Image processing device and method for notifying operation status of image processing device

Abstract

To provide an image processing device and the like capable of efficiently executing a function required for a plurality of jobs to be processed.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes: a job acquisition unit that acquires a job; a function execution unit that executes a function required for the acquired job; and a completion notification selection unit that selects a timing for transmitting a processing completion notification indicating that the execution of the function ends normally to an information processing device after the execution of the function. The timing for transmitting the processing completion notification includes: the time of completion of a job execution that is a time when the execution of the function ends normally; and the time of completion of job acquisition that is a time before the execution of the function starts. If there is a function currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired, the completion notification selection unit selects the time of completion of a job execution as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and the like, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and the like that can receive multiple jobs from an information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a network, and executes functions such as printing requested for each job. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing systems have been used that connect an information processing device, such as a mobile terminal owned by a user, to an image processing device via a network, store image data transmitted from the information processing device in the image processing device, and then print the image data on a specified printing paper.

[0003] For example, using a standard called the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), jobs including image data are sent and received between an information processing device and an image processing device connected to the Internet, and when a job processing request is sent from the information processing device to the image processing device, functions such as printing and faxing are performed on the job received in the image processing device. Furthermore, when a print request for a job is sent from the information processing device to the image processing device, after the job is actually printed on the image processing device, a print completion notification indicating that printing has been completed is sent from the image processing device to the information processing device, and the user who owns the information processing device is notified that printing has been completed.

[0004] Patent document 1 also describes a job processing device that has two job processing methods: acceptance-completion type sequential processing, in which document processing is not performed until all documents that make up the job are available, and non-acceptance-completion type sequential processing, in which processing is performed in the order in which the documents are received.After receiving a job request from a client including a job processing mode that indicates either acceptance-completion type sequential processing or non-acceptance-completion type sequential processing, the device determines which job processing mode the received job is in, and if it is acceptance-completion type sequential processing mode, it processes the job collectively when the last document included in the job is accepted, and if it is non-acceptance-completion type sequential processing mode, it processes each document sequentially, thereby switching between batch processing and sequential processing of jobs to improve processing efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-143450 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a conventional image processing device as described above, when only one job can be accepted at a time, after processing such as printing is performed for the accepted job, a completion notification indicating that the processing has been completed successfully is sent from the image processing device to the information processing device, and after receiving the completion notification, the information processing device sends a processing request for the next job to the image processing device. In this case, if the image processing device takes a long time to process the job and the timing of sending the completion notification is delayed, the information processing device cannot send a processing request for the next job, and the user of the information processing device is forced to wait.

[0007] In particular, when the job processing requested of the image processing device is fax transmission, it takes time to complete the fax transmission of image data, so the next job often has to wait a long time. Furthermore, in the case of fax transmission, it may not be possible to connect to the other party and there may be a need to wait for redialing, so it may take a long time to complete the fax transmission job, and the time and number of times the next job has to wait increases.

[0008] In addition, some image processing devices are equipped with multiple ports for accepting jobs and can accept multiple jobs simultaneously and process each job simultaneously. However, they cannot accept jobs that exceed the number of ports, and a request to process the next job cannot be accepted until the processing of one job currently being processed is successfully completed and a completion notification of that job is sent to the information processing device.

[0009] Furthermore, even if an image processing device has multiple ports for accepting jobs, it may not be able to process multiple jobs simultaneously due to a lack of system resources in the image processing device, and as a result, it may not be possible to accept a processing request for the next job until one job is completed and a completion notification of that job is sent to the information processing device. Alternatively, for example, even if multiple jobs can be accepted at the same time and the image data of multiple jobs can be stored in the internal memory, if the image formation process itself for printing cannot be processed in parallel, a waiting state will occur for the processing of the other jobs, As a result, there are cases where a processing request for the next job cannot be accepted until the processing of the currently processed job is normally completed and a completion notice of the job is transmitted to the information processing apparatus.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide an image processing device etc. that can efficiently execute functions requested for multiple jobs to be processed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention provides an image processing device comprising a job acquisition unit that acquires a job sent from an information processing device, a function execution unit that executes a function requested for the acquired job, and a completion notification selection unit that selects a timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device after executing the function, indicating that execution of the function has ended normally, and the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device includes job execution completion time, which is the time when execution of the function has ended normally, and job acquisition completion time, which is the time before execution of the function is started, and when a function is currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired, the completion notification selection unit selects the job acquisition completion time as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention provides an operating status notification method for an image processing device, comprising: a job acquisition step of acquiring a job transmitted from an information processing device; a function execution step of executing a function requested for the acquired job; a completion notification selection step of selecting a timing for sending a processing completion notification indicating that execution of the function has been normally completed after executing the function to the information processing device; and an operating status notification step of sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, wherein the timing for sending the processing completion notification includes a job execution completion time when the execution of the function has been normally completed, and a job acquisition completion time when the execution of the function is started, and when a function is currently being executed in the image processing device and the image processing device is in a state in which a new job cannot be acquired, the completion notification selection step selects the job acquisition completion time as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, and in the job acquisition step, the operating status notification step is executed at the job acquisition completion time before execution of the function requested for the acquired job is started after acquiring a job, and the function execution step is executed after the processing completion notification for the acquired job has been sent to the information processing device. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and the like that can efficiently execute functions requested for a plurality of jobs to be processed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an image processing device according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a configuration block diagram of an embodiment of an information processing device according to the present invention; [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (operation state setting information) stored in a storage unit of the image processing device of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (completion notification switching conditions) stored in a storage unit of the image processing device of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (current completion notification information) stored in a storage unit of the image processing device of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of information (job management information) stored in a storage unit of the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a process for acquiring a job transmitted from an information processing device in an image processing device of the present invention; [Figure 8] 11 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of processing of an acquired job when the current completion notification information is Type B in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of processing of an acquired job when the current completion notification information is Type A in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the processing progress status of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type B in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the processing progress status of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type B in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the processing progress status of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type B in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of processing of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type A in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of processing of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type A in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 15] 1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of processing of a plurality of jobs when the current completion notification information is type A in the image processing apparatus of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a communication sequence of an embodiment of a job reception and execution process performed between an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is Type B. [Figure 17] 13 illustrates a communication sequence of an embodiment of a job reception and execution process performed between an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is Type A. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a completion notification timing switching process in the image processing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 19] 13 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a determination process for switching the completion notification timing to type B in the completion notification timing switching process in the image processing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 20] 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a determination process for switching the completion notification timing to Type A in the completion notification timing switching process in the image processing device of the present invention. [Figure 21] 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a job acceptance and execution process in the image processing apparatus of the present invention. [Figure 22] 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a job reception and execution process in the image processing apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Furthermore, when the job acquisition is completed, the function requested for the job to be processed is in a state in which it is possible to execute the function, and when the time of job acquisition completion is selected as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, after the processing completion notification for the job acquired by the job acquisition unit is sent to the information processing device, the function execution unit starts executing the function requested for the acquired job.

[0016] The device is also characterized in that it has one or more ports that accept jobs sent from an information processing device, and the state in which a new job cannot be acquired is a state in which there is no port that can accept a job.

[0017] In addition, when there is no function currently being executed and a new job can be acquired, the completion notification selection unit selects the time when the job execution is completed as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device.

[0018] In addition, when the time when the job execution is completed is selected as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, the function execution unit executes a requested function for the acquired job and transmits the processing completion notification to the information processing device after the function is normally completed.

[0019] The device is also characterized in that it has one or more ports that accept jobs sent from an information processing device, and one or more storage resources that are memory areas used to execute functions required for the acquired job, and the state in which a new job can be acquired is a state in which there are one or more ports that can accept a job and one or more available storage resources.

[0020] In addition, after the processing completion notice for the acquired job is transmitted to the information processing device, the job acquisition unit is in a state where it can acquire at least one new job.

[0021] Further, when the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device is changed from the time when the job execution is completed to the time when the job acquisition is completed, and when the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device is changed from the time when the job acquisition is completed to the time when the job execution is completed, a notification that the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device has been changed is sent to the connectable information processing device.

[0022] The present invention further includes a memory unit which stores current completion notification information indicating the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, and when the completion notification selection unit selects the time when the job execution is completed as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, type A is stored in the current completion notification information, and when the completion notification selection unit selects the time when the job acquisition is completed as the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device, type B is stored in the current completion notification information, and when the current completion notification information is changed from type A to type B and when it is changed from type B to type A, a notice that the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device has changed is transmitted to the connectable information processing device.

[0023] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the present invention, an image processing system is configured by an image processing device connected via a network and an information processing device in which image data to be processed by the image processing device is stored. An information processing device corresponds to a personal computer or mobile terminal owned by a user who wishes to perform processing such as printing on an image processing device, and one or more information processing devices can be connected to the image processing device via a network. Hereinafter, the information processing device is also called a user terminal (TE).

[0024] An image processing device (hereinafter referred to as an MFP: Multifunction Peripheral, or multifunction device) is a device that processes image data and is an electronic device that has, for example, a copying function, a printing function, a document reading (scanning) function, a document editing function, a document saving function, a document transmission (fax) function, and a communication function. The image processing apparatus has a function of temporarily storing image data sent from a user terminal (also called a received job, or simply a job), and in principle processes the received jobs in the order in which they are received.

[0025] Also, image processing apparatus MFP has one or more ports for accepting jobs, and is capable of simultaneously accepting job processing requests in the number corresponding to the number of ports. For example, if there are three ports, it is assumed that the device can simultaneously accept processing requests for three jobs and temporarily store image data included in each job.

[0026] Furthermore, in this invention, as a general rule, when there are multiple available ports (free ports), as in the conventional method, after the processing of one job is completed, a processing completion notification (also called a job normal completion notification) indicating that the processing of the job has been completed is sent to the information processing device that requested the processing of the job.

[0027] On the other hand, if there is no available port (free port) and a job is currently being processed, even if the processing of the currently running job has not been completed, a processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) indicating that the processing of the currently running job has been completed is sent to the information processing device that requested the processing of the job. In particular, as described below, this invention is characterized in that when a job processing request is received from an information processing device and the current completion notification information is set to Type B, after processing related to the acceptance of the job is performed, a processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) indicating that the processing of the job being executed has been completed is sent to the information processing device that requested the processing of the job, even if the actual processing of the job has not been completed.

[0028] <Configuration of image processing device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the image processing device (MFP) 1 is a multifunction device having multiple functions, and in the following embodiment, it is assumed to have at least a printing function, a fax transmission function, and a communication function. As shown in FIG. 1, an image processing apparatus (MFP) 1 is capable of connecting to a plurality of information processing apparatuses (TE) 2 and communicating data via a network 3 such as a LAN (wired and wireless).

[0029] The information processing device (TE) 2 corresponds to a user terminal that inputs image data and the like to be processed by the image processing device, and a plurality of information processing devices 2 are connected to a network 3. In an information processing device, document data or image data is generated or input, a job for processing in an image processing device including image data, etc. is generated, and a job processing request requesting processing of the job is sent to the image processing device. The job processing request includes the type of job, such as printing or faxing, and is information requesting printing or faxing of image data included in the job.

[0030] In FIG. 1, the image processing device (MFP) 1 mainly includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a display unit 13, an image processing unit 14, a communication unit 15, a FAX communication unit 16, a job acquisition unit 21, a job type determination unit 22, an operation status determination unit 23, a completion notification selection unit 24, an operation status notification unit 25, a function execution unit 26, and a memory unit 40.

[0031] The control unit 11 is a part that controls the operation of each component such as the operation unit and image processing unit, and is realized mainly by a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, an I / O controller, a timer, and the like. The CPU organically operates various hardware components based on a control program previously stored in a ROM or the like, and executes the image processing function of the present invention.

[0032] The operation unit 12 is a section where a user of the image processing device inputs information, and is an input device for performing a predetermined input operation to operate the image processing device. For example, it is a section for inputting information such as characters and selecting functions, and may use a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, or the like. The keys operated by the user include an operation start key, a function selection key, a setting key, and the like. The user, for example, operates the touch panel or operates a key to start a reading operation to execute a print item setting function, a document reading function, a printing function, a fax transmission function, and the like.

[0033] Display unit 13 is a part that displays information, and displays information necessary for executing each function, the results of executing the function, etc., to inform the user. For example, if an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like is used and a touch panel is used as operation unit 12, display unit 13 and the touch panel are arranged to overlap each other. The display unit 13 displays, for example, the settings of setting items used for printing, etc. of the image processing device, information necessary to execute printing functions, etc., the operation screen of a selected function, the print item setting operation screen, etc., using characters, symbols, figures, images, icons, animations, videos, etc.

[0034] The image processing section 14 is a section that executes an image forming function, which is a main function of the image processing device, and is mainly composed of an image input section, an image forming section, and an image output section. Primarily, the image input unit is a unit that inputs specified image data, the image forming unit is a unit that converts the input image data into information that can be printed, etc., and the image output unit is a unit that outputs the formed printing information, etc. onto printing paper, etc.

[0035] The image input unit is a section for inputting image data of a document on which images, characters, figures, and the like are written, and is a section for reading a document placed on a document table, for example. The image input unit is a scanner (reading device) that reads an original on which information is written. In order to read an original, the image processing apparatus includes an original placement table (original table) on which the original is placed, and an original cover that holds the original in place. The image processing apparatus may also include an automatic document feeder (ADF) that allows a plurality of original documents to be placed thereon and automatically transports and reads the original documents one by one. In this case, a document containing images and the like is read by a scanner, and image data of the document is stored in the storage unit 40 .

[0036] Furthermore, there are various methods for inputting image information. For example, image information transmitted from an information processing device TE such as a personal computer, a mobile terminal, or a server owned by a user via the network 3 may be input. Additionally, an interface for connecting an external storage medium such as a USB memory corresponds to the image input unit. An electronic data file such as image information to be input may be stored in an external storage medium such as a USB memory, and the USB memory or the like may be connected to an input interface such as a USB terminal. By performing a specified input operation on the operation unit 12, the desired electronic data file stored in the USB memory or the like may be read out and stored in the memory unit 40 as input image data.

[0037] For example, when printing input image data on a recording medium, an image forming unit typically performs the steps of charging, exposing, developing, transferring, cleaning, discharging, and fixing in succession to form the input image data on the recording medium. In the developing process, toner is supplied from a toner cartridge to the developing device, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the charged surface of the photosensitive drum is developed to form a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred onto a recording medium by a transfer device, and then fixed onto the recording medium by heating by a fixing device. The image forming unit also converts input image data into information in a format that can be sent by fax or displayed.

[0038] The image output unit is a part that outputs the formed input image data, and corresponds, for example, to a printer that prints information such as input image data, and prints the input image data of the read manuscript on a specified printing paper (paper medium). However, the output of input image data is not limited to printing, but also includes storing the input image data of a scanned document, faxing the input image data included in a job sent from an information processing device, and the like. For example, storing input image data of a scanned document in an external storage medium such as a USB memory, faxing the input image data to a fax receiver via a network such as the Internet, and transmitting the input image data to another information processing device or server also constitute image output.

[0039] The communication unit 15 is a part that communicates information via the network 3, and is a part that performs data communication with a mobile terminal (user terminal) owned by a user and other information processing devices. For example, it receives an electronic data file transferred from an information processing device TE such as a user terminal or a server. In addition, the image processing device MFP transfers input image data input to the image processing device MFP to an external storage device (such as a USB memory) connected to the image processing device MFP, or transmits the image data via the network 3 to an information processing device TE such as a user terminal or a server. The network 3 may be any communication network, such as a wide area network like the Internet, an IP network, a LAN, or an NGN, and the communication form may be either wired communication or wireless communication. The FAX communication unit 16 is a part that communicates information by facsimile via a network 3 such as a public switched telephone network PSTN, ISDN, or an IP network using optical lines.

[0040] The job acquisition unit 21 is a part that acquires a job transmitted from the information processing device TE. For example, when image data to be printed is input in the information processing device TE and a print request operation is performed, a job processing request requesting that the image data be printed is sent to the image processing device MFP, and this job processing request is acquired. The job processing request mainly includes the user name of the user who inputted the image data, identification information (IP address) of the information processing device TE, information indicating the type of job processing (job type), and the name of the job (job ID or job name). When a job processing request is acquired, it is determined whether or not the job indicated in the job processing request can currently be accepted.

[0041] If the job indicated in the job processing request can be accepted, the information processing device TE transmits an acceptance notification to the information processing device TE, and then acquires job information transmitted from the information processing device TE. This job information includes the image data to be processed. If the job information is obtained, the requested function is performed on the image data to be processed.

[0042] Image processing apparatus MFP includes one or more ports for receiving jobs transmitted from information processing apparatus TE, and is capable of simultaneously receiving jobs in a number corresponding to the number of ports. A port is a door for input and output for communicating data on a network. For example, if there are three ports, and two jobs have already been acquired and are currently being processed, two of the ports are occupied, but one more job can be acquired because there is one free port. However, since three jobs have already been acquired and are currently being processed, no new jobs can be acquired because there are no free ports.

[0043] The job type determination unit 22 is a part that determines the type of the acquired job. That is, the type of processing to be performed for the acquired job is determined using the job type included in the job processing request. For example, if the job type is "printing", the print process is executed for the job included in the job processing request, or if the job type is "fax transmission", the fax transmission process is executed for the job included in the job processing request.

[0044] The operation status determination unit 23 is a part that determines the current operation status of the acquired job. For example, based on the acquired job processing progress status, it is determined whether the job is currently in a state where a processing request has been accepted, the requested processing is being carried out, the processing has been completed normally, the processing could not be completed normally, or the job is in a waiting state for retransmission because it could not be transmitted normally. The current operating state is determined, for example, by using operating state setting information as shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, and it is determined which status the current operating state of the job belongs to.

[0045] The completion notification selection unit 24 is a part that selects the timing (time) for sending a job completion notification, and mainly selects the timing (time) for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE after executing a requested function for an acquired job, indicating that the execution of the function has been completed successfully. The timing (time) for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE includes the time of job execution completion, which is the time when the execution of the function is completed normally, and the time of job acquisition completion, which is the time before the execution of the function starts.

[0046] For example, when a function is currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired, the completion notification selection unit 24 selects the time when job acquisition is completed as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE. On the other hand, if no function is currently being executed and a new job can be acquired, the completion notification selection unit 24 selects the time when job execution is completed as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE.

[0047] In selecting the timing (period) for sending this processing completion notification, current completion notification information 44 indicating the timing for sending the job completion notification is set and stored based on a completion notification switching condition, as described below. For example, when the completion notification selection unit 24 selects the time when the job execution is completed as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device, the completion notification selection unit 24 stores Type A in the current completion notification information 44 . Furthermore, when the completion notification selection unit 24 selects the time when the job acquisition is completed as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device, the completion notification selection unit 24 stores Type B in the current completion notification information 44 .

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, which will be described later, there are two types of completion notification, Type A and Type B, which indicate the timing of the job completion notification, and the completion notification switching condition is a condition for switching the type of completion notification that is set in advance. Based on the currently satisfied state of the condition items shown in the completion notification switching conditions in FIG. 4, either Type A or Type B is selected as the timing for sending the processing completion notification. A specific example of switching the type of completion notification will be described later.

[0049] Operational state notification unit 25 is a part that transmits the current operational state (status) of image processing apparatus MFP to information processing apparatus TE for each acquired job. For example, when the acquired job JOB01 is in a state of being accepted for processing, as described later, the current operation state (status: ST1) indicating that the job is being accepted for processing is transmitted to the information processing device TE. Alternatively, if the acquired job JOB01 is in a state where the processing to be executed for that job has been normally completed, as described below, the current operation status (status: ST3) indicating normal completion is transmitted to the information processing device TE.

[0050] However, if the current setting of the completion notification type (current completion notification information) is "Type B", even if the processing to be executed for the job has not been completed normally, after the job acquisition has been completed normally, the current operating status (status: ST3) indicating normal completion is sent to the information processing device TE.

[0051] In addition, based on the completion notification switching condition, the current completion notification information 44 indicating the timing for sending the processing completion notification is changed to type A or type B. When the current completion notification information 44 is changed from type A to type B, and when it is changed from type B to type A, a message that the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device has changed may be sent to the connectable information processing device TE.

[0052] For example, as described below, if the current completion notification information 44 is changed from Type A to Type B, the image processing device MFP may transmit to the information processing device TE that the image processing device MFP is currently set to transmit a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job acquisition is completed. In addition, if the current completion notification information 44 is changed from Type B to Type A, the image processing device MFP may transmit to the information processing device TE that the image processing device MFP is currently set to transmit a processing completion notification when job execution is completed.

[0053] Function execution unit 26 is a part that executes predetermined functions of image processing apparatus MFP. For example, performing a requested function on the retrieved job. When a job for printing is transmitted from an information processing apparatus, a printing function is executed for the received job. Furthermore, when a user who comes to use the image processing apparatus performs a predetermined operation to execute a printing function, the printing function is executed.

[0054] In addition, the present invention has a job completion notification function, and transmits a job processing completion notification (job normal end notification) to the information processing device TE at a predetermined timing based on the current setting of the completion notification type (current completion notification information).

[0055] For example, as described below, when the current setting of the completion notification type (current completion notification information) is "Type A," i.e., when the time when job execution is completed is selected as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device, after a requested function is executed for a job acquired by the function execution unit 26 and the function is completed normally, a processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) for the job whose function was completed normally is sent to the information processing device TE.

[0056] On the other hand, if the current completion notification type setting (current completion notification information) is "Type B", In other words, when "when job acquisition is completed" is selected as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device, after job acquisition is completed successfully and a processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) for the job acquired by the job acquisition unit 21 is sent to the information processing device TE, the function execution unit 26 starts executing the function requested for the acquired job.

[0057] Furthermore, after a processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) for the acquired job is sent to the information processing device, it means that the execution of the function requested for the acquired job has been completed, so the port that accepted the acquired job is released and the job acquisition unit 21 becomes capable of acquiring at least one new job.

[0058] The memory unit 40 is a part that stores information and programs necessary to execute each function of the image processing device MFP of the present invention, and may use semiconductor memory elements such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory, storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs, or other storage media. The storage unit 40 stores, for example, received image data 41, operation status setting information 42, completion notification switching condition 43, current completion notification information 44, job management information 45, number of available ports 46, number of available resources 47, and the like.

[0059] The received image data 41 is image data included in the job information transmitted from the information processing device TE, and is data to be subjected to processing such as printing and fax transmission.

[0060] Operation state setting information 42 is information in which types of operation states of image processing device MFP are set and stored in advance. In the operation status setting information 42, types of operation statuses related mainly to the progress of job processing are set. FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (operational state setting information) stored in a storage unit of image processing device MFP. FIG. 3 shows five operational states (also called statuses) related to the progress of job processing.

[0061] In FIG. 3, status ST1 means “accepting processing”, which means that the processing of a job requested by the information processing device TE has been accepted, and that the image processing device MFP is in an operating state performing processing related to the acceptance. For example, after receiving a job processing request from the information processing device TE, it determines whether the job can be accepted, and if the job can be accepted, sets the operating state of the image processing device MFP to status ST1 (accepting processing).

[0062] Moreover, after changing the status to ST1 (accepting processing), an acceptance permission notification is returned to the information processing device TE. Furthermore, when job information including image data is received from the information processing device TE, image formation processing is performed on the image data included in the job information in order to execute a specified function on the image data, and the operating state is status ST1 (accepting processing) until the execution of this image formation processing is completed. When the image forming process is completed, the function requested for the job to be processed can be executed.

[0063] In the following embodiment, the operating state from when the job acceptance determination process determines whether the job can be accepted to when the acceptance permission notification is sent, the job information is received, and the image formation process is completed is referred to as status ST1 (accepting processing). The time when the image forming process is completed is called the job acquisition completion time. When job acquisition is complete, the function requested for the job to be processed is in an executable state, and is in a state prior to starting execution of that function.

[0064] Status ST2 means "FAX transmission in progress", and indicates that the type of job requested by the information processing device TE is "FAX transmission", the FAX transmission function is currently being executed for that job, and the FAX transmission is not yet complete. "FAX transmission in progress" also includes a standby state for retrying transmission after failure to transmit normally.

[0065] Status ST3 means "normal end", and indicates that after a function for a job requested by the information processing device TE has been executed, the function has been normally ended. For example, when a FAX transmission function is normally completed, the operation state becomes status ST3. The time when the image forming process is normally completed is called the job execution completion time. The job execution completion time is the state after a function requested for the job to be processed has actually been executed, and the execution of that function has ended normally.

[0066] Status ST4 means "end in error", and indicates a state in which a function for a job requested by the information processing device TE could not be ended normally after the function was executed. For example, if a FAX transmission function is executed but the FAX transmission function does not end normally even after a predetermined number of retransmissions, the operation state becomes status ST4.

[0067] Status ST5 means "printing in progress", which means that the type of job requested by the information processing device TE is "printing", the printing function is currently being executed for that job, and the printing function is in an operational state in which it has not yet been completed.

[0068] However, the operational states (status) are not limited to the five in FIG. 3, and other operational states may be added, or operational states may be deleted. The operating state setting information 42 may be set and stored in a fixed manner, but may be changeable by the user.

[0069] The completion notification switching condition 43 is information that previously sets and stores a condition for switching current completion notification information 44 for determining the timing for transmitting a job processing completion notification to the information processing device TE. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (completion notification switching conditions) stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus.

[0070] It is assumed that the current completion notification information 44 includes two types of completion notifications, type A and type B, as shown in FIG. Type A is set to transmit a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when the execution of the requested function is completed (normally ended). Type B is a setting in which, although the execution of the requested function is not actually completed, a processing completion notice is transmitted to the information processing device TE when the job acquisition is completed.

[0071] In the completion notification switching condition 43 in FIG. 4, three condition items are shown as conditions. The three condition items are whether or not there is a port (available, not available), whether or not there is a storage resource (available, not available), and whether or not there is an active function (function available, function not available).

[0072] As mentioned above, a port means an input / output door for communicating data over a network, and corresponds to, for example, a virtual terminal that accepts jobs, but the number of ports provided on an image processing device MFP may be one or more. In the case where there are multiple ports, if there is, for example, one or more free ports that can accept a job, it is determined that there is "free space." However, taking into consideration the availability of ports, if there are two or more available ports, it may be determined that there is availability.

[0073] On the other hand, if there is no free port that can accept a job, it is determined that there is no free port. A state in which there is no port capable of accepting a job means a state in which a new job cannot be acquired.

[0074] The storage resource (hereinafter referred to as the image processing / storage resource, or simply the resource) corresponds to a memory area used to execute a function required for an acquired job, or a part that performs image generation processing such as rendering to generate an image, or image conversion processing to convert the resolution of a generated image when transmitting by FAX, etc. The image generation processing and image conversion processing are performed by the image processing unit 14. Furthermore, the image processing device MFP is provided with one or more storage resources. In the case where there are multiple resources, for example, if there is one or more available resources among the multiple resources, it is determined that there is "availability." Here, a state in which there is one or more ports capable of accepting a job and one or more available storage resources means a state in which a new job can be acquired.

[0075] However, taking into consideration the margin of resource usage, if there are two or more free resources, it may be determined that there is "availability." On the other hand, if there are no available free resources, it is determined that there is no free resource.

[0076] Regarding the presence or absence of a function currently being executed, if there is at least one function currently being executed in the image processing device MFP, it is determined that the function currently being executed is "function present," and if there is no function currently being executed, it is determined that the function currently being executed is "function absent."

[0077] Completion notification switching conditions 43 in FIG. 4 indicate conditions for switching the current completion notification information from type A to type B and conditions for switching from type B to type A. For example, if the port is "available", the storage resource is "available", and the currently executing function is "not functional", this means that the current completion notification information is switched from type B to type A. In this case, it corresponds to a state in which no function is currently being executed and a new job can be acquired, and the type is switched to the corresponding type A when the job execution is completed.

[0078] In this case, it is possible to accept jobs, there are no functions being executed, and storage resources are available, so if a new job is accepted, it is possible to immediately start processing the job. Therefore, the current completion notification information indicating the timing for sending a job processing completion notification to the information processing device TE is changed to type A, so that a processing completion notification is sent to the information processing device TE when the execution of the requested function is completed normally. If there are spare ports and storage resources, the next job can be accepted, and even if it is Type A, there is little possibility that the acceptance of subsequent jobs will be delayed.

[0079] On the other hand, if the port is "not available" and the active function is "available," this means that the current completion notification information is switched from type A to type B, regardless of whether the resource is available. In this case, it corresponds to a state in which a function is currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired, and the type is switched to the corresponding type B when the job acquisition is completed.

[0080] In this case, since there is no port to accept the job, the next job is not actually in a state in which it can be accepted. However, a currently running function may progress and a port may become free. Therefore, the current completion notification information is changed to type B so that a processing completion notification is sent to the information processing device TE when the job acquisition is completed, even if the execution of the requested function has not actually been completed.

[0081] By sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE, the information processing device TE determines that processing of the current job being executed in the image processing device MFP has been completed, and determines that the image processing device MFP is in a state where it can send a processing request for the next job. In the image processing device MFP, if a port is available after sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job acquisition is completed, the image processing device MFP becomes ready to accept a processing request for the next job from the information processing device TE, and processing related to the acceptance of the next job may be started sooner.

[0082] In other words, by sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job acquisition is completed, the waiting time for accepting the next job can be reduced, or the situation in which the acceptance of the next job has to be waited can be eliminated, thereby improving the processing efficiency of multiple jobs requested by the information processing device TE.

[0083] As described above, the current completion notification information 44 is information indicating the timing for transmitting a processing completion notification of a function requested by a job to the information processing device TE, and is used to determine the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification. Depending on the current state of the condition item of the completion notification switching condition 43 described above, the completion notification switching condition 43 is set to either Type A or Type B.

[0084] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of one embodiment of information (current completion notification information) stored in the storage unit of the image processing device. When the current completion notification information 44 is set to "Type A", it means that the timing for transmitting a job processing completion notification to the information processing device TE is "when the job execution is completed". Moreover, when the current completion notification information 44 is set to "Type B", it means that the timing for transmitting the job processing completion notification to the information processing device TE is "when the job acquisition is completed".

[0085] Job management information 45 is information related to a job accepted by image processing apparatus MFP. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of information (job management information) stored in the storage unit of the image processing apparatus. Job management information 45 in FIG. 6 indicates, for each job, a job ID, a job type, a job file name, a current operation state (status), and a reception time.

[0086] The job ID, the job type, and the job file name are obtained from a job processing request sent from the information processing apparatus. The reception time may be set to the time when the job information is received after it becomes possible to receive a job. The current operation state (status) is set according to the progress of the job processing. However, the job management information 45 is not limited to these pieces of information. For example, As additional information for a job, information such as the destination fax number, the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval in the case of fax transmission, and whether or not the results of fax transmission need to be printed may also be stored.

[0087] Job management information 45 in FIG. 6 shows information when three jobs are accepted. For example, for a job with a job ID of JOB01, it is stored that the job type is "FAX", the requested function is fax transmission, the job file name is "FL01", the file of the image data to be processed is "FL01", and the reception time is "10:00".

[0088] Also, the current operation state (status) of the job with job ID JOB01 is currently "ST3", which means that it has ended normally, and indicates that the processing of this job has ended normally. However, when the current completion notification information 44 is "Type A", this means that the processing of this job has actually been executed and has been normally completed, whereas when the current completion notification information 44 is "Type B", this means that the processing of this job has not yet been executed and this is the operating state at the time the job acquisition was completed.

[0089] In addition, for the job with the job ID JOB02, it is stored that the job type is "FAX", the requested function is fax transmission, the job file name is "FL02", the file of the image data to be processed is "FL02", and the reception time is "10:05". The current operation state (status) of the job with job ID JOB02 is currently "ST2", which means that FAX transmission is being executed, and indicates that the processing of this job is currently in progress.

[0090] In addition, for the job with the job ID JOB03, it is stored that the job type is "Print", the requested function is print processing, the job file name is "FL03", the file of the image data to be processed is "FL03", and the reception time is "10:10". The current operation status (status) of the job with job ID JOB03 is currently "ST5", which means that print processing is being executed, and indicates that the processing of this job is currently in progress.

[0091] The number of available ports 46 stored in the storage unit 40 in FIG. 1 means the number of ports that are currently available for use. For example, if the total number of ports that the image processing device MFP has is three and one port is currently being used, the number of available ports 46 is set to two. The number of free resources, 47, means the number of resources currently available for use. For example, when the total number of resources that image processing apparatus MFP has is three and two resources are currently being used, the number of free resources 47 is set to one.

[0092] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of a process for obtaining a job transmitted from an information processing apparatus in an image processing apparatus. Here, a case is shown in which the three jobs shown in FIG. 6 above have been acquired. The number of ports that image processing device MFP has is assumed to be three, and there are ports (PT1, PT2, PT3). Since there are three ports that accept jobs, three jobs are received on each port.

[0093] First, in the image processing device MFP, when three ports are available and job JOB01 is received from the information processing device TE, job JOB01 is acquired at port PT1, and its job information (job ID JOB01, job type “FAX”) is stored in the memory unit 40. If the resources of image processing apparatus MFP are available and FAX transmission is possible, function execution unit 26 executes FAX transmission for the job with job ID JOB01. In this state, port PT1 is in use, and ports PT2 and PT3 are free.

[0094] Next, in the image processing device MFP, if two ports (PT2, PT3) are free and job JOB02 is received from the information processing device TE, job JOB02 is acquired at port PT2, and its job information (job ID JOB02, job type “FAX”) is stored in the memory unit 40. If the resources of image processing apparatus MFP are available and FAX transmission is possible, function execution unit 26 executes FAX transmission for job ID JOB02. However, if the FAX transmission of job ID JOB01 is in progress and the FAX transmission of job ID JOB02 cannot be performed, the processing of job JOB02 will be put on hold. In this state, ports PT1 and PT2 are in use, and port PT3 is free.

[0095] Next, in the image processing device MFP, if one port (PT3) is free and job JOB03 is received from the information processing device TE, job JOB03 is acquired at port PT3, and its job information (job ID JOB03, job type “printing”) is stored in memory unit 40. If the resources of image processing apparatus MFP are available and printing is possible, function execution unit 26 executes the print process for the job with job ID JOB03. In this state, all three ports are in use and there are no free ports. When there is no available port, even if a processing request for a new job JOB04 is transmitted from information processing device TE, the new job JOB04 is not accepted. As for the new job JOB04, the acceptance itself will have to wait.

[0096] <Configuration of information processing device> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus is primarily a device that generates jobs including image data to be processed by the image processing apparatus, and corresponds to, for example, a personal computer or mobile terminal owned by a user, as described above.

[0097] In FIG. 2, the information processing device (TE) 2 mainly includes a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, a communication unit 54, a job generation unit 55, a job transmission unit 56, an MFP status acquisition unit 57, an MFP status determination unit 58, a function execution request unit 59, and a memory unit 70.

[0098] The control unit 51 is a part that controls the operation of each component such as the operation unit and the job generation unit, and is realized mainly by a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an I / O controller, a timer, and the like. The CPU organically operates various hardware components based on a control program previously stored in a ROM or the like, and executes the job generation function of the present invention.

[0099] The operation unit 52 is a part where a user of the information processing device inputs information, and is an input device for performing a predetermined input operation to operate the information processing device. For example, it is a part where information such as characters is input, and function selection input is input, and a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc. are used. The keys operated by the user include an operation start key, a function selection key, a setting key, and the like. The user, for example, operates a touch panel or an operation start key to execute a job generation function, a job transmission function, or the like.

[0100] Display unit 53 is a part that displays information, and displays information necessary for executing each function, the results of executing the function, etc., to inform the user. For example, if an LCD, an organic EL display, or the like is used and a touch panel is used as operation unit 52, display unit 53 and the touch panel are arranged to overlap each other. The display unit 53 displays, for example, the settings of configuration items used for job generation, etc., information necessary to request the image processing device to execute a printing function, etc., the operation screen for the selected function, the progress status of job processing, and information indicating that the job has been completed successfully, using characters, symbols, figures, images, icons, animations, videos, etc.

[0101] The communication unit 54 is a part that communicates information via a network, and is a part that performs data communication with image processing devices and other information processing devices. For example, a job including input image data is transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP via network 3. As will be described later, the image processing apparatus MFP also receives an acceptance notification indicating that acceptance of a job has been accepted, a job normal completion notification indicating that the job has been processed normally, and the like.

[0102] Job generating unit 55 is a part that generates a job to be transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP. For example, image data to be processed by image processing device MFP is created, image data is input, and stored as input image data 71 in storage unit 70 . In addition, the user name of the user who input the image data, identification information (IP address) of the information processing device TE, information indicating the type of job processing (job type), name of the job (job ID), etc. are added to the input image data to generate job information.

[0103] Job transmitting unit 56 is a part that transmits the generated job information to image processing apparatus MFP. In the embodiment described below, a job processing request is sent to the image processing device MFP to request processing of a job, and if acceptance of the job requested in the job processing request is permitted, job information including the input image data to be processed is sent to the image processing device MFP.

[0104] MFP status acquisition unit 57 is a part that acquires the current operation status (status) of MFP transmitted from image processing device MFP. The acquired current operation status (status) is stored as MFP operation status information 72. For example, when a reception permission notification is received from image processing device MFP, the operation state (status) included in the reception permission notification is obtained and stored as MFP operation state information 72. As the operation state (status), any one of the statuses shown in the operation state setting information 42 shown in FIG. 3 is acquired. The acquired status is displayed, for example, on the display unit 53 and is used to determine the subsequent processing in the information processing device TE.

[0105] MFP status determination unit 58 is a part that determines the current operation status of image processing device MFP based on the acquired status. Based on the determined current operation state of image processing device MFP, the next process to be performed by information processing device TE is determined. For example, if the acquired status is "ST2", it may be determined that the requested fax transmission is currently being performed in image processing apparatus MFP, and display unit 53 may display that the fax transmission is currently being performed. Alternatively, if the acquired status is "ST3", it may be determined that the requested function has been executed and completed successfully in the image processing device MFP, and the fact that the requested function has been completed successfully may be displayed on display unit 53.

[0106] Function execution request unit 59 is a part that transmits a job processing request for requesting image processing apparatus MFP to execute a predetermined function. The job processing request includes, for example, the user name of the user requesting processing, identification information (IP address) of the information processing device TE, information indicating the type of job processing (job type), and the name of the job (job ID).

[0107] When a job processing request is transmitted to the image processing device MFP, it is unclear whether the job processing request will be permitted or not, and depending on the operating state of the image processing device MFP, the job processing request may not be permitted. Therefore, it is better not to include the image data itself that is requested to be processed in the job processing request. A job processing request is first sent to the MFP to check whether the MFP can accept the job, and if the MFP is in a state where it can accept the job, the MFP sends a permission notification and the image (regardless of the data size) is sent from the information processing device.

[0108] The memory unit 70 is a part that stores information and programs necessary to execute each function of the information processing device TE of the present invention, and may use semiconductor memory elements such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory, storage devices such as HDDs and SSDs, and other storage media. In the storage unit 70, for example, input image data 71, MFP operation state information 72, and the like are stored.

[0109] As described above, the input image data 71 is image data inputted by the information processing device TE, and is image data to be processed, such as printed, by the image processing device MFP. Input image data 71 is included in job information and transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP. As described above, MFP operation status information 72 is the current operation status (status) of the MFP transmitted from image processing device MFP.

[0110] <Outline of the progress of the job> The progress of job processing executed by image processing apparatus MFP of the present invention will be described below. As described above, depending on whether the current completion notification information is type A or type B, the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device TE differs. When the current completion notification information is type B, a processing completion notification meaning normal completion is transmitted to the information processing device TE, and then the execution of the processing of the requested job is started. On the other hand, if the current completion notification information is type A, after the execution of the processing of the requested job has ended normally, a processing completion notification indicating normal completion is transmitted to the information processing device TE.

[0111] Furthermore, the port that has been accepting the job is released when a processing completion notification indicating normal completion is transmitted to the information processing device TE, regardless of whether the current completion notification information is Type A or Type B. The released port becomes available (free port) and can accept jobs that are requested thereafter.

[0112] <Description of the job processing progress status obtained when the current completion notification information is type B> FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of the processing of an acquired job when the current completion notification information is type B in the image processing apparatus. FIG. 8 shows the job processing progress status when the current completion notification information is type B and one job (job ID: J01) is accepted. Also, image processing apparatus MFP has three ports (PT1, PT2, PT3) for accepting jobs, all of which are assumed to be available (free ports) in the initial state.

[0113] It is assumed that there are five states (M1 to M5) of the progress of job processing: "job reception", "job reception", "image formation", "completion notification", and "function execution". "Job accepted" means a state in which a job processing request is accepted from the information processing device TE. "Job reception" means a state in which job information is being received from the information processing device TE. "Image formation" refers to a state in which image formation processing is being performed on image data included in a received job. "Completion notice" means a state in which a processing completion notice, which means normal termination, is being transmitted to the information processing device TE. "Function execution" refers to a state in which a function requested in a job processing request is being executed on image data that has been subjected to image forming processing.

[0114] In FIG. 8, first, when a job processing request is received from the information processing device TE, the state becomes "job accepted." At this time, all three ports are free, so the job processing request is accepted using port PT1, for example. In FIG. 8, when the job state is "accepted", the port used is PT1, and the processing progress state is "job accepted" M1. Port PT1 becomes occupied (in use) and is no longer an unused port.

[0115] When a job processing request is received, it is determined whether the requested job can be accepted, and if it can be accepted, it receives job information including image data to be processed, which is transmitted from the information processing device TE. The job information is received by port PT1, the job state becomes "received", and the processing progress state becomes "job received" M2. Port PT1 remains in an occupied state (in use).

[0116] When the job information is received, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the image forming process required for the image data included in the job information in order to execute the requested process. For example, if the requested process is printing, the image data is converted into printable data using predetermined storage resources. In this case, the job state becomes "formation", and the processing progress state becomes "image formation" M3. Port PT1 remains in an occupied state (in use).

[0117] After the image forming process is performed, the requested process can be performed. Therefore, the process related to the acceptance of the job is considered to be completed, and the job acquisition is completed. That is, when the processing progress status changes from M1 to M3, it is determined that the job acquisition is complete, and the job status changes to "acquired." As described above, if the current completion notification information is type B, a process completion notification (job normal end notification) is transmitted to the information processing device TE when the job acquisition is completed. In this case, the job state becomes "acquired" and the processing progress state becomes "completion notification" M4.

[0118] After transmitting a processing completion notice (job normal end notice) to the information processing device TE, the port PT1 that was being used is released. That is, port PT1 is returned to a usable state (free port), and the port PT1 is made ready to accept the next job processing request. In this state, the requested processing has not actually been executed yet, but since the processing related to the acceptance of the job has been completed, the next job processing request can be accepted. Thereafter, a predetermined function is executed on the image data that has been subjected to the image forming process and is now in a state in which the requested process can be executed, and the processing progress state becomes "function execution" M5.

[0119] When the series of processes proceeds as described above, the information processing device TE recognizes that processing of the requested job is completed upon receiving a processing completion notification (job successful completion notification), and is then able to send a processing request for the next job to the image processing device MFP. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 8, since the port PT1 is released, a processing request for the next job can be accepted even when the image processing apparatus MFP is actually executing a function.

[0120] 8, the process progress status progresses in the order of M1 to M4, but this is not limited thereto, and after "job reception" M2, a process completion notification may be sent to TE, resulting in "completion notification" M4. In other words, the process progress status may progress in the order of "job reception" M1, "job reception" M2, "completion notification" M4, "image formation" M3, and "function execution" M5.

[0121] <Description of the job processing progress status obtained when the current completion notification information is type A> FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment showing the progress of the processing of an acquired job when the current completion notification information is type A in the image processing apparatus. FIG. 9 shows the job processing progress status when the current completion notification information is type A and one job (job ID: J01) is accepted. Also, image processing apparatus MFP has three ports (PT1, PT2, PT3) for accepting jobs, all of which are assumed to be available (free ports) in the initial state.

[0122] Also in FIG. 9, when a job processing request is received from the information processing device TE, the state becomes "job accepting" and the job processing request is accepted using the port PT1 in the same manner as in FIG. Thereafter, as in FIG. 8, it is determined whether the requested job can be accepted, and if it can be accepted, job information including the image data to be processed sent from the information processing device TE is received, the job status becomes “received”, and the processing progress status becomes “job received” M2. Furthermore, after receiving the job information, when the necessary image formation process is performed for the image data included in the job information, the job state becomes "formation" and the process progress state becomes "image formation" M3. The port PT1 remains in the occupied state (used state). Up to this point, the processing progress is the same as that in FIG.

[0123] However, in FIG. 9, if the current completion notification information is type A, a process completion notification (job normal end notification) is transmitted to the information processing device TE when the job execution is completed. As described above, the processing progress status of "image formation" M3 is the state at which job acquisition is completed, not the state at which job execution is completed, and therefore a processing completion notice (job normal end notice) is not yet transmitted to the information processing apparatus TE.

[0124] Next, in FIG. 9, after the image formation process is performed, the requested process can be performed, so a specified function is executed on the image data that has been subjected to the image formation process, the job status becomes “acquired”, and the processing progress status becomes “function executed” M4. Even during execution of this function, a process completion notice (job normal end notice) is not transmitted to the information processing device TE, and therefore the port PT1 remains in an occupied state (used state). Therefore, the port PT1 is not in a state in which it can accept the next job processing request. Furthermore, since the information processing device TE has not received a processing completion notification (job successful completion notification), it is unable to recognize that processing of the requested job has been completed, and is therefore unable to send a processing request for the next job to the image processing device MFP.

[0125] When the function executed on the image data is completed, the job execution is completed. In FIG. 9, since the current completion notification information is type A, when the function is completed, a process completion notification (job normal completion notification) is transmitted to the information processing device TE. When a processing completion notice (job normal end notice) is transmitted to the information processing device TE, the job state becomes "acquired" and the processing progress state becomes "completion notice" M5. After transmitting a processing completion notice (job normal end notice) to the information processing device TE, the port PT1 that was being used is released. That is, port PT1 is returned to a usable state (free port), and the port PT1 is made ready to accept the next job processing request.

[0126] In the case of the processing progress of Figure 9, the port PT1 that was being used is released and becomes capable of accepting the next job processing request after the execution of the function on the image data has actually been completed, so the timing at which port PT1 becomes capable of accepting the next job processing request is delayed compared to the processing progress of Figure 8, in which port PT1 is released before the execution of the function on the image data begins. In other words, since information processing apparatus TE receives a processing completion notice (job normal end notice) late, it may take a long time for information processing apparatus TE to be unable to send a processing request for the next job to image processing apparatus MFP.

[0127] In this way, if the current completion notification information is Type A, it may not be possible to send a processing request for the next job, but if the current completion notification information is Type B, by sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job acquisition is completed, the waiting time for acceptance of the next job can be reduced, or the situation in which the acceptance of the next job has to be waited can be eliminated, thereby improving the processing efficiency of multiple jobs requested from the information processing device TE.

[0128] <Description of the progress status of multiple jobs acquired when the current completion notification information is type B> 10, 11 and 12 are diagrams for explaining an embodiment showing the progress of processing of a plurality of jobs in an image processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is type B. FIG. FIG. 10 shows the job processing progress status when the current completion notification information is Type B and three jobs (job IDs: J01, J02, J03) are continuously accepted. Furthermore, it is assumed that the image processing device MFP has three ports (PT1, PT2, PT3) that accept jobs, and when the three ports are occupied, the processing of the three jobs (job IDs: J01, J02, J03) proceeds, but the fourth job (job ID: J04) cannot be accepted.

[0129] 10, job J01 is accepted at port PT1, and the processing states M1 (job acceptance) and M2 (job reception) have been completed, and the processing state M3 (image formation) is currently in progress, which is performing image formation processing. In this case, port PT1 is occupied by job J01. Also, assume that job J02 has been accepted at port PT2, and that the processing progress state M1 (job acceptance) has ended, and that the processing progress state is now M2 (job reception) in which job information is being received. In this case, port PT2 is occupied by job J02. Furthermore, assume that job J03 has been accepted at port PT3, is currently in a processing progress state M1 (job accepted), and acceptance of the job is permitted. In this case, port PT3 is occupied by job J03.

[0130] In the above situation, all ports are occupied, so there are no available ports and a new job processing request cannot be accepted. Therefore, even if a job processing request for job J04 is received, the job processing request is rejected in the acceptance determination process because there is no available port, and, for example, a notification that job J04 cannot be accepted is sent to information processing device TE.

[0131] FIG. 11 shows a processing state one step further from the processing state shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the processing progress states of M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), and M3 (image formation) of job J01 have ended, and the processing progress state is M4 (completion notification). Here, since the current completion notification information is type B, as described above, when the job acquisition completion is completed when M3 (image formation) is finished, a processing completion notification of job J01 is transmitted to information processing device TE. In this case, a processing completion notice is sent to the information processing device TE, so that the port PT1 is released and becomes a free port, which becomes available for use by the next new job.

[0132] Also, assume that job J02 accepted at port PT2 has completed the processing states M1 (job acceptance) and M2 (job reception) and is currently in the processing state M3 (image formation) which is performing image formation processing. In this case, port PT2 is still occupied by job J02. Also, assume that job J03 accepted at port PT3 has completed its processing state M1 (job acceptance) and is currently in the processing state M2 (job reception) where job information is being received. In this case, port PT3 is still occupied by job J03.

[0133] Furthermore, if a processing request for a new job J04 is transmitted from information processing device TE, port PT1 is an available port, and therefore the job processing request for job J04 is received at available port PT1. When a job processing request for job J04 is received and the job processing request is permitted in the acceptance determination process, an acceptance permission notice is transmitted to the information processing device TE, and the processing progress status becomes M1 (job acceptance). In this case, port PT1 is occupied by job J04.

[0134] After port PT1 is occupied by job J04, all ports are occupied, so even if a processing request for a new job J05 is sent from the information processing device TE, the job processing request is rejected in the acceptance determination process because there is no available port, and a notification that job J05 cannot be accepted is sent to the information processing device TE.

[0135] FIG. 12 shows a processing state one step further from the processing state shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, job J01 has completed the processing states M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), M3 (image formation), and M4 (completion notification), and is in the processing state M5 (function execution). In this case, the port PT1 has already been occupied by job J01 and is now occupied by another job J04.

[0136] Assume that job J02 has completed the processing progress states M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), and M3 (image formation), and is in the processing progress state M4 (completion notification). Here, since the current completion notification information is type B, as described above, when the job acquisition completion is completed when M3 (image formation) is finished, a processing completion notification of job J02 is transmitted to information processing device TE. In this case, a processing completion notice is sent to the information processing device TE, so that the port PT2 is released and becomes a free port, which becomes available for use by the next new job.

[0137] Also, assume that job J03 accepted at port PT3 has completed the processing states M1 (job acceptance) and M2 (job reception) and is currently in the processing state M3 (image formation) which is performing image formation processing. In this case, port PT3 is still occupied by job J03. Also, if job J04 accepted at port PT1 is in the processing progress state of M1 (job accepted), port PT1 is still occupied by job J04.

[0138] Furthermore, if a processing request for a new job J05 is transmitted from information processing device TE, port PT2 is an available port, and therefore the job processing request for job J05 is received at available port PT2. When a job processing request for job J05 is received and the job processing request is permitted in the acceptance determination process, an acceptance permission notice is transmitted to the information processing device TE, and the processing progress status becomes M1 (job accepted). In this case, port PT2 is occupied by job J05.

[0139] After port PT2 is occupied by job J05, all ports are occupied, so even if a processing request for a new job is sent from information processing device TE, the job processing request is rejected because there is no available port.

[0140] <Description of the progress status of multiple jobs acquired when the current completion notification information is type A> 13, 14 and 15 are diagrams for explaining an embodiment showing the progress of processing of a plurality of jobs in an image processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is type A. FIG. FIG. 13 shows the job processing progress status when the current completion notification information is Type A and three jobs (job IDs: J01, J02, J03) are continuously accepted. Furthermore, it is assumed that the image processing device MFP has three ports (PT1, PT2, PT3) that accept jobs, and when the three ports are occupied, the processing of the three jobs (job IDs: J01, J02, J03) proceeds, but the fourth job (job ID: J04) cannot be accepted.

[0141] In the job processing progress status shown in FIG. 13, the current completion notification information is type A. The current completion notification information is different from that of FIG. 10 in which the current completion notification information is type B, and the job processing progress state itself is the same as that of FIG. However, since the current completion notification information is Type A, after the processing progress state of M3 (image formation), the processing progress state becomes M4 (function execution) in which the function is executed, and then becomes M5 (completion notification) in which a processing completion notification is sent. If the current completion notification information is Type A, as described above, a processing completion notification of job J01 is sent when job execution is completed, so when job acquisition is completed when M3 (image formation) is finished, a processing completion notification of job J01 is not sent to the information processing device TE, and the function requested for job J01 is executed.

[0142] FIG. 14 shows a processing state one step further from the processing state shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the processing progress states of M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), and M3 (image formation) of job J01 have been completed, and the processing progress state is M4 (function execution). Here, since the current completion notification information is type A, the function requested for job J01 is executed, and port PT1 is still occupied by job J01.

[0143] Also, assume that job J02 accepted at port PT2 has completed the processing states M1 (job acceptance) and M2 (job reception) and is currently in the processing state M3 (image formation) which is performing image formation processing. In this case, port PT2 is still occupied by job J02. Also, assume that job J03 accepted at port PT3 has completed its processing state M1 (job acceptance) and is currently in the processing state M2 (job reception) where job information is being received. In this case, port PT3 is still occupied by job J03.

[0144] Therefore, in the processing progress state of Figure 14, all ports are still occupied, so even if a processing request for a new job J04 is sent from the information processing device TE, since there are no available ports, the job processing request is rejected in the acceptance determination process, and a notification that job J04 cannot be accepted is sent to the information processing device TE.

[0145] FIG. 15 shows a processing progress state which is one step further from the processing progress state in FIG. In FIG. 15, job J01 has completed processing states M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), M3 (image formation), and M4 (function execution), and is in a processing state of M5 (completion notification). Here, the state where M4 (function execution) is completed is a state where the function requested for job J01 is executed and the function is normally completed. That is, in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the job execution of job J01 is completed.

[0146] When the current completion notification information is type A, as described above, a processing completion notification of job J01 is transmitted when the job execution is completed, and therefore, a processing completion notification of job J01 is transmitted to information processing device TE. Furthermore, since a processing completion notice is sent to the information processing device TE, the port PT1 is released and becomes a free port, which becomes available for use by the next new job.

[0147] Assume that job J02 has completed the processing progress states M1 (job acceptance), M2 (job reception), and M3 (image formation), and is in the processing progress state of M4 (function execution). Here, since the current completion notification information is type A, the function requested for job J02 is executed, and port PT2 is still occupied by job J02.

[0148] Also, assume that job J03 accepted at port PT3 has completed the processing states M1 (job acceptance) and M2 (job reception) and is currently in the processing state M3 (image formation) which is performing image formation processing. In this case, port PT3 is still occupied by job J03.

[0149] Furthermore, if a processing request for a new job J04 is transmitted from information processing device TE, port PT1 is an available port, and therefore the job processing request for job J04 is received at available port PT1. When a job processing request for job J04 is received and the job processing request is permitted in the acceptance determination process, an acceptance permission notice is transmitted to the information processing device TE, and the processing progress status becomes M1 (job acceptance). In this case, port PT1 is occupied by job J04.

[0150] After port PT1 is occupied by job J04, all ports are occupied, and since there are no free ports, any processing requests for new jobs are rejected.

[0151] As shown in Figure 15, when the current completion notification information is Type A, port PT1 is released and becomes a free port not when job acquisition is completed, but when job execution is completed, which is the point at which the function requested for job J01 is executed and completed successfully. Therefore, the timing at which port PT1 is released is delayed compared to when the current completion notification information is Type B.

[0152] <Communication sequence for job acceptance execution process when the current completion notification information is Type B> FIG. 16 shows a communication sequence of an embodiment of a job acceptance / execution process performed between an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is Type B. In FIG. Here, since the current completion notification information is type B, when the job acquisition is completed, that is, before the execution of the function for the job starts, a job processing completion notification (job normal end notification) is transmitted to the information processing device TE.

[0153] In step T01 of FIG. 16, it is assumed that a user US001 performs a predetermined input operation on information processing device TE, inputs a job with job ID J01, and stores image data included in the job. At this time, user US001 also inputs the function to be executed for the job with job ID J01. For example, the user inputs the print function, fax transmission function, etc., and also inputs the information required to execute each function. For the print function, the number of copies to be printed and the printing paper type are specified, and for the fax transmission function, the transmission destination is input.

[0154] In Step T02, when the user designates image processing apparatus MFP for executing a function and performs an input operation for executing the function, a job processing request is transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP. A job processing request may include, for example, a user name, a job type, a job ID, J01, These include image resolution (main scan / sub-scan), the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval when sending a fax, whether or not the results are printed when sending a fax, the login name and login password when authenticating a user, and the destination fax number.

[0155] In Step M01, the image processing apparatus MFP receives a job processing request. In step M02, a process for determining whether or not the job can be accepted is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not there are any free ports and free storage resources of the image processing device MFP. For example, if one or more of the ports possessed by the image processing device MFP are available and there is available storage resource for receiving the image data contained in the requested job and executing processing related to the acceptance of the job, it is determined that the job can be accepted. In principle, one port can accept one job, but since it is possible for one port to accept multiple jobs, the number of jobs that can be accepted for each port can be set in advance, and the number of jobs that can be accepted can also be used to determine whether or not to accept a job.

[0156] In step M03, if the job can be accepted, the current operation state (status) is set to ST1 (accepting processing) and stored. Here, since it is now possible to accept the job with job ID J01, information about the job with job ID J01 (job ID, job type, acceptance time, etc.) is added to job management information 45, and the current operating state (status) of the job with job ID J01 is set to ST1 (accepting processing). Furthermore, the port that accepted the job with job ID J01 is occupied by the job with job ID J01 and is in use.

[0157] In Step M04, image processing apparatus MFP transmits a notification of acceptance of the job processing request to information processing apparatus TE that has transmitted the job processing request. At this time, the acceptance permission notification includes information such as job ID J01 and the current operation state (status) of the job with job ID J01 being ST1.

[0158] In step T03, the information processing device TE receives the acceptance permission notification. In Step T04, job information of job ID J01 is transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP. The job information includes, for example, a user name, a job ID J01, image data to be processed, These include image resolution (main scan / sub-scan), the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval when sending a fax, whether or not the results are printed when sending a fax, the login name and login password when authenticating a user, and the destination fax number.

[0159] In Step M05, image processing apparatus MFP receives the job information. In Step M06, image processing device MFP performs image forming processing on the image data to be processed in order to execute the requested function. As a result, the requested function can be executed on the image data to be processed, and this point corresponds to the time when the job acquisition is completed.

[0160] In step M07, the current completion notification information is checked and it is confirmed that the current completion notification information is Type B. Since the current completion notification information is Type B, a job processing completion notification (job successful completion notification) is sent when the job is acquired. In step M08, the current operation status is set to ST3 (normal completion) and stored.

[0161] In Step M09, a job processing completion notice (job normal end notice) is sent to the information processing device TE that has sent the job processing request. The job successful completion notification includes, for example, the user name, job ID J01, status ST3 (successful completion), the number of retransmissions and the retransmission interval in the case of AX transmission, whether or not the results should be printed in the case of FAX transmission, and the recipient FAX number. In step M10, the port that accepted the job with job ID J01 is released. In step M11, processing of the job with job ID J01 begins.

[0162] In step T05, the information processing device TE receives the job normal end notification. In Step T06, the normal end of the job is displayed on the display unit 53 of the information processing device TE. Here, it is displayed that the processing of job with job ID J01 has been executed in image processing apparatus MFP and has been normally completed (for example, job J01: printing completed).

[0163] By checking this display, user US001 determines that the processing of the job with job ID J01 that he or she requested has been completed. In this case, even if the processing of job ID J01 has not actually been completed in image processing apparatus MFP, user US001 will determine that the processing of the job has been completed. Through the above processing, processing of the requested job with job ID J01 is completed.

[0164] Assume that the processing of the job with job ID J01 requested by user US001 has been completed, and user US001 now inputs the next job. In step T07, similarly to step T01, user US001 performs a predetermined input operation on information processing device TE to input a job with job ID J02 and store image data included in the job.

[0165] In step T08, similarly to step T02, when the user designates image processing apparatus MFP for executing a function and performs an input operation for executing the function, a job processing request is transmitted to image processing apparatus MFP. The job processing request includes, for example, a user name, a job type, and a job ID J02. In step M12, the image processing apparatus MFP receives the job processing request. Thereafter, the same process as described above is repeated.

[0166] <Communication sequence for job acceptance execution process when the current completion notification information is Type A> FIG. 17 shows a communication sequence of an embodiment of a job acceptance / execution process performed between an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus when the current completion notification information is Type A. In FIG. The steps performing the same processes as those in the communication sequence of FIG. 16 are given the same numbers. Here, since the current completion notification information is type A, when the job execution is completed, that is, after the execution of the function for the job is normally completed, a job processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) is transmitted to the information processing device TE.

[0167] In the communication sequence in FIG. 17, the same processes as those from step T01 to step T04 in information processing device TE and from step M01 to step M06 in image processing device MFP are performed in the communication sequence in FIG. That is, the process from the job processing request, the acceptance permission notification, the transmission of the job information, to the image forming process is the same as that in FIG. 16, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0168] In FIG. 17, after step M06, in image processing device MFP, in step M21, the current completion notification information is checked. Assume that it is confirmed in step M21 that the current completion notification information is type A. If the current completion notification information is Type A, a job processing completion notification (job normal completion notification) is sent when the job execution is completed, and therefore the function requested for job J01 is executed.

[0169] When the function requested for job J01 is fax transmission, first, in step M22, ST2 (Fax transmission in progress) is set and stored as the current operating state (status). At this time, as shown in the figure, a job execution notification indicating that the job is being executed may be transmitted to the information processing device TE. The job execution notification includes a status ST2 (FAX transmission in progress). Alternatively, if the function requested for job J01 is printing, in step M22, the current operating state (status) may be set and stored as ST5 (printing in progress), and a job execution notification including status ST5 (printing in progress) may be sent to the information processing device TE. Thereafter, in step M23, similar to step M11, processing of the job with job ID J01 is started.

[0170] In step T11, the information processing device TE receives the job execution notification. In step T12, information processing device TE that has received the job execution notification may display that the job with job ID J01 is currently being executed.

[0171] When it is assumed that the processing of job ID J01 is normally completed in image processing apparatus MFP, a processing completion notice (job normal completion notice) indicating the normal completion is transmitted to information processing apparatus TE. First, in step M24, similarly to step M08, the current operation state (status) is set and stored as ST3 (normal end). In step M25, similarly to step M09, a job processing completion notice (job normal end notice) is sent to the information processing device TE that has sent the job processing request. In step M26, similar to step M10, the port that accepted the job with job ID J01 is released.

[0172] After that, when the information processing apparatus TE receives a job normal end notification in step T05, the information processing apparatus TE displays the job normal end on the display unit 53 of the information processing apparatus TE in step T06, similarly to FIG. This displays that the job with job ID J01 has been processed in image processing apparatus MFP and has been normally completed (for example, job J01: printing completed). By checking this display, user US001 determines that the processing of the job he or she requested is complete when the processing of job ID J01 is actually completed. Through the above processing, processing of the requested job with job ID J01 is completed.

[0173] Thereafter, processing of the job with job ID J01 requested by user US001 is completed, so when user US001 inputs the next job, similarly to FIG. 16, steps T07 and T08 are executed in the information processing device TE, and step M12 is executed in the image processing device MFP, and a job processing request for the next job is received. Thereafter, the same process as described above is repeated.

[0174] <Flowchart of Completion Notification Timing Switching Process> FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a completion notification timing switching process in an image processing device. Here, a process of determining whether the current completion notification information 44 is to be switched to type A or type B will be described. As described above, the current completion notification information 44 is switched to either type A or type B according to the completion notification switching condition 43.

[0175] In step S1 of FIG. 18, the presence or absence of an available port is checked. For example, if the image processing device MFP has three ports, it is checked whether one or more of the three ports are free or whether all three ports are free. In step S2, if there is one or more available ports, the process proceeds to step S4, and if there is no available port, the process proceeds to step S3.

[0176] In step S3, a process for determining whether to switch to type B is performed. In the process of determining whether to switch to type B, if a completion notification switching condition 43 for switching to type B is satisfied, a process of changing the current completion notification information 44 from type A to type B is performed. A detailed flow of the process of determining whether to switch to Type B will be shown in FIG.

[0177] In step S4, a process for determining whether to switch to type A is performed. In the process of determining whether to switch to type A, if the completion notification switching condition 43 for switching to type A is satisfied, a process of changing the current completion notification information 44 from type B to type A is performed. A detailed flow of the process of determining whether to switch to Type A will be shown in FIG. 20, which will be described later. After step S3 or step S4, the process returns to step S1 and the process is repeated.

[0178] (Decision process for switching completion notification timing to Type B) FIG. 19 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a determination process for switching the completion notification timing to type B in the completion notification timing switching process in the image processing apparatus. The flowchart in FIG. 19 shows an embodiment of the process contents of step S3 described above.

[0179] In step S11 of FIG. 19, a check is made to see whether or not a job executing the requested function exists. For example, it is checked whether or not there is a job currently being processed by printing or fax transmission. In step S12, if there is a job currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S13; otherwise, the process ends.

[0180] In step S13, the current setting state of the current completion notification information 44 is checked. In step S14, if the current completion notification information 44 is set to type A, the process proceeds to step S15, and if not, that is, if it is set to type B, the process ends.

[0181] In step S15, the current completion notification information 44 is changed to type B. Here, the image processing device MFP may transmit to the information processing device TE that the current completion notification information 44 has been changed to type B, i.e., that the image processing device MFP is currently set to transmit a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job acquisition is completed.

[0182] In step S16, the current state (status) of the job in the execution state in the job management information is changed to normal completion (ST4). In step S17, the current state (status) of the job in the execution state is transmitted to the information processing device TE that has transmitted the job. Here, a normal end (ST4) is transmitted to the information processing device TE.

[0183] In step S18, the port that was being used by the job in the running state is released. That is, the port that was being used by the job in the running state is set to an unused state. As a result, the port that was being used by the job in the running state becomes available for use by the next job to be received. As a result of the above, when the current completion notification information 44 is changed to type B, the timing for sending a processing completion notification will be when the job acquisition is completed.

[0184] (Decision process for switching completion notification timing to Type A) FIG. 20 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a determination process for switching the completion notification timing to type A in the completion notification timing switching process in the image processing apparatus. The flowchart in FIG. 20 shows an embodiment of the process contents of step S4 described above.

[0185] Here, if there are less than two available ports (free ports), that is, if there is zero or one free port, then switching to type A is not performed. Also, if there are less than two available resources (free resources), that is, if there is zero or one free resource, switching to type A is not performed. However, the condition for not switching to type A is not limited to this. For example, if there are no free resources, switching to type A may not be performed.

[0186] In step S31 of FIG. 20, the number of available ports (free ports) is checked. In step S32, if two or more ports are free, the process proceeds to step S33; otherwise, the process ends. In step S33, the availability of storage resources is checked. In step S34, if two or more resources are free, the process proceeds to step S35; otherwise, the process ends.

[0187] In step S35, if there is no job currently being executed, the process proceeds to step S36; otherwise, the process ends. In step S36, the current completion notification information 44 is changed to type A, and the process ends. Also, in step S36, the image processing device MFP may transmit to the information processing device TE that the current completion notification information 44 has been changed to type A, i.e., that the image processing device MFP is currently set to transmit a processing completion notification to the information processing device TE when job execution is completed. As a result of the above, when the current completion notification information 44 is changed to type A, the timing for sending a processing completion notification will be when the job execution is completed.

[0188] <Flowchart of job reception execution process> 21 and 22 are flowcharts showing an embodiment of a job acceptance and execution process in the image processing apparatus of the present invention. Here, a case will be described in which the function of the requested job is a fax transmission function. However, in cases other than the fax transmission function, substantially the same processing is carried out.

[0189] In step S51 of FIG. 21, a check is made to see whether there are available ports and available resources. In step S52, if there are available ports and available resources, the process proceeds to step S53; if not, the process returns to step S51. In step S53, it is checked whether a job processing request is received from the information processing device TE. In step S54, if a job processing request is received, the process proceeds to step S55, otherwise the process returns to step S51.

[0190] In step S55, a job reception process is started using a free port. Here, for example, a notification of acceptance is sent to the information processing apparatus TE that has sent the job processing request, and reception of job information including image data to be processed is started. In step S56, in the job management information, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "accepting processing (ST1)". In step S57, the current status of the accepted job, "status: accepting for processing (ST1)", is transmitted to the information processing device TE that has transmitted the job processing request.

[0191] In step S58, it is checked whether reception of image data to be processed has been completed. If reception of image data has been completed, the process proceeds to step S59; if not, step S58 is repeated. In step S59, image forming processing is carried out on the received image data. Here, for example, if the function of the requested job is a fax transmission function, the received image data is converted into data in a format that can be sent by fax.

[0192] In step S60, the current completion notification information 44 is checked. In step S61, if the current completion notification information 44 is type B, the process proceeds to step S62, and if it is type A, the process proceeds to step S81 in FIG.

[0193] In step S62, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "normal completion (ST3)." This is because the current completion notification information 44 is type B, and a processing completion notification is sent when the job acquisition is completed. In step S63, a job normal end notification is sent to the information processing device TE that has sent the job processing request. The job successful completion notification includes the current status of the accepted job, "Status: Successful completion (ST3)."

[0194] In step S64, the port that was being used is released. Since the job normal completion notification has been sent, the port that was being used is set to an unused state, making it available to accept the next job.

[0195] In step S65, the function of the requested job is executed. Here, the image data to be processed is sent by fax. The fax transmission function calls the destination device, and if the destination device responds, it transmits the image data. If the destination device does not respond, it retransmits (redials) after a specified time has elapsed.

[0196] In step S66, if the fax transmission has not ended normally, the process proceeds to step S67, and if the fax transmission has ended normally, the process ends. In step S67, if the number of retransmissions for redialing has not reached the preset upper limit (if there is any remaining number of retransmissions), the process returns to step S65 and fax transmission is executed again. If the number of retransmissions reaches the preset upper limit (if there are no more retransmissions remaining), the process proceeds to step S68.

[0197] In step S68, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "Ended in error (ST4)." In step S69, since the current status of the job cannot be sent to the information processing device TE that sent the job processing request, information indicating that the job ended in an error (error end information) is stored, and the error end information is output (printed) as a print report on a specified printing paper. The print report that is output may include, for example, information about the job that ended in error, information about the execution result including the date and time, and an image (part) of the job. If the current completion notification information 44 is Type B, whether the job has been completed normally or in error, the port that was used has already been released in step S64, so the port that was used is set to an unused state and is ready to accept the next job.

[0198] In particular, when the current completion notification information 44 is Type B, when the job acquisition is completed, the information processing device TE is notified that the job has been normally completed, and before the execution of the requested job is started, the port that was being used is set to an unused state, so that it is possible to prevent the acceptance of the next job from being in a waiting state for a long period of time, and the next job can be processed quickly.

[0199] On the other hand, in the case of Type A, in step S81 of FIG. 22, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "FAX sending (ST2)". In step S82, the current status of the accepted job, "Status: FAX sending (ST2)", is transmitted to the information processing device TE that has transmitted the job processing request.

[0200] In step S83, the function of the requested job (fax transmission) is executed. In step S84, if the fax transmission has not ended normally, the process proceeds to step S86, and if the fax transmission has ended normally, the process proceeds to step S85. In step S85, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "normal completion (ST3)", and the process proceeds to step S88.

[0201] In step S86, if the number of retransmissions for redialing has not reached the preset upper limit (if there is any remaining number of retransmissions), the process returns to step S83 and fax transmission is executed again. If the number of retransmissions reaches a preset upper limit (if there are no more retransmissions remaining), the process proceeds to step S87. In step S87, the current state (status) of the accepted job is set and stored as "Ended in error (ST4)", and the process proceeds to step S88.

[0202] In step S88, the current state (status) of the accepted job is transmitted to the information processing device TE that has transmitted the job processing request. If the current status is set to "Normal completion (ST3)", a normal completion notification including the current status "Status: Normal completion (ST3)" is sent. On the other hand, if the current status is set to "Ended in error (ST4)", the current status "Status: Ended in error (ST4)" is sent.

[0203] In step S89, the port that has been used is released, similarly to step S64. That is, whether the job has been completed normally or in error, the port that was being used at this point is set to an unused state, making it available to accept the next job.

[0204] <Other Examples> (Example 1: Current completion notification information switching conditions) In the above embodiment, the current completion notification information is automatically set to either Type A or Type B based on the completion notification switching condition that is set and stored in advance. However, the completion notification switching conditions are not limited to those exemplified in FIG. For example, the availability of each resource may not be judged based on whether it is available or not, but based on whether the number of available resources falls below a predetermined number. Also, instead of switching based on the resource usage status, the type of job may be switched from type A to type B, for example, only a FAX transmission job. Furthermore, only a predetermined destination for FAX transmission may be switched from type A to type B.

[0205] (Example 2: Manual setting of current completion notification information) In the above embodiment, the current completion notification information 44 is automatically switched in the image processing apparatus MFP in setting the current completion notification information, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the information processing device TE, a user may perform a predetermined input operation to send a request to switch the current completion notification information from the information processing device TE to the image processing device MFP, so that the current completion notification information of the image processing device MFP can be switched to either type A or type B. That is, the current completion notification information of image processing device MFP may be set and stored for each information processing device TE.

[0206] For example, after receiving a switching request to switch the current completion notification information to type B from the information processing device TE1, a processing completion notification may be always transmitted to the information processing device TE1 upon completion of job acquisition. Moreover, after receiving a switching request to switch the current completion notification information to type A from another information processing device TE2, a processing completion notification may be always transmitted to that information processing device TE2 upon completion of job execution.

[0207] (Example 3: Changing the current completion notification information settings) In the above embodiment, the current completion notification information is switched to either type A or type B based on the completion notification switching condition regardless of the type of job requested from the information processing device TE, but this is not limited to this. The current completion notification information may be switched to type A or type B for each function executed for a job.

[0208] For example, when the function to be executed for a job is “fax transmission”, taking into consideration the possibility of retransmission, it may take a long time for the fax transmission processing to actually be completed. Therefore, when the job type included in the received job processing request is “fax transmission”, the current completion notification information may be switched to Type B, and a processing completion notification may be sent to the information processing device TE when the job acquisition is completed.

[0209] Furthermore, when the function to be executed for a job is a "printing function," printing may be completed in a short period of time. Therefore, when the job type included in the received job processing request is "printing," the current completion notification information may be switched to Type A, and a processing completion notification may be sent to the information processing device TE when job execution is completed. Alternatively, when the function executed for a job is a "print function," the current completion notification information may be switched to either type A or type B, taking into consideration the number of printed sheets. For example, if the requested print job requires one sheet to be printed, the current completion notification information may be set to Type A, and if the requested print job requires 100 sheets to be printed, the current completion notification information may be set to Type B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 1 Image processing device (MFP), 2. Information processing equipment (TE), 3. Network, 11 Control section, 12 Operation section, 13 Display section, 14 Image processing unit, 15 Communications Department, 16 Fax Communication Department, 21 Job Acquisition Department, 22 Job type determination unit, 23 Operation state determination unit, 24 Completion notification selection section, 25 Operation status notification unit, 26 Function execution unit, 40 storage section, 41 Received image data, 42 Operation status setting information, 43 Completion notification switching conditions, 44 Current completion notification information, 45 Job management information, 46 free ports, 47 free resources, 51 control section, 52 Operation section, 53 Display section, 54 Communications Department, 55 Job generation unit, 56 Job sending unit, 57 MFP status acquisition unit, 58 MFP status determination unit, 59 Function execution request unit, 70 storage section, 71 input image data, 72 MFP operation status information

Claims

1. one or more ports for receiving jobs transmitted from an information processing device; a job acquisition unit that acquires a job received at the port; a function execution unit that executes a function requested for the acquired job; a completion notification selection unit that selects a timing when the port becomes available by transmitting a processing completion notification indicating that the execution of the function has been normally completed after the function has been executed to the information processing device, The timing of transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device includes a job execution completion time when the execution of the function is normally ended, and a job acquisition completion time when the execution of the function is started. An image processing device characterized in that, when there is a function currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired because the port is full, the completion notification selection unit selects the time when the job acquisition is completed as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device.

2. When the time when the job acquisition is completed is selected as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device, 2 . The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein after the processing completion notification for the job acquired by the job acquisition unit is transmitted to the information processing device, the function execution unit starts execution of a function requested for the acquired job.

3. one or more ports for receiving a job transmitted from an information processing device; 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the state in which a new job cannot be acquired is a state in which there is no port capable of accepting a job.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that when there is no function currently being executed and a new job can be acquired, the completion notification selection unit selects the time when the job execution is completed as the timing for sending a processing completion notification to the information processing device.

5. When the time when the job execution is completed is selected as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device, 5. The image processing device according to claim 4, wherein after the function execution unit executes a requested function for the acquired job and the function is completed successfully, the processing completion notification for the job for which the function was completed successfully is sent to the information processing device.

6. one or more ports for receiving a job transmitted from an information processing device; one or more storage resources that are memory areas utilized to execute functions required for the acquired jobs; 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the state in which a new job can be acquired is a state in which there is one or more ports capable of accepting a job and one or more available storage resources.

7. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the processing completion notice for the acquired job is transmitted to the information processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus is in a state in which at least one new job can be acquired by the job acquisition section.

8. The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that if the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device is changed from the completion of job execution to the completion of job acquisition, and if the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device is changed from the completion of job acquisition to the completion of job execution, the image processing device transmits a notification to a connectable information processing device that the timing for sending the processing completion notification to the information processing device has changed.

9. An operation state notification method for an image processing device, comprising: a job acquisition step of receiving and acquiring a job transmitted from an information processing device at one or more ports; a function execution step of executing a function requested for the acquired job; a completion notification selection step of selecting a timing when the port becomes available by transmitting a processing completion notification indicating that the execution of the function has been normally completed after the execution of the function to the information processing device; an operation status notifying step of transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device; The timing of transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device includes a job execution completion time when the execution of the function is normally ended, and a job acquisition completion time when the execution of the function is started. When the image processing device is in a state where a function is currently being executed and a new job cannot be acquired because the port is full, the completion notification selection step selects the time when the job acquisition is completed as the timing for transmitting the processing completion notification to the information processing device; In the job acquisition step, after acquiring the job, executing the operation status notification step at the time of completion of the job acquisition before starting execution of a function requested for the acquired job; After transmitting the processing completion notice for the acquired job to the information processing device, A method for notifying an operational state of an image processing device, comprising: executing the function execution step.

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