JP2007334714A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor allowing a user to set printing function for each paper kind, and to use the set paper kind as intended. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor for transmitting printing information to a paper feed means for feeding a plural kinds of paper sheets, and an image forming device having a plurality of printing functions comprises a setting input means for setting the printing for each paper kind, a paper kind table storage means for storing the paper kind table storing the paper kind information and the printing function in association with each other, and an error display means for displaying an error when the selected paper kind and printing function are not matched with the association stored in the paper kind table. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paper feed unit that feeds a plurality of paper types as paper, and an information processing apparatus that transmits print information to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of print processing functions.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus that receives print job information from an external apparatus and records and outputs a printed matter of the received print job information can use a plurality of paper types. Therefore, for example, with special paper types (invoices and contracts), the number of people who use the single-sided printing and do not staple is limited. Therefore, a function that prevents the error by setting the paper type uniquely is required.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that restricts functions that can be used during printing for each system connected to a network.
JP 2000-122766 A

  However, in such a conventional apparatus, there is a problem that the paper type selected at the time of printing is printed with an unexpected printing function (double-sided etc.), or a user who should not use it mistakenly uses it.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an information processing apparatus that enables a print processing function to be set for each paper type and that can use the set paper type as intended by the setter. To do.

  The present invention provides a setting for setting print processing for each paper type in a paper feed unit that feeds a plurality of paper types as paper and an information processing apparatus that transmits print information to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of print processing functions. Input means, paper type table storage means for storing a paper type table in which paper type information and a print processing function are stored in correspondence, and the selected paper type and print processing function are stored in the paper type table. In the case where it does not coincide with the date, error display means for displaying an error is provided.

  The paper type table further stores paper names.

  The print processing function is a post-print processing function.

  The print processing function is a user restriction function.

  The paper type table is received from the image forming apparatus via a network.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the print processing function can be set for each paper type, an effect that the set paper type can be used as intended by the setter is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, the local area network LAN constituting the network includes a plurality of workstation devices WS1 to WSn and a network that provides a remote print function to the workstation devices WS1 to WSn via the local area network LAN. Corresponding printer apparatus FX is connected.

  Here, the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn include a network print compatible driver (network compatible printer driver) function for transmitting a print job to the network compatible printer apparatus FX via the local area network LAN, and a local area network. Various programs such as various software for exchanging various data via the LAN have been introduced and are used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or a plurality of users.

  Further, the network compatible printer apparatus FX can use a plurality of paper types as paper and has a number of print processing functions. Here, the print processing function is a processing function that is additionally set at the time of printing. For example, a double-sided printing function, a multi-stage paper feeding function, a stapling function, a rotation function, a punching function, a usage restriction function, an aggregate printing function, a user restriction function , Etc. Among these print processing functions, the function related to the print finishing process is called a post-processing function. This post-processing function includes a double-sided printing function, a stapling function, a rotating function, a punching function, an aggregate printing function, and the like.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 controls the operation of each unit of the network compatible printer FX, paper feed control, print control, communication control with an external device via a host interface unit or a local area network LAN, The system memory 2 is used to perform various data processing such as various user interface processing when the user operates the network compatible printer apparatus FX. The system memory 2 performs various controls executed by the system control unit 1. A program is stored and a work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. A parameter memory 3 is used to store various information unique to the network compatible printer apparatus FX. The current time information and the like are output, and the operation display unit 5 The can constitute a user interface for operating the network corresponding printer apparatus FX.

  The page buffer memory 6 constitutes a frame memory for storing print data for one page, and the print unit 7 reads the print data from the frame memory configured in the page buffer memory 6 and prints an image on a sheet. Is for printing. The print unit 7 is provided with a double-sided printing function, a multi-stage paper feed unit 8 having a plurality of trays containing paper, and a post-processing unit 9 for performing rotation, stapling, punching, and the like. Thus, an appropriate one of a plurality of types of paper can be selected and applied as a recording paper used by the print unit 7, and a predetermined post-processing can be applied to the printed matter.

  The host interface unit 10 includes a general-purpose communication unit such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), and is connected to a host device (not shown) (for example, an information processing device such as a personal computer device) to transfer data between these external devices. It is for exchanging.

  The local area network interface circuit 11 is for connecting the network compatible printer apparatus FX to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 12 is connected to another data terminal apparatus via the local area network LAN. For executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with each other.

  These system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, operation display unit 5, page buffer memory 6, print unit 7, multi-stage sheet feeding unit 8, host interface unit 10, and local area network transmission control The unit 12 is connected to the internal bus 13, and data exchange between these units is mainly performed through the internal bus 13.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the workstation device WS (WS1 to WSn).

  In the figure, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 controls the operation of the workstation WS, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 is a program executed when the CPU 21 starts up, necessary data, etc. RAM (Random Access Memory) 23 is used to configure a work area of the CPU 21 and the like.

  The character generator 24 is for generating graphic character display data, the clock circuit 25 is for outputting the current date and time information, and the local area network interface circuit 26 is for the workstation device WS. The local area network transmission control unit 27 is used to connect to a local area network LAN. The local area network transmission control unit 27 performs various kinds of predetermined data for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. This is for executing the communication control processing of the protocol suite.

  The magnetic disk device 28 is for storing various data such as various application programs, work data, file data, and image information data, and the optical medium driving device 29 is a replaceable optical recording medium (DVD, A CRT screen display device 31 is for displaying a screen for operating the workstation device WS, and the display control unit 32 is a CRT screen. This is for controlling the display contents of the display device 31.

  The keyboard device 33 is for performing various key operations on the workstation device WS, and the screen instruction device 34 is for performing operation operations such as indicating an arbitrary point on the CRT screen display device 31. The input control unit 35 is for capturing input information of the keyboard device 33 and the screen instruction device 34.

  These CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, character generator 24, clock circuit 25, local area net transmission control unit 27, magnetic disk device 28, optical medium drive device 29, display control unit 32, and input control unit 35 are connected to an internal bus. The data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 35.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen display when setting the paper type and the restriction function in the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  In this way, by setting a restriction function for a paper type, for example, if double-sided prohibition is set for a certain paper type, an error is displayed when the user tries to print on both sides of that paper type. , Can prevent printing mistakes.

  In the case of custom paper type setting, a name can be registered in addition to the user's own definition for the paper type. When printing a contract by assigning a name, the paper type can be easily selected by preparing a custom paper type for the contract.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen display when setting the paper type and the additional function in the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  In this way, by setting an additional function for the paper type, for example, if a punch is set for a certain paper type, even if the user forgets to set the punch when printing with that paper type, Punch is executed automatically.

  Alternatively, an error can be displayed to inform the user of missing settings.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen when setting the paper type and the use restriction in the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  In this way, by setting user restrictions on a paper type, for example, if the number of people who can use a certain paper type is limited, a user who is not permitted to use the paper type tries to print on that paper type. An error message can be displayed to prevent paper from being used by mistake.

  When various information is registered for the paper type in this way, for example, a paper type table as shown in FIG. 7A is formed and stored in the parameter memory 3 of the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  When the user restriction is set for the paper type, a user-defined use restriction table as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C is formed and stored in the parameter memory 3 of the network compatible printer FX. .

  On the other hand, in the workstation device WS, when performing a printing operation using the network compatible printer device FX, for example, a network compatible printer driver screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and the paper type can be set. .

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, when the user makes a print request, the network compatible printer driver of the workstation apparatus WS requests the network compatible printer apparatus FX to acquire the paper type table, thereby The corresponding printer driver displays a driver screen as shown in FIG.

  An example of the processing of the workstation device WS at this time is shown in FIG.

  First, when the user gives an instruction to start printing (process 101), the network compatible printer driver is activated, and the network compatible printer driver requests the network compatible printer FX to obtain the paper type table, and displays the paper type table. Received from the network compatible printer FX.

  Then, the received paper type table is referred to (process 102) to check whether or not the function restriction is set for the paper type (determination 103). When the result of determination 103 is YES, the user selects at that time. It is checked whether or not the item of the printed processing function matches the function-restricted item (determination 104). When the result of determination 104 is YES, for example, an error display as shown in FIG. (Process 105), and the print job is not transmitted.

  When the result of determination 103 is NO and when the result of determination 104 is NO, print job information for performing a printing operation designated by the user at that time is created, and the network compatible printer apparatus It transmits to FX (process 106).

  In this way, when the function restriction is set for the paper type selected by the user and the item of the print processing function selected by the user matches the function restricted function, an error message is displayed. At this time, the printing operation designated by the user is not performed.

  FIG. 12 shows another example of processing of the workstation device WS when the user gives an instruction to start printing.

  First, when the user gives an instruction to start printing (process 201), the network compatible printer driver is activated, and the network compatible printer driver requests the network compatible printer device FX to obtain the paper type table, and the paper type table is displayed. Received from the network compatible printer FX.

  Then, referring to the received paper type table (processing 202), it is checked whether or not an additional function is set for the paper type (determination 203). If the result of determination 203 is YES, it is added at that time. The print processing function is added (process 204), print job information for performing the print operation designated by the user at that time is created, and transmitted to the network compatible printer apparatus FX (process 205).

  If the result of determination 203 is NO, the process proceeds to step 205 where print job information for performing the printing operation designated by the user is created and transmitted to the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  FIG. 13 shows still another example of the processing of the workstation device WS when the user gives an instruction to start printing.

  First, when the user instructs to start printing (process 301), the network compatible printer driver is activated, and the network compatible printer driver requests the network compatible printer apparatus FX to obtain the paper type table and the user usage restriction table. The paper type table is received from the network compatible printer apparatus FX.

  Then, referring to the received paper type table (processing 302), it is checked whether or not the user restriction is set for the paper type (determination 303). When the result of determination 303 is YES, the paper type usage restriction table is used. (Processing 304), it is checked whether or not the operating user at that time is a restricted user (determination 305).

  When the result of determination 305 is YES, for example, an error screen as shown in FIG. 14B is displayed (process 306), and the print job is not transmitted.

  On the other hand, when the result of determination 305 is NO and when the result of determination 303 is NO, print job information for performing a printing operation designated by the user at that time is created, and the network compatible printer apparatus It transmits to FX (process 307).

The block diagram which showed an example of the network system concerning one Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network compatible printer apparatus FX. The block diagram which showed the structural example of the workstation apparatus WS (WS1-WSn). FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen display when setting a paper type and a restriction function in the network compatible printer apparatus FX. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen display when setting a paper type and an additional function in the network compatible printer apparatus FX. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a screen when setting a paper type and a use restriction in the network compatible printer apparatus FX. Schematic showing an example of a paper type table and a user-defined usage restriction table. Schematic showing an example of a network compatible printer driver screen. The timing chart for demonstrating a function restriction. The flowchart which showed an example of the process of the workstation apparatus WS. Schematic which showed an example of the error display at the time of a function restriction | limiting. The flowchart which showed the other example of the process of the workstation apparatus WS. The flowchart which showed the further another example of the process of the workstation apparatus WS. Schematic which showed an example of the error display at the time of use restriction.

Explanation of symbols

FX network compatible printer device WS, WS1-WSn workstation device

Claims (5)

In an information processing apparatus that feeds print information to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of print processing functions and a paper feed unit that feeds a plurality of paper types as paper,
A setting input means for setting print processing for each paper type;
A paper type table storage means for storing a paper type table in which the paper type information and the print processing function are stored in association with each other;
An information processing apparatus comprising error display means for displaying an error when the selected paper type and the print processing function do not match the correspondence stored in the paper type table.   2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper type table further stores a paper name.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing function is a post-print processing function.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print processing function is a user restriction function.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper type table is received from the image forming apparatus via a network.