JP2007086999A - Attribute management device, image forming device, data print system and data print method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an attribute management device, an image forming device, a data print system and a data print method, in which complicated menu selection or operation is dispensed with, and operability by store or place can be unified. <P>SOLUTION: When a terminal transmits a data name and a data attribute to the data attribute management device, the data attribute management device generates a relevancy code, stores the relevancy code in association with the data attribute, transmits the relevancy code to the terminal. The terminal stores data and the relevancy code in a storage medium. A user connects the storage medium to a printer. The printer displays a list of data names of data in a UI, and when the user selects a certain data name, the printer retrieves the relevancy code associated with the selected data, and transmits this relevancy code to the data attribute management device. The data attribute management device transmits the data attribute associated with the relevancy code to the printer, and the printer performs print processing of the data according to the data attribute. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an attribute management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a data printing system, and a data printing method, and in particular, an attribute management apparatus for printing data stored in a storage medium with a printer installed in a store or the like, an image forming apparatus, The present invention relates to a data printing system and a data printing method.

  With the spread of IT [Information Technology] technology in recent years, a means for easily accessing a network even in places other than offices and homes has been provided. However, at the stage of outputting information obtained on the network or information on the desktop in advance at a place other than the office or home, means for realizing it are extremely limited.

  For example, when a user brings a smart media or the like to a store terminal installed in a store such as a convenience store and causes the store terminal to read the smart media or the like, the store terminal makes an inquiry about the output format to the user. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, for example, there is a printed matter vending system that allows a printed matter vending machine to perform a printing process using a mobile phone or the like without using a recording medium such as a memory card (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ).
JP 2001-296987 A JP 2004-110777 A

  However, many services that are output directly from the media itself are realized by providing a unique UI [User Interface] (ie, operation part), but it is easy to print general business documents with more complex options. No environment has been provided yet. The problem with the prior art is how to easily implement complex operation menus and how they can be used for general purposes that are not limited to specific regions or places.

  For example, in media print terminals for digital cameras, etc., the operation screen has been devised and the contents are simple so that both men and women can use it, but this is realized by limiting the operation menu itself. There are only. In the case of a business document or the like, the options including the functions provided by the printer driver are extremely complicated, and some improvement means are necessary to process them easily.

  In addition, for example, digital camera prints are provided by a plurality of manufacturers, and as a result, the operability varies depending on the store or place used. Some are easy to use and some are not, and some means of improvement is necessary to unify operability.

  However, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above do not mention these improvement means.

  Therefore, the present invention proposes the above improvement means, and it is not necessary to select and operate a complicated menu, and it is possible to unify the operability depending on the store or place, the image forming apparatus, the data It is an object to provide a printing system and a data printing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention provides a data printing system in which a terminal, an attribute management device, and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network. An attribute for storing related information generating means for generating related information to be associated with the attribute, related information generated by generating the related information, and the attribute in association with each other when an attribute related to output of data output by the apparatus is received A storage unit; a related information transmission unit that transmits the related information generated by the related information generation unit to the terminal; and when the related information is received from the image forming apparatus, the related information is associated with the received related information. Attribute transmission means for transmitting the attribute to the image forming apparatus, and the terminal stores the data in an external storage device connected to the terminal. And the related information from the attribute management device is stored, and the image forming device stores the connection unit connected to the external storage device and the external storage device when the external storage device is connected to the connection unit. Storage means for reading out and storing the data and the related information, attribute acquisition means for acquiring an attribute associated with the related information stored in the storage means from the attribute management device, and the attribute acquisition means Output means for outputting data stored in the storage means in accordance with the acquired attribute.

  The invention according to claim 2 relates to the related information associated with the name when the related information generating means of the attribute management device receives the name of the data together with the attribute from the terminal. Is generated.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus determines from a list display means for displaying a list of names of data stored in the storage means on the display device, and the list. Searching means for searching for related information associated with the name of the recorded data from the related information stored in the storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the attribute management apparatus connected to the terminal and the image forming apparatus via a network, the attribute management apparatus accepts an attribute relating to output of data output from the terminal by the image forming apparatus. Related information generating means for generating related information associated with the attribute, related information generated by the related information generation, attribute storage means for storing the attribute in association with each other, and generated by the related information generation Related information transmitting means for transmitting related information to the terminal, and when the related information is received from the image forming apparatus, an attribute associated with the received related information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. And an attribute transmission means.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the related information generating means generates related information associated with the name when receiving the name of the data together with the attribute from the terminal. It is characterized by.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal and an attribute management apparatus via a network, a connection unit connected to an external storage device, and the external storage device connected to the connection unit From the storage means for reading out and storing the related information associated with the data stored in the external storage device and the attribute relating to the output of the data, and the attribute management device for storing the related information and the attribute in association with each other, Attribute acquisition means for acquiring an attribute associated with the related information stored in the storage means, and output means for outputting data stored in the storage means in accordance with the attribute acquired by the attribute acquisition means. It is characterized by.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, a list display means for displaying a list of names of data stored in the storage means on a display device, and a name of data determined from the list. The system further comprises search means for searching for related information associated with the related information stored in the storage means.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a data printing method performed by a terminal connected via a network, an attribute management apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, wherein the terminal assigns an attribute related to output of data output by the image forming apparatus. The attribute management device generates related information to be associated with the attribute from the terminal, stores the generated related information in association with the attribute, and stores the generated related information in the terminal The terminal stores the data and related information from the attribute management device in an external storage device connected to the terminal, and the image forming device is connected to the external storage device. In addition, the data and the related information stored in the external storage device are read and stored, and the related information stored in the storage unit is stored in the attribute management device. The attribute management device transmits an attribute associated with the related information from the image forming device to the image forming device, and the image forming device, according to the attribute from the attribute management device, The stored data is output.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein when the attribute management device receives a name of the data together with the attribute from the terminal, the attribute management device generates related information associated with the name. Features.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the ninth aspect, the image forming apparatus displays a list of names of the stored data on a display device and associates the list with the data names determined from the list. The stored related information is searched from the stored related information.

  According to the present invention, it is not necessary to select and operate a complicated menu when performing an actual output operation, and it is only necessary to select only data to be output. The effect is that it is possible to execute the output menu used daily.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the difference in operability depending on the manufacturer, store, or place that provides the output service is greatly improved, and it is possible to enjoy the print service that the user wants to receive anytime and anywhere. .

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the data body itself may be stored in a storage medium, there is no need to distribute the data body over a network, so that it is possible to maintain high security. .

  Further, according to the present invention, since only attributes having a relatively small size are communicated via the network, it is not necessary to communicate a data body having a large size, thereby reducing communication costs and communication within the network. There is an effect that the amount can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an effect that the image quality can be prevented from being changed to an unintended image quality by data compression for distributing the data main body to the network.

  Embodiments of an attribute management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a data printing system, and a data printing method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a data printing system 1 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a data printing system 1 includes a data attribute management device 2 that is an attribute management device according to the present invention, a printer 3 that is an image forming device according to the present invention, a desktop PC [Personal Computer], a notebook, and the like. A terminal 4 such as a PC, a PDA [Personal Digital Assistance], a mobile phone, and the like, and a storage medium 5 are provided. The data attribute management device 2 is connected to the terminal 4 via the network 61 and via the network 62 The printer 3 (in FIG. 1, a plurality of printers) is connected. The storage medium 5 is a portable flash memory or the like, and the data of the terminal 4 is stored in the storage medium 5 by being connected to a connector or the like included in the terminal 4. That is, the terminal 4 can be applied to any device that can be connected to the network 61, can exchange data with the data attribute management device 2, and has a connector to which the storage medium 5 can be connected.

  The data attribute management device 2 stores and manages print settings (hereinafter referred to as data attributes) for printing data received from the terminal 4, generates and manages related codes associated with the data attributes, and stores related codes for the terminals. Transmission, transmission of the data attribute to the printer 3 in response to a request for the data attribute from the printer 3, and the like are performed.

  The printer 3 has a connector to which the storage medium 5 can be connected, reads data to be printed and a related code from the storage medium 5, acquires a data attribute associated with the related code from the data attribute management device 2, and According to the above, the data is printed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the data attribute management device 2 and the printer 3 illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the data attribute management device 2 includes a network I / F 71, a data attribute storage unit 8, and a related code generation unit 9.

  The network I / F 71 is a data communication interface that can be connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

  The data attribute storage unit 8 stores and manages data attributes received from the terminal 4 via the network I / F 71.

  The related code generation unit 9 generates a related code associated with the data attribute stored in the data attribute storage unit 8. When generating the related code, it is possible to associate the data name with the related code by generating the related code according to some rule based on the data name of the data received together with the data attribute from the terminal 4. The data attribute storage unit 8 stores the related code generated by the related code generation unit 9 in association with the data attribute.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 3 includes a network I / F 72, a storage media connection unit 10, a data storage unit 11, a UI control unit 12, a UI [User Interface] 13, a data processing unit 14, a data attribute acquisition unit 15, A print processing unit 16 is provided.

  The network I / F 72 is a data communication interface that can be connected to a network such as the Internet or an intranet.

  The storage medium connection unit 10 is connected to the storage medium 5 and performs processing for reading data, related codes, and the like stored in the connected storage medium 5.

  The data storage unit 11 temporarily stores data read from the storage medium 5 and related codes.

  The UI control unit 12 performs control processing of the UI 13. Control for displaying the menu screen of the printer 3 on the UI, control for displaying the list screen of data temporarily stored in the data storage unit 11 and related codes on the UI 13, and notification of input items from the UI 13 to the data processing unit 14 Control to perform.

  The UI 13 includes a display for displaying a menu screen of the printer 3, a list screen for data, related codes, and the like, and a hard key for inputting input items, or has a display and input function. The touch panel method is used.

  The data processing unit 14 performs processing of data temporarily stored in the data storage unit 11. Specifically, the data processing unit 14 searches for a related code associated with the data to be printed selected in the UI 13, UI 13 For example, a process of transferring the data to be printed selected in step 1 to the print processing unit 16.

  The data attribute acquisition unit 15 performs processing for acquiring the data attribute associated with the related code by transmitting the related code identified by the data processing unit 14 to the data attribute management device 2 via the network I / F 62. Is.

  The print processing unit 16 performs print processing of data received from the data processing unit 14 in accordance with the data attribute acquired by the data attribute acquisition unit 15.

  Next, the flow of data printing processing performed by the terminal, storage medium, printer, and data attribute management apparatus in the data printing system will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

  The terminal transmits the data name and data attribute of data to be printed to the data attribute management apparatus (step S301). FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for transmitting data attributes to the data attribute management apparatus. The screen shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display or the like of the terminal, and the user inputs a data name and a data attribute in an input field in the screen. For example, enter the data name “ABCDE_01” of the data to be printed in the data name input field, enter the number of prints “1” in the input field of the number of copies, and select “A4” from the print size setting combo box. Then, select “single side” from the combo box for duplex setting, select “auto” from the combo box for color mode setting, and press the send button. Then, the data name “ABCDE — 01” and the data attribute (number of copies “ 1 ”, print size setting“ A4 ”, duplex setting“ single side ”, color mode setting“ automatic ”) are transmitted to the data attribute management apparatus.

  When the data attribute management device receives the data name and data attribute from the terminal, the related code generation unit generates a related code based on the data name, and the data attribute storage unit stores the related code in association with the data attribute. (Step S302), the related code generation unit transmits the related code to the terminal (Step S303). FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for transmitting the related code to the terminal. For example, when the data name and the data attribute are transmitted to the data attribute management device using the screen shown in FIG. 4A, the screen shown in FIG. 4B is displayed on the terminal display or the like, and the user enters the description in the screen. By confirming that the previously transmitted data attribute is stored in the data attribute management device and pressing the related code acquisition button according to the description in the screen, the data attribute management device can transmit the related code to the terminal.

  The terminal stores the data body to be printed and the associated code acquired from the data attribute management device in the storage medium (step 304).

  The user removes the storage medium storing the data and the related code from the terminal, goes to the printer where the data is to be printed, and connects the storage medium to the storage medium connection unit of the printer (step S305).

  When a storage medium is connected to the printer, the data storage unit reads the data and related codes stored in the storage medium and temporarily stores them, and the UI control unit displays a list of data names of the temporarily stored data on the UI When the data name to be printed is selected by the user, the data processing unit searches the related code associated with the selected data from the related code temporarily stored in the data storage unit (step S306). The acquisition unit transmits the retrieved related code to the data attribute management device (step S307). FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of data names displayed on the UI. The user selects data to be printed from the list shown in FIG. For example, to print the data name “ABCDE_01”, when the display part of the data name “ABCDE_01” is pressed, the display part is displayed in gray, and further by pressing the enter button, the data name “ABCDE_01” Determine as data to be printed.

  When the data attribute management apparatus receives the related code from the printer, the data attribute management unit reads the data attribute associated with the related code (step S308) and transmits the data attribute to the printer (step S309).

  When the printer receives the data attribute from the data attribute management device, the data attribute acquisition unit passes the data attribute to the print processing unit, and the data processing unit passes the data temporarily stored in the data storage unit to the print processing unit, The print processing unit performs print processing of the data according to the data attribute (step S310).

  If the data attribute stored in the data attribute management unit cannot be reflected in the printer that performs print processing (for example, if the double-sided printing data attribute is set for a printer that cannot perform double-sided printing, the color printing data for the monochrome printer) When the attribute is set), when the data attribute management device requests the data attribute from the printer, it is checked whether the data attribute can be reflected to the printer. Displaying that on the UI and prompting the user to reset it, or setting the data attribute to the default value of the printer and displaying the default value on the printer UI to suggest to the user Become.

  FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of related codes displayed on the UI. After selecting data from the list shown in FIG. 5A, the list shown in FIG. 5B can be displayed, and the user can select a related code. In this case, it is not necessary to generate a related code based on the data name, and different data can be printed using the same related code.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within a range not changing the gist thereof.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a data printing system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a data attribute management device and a printer illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a sequence diagram showing a flow of data printing processing performed by a terminal, a storage medium, a printer, and a data attribute management device in the data printing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display of a terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of UI.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Data printing system 2 Data management apparatus 3 Printer 4 Terminal 5 Storage media 61, 62 Network 71, 72 Network I / F
8 Data attribute storage unit 9 Related code generation unit 10 Storage media connection unit 11 Data storage unit 12 UI control unit 13 UI
14 Data processing unit 15 Data attribute acquisition unit 16 Print processing unit

Claims (10)

In a data printing system in which a terminal, an attribute management apparatus, and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network,
The attribute management device
When receiving an attribute relating to the output of data output from the terminal by the image forming apparatus, a related information generating means for generating related information associated with the attribute;
Attribute storage means for storing the related information generated by the related information generation and the attribute in association with each other;
Related information transmitting means for transmitting the related information generated by the related information generating means to the terminal;
An attribute transmission unit configured to transmit an attribute associated with the received related information to the image forming apparatus when the related information is received from the image forming apparatus;
The terminal
Storing the data and related information from the attribute management device in an external storage device connected to the terminal;
The image forming apparatus includes:
Connection means for connecting to the external storage device;
Storage means for reading out and storing the data and the related information stored in the external storage device when the external storage device is connected to the connection means;
Attribute acquisition means for acquiring the attribute associated with the related information stored in the storage means from the attribute management device;
An output unit that outputs data stored in the storage unit according to the attribute acquired by the attribute acquisition unit. The related information generation means of the attribute management device includes:
The data printing system according to claim 1, wherein when the name of the data is received together with the attribute from the terminal, related information associated with the name is generated. The image forming apparatus includes:
List display means for displaying a list of names of data stored in the storage means on a display device;
3. The data printing system according to claim 2, further comprising: search means for searching related information associated with the name of the data determined from the list from the related information stored in the storage means. In an attribute management apparatus connected to a terminal and an image forming apparatus via a network,
The attribute management device
When receiving an attribute relating to the output of data output from the terminal by the image forming apparatus, a related information generating means for generating related information associated with the attribute;
Attribute storage means for storing the related information generated by the related information generation and the attribute in association with each other;
Related information transmitting means for transmitting the related information generated in the related information generation to the terminal;
An attribute management apparatus comprising: attribute transmission means for transmitting an attribute associated with the received related information to the image forming apparatus when the related information is received from the image forming apparatus. The related information generating means includes
The attribute management apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the name of the data is received from the terminal together with the attribute, related information associated with the name is generated. In an image forming apparatus connected to a terminal and an attribute management apparatus via a network,
Connection means for connecting to an external storage device;
Storage means for reading out and storing data stored in the external storage device and related information associated with attributes related to the output of the data when the external storage device is connected to the connection means;
An attribute acquisition unit that acquires an attribute associated with the related information stored in the storage unit from an attribute management device that stores the related information and the attribute in association with each other;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an output unit that outputs data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the attribute acquired by the attribute acquisition unit. List display means for displaying a list of names of data stored in the storage means on a display device;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a search unit that searches related information associated with the name of the data determined from the list from the related information stored in the storage unit. In a data printing method performed by a terminal, an attribute management device, and an image forming device connected via a network,
The terminal
Sending attributes relating to the output of data output by the image forming apparatus to the attribute management apparatus;
The attribute management device
Generating related information associated with the attribute from the terminal;
The generated related information and the attribute are stored in association with each other,
Transmitting the generated related information to the terminal;
The terminal
Storing the data and related information from the attribute management device in an external storage device connected to the terminal;
The image forming apparatus includes:
When the external storage device is connected, the data and the related information stored in the external storage device are read and stored,
Transmitting related information stored in the storage means to the attribute management device;
The attribute management device
Transmitting an attribute associated with related information from the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus includes:
The data printing method, wherein the stored data is output according to an attribute from the attribute management device. The attribute management device
The data printing method according to claim 8, wherein when the name of the data is received from the terminal together with the attribute, related information associated with the name is generated. The image forming apparatus includes:
Displaying a list of names of the stored data on a display device;
The data printing method according to claim 9, wherein related information associated with the name of the data determined from the list is searched from the stored related information.

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