JP2004302649A - Document printing system, document printing program and method for printing document - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document printing system, a document printing program and a document printing method by which user's management of document data is not required. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 100 itself confirms the version of the newest document data accessed and stored in a document server 200 and that of document data stored in the printer 100 itself, and when these versions are different from each other, the document data of the newest version are downloaded from the document server 200 and the document data stored in the printer 100 itself are updated. Consequently user's management of document data is made unnecessary and efficient document printing is realized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【００４０】
次に、このようにしてプリンタ１００の電源投入直後の最新帳票チェックが終了したならば、図４のフローのステップＳ１０４に示すように、そのプリンタ１００の電源投入後の経過時間を計測し、一定時間が経過したと判断した（ＹＥＳ）ならば、再びそのプリンタ１００自身が帳票サーバ２００にアクセスして電源投入直後の最新帳票チェック（ステップＳ１０２）と同様な処理を行う（ステップＳ１０６）。
【００４１】
すなわち、電源投入直後にだけチェックを行うのでは、長時間電源が入れらた状態で使用された場合に、電源投入後に行われた帳票サーバ２００での新たな帳票データの追加やバージョンアップによる帳票データが取得されなくなる。
そのため、このように電源投入後、一定時間経過したならば定期的に帳票サーバ２００へアクセスして帳票データ等のチェックを行うことにより、電源投入時から長時間が経っても常に最新の帳票を取得・保持することが可能となる。尚、この帳票チェック間隔としては、理論的には短いほど好ましいが、無駄なアクセスやトラフィックの増大等を回避すべく、帳票の追加やバージョンアップが行われる頻度に応じて適宜最適な間隔に調整されることは言うまでもない。
【００４２】
次に、同図のステップＳ１０８に示すように、このプリンタ１００は、同時にクライアントＰＣ３００から帳票バージョン情報の問い合わせ要求を監視し、要求がきたと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、再びプリンタ１００自身が帳票サーバ２００にアクセスして電源投入直後及び一定時間経過毎の最新帳票チェック（ステップＳ１０２、Ｓ１０６）と同様な最新帳票チェック処理を行う（ステップＳ１１０）。
【００４３】
すなわち、ステップＳ１０６において、電源投入後一定時間経過したならば自動的に再度最新帳票チェック処理が行われることになるが、仮に電源投入直後から最初の最新帳票チェック処理が行われるまでの間に、最新バージョンの帳票データが帳票サーバに追加された場合等、その最新バージョンの帳票データがプリンタ１００に取得されないケースが発生する。
【００４４】
そのため、クライアントＰＣ３００から帳票バージョン情報の問い合わせ要求がきた（ＹＥＳ）場合には、時間の経過に拘わらず、直ちに同様な最新帳票チェック処理を行うことにより、プリンタ１００は常に最新の印刷データを取得・保持することが可能となる。
そして、このケースにおいては、プリンタ１００は、クライアントＰＣ３００から帳票バージョン情報の問い合わせ要求に対し、要求された帳票バージョンを送信（ステップＳ１１２）してから、クライアントＰＣ３００からの帳票項目データ提供要求を監視（ステップＳ１１４）する。その後、クライアントＰＣ３００から帳票項目データ提供要求がきたならば（ＹＥＳ）、クライアントＰＣ３００に対して要求された帳票項目データを送信する（ステップＳ１１６）。
【００４５】
一方、ユーザが操作するクライアントＰＣ３００側において所望の帳票印刷を行う場合には、図６のフローに示すように、先ず帳票印刷を行うアプリケーションを起動（ステップＳ３００）すると、そのアプリケーションは自己の帳票バージョンに関する最新情報のチェックを行う（ステップＳ３０２）。
具体的には、図７のフローに示すように、クライアントＰＣ３００のアプリケーションは、プリンタ１００に対して最新の帳票バージョン（リスト）の問い合わせ要求を送信し（ステップＳ４００）、プリンタ１００が持っている最新の帳票バージョン（リスト）を取得する（ステップＳ４０２）。そして、取得した帳票バージョン（リスト）と自己が知っている帳票のバージョン情報を比較（ステップＳ４０４）し、プリンタ１００から取得した帳票バージョン（リスト）に自己が所有していない帳票、あるいは自己が所有している帳票の最新版がない（ＮＯ）と判断したときはそのまま処理を終了するが、最新版があると判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、プリンタ１００からその最新の帳票の項目データのみをダウンロードして取得する（ステップＳ４０６）。
【００４６】
次に、このようにして最新の帳票項目データを取得したクライアントＰＣ３００は、図６のステップＳ３０４に示すように、作成する帳票を選択してプリンタに１００に対してその帳票と対応する帳票項目データ取得要求を送信する（ステップＳ３０６）。その後、次のステップＳ３０８において帳票項目データを取得したと判断した（ＹＥＳ）ときは、クライアントＰＣ３００は、その受信した帳票項目データから対応するＵＩ（ユーザインタフェース）を作成し、これをクライアントＰＣ３００の表示機能３３によってＣＲＴ画面上や液晶ディスプレイ上等に表示する（ステップＳ３１０）。
【００４７】
そして、このクライアントＰＣ３００は、次のステップＳ３１２において、ユーザの帳票項目データ入力が完了したかどうかを監視し、完了したと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、プリンタ１００に対して作成した入力データを送信して（ステップＳ３１４）処理を終了することになる。
このステップＳ３０４以降の流れを例を挙げて説明すると、例えばクライアントＰＣ３００で選択された帳票が図９に示すようなＦＡＸ送信表の場合、図示するようにユーザが入力すべき入力データ項目、すなわちデータ格納枠は、＜＜Ｌｏｇｏ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ１、＜＜Ｙｅａｒ／Ｄａｙ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ２、＜＜ＴｏＮａｍｅ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ３、＜＜Ｓｅｃｔｉｏｎ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ４、＜＜Ｎａｍｅ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ５、＜＜Ｓｅｎｄ Ｎｕｍｂｅｒ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ６、＜＜Ｄｏｃｕｍｅｎｔ＞＞に関するデータが格納される格納枠Ｗ７といった７つの格納枠Ｗ１〜Ｗ７であるため、これら格納枠Ｗ１〜Ｗ７に対応するデータが、クライアントＰＣ３００の要求に応じて以下の表２に示すようにそれぞれの項目に対応するタグ、ＵＩ表示名、データ型に分類された帳票項目データとして、帳票名とそのバージョン情報と共にクライアントＰＣ３００側に送られる。
【００４８】
【表２】

【００４９】
そして、この帳票項目データを取得したクライアントＰＣ３００のアプリケーションが、例えば図１２に示すように画面の左側に各項目に対応する表示（ロゴ、年月、宛先、部署名、氏名、送信枚数、本文）が形成されたＵＩを作成することとなり、ユーザはクライアントＰＣ３００側のキーボード等の入力装置を用いてこれら各項目毎に形成された各入力ボックス内にそれぞれ必要なデータを入力することになる。
【００５０】
図１２は、ロゴの項目６００に対応する入力ボックス６１０に社名等の商標を表す画像が保存されているファイルの場所を特定するパス「Ｃ：￥ｇａｚｏｕ￥ｌｏｇｏ．ｇｉｆ」が入力され、年月の項目６０１に対応する入力ボックス６１１にＦＡＸの送信日である「２００３／１／１」が入力され、ＦＡＸの宛先の項目６０２に対応する入力ボックス６１２に具体的な宛先である「△△ △△」が入力され、部署名の項目６０３に対応する入力ボックス６１３に具体的な部署名である「総務部」と入力され、氏名の項目６０４に対応する入力ボックス６１４に送信者の氏名である「□□ □□」と入力され、送信枚数の項目６０５に対応する入力ボックス６１５にＦＡＸ送信枚数である「４」と入力され、本文の項目６０６に対応する入力ボックス６１６に文書が保存されているファイルの保存場所を示すパス「Ｃ：￥ｄｏｃ￥ＦＡＸ．ｄｏｃ」が入力された例を示したものである。
【００５１】
そして、ユーザはこれら各入力ボックス６１０〜６１６に所定のデータを入力し終えたならその内容を確認し、間違っている場合は画面右下の「ＣＡＮＣＥＬ」のボタン６３０を押して再入力を行い、最終的に全ての入力が正しく行われたときには、「ＯＫ」のボタン６２０を押すことで入力データの作成完了と同時にプリンタ１００に対して入力ボックスに入力した入力データのみの送信が行われることになる。
【００５２】
尚、図１０に示すような見積書や図１１に示すような納品書が選択された場合には、図示するようにさらに入力項目が増えると共に、入力内容も細分化されるようになるため、それらに対応するクライアントＰＣ３００のＵＩ画面は、例えば図１３や図１４に示すようなものが採用される。また、図１０、図１１のような帳票に対応する帳票項目データは、以下の表３，４に示すように、それぞれの項目に対応するタグ、ＵＩ表示名、データ型に分類された帳票項目データとして、それぞれ帳票名とそのバージョン情報と共にクライアントＰＣ側に送られる。
【００５３】
【表３】

【００５４】
【表４】

【００５５】
次に、図４のステップＳ１１８に示すように、プリンタ１００はクライアントＰＣ３００に対して所望の帳票項目データを送信した後は、そのクライアントＰＣ３００からの入力データの受信を監視し、入力データがきた場合（ＹＥＳ）にはその入力データをそれと対応する帳票データと合成させる処理を行うことになるが、このとき、各入力データが帳票データの各入力枠内にマッチするようにレイアウト調整処理が行われる（ステップＳ１２０）。
【００５６】
このレイアウト調整処理としては、例えば、図８に示すように、先ず入力データが文字か画像かを判断（ステップＳ５００）し、文字でない（ＮＯ）と判断したときは、そのままステップＳ５０６までジャンプするが、文字である（ＹＥＳ）と判断した場合には、ステップＳ５０２に移行してその入力データが割り当てられる帳票の格納枠のサイズと照らし合わせて、その格納枠からはみ出すかどうかを判断する。そして、入力データが帳票の格納枠内からはみ出さないと判断したとき（ＮＯ）は、そのままその格納枠内に文字を格納すると共にステップＳ５０６までジャンプするが、入力データが帳票の格納枠内からはみ出すと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、次のステップＳ５０４に移行してその文字のフォントサイズを枠に合わせて縮小してその格納枠内に文字を格納することになる。
【００５７】
一方、同図のステップＳ５０６に示すように、入力データが画像であるかどうかを判断し、画像でないと判断した（ＮＯ）ときは、そのまま処理を終了することになるが、入力データが画像であると判断した場合（ＹＥＳ）には、次のステップＳ５０８に移行してその画像が、帳票の該当する格納枠内に格納したときにはみ出すかどうかを判断する。
【００５８】
この結果、格納枠内にデータを格納してもはみ出さないと判断したとき（ＮＯ）は、ステップＳ５１２までジャンプすることになるが、ここではみ出してしまうと判断したとき（ＹＥＳ）は、その格納枠にあわせてその画像サイズを縮小する。一方、ステップＳ５１２において入力データが帳票の格納枠に対して小さすぎるかどうかも判断され、小さ過ぎることはない（ＮＯ）と判断されたときは、そのまま処理を終了することになるが、小さ過ぎると判断されたときは次のステップＳ５１４に移行してその画像サイズを格納枠にあわせて適宜拡大する処理がなされてレイアウト調整処理が終了する。
【００５９】
次に、プリンタ１００は、このようにして入力データのレイアウトの調整が終了したならば、図４のフローのステップＳ１２２に示すように、帳票データと入力データとを合成して印刷に適した形式の印刷データを作成した後、実際の印刷を実行する（ステップＳ１２４）ことで帳票印刷処理が終了することになる。
この図４のフローのうち、特にステップＳ１１６以降の流れを簡潔に図示したのが図３の概念図である。
【００６０】
図示するように、先ずクライアントＰＣ３００がプリンタ１００に対して利用する帳票についての▲１▼バージョン情報問い合わせを行うと、プリンタ１００は▲２▼そのバージョン情報をクライアントＰＣ３００に送信する。クライアントＰＣ３００はそのバージョン情報同士を照らし合わせ、バージョンが同じであるとは、それと対応する自己が保有する帳票項目データを利用することになるが、バージョンが異なるときはプリンタ１００に対してその▲３▼項目データを提供するように要求を送信する。これを受信したプリンタ１００は早速、その▲４▼項目データをクライアントＰＣ３００に送信し、これを受信したクライアントＰＣ３００がそのデータから上述したようなデータ入力用のＵＩを作成し、このＵＩを用いてユーザが必要な▲５▼データを入力し、▲６▼その入力データのみをプリンタ１００に送信する。そして、▲７▼この入力データを受信したプリンタ１００は、その後自己が所有する帳票データ（枠組データ等）と受信した入力データとを▲８▼データ合成すると共に、必要に応じて▲９▼レイアウト処理を行った後、（１０）実際の帳票印刷を実行することになる。
【００６１】
このように本発明は、プリンタ１００に、帳票サーバ２００にアクセスして保存されている最新の帳票データと自ら保有する帳票データとのバージョンを確認する機能と、自ら保持する帳票データと上記帳票サーバ２００に保存されている最新の帳票データとのバージョンが異なっている際に、その帳票サーバ２００から最新バージョンの帳票データをダウンロードして取得する機能とを備えたものであることから、ユーザによる印刷毎の帳票データの確認作業やダウンロード作業等といった煩わしい帳票のバージョン管理作業が一切不要となり、効率的な帳票印刷を実現することができる。
【００６２】
また、帳票印刷を実行するに際し、クライアントＰＣ３００は、原則としてプリンタ１００のみと通信し、帳票サーバ２００との通信が不要となるため、バージョン確認等に要する通信トラフィックの軽減も達成することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る帳票印刷システムの構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】帳票サーバとプリンタとのデータの流れを示す概念図である。
【図３】クライアントＰＣとプリンタとのデータの流れを示す概念図である。
【図４】プリンタの動作を示すフローチャート図である。
【図５】プリンタによる最新情報チェックの動作を示すフローチャート図である。
【図６】クライアントＰＣの動作を示すフローチャート図である。
【図７】クライアントＰＣの情報チェック動作を示すフローチャート図である。
【図８】プリンタによるレイアウト調整の動作を示すフローチャート図である。
【図９】帳票データの一例（ＦＡＸ送信表）を示す図である。
【図１０】帳票データの一例（御見積書）を示す図である。
【図１１】帳票データの一例（納品書）を示す図である。
【図１２】クライアントＰＣのＵＩの一例（ＦＡＸ送信表）を示す図である。
【図１３】クライアントＰＣのＵＩの一例（御見積書）を示す図である。
【図１４】クライアントＰＣのＵＩの一例（納品書）を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１０，２０，３０…ＣＰＵ、１１，２１，３１…通信機能、１２，２２，３５…保存機能、１３…帳票バージョン確認機能、１４…帳票更新機能、１５…入力データ＋帳票合成機能、１６…レイアウト調整機能、１７…印刷データ作成機能、１８…印刷機能、３２…入力機能、３３…表示機能、３４…項目入力アプリケーション、３６…帳票項目データ取得機能、３７…帳票バージョン確認機能、１００…プリンタ、２００…帳票サーバ、３００…クライアントＰＣ、４００…ネットワーク、Ｗ１〜Ｗ７…格納枠。[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a form printing system, a form printing program, and a form printing method for efficiently performing form printing in a predetermined format.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Form printing, which has been performed by many companies and government offices in the past, that is, printing of documents with a predetermined format such as a fax transmission form, a quotation form, and a delivery note, requires a logo such as a company name or a ruled line. A method using a special paper on which heading characters and the like are printed in advance has been the mainstream, but recently, a printing method called “form overlay” has been used instead of a method using such a special paper. .
[0003]
The “form overlay” includes, for example, as shown in Non-Patent Document 1 below, form data in which a layout of a form (form) including ruled lines, heading characters, logos, and the like is generated as print information, This format combines individual input data generated by the application on the memory of the printer and prints it. Compared with the conventional method, there is no need for (1) the cost of creating dedicated paper. (2) There is no need for a floor for storing forms, (3) there is no need to attach or remove paper to or from the printer each time printing is performed from a program, and (4) there is no deviation during printing. There are many advantages such as (5) free format change and (6) easy form management / search.
[0004]
However, conventionally, since the form data used in such a “form overlay” method is managed on a client PC basis, the latest version is always updated according to an increase in the number of users (employees, etc.) to be used and types of forms handled. It is difficult to handle the form data in a unified manner, and there is a problem that different versions of form data are used for each user even in the same company.
[0005]
Therefore, for example, in the following Patent Document 1 and the like, a form management server is provided, and the client PC checks the version of the latest form data of the server and the version of the form data stored in the printer. If the data version is old, a system has been proposed in which the latest version of the form data is downloaded from a server so that the form version is always unified and used.
[0006]
[Non-patent document 1]
Internet <URL: HTTP: // WWW. ace. comp. nec. co. jp / product / 3rd / smartvf / ovl. htm>
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-127546 A
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such a method of providing a form management server, the user must always operate the client PC to pay attention to the version of the form, and check and download the form data every time the user uses the form. There is annoyance.
[0008]
In addition, communication from the client terminal requires three steps of (1) version confirmation to the server, (2) version confirmation to the printer, and (3) form download to the printer, and communication traffic tends to increase. There is.
Therefore, the present invention has been devised in order to effectively solve such problems, and a main object of the present invention is to release a user from form data management and to reduce a communication traffic. A form printing system, a form printing program, and a form printing method are provided.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[Invention 1]
In order to solve the above-described problems, a form printing system according to Invention 1 includes:
A form server having a plurality of form data of the latest version, a client PC for creating input data to be combined with form data selected from the form data, and combining the selected form data with the input data. In a form printing system including a printer for performing form printing,
A version checking means for accessing the form server, obtaining the latest form data version information stored in the form server, and comparing it with a version of form data held by the printer,
When the version of the form data held by itself and the version of the latest form data stored in the form server are different, the latest version of the form data is downloaded from the form server and the form data held by itself is downloaded. And a form data acquisition unit for updating the form data to the latest version of the form data.
[0010]
With such a configuration, the user does not need to perform any troublesome version management of the form, such as checking the form data or downloading the form data for each printing, and can achieve efficient form printing.
Further, when printing a form, the client PC communicates only with the printer in principle, and does not need to communicate with the form server. Therefore, it is possible to reduce communication traffic required for version confirmation and the like.
[Invention 2]
In addition, the form printing system according to Invention 2 includes:
The printer version checking means accesses the form server when the power of the printer is turned on, at regular intervals, when the client PC acquires the form item data from the printer, or at an arbitrary combination thereof. It is characterized by doing so.
[0011]
As a result, the latest version of the form data is always downloaded and stored in the printer, and the inconvenience of using the old version of the form data for form printing as it is can be avoided.
[Invention 3]
In addition, the form printing system according to Invention 3 includes:
Version checking means for accessing the printer and checking the version of the form data held by the printer;
Form item data acquisition means for acquiring form item data of the latest version of form data from a printer when the version information of the form data held by the printer and the version of the form data held by the printer are different. It is characterized by having the following.
[0012]
As a result, it is possible to acquire the form item data corresponding to the latest version of the form data held by the printer without the user's awareness, so that the user does not need to check or acquire the version when inputting data. It becomes.
[Invention 4]
In addition, the form printing system of Invention 4 is
The version checking means of the client PC accesses the printer when a user creates a form.
[0013]
This makes it possible to always obtain the form item data corresponding to the latest version of the form data held by the printer, thereby preventing inconvenience such as using old form item data beforehand.
[Invention 5]
The form printing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention
The printer further comprises a layout unit for laying out input data by determining a space of the data storage frame to be allocated when storing the corresponding data in each data storage frame of the form data. is there.
[0014]
Thereby, each data is automatically laid out in the storage frame without the user being conscious of the size of the input data such as images and character fonts.
[Invention 6]
A form printing program according to a sixth aspect of the present invention includes:
A printer computer that combines the latest version of the form data held in the form server and the input data created by the client PC and prints the form,
Version checking means for accessing the form server, acquiring version information of the latest form data stored in the form server, and comparing it with the version of the form data held by itself,
When the version of the form data held by itself and the version of the latest form data stored in the form server are different, the latest version of the form data is downloaded from the form server and the form data held by itself is downloaded. And a form data acquisition means for updating the form data to the latest version of the form data.
[0015]
As a result, the same effects as those of the first aspect can be obtained, and the functions can be realized by using a computer system originally provided in the printer. Therefore, a separate new computer system or dedicated hardware is required. Significant cost reduction can be achieved as compared with the case of using the above.
[Invention 7]
A form printing program according to a seventh aspect of the present invention includes:
The printer version checking means accesses the form server when the power of the printer is turned on, at regular intervals, or when the client PC acquires form item data from the printer, or at any combination thereof. It is characterized by doing so.
[0016]
Thereby, the same effect as that of the second aspect can be obtained, and the effect can be enjoyed economically and easily as with the sixth aspect.
[Invention 8]
A form printing program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention includes:
Version checking means for accessing the printer and checking the version of the form data held by the printer;
Form item data acquisition means for acquiring form item data of the latest version of form data from a printer when the version information of the form data held by the printer and the version of the form data held by the printer are different. It is characterized by having the following.
[0017]
Thus, the same effects as those of the third aspect can be obtained, and the effects can be enjoyed economically and easily as with the sixth aspect.
[Invention 9]
A form printing program according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes:
The version checking means of the client PC accesses the printer when a user creates a form.
[0018]
Thus, the same effect as that of the fourth aspect can be obtained, and the effect can be economically and easily enjoyed similarly to the sixth aspect.
[Invention 10]
A form printing program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention includes:
The printer further comprises a layout unit for laying out input data by determining a space of the data storage frame to be allocated when storing the corresponding data in each data storage frame of the form data. is there.
[0019]
Thereby, the same effect as that of the fifth aspect can be obtained, and the effect can be enjoyed economically and easily as in the sixth aspect.
[Invention 11]
In addition, the form printing method according to Invention 11 includes:
In a form printing method in which a latest version of form data held in a form server and a form data created on a client PC are combined by a printer and form printing is performed,
The printer accesses the form server to check the version of the latest form data stored in the form server and the form data held by the printer, and stores the form data held by the printer and the form server in the form server When the version of the latest form data differs from that of the latest form data, the latest version of the form data is downloaded from the form server and the form data held therein is updated.
[0020]
This eliminates the need for the user to perform any form data version management work as in the first aspect of the invention, thereby realizing efficient form printing and reducing communication traffic required for version confirmation and the like. .
[Invention 12]
A form printing method according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention includes:
The printer accesses the form server at the time of turning on the power of the printer, at regular intervals, or when the client PC obtains the form item data from the printer, or at any timing. Things.
[0021]
As a result, the latest version of the form data can always be used as in the second aspect of the invention.
[Invention 13]
A form printing method according to a thirteenth aspect,
The client PC accesses the printer, checks the version of the form data held by the printer, and checks the version data of the form data held by the client PC and the version of the form data held by the printer. Is different from the printer, the latest version of the form item data is downloaded and acquired from the printer.
[0022]
This eliminates the need for the user to check the version and obtain the latest form item data at the time of data input, similarly to the third aspect.
[Invention 14]
A form printing method according to a fourteenth aspect,
The client PC is characterized in that the user accesses the printer when a user creates a form.
[0023]
Thus, the latest form item data can always be obtained as in the fourth aspect.
[Invention 15]
A form printing method according to a fifteenth aspect includes:
The printer is characterized in that when storing the corresponding data in each data storage frame of the form data, the space of the data storage frame to be allocated is determined and the input data is laid out.
[0024]
Thus, similarly to the fifth aspect, the optimum layout is automatically made without the user being conscious of the size of the input data.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a minimum configuration of a form printing system according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the form printing system mainly includes a printer 100 for performing form printing, a client PC 300 for performing necessary operations on the printer 100, and a form server 200 for providing various data and services. These are connected via a network 400 such as a LAN so as to enable two-way communication.
[0026]
The printer 100 includes a storage function 12, a form version confirmation function 13, a form update function 14, and input data +, in addition to the original functions of the printer as a printing device such as a print function 18, a communication function 11, and a paper feed function (not shown). A form synthesizing function 15, a layout adjusting function 16, and a print data creating function 17 are provided. These functions are, as described in detail below, a CPU 10 for operating a system or an application, and a memory (not shown) (not shown). ), Etc., are specifically realized by a computer system originally provided in the printer 100.
[0027]
First, the storage function 12 provides a function of storing and storing various control programs and the like in addition to the form data acquired from the form server 200 and the form version data thereof. The function is realized by a writable and readable storage device.
Next, the form version confirmation function 13 compares the version information of the form data stored in the storage function 12 with the version information of the latest form data stored in the form server 200, and It provides a function of confirming whether the form data is the latest. Specifically, the CPU 10 makes full use of the communication function 11 and the like according to a form version confirmation program stored in advance in the storage function 12 and the like. That function is realized.
[0028]
The form update function 14 obtains the latest form data from the form server 200 when the form data of the printer 100 is not the latest as a result of the comparison by the form version check function 13, and stores the form data stored in the storage function 12. Is updated with the latest form data obtained. Specifically, the CPU 10 downloads the latest form data from the form server 200 using the communication function 11 according to a form data update program stored in advance in the storage function 12 or the like, and acquires and updates the function. It is being realized.
[0029]
The input data + form combination function 15 combines form data held by the printer 100 and input data transmitted from the client PC 300, that is, data input by each user using the client PC 300 for each form. It provides the function to be completed. Specifically, the CPU 10 obtains input data from the client PC 300 using the communication function 11 according to a data synthesizing program stored in advance in the storage function 12 or the like, and stores the form data held by the CPU 10 in the memory of the printer 100. It provides a function to complete the form by electronically synthesizing the form.
[0030]
The layout adjustment function 16 checks whether or not the input data sent from the client PC 300 exactly matches (stores) in each storage frame of the selected form. It provides a function of adjusting the size and the like. Specifically, the CPU 10 appropriately changes (enlarges / reduces) the size of the storage frame of the form and the size of the input data (image, character, file size, etc.) according to the layout adjustment program stored in advance in the storage function 12 or the like. ) To provide the function to perform the optimal layout.
[0031]
The print data creation function 17 is one of the functions inherently provided in the printer 100 like the print function 18 and the like. The printer 100 can copy the form completed by the input data + form synthesis function 15 and the layout adjustment function 16. It provides a function to convert to a printable format.
Next, the form server 200 is provided with a communication function 21 and a storage function 22 in addition to the CPU 20 for performing the operation of the server system and applications, and displays information such as the latest form data and form version data relating thereto. It is obtained directly by using an input device or the like, or downloaded and obtained through another client PC (not shown) or an external network by using the communication function 21, and stored and stored in the storage function 22.
[0032]
In addition, the client PC 300 provides a function of creating specific input data for inputting a form selected by the user, sending the input data to the printer 100, and instructing and operating form printing. The client PC 300 is composed of a terminal device having a computer system such as a personal computer (PC), and has a communication function of providing a communication function with the printer 100 and the like, in addition to the CPU 30 that operates the system and applications. 31, an input function (keyboard, mouse, etc.) 32 for inputting input data to be embedded in a form, and a display function (CRT, liquid crystal display, etc.) 33 for displaying an input UI necessary for a user when inputting input data. An item input application (form creation software or the like) 34 for selecting a form to be created, composing different input items for each form on the UI, transmitting the created input data to the printer 100, and giving a print instruction, a form version, Save function to save form item data (hard disk A device or the like) 35 are provided.
[0033]
As shown in the figure, the client PC 300 includes a form version confirmation function 37 and a form item data acquisition function 36. The form version confirmation function 37 confirms the version of the form data held by the printer 100. And when the version of the latest form data held by the printer 100 is different from the version of the latest form data held by the printer 100, The form item data relating to the latest version of the form is downloaded and acquired, and this is stored in the storage function 35.
[0034]
The form version confirmation function 37 and the form item data acquisition function 36 and the like operate the computer system such as the original CPU 30 of the client PC 300 and a memory (main storage device) (not shown) and the computer as in the case of the printer 100. This is realized by each control program stored in the storage function 35 or the like.
[0035]
Next, an example of a specific flow of print management using the present system configured as described above will be described.
First, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when a user or a system administrator or the like turns on the power of the printer 100 (step S100), the printer 100 performs a basic preparation operation and then performs the operation shown in FIG. As described above, the form server 200 is accessed to check whether there is the latest form, and if necessary, the latest version of form data is downloaded from the form server 200 and acquired and stored (step S102).
[0036]
This flow will be described in more detail. First, when the power of the printer 100 is turned on as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the printer 100 performs basic preparation operations such as reading of an application necessary for the operation and a function check. Then, an inquiry request regarding the form version held by the form server 200 is transmitted to the form server 200 (step S200), and the latest form version (list) is acquired from the storage function 22 of the form server 200 (step S202).
[0037]
Then, if the latest form version (list) is obtained (YES), the form version (list) is referred to (step S204), and a form not owned by the user or the same form as the form owned by the user is obtained. However, if it is determined that the version is newer than its own (YES), the form data is downloaded from the form server 200 together with the version information, acquired, and stored and stored in its own storage function 12. (Step S206).
[0038]
At this time, if the acquired form data is not owned by the user, the form data is stored as it is along with the version information, but if the version is a new form data, the data is updated so that the old form data is updated. By overwriting and saving, the capacity of the saving function 12 can be saved. In step S204, if there is no difference between the form version (list) acquired from the form server 200 and the form data and version owned by the user (NO), the process ends.
Here, the type of the form data and its version information are not particularly limited. For example, as the form data, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, a facsimile transmission table, an estimate The size and combination of storage frames W of each form relating to documents, delivery notes, etc., and the layout information of each storage frame W. The version information corresponds to each form name as shown in Table 1 below. It seems that it is common to use 1.2, 2.0, 1.0, etc.
[0039]
[Table 1]

[0040]
Next, when the latest report check immediately after turning on the power of the printer 100 is completed, the elapsed time after turning on the power of the printer 100 is measured as shown in step S104 of the flow of FIG. If it is determined that the time has elapsed (YES), the printer 100 itself accesses the form server 200 again and performs the same processing as the latest form check immediately after power-on (step S102) (step S106).
[0041]
That is, if the check is performed only immediately after the power is turned on, if the device is used while the power is turned on for a long time, a new form data is added to the form server 200 performed after the power is turned on, and the form is updated by version upgrade. No data is captured.
Therefore, after a certain period of time has elapsed after the power is turned on, the form server 200 is periodically accessed to check the form data and the like, so that the latest form is always obtained even when a long time has passed since the power was turned on. It is possible to acquire and hold. The form check interval is theoretically preferably as short as possible. However, in order to avoid unnecessary access and increase in traffic, the form check interval is appropriately adjusted according to the frequency of adding or upgrading the form. Needless to say.
[0042]
Next, as shown in step S108 of the figure, the printer 100 simultaneously monitors the inquiry request for form version information from the client PC 300, and when it is determined that the request has been made (YES), the printer 100 The server 200 accesses the server 200 and performs the latest form check processing similar to the latest form check (steps S102 and S106) immediately after power-on and every elapse of a predetermined time (step S110).
[0043]
That is, in step S106, the latest form check processing is automatically performed again after a certain time has elapsed after the power is turned on. In some cases, such as when the latest version of the form data is added to the form server, the latest version of the form data is not acquired by the printer 100.
[0044]
Therefore, when an inquiry request for form version information is received from the client PC 300 (YES), the same latest form check processing is immediately performed regardless of the lapse of time, so that the printer 100 always obtains the latest print data. It is possible to hold.
In this case, the printer 100 transmits the requested form version in response to the form version information inquiry request from the client PC 300 (step S112), and then monitors the form item data provision request from the client PC 300 (step S112). Step S114). Thereafter, if a form item data provision request is received from the client PC 300 (YES), the requested form item data is transmitted to the client PC 300 (step S116).
[0045]
On the other hand, when performing desired form printing on the client PC 300 side operated by the user, as shown in the flow of FIG. 6, first, an application for performing form printing is activated (step S300). Then, the latest information is checked (step S302).
Specifically, as shown in the flow of FIG. 7, the application of the client PC 300 transmits an inquiry request for the latest form version (list) to the printer 100 (step S400), and the latest A form version (list) is obtained (step S402). Then, the acquired form version (list) is compared with the version information of the form known to the user (step S404), and the form version (list) acquired from the printer 100 is not owned by the user or is owned by the user. If it is determined that there is no newest version of the form being executed (NO), the process is terminated as it is, but if it is determined that there is the latest version (YES), only the item data of the latest form is downloaded from the printer 100. (Step S406).
[0046]
Next, the client PC 300 that has obtained the latest form item data in this way selects the form to be created and sends it to the printer 100 for the form item data corresponding to the form, as shown in step S304 of FIG. An acquisition request is transmitted (step S306). Thereafter, when it is determined in the next step S308 that the form item data has been acquired (YES), the client PC 300 creates a corresponding UI (user interface) from the received form item data and displays it on the client PC 300. The image is displayed on the CRT screen or the liquid crystal display by the function 33 (step S310).
[0047]
Then, in the next step S312, the client PC 300 monitors whether or not the user has completed the entry of the form item data, and when it is determined that the entry has been completed (YES), transmits the created input data to the printer 100. Then (step S314), the process ends.
An example of the flow after step S304 will be described. For example, when the form selected by the client PC 300 is a facsimile transmission table as shown in FIG. 9, an input data item to be input by the user as shown in FIG. The storage frame is a storage frame W1 in which data related to << Logo >> is stored, a storage frame W2 in which data related to << Year / Day >> is stored, and a storage frame W3 in which data related to << ToName >> is stored. , A storage frame W4 in which data relating to << Section >> is stored, a storage frame W5 in which data relating to << Name >> is stored, a storage frame W6 in which data relating to << Send Number >> is stored, << Document Since there are seven storage frames W1 to W7 such as a storage frame W7 in which data regarding >>> is stored, The data corresponding to the storage frames W1 to W7 is converted into tag item, UI display name, and form item data classified into data types as shown in Table 2 below according to the request of the client PC 300. Is sent to the client PC 300 along with the form name and its version information.
[0048]
[Table 2]

[0049]
Then, the application of the client PC 300 that has acquired the form item data displays the corresponding items (logo, year, month, destination, department name, name, number of copies, text, for example) on the left side of the screen as shown in FIG. Is created, and the user uses the input device such as the keyboard on the client PC 300 to input necessary data into each of the input boxes formed for each of these items.
[0050]
FIG. 12 shows a path “C: \ gazou \ logo.gif” for specifying the location of a file in which an image representing a trademark such as a company name is stored in an input box 610 corresponding to the logo item 600. The fax transmission date “2003/1/1” is input to the input box 611 corresponding to the item 601 of “”, and the specific destination “△△ Δ” is input to the input box 612 corresponding to the item 602 of the fax destination. "" Is input, the specific department name "General Affairs Department" is input in the input box 613 corresponding to the department name item 603, and the sender's name is input in the input box 614 corresponding to the name item 604. “□□□□” is input, and “4” which is the number of FAX transmissions is input in the input box 615 corresponding to the item 605 of the number of transmissions. Path indicating a storage location of a file in box 616 the document is saved, "C: ¥ doc ¥ FAX.doc" is illustrates an example input.
[0051]
When the user has finished inputting predetermined data in each of the input boxes 610 to 616, the user confirms the content. If the input is incorrect, the user presses the “CANCEL” button 630 at the lower right of the screen to re-enter the data. When all the inputs have been correctly performed, pressing the “OK” button 620 causes transmission of only the input data input to the input box to the printer 100 at the same time when the creation of the input data is completed. .
[0052]
If a quote as shown in FIG. 10 or a delivery note as shown in FIG. 11 is selected, the input items are further increased as shown in FIG. The UI screens of the client PC 300 corresponding to those, for example, those shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 are employed. As shown in Tables 3 and 4 below, form item data corresponding to forms as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 include tags, UI display names, and form items classified into data types, respectively. The data is sent to the client PC together with the form name and its version information.
[0053]
[Table 3]

[0054]
[Table 4]

[0055]
Next, as shown in step S118 of FIG. 4, after transmitting the desired form item data to the client PC 300, the printer 100 monitors the reception of the input data from the client PC 300, and when the input data comes, In the case of (YES), processing for synthesizing the input data with the corresponding form data is performed. At this time, the layout adjustment processing is performed so that each input data matches each input frame of the form data. (Step S120).
[0056]
In the layout adjustment process, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it is first determined whether the input data is a character or an image (step S500). If it is determined that the input data is a character (YES), the process proceeds to step S502, and it is determined whether the input data is out of the storage frame by referring to the size of the storage frame of the form to which the input data is assigned. If it is determined that the input data does not protrude from the storage frame of the form (NO), the character is stored in the storage frame as it is and the process jumps to step S506. If it is determined that the character runs out (YES), the process moves to the next step S504 to reduce the font size of the character to fit the frame and store the character in the storage frame.
[0057]
On the other hand, as shown in step S506 in the figure, it is determined whether or not the input data is an image, and if it is determined that the input data is not an image (NO), the process is terminated as it is. If it is determined that the image is present (YES), the process proceeds to the next step S508 to determine whether or not the image protrudes when stored in the corresponding storage frame of the form.
[0058]
As a result, when it is determined that the data does not protrude even when the data is stored in the storage frame (NO), the process jumps to step S512. However, when it is determined that the data protrudes, the process jumps to step S512. The image size is reduced according to the storage frame. On the other hand, it is also determined whether or not the input data is too small for the storage frame of the form in step S512, and if it is determined that the input data is not too small (NO), the process is terminated as it is, but it is too small. If it is determined that the size of the image has been adjusted, the process proceeds to the next step S514, the image size is appropriately enlarged in accordance with the storage frame, and the layout adjustment process ends.
[0059]
Next, when the adjustment of the layout of the input data is completed in this way, the printer 100 combines the form data and the input data into a format suitable for printing as shown in step S122 of the flow of FIG. After the print data is created, the actual printing is executed (step S124), thereby completing the form printing process.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram in which the flow after step S116 in the flow of FIG. 4 is particularly simply illustrated.
[0060]
As shown in the figure, first, when the client PC 300 inquires (1) version information about a form used by the printer 100, the printer 100 transmits (2) the version information to the client PC 300. The client PC 300 compares the version information with each other. If the versions are the same, the client PC 300 uses the corresponding form item data held by itself. Send a request to provide item data. Upon receiving this, the printer 100 immediately transmits the (4) item data to the client PC 300, and the client PC 300 that has received the data creates the above-described data input UI from the data, and uses this UI to execute the data input. The user inputs necessary (5) data, and (6) transmits only the input data to the printer 100. (7) The printer 100 which has received the input data thereafter combines the form data (frame data and the like) owned by itself with the received input data in (8) data, and (9) layouts as necessary. After performing the processing, (10) actual form printing is executed.
[0061]
As described above, according to the present invention, the function of accessing the form server 200 to check the version of the latest form data stored and the form data held by the printer 100, the form data held by the form server, and the form server When the version of the form data is different from the latest form data stored in the form server 200, the latest form data is downloaded and acquired from the form server 200. There is no need for any cumbersome form version management work such as confirmation work or download work for each form data, and efficient form printing can be realized.
[0062]
Further, when executing the form printing, the client PC 300 communicates only with the printer 100 in principle and does not need to communicate with the form server 200, so that the communication traffic required for version confirmation and the like can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a form printing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of data between a form server and a printer.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a data flow between a client PC and a printer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the latest information check by the printer.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the client PC.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an information check operation of the client PC.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of layout adjustment by the printer.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form data (FAX transmission table).
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example (quotation form) of form data.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a form data (delivery note).
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI (FAX transmission table) of the client PC.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a UI of the client PC (quotation form).
FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a UI (delivery note) of the client PC.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20, 30 ... CPU, 11, 21, 31 ... communication function, 12, 22, 35 ... storage function, 13 ... form version confirmation function, 14 ... form update function, 15 ... input data + form synthesis function, 16 ... Layout adjustment function, 17: print data creation function, 18: print function, 32: input function, 33: display function, 34: item input application, 36: form item data acquisition function, 37: form version confirmation function, 100: printer , 200: form server, 300: client PC, 400: network, W1 to W7: storage frame.

Claims (15)

A form server having a plurality of form data of the latest version, a client PC for creating input data to be combined with form data selected from the form data, and combining the selected form data with the input data. In a form printing system including a printer for performing form printing,
The printer above
Version checking means for accessing the form server, acquiring version information of the latest form data stored in the form server, and comparing it with the version of the form data held by itself,
When the version of the form data held by itself and the version of the latest form data stored in the form server are different, the latest version of the form data is downloaded from the form server and the form data held by itself is downloaded. A form printing system comprising: a form data acquisition unit for updating to a latest version. The form printing system according to claim 1,
The printer version checking means is
The form server is accessed when the power of the printer is turned on, at regular intervals, or when the client PC acquires the form item data from the printer, or at an arbitrary combination thereof. Form printing system. The form printing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The client PC is
Version checking means for accessing the printer and checking the version of the form data held by the printer;
Form item data acquisition means for acquiring form item data of the latest version of form data from a printer when the version information of the form data held by the printer and the version of the form data held by the printer are different. And a form printing system. The form printing system according to claim 3,
The client PC version checking means includes:
A book printing system, wherein a user accesses the printer when creating a form. The form printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The printer above
A form printing system, further comprising layout means for laying out input data by determining a space of a data storage frame to be allocated when storing corresponding data in each data storage frame of form data. A printer computer that combines the latest version of the form data held in the form server and the input data created by the client PC and prints the form,
Version checking means for accessing the form server, acquiring version information of the latest form data stored in the form server, and comparing it with the version of the form data held by itself,
When the version of the form data held by itself and the version of the latest form data stored in the form server are different, the latest version of the form data is downloaded from the form server and the form data held by itself is downloaded. A form printing program for realizing form data acquisition means for updating to the latest version. The form printing program according to claim 6,
The printer version checking means is
The invention is characterized in that the form server is accessed when the power of the printer is turned on, at a fixed cycle, or when the client PC acquires the form item data from the printer, or at an arbitrary combination thereof. Form printing program to do. The form printing program according to claim 6, wherein:
The client PC is
Version checking means for accessing the printer and checking the version of the form data held by the printer;
Form item data acquisition means for acquiring form item data of the latest version of form data from a printer when the version information of the form data held by the printer and the version of the form data held by the printer are different. A form printing program comprising: The form printing program according to claim 8,
The client PC version checking means includes:
A form printing program characterized by accessing the printer when a user creates a form. The form printing program according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
The printer above
A form printing program, further comprising layout means for laying out input data by determining a space of a data storage frame to be allocated when storing corresponding data in each data storage frame of the form data. In a form printing method in which a latest version of form data held in a form server and a form data created on a client PC are combined by a printer and form printing is performed,
The printer accesses the form server to check the version of the latest form data stored in the form server and the form data held by the printer, and stores the form data held by the printer and the form server in the form server A form printing method characterized by downloading the latest version of form data from the form server and updating the form data held by itself when the version of the latest form data is different from the latest form data. The form printing method according to claim 11,
The printer above
A form printing method characterized in that the form server is accessed when the power of the printer is turned on, at a fixed cycle, or when the client PC acquires the form item data from the printer, or at all timings. The form printing method according to claim 11 or 12,
The client PC accesses the printer, checks the version of the form data held by the printer, and checks the version data of the form data held by the client PC and the version of the form data held by the printer. Wherein the latest version of the form item data is downloaded and acquired from the printer when the document type is different. The form printing method according to claim 13,
The client PC is
A form printing method, wherein a user accesses the printer when creating a form. The form printing method according to any one of claims 11 to 14,
A form printing method, wherein the printer determines a space of a data storage frame to be allocated and lays out input data when storing the corresponding data in each data storage frame of the form data.

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