JP4145119B2 - Print data management device, print data management program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print data management apparatus that stores a print job used for printing (image formation) and transmits the print job to a printing apparatus in response to a print request from an external printing apparatus or terminal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Currently, there are one or more printing devices (image forming devices), a terminal such as a personal computer or a portable terminal, and a print data management device that stores one or more print jobs used for image formation in a storage means such as a hard disk. There is a printing system configured to be communicable, and by sending a print request from the terminal to the print data management apparatus, the print job designated by the print request is transmitted to the designated printing apparatus and printed. The print data management apparatus is generally called a storage server. Such a printing system is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 discloses a printing system that sets a printing time for a print job stored in a storage server and automatically transmits the print job to a printing apparatus at the printing time to perform printing.
With such a printing system, for example, when the storage server and the printing apparatus can communicate with each other via the Internet, WAN, etc., the user can perform operations such as acquiring necessary printed materials on a business trip without bringing printed materials. So convenient.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-169671 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-236192 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the time period during which the storage server itself or the network to which the storage server is connected is maintained, or when the system is stopped for troubleshooting, and when the user tries to print a print job in the storage server overlap However, there is a problem that the user cannot obtain a desired printed matter. In particular, business trip destinations often do not have personal computers or backup media for users that store the original data of print jobs, so that there is a problem that alternative measures cannot be taken.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to take an alternative measure even if the print data management apparatus (storage server) cannot accept a print request. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print data management server that makes it possible.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention Invention that is the basis of Is a print that is configured to be communicable with a printing apparatus and that transmits one or more stored print jobs to the printing apparatus in response to a print request from a terminal that can communicate with the printing apparatus or the print data management apparatus. In the data management device, information related to contact information is set for each of the print jobs, and a print suspension scheduled date and time storage unit that stores a scheduled print suspension date and time that cannot accept the print request, and the print suspension scheduled date and time based on the scheduled print suspension date and time The print data management apparatus is characterized by comprising message transmission means for transmitting a predetermined message to a contact address.
Thus, for example, each time the print suspension scheduled date and time is set or at a predetermined cycle, the print suspension is performed by the message transmission unit to the contact information of each of the print jobs stored in the print data management apparatus. If you send an information message about the scheduled date and time, the owner of the print job (the contact partner) can know the scheduled date and time when the print request is not accepted. It is possible to take alternative measures such as.
[0006]
Also, Like the present invention If information regarding the scheduled print date and time is set for each print job, a more convenient service can be provided to the user (the contact partner).
For example, information regarding the scheduled print date and time is set for each of the print jobs, and the message transmitting unit is configured to contact the contact information regarding the print job in which the scheduled print suspension date and the scheduled print date and time substantially overlap. It is conceivable that a predetermined message is transmitted.
As a result, the message is transmitted only to the contact address that needs to be handled.
[0007]
And a print job automatic transfer unit that automatically transfers the print job in which the scheduled print suspension date and time and the scheduled print date substantially overlap to another print data management apparatus, and the message transmission unit includes the print job It is also possible to send a message notifying the transfer destination to which the job has been automatically transferred.
By providing such an automatic print job transfer service, the scheduled date and time of the print suspension and the scheduled print date and time of the print job overlapped in the data management server where the print job was registered (stored) in advance. Even in this case, printing can be performed as scheduled.
Of course, a configuration in which a print job is transferred in response to a request from the user is also conceivable. That is, it comprises a print job designation transfer means for transferring the print job to another print data management apparatus in response to a predetermined print job transfer request from the printing apparatus or the terminal.
[0008]
In addition, a print suspension scheduled date and time acquisition unit that acquires the print suspension scheduled date and time from another print data management apparatus is provided, and the print job automatic transfer unit and / or the print job designation transfer unit acquires the scheduled print suspension date and time. It is more preferable that the print job is transferred to the other print data management apparatus in which the scheduled print suspension date and time acquired by the means and the scheduled print date and time of the print job to be transferred do not substantially overlap. is there.
Thereby, even in the data management server of the transfer destination, it is possible to reliably prevent the scheduled print suspension date and time and the scheduled print date and time from overlapping.
[0009]
It is also conceivable that the message transmission means transmits a predetermined message to the contact person of the print job when the scheduled print date and time of the print job that has not yet received the print request has passed.
As a result, the user can receive various services (such as sending a message when there is an overlap with the scheduled print suspension date and automatic print job transfer) for the already registered print job. In order to continuously receive the provision, it is possible to know that it is necessary to change (correct) the setting of the scheduled printing date and time.
[0010]
The present invention may also be understood as a print data management program that implements the functions of the print data management apparatus.
That is, print data that is configured to be communicable with a printing apparatus and that causes a computer that transmits one or more stored print jobs to the printing apparatus in response to a printing request from the printing apparatus or a predetermined terminal. In the management program, contact information for each print job And its scheduled printing date and time Information is set, About the print job in which the scheduled print suspension date and time and the scheduled print date substantially overlap A print data management program for causing a computer to execute a message transmission procedure for transmitting a predetermined message to the contact.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments and examples of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that the present invention can be understood. It should be noted that the following embodiments and examples are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system including the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention as a component, and FIG. 2 shows the schematic configuration of the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a print job transmission screen in a terminal that transmits a print job to the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a print job to be stored, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration in a data storage unit storing a print job in the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of message transmission processing of the storage server X according to the embodiment, and FIG. 7 shows a message transmitted by the storage server X according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a terminal screen for making a print job change request to the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of print job change processing of the storage server X according to FIG.
[0012]
First, the overall configuration of a printing system including the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention as a component will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of storage servers X, a plurality of printing apparatuses 10, a plurality of terminals 20, and a search server 30 are configured to communicate with each other via a network N such as the Internet.
The terminal 20 is a personal computer, a portable terminal, a network scanner (not shown), or the like, and in addition to a function of directly transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus 10 by execution processing of a printer driver installed in advance, a print job To the storage server X, and a function to send the uploaded print job to the desired printing apparatus 10 to request printing to the storage server X. It also has a function of transmitting a request for changing the contents of a print job. These functions are executed by using a preinstalled web browser. Normally, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone (an example of the terminal 10) only transmits the print request and the print job change request.
The printing apparatus 10 receives a print job transmitted from the terminal 20 or the storage server X connected to the network and performs print processing. Of course, the function of the terminal 20 may be provided in the printing apparatus 10 so that the printing apparatus 10 and the terminal 20 are configured integrally. In this case, the printing device 20 having the function of the terminal 20 can make the print request and the print job change request to the storage server X.
The search server 30 acquires and stores the print suspension scheduled date and time described later from all storage servers X connected to the network, and stores the print acquired from each storage server X in response to a request from the storage server X. It provides (sends) the scheduled date and time of suspension.
[0013]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the storage server X.
The storage server X is a general server computer, and as shown in FIG. 2, a system control unit 41, a communication unit 46, a real time clock 42, a data storage unit 49, a scheduled stop date setting unit 43, a print job processing unit. 47, a WWW server 45, a message processing unit 44, and a print job management unit 48.
The system control unit 41 includes a CPU and its peripheral devices, a basic program (so-called OS) executed by the CPU, and the like, and controls the entire storage server X.
The communication unit 46 communicates with the printing apparatus 10 and the terminal 20 via the network N.
The real time clock 42 has a so-called calendar function and measures time (time).
The data storage unit 49 is a storage device such as a hard disk device that stores the print job 60 uploaded from the terminal 20 and the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 that is a time zone in which the print request cannot be accepted (the print suspension). Example of scheduled date storage means).
The scheduled suspension date / time setting unit 43 performs processing for setting the scheduled printing suspension date / time 70 using a keyboard or the like provided in the storage server X.
The print job processing unit 47 transmits the print job 60 to the printing apparatus 10 when the print job 60 is printed.
The WWW server 45 transmits screen data (screen data described in HTML, XML, etc.) to the terminal 20 and accepts various requests from the terminal 20 and performs processing according to the requests.
The message processing unit 44 transmits a predetermined message to a contact address (an example of information related to the contact) set for each of the print jobs 60 (an example of the message transmission unit).
The print job management unit 48 controls the timing of message transmission by the message processing unit 44 based on the scheduled print suspension date and time 70, and performs the transfer process of the print job 60 to another storage server X. To do.
[0014]
In the present embodiment, the scheduled print suspension date and time management unit 43, the message processing unit 44, the WWW server 45, the print job processing unit 47, and the print job management unit 48 are executed by the system control unit 41. It is embodied by a computer program. Further, the message processing unit 44 transmits the message to the contact address (e-mail address) by e-mail. Similarly, the print job processing unit 47 transmits the print job 60 to the printing apparatus 10 as attached data of an e-mail.
This storage server X has components other than those shown in FIG. 2, such as an input device such as a keyboard and a display device such as a CRT, as well as a general print data storage server. Since it is not made, the explanation is omitted here.
[0015]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a print job transmission screen on the terminal 20 when the print job is transmitted to the storage server X.
When the print job is transmitted (uploaded) to the storage server X, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage server name 51 (identification information of the storage server X) of the transmission destination (output destination) and the print to be printed Data name 52 (file name of print data), job ID 53 for identifying the print job to be transmitted, user password 54, scheduled print date and time 55 of the print job, and contact address 56 for the user (for example, owned by the user) An automatic transfer flag 57 for designating whether or not to automatically transfer to another storage server X when the destination storage server X cannot accept the print request at the scheduled print date and time 55 Is set. The job ID 53 may be configured to be automatically set by the terminal 20 so as not to overlap with other print jobs. Thereafter, the print job is specified (identified) by a combination of the job ID 53 and the password 54. The storage server name 51 is associated with the URL of the storage server X.
When the “OK” button Pb1 is operated after the above settings are made, the web browser function connects to the storage server X having the URL corresponding to the storage server name 51, and the print data name 52 The print job including the designated print data and other setting information is transmitted.
The print job transmission screen is accessed by designating a predetermined URL from the web browser of the terminal 20 and accessing the storage server X, so that screen data described in HTML, XML, etc. from the storage server X is displayed on the terminal 20. And may be configured to be displayed by a web browser.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows the data structure of the print job. As shown in FIG. 4, the print job 60 is mainly composed of a header portion 61 and the print data 62. Further, the header section 61 includes the job ID 53, the password 54, the scheduled printing date and time 55, the contact address 56, and the automatic transfer flag 57. When the print job 60 is transmitted from the storage server X to the printing apparatus 10 in response to a print request from the terminal 20, only the print data 62 is transmitted as a print job.
On the other hand, the storage server X that has received the print job 60 stores the received print job 60 in the data storage unit 49.
FIG. 5 shows a data structure in the data storage unit 49 in which the print job 60 is stored. As shown in FIG. 5, the print job 60 is stored (registered) in the data storage unit 49 by assigning a job number 63 for each print job 60.
The print job 60 registered in the data storage unit 49 is deleted from the data storage unit 49 after the print request is made from the terminal 20 and transmitted to the printing apparatus 20.
[0017]
Next, message transmission processing controlled by the print job management unit 48 of the storage server X will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, S101, S102,... Represent processing procedure (step) numbers.
First, when a predetermined start operation is performed in the storage server X, the data storage unit 49 is referred to, and the scheduled printing date and time 55 has passed (the current date and time has passed the scheduled printing date and time 55). The print job 60 is searched (S101). As described above, the print job 60 transmitted to the printing apparatus 10 when the print request is made is deleted from the data storage unit 55, so that the print job existing in the data storage unit 55 is still The print request is not accepted (ie, not printed).
If the print job 60 that has passed the scheduled print date and time 55 exists, the message shown in FIG. 7C is sent to the contact address 56 set in the print job 60. The message processing unit 44 transmits it by electronic mail (S103). As shown in FIG. 7C, the message transmitted here indicates that the print job has not been printed even after the scheduled date and time, and changes the setting of the scheduled date and time 55 as necessary. It is a message to urge you.
The user who has received such a message (the owner of the contact address) will continue to use the message service based on the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 described later (the scheduled print date and time 55 is the scheduled print suspension date and time 70). If the message service is to be received, it is necessary to newly set the scheduled print date and time 55. This will be described later.
[0018]
Next, when there is no print job 60 that has passed the scheduled print date and time 55, or after the message transmission in S103, the scheduled print stop date set by the scheduled stop date and time setting unit 43 is set. It is checked whether or not the date and time 70 exists (S104). If it is not set, the process returns to S101 and the process is repeated. If it is set, the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 and the scheduled print date and time 55 are displayed. Is searched (including the case where the scheduled printing date and time 55 and the scheduled printing date and time 55 within the predetermined range before and after that are the same, and so on) (S105).
If the duplicate print job 60 does not exist (NO side of S106), the process returns to S101 and the process is repeated. If the print job 60 exists (YES side of S106), the automatic transfer flag 57 of the print job 60 is displayed. (S107), and if the automatic transfer setting (automatic transfer “permitted”) is made, the print job 60 is transferred to another print job by the print job management unit 48 (an example of the print job automatic transfer means). The message is transferred to the storage server X (S109), and the message processing unit 44 sends the message shown in FIG. 7B to the contact address 56 set in the print job 60 by e-mail (S109). S110). As shown in FIG. 7B, the message transmitted here is a message notifying that the print job has been automatically transferred and the information (URL) of the destination storage server X.
As a result, the user can know the storage server X that is the transfer destination, and can save the trouble of performing the transfer operation of the print job 60 described later.
Here, there is no meaning if the scheduled print suspension date / time 70 of the transfer destination storage server X overlaps with the scheduled print date / time of the print job 60 to be transferred. Therefore, in this storage server X, before the print job 60 is automatically transferred, the print job management unit 48 (an example of the print suspension scheduled date and time acquisition means) connects to the search server 30 to connect all other jobs. The print suspension scheduled date and time 70 of the storage server X is acquired, and the print job scheduled storage date and time 70 of the acquired print job 60 and the print job 60 to be transferred are not duplicated with respect to the storage server X. 60 is transferred. Of course, the print job management unit 48 may directly acquire the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 from all other storage servers X connected to the network.
[0019]
On the other hand, when the automatic transfer flag 57 of the print job 60 detected in S106 is set not to be automatically transferred (automatic transfer “impossible”) (NO in S107), the print job 60 is set. The message shown in FIG. 7A is sent to the contact address 56 by e-mail by the message processing unit 44 (S108). As shown in FIG. 7A, the message transmitted here indicates that the print request may not be accepted (cannot be printed) at the scheduled print date and time 55 of the print job, and if necessary, the message This message prompts the user to transfer the print job 60 to another storage server X or to change the setting of the scheduled print date and time 55 (this transfer or setting change is called a print job change).
Thus, based on the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 and the scheduled print date and time 55, a message indicating that the registered print job 60 may not be printed is sent to the user (contact address) in advance. Therefore, it is possible to take measures such as printing the print job 60 earlier than scheduled, or transferring the print job 60 to another storage server X.
In this message transmission process, the above-described processes of S101 to S110 are repeated at a predetermined cycle.
[0020]
FIG. 8 shows that the user who has received the message shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C requests the storage server X to change the print job 60 (transfer to another storage server X, It is an example of the menu screen of the terminal 20 for performing (change of scheduled printing date and time 55).
This menu screen specifies the URL of the storage server X where the print job 60 is registered from the web browser of the terminal 20 (for example, the URL shown in the messages of FIGS. 7A and 7C) and By accessing the storage server X, screen data described in HTML, XML or the like is transmitted from the storage server X to the terminal 20 by the WWW server 45 and displayed by the web browser.
On the menu screen, the user sets the job ID 53 and the password 54 of the print job 60 to be changed, and then changes the “change storage (transfer)” button Pb2, “change scheduled print date and time” button Pb3. , And a “delete print job” button Pb4 are selected and operated. As a result, a print job change request including the job ID 53 and the password 54 and any of a print job transfer request, a scheduled print date / time change request, and a print job deletion request is transmitted to the storage server X.
[0021]
FIG. 9 is a print job change process executed by the print job management unit 48 in the storage server X that has received the print job change request transmitted from the terminal 20 by the operation of the menu screen shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of.
First, it is checked whether or not the print job 60 corresponding to the combination of the job ID 53 and the password 54 specified by the print job change request exists in the data storage unit 49 (S201). A notification to that effect is sent to the terminal 20 (not shown) and the process ends, but if it exists, the request content (change content) of the print job change request is checked (S202).
If the request from the terminal 20 is the print job deletion request, the corresponding print job 60 is deleted from the data storage unit 49 and the process is terminated.
If the request from the terminal 20 is a request for changing the scheduled print date / time, the scheduled print date / time 55 of the corresponding print job 60 is changed (corrected), and the process is terminated. At this time, the terminal 10 that has transmitted the print job change request is requested to set (input) the scheduled print date and time 55 after the change, and the set date and time is set as the new scheduled print date and time 55.
If the request from the terminal 20 is the print job transfer request, the print server 10 is connected to the search server 30 to obtain the scheduled print suspension dates 70 of all other storage servers X (S221). By comparing the acquired information with the scheduled print date and time 55 of the print job 60 to be transferred, the storage server X in which the scheduled print suspension date and time 70 and the scheduled print date and time 55 do not overlap is selected as a transfer destination candidate. Is selected (searched) (S222).
Further, information on the storage server X selected as a transfer destination candidate (the storage server name 51 is transmitted (provided) to the terminal 20 (S223), and a transfer instruction including the storage server name 51 selected from the selection destination candidates) Is received from the terminal 20 (S224).
Then, after the print job 60 is transferred to the storage server X designated by the transfer instruction (S225), the processing is terminated (the print job management means 48 that executes this process is executed by the print job designation transfer means). One case).
Thus, by transferring the print job 60 to the other storage server X, it is possible to avoid duplication of the scheduled print time of the print job and the scheduled print suspension date and time of the storage server X.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even when the print data management apparatus (storage server) cannot accept a print request, a message is notified to the user in advance. It is possible to take alternative measures such as performing a printing process or transferring the print job to another print data management apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system including a storage server X according to an embodiment of the present invention as a constituent element.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a print job transmission screen in a terminal that transmits a print job to the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a print job stored in the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration in a data storage unit in which a print job is stored in the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of message transmission processing of the storage server X according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a message transmitted by the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of a terminal for making a print job change request to the storage server X according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of print job change processing of the storage server X according to the embodiment of the invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10. Printing device
20 ... terminal
30 ... Search server
N ... Network
41 ... System control unit
42 ... Real time clock
43 ... Scheduled stop date setting part
44. Message processing unit (message transmitting means)
45 ... WWW server
46 ... Communication Department
47. Print job processing section
48... Print job management unit (print job automatic transfer means, print suspension scheduled date acquisition means, print job designation transfer means)
49. Data storage unit (print suspension scheduled date and time storage means)
51 ... Storage server name
52 ... Print data name
53 ... Job ID
54 ... Password
55 ... Scheduled printing date and time
56 ... Contact address (contact information)
57 ... Automatic transfer flag
60: Print job
S101, S102, ... Processing procedure (step)

Claims (6)

Print data management configured to be communicable with a printing apparatus and to transmit one or more stored print jobs to the printing apparatus in response to a print request from a terminal capable of communicating with the printing apparatus or the print data management apparatus In the device,
Information about the contact information and the scheduled printing date and time is set for each of the print jobs.
A printing suspension scheduled date and time storage means for storing a printing suspension scheduled date and time that cannot accept the printing request;
Print data management comprising: a message transmission unit configured to transmit a predetermined message to the contact for the print job in which the scheduled date and time of printing suspension and the scheduled printing date and time substantially overlap apparatus. A print job automatic transfer means for automatically transferring the print job in which the scheduled print suspension date and time and the scheduled print date substantially overlap to another print data management device;
The print data management apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the message transmission unit is configured to transmit a message notifying a transfer destination to which the print job is automatically transferred. The printing device or in response to a predetermined print job transfer request from the terminal, the print job to one of claims 1 or 2 comprising comprises a print job specified transfer means for transferring to other print data management device The print data management apparatus described. A printing suspension scheduled date and time acquisition means for acquiring the printing suspension scheduled date and time from another print data management device;
The print job scheduled transfer date and time acquired by the print job automatic transfer unit and / or the print job designation transfer unit acquired by the print pause scheduled date acquisition unit do not substantially overlap with the scheduled print date and time of the print job to be transferred. print data management apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, and transfers the print job to the other print data management device. It said message transmission means, when passed the printing date and time of the print job to the print request has not yet accepted, claims 1 to 4, the contacts of the print job is to transmit a predetermined message The print data management apparatus according to any one of the above. Print data management program for causing a computer to transmit one or a plurality of stored print jobs communicably with a printing apparatus to the printing apparatus in response to a printing request from the printing apparatus or a predetermined terminal In
Information about the contact information and information about the scheduled printing date and time are set for each of the print jobs.
Print data management program for executing a message transmission step of transmitting a predetermined message to the contact for the print job to the print rest scheduled date and time and the printing date and time is substantially duplicate the computer.

Images