JP6033244B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of parallel processing of a plurality of jobs registered in an image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, for example, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) which is a composite peripheral device equipped with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a FAX function, and a scan function is known.

  In such an MFP, a dedicated memory is usually installed for each function, and job image processing corresponding to each function is performed using the dedicated memory. In addition, when executing image processing of a job, if the input / output unit (scanner unit, printer unit, etc.) does not compete, it can be performed in parallel, so that efficient processing can be performed.

  However, when a dedicated memory is installed for each function, each job can be processed in parallel, but there is a problem that the total memory capacity becomes large.

  In order to solve such problems, in Patent Document 1, when a job is started, a guarantee area for each job is secured in the memory to guarantee parallel processing, and if there is a space other than the secured guarantee area, An image processing apparatus has been proposed in which processing efficiency is improved by using the free area.

JP2009-200673

  In Patent Document 1 described above, a guaranteed area for each job is secured, and if there is a free area other than the secured guaranteed area, the free area is also used, so guaranteeing parallel processing of jobs and improving processing efficiency. Can be planned. The guaranteed area here is an area in which the use of the processing area for only the previously secured job is guaranteed.

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to ensure a new security area necessary for job execution in the memory for image processing at the time of job registration. For this reason, when a new job is registered in a state where there is no free space in the memory, it is not possible to secure a security area necessary for executing the new job, and waiting for a security area for a new job occurs. .

  Such a state will be described with reference to FIG. First, as shown in FIG. 5A, when job a is registered in a state where the entire memory 80 is an empty area (initial state), a security area necessary for execution of job a is secured. The size of the security area is arbitrary, but for example, a capacity required for image processing for one image is secured. When the guaranteed area for job a is secured, execution of job a is started as shown in FIG.

  At this time, if there is a free space of a predetermined capacity on the memory 80, the processing area of job a is expanded (extended area) as shown in FIG. Such expansion of the processing area is set so as to be performed only in the initial state, and the processing efficiency of the image of job a is enhanced by the expansion. That is, by extending the processing area, for example, it is possible to perform processing such that image processing of the next document can be performed during output of one document.

  Here, it is assumed that job b is registered in a state where execution of job a is started as shown in FIG. In this case, since there is no free area in the memory 80, the process waits for securing the guaranteed area for job b, but when execution of a part of job a ends, an expanded processing area (extended area) corresponding to the capacity of that part. Are released to free space. Then, the released free area is secured as a guaranteed area for job b. The securing of the security area for job b is sequentially performed as a free area is released when the execution of job a is completed ((e) in the figure). Note that when the securement of the security area for job b is completed, execution of job b is started.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5F, when jobs a and b are in an execution state, if job c is registered, there is no free area in memory 80 due to occupation of the security area by jobs a and b. The job c is waiting to be secured. In this case, after all the execution of the job a or b is completed and the guaranteed area of the job a or b is released, the guaranteed area of the job c is secured and the execution of the job c is started.

  As described above, when there is no free space in the memory 80 due to occupation of the security area by the jobs a and b, when a new job c is registered, the job c is guaranteed until the security area of the job a or b is released. There is a problem in that waiting for securing an area hinders further improvement in processing efficiency of image processing in parallel processing of jobs.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of further improving the processing efficiency of image processing in parallel processing of jobs. To do.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of registering a plurality of jobs and capable of executing each of the registered jobs in parallel using a storage unit. When there is a free area of a capacity necessary for image processing of the job, a secure area securing means for securing the free area as a secured area for the job, and execution of a part of the job in which the secured area is secured Upon completion, a new job is registered when there is no free area for a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the storage unit, and an area release means for releasing an area having a capacity corresponding to a part thereof to a free area. An area management unit that reserves a free area released in the guaranteed area reserved for the same type of job as the new job as a processing area for the new job. And wherein the door.
In addition, a device determination unit that determines a device that is the execution request source of the job, and the area management unit is an execution request of the same type as the device that is the new job execution request source determined by the device determination unit The processing area for the new job is secured within the guaranteed area that is already secured for the job of the original device.
In addition, an execution request content determination unit that determines the execution request content of the job, and the area management unit has an execution request content of the same type as the execution request content of the new job determined by the execution request content determination unit. The processing area for the new job is secured within the security area already secured for the job.
The image forming method of the present invention is an image processing method in which image processing by each of a plurality of registered jobs can be executed in parallel using a storage unit, and the job is stored in the storage unit. If there is a free area of a capacity necessary for image processing, a step of securing the free area as a guaranteed area for the job, and a part of the job when the guaranteed area is secured, And when a new job is registered when there is no free area of a predetermined capacity necessary for image processing in the storage unit, the process of releasing the area corresponding to And securing a released free area in the guaranteed area reserved for the same type of job as a processing area for a new job.
A step of determining a device that is the execution request source of the job, and the job of the device of the same execution request source as that of the determined device that is the execution request source of the new job has already been secured A processing area for the new job is secured in the guaranteed area.
And a step of determining the execution request content of the job, the new request within the security area already reserved for a job having the same execution request content as the determined new job execution request content. A job processing area is secured.
In the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, when execution of a part of a job is completed within the guaranteed area for the job secured by the secured area securing unit, an area having a capacity corresponding to the part is freed by the area releasing unit. When a new job is registered when it is released to an area and there is no free area of a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the storage unit, the area management unit secures it for a job of the same type as the new job. The released free area in the secured area is reserved as a new job processing area.
As a result, when a new job is registered when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the storage unit, the security area already reserved for the same type of job as the new job is released. A new job processing area is secured without waiting.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming method of the present invention, when a new job is registered when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity necessary for image processing in the storage unit, the job is the same type as the new job. On the other hand, the processing area of the new job is secured without waiting for the release of the secured area that has already been secured, so that it is possible to further improve the processing efficiency of image processing in parallel processing of jobs.

3 is a block diagram for explaining a main part related to job processing of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an operation by a main part related to job processing of FIG. 1. It is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement by the main part regarding the job processing of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining operations by main parts related to job processing of a conventional image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that an example of the image forming apparatus in the following description is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that is a composite peripheral device equipped with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a FAX function, and a scan function.

  Further, image processing using any one of these functions is executed as one job. In addition, a plurality of jobs can be registered in this MFP, and when input / output units (scanner unit, printer unit, etc.) that require image processing for each registered job do not compete, in parallel Executed. Moreover, in the following description, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in FIG. 4, and the description in FIG. 4 shall be quoted as needed.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a scanner unit 10, a printer unit 20, a FAX unit 30, an I / F (interface) 40, an operation unit 50, a display unit 60, and a control unit 70. The scanner unit 10 inputs image data of a document read by an image sensor (not shown) to the control unit 70 (memory 80). That is, the scanner unit 10 converts a document image signal from an image sensor (not shown) into digital image data, and sequentially inputs the digital image data to the control unit 70.

  The printer unit 20 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data output from the control unit 70. That is, the printer unit 20 forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum (not shown) by laser light modulated based on image data output from the control unit 70. Then, a toner image is formed by the electrostatic latent image by supplying the toner, and this toner image is transferred to a sheet.

  The FAX unit 30 transmits the image data output from the control unit 70 to the counterpart facsimile via the telephone line, and receives the image data from the counterpart facsimile and inputs the image data to the control unit 70. That is, the FAX unit 30 compresses and modulates the image data output from the control unit 70 while controlling the connection to the telephone line by an NCU (Network Control Unit) (not shown), and transmits the image data to the counterpart facsimile. Further, the FAX unit 30 demodulates and decompresses image data received from the other party facsimile while being connected to the telephone line by the NCU, and inputs it to the control unit 70.

  An I / F (interface) 40 enables connection of the MFP 1 to a LAN (Local Area Network). For example, a PC (Personal Computer) is connected to the LAN, and image data can be transmitted to and received from the PC. Note that the LAN connection here may be wired or wireless.

  The operation unit 50 accepts registration of each job (image processing by the above various functions) from the user. The display unit 60 displays a message for guiding the registration of each job to the user.

  The control unit 70 includes a microprocessor, a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM, etc. (not shown). Further, the control unit 70 controls the operation of the entire MFP 1 based on a predetermined program in the ROM, so that image processing by each job is executed. In particular, the image processing of each job can be executed in parallel using an image processing memory 80 described later of the control unit 70.

  The control unit 70 also includes a job management unit 71, a memory management unit 72, a job execution unit 73, and an image processing memory 80. Here, the job management unit 71, the memory management unit 72, and the job execution unit 73 are configured to operate in parallel. Also, image data is exchanged between the memory 80 and the above-described scanner unit 10, printer unit 20, FAX unit 30, and I / F 40 as follows when various jobs are executed.

  The memory 80 is composed of a semiconductor memory or the like, and temporarily stores image data corresponding to input / output images, intermediate data generated by image expansion in the process of input / output, and the like. ing. Note that the image data may be compressed or expanded, and other signal processing may be performed on the image data.

  Note that in a copy function job, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 to the memory 80, and image data is output from the memory 80 to the printer unit 20. In a print function job, image data is input from the I / F 40 to the memory 80, and image data is output from the memory 80 to the printer unit 20. In the job of the scanner function, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 to the memory 80, and image data is output from the memory 80 to the I / F 40.

  In the job of the fax transmission function, image data is input from the scanner unit 10 (or I / F 40) to the memory 80, and image data is output from the memory 80 to the FAX unit 30. In the fax reception function job, image data is input from the FAX unit 30 to the memory 80, and image data is output from the memory 80 to the printer unit 20.

  The job management unit 71 manages the job execution state. The memory management unit 72 manages a processing area on the memory 80 necessary for job execution. The job execution unit 73 controls the scanner unit 10, the printer unit 20, the FAX unit 30, and the I / F 40 described above, and executes image processing by each job. The job execution unit 73 can execute a plurality of jobs in parallel. The memory management unit 72 includes a guaranteed area securing unit 72a, an area release unit 72b, a device determination unit 72c, and an area management unit 72d.

  The guaranteed area securing unit 72 a secures a guaranteed area on the memory 80 that guarantees the use of image processing for a job. That is, the guaranteed area is an area in which the use of the processing area for only the previously secured job is guaranteed. In other words, it is an area where use of other jobs is prohibited. In addition, the guaranteed area is a processing area for a capacity necessary for image processing for one image, for example. Note that the size of the guaranteed area varies depending on the type of job or image, and is arbitrarily set.

  When the guaranteed area of the job is secured by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a, the job execution unit 73 starts executing the job. Note that the area expansion in the initial state described with reference to FIG. 4A is not an essential requirement in the present invention, but a function for ensuring the area expansion can be mounted.

  When the execution of a part of the job is completed in the guaranteed area, the area releasing unit 72b releases an area having a capacity corresponding to the part to a free area. In other words, assuming that the size of the guaranteed area is secured for image processing of, for example, five prints, the capacity required for printing one image is completed when printing for one image is completed. This area is released as a free area. If no other job is registered, the guaranteed area secured by the area releasing unit 72b is released when the execution of the job is completed.

  The device discrimination unit 72c discriminates devices such as a PC (personal computer) (not shown), the scanner unit 10, and the FAX unit 30 that are the execution request sources of the jobs a, b, and c shown in FIG. The device can be identified from the identification information of the device that is the execution request source. The device identification information is attached to the job from the device that is the execution request source. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the device before executing the job.

  For example, as described with reference to FIG. 4F, the area management unit 72d performs area management when a new job c is registered in a state where there is no space in the memory 80. That is, when, for example, a portion (processing area) where the execution of job a has been completed is sequentially made an empty area among the guaranteed areas already secured by the guaranteed area securing unit 72a, the empty area is processed as a new job c. Area management is performed so that areas are sequentially secured.

  In this case, when the device that becomes the execution request source of the new job c is determined by the device determination unit 72c, the guaranteed area that has already been secured for the job a of the same type of execution request source device as the determined device Of these, the portion of the job a released by the area releasing unit 72b that has been executed is sequentially set as an empty area, and the empty area is sequentially secured as a processing area for a new job c.

  In short, when the device that is the execution request source of job a is determined to be a PC, for example, and the device that is the execution request source of a new job c is determined to be a PC, for example, job a released by the area release unit 72b. The portion where the execution of is completed is secured as a processing area for a new job c. Here, the PC that is the execution request source of job a and the PC that is the execution request source of job c do not mean the same. That is, it means that the PC is used by a plurality of users, which means that the terminals are of the same kind.

  This eliminates the need for a process for securing a new security area for job c after the security area for job a is released. Further, by setting the guaranteed area of job a as a processing area of job c from a device that is the same type of execution request source as job a, when job b is an execution request from scanner unit 10, for example, an input / output unit ( Since the scanner unit 10 and the printer unit 20 do not compete with each other, parallel processing is not hindered.

  In the present embodiment, the device determination unit 72c determines the device. However, instead of the device determination unit 72c, the execution request content determination unit (not shown) may determine the job execution request content. . In this case, for example, if an identifier for identifying the execution request content is attached to the job, it is possible to easily determine the job execution request content before executing the job. As described above, if it is possible to determine the job execution request content before executing the job, the document is not limited to the above-described job from the PC, but the document file stored in the USB memory, for example, is printed. It is easy to determine the job execution request before executing the file job. As a result, similarly to the above, it is possible to secure a free area of the part where the execution of the job a is completed as a processing area.

  In addition, the area management unit 72d sequentially reserves the areas where the job execution has been completed (processing areas) as an empty area, so that when there is no newly registered job, it is ensured when the job execution is completed. The reserved security area is released to a free area. This makes it possible to secure a new job security area.

  Next, job processing performed by the control unit 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 2, the processing in steps S11 to S13 is performed by the job management unit 71, the processing in steps S21 to S28 is performed by the memory management unit 72, and the processing in steps S31 to S34 is performed by the job. This is performed by the execution unit 73. As described above, the job management unit 71, the memory management unit 72, and the job execution unit 73 can perform processing in parallel. Further, the job execution unit 73 is configured to execute a plurality of jobs in parallel when the input / output units (scanner unit 10, printer unit 20, etc.) do not compete.

  In the following description, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the guaranteed area of a job in a state where the memory 80 is empty is secured in a size that is sufficient for image processing of the entire job. In other words, if one job is a print of four A4 images, the security area is reserved for processing the four images.

  First, when executing job processing, one job is executed by a user operation on the operation unit 50 or a user operation on a PC or the like connected via a LAN, for example, as shown in FIG. Is registered in the MFP 1. At this time, the job management unit 71 requests the memory management unit 72 to secure a guaranteed area for the job (step S11).

  Here, in the initial state, as described with reference to FIG. 4A, since all of the memory 80 is an empty area, the memory management unit 72 secures a guaranteed area for the job. This is notified to the job management unit 71 (step S21).

  Next, when the job management unit 71 requests the job execution unit 73 to start job execution (step S12), the job execution unit 73 starts job execution (step S31). That is, image processing for each image is sequentially performed by executing the job.

  At this time, when the image processing for one image is completed, the job execution unit 73 requests the memory management unit 72 to release the processing area used for the image processing (step S32). In response to the area release request, the memory management unit 72 releases a part of the processing area in the guaranteed area (for example, an area required for image processing for one sheet) (step S22).

  Here, the memory management unit 72 determines whether or not there is a new job (step S23). If there is no new job (step S23: NO), it is determined whether or not all of the image processing is completed (step S23). Step S33). Here, if all of the image processing is not completed (step S33: NO), the processing of step S31 → step S32 → step S22 → step S23 is repeated.

  When all the image processing is completed (step S33: YES), the job execution unit 73 notifies the job management unit 71 that the image processing is completed (step S34). At this time, the job management unit 71 requests the memory management unit 72 to release the security area in response to the image end notification (step S13). At this time, the guaranteed area is released by the area releasing unit 72b of the memory management unit 72 (step S28).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 described above that there is a new job (step S23: YES), it is determined whether the memory 80 has a necessary capacity sufficient to secure a new job security area (step S23). S24). Here, if it is determined that the memory 80 has a necessary capacity sufficient to secure a new job security area (step S24: YES), the process proceeds to step S11, where the job management unit 71 sets the security area for the new job. The reservation is requested to the memory management unit 72 (step S21).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the memory 80 does not have enough capacity to secure a new job security area (step S24: NO), the device determination unit 72c determines a device that is a request for execution of a new job. (Step S25). That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when there is no free area in the memory 80 due to occupation of the security areas by the jobs a and b, when a new job c is registered, a new job security is guaranteed in the memory 80. It is determined that there is not enough capacity to secure the area.

  Further, as described above, the device can be identified by confirming the identification information of the device that is the execution request source. Note that the determination of the device of job a currently being executed is performed in advance before the guaranteed area for job a is secured.

  If it is determined that the execution request source device of the job a currently being executed is the same type (for example, both are PCs) as the execution request source device of the new job c, FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, a processing area (for example, an area required for image processing for one sheet) in the released security area of the job a currently being executed is set as a free area and secured as a processing area for a new job c. (Step S26).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the processing area for the new job c has been secured (step S27). If the process area for the new job c has not been secured (step S27: NO), the process of step S33 → step S31 → step S32 → step S22 → step S23 → step S24 → step S25 → step S26 Is repeated.

  In this way, as shown in FIGS. 3C to 3D, when the reservation of the processing area of the new job c is completed (step S27: YES), the process proceeds to step S12, and the job management unit 71 starts the job. The execution unit 73 is requested to start execution of job c.

  Note that when the processing area of the new job c is not secured in step S27 and the image processing of the currently executed job a is completed in step S33, the image processing in step S33 is completed. Judged not to exist.

  Thus, when the processing area for the new job c is secured, the image processing for the job c currently being executed is immediately executed after the image processing for the job a currently being executed is completed.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the execution of a part of a job is completed in the guaranteed area for the job secured by the secured area securing unit 72a serving as the secured area securing unit, the area releasing unit 72b serving as the area releasing unit When an area having a capacity corresponding to a part is released to an empty area and a new job is registered when there is no empty area of a predetermined capacity necessary for image processing in the memory 80 as a storage unit, an area management unit The free area in the guaranteed area reserved for the same type of job as the new job is reserved as a new job processing area by the area management unit 72d.

  Specifically, it has a device determination unit 72c that is a device determination unit for determining a device that is a job execution request source, and executes a new job determined by the device determination unit 72c by the area management unit 72d. A new job processing area is secured within the guaranteed area that is already secured for the job of the execution request source device of the same type as the request source device.

  When the device determination unit is replaced with an execution request content determination unit that determines the job execution request content, the same type as the new job execution request content determined by the execution request content determination unit by the area management unit 72d. It is possible to secure a new job processing area within the security area already secured for the job having the execution request content.

  As a result, when a new job is registered when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the memory 80, the security area already secured for the same type of job as the new job is released. Since a new job processing area is secured without waiting for the image processing, it is possible to further improve the processing efficiency of the image processing in the parallel job processing.

  In particular, when multiple jobs of the same type as jobs that have already undergone image processing are waiting to secure processing areas, the security areas for jobs that have already undergone image processing are reused as they are. Therefore, the improvement in processing efficiency becomes remarkable.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the guaranteed area of the job in the state where the memory 80 is empty is secured with a size that is sufficient for image processing of the entire job. In other words, if it is assumed that one job is a print of, for example, four A4 images, the security area has been described as being secured for the processing of the four images. Of course, it is not necessary to have a size that is sufficient for image processing of the entire job.

  For example, assuming that the job is a print of four A4 images, the guaranteed area may be secured with a minimum size required for image processing for one sheet. When the guaranteed area is secured with the minimum necessary size in this way, the processing area for the new job c is secured when the fourth image processing which is the last of the currently executed job a is performed. It should be done.

1 MFP
10 Scanner unit 20 Printer unit 30 FAX unit 40 I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Operation part 60 Display part 70 Control part 71 Job management part 72 Memory management part 72a Security area reservation part 72b Area release part 72c Device discrimination | determination part 72d Area management part 73 Job execution part 80 Memory

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus capable of registering a plurality of jobs and capable of executing image processing of each registered job in parallel using a storage unit,
When there is a free area for the capacity required for image processing of the job in the storage unit, secure area securing means for securing the free area as a secure area for the job;
An area releasing means for releasing an area having a capacity corresponding to a part of the job for which the guaranteed area has been secured to a free area when execution of the part of the job is completed;
If a new job is registered when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the storage unit, the new job is stored in the guaranteed area reserved for the same type of job as the new job. An image forming apparatus comprising: an area management unit that secures the released free area as a processing area for a new job. Device discrimination means for discriminating a device that is the job execution request source;
The area management unit includes the new job within the guaranteed area that is already secured for the job of the same execution request source device as the device that is the execution request source of the new job determined by the device determination unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing area is secured. Execution request content determining means for determining the execution request content of the job;
The area management means is a processing area for the new job within the guaranteed area that has already been secured for a job having the same execution request content as the execution request content for the new job determined by the execution request content determination means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: An image processing method in which image processing by each of a plurality of registered jobs can be executed in parallel using a storage unit,
Securing a free area as a security area for the job when there is a free area of a capacity necessary for image processing of the job in the storage unit;
When the execution of a part of the job in which the guaranteed area is secured is completed, a process of releasing an area having a capacity corresponding to the part to a free area;
If a new job is registered when there is no free space of a predetermined capacity required for image processing in the storage unit, the new job is stored in the guaranteed area reserved for the same type of job as the new job. An image processing method comprising: securing the released free area as a processing area for a new job. A step of determining a device that is the execution request source of the job;
A processing area for the new job is secured in the guaranteed area that is already secured for the job of the device that is the execution request source of the same type as the device that is the execution request source of the determined new job. The image forming method according to claim 4. Determining the execution request content of the job,
5. The processing area for the new job is secured within the guaranteed area that is already secured for a job having the same kind of execution request content as the determined new job execution request content. The image forming method described in 1.

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