times of the output processes of the two executing tasks TSK (1) and TSK (2) to obtain the start time tp0 of the output process of the first priority task TSK (3). Predict. This prediction is based on the fact that there is only one output machine 200 (FIG. 1) in the system of this embodiment, and the output process of each task is sequentially executed one by one so that the waiting time of the output machine 200 does not substantially occur. It is assumed that it will be. Here, “the waiting time of the output device 200 does not substantially occur” means that there is no time waiting for data transfer while the output device 200 is operable. Normally, it often takes time to replace the image recording medium (photosensitive material, etc.) of the output device 200, but such time is not included in the “waiting time of the output device 200”. The time prediction unit 324 further subtracts the prediction processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3) from the prediction start time tp0 of the output process of the first priority task TSK (3), The scheduled start time tp1 of the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3) is calculated.
[0036]
In step S5 of FIG. 6, the scheduled end time tp2 of the non-output task having the highest priority after the second priority is predicted. In the example of FIG. 7A, the non-output task with the highest priority is the second waiting task TSK (4). The scheduled end time tp2 of the non-output task TSK (4) is determined from the predicted value of the processing time calculated by the processing time calculation unit 322.
[0037]
When there are a plurality of non-output tasks as tasks waiting to be executed, the scheduled end time is predicted for each of the non-output tasks in step S5. In the example of FIG. 7A, the expected end time is also predicted for the third execution waiting task TSK (5).
[0038]
In step S6, the scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task is compared with the scheduled end time tp2 of the non-output task tp2, and the scheduled end time tp2 of the non-output task tp2 is compared to the scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task. If it is earlier, the non-output task is selected and executed (step S7). In the example of FIG. 7A, the non-output task TSK (4) scheduled end time tp2 is earlier than the first priority task TSK (3) scheduled start time tp1, so this non-output at time t1. The task TSK (4) is selected and executed (FIG. 7B). When there are a plurality of non-output tasks that satisfy the condition of step S6, the task with the highest priority is executed. The reason for doing this is that the processing can proceed as efficiently as possible while keeping the priority order as much as possible.
[0039]
Since the scheduled end time of the non-output task TSK (5) is later than the scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task TSK (3), the non-output task TSK (5) does not satisfy the condition of step S6. Therefore, even if the priorities of the two non-output tasks TSK (4) and TSK (5) in FIG. 7 (A) are opposite to those in FIG. 7 (A), the non-output task TSK (4) Is executed preferentially.
[0040]
In step S6, when there is no non-output task whose scheduled end time is earlier than the scheduled start time tp1 of the first priority task, the data processing process of the first priority task is executed (step S8).
[0041]
FIG. 7B shows the execution order determined by the processing procedure of the first embodiment. When the data processing process of the first task TSK (1) is completed at time t1, the non-output task TSK (4) waiting for execution is selected and the data processing process is started. When the data processing process of the second task TSK (2) is completed at time t2, the non-output task TSK (5) waiting for execution at that time is selected according to the procedure shown in FIG. The process is started. Note that the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3) at time t1 is started from the scheduled start time tp1. In other words, the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3) waits until its scheduled start time tp1. If the data processing process of the output task is made to wait until its scheduled start time tp1, if a task that can be executed immediately in the procedure shown in FIG. 4 is received during that time, the task is executed earlier. There is an advantage that can be.
[0042]
FIG. 8 shows a comparison between the above-described comparative example and the results of the first embodiment. FIG. 8A is the same as FIG. 5, and FIG. 8B is the same as FIG. 7B. As can be seen from this figure, in the first embodiment, the end time of the fourth task TSK (4) is advanced by time d1, and the end time of the fifth task TSK (5) is advanced by time d2. It has become. Further, the output process is sequentially executed so that no waiting time is substantially generated in the output device 200. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the data processing process can be executed more efficiently than the comparative example without reducing the efficiency of the output device 200. In addition, there is an advantage that a task without an output process can be efficiently processed in a shorter time.
[0043]
C. Second embodiment:
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the execution task determination procedure in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing execution task determination and execution results in the comparative example and the second embodiment. In step S11 of FIG. 9, it is determined whether or not any process (data processing process or output process) of the task being executed has been completed. When the process is completed, the processes in and after step S12 are executed.
[0044]
In step S12, it is determined whether or not the reserved number N of output tasks has reached a predetermined upper limit value Nmax. Here, the “number N of output task reservations” is the sum of the number of tasks that are executing the output process and the number of tasks that are after the start of the data processing process and before the start of the output process. In other words, the output task reservation number N is the number of tasks after the start of the data processing process and before the completion of the output process. For example, the reserved number N of output tasks is 2 at time t1 shown in FIG.
[0045]
The “upper limit value Nmax of the number of reserved output tasks” can be set as appropriate. In this embodiment, it is assumed that Nmax = 2 is set. The meaning of “the upper limit value Nmax of the number of reserved output tasks” will be described later.
[0046]
If the reserved number N of output tasks has not reached the upper limit value Nmax, the first priority task TSK (3) is executed as it is (step S16). On the other hand, if the reserved number N of output tasks has reached the upper limit value Nmax, it is determined in step S13 whether or not there is a non-output task among the execution waiting tasks, and if there is no non-output task, step S11. Return to. This is because when execution of an output task (task accompanied by an output process) is started, there is a high possibility that a certain amount of waiting is required when starting the output process of the task. In this case, since many tasks waiting for output are accumulated, there is a possibility that the overall processing efficiency is lowered. In the example of FIG. 10B, N = Nmax = 2 at time t1, and there are execution waiting tasks TSK (4) and TSK (5) which are non-output tasks, so step S14 is executed. . In step S14, it is determined whether or not there is a free processing resource for executing the data processing process of the non-output task. If there is no available processing resource, the process returns to step S11. If there is a free resource, the non-output task is executed in step S15.
[0047]
The procedure shown in FIG. 9 is executed every time the data processing process or the output process ends. In the example of FIG. 10B, since N = Nmax = 2 at the time t1 when the data processing process of the first task TSK (1) ends, the fourth task TSK (4) that is a non-output task waiting for execution. Is started. Further, since N = Nmax = 2 even at time t2 when the data processing process of the second task TSK (2) ends, the fifth task TSK (5), which is a non-output task waiting for execution, is started. At time t4 when the output process of the first task TSK (1) ends, the output task reservation number N decreases to 1, and the first priority task TSK (3) at that time is started.
[0048]
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, the end time of the fourth task TSK (4) is also advanced by time d1 in the second embodiment, and the fifth task The end time of TSK (5) is advanced by time d2. Further, the output process is sequentially executed so that no waiting time is substantially generated in the output device 200. Therefore, also in the second embodiment, the data processing process can be executed more efficiently than in the comparative example without reducing the efficiency of the output device 200. In addition, a large number of tasks that do not involve an output process can be processed in a shorter time.
[0049]
The “upper limit value Nmax of the number of reserved output tasks” used in step S12 in FIG. 9 is set as follows. In other words, “the upper limit value Nmax of the number of reserved output tasks” executes the data processing process of the non-output task TSK (4) having a lower priority in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3). In such a case, the number is set to a number that is expected not to generate a waiting time when the output process of the first priority task TSK (3) is started (the number that is predicted as such). In the second embodiment, it is possible to execute the data processing process earlier while preventing a waiting time from occurring in the output device 200 by such relatively simple processing.
[0050]
Considering the first and second embodiments described above, it can be considered that the execution task determination unit 320 determines an execution task as follows.
(1) The first priority task TSK (3) having the highest priority among the plurality of tasks TSK (3) to (5) waiting for execution includes the output process, and the first priority task TSK ( It is determined whether or not a condition that a non-output task that does not include an output process exists in tasks TSK (4) and TSK (5) having a lower priority than 3) is satisfied.
(2) When the above condition is satisfied, even if the data processing process of the non-output task TSK (4) is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task TSK (3), the first priority task It is determined whether or not a waiting time is expected to occur when the TSK (3) output process is started.
(3) When the above prediction is established, the data processing process of the non-output task TSK (4) is started in preference to the first priority task TSK (3).
[0051]
As actual judgment criteria for making such a judgment, it is possible to use the scheduled start time and scheduled end time of the process used in the first embodiment, and the output task used in the second embodiment. The number of reservations N can also be used. However, various determination criteria other than the criteria used in the first and second embodiments can be applied.
[0052]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0053]
In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that there is only one output machine 200, but a plurality of output machines may be used. When a plurality of output machines can be used, a plurality of output processes can be executed simultaneously. In this case, in the first embodiment, it is possible to predict the times tp1 and tp2 (FIG. 7A) for each output machine, and to determine the execution task according to this. In the second embodiment, an upper limit value Nmax of the number of reserved output tasks is set for each output device, and the processing procedure of FIG. 9 can be executed using this.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a plate making system that is an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a data processing unit 130. FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a data processing execution unit 330. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a job is accepted according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing example of a comparative example.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an execution task in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing execution task determination and execution results in the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the results of a comparative example and a first example.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining an execution task in the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing execution task determination and execution results in the second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
100: Print data processing apparatus
110 ... Keyboard
120 ... Monitor
130: Data processing unit
140. Hard disk device
200 ... Output machine
302: Job reception unit
304: Job content analysis unit
306 ... Task management section
310 ... Task information registration part
312: Priority table
320 ... execution task determination unit
322 ... Processing time calculation unit
324 ... Time prediction unit
330, 340 ... Data processing execution unit
332 ... Preflight processing section
334 ... Automatic plate making section
340 ... RIP development processing unit
350: Processing result output unit

Claims (7)

A print data processing apparatus that performs a data processing process for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium,
A data processing execution unit capable of executing a plurality of data processing processes in parallel;
With respect to a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data generated by the data processing process to the output machine, the contents of the processes included in each task and the priority of each task; Task information registration unit that can register task information including multiple tasks,
An execution task determination unit that determines a task to start the data processing process next based on the task information registered in the task information registration unit when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
With
The execution task determination unit includes a first priority task having the highest priority among a plurality of tasks registered in the task information registration unit and waiting to be executed, and includes the output process. When a non-output task that does not include the output process exists in a task having a lower priority than the task, the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task Even if it is predicted that no waiting time will occur when starting the output process of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started in preference to the first priority task. then,
The execution task determination unit
(I) Predicting the start time of the output process of the first priority task from the predicted output time of the output process being executed, and subtracting the predicted processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task from the start time By doing so, a scheduled start time as a time at which the data processing process of the first priority task is to be started is predicted in order to avoid a waiting time when starting the output process of the first priority task. And
(Ii) predicting the scheduled end time of the non-output task when it is assumed that the non-output task is started immediately after completion of the data processing process being executed;
(Iii) When the scheduled end time of the non-output task is earlier than the scheduled start time of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started in preference to the first priority task. , Print data processing device. The print data processing apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The execution task determination unit
When the first priority task includes an output process, the print data processing device causes the start of the data processing process of the first priority task to wait until the scheduled start time of the first priority task. A print data processing apparatus that performs a data processing process for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium,
A data processing execution unit capable of executing a plurality of data processing processes in parallel;
With respect to a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data generated by the data processing process to the output machine, the contents of the processes included in each task and the priority of each task; Task information registration unit that can register task information including multiple tasks,
An execution task determination unit that determines a task to start the data processing process next based on the task information registered in the task information registration unit when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
With
The execution task determination unit comprises a highest priority first priority task is the output process among a plurality of tasks are registered are awaiting execution in the task information registration unit, and the first priority When a non-output task that does not include the output process exists in a task having a lower priority than the task, the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task Even if it is predicted that no waiting time will occur when starting the output process of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started in preference to the first priority task. Let
The execution task determination unit
(I) at the end of the data processing process being executed, the number of tasks that are executing the output process, and the number of tasks that have not yet executed the output process after the execution of the data processing process Calculate the total number of output task reservations,
(Ii) If the number of reserved output tasks is less than a predetermined upper limit value, start the data processing process of the first priority task;
(Iii) A print data processing apparatus that starts a data processing process of the non-output task when the reserved number of output tasks has reached a predetermined upper limit. A control method of a print data processing apparatus capable of executing in parallel a plurality of data processing processes for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium,
(A) Concerning a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data obtained by the data processing process to the output machine, the contents of the process included in each task; Registering a plurality of tasks in memory with task information including the priority of each task;
(B) determining a task to start the data processing process next based on task information registered in the memory when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
With
The step (c)
Among the plurality of tasks registered in the memory and waiting to be executed, the first priority task having the highest priority includes the output process, and the task has a lower priority than the first priority task. When there is a non-output task that does not include the output process, even if the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task, If no waiting time occurs when starting the output process, start the data processing process of the non-output task in preference to the first priority task ;
The step (c)
(I) Predicting the start time of the output process of the first priority task from the predicted output time of the output process being executed, and subtracting the predicted processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task from the start time By doing so, a scheduled start time as a time at which the data processing process of the first priority task is to be started is predicted in order to avoid a waiting time when starting the output process of the first priority task. And
(Ii) predicting the scheduled end time of the non-output task when it is assumed that the non-output task is started immediately after completion of the data processing process being executed;
(Iii) When the scheduled end time of the non-output task is earlier than the scheduled start time of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started prior to the first priority task. , control method. A control method of a print data processing apparatus capable of executing in parallel a plurality of data processing processes for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium,
(A) Concerning a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data obtained by the data processing process to the output machine, the contents of the process included in each task; Registering a plurality of tasks in memory with task information including the priority of each task;
(B) determining a task to start the data processing process next based on task information registered in the memory when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
With
The step (c)
Among the plurality of tasks registered in the memory and waiting to be executed, the first priority task having the highest priority includes the output process, and the task has a lower priority than the first priority task. When there is a non-output task that does not include the output process, even if the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task, If no waiting time occurs when starting the output process, start the data processing process of the non-output task in preference to the first priority task ;
The step (c)
(I) at the end of the data processing process being executed, the number of tasks that are executing the output process, and the number of tasks that have not yet executed the output process after the execution of the data processing process Calculate the total number of output task reservations,
(Ii) If the number of reserved output tasks is less than a predetermined upper limit value, start the data processing process of the first priority task;
(Iii) A control method of starting a data processing process of the non-output task when the number of reserved output tasks has reached a predetermined upper limit value . A task execution order is determined in a print data processing apparatus capable of executing in parallel a plurality of data processing processes for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium. A computer program for
Regarding a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data obtained by the data processing process to the output device, the contents of the processes included in each task and the Task information registration function for registering multiple tasks in memory with task information including priority, and
A task determination function for determining a task to start the data processing process next based on the task information registered in the memory when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
Including a program that causes a computer to
In the task determination function, a first priority task having the highest priority among a plurality of tasks registered in the memory and waiting to be executed includes the output process, and has priority over the first priority task. When there is a non-output task that does not include the output process among the low-level tasks, even if the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task, If the latency when starting the output process of the first priority task does not occur, you see contains a function to start the data processing process preferentially the non-output task to the first priority task,
The task determination function is
(I) Predicting the start time of the output process of the first priority task from the predicted output time of the output process being executed, and subtracting the predicted processing time of the data processing process of the first priority task from the start time By doing so, a scheduled start time as a time at which the data processing process of the first priority task is to be started is predicted in order to avoid a waiting time when starting the output process of the first priority task. And
(Ii) predicting the scheduled end time of the non-output task when it is assumed that the non-output task is started immediately after completion of the data processing process being executed;
(Iii) When the scheduled end time of the non-output task is earlier than the scheduled start time of the first priority task, the data processing process of the non-output task is started prior to the first priority task. ,
A computer program that includes functions . A task execution order is determined in a print data processing apparatus capable of executing in parallel a plurality of data processing processes for generating print output data to be supplied to an output device for visually outputting a print image on an image recording medium. A computer program for
Regarding a task that includes at least the data processing process and can further include an output process for transferring print output data obtained by the data processing process to the output device, the contents of the processes included in each task and the Task information registration function for registering multiple tasks in memory with task information including priority, and
A task determination function for determining a task to start the data processing process next based on the task information registered in the memory when the data processing process being executed is terminated;
Including a program that causes a computer to
In the task determination function, a first priority task having the highest priority among a plurality of tasks registered in the memory and waiting to be executed includes the output process, and has priority over the first priority task. When there is a non-output task that does not include the output process among the low-level tasks, even if the data processing process of the non-output task is executed in preference to the data processing process of the first priority task, If the latency when starting the output process of the first priority task does not occur, you see contains a function to start the data processing process preferentially the non-output task to the first priority task,
The task determination function is
(I) at the end of the data processing process being executed, the number of tasks that are executing the output process, and the number of tasks that have not yet executed the output process after the execution of the data processing process Calculate the total number of output task reservations,
(Ii) If the number of reserved output tasks is less than a predetermined upper limit value, start the data processing process of the first priority task;
(Iii) If the number of reserved output tasks has reached a predetermined upper limit, start the data processing process of the non-output task;
A computer program that includes functions .

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