JP2005011243A - Output control device, information processing device, information processing system, control method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Data files can be output even if the client terminal does not have application software corresponding to the data file to be printed.
A server receives a data file transmitted from a communicably connected client terminal and output setting information related to output processing, performs predetermined processing on the received data file, and outputs output image data. After the creation, the client terminal 103 has application software so that the output of the created output image data is instructed to the network devices 104 and 105 connected via the network 101b based on the received output setting information. Even if not, the data file can be easily output using the application software in the server 102.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an output control device, an information processing device, an information processing system, a control method, a recording medium, and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A general processing procedure when giving a print instruction to a printer from application software (hereinafter also simply referred to as “application”) operating on a computer is briefly described as follows.
The application supplies the instructed data to be printed to a printer driver (software) via an OS operating on the computer. The printer driver converts the data (page description language) suitable for the connected printer and outputs the result.
[0003]
At this time, if a parallel interface (for example, an interface of US Centronics specification) is set as a print output port in the OS, print data is output via the parallel interface. If the device name is on the network (generally, the name or IP address of a printer or print server on the network), the print data is output to the destination.
In addition, it is also possible to connect to a remote device or network via a communication line, and then cause a printer on the other side to print.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-265362
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, in general, in a print-on-demand market, a file creator who creates a file is different from a person who prints the file. Furthermore, there may be an intermediary that mediates it. Intermediaries often do things like changing the number of copies, imposition, or finishing process, without processing the file at all. At this time, the presence or type of the application is not a problem, only the environment in which those work can be done Should be prepared.
[0006]
However, in the conventional system targeting the office market, it is assumed that the user himself / herself performs printing, and the file creator, the mediator, and the person who performs printing often require an application. In recent years, in the print-on-demand (or book-on-demand) market or the like, a workflow is used in which a user entrusts a print job to a third party for printing (or bookbinding). In order to realize this, each person must prepare not only an application but also an environment for printing a file, that is, an OS and a driver (including a PScript (PostScript Printer Description) file).
[0007]
However, printers have different abilities, functions, etc., as well as the language of print data, depending on the manufacturer, model, and printing method (ink droplet ejection method or electrophotographic method, etc.).
For example, when using PostScript proposed by Adobe in the United States as a page description language, a PPD file suitable for a printer to be printed must be prepared.
[0008]
In addition, there are various types depending on the OS used for Windows (R) 95/98 / Me or Windows (R) NT / 2000 provided by Microsoft Corporation in the United States, or for Macintosh in the United States Apple Corporation. You must prepare a PPD file.
Further, the user has to start an application on each OS, install a unique driver, and print.
[0009]
Next, there is a security problem. With the spread of networks, anyone can get a print driver easily from any client computer. For this reason, it is necessary to set security levels for important users (or jobs) and non-users (or jobs) to determine whether or not to output, and to provide access rights to the printer. Yes. In the print-on-demand market for printing in large quantities, it has become necessary to devise methods such as changing the job priority and outputting.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and enables the data file to be output even if the client computer (client terminal) does not have application software corresponding to the data file to be printed. With the goal. A second object of the present invention is to make it possible to arbitrarily set desired printing conditions even when a printer driver is not provided when printing is performed.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An output control apparatus according to the present invention is an output control apparatus in which a plurality of network devices are connected via a network, and is an output related to a data file transmitted from a client terminal that is communicably connected and an output process of the data file A receiving unit that receives setting information, an output data generating unit that performs predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data, and an output of output image data created on the network device based on the received output setting information Output control means for instructing.
[0012]
Another aspect of the output control apparatus of the present invention manages a plurality of network devices connected via a network, and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client terminal connected via the network. An output control apparatus, a receiving means for receiving a data file created by application software from a client terminal and output setting information for output processing of the data file, respectively, and an output control apparatus Control means for starting up a data file received by application software included in the network and performing output processing based on output setting information received for a network device capable of output processing.
[0013]
The information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a data file for requesting output and output setting information relating to output processing of the data file to an output control apparatus in which a plurality of network devices are connected via the network. The output setting information includes information specifying an output destination of the data file from among a plurality of network devices.
[0014]
An information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system in which a plurality of network devices, an output control apparatus that issues an output instruction to the network device, and a client terminal are connected via a network, and data to be output to the network device A transmission unit that transmits output setting information related to output processing of a file and a data file, a reception unit that receives the transmitted data file and output setting information, and generates output image data by performing predetermined processing on the received data file And output control means for instructing the network device to output the created output image data based on the received output setting information.
[0015]
The control method of the present invention is a control method for an information processing system in which a plurality of network devices, an output control apparatus that issues an output instruction to the network device, and a client terminal are connected via a network, and outputs to the network device A data file to be received and a reception step for receiving output setting information relating to the output processing of the data file; an output data creation step for performing predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data; and based on the received output setting information And an output control step for instructing the network device to output the created output image data.
[0016]
The program of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a data file transmitted from a communicably connected client terminal and output setting information related to the output process of the data file, and performs a predetermined process on the received data file for output Causing the computer to function as output data creation means for creating image data and output control means for instructing output of the created output image data to a network device connected via the network based on the received output setting information It is characterized by.
The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized by recording the above-described program.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
[System Overview]
1 and 2 are conceptual diagrams illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system to which the information processing system according to the first embodiment is applied. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to components having the same function.
[0018]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a comparatively simple image forming system in which a plurality of network devices (apparatuses) are connected via one network 101. FIG. 1 shows an image forming system in which the network 101 shown in FIG. 2 is divided into two systems in order to reduce network traffic and improve performance. In the present embodiment, any configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be applied.
[0019]
The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is substantially the same except for the above-described points. Therefore, in the following description, the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail. In the following description, the two networks shown in FIG. 1 are referred to as a public network 101a and a private network 101b, respectively.
[0020]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 denotes a document server connected to two networks 101a and 101b. The document server 102 has at least two systems of network interface cards (NIC: Network Interface Card) 111 and 112 (see FIG. 14 described later). The NIC 111 is connected to the public network 101a, and the NIC 112 is connected to the private network 101b.
[0021]
The document server 102 includes a NIC, a dedicated interface (I / F) card, or a SCSI (Small Computer System) described above via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or the like on a part called a motherboard on which a CPU, a memory, and the like are mounted. Interface) card or the like is connected. Details of the document server 102 will be described later with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
Computers 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c are client terminals (hereinafter simply referred to as “clients”) that are connected to the public network 101 a and send jobs to the document server 102. In FIG. 1, only three clients 103a to 103c are illustrated, but many other clients are connected. Hereinafter, the clients 103a, 103b, 103c,...
[0023]
A multifunction peripheral device (MFP) 104 is a full-color MFP capable of scanning (image reading), printing (image printing), and the like with high resolution and high gradation full color. The MFP 104 may be connected to the private network 101b to send and receive data. However, since the amount of data becomes enormous, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of bits can be sent and received simultaneously using independent interfaces. The MFP 104 and the document server 102 are connected by a unique interface card 113.
[0024]
The MFPs 105a to 105d are MFPs that perform monochrome scanning or printing, or low-resolution or binary simple color scanning or color printing.
The MFPs 105a to 105d are connected to the private network 101b. Hereinafter, the MFPs 105a to 105d are represented as the MFP 105 as a representative.
[0025]
Furthermore, a printer 107 is connected to the private network 101b. Although not shown, other network devices such as an MFP other than the above, a scanner, a printer, and a FAX are also connected to the private network 101b.
[0026]
The scanner 106 is connected to the public network 101a and is an apparatus that captures an image from a paper document. In addition to the scanner 106 connected to the network as shown in FIG. 1, a scanner connected to a computer via a SCSI interface or the like may be provided. Further, the MFP 104, 105 may have a function as a scanner as a part of the function.
[0027]
Here, on the client 103, an application for executing so-called DTP (Desk Top Publishing) is operated to create or edit various documents and graphics. The client 103 converts the created or edited document or figure into a page description language (PDL) and sends the document or figure to the MFP 104 or MFP 105 via the public network 101a, thereby printing out the document or figure. Let it run.
[0028]
Each of the MFPs 104 and 105 has a communication unit that can exchange information with the document server 102 via the network 101b or the dedicated interface 113. The MFPs 104 and 105 are configured to sequentially notify the document server 102 (or the client 103 side via the information) via communication means.
[0029]
Furthermore, the document server 102 (or client 103) has utility software that operates in response to the information, and the MFPs 104 and 105 are managed by the document server 102 (or client 103).
[0030]
[MFPs 104 and 105]
Next, the configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described. Here, the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 are different in whether they are compatible with full color or monochrome, but in general, in a portion other than color processing, a full color device often includes a configuration of a monochrome device. Therefore, in the following, a full-color device will be described, and a description of a monochrome device will be added as needed.
[0031]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFPs 104 and 105 include a scanner unit 201, a scanner IP unit 202, a FAX unit 203, a NIC unit 204, a dedicated I / F unit 205, a core unit 206, a printer IP unit 207, pulse width modulation (PWM). : Pulse Width Modulation) section 208, printer section 209, and finisher section 210.
[0032]
The scanner unit 201 reads a document image, and the scanner IP unit 202 performs image processing on the image data read by the scanner unit 201. A FAX unit 203 transmits and receives images using a telephone line typified by a facsimile. The NIC unit 204 exchanges image data and device information using a network. The dedicated I / F unit 205 exchanges information with the full-color MFP 104.
[0033]
A core unit 206 temporarily stores an image signal and determines a route according to how the MFPs 104 and 105 are used. The printer IP unit 207 performs image processing on the image data output from the core unit 206. The PWM unit 208 performs pulse width modulation according to the output of the printer IP unit 207. The printer unit 209 forms an image based on the output of the PWM unit 208. The finisher unit 210 is fed with a sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 and performs sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing.
[0034]
[Scanner unit 201]
Next, the configuration of the scanner unit 201 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the scanner unit 201.
In FIG. 4, reference numeral 301 denotes an original platen glass on which an original 302 to be read is placed. The original 302 is irradiated with an illumination lamp 303, and the reflected light passes through mirrors 304, 305 and 306, and is imaged on the CCD 308 by a lens 307. The first mirror unit 310 including the illumination lamp 303 and the mirror 304 moves at a speed v, and the second mirror unit 311 including the mirrors 305 and 306 moves at a speed (v / 2), whereby the entire surface of the document 302 is scanned. Is done. The first mirror unit 310 and the second mirror unit 311 are driven by a motor 309.
[0035]
[Scanner IP unit 202]
Next, the scanner IP unit 202 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 5A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner IP unit 202 for the color scanner, and FIG. 5B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner IP unit 202 for the monochrome scanner.
[0036]
As shown in FIG. 5A, in the color scanner (MFP 104), the input optical signal is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD sensor 308. The CCD sensor 308 is an RGB line (three lines) color sensor, and electrical signals obtained by the conversion are input to the A / D converter 401 as R, G, and B image signals.
[0037]
The image signal input to the A / D converter 401 is subjected to gain adjustment and offset adjustment, and then converted into 8-bit digital image signals R0, G0, and B0 for each color signal by the A / D converter. Thereafter, the shading correction unit 402 performs known shading correction using the read signal of the reference white plate for each color. Furthermore, since the color line sensors of the CCD sensor 308 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the line interpolation unit (line delay adjustment circuit) 403 corrects the spatial deviation in the sub-scanning direction.
[0038]
Next, the input masking unit 404 performs a 3 × 3 matrix operation using constants unique to the apparatus in consideration of various characteristics including sensitivity characteristics of the CCD sensor 308 / spectrum characteristics of the illumination lamp and the like (R0). , G0, B0) are converted into standard (R, G, B) luminance signals. Here, the input masking unit 404 converts the reading color space determined by the spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B filters of the CCD sensor 308 into the NTSC standard color space.
[0039]
Further, a luminance / density conversion unit (LOG conversion unit) 405 constituted by a look-up table (LUT) RAM makes the (R, G, B) luminance signals become (C1, M1, Y1) concentration signals. Convert to
[0040]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the monochrome scanner (MFP 105), the same processing as that described above in the A / D conversion unit 401 and the shading correction unit 402 is performed using a monochrome single-line CCD sensor 308. Is performed in a single color, and then an image signal is sent to the core unit 206.
[0041]
[FAX unit 203]
Next, the FAX unit 203 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the FAX unit 203.
[0042]
First, at the time of reception, the data sent from the telephone line is received by the NCU unit 501 to convert the voltage, the A / D conversion and demodulation operation is performed by the demodulation unit 504 in the modem unit 502, and then the expansion unit 506 To raster data. In general, a run length method or the like is used for compressing and expanding data by FAX. The image converted into the raster data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 507, and is sent to the core unit 206 after confirming that there is no transfer error in the image data.
[0043]
Next, at the time of transmission, the compression unit 505 compresses the image signal of the raster image transferred from the core unit 206 using a run length method, and the modulation unit 503 in the modem unit 502 performs D / A After performing conversion and modulation operations, the data is sent to the telephone line via the NCU unit 501.
[0044]
[NIC unit 204]
Next, the NIC unit 204 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the NIC unit 204.
[0045]
The NIC unit 204 has an interface function with respect to the private network 101b (network 101), and uses, for example, a cable compliant with a standard such as 10Base-T (Ethernet (R)) / 100Base-TX. It plays the role of obtaining information from the outside and flowing information to the outside.
[0046]
When obtaining information from the outside, first, information (data) transferred via the network is voltage-converted by the transformer unit 601 and sent to a LAN (Local Area Network) controller unit 602. The LAN controller unit 602 includes first and second buffer memories (both not shown) therein, and temporarily stores information from the transformer unit 601 in the first buffer memory. After determining whether or not the data is sent to the second buffer memory, a signal is output to the core unit 206.
[0047]
Next, when providing information to the outside, the data sent from the core unit 206 is added with necessary information by the LAN controller unit 602 and transferred to the network via the transformer unit 601.
[0048]
[Dedicated I / F unit 205]
Next, the dedicated I / F unit 205 shown in FIG. 3 will be described.
The dedicated I / F unit 205 is an interface unit for transmitting / receiving data to / from the full color MFP 104. The dedicated I / F unit 205 is an interface through which multivalued bit data of CMYK based on the density signal is sent in parallel, and includes, for example, an image data line of 4 colors × 8 bits and a communication line.
[0049]
This is because, if data is transmitted / received to / from the MFP 104 using an interface conforming to Ethernet (R), data cannot be output at a transmission speed corresponding to the processing speed of the MFP 104, and other devices connected to the network Therefore, the dedicated parallel interface as described above is used.
[0050]
[Core 206]
Next, the core unit 206 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the core unit 206.
The bus selector unit 611 in the core unit 206 plays a role of traffic control in using the MFPs 104 and 105. That is, the bus selector unit 611 switches the bus according to various functions in the MFPs 104 and 105 such as a copy function, a network scanner function, a network printer function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and a display display function.
[0051]
Examples of path switching patterns for realizing various functions are shown below. Actually, the scanner IP unit 202 and the printer IP unit 207 are connected to the core unit 206. However, in the following path switching pattern examples, the scanner unit 201 and the printer are respectively shown for easy understanding. Part 209.
Copy function: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → printer unit 209
Network scanner function: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → NIC unit 204 (or dedicated I / F unit 205)
Network printer function: NIC unit 204 (or dedicated I / F unit 205) → core unit 206 → printer unit 209
Facsimile transmission function: scanner unit 201 → core unit 206 → FAX unit 203
Facsimile reception function: FAX unit 203 → core unit 206 → printer unit 209
[0052]
The image data output from the bus selector unit 611 is sent to the printer unit 209 via the compression unit 612, a memory unit 613 including a large capacity memory such as a hard disk (HDD), and an expansion unit 614.
[0053]
Specifically, the image data output from the bus selector unit 611 is subjected to compression processing by the compression unit 612. Here, the compression method used in the compression unit 612 may be a general method such as JPEG, JBIG, or ZIP format.
[0054]
The compressed image data is managed for each job and stored in the memory unit 613 together with additional data such as a file name, a creator, a creation date and time, and a file size. Furthermore, if a job number and password are provided and stored together, the personal box function can be supported. The personal box function is a function for temporarily storing data and allowing only a specific person to print out (read from the HDD).
[0055]
When an instruction to print out a job stored in the memory unit 613 is issued, after authentication by a password, the image data is called from the memory unit 613 and the decompression unit 614 decompresses the image. The raster image is returned to the printer IP unit 207.
[0056]
[Printer IP section 207]
Next, the printer IP unit 207 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. 9A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer IP unit 207 for a color printer, and FIG. 9B is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer IP unit 207 for a monochrome printer.
[0057]
In FIG. 9A, an output masking / UCR circuit unit 701 converts C1, M1, and Y1 signals into C, M, Y, and K signals, which are toner colors of the image forming apparatus, using a matrix operation. . The output masking / UCR circuit unit 701 corrects the C1, M1, Y1 signals based on the RGB signals read by the CCD sensor 308 into C, M, Y, K signals based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the toner, and outputs them. .
[0058]
Next, the output of the output masking / UCR circuit unit 701 is obtained by using a look-up table (LUT) RAM that takes into account the color characteristics of the toner in the gamma correction unit 702, and outputs C, M, Y, Converted to K data. Further, after sharpness or smoothing is performed by the spatial filter 703, the image signal is sent to the PWM unit 208.
[0059]
Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9B, in the monochrome printer (MFP 105), the image signal is subjected to the same processing as described above by the gamma correction unit 702 and the spatial filter 703, and then the binarization circuit 704. Then, processing is performed using a known dither method, error diffusion method, density preservation method, and the like, and the result is sent to the PWM unit 208.
[0060]
[PWM unit 208]
Next, the PWM unit 208 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. 10A is a block diagram showing the configuration of the PWM unit 208, and FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining pulse width modulation (PWM) in the PWM unit 208.
[0061]
The image data separated from the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) output from the printer IP unit 207 (single color in the case of the MFP 105) is PWM. Each image is formed through the portion 208 (in the case of color, four configurations shown in FIG. 10A are required).
[0062]
In FIG. 10A, reference numeral 801 denotes a triangular wave generator, 802 denotes a D / A converter (D / A converter) that converts an input digital image signal into an analog signal, and 803 denotes a comparator. As shown in FIG. 10B, the comparator 803 compares the triangular wave signal SIGA from the triangular wave generation unit 801 with the image signal SIGB from the D / A conversion unit 802, and a pulse depending on the density based on the comparison result. The width signal SIGC is output.
[0063]
A laser driving unit 804 controls the laser 805 based on the pulse width signal SIGC from the comparator 803. Note that the laser 805 is a semiconductor laser corresponding to each of four colors of C, M, Y, and K, and irradiates a laser beam according to the control of the laser driving unit 804. As described above, image data of four colors C, M, Y, and K are converted into laser beams that are irradiated according to the data.
[0064]
Each of the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929 is irradiated with each laser beam scanned by a polygon scanner 913 described later.
[0065]
[Printer unit 209]
Next, the printer unit 209 illustrated in FIG. 3 will be described. First, the printer unit 209 of the color MFP 104 will be described, and then the printer unit 209 of the monochrome MFP 105 will be described.
[0066]
(Printer unit 209 of color MFP 104)
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the structure of the printer unit 209 of the color MFP 104.
[0067]
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 913 denotes a polygon mirror that receives four laser beams (corresponding to C, M, Y, and K, respectively) emitted from four semiconductor lasers 805. Laser light corresponding to yellow (Y) scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 917 through mirrors 914, 915, and 916, and laser light corresponding to magenta (M) passes through the mirrors 918, 919, and 920 and passes through the photosensitive drum 921. Scan exposure. Similarly, laser light corresponding to cyan (C) scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 925 through mirrors 922, 923, and 924, and laser light corresponding to black (K) is exposed through mirrors 926, 927, and 928. The drum 929 is scanned and exposed.
[0068]
On the other hand, 930 is a developing device that supplies yellow (Y) toner, forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 917 in accordance with the laser beam, and 931 is a developing device that supplies magenta (M) toner. A magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 921 in accordance with the laser light. A developing device 932 supplies cyan (C) toner, forms a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 925 in accordance with the laser light, and a developing device 933 supplies black (K) toner. Accordingly, a magenta toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 929. The four color (Y, M, C, K) toner images are transferred to a sheet (paper such as recording paper), and a full-color output image can be obtained.
[0069]
A sheet fed from any one of the sheet cassettes 934 and 935 and the manual feed tray 936 is attracted onto the transfer belt 938 via a registration roller 937 and conveyed. In synchronism with the timing of paper feeding, toner of each color is developed in advance on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is conveyed.
[0070]
The sheet on which the toner of each color is transferred is separated and conveyed by the conveyance belt 939, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 940. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 940 is once guided downward by the flapper 950, and after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 950, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged face down, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.
[0071]
The four photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929 are arranged at equal intervals with a distance d. The sheet is transported at a constant speed v by the transport belt 939, and this timing synchronization is performed, and the four semiconductor lasers 805 are driven.
[0072]
(Printer unit 209 of monochrome MFP 105)
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the printer unit 209 of the monochrome MFP 105.
[0073]
In FIG. 12, reference numeral 1013 denotes a polygon mirror which receives laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 805. The laser beam scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 1017 through the mirrors 1014, 1015, and 1016. Reference numeral 1030 denotes a developing device that supplies black toner, and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 1017 in accordance with the laser beam, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet to obtain an output image.
[0074]
A sheet fed from any one of the sheet cassettes 1034 and 1035 and the manual feed tray 1036 is adsorbed onto the transfer belt 1038 via a registration roller 1037 and conveyed. The toner is developed on the photosensitive drum 1017 in advance in synchronization with the sheet feeding timing, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is conveyed.
[0075]
The sheet to which the toner has been transferred is separated, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 1040. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 1040 is once guided downward by the flapper 1050, and after the trailing edge of the sheet has passed through the flapper 1050, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged face down, and the correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.
[0076]
[Finisher 210]
Next, the finisher unit 210 shown in FIG. 3 will be described. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the finisher unit 210.
The sheet discharged from the fixing unit 940 (or 1040) of the printer unit 209 enters the finisher unit 210 (when the finisher is connected). The finisher unit 210 includes a sample tray 1101 and a stack tray 1102, and the sheets are discharged by switching according to the type of job and the number of discharged sheets.
[0077]
Here, there are two sort methods. The finisher unit 210 has a plurality of bins and a bin sort method that distributes the bins to each bin, and an electronic sort function and a bin (or tray), which will be described later, are shifted to the back. Sorting (rearrangement) can be arbitrarily performed by a shift sort method in which the output sheets are sorted every time. The electronic sort function is called collate. If the large-capacity memory described in the core unit 206 described above is provided, the so-called collate function is used to change the buffered page order and the discharge order using this buffer memory. It can also support electronic sorting functions.
[0078]
In addition to the sorting described above for sorting by job, a group function for sorting by page may be provided. Further, when the sheets are discharged to the stack tray 1102, it is possible to store the sheets before being discharged for each job and bind (bind) them with the stapler 1105 immediately before the discharge.
[0079]
In addition to the two trays 1101 and 1102, there are a Z-folder 1104 for folding paper into a Z-shape, and a puncher 1106 for punching two (or three) holes for files. Each process is performed according to the type. Further, the saddle stitcher 1107 binds the central portion of the sheet at two places, and then folds the sheet half by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller, and performs a process of creating a booklet such as a weekly magazine or pamphlet. . The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 1107 are discharged to the booklet tray 1108.
[0080]
The inserter 1103 is for sending a sheet set on the tray 1110 to one of the trays 1101, 1102, and 1108 without passing it through the printer. As a result, the sheet set on the inserter 1103 can be inserted (inserted) between the sheets fed into the finisher unit 210.
[0081]
Assume that a sheet is set face-up by the user on the tray 1110 of the inserter 1103, and the pickup roller 1111 sequentially feeds the sheets from the uppermost sheet. Therefore, the sheet from the inserter 1103 is discharged in a face-down state by being conveyed to the trays 1101 and 1102 as it is. On the other hand, when it is sent to the saddle stitcher 1107, it is sent once to the puncher 1106 side, and then it is switched back and sent to match the face direction.
[0082]
In addition, although not shown, it is possible to add a binding by glue (gluing) for bookbinding or a trim (cutting) for aligning the end surface opposite to the binding side after binding.
[0083]
[Document Server 102]
Next, the document server 102 will be described. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the document server 102. Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 14 is an example, and configurations having various connection methods and various interfaces are generally conceivable.
[0084]
In FIG. 14, a part 1200 surrounded by a dotted line is a part called a mother board, and each function described below is mounted on the board of the mother board 1200.
Reference numerals 1201 and 1202 denote CPUs that control software of the document server 102. The CPUs 1201 and 1202 are connected to the secondary cache memory 1203 via the CPU bus 1221, and control various buses on the motherboard by LSIs called a north bridge 1204 and a south bridge 1205. A memory (SDRAM) 1206 is used to exchange data between the north bridge 1204 and the south bridge 1205.
[0085]
The north bridge 1204 is connected to a SCSI controller (including a SCSI interface) 114 via a high-speed PCI bus (bus width: 32 bits / operation frequency: 66 MHz) 1222. The SCSI controller 114 is connected to a hard disk (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 1207 via a SCSI bus 1224. With this configuration, it is possible to access a large amount of data. Note that the HDD 1207 may be one that supports an IDE (Integrated Disk Electronics) bus, and may exchange data via the IDE bus.
[0086]
The high-speed PCI bus 1222 can also be used when connecting a printer capable of directly inputting video data, and video interface cards 113a, 113b, etc. are connected as necessary, and are effective for interfacing with a color printer. It is.
Further, the north bridge 1204 is connected to a graphic controller 1208 for displaying the display 1209 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 1226.
[0087]
Next, the south bridge 1205 is connected to NICs 111 and 112 compliant with a transmission standard such as the Ethernet (R) standard via a general PCI bus (bus width 32 bits / operation frequency 33 MHz) 1223. Note that when two networks 101a and 101b are provided as shown in FIG. 1, two NICs 111 and 112 are connected as shown in FIG. On the other hand, when one network 101 as shown in FIG. 2 is provided, one NIC may be used.
[0088]
The south bridge 1205 is connected to a CD-ROM drive or a readable / writable CD-R / RW drive 1210 via an IDE bus 1225. The drive 1210 is used when installing software in the document server 102, archiving a large amount of data (data storage), or the like.
In addition, the south bridge 1205 is connected to a keyboard 1213, a mouse 1214, a floppy disk drive 1215, and the like via a USB port 1211 and a super I / O unit 1212, and performs data input / output. Can do.
[0089]
Next, the data flow in the document server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. The data flow shown in FIG. 15 is controlled by the CPUs 1201 and 1202 described above, and the memory 1206 and the hard disk 1207 are used as necessary. FIG. 15 is a diagram after the document server 102 is turned on and the server OS stored in the recording medium such as the HDD 1207 and the program functioning as the document server of this embodiment are loaded into the RAM 1206.
[0090]
First, a job input from the NIC 111 or the SCSI controller 114 enters the server from the input device control unit 1251 and plays a role by connecting with various client applications of the server. As input, PDL data and JCL (Job Control Language) data are accepted. The input corresponds to various clients with status information regarding the printer and the server, and the output of the input device control unit 1251 has a role of combining all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.
[0091]
Next, the input job control unit 1252 manages the requested list of jobs and creates a job list to access individual jobs submitted to the server. Further, the input job control unit 1252 has three functions of job routing for determining a job route, job split for determining whether to perform rasterization processing (RIP) by dividing, and job scheduling for determining job order.
[0092]
There are a plurality of rasterization processing (RIP) units 1253, 1253-a, 1253-b, 1253-c,..., Which can be further increased as necessary, but are collectively referred to as 1253 here. The RIP unit 1253 rasterizes (RIPs) the PDLs of various jobs, and creates a bitmap having an appropriate size and resolution. With regard to rasterization processing, rasterization processing in various formats such as PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe Corporation in the United States), PCL, TIFF, JPEG, and PDF formats is possible.
[0093]
The image compression / data conversion unit 1254 compresses the bitmap image created by the RIP unit 1253 or performs format conversion, and selects an optimal image image type that matches each printer. For example, when the job is to be handled in units of pages, the image compression / data conversion unit 1254 attaches a PDF header to bitmap data after rasterizing the data in TIFF or JPEG format by the RIP unit 1253, and the like. Processing such as editing as PDF data is performed.
[0094]
The output job control unit 1255 takes job page images and manages how they are handled based on command settings. The page is printed on a printer or saved on the hard disk 1207. It is possible to select whether or not to leave the job after printing in the hard disk 1207, and it can be recalled when saved. Further, the output job control unit 1255 performs the above-described management by causing the hard disk 1207 and the memory 1206 to interact with each other.
[0095]
The output device control unit 1256 controls which device is output and which device is clustered (a plurality of devices are connected and printed at the same time), and the interface of the selected device (NIC 112, dedicated interface 113). Send data. The output device control unit 1256 also plays a role of monitoring the status of the network devices 104 and 105 and notifying the document server 102 of the apparatus status.
[0096]
[Page Description Language (PDL)]
Next, PDL data will be described. PDL represented by PostScript is classified into the following three elements.
(A) Image description by character code
(B) Image description by graphic code
(C) Image description using raster image data
That is, PDL is a language that describes an image composed of a combination of the above elements, and the data described therewith is called PDL data.
[0097]
FIG. 16A shows a description example of an image by PDL, and shows an example in which character information R1301, graphic information R1302, and raster image information are described.
In the description example of the character information R1301, the data L1311 is a description that specifies the color of the character, and the values in parentheses indicate the densities of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, respectively. The minimum value of each color density that can be specified is “0.0”, and the maximum value is “1.0”. Data L1311 shows an example of designating the character color to be black.
[0098]
In the data L1312, the character string “IC” is substituted for the variable string1.
Data L1313 indicates the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the first and second parameters lay out the character string. The third parameter indicates the character size, the fourth parameter indicates the character spacing, and the fifth parameter indicates the character string to be laid out. That is, the data L1313 is an instruction to lay out the character string “IC” with the size “0.3” and the interval “0.1” from the position of the coordinates (0.0, 0.0).
[0099]
Next, in the description example of the graphic information R1302, the data L1321 is a description that specifies the color of a graphic (in this example, a line) as in the data L1311, and cyan is specified here. Next, the data L1322 is used to specify that a line is to be drawn. The first and second parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the start end coordinate of the line, respectively, and the third and fourth parameters indicate the end coordinate x, Each y coordinate is shown. The fifth parameter indicates the thickness of the line.
[0100]
Next, in the description example of the raster image information R1303, the data L1331 substitutes the raster image for the variable image1. Here, the first parameter in the data L1331 indicates the image type and the number of color components of the raster image, the second parameter indicates the number of bits per color component, the third and fourth parameters are the x direction of the raster image, y The image size in the direction is shown.
[0101]
The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data. The number of raster image data is the product of the number of color components constituting one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In the data L1331, since the CMYK image is composed of four color components (cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (B)), the number of raster image data is 100 (= 4 × 5 × 5).
Data L1332 indicates that the image image1 is laid out in a size of 0.5 × 0.5 from the position of coordinates (0.0, 0.5).
[0102]
FIG. 16B is a diagram showing an example in which the above three image descriptions are interpreted in one page and developed into raster image data. Character R1301, figure R1302, and image R1303 are shown in FIG. Each PDL data shown is developed. These raster image data are actually developed in the memory 1206 (or HDD 1207) for each of the C, M, Y, and K color components. For example, C = 0, M = 0, Y = 0, K = 255 are written in the memory 1206 of each CMYK for the part of the character R1301, and the part of the figure R1302 is C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0 and K = 0 are written.
[0103]
In the document server 102, the PDL data sent from the client 103 (or the document server itself) is stored in the memory 1206 (or HDD 1207) in the form of the PDL data as it is or expanded into a raster image as described above. Written and saved as needed.
[0104]
[network]
Next, the network will be described.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network connection form.
The network 101 in this embodiment is 101 in FIG. _-1 , 101 _-2 , 101 _-3 1 and 2, the networks as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are connected via devices (routers) 1401 to 1404 that connect the networks to each other, and constitute a first LAN 1406. Similarly, the second LAN 1407 is connected to the network 101. _-4 Are connected to the router 1405.
[0105]
The first LAN 1406 and the second LAN 1407 are connected to each other by internal routers 1401 and 1405 via a dedicated line 1408, and these network networks are stretched over and over to provide a vast connection form. Is building.
[0106]
Next, data flowing in the network 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
When the data 1421 existing in the transmission source device A (1420a) is transferred to the reception destination device B (1420b) via the network 101, the transmission source device A (1420a) subdivides and divides the data 1421. The data group 1422 is divided as shown. Note that the data 1421 is arbitrary data, and may be image data, PDL data, or program data.
[0107]
The divided data 1423, 1424, 1426, etc. are added with a header 1425 including information indicating the destination address (destination IP address when using the TCP / IP protocol), etc., and are sequentially transmitted on the network 101 as a packet 1427. Is done.
When the packet on the network 101 is received by the receiving device B (1420b) and the address of the device B matches the destination address indicated in the header 1431 of the packet 1430, the data 1432 is separated and the transmission source The data is replayed to the data state (1435, 1436) in the device A (1420b).
[0108]
[Scanner Driver]
Next, the scanner driver will be described.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (GUI: Graphic User Interface) related to the scanner driver. The GUI of the scanner driver shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on a display device included in the computer 102 (or 103 etc.) and is used to instruct a scan (image reading) operation on the computer 102 (or 103 etc.). . The user can convert a desired image into data by instructing a desired setting parameter via the GUI.
[0109]
In FIG. 19, reference numeral 1501 denotes a window related to the scanner driver, which includes columns for instructing various setting parameters.
Reference numeral 1502 denotes a source device selection column for selecting a target transmission source (source device). The source device is generally a device having a scanner function such as the MFPs 104 and 105 and the scanner 106 described above, but may be a memory such as an HDD or a device capable of acquiring image data such as a digital camera. good.
[0110]
Reference numeral 1503 denotes a property key for performing detailed settings regarding the source device selected in the source device selection column 1502. When the property key 1503 is clicked, another screen is displayed. By inputting device-specific setting information on the screen, it is possible to select special image processing (for example, character mode / photo mode) and input an image in a processing mode suitable for it.
[0111]
Reference numeral 1504 denotes a scan method selection column for selecting a scan method. Here, the uptake from a flat bed or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) can be selected. Reference numeral 1505 denotes a reading surface instruction column for instructing a reading surface of an original, and can specify whether the original is a single-side original or a double-side original.
[0112]
Reference numeral 1506 denotes an image size column for inputting an image size, 1507 denotes a resolution column for inputting resolution, and 1508 denotes a half mode selection column for selecting a halftone mode. As the halftone mode, simple binary, dither method, error diffusion, or multi-value (8 bits) can be selected.
[0113]
1509 and 1510 can be selected and set to select whether all pages are scanned when using ADF (All Pages) or only specified pages are scanned (Page List). Reference numerals 1511 to 1513 are portions for determining the size of the image area, and the units and vertical and horizontal lengths are input to columns 1511, 1512, and 1513, respectively.
[0114]
When the pre-scan key 1516 is pressed after making these designations, an instruction request is issued from the computer 102 (or client 103) to the device selected in the source device selection column 1502, and image input is started. In this prescan, image reading is performed coarser than the actual resolution, and the obtained image is displayed on the display unit 1515 as a preview image 1514. When an image is displayed, the image is displayed in a scale according to the unit input to the image area unit 1511 described above.
[0115]
If it is determined that the preview image is OK, the scan operation is started by clicking the scan key 1517. At the start, a dialog prompting input of a file name and a directory name for saving a scan file related to the scanned image is displayed. When the OK key is pressed after inputting the file name and directory name, the image is read at the designated resolution and the scanned image is saved. On the other hand, when the preview image is NG, the pre-scan is performed again for confirmation, and when the preview image is canceled, a cancel key 1518 is clicked.
[0116]
[Printer Driver]
Next, the printer driver will be described.
20 to 22 are diagrams illustrating an example of a display screen (GUI) related to the printer driver. The printer driver GUI shown in FIGS. 20 to 22 is displayed on a display device included in the computer 102 (or 103 or the like) and is used to instruct a print (print output) operation on the computer 102 (or 103 or the like). It is. The GUI of the printer driver is displayed when an instruction to display a property related to “printer” is issued on the GUI for print settings displayed when a print instruction is issued from an application or the like. The user can send a desired image to a transmission destination such as a printer by instructing a desired setting parameter via the GUI.
[0117]
In FIG. 20, reference numeral 1601 denotes a window related to the printer driver, which includes columns for instructing various setting parameters.
Reference numeral 1602 denotes a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination (printer or the like). In the present embodiment, the above-described MFPs 104 and 105 or the printer 107 are selected as output destinations.
[0118]
Reference numeral 1603 denotes a page setting column for selecting an output page from the job. The page setting column 1603 determines which page of the image image created by the application software running on the computer 102 (or 103) is to be output.
[0119]
Reference numeral 1604 denotes a number setting column for designating the number of output copies, and the number of copies can be increased or decreased by moving the cursor to this position and clicking the arrow (arrow of the scroll bar) shown in the figure. Reference numeral 1607 denotes a property key for performing detailed settings related to the transmission destination device selected in the transmission destination selection column 1602.
Reference numeral 1605 denotes an OK key for instructing the start of printing after completion of desired settings. Reference numeral 1606 denotes a cancel key for canceling (cancelling) printing.
[0120]
21 and 22 show a display screen (GUI) displayed when the property key 1607 shown in FIG. 20 is clicked. Here, for example, there are a “Paper” tab 1611, a “Graphics” tab 1612, a “Device Options” tab 1613, a “PDL” tab 1614, etc., and the setting contents differ each time these tabs are clicked.
[0121]
FIG. 21 shows an example of a display screen displayed by clicking the “Paper” tab 1611. When the “Paper” tab 1611 is selected as shown in FIG. 21, settings such as the paper size 1615, the imposition layout 1616, the paper orientation 1617, the paper feed stage 1618, or the number of output copies 1619 can be made.
[0122]
FIG. 22 shows an example of a display screen that is displayed by clicking the “Device Options” tab 1613. When the “Device Options” tab 1613 is selected as shown in FIG. 22, setting information unique to the device, for example, finishing settings such as staples, parameters of the gamma conversion unit 702 and the spatial filter unit 703 in the printer IP unit 207 are displayed. It becomes possible to make finer adjustments regarding the image processing to be changed. The setting information unique to the device is set by setting the selection function 1631 and its setting value 1632 to desired values. Reference numeral 1633 denotes a default key for returning the set value 1632 or the like to the initial state (initial value or the like).
[0123]
In FIGS. 21 and 22, 1620 is an OK key for enabling the setting after setting each setting item, 1621 is a cancel key for canceling the setting, and 1622 is always effective for the set setting. It is an application key for
[0124]
Although not shown, when the “Graphics” tab 1612 is selected in the same manner, resolution setting and halftone setting can be performed. When the “PDL” tab 1614 is selected, the output format of the PDL is selected. be able to.
[0125]
[Operation by web browser]
As for the document server 102, a web server program represented by Microsoft's IIS (Internet Information Server) is also operating at the same time, and provides a web service. The document server 102 can notify the current state of the document server 102, information on peripheral devices, and the like in response to a call from the client 103 (or the document server 102 itself) using the http (hypertext transfer protocol) protocol.
[0126]
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a main screen of the web service provided by the document server 102. The computers 102 and 103 receiving the web service support the IP address of the document server 102 in the URL address part of the web browser (here, 192.168.100.11 as an example. DNS (Domain Name Service) is supported. If the server name is entered, the service screen shown in FIG. 23 is read in advance.
[0127]
This service tool includes a job status tab 1701, a device status tab 1702, a job submission tab 1703, a scanning tab 1704, a configuration tab 1705, and a help tab 1706 in which a manual of this service is stored.
Hereinafter, each tab will be described in order from the job status tab 1701.
[0128]
[About Job Status tab]
As shown in FIG. 23, a display screen related to the job status tab 1701 displayed when the job status tab 1701 is selected (clicked) includes a device display unit 1707, job status display units 1708 and 1709 for active jobs, Job history display units 1710 and 1711 are included.
[0129]
Normally, the job status display unit 1709 and the job history display unit 1711 cannot display all of the information to be displayed. Therefore, if necessary, pressing the key 1708 in the job status display section displays all active jobs (jobs being executed), and pressing the key 1710 in the job history display section allows the entire job history to be referred to. Yes.
Details of the device display unit 1707, job status display units 1708 and 1709, and job history display units 1710 and 1711 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0130]
(Device display section)
The device display unit 1707 displays device names 1721 to 1724 and device icons 1725 to 1728 such as MFPs on the network as shown in FIG. The device icons 1725 to 1728 change according to the device state (status), for example, as indicated by icons 1727 and 1728. Further, the device display unit 1707 displays the device status with characters 1729 to 1732 and can check the device status.
[0131]
Here, the device status of each network device is acquired by the document server 102 inquiring every predetermined period, or by notifying the server 102 when each network device changes its own device status. If an error or jam occurs in the network device, this is displayed on the device display unit 1707 and notified to the user.
[0132]
(Job status display section)
A job status display unit 1709 can monitor the status of each active job (job being executed) in the server.
As shown in FIG. 24B, the job status display unit 1709 includes a job number 1740, job name 1742, target printer 1743, job status 1744, job priority 1745, job ID 1746, client name 1747, job page number 1748, The number of copies 1749, the paper size 1750, and the like are displayed. The job status display unit 1709 has a comment column 1751 for displaying comments such as requests from the client to the operator.
[0133]
Further, the job status display unit 1709 has a control key group 1741 that can be controlled only by a person (for example, an administrator) who is given a certain privilege for each displayed job. Specifically, there are a job cancel key 1752, a job pause key (job pause or hold) 1753, a job restart key (pause job or hold job release) 1754, and the like.
[0134]
Also, the job status in the job status 1744 is “Spooling” (receiving data before RIP), “Ripping” (during RIP), “Waiting to Print” (waiting for printing), or “Printing” (during printing). Is displayed. In addition, a job that is instructed to stand by inside the server at the time of job submission is held as “Hold” before being RIPed.
[0135]
The job displayed on the job status display portion 1709 is transferred to the job history (finished job) after printing (or after cancellation).
[0136]
(Job history display section)
A job history display unit 1711 can view a job history.
As shown in FIG. 24C, the job history display unit 1711 includes a job number 1760, a job name 1762, a target printer 1762, a job status 1764, a job ID 1766, a client name 1767, a job page number 1768, a copy number 1769, and paper. A size 1770 is displayed. The job history display unit 1711 has a comment field 1771 for displaying comments such as requests from the client to the operator.
[0137]
Further, the job history display unit 1711 has a control key group 1761 that can be controlled only by a person (for example, an administrator) who is given a certain privilege for each displayed job. Specifically, a job archive key (a function for storing a job in another location on the network) 1772, a job delete key (job delete) 1773, a job reprint key (reprint job) 1774, and the like. is there. Based on these instructions, the operator can handle the server.
[0138]
In the job status 1764, “Printed Successful” is displayed when the job is normally completed, and “Canceled” is displayed when the job is canceled halfway.
[0139]
[About the device status tab]
In network devices such as the MFPs 104 and 105 and the printer 107, a standardized database called MIB (Management Information Base) is constructed in an internal network interface portion. The computer 102 (or 103) on the network can communicate with a device connected on the network via a network management protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and exchange necessary information about the state.
[0140]
For example, it is possible to detect what kind of function the finisher 210 is connected as the equipment information of the MFPs 104 and 105, or to detect whether the status information is being printed or idle, or whether an error or jam is currently occurring. . That is, it is possible to obtain all static information such as equipment information of the MFPs 104 and 105, apparatus status, network settings, job history, usage status management, and control.
[0141]
The document server 102 takes in the status of the MFP or the like at any time using this MIB, and updates it as a hypertext markup language (HTML) file. Thereby, the client can always browse the state of the network device.
[0142]
Specifically, when the device status tab 1702 is clicked on the main screen of the web service, a device status tab screen shown in FIG. 25 is displayed.
On the device status tab screen, the paper size installed in the device managed by the document server 102 and the replenishment status thereof (for example, the remaining amount of paper in each paper stacker or cassette) 1801 to 1806 are confirmed, and each device is equipped. It is possible to confirm the accessory status 1807 such as a finisher in advance. However, since the remaining amount of paper is detected by a sensor and it is difficult to detect the accuracy of one sheet of recording paper, for example, the minimum unit is about 10 sheets (however, no paper can be detected reliably). is there.).
[0143]
[About Job Submit Tab]
Next, the job submission tab will be described.
When the job submit tab 1703 is clicked on the web service main screen, the job submit tab screen shown in FIG. 26 is displayed. The method of using job submission is almost the same as that of a normal printer driver. However, the job submit does not open the file on the client 103 with the application (does not instruct printing on the application), but directly sends it to the document server 102 (transfers the document file to be printed accompanied by additional information described below) Or copy).
[0144]
In other words, the printer driver usually has two roles. One of them is a role of starting up data by an application on the client 103 and converting the data into PDL data by PostScript (or PCL) or the like. The other is the role of sending the converted data to the document server 102 (or printer). This is because, conventionally, only one type of RIP processing has been supported.
[0145]
On the other hand, job submission only performs a process of sending a job together with a job ticket using a GUI. In recent years, not only PostScript but also various types of data that can be RIP processed by the same software RIP module, and multiple types of software RIP modules (for example, PostScript and PCL) are included in the document server 102 according to the data. Some RIP modules can be switched and used. In the present embodiment, not only one type of PDL but also various formats (for example, formats such as pdf, tif, jpg) and various PDL data are sent directly to the document server 102, the document server 102 can be RIP processing is performed in the same manner as for one PDL data, which is expanded into bitmap data.
[0146]
Further, it is assumed that the MFP 104 or the MFP 105 is a printer with a RIP processing function that handles only PostScript data, not bitmap data for convenience of an interface or the like. In this case, the document server 102 expands the bitmap data by the RIP processing, compresses the data by JBIG or G4 (CCITT), and then determines that the header is PostScript data (PostScript data). Output to the MFP. Thus, in the present embodiment, printing of these various format data can be realized for various printers.
[0147]
As shown in FIG. 26, the job submission tab screen includes columns and the like related to setting items to be added by job submission.
Reference numeral 1901 denotes a transmission destination selection column for selecting a target output destination. The output destination is generally the MFP 104 or 105 or the printer 107 described above, but a cluster printer described later can also be set.
[0148]
Reference numeral 1906 denotes a file selection column for selecting a file. The file selection column 1906 may be set by directly specifying a file name together with a directory, but generally, it is performed by selecting a job file in its own computer (or in the network) using a browse button on the right side. .
When such settings are made and the print key 1905 is clicked, the set contents and the designated file are transferred to the document server 102 and added (queued) as a print job.
[0149]
Reference numeral 1907 denotes a column called a job ticket for designating a file in which setting items other than job image data are collected together with the job. Specifically, it consists of a set of setting items as shown in 1911. In addition to general job setting items such as paper size, image orientation, and number of copies, all the various job related settings are included in this job ticket. Can be set. For example, finishing processing such as presence / absence of both sides, stapling, color adjustment by image processing for a color image, job priority order designation by an operator, and the like can be set.
[0150]
This job ticket not only has setting items unique to each device, but also has the advantage that operations can be performed smoothly if prepared beforehand. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a save key 1915 that saves a job ticket that is set arbitrarily and a save as key 1916 that can be saved with a new name are provided together with a job ticket call key 1914.
In addition, a job ticket reset key 1908 is provided so that the default state can be restored.
[0151]
When the finisher key 1903 is clicked, a GUI 1912 shown in FIG. 27A is displayed. Here, for example, “ON” and “OFF” are prepared in the “Duplex” setting column. When “ON” is set, printing is performed by double-sided printing, and when “OFF” is set, single-sided printing is performed. Printed. However, when a printer that does not have a duplex function is selected, this item itself is not displayed.
[0152]
In addition, for each setting item, an item having a high frequency as a default is set in advance. For example, in “Duplex”, “OFF” is selected as a default because the frequency of single-sided printing is high.
The items set here can be selected and changed not only for the finishing function, but also for basic functions of the printer such as image processing parameters, number of copies, and paper size.
[0153]
Similarly, when the image quality key 1904 is clicked, a GUI 1913 shown in FIG. 27B is displayed.
[0154]
When desired settings have been made in the GUIs 1912 and 1913 and the print key 1905 shown in FIG. 26 is clicked, the file to be printed set in the file selection column 1906 and the job ticket set in the column 1907 are set. The contents are output to the document server 102.
[0155]
When the test print key 1910 is clicked, the output image can be checked by copying the test print PostScript data previously placed in a predetermined folder to a hot folder described later.
[0156]
In addition, each setting item in these job tickets can be provided with restrictions corresponding to UI Constraints in a PPD (PostScript Printer Description) file. UI Constraints is an output in which, for example, a user erroneously sets double-sided copying to an OHP sheet, or outputs a group sort (111, 222, 333,. In the GUI, the setting of stapling in the system) is prevented in advance.
[0157]
UI Constraints may prevent combinations of settings that cause damage to the printer. For example, when setting to perform double-sided printing on small paper of A5 / Statement size or less, a paper jam is likely to occur in a printer that is not designed to withstand paper with a small paper path. If this is repeated, it may damage the printer, so if the user tries to do it, it will be prohibited and prevented.
[0158]
However, in general, UI Constraints in a PPD file can be prohibited for a combination of two functions (two-dimensional combination), but a complex combination of three or more functions (a combination of three or more dimensions). ) Could not be prohibited. On the other hand, since the job submit according to the present embodiment is described in HTML, it is easy to place restrictions even if it is a combination of three or more dimensions.
[0159]
In addition, in the case of a general driver provided by PPD (for example, Windows (R) 95, 98 by Microsoft, Me driver or Adobe driver), the size capacity of the PPD is limited in advance. In many cases, if a PPD is created beyond these, some functions of UI Constraints cannot be restricted. On the other hand, the job submission according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited in size because it is described in HTML.
[0160]
[About Scanning Tab]
When the scanning tab 1703 is clicked on the main screen of the web service, a scanning tab screen shown in FIG. 28 for controlling the scanning operation is displayed.
Reference numeral 2001 denotes a device display, which displays the status of scanners available on the network. Reference numeral 2002 denotes a scanning key. When this key is pressed, the above-described scanner driver is called.
[0161]
Reference numeral 2003 denotes a quick copy key. When the quick copy key is pressed, an image read by a predesignated printer is printed in a continuous operation after a scanning operation. That is, a virtual copier is realized by arbitrarily combining scanners and printers that exist separately on the network.
[0162]
[About the configuration tab]
When the configuration tab 1705 is clicked on the main screen of the web service, a configuration tab screen shown in FIG. 29 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 29, the configuration tab screen includes a printer configuration key 2101, a cluster configuration key 2102, a queue configuration key 2103, an archive key 2104, a user / group configuration key 2105, and a job configuration key 2106. .
[0163]
Hereinafter, the configuration corresponding to each key will be described.
(Printer configuration)
When the printer configuration key 2101 is clicked, the operation shown in FIG. 30 is performed. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a printer configuration processing operation.
[0164]
First, the printer configuration mode is selected (S2201).
In this embodiment, three modes of adding, correcting, and deleting a printer are provided. The printer addition mode is for putting a new printer under server management, the printer correction mode is for correcting and re-saving the printer information, and the printer erasing mode is unnecessary. This is for removing the printer from server management.
[0165]
When the selected mode is the printer addition mode (S2202), a desired printer type (for example, a color printer or a monochrome printer) is further selected (S2203).
Next, the server determines whether or not the number of printers is equal to or less than the limit number, that is, whether or not the selected printer can be registered (S2204). As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the number is greater than the limit number allowed by the server, the printer limit number is displayed (S2205), and the process returns to step S2201.
[0166]
On the other hand, if it is determined that the number is less than the limit allowed by the server, the printer can be registered, so various printer information (for example, IP address, presence / absence of accessories, etc.) is set (S2206), and the printer name is set. Then, it is registered in the server 102 (S2207). If the printer configuration is continued, the process returns to step S2201, and if not, the processing operation is terminated (S2215).
[0167]
If the selected mode is the printer correction mode (S2208), the printer whose printer information is to be corrected or changed is selected (S2209). Next, information on the selected printer, for example, printer information (setting contents) such as an IP address and accessories is corrected and changed (S2210), and then the printer information is updated and saved (re-saved) (S2211). The process proceeds to step S2215.
[0168]
If the selected mode is the printer deletion mode (S2212), the printer to be removed from the server management is selected (S2213). Next, the printer information of the selected printer is deleted to delete the printer (S2214), and the process proceeds to step S2215 described above.
[0169]
(Cluster configuration)
When a plurality of printers are registered in the server 102 using the printer configuration described above, it is possible to register these printers in combination as a cluster printer. Setting and registration of the cluster printer can be executed by clicking the cluster configuration key 2102.
[0170]
When the cluster configuration key 2102 is clicked, the operation shown in FIG. 31 is performed. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the cluster configuration processing operation.
A cluster printer setting and registration procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0171]
First, two or more printers are selected from a plurality of registered printers (S2301). For example, if there are three printers A, B, and C, four combinations (A and B, A and C, B and C, A and B and C) are possible. Even if the same printer combination is used, it can be registered as a different cluster printer if the modes described later are different.
[0172]
Next, the server determines whether or not the combination of the selected printers is a mixture of a color printer and a monochrome printer (S2302).
As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the selected combination is a combination of different types of printers such as a color printer and a monochrome printer, either the color / monochrome page separation mode or the color / monochrome automatic routing mode is selected. Is selected (S2303).
[0173]
Here, in the color / monochrome page separation mode, for one job in which color pages and monochrome pages are mixed, the job is previously separated into color pages and monochrome pages, and data relating to the color pages is stored in the color printer. The data relating to the monochrome page is output to a monochrome printer. The color page is a page including color information, and the black and white page is a page not including color information.
[0174]
On the other hand, in the color / monochrome automatic routing mode, after distinguishing between color pages and monochrome pages in advance, all jobs are output to the color printer if at least one color page is included. It is automatically routed to output to a monochrome printer.
These functions are intended to reduce costs and simplify operability because the printing costs per color page and monochrome page differ greatly.
[0175]
If the mode selected in step S2303 is the color / monochrome page separation mode (S2305), the separation mode is set (S2310), and the printer name is assigned and registered as a cluster printer in the server 102 (S2315). . Further, a reroute time is set (S2320). If the cluster configuration is to be continued, the process returns to step S2301, and if not, the processing operation is terminated (S2321). The reroute time is a waiting time for automatically allocating the job to another printer (job rerouting) when any printer does not operate due to a paper jam or an error.
[0176]
If the mode selected in step S2303 is the color / monochrome automatic routing mode (S2306), the minimum number of pages per unit is set (S2311), the printer name is assigned to the server 102 and the cluster printer is set. (S2316). Then, the process proceeds to step S2320.
[0177]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2302 that the selected combination is a combination of a printer of the same type, such as a color printer and a color printer, or a monochrome printer and a monochrome printer, the job cluster mode, the copy cluster mode, One mode is selected from the three page cluster modes (S2304).
[0178]
In the job cluster mode, load balancing is optimized by sequentially distributing jobs to available printers or printers that are expected to be in the idle state first. .
[0179]
In the copy cluster mode, the process is divided into a plurality of printers constituting a cluster printer so that the job is completed in a short time. In the copy number cluster mode, for example, a job set with 100 copies is roughly equally distributed to three printers with the same capacity as 33 copies, 33 copies, and 34 copies (because a remainder is generated when divided by 3). Allocate the number of copies.
[0180]
In the page cluster mode, processing is divided into a plurality of printers constituting a cluster printer in units of pages. In the page cluster mode, for example, a job with a total number of 1000 printed pages is allocated 500 pages to two printers.
[0181]
If the mode selected in step S2304 is the job cluster mode (S2307), the priority order of the printer to which the job is distributed, optimization separation conditions, etc. are set (S2312), and the server 102 is assigned a printer name. As a cluster printer (S2317). Then, the process proceeds to step S2320 described above.
[0182]
If the mode selected in step S2304 is the copy number cluster mode (S2308), the minimum number of copies per unit, optimization separation conditions, etc. are set (S2313), and the printer name is assigned to the server 102 for clustering. Registration as a printer (S2318). Then, the process proceeds to step S2320 described above.
[0183]
Similarly, when the mode selected in step S2304 is the copy number cluster mode (S2309), the minimum number of pages per unit, optimization separation conditions, etc. are set (S2314), and a printer name is assigned. The server 102 is registered as a cluster printer (S2319). Then, the process proceeds to step S2320 described above.
[0184]
Each cluster printer can be registered with a name in multiple types of different types even if it is a combination of the same printer, and it can be treated as a virtual high-speed printer just like a normal printer. Is possible.
In this way, in the cluster configuration, depending on the mode, the minimum page or minimum number of copies per unit is set in advance, or if the printer goes down due to a jam or error, the job is automatically transferred to another printer. You can set the reroute time to allocate to.
[0185]
(Queue configuration)
When the queue configuration key 2103 is clicked, the operation shown in FIG. 32 is performed. FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the queue configuration.
The queue configuration procedure will be described below with reference to FIG.
[0186]
First, a queue configuration mode is selected (S2401). The queue configuration has three modes of adding, modifying, and deleting a spool queue, and one of them can be selected.
[0187]
If the selected mode is the spool queue addition mode (S2402), a hot folder is created (S2403). The hot folder is, for example, sharing (sharing) a folder (or directory) held by the server 102 with a computer in the network and releasing it so that the client 103 can freely access this folder. This is a folder for constantly monitoring (polling) a job in the folder and executing a printing process corresponding to the job when the job is thrown.
[0188]
Next, the added spool queue is associated with the created hot folder (S2304). Further, either one of the printer created by the printer configuration described above or the cluster printer created by the cluster configuration is associated with the added spool queue (S2405).
[0189]
Subsequently, the job is associated with the spool queue to which the job ticket of the printer or cluster printer associated in step S2405 is added (S2406). Here, the job ticket associated with the added spool queue is a default value to be referred to by the client 103 only, and the job ticket can be changed when the job is issued on the client side as necessary.
[0190]
Then, the spool queue associated as described above is given a name and registered in the server 102 (S2407). If the queue configuration is continued, the process returns to step S2401, and if not, the processing operation is terminated (S2418).
[0191]
Here, the associated spool queue is stored in the server 102 as a spool queue table as shown in FIG. FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a spool queue table, and the spool queue table includes a spool queue name, a hot folder name, a printer name or cluster printer name, and a default job ticket name.
[0192]
Returning to FIG. 32, when the selected mode is the spool queue correction mode (S2408), the spool queue whose setting is to be changed is selected (S2409). Next, as in the above-described spool queue addition mode, the association of the selected spool queue with the hot folder, printer or cluster printer, and default job ticket is changed (S2410 to S2412). Thereafter, the spool queue setting is updated and stored (S2413), and the process proceeds to step S2418 described above.
[0193]
If the selected mode is the spool queue deletion mode (S2414), the spool queue to be deleted is selected from the spool queues stored in the server 102 as the spool queue table shown in FIG. 33 (S2415). ). Next, the selected spool queue is deleted from the spool queue table (S2416), and the process proceeds to step S2418 described above.
[0194]
(User / Group configuration)
Next, the user / group configuration will be described.
When performing an operator-mediated printing service, it is important to determine the security level of a user such as a general user and an operator, or an administrator who can arbitrarily add or change a system configuration among operators.
[0195]
When the user / group configuration key 2105 is clicked, a security level setting screen shown in FIG. 34 for presetting user privileges or security levels is displayed. On the security level setting screen, when the user or group level is input to the user / group setting unit 2901, the user privileges 2902 permitted according to the user or group level are displayed.
[0196]
The user privileges 2902 include a right given to general users, a right given to all operators, a right permitted only to an administrator (system administrator), and the like. The rights given to general users include, for example, web browser access rights 2903, rights 2904 and 2905 for monitoring the status of jobs and devices, rights 2906 for submitting jobs to the server, and access rights 2907 for scanner devices. There is.
[0197]
The rights given to all the operators include, for example, a right 2908 that can control the job by operating the control keys 1741 and 1761 shown in FIGS. 24B and 24C, the priority of the job, and the release order. There are a right 2909 that can be changed, a reprint right 2910 that reprints a previously printed job, and the like. Rights granted only to the administrator (system administrator) include a right 2911 related to the system configuration such as addition, modification, and deletion of the printer / cluster / queue as described above, a right 2912 that can change user privileges, and the like. is there.
[0198]
Next, processing operations when registering a new user, changing user privileges, or deleting a user / group in the user / group configuration will be described with reference to FIG. This processing operation is executed by a user (for example, an administrator (system administrator) or the like) who is given a right 2909 that can change user privileges.
[0199]
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a user / group configuration processing operation.
In this embodiment, when entering the system via a web browser, all users input a user name and password in advance (S3001, S3002). The input user name and password are once transmitted to the server computer 102, and the server computer 102 checks whether or not the sent user name and password match those registered in advance (S3003). As a result of the confirmation, if the user name and the password match, the process proceeds to step S3004. If not, the process returns to step S3001 to prompt re-input.
[0200]
Here, if the input user name is a user name of a user who can change the user privilege in advance, such as an administrator (system administrator), the process shifts to a user privilege change process in step S3005 and subsequent steps. Without it, user privileges cannot be changed.
[0201]
Therefore, the server checks whether or not the input user name is the user name of a user who can change the user privileges (S3004). As a result, when the server recognizes that the accessed client is a user whose user privilege can be changed, a desired process is selected from registration of a new user, change of privilege, or deletion of a user ( S3005).
[0202]
In the new user registration process (S3006 to S3009), registration of the user name of the new user (S3007), setting of the authority of the user (S3008), and confirmation of input items (S3009) are performed. The privilege change processing (S3011 to S3014) performs selection of a user whose authority is to be changed (S3011), change of authority of the selected user (S3012), and confirmation (S3013). In the user deletion process (S3015 to S3017), the user to be deleted is selected (S3016), and the selected user is confirmed and deleted (S3017).
[0203]
After the process of registering a new user, changing a privilege, or deleting a user, if the user / group configuration is to be continued, the process returns to step S3005; otherwise, the processing operation is terminated. (S3010).
[0204]
(Job configuration)
Next, job configuration will be described.
When job configuration key 2106 is clicked, a display screen for determining the job control method and display order shown in FIG. 36 is displayed.
[0205]
Based on the setting via the screen shown in FIG. 36, the job submitted from the client 103 (or the server 102 itself) is temporarily held in the server (hold), and the operator gives priority to the held job. The control method to be released (released) is determined. FIG. 37 shows a workflow related to determination of a job control method.
[0206]
Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS.
If “Use Hold Jobs” 3101 shown in FIG. 36 is checked (S3201), the job hold method is determined in the column 3102.
[0207]
As a hold method in this embodiment,
Mode 1: Hold all jobs (S3203, S3204),
Mode 2: The operator's job flows through (does not hold), and other user's jobs are held (S3208, S3209),
Mode 3: A job of a specific user (for example, only a user for whom “Without Hold Job” 2913 shown in FIG. 34 is checked) flows through, and jobs of other users are all held (S3210). , S3211)),
There is. If “Use Hold Jobs” 3101 is not checked, mode 4: all jobs are set to through (not held) (S3212, S3213).
[0208]
The held job is put on hold in the hot folder unless the operator or a user who has the authority to control the job (a person who is permitted by the right 2908 shown in FIG. 34) releases the job (S3205, S3206). ).
Then, the through job or the released job is sequentially transferred from the hot folder to the input job control unit 1252 and the RIP unit 1253, and print processing corresponding to the job is executed (S3207).
[0209]
In the processing described above, it is important for the operator to select which job is to be given priority from among the held jobs. In practice, the operator also releases them sequentially with priorities while looking at the job status screen of the web browser. Therefore, if the held jobs are displayed on the screen according to a predetermined order, the operator can save time and labor by releasing them while looking at the job status from the top. For this purpose, the jobs need to be sorted and displayed in a predetermined order.
[0210]
FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing the sort operation of active jobs. When “Sort Jobs” 3103 shown in FIG. 36 is checked, first, a list of active jobs is read (S3301), and then it is determined whether or not to sort jobs (S3302). ).
[0211]
When sorting jobs, sort key selection (S3303) and sort order confirmation (S3304) are performed. Then, the job is sorted according to the selected sort key 3104 and sort order (ascending or descending order) 3105 (S3305, S3306), and the job is displayed (S3307). If the job is not sorted, for example, the job is displayed as it is.
If the display is finished, the process is finished. If not, the process waits for a predetermined time (S3309), and the process returns to step S3301.
[0212]
The sort key 3104 that can be specified here includes the job name 1742, target printer 1743, job status 1744, job priority 1745, job ID 1746, client name 1747, job page number 1748, number of copies 1749 described in FIG. There are a size 1750, a comment column 1751, and the like.
[0213]
Also, what is set in advance is a check box 3106 for selecting whether or not to display only the keyword job shown in FIG. If the check box 3106 is selected, the display key 3107 and the keyword 3108 in FIG. 36 are valid, and if not selected, the entire active job list is displayed. The display key 3107 can be selected from the same setting items as the sort key 3104, and the keyword 3108 can be arbitrarily input by the user.
[0214]
-Simultaneous control of sorted hold jobs
The sorted jobs are displayed as a group in the active job list. Here, for example, the operator selects only the hold job among the jobs arranged in the order of the status as a group of jobs, and clicks one of the control keys 1741 shown in FIG. 24C in the selected state. Then you can control the jobs all at once.
[0215]
Here, in the job control, as described above, the job is canceled (key 1752), the job that pauses or holds the job is paused (key 1753), and the job that releases the pause job or hold job is resumed (key 1754). and so on.
[0216]
In the case of a job history (finished job: FIG. 24C), jobs can be sorted and searched by the same method. Batch archiving of selected jobs (function for storing jobs in another location on the network) 1772, batch job deletion (job delete) 1773, batch job reprint (reprint job) 1774, etc. Is possible.
[0217]
[About the sequence of print processing operations]
Next, the overall flow of the print processing operation will be described. In the following description, job submission and printing processing by a normal printer driver will be described, and then normal printing processing and cluster printing processing by the printer driver in this embodiment will be described.
[0218]
(Print processing by job submission)
FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a print processing operation by job submission. First, when sending a file from the above-mentioned job submission, the client 103 activates a web browser and accesses the web server unit 2631 in the server 102 (S2608). The server 102 provides predetermined web page data to the client 103. As a result, a job submission screen as shown in FIG. 26 is displayed on the client 103 (S2609).
[0219]
Next, the client 103 selects a desired print file from a print file created by using application software on a computer used by itself or a computer on a network accessible via the network in accordance with an input operation of the operator. (Data file) is selected (S2610). The print file selected at this time is not necessarily a PostScript file as long as it can be rasterized (RIP) by the server 102, and may be a file of a format such as PCL, TIFF, JPEG, or PDF.
[0220]
Further, the client 103 selects a printer or cluster printer to be output in accordance with an input operation of the operator (S2611). The selected printer name or cluster printer name is immediately notified to the server 102. As a response to the notification, a default (or desired) job ticket prepared in advance in the server 102 is notified from the server 102 to the client 103, and the job ticket is displayed on the client 103 (S2612). At this time, the hot folder name is also notified from the server 102 to the client 103.
[0221]
The client 103 changes the displayed job ticket to a desired job ticket in accordance with an input operation by the operator (S2613). Specifically, the setting value of the displayed job ticket is changed to a desired setting value input by the operator via the browser (on the browser).
[0222]
When the OK button is clicked, the client 103 transmits the selected job and a desired job ticket to the hot folder 2632 of the server 102. At this time, the received job file (here, both the case of the PDL file and the case of the application file are collectively referred to) and the job ticket (job setting information) use different extensions, for example. Are managed separately.
[0223]
On the other hand, the server 102 sequentially monitors a plurality of hot folders by polling (S2634). If there is a job in the hot folder 2632 (S2635), the server 102 passes the job to the input job control unit 1252. The job is scheduled by the input job control unit 1252 in accordance with the data flow shown in FIG. 15 (S2636), and RIP processing for obtaining output image data is performed by the RIP unit 1253 (S2637).
[0224]
The output job control unit 1255 and the output device control unit 1256 refer to the spool queue table 2633 of the desired printer (or cluster) selected in step S2611 for the job that has undergone the RIP processing (S2638 and S2639). Are supplied to the output device registered in (1) and printed (printed) (S2640).
[0225]
(Print processing by a normal printer driver)
Next, printing processing by a normal printer driver will be described.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a print processing operation by a normal printer driver that issues a print instruction from an application (for example, word processing software) that runs on the client 103 and, as a result, sends a job from the printer driver.
[0226]
Here, the printer driver has two roles. The first role is to create PDL data (represented by PostScript) from data on the application. The second role is to send the PDL data created there from the client 103 (or the server 102 itself) to a predetermined hot folder in the server 102.
[0227]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 40, the client 103 activates the application software (S2701), opens or creates a file to be printed, and issues a print instruction. At this time, a GUI represented by FIGS. 20 to 22 is displayed on the client 103 (S2702).
[0228]
The operator selects a printer in the transmission destination selection column 1602 (S2703), and sets a desired function using the property key 1607 and the like (S2705). When the OK button 1605 is clicked by the operator's input operation (S2706), the client 103 starts creating PDL data in the client 103 (S2707).
[0229]
When the creation of PDL data is completed, the client 103 immediately transmits the created PDL data to a predetermined hot folder 2732 in the server 102. Thereafter, similarly to steps S2634 to S2640 in the print processing by job submission described above, the processing of steps S2734 to S2740 is performed and printed.
[0230]
Here, when selecting a printer or cluster printer in step S2703, it is necessary to prepare a PPD file or the like in the client 103 in advance and set a printer driver. The PPD file describes setting items for controlling the printer, initial values thereof, whether or not combinations of settings are possible, and the like, and is provided as a unique file for each printer or cluster. Therefore, the client 103 links the PPD file and the printer driver for each printer or cluster and prepares them in advance.
[0231]
Further, some printer drivers have a so-called auto configuration function that communicates with the printer side sequentially using SNMP / MIB or the like.
[0232]
In other words, functions supported in advance on the printer side and their initial values are registered in the MIB, and what functions are supported by the printer from the client 103 via the network when the printer driver is opened on the client 103. Inquire. For example, when the printer has a sorter with a stapling function, the stapling function is disclosed to the client 103, and a support setting item list is displayed by the user-side printer driver so as to change to a desired setting item.
[0233]
(Print processing by printer driver in this embodiment)
Next, print processing by the printer driver in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the print processing operation by the printer driver in this embodiment.
[0234]
In the print processing operation by the printer driver in this embodiment, steps S2801 to S2807 are the same as steps S2701 to S2707 of the normal printer driver shown in FIG. Subsequent operations are different.
[0235]
A normal printer driver sets the address or name of a printer on the network as a port setting, or sets a parallel port. In contrast, the printer driver according to the present embodiment is characterized in that a job submit page of a web server in the document server 102 is assigned.
[0236]
FIG. 42 shows a property screen 2851 related to the printer (MFP) 105, and represents a GUI when setting a port on the client 103 immediately after setting the printer driver. The property screen 2851 is configured to have tabs 2852 to 2858 for each function. For example, as shown in FIG. 42, a port can be set on the details (Details) tab screen. However, the tabs and functions in this property screen are not necessarily unique because they are different for each printer driver.
[0237]
Reference numeral 2859 denotes a column (combo box) for selecting a print destination port. However, when the printer driver is installed in the client 103 for the first time, no print destination port is prepared. For this reason, an add port key 2862 is clicked to display a port setting edit screen (window) 2881 shown in FIG.
[0238]
In FIG. 43, 2882 is a port name setting area, 2883 is a server URL setting area, 2884 is a lifetime (valid time) setting area, 2885 is an OK button for enabling the setting, and 2886 is a cancel button for canceling the input operation. In the input fields of the port name setting area 2882 and the server URL setting area 2883, the port name (here, “Document Server 102”) and the URL specifying the job submission page of the server 102 are described, and an OK button 2885 is clicked. Then, the screen returns to the property screen shown in FIG.
[0239]
Then, it is confirmed that the printer 105a is selected by the printer driver 2860 used for printing, a timeout 2861 or the like is set as necessary, and the property screen 2851 is closed by an OK button 2869.
[0240]
Returning to FIG. 41, when the OK button 1605 is clicked in step S2806, the printer driver operating on the client 103 with these settings starts processing to rewrite the data on the application into PDL data (for example, PostScript data). (S2807). When the creation of the PDL data is completed, the printer driver operating on the client side requests activation of the URL of the job submission page in the document server 102 as a predetermined port registered in advance.
[0241]
That is, the printer driver operating on the client 103 creates PDL data from the print target data passed from the application, and then generates an HTML page (URL and subsequent job) related to the job submission prepared by the document server 102. The submitted HTML file name) is given as an argument to the browser of the client, and the server 102 is requested to start the file. As a result, the client 103 starts a browser and requests the specified HTML file from the document server 102 (which has already been described as being a web server).
[0242]
Although it is the timing for requesting the transfer of the job submit HTML file, the normal print driver has proceeded sequentially as described above, but in this embodiment, the job submit browser screen is always called again. Start printing again. Therefore, the client 103 may activate the web server 2831 of the document server 102 immediately after the OK button S2806 of the printer driver is clicked. At the same time, the client 103 advances the creation of the PDL data at the same time, completes the processing until the click of the print button on the job submission screen, and at this timing, the PDL data and the desired job ticket are combined together with the document server. It is also possible to send the message to the client 102. The browser 103 is activated on the client 103 and the time during which the user sets the job ticket can be used effectively.
[0243]
Alternatively, in FIG. 41, the PDL data is registered in the hot folder 2832 in advance, and after confirming that the print data is registered in the server 102 so that the registration is notified from the server, the HTML file is requested. You may do it. In this case, in step S2814 described later, since the PDL data has already been registered in the server 102, only the job ticket is transmitted.
[0244]
The web server unit 2831 in the server 102 receives a job submission HTML file transfer request and transmits a job submission screen (html file) to the client. Thus, the job submission screen is displayed on the client 103 (S2808), and the operator can change the job submission screen to a desired job ticket again.
[0245]
When the PDL file in step S2807 is created, the PDL file and the changed job ticket are transmitted to the hot folder 2832 (S2814). Thereafter, similarly to steps S2634 to S2640 in the printing process shown in FIG. 39 and steps S2734 to S2740 in the printing process shown in FIG. 40, the processes in steps S2834 to S2840 are performed and printed.
[0246]
(Cluster print processing by printer driver in this embodiment)
Next, cluster printing processing by the printer driver in the present embodiment will be described.
[0247]
In general, the capabilities and functions of printers are unique, and when the client 103 performs printer settings, each printer driver is set or a PPD file that matches each printer is prepared. It is necessary to do.
[0248]
However, these are only cases where there is one target printer, and in the case of two or more printers, there are many cases where this is not possible. In particular, if you want to print simultaneously using multiple printers of different types, or if you want to divide a job and print on multiple printers of different types, try to support the so-called cluster print or job split operation. In reality, it is not possible to cope with this situation.
[0249]
If the two different types of printers have their unique capabilities and functions in any combination (logical combination (AND) or logical sum (OR) in any combination), create a PPD file. When trying to do so, the combination becomes enormous. If there are three or more different types of printers, the number of combinations according to their capabilities, functions, etc. will further increase, making it impossible to support.
[0250]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, first, different types of printers are registered as cluster printers according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Next, cluster printing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0251]
Specifically, a file is opened by an application and a print instruction is issued by a printer driver. At this time, a normal printer driver cannot set a job ticket for two different types of printers. However, if a printer driver corresponding to cluster printing is previously set in the document server 102 by the method using the screens shown in FIGS. 42 and 43, cluster printing is handled in the same manner as the flowchart shown in FIG. It becomes possible.
[0252]
FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (GUI) for cluster printing.
When a cluster printer (in the example shown in FIG. 44, a cluster printer by the MFP 104 and the MFP 105) is set in the transmission destination selection column 1901 in FIG. 44, job tickets for both the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 registered in advance in the web server 102 are displayed. Each can be called. Cluster printing can be realized by selecting job tickets for the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 using the column 1907, the setting item group 1911, and the like, and clicking the print key 1905 to indicate printing.
[0253]
Also, in this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the operation flow and display screen (GUI) are described using cluster printing on two different types of MFPs as an example, but three or more MFPs are made to correspond. In this case, it is possible to deal with the same method when dealing with a plurality of MFPs of the same type. Here, in the case of the same type, a common job ticket is often selected, so only one job ticket is specified, and it is assumed that the same job ticket is specified for other printers. good.
[0254]
<Operation of Server 102 during Print Processing>
The printing process according to the present embodiment includes a printing process performed by instructing printing from a normal application, and a printing process performed by the above-described job submission. In either case, the data is stored as a file in the hot folder in the document server 102 and managed as a print queue. Since each print data file has information requested from the client 103 and indicating which printer is used for printing, the printer that actually outputs the print data is determined using the information.
[0255]
A processing operation in the document server 102 when the printing process is actually executed will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
In FIG. 45, first, the server 102 reads the data file to be printed and the provided setting information, and determines the job (S3701). Whether a single printer name is set in the setting information or a printer group name (a group name by a plurality of printers registered as a job cluster mode, a plurality of printers registered as a copy number cluster mode) It is determined whether a group name and a group name by a plurality of printers registered as the page cluster mode are set.
[0256]
Specifically, when a job is sent, two files, a data file and a job ticket file, are sent from the client 103 to the document server 102. The data file is various data files including PostScript data as described above. The job ticket file is a text format file as shown in FIG. 46 (a) or 46 (b), and is issued in a form in which various information regarding output is described.
[0257]
In FIG. 46A, 3851 is a job name, and the job name is linked to the data file. Reference numeral 3852 denotes an output destination, and the job determination in step S3801 is performed based on the described output destination. Reference numeral 3853 denotes RIP or printer information, and RIP or the like is performed based on these descriptions. Reference numeral 3854 denotes setting information set via the screen shown in FIG. 19 and is required for RIP and printing.
[0258]
Returning to FIG. 45, if the result of determination in step S3701 is that the output destination is a single printer name, processing proceeds to step S3702, where the server 102 sends the data file (for example, PostScript data output by the printer driver of the client 103). Or an image data file transferred as a job submit) is output to a designated printer.
[0259]
On the other hand, when the output destination is a printer group name (for example, “MFP 104 & 105_CopyCluster”), the process proceeds to one of steps S3703 to S3705.
[0260]
In steps S3703 to S3705, job cluster mode processing, copy number cluster mode processing, and page cluster mode processing are performed, respectively. The job cluster mode process, the copy number cluster mode process, and the page cluster mode process can be applied to a printer that is vacant in the job cluster mode process or is expected to be in an idle state first, as can be seen from the description of the cluster printer. Sequentially distribute jobs and perform print processing. In the copy cluster mode process and the page cluster mode process, the print process is performed by dividing the process into a plurality of printers in a copy unit and a page unit, respectively.
[0261]
Hereinafter, as an example of cluster printing, the copy cluster mode process (S3804) when a printer group name registered as the copy cluster mode is designated as an output destination will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the processing operation in the copy number cluster mode.
[0262]
First, in step S3901, the number of copies to be assigned to one printer is calculated by dividing the number of copies in the setting information by the number of printers registered as a copy number cluster mode group. If there is a surplus, it may be distributed to some printers. In addition, a minimum number of copies (or the number of pages) is set, and if it is less than that, it can be output by a printer with a priority in advance.
In step S3902, a variable i used as a variable representing a page number is initialized to “1”, and the process proceeds to step S3903.
[0263]
In step S3903, the number of copies to be printed by each printer determined in step S3901 is notified to each printer as data in PDL format. In step S3904, i-page data (RIP-processed data) is output to each printer. Thereafter, in step S3905, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed for all the pages requested to be printed. If not, the process proceeds to step S3906 to increase the variable i by “1”. Return to step S3903.
[0264]
In the above-described processing, the page order printed by each printer is 1, 1, 1,..., 2, 2, 2,. Of course, printing may be performed so as to be 1, 2, and 3.
[0265]
When printing is activated from the print driver, the printer is generally output without worrying about security or the like, but printing in the present embodiment (first embodiment) shown in FIG. 45 is performed. In the process, since the process goes through the web server unit of the server 102 once, it is possible to define the security level for each user and operator as described in the user / group configuration.
[0266]
[Print application file]
Next, a method for sending an application file directly from the client 103 to the server 102 and printing will be described with reference to FIG.
[0267]
For example, it is assumed that a document file of general word processor application software or a spreadsheet file of spreadsheet application software is printed. At this time, generally, each client 103 uses the application software to start the printer driver in a state where the corresponding file is started up, and converts it into PDL data to perform printing processing.
[0268]
On the other hand, if the job submission method in the present embodiment as described above is used, printing can be performed even if the application file is sent to the server 102 as it is.
[0269]
That is, when a file is directly placed in the hot folder of the server 102 from the client 103 in the application format, the server 102 determines whether the format is RIP-capable (S3401). As a result of the determination, if the file is in a RIP-compatible format such as PostScript or PCL, the file is passed to the RIP processing unit in the server 102 (S3402). It is determined whether or not the format is set (S3403).
[0270]
If the result of determination in step S3403 is that the application can be launched, the application program is launched and the file is read (S3404). Next, the printer driver is activated to create PDL data (S3405), and then the application program is closed (S3406), and the created PDL data is passed to the RIP processing unit. In the case of a DOS version computer, this operation is similar to the operation of selecting a file and selecting “print” by right-clicking the mouse.
[0271]
On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S3403 is that the application is not compatible with the server 102, the fact that the file was not RIP is clearly specified in a log (LOG) file or the like (S3407), and the job is Delete from the server 102 (S3408).
[0272]
The operator selects a function on the job ticket screen at the time of job submission, and sends a job ticket file as shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B to the hot folder of the server 102 together with the application file. The server 102 performs job print processing according to the job ticket file received together with the file.
[0273]
<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described.
The second embodiment enables print processing and cluster print processing even if the client side does not have application software.
The configuration of the image forming system to which the information processing system in the second embodiment is applied and the basic print processing operation (print processing operation possible in the first embodiment described above) are the same as those in the first embodiment described above. Since it is the same as the embodiment, the description thereof is omitted, and only the characteristic operation in the second embodiment will be described.
[0274]
[Printing from application file]
FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 49, in the print processing operation in the second embodiment, unlike the print processing operation shown in FIG. 41, application software is not activated on the client 103 side. In the second embodiment, a job ticket for a printer driver related to a printer connected to (or connectable to) the document server 102 is displayed on the web server unit 2831 in the document server 102 on each job submission screen (job ticket). ) Is stored in advance as a substitute. Thus, in the second embodiment, even if there is no application in the client 103, it is possible to perform cluster printing as well as printing.
[0275]
As shown in FIG. 49, first, the client 103 activates a web browser, inputs a URL for opening the job submission screen of the server 102, and requests the server 102 for a job submission screen (data) (S4001). As a response to the request, a job submission screen (data) is transmitted from the server 102, and a job submission screen as shown in FIG. 26 or FIG. 44 is displayed on the client 103 (S4002).
[0276]
Next, the client 103 selects a printer or cluster printer to be output (S4003), and notifies the server 102 of the printer name or cluster printer name. As a response to the notification, a default (or desired) job ticket prepared in advance in the server 102 is notified from the server 102 to the client 103, and the job ticket is displayed on the client 103 (S4004).
[0277]
Subsequently, the client 103 selects a selectable file in the client 103 (or any on the network) in the file selection column 1906 (S4005). Here, as the file to be selected, any file can be selected as long as it is an application file that can be handled by the server 102 shown in step S3403 of FIG. If an application file that cannot be supported by the server 102 is selected, printing is not performed.
[0278]
After selecting the file, the client 103 sets a desired job ticket in accordance with an input operation by the operator (S4006), and when ready, collects the file and job ticket in the hot folder 4023 of the server 102 as one It is transmitted as a job (S4007).
[0279]
On the other hand, the server 102 always monitors jobs in the hot folder by polling, and when a job is input, the job is classified according to the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, if the job is an application file, the server 102 starts up the application software in the server 102 (S4027), activates the printer driver (S4028), and creates a PDL file (S4030). When creating a PDL file, function settings corresponding to the corresponding job ticket are also made (S4029) and passed to the RIP processing unit (S4032).
[0280]
Thereafter, printing is performed by the printer or cluster printer designated in the spool queue table 4022 in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above (see steps S2638 to S2640 in FIG. 39, steps S2838 to S2840 in FIG. 41, etc.). ).
[0281]
When cluster prints configured with different types of printers are set, a common item for each printer and setting items for printer-specific unique parts exist as job tickets. Here, if the page is divided on the browser, the same setting must be made in each web page, and if the setting is forgotten, there is a possibility that the desired output cannot be performed.
[0282]
Therefore, on the job submit tab screen, a link mark 3601 is displayed as shown in FIGS. 50 to 53, so that it is possible to determine whether the item is a common item of each printer or a setting item depending on the printer. .
For example, when the job distribution mode (step S3703 in FIG. 45) or the copy number cluster mode (S3704 in FIG. 45) is selected, the copy number setting of the GUI 1911 in FIG. 50 is different for each printer (MFP 104 and MFP 105). It is better to be able to set. On the other hand, in the page cluster mode (S3705 in FIG. 45) and the page separation mode, the number of copies is one, and it may not be set.
[0283]
Similarly, in the job distribution mode or the copy number cluster mode, it is better to set the staple, but in the page cluster mode or the page separation mode, it is better not to be able to set. At this time, for example, as shown in FIGS. 52A and 52B, “Not Available” or the like is displayed for the job ticket, which cannot be set.
[0284]
Here, when the finisher key 1903 shown in FIG. 51 is clicked, a GUI 1912 shown in FIG. 52A is displayed in a portion where the GUI 1911 is displayed, and finishing setting for the MFP 104 becomes possible. When an image quality key 1904 shown in FIG. 51 is clicked, a GUI 1913 shown in FIG. 53A is displayed in the portion where the GUI 1911 is displayed, and the image adjustment parameters of the MFP 104 can be set.
[0285]
Similarly, when the finisher key 1923 shown in FIG. 51 is clicked, the GUI 1912 shown in FIG. 52B is displayed in the portion where the GUI 1911 is displayed, and the finishing setting of the MFP 105 becomes possible. When the image quality key 1924 shown in FIG. 51 is clicked, a GUI 1913 shown in FIG. 53B is displayed in the portion where the GUI 1911 is displayed, and the image adjustment parameters of the MFP 105 can be set.
[0286]
<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment described above, when the client 103 does not have application software, it is not possible to confirm the finished state of the print image. Therefore, in the third embodiment, the server 102 is further provided with a preview function, so that the print image can be displayed on the web browser on the client 103 and can be confirmed.
[0287]
FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the print processing operation in the third embodiment.
54, steps S4101 to S4107, steps S4124 to S4129, and steps S4171 to S4174 correspond to steps S4001 to S4007, steps S4024 to S4029, and steps S4032 to S4035 shown in FIG. 49, respectively.
[0288]
That is, in the above-described second embodiment, after starting an application in the server 102, PDL data is created in step S4030. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 54, an image display file is created in step S4130 (corresponding to step S4030 in FIG. 49). Here, if a PDF file using, for example, Adobe Acrobat or the like is created as the image display file, it can be easily displayed on a web browser and can be immediately subjected to RIP processing. There are advantages.
[0289]
The created image display file is stored in the web server unit 4121 with a predetermined name. When the preview key 1999 on the job submission screen shown in FIG. 55 is clicked on the client 103, the client 103 moves to the linked “http://192.168.100.1/Preview.html” screen, for example, FIG. A preview image is displayed on the client 103 as shown at 56 (S4151). If the displayed preview image is OK, the user clicks the print key 4199 in FIG. 56 and proceeds to step S4171, and if he wants to start again, presses the back key 4198 in FIG. 56 and returns to step S4102 (display screen in FIG. 55). (S4152).
[0290]
<Fourth Embodiment>
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
In the second embodiment described above, when a selectable file is selected in the file selection column 1906 (S4005), printing is not performed if an application file that cannot be supported by the server 102 is selected. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when an application file that cannot be supported by the server 102 is selected in the file selection column 1906 and the data file is sent from the client 103, the client file is sent via the web browser. This is displayed at 103.
[0291]
FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing a print processing operation in the fourth embodiment.
57, steps S4201 to S4107, steps S4224, S4225, and steps S4226 to S4235 correspond to steps S4001 to S4007, steps S4024, S4025, and steps S4026 to S4035 shown in FIG. 49, respectively. That is, in the fourth embodiment, the processes of steps S4036 and S4037 are provided between steps S4224 and S4225 corresponding to steps S4024 and S4025 in the second embodiment described above.
[0292]
In step S4036, the server 102 determines whether or not the data file of the job in the hot folder is an applicable application file. As a result, if the application file is compatible, the process proceeds to step S4226. If not, the client 103 is notified that printing is not possible.
In step S4237, the client 103 that has received a notification that printing is not possible from the server 102 displays via the web browser that the file selected in step S4205 is not printable.
[0293]
The network configuration itself shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not different from the normal network configuration, and this embodiment is characterized in that it is realized by executing a program that operates on each device. is there. For example, in the case of the client 103, the program is a printer driver or a browser. If it is the server 102, a program for functioning as a web server, a program for managing network resources (scanners, printers, or shared folders), a scheduler for performing print processing, a program for RIP processing, and further network resources It is configured by a program related to the control (distribution of print data in the case of a printer). Therefore, it can be easily understood that the present invention also includes these computer programs.
[0294]
Usually, in order to operate a computer on a general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (R) or a CD-ROM storing these programs is set and an installer is started. Therefore, these recording media are also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0295]
According to the embodiment described above, when printing using the printer driver from the client 103, the port is set in the web server unit included in the server 102, and a print instruction is issued via the job submit tab screen. The client 103 can always print a data file by selecting a desired output destination with a unified GUI without setting a number of printer drivers or collecting setting files.
[0296]
Therefore, for the user, when the application file obtained from another person is printed freely or when the mediator prints it, it can be easily printed using the application software in the server 102, It is possible to save unnecessary work such as preparing a printer driver, purchasing expensive application software, or opening the application software and instructing output. In particular, conventionally, when obtaining a printer driver, it has been necessary to prepare a PPD file for each printer driver in accordance with the OS of the printers 104, 105, 107 and the client 103. However, this is not necessary.
[0297]
For example, when the image forming system according to the present embodiment is applied to the print on demand market, the mediator can determine the number of copies to be printed, the size of the output paper, the type of the output paper, or the imposition, simplex / duplex, and presence / absence of staples. For example, it is possible to easily specify arbitrary setting conditions relating to output, and it is possible to reduce costs (manhours and time) required for the entire printing process.
[0298]
In addition, there is no restriction on UI Constraints, which is a problem when creating a driver PPD, and a user-friendly GUI can be provided.
Furthermore, the security level of each client, which could not be set by the conventional method, is set in advance for each client, and only the job of the authorized user is printed, or the job can be canceled by the operator authority. Controls such as hold and release can be performed simultaneously.
[0299]
Also, according to the embodiment, printing can be performed even if the printer driver and the printer do not correspond one-to-one as in the prior art. The printer can be easily printed using this printer. Therefore, it is very effective for cluster printing and job splitting by multiple devices, especially different types of devices that were difficult to realize in the past, and cluster printing from the printer driver can be easily realized. .
[0300]
(Other embodiments of the present invention)
In order to operate various devices in order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is provided to an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system. What is implemented by operating the various devices according to a program supplied and stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0301]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. Further, means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0302]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.
[0303]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0304]
The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.
[0305]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if the client terminal does not have application software, it is possible to easily output a data file by using application software in the output control apparatus.
[0306]
Further, by allowing the data file to be directly transmitted from the web browser, even if there is no network device such as a printer nearby, the data file can be output to a remote network device via the network. Therefore, it is possible to perform output processing according to the application on demand, together with detailed finishing settings for high-quality images and output of a large number of copies.
In addition, the client terminal can make various settings such as the number of copies and paper size in the output setting information using a browser, making finer settings possible, providing fewer settings errors, and providing a user-friendly GUI. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a system in an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing another configuration example of the system in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (MFP).
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner unit of the MFP.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner IP unit of the MFP.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a FAX unit of the MFP.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a NIC unit of the MFP.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit of the MFP.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer IP unit of the MFP.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration and an operation of a PWM unit of the MFP.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a printer unit of an MFP (color MFP).
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a printer unit of an MFP (monochrome MFP).
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a finisher portion of the MFP.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a document server.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a job flow inside the document server;
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a description example of PDL data and raster image data after development.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network connection form;
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining data transfer in a network;
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (GUI) of the scanner driver.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen (GUI) of a printer driver.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a “Paper” tab screen of a printer driver.
FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a “Device Options” tab screen of the printer driver.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen (job status tab screen) of a web service.
FIGS. 24A to 24C are diagrams showing a device display section, a job status display section, and a job history display section on the job status tab screen.
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device status tab screen.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job submit tab screen.
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI of a job submit tab screen.
FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scanning tab screen.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration tab screen.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating a printer configuration processing operation.
FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a cluster configuration processing operation;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a queue configuration processing operation;
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a spool queue table.
FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a security level setting screen.
FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a user / group configuration processing operation.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a display screen for determining a job control method and a display order;
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a workflow related to determination of a job control method;
FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating a job sorting operation.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation by job submission.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation using a conventional printer driver.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a print processing operation by a printer driver in the embodiment.
FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting property screen according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating a printer driver setting property screen according to the present exemplary embodiment.
FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a job submit tab screen for cluster printing.
FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating an operation processing procedure in the document server 102 when a printing process is executed.
46A is a diagram showing an example of a job ticket for single printer processing, and FIG. 46B is a diagram showing an example of a job ticket for copy cluster processing.
FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a processing operation in the copy number cluster mode;
FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation from job submission of an application file in the present embodiment.
FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a job submit tab screen during cluster printing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a job submit tab screen during cluster printing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 52 is a diagram showing a part of a job submit tab screen during cluster printing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a part of a job submit tab screen during cluster printing in the second embodiment.
FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a job submission tab screen during preview.
FIG. 56 is a diagram showing a preview screen for previewing.
FIG. 57 is a flowchart illustrating a print processing operation according to the fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101, 101a, 101b network
102 servers
103 Client computer
104, 105 Multifunction peripheral device (MFP)
106 Scanner
107 Printer

Claims (28)

An output control apparatus in which a plurality of network devices are connected via a network,
A receiving means for receiving a data file transmitted from a communicably connected client terminal and output setting information relating to output processing of the data file;
Output data creation means for performing predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data;
An output control apparatus comprising: output control means for instructing the network device to output the created output image data based on the received output setting information. 2. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising output request management means for storing and managing the data file and output setting information received by the receiving means. 3. The output control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the output request management means includes scheduling means for controlling the processing order of the plurality of stored data files. The output control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the data file and the output setting information are transmitted to and received from the client terminal using a browser. In response to a request from the client terminal, it further comprises information providing means for providing the client terminal with input screen information for inputting the output setting information,
5. The output control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input screen information includes information for selecting an output destination of the output image data created from the data file from the plurality of network devices. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data file is a data file created by using application software in the client terminal. 6. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data file is described in a page description language. The output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a printer that outputs an image based on the output image data. An output control apparatus that manages a plurality of network devices connected via a network and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client terminal connected via the network, the client terminal Receiving means for receiving a data file created by the application software and output setting information for output processing of the data file, respectively,
Control means for starting up the received data file by the application software of the output control device and performing output processing on the network device capable of the output processing based on the received output setting information. An output control device characterized by the above. 10. The output control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the output control apparatus has a function as a web server, and uses a browser to transmit and receive the data file and the output setting information from the client terminal. . GUI information transmitting means for transmitting GUI information for selecting at least the network device as an output destination to a browser of the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal;
Management means for receiving and managing output target information requested from the client terminal and information for identifying the selected network device as a result of transmission by the GUI information transmitting means;
11. The output control apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising output means for outputting the output target information managed by the management means to the selected network device. 12. The output control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the received data file is temporarily stored in a folder stored and managed by the output control apparatus. The output control apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the network device is a network printer. The network device includes a virtual output device,
Determining means for determining whether or not the virtual output device comprises a monochrome printer and a color printer;
When it is determined by the determination means that the virtual output device is composed of a monochrome printer and a color printer, for each page in the information to be printed, output information to the color printer when there is information about the color, When there is no color information, the color / monochrome page separation mode to be output to the monochrome printer, or when there is information about the color even in one page of information to be printed, all information is output to the color printer. First selection means for selecting which mode of color / monochrome routing mode to output all information to the monochrome printer when it does not exist;
Job for distributing a plurality of jobs to the printers constituting the virtual output device when the judging means judges that the virtual output device is constituted by a plurality of printers of either a monochrome printer or a color printer Select whether to operate in the cluster mode, the number of copies cluster mode that allocates the number of copies to the printer that constitutes the virtual output device, or the page cluster mode in which all pages to be printed are divided into pages and distributed to the printer. The output control apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising two selection means. 12. The output control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the output target information is a file designated by the client terminal. 12. The output control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the GUI information further includes information for displaying information related to a job ticket for setting a condition relating to output. The information relating to the job ticket includes general setting information including information relating to the number of copies to be printed and recording paper size, information relating to an output order in a finisher provided in the printer, and information relating to print quality. 16. The output control device according to 16. The output means includes generation means for generating raster image data that can be output by the selected network device based on the output target information.
12. The output control apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the raster image data generated by the generation means is output to the selected network device via the network. A transmission means for transmitting a data file for requesting output and output setting information relating to output processing of the data file to an output control apparatus in which a plurality of network devices are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the output setting information includes information for designating an output destination of the data file from the plurality of network devices. An information processing apparatus that manages a plurality of printers connected to a network for printing received data files, performs print data distribution processing, and is communicably connected to an output control apparatus that functions as a web server Because
Transmitting means for transmitting the data file to the output control device;
GUI setting information for designating a printer that is the output destination of the print data transmitted from the output control device is received, a setting screen based on the GUI setting information is displayed, and the output target printer is controlled by the output control. An information processing apparatus comprising: notification means for notifying the apparatus. Manages multiple printers connected to the network for printing received data files, distributes print data based on the data files stored in a predetermined file storage folder to the printer, and functions as a web server An information processing device communicably connected to the output control device,
Request means for requesting the output control device for information for displaying a GUI screen for designating a data file to be stored in the file storage folder and a printer as an output destination;
As a result of the request by the request means, the output control device is notified of information for identifying the file and printer designated on the displayed GUI screen, and the data file stored in the file storage folder is started up. An information processing apparatus for outputting to a printer designated by designated output setting information. The display device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein when the GUI screen is displayed, an output image image of the data file created by the output control device is displayed as preview information related to the data file. Information processing device. When displaying the GUI screen, the output image image of the data file created by the output control device is displayed as preview information related to the data file, and after confirming that it has been confirmed by the user, the printer The information processing apparatus according to claim 20 or 21, wherein an output is requested. An information processing system in which a plurality of network devices, an output control apparatus that issues an output instruction to the network device, and a client terminal are connected via a network,
A data file to be output to the network device and transmission means for transmitting output setting information relating to the output process of the data file;
Receiving means for receiving the transmitted data file and output setting information;
Output data creation means for performing predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data;
An information processing system comprising: output control means for instructing the network device to output the created output image data based on the received output setting information. A control method of an information processing system in which a plurality of network devices, an output control apparatus that issues an output instruction to the network device, and a client terminal are connected via a network,
A reception step of receiving the data file to be output to the network device and output setting information relating to the output processing of the data file;
An output data creation step of performing predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data;
A control method comprising: an output control step for instructing the network device to output the created output image data based on the received output setting information. A receiving means for receiving a data file transmitted from a communicably connected client terminal and output setting information relating to output processing of the data file;
Output data creation means for performing predetermined processing on the received data file to create output image data;
A program for causing a computer to function as output control means for instructing output of the created output image data to a network device connected via a network based on the received output setting information. A plurality of network devices via a network, a data file for requesting output, and output setting information relating to output processing of the data file including information specifying an output destination of the data file from the plurality of network devices. A program for causing a computer to realize the function of transmitting to the output control device to which the computer is connected. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 26 or 27 is recorded.

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