JP2015051543A - Print instruction device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print instruction device and program which allow a user to edit an operation screen.SOLUTION: The print instruction device comprises an edit unit, a memory, a display control unit, and a print instruction unit. The edit unit edits an operation screen related to print instruction of a document stored in a storage device. The memory stores panel information of the operation screen edited by the edit unit. The display control unit causes a display device to display the operation screen according to operation of a user on the basis of the panel information stored in the memory. The print instruction unit causes a printer to print the document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device.

Description

  The present embodiment relates to a print instruction apparatus and a print instruction program.

  In the on-demand print system, a printing apparatus prints a document selected by a user on an operation screen displayed on a display unit of an operation panel. In the conventional on-demand print system, the operation screen that allows the user to select a document to be printed has a fixed format, and the user cannot edit the operation screen.

JP 2001-350606 A JP 2006-106977 A

  An object of the present embodiment is to provide a print instruction apparatus and a print instruction program that allow a user to edit an operation screen.

  According to the embodiment, the print instruction apparatus includes an editing unit, a memory, a display control unit, and a print instruction unit. The editing unit edits an operation screen related to a document print instruction stored in the storage device. The memory stores panel information of the operation screen edited by the editing unit. The display control unit causes the display device to display an operation screen corresponding to a user operation based on the panel information stored in the memory. The print instruction unit causes the printing device to print the document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first configuration example of an on-demand print system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a second configuration example of the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a third configuration example of the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a fourth configuration example of the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a transition process to various processes according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the SE menu screen in the POD application according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of an admin menu screen in the POD application according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of on-demand print processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of document registration processing according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the panel editing process according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the configuration of an on-demand print system having a print control apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
The on-demand print system according to the present embodiment is a system that causes a printer to print a document selected on an operation screen. For example, an on-demand print system is a system that prints a document desired by a user in a place where a plurality of users exist (for example, a public facility, a store, or a school).

  The on-demand printing system is realized by a combination of various devices including a printer. For example, an on-demand print system is a combination of devices such as a digital multifunction peripheral and a server, a plurality of digital multifunction peripherals and a server, a digital multifunction peripheral alone, a digital multifunction peripheral and a plurality of servers, a digital multifunction peripheral and an operation device as an external device. It is realized by. In the on-demand printing system, an apparatus that functions as a print control apparatus is an image forming apparatus such as a server or a digital multifunction peripheral.

Hereinafter, a configuration example of the on-demand print system will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first configuration example of an on-demand print system.
In the first configuration example shown in FIG. 1, in an on-demand print system, a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 (1A) and a server 2 (2A) are connected by a network 4. A user terminal 3 is also connected to the network 4.

The digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a system control unit 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, and an operation panel 14.
The system control unit 11 controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral 1. The scanner 12 scans a document and converts an image on the document surface into image data. The printer 13 forms an image on a sheet. The printer 13 is not limited to a specific image forming method, and may be a printer such as an electrophotographic method, an ink jet method, or a thermal transfer method.

  The operation panel 14 includes a display unit 15 and an operation unit 16. The display unit 15 has a display screen for displaying a standby screen, an operation screen for instructing printing of a document, various editing screens, and the like. The operation unit 16 inputs an operation instruction to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 15. For example, the operation unit 16 is a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display unit 15. The operation unit 16 may be configured by a keyboard or a pointing device. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 14 is configured by a display panel (display device) 15 having a touch panel as the operation unit 16.

The system control unit 11 includes a processor 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a nonvolatile memory 24, a network interface (I / F) 25, and the like.
The processor 21 is a calculation unit such as a CPU. The RAM 22 is a working memory. The ROM 23 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 24 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The network interface (I / F) 25 is an interface connected to the network 4.

  The processor 21 executes various processes by executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 or the ROM 23. The processor 21 has a function of controlling the scanner 12, a function of controlling the printer 13, a function of controlling the display on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14, a function of detecting an instruction input to the operation unit 16 of the operation panel 14, and the like. Have. For example, the processor 21 may realize a function of displaying an operation screen based on the panel information provided from the server 2 on the display unit 15 by executing a browser.

Next, the configuration of the server 2 (2A) in the first configuration example will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the server 2A in the first configuration example includes a processor 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, a nonvolatile memory 34, a network interface (I / F) 35, and a storage unit 36.
The processor 31 is a calculation unit such as a CPU. The RAM 32 is a working memory. The ROM 33 is a non-rewritable nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory 34 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The network interface (I / F) 35 is an interface connected to the network 4. The storage unit 36 is a memory that stores data. The server 2 may be provided with an operation unit such as a keyboard.

  The storage unit 36 includes a document database (DB) m1 and a panel information database (DB) m2. The document DB m1 stores electronic data of a document to be printed. The panel information database m2 stores panel information as display data to be displayed on the display unit 15 in the operation panel 14 of the digital multifunction device 1.

  The processor 31 executes various processes by executing programs stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 or the ROM 33. In the first configuration example, an application program (POD application) P for executing on-demand print processing is installed in the nonvolatile memory 34 of the server 2. The POD application P includes a print processing program for executing on-demand printing, a panel editing program for performing panel editing processing, a document registration program for registering a document for on-demand printing, and the like. The POD application P only needs to be executable by the processor 31 and may be stored in the ROM 33 or the storage unit 38.

  The processor 31 functions as a panel editing unit by executing a panel editing program, and executes a panel editing process for editing an operation screen displayed on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14. The operation screen edited by the processor 31 is stored in the panel information database m2 as panel information. Data such as a template used for the panel editing process is stored in the nonvolatile memory 34 or the storage unit 36 together with the panel editing program.

  Further, the processor 31 implements a function (display control unit) for displaying an operation screen on the display unit 15 by executing the POD application P and a function (print control unit) for causing the printer 13 to print a document. Further, the processor 31 executes the document registration program of the POD application P to store the image data read by the scanner 12, the input electronic data, or the electronic data stored in the external device as a document in the document DB m1. Realize the function to do.

Next, a second configuration example of the on-demand print system will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second configuration example of the on-demand print system.
In the second configuration example shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (1B), the server 2 (2B), and the user terminal 3 are connected by a network 4. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 2, parts that are the same as those shown in FIG. 1 and can be realized are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  That is, the second configuration example shown in FIG. 2 is different from the first configuration example shown in FIG. 1 in that an operation panel 14 ′ is connected to the server 2B. The operation panel 14 ′ connected to the server 2B includes a display unit 15 ′ and an operation unit 16 ′. The display unit 15 ′ displays an operation screen for instructing printing by the printer 13 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1B. The operation unit 16 ′ is a touch panel that inputs an operation to the operation screen displayed on the display unit 15 ′. The operation panel 14 'has the same function as the operation panel 14 in the first configuration example.

  The operation panel 14 'may be connected to the server 2B via a local interface, or may be an operation device having a communication function connected to the server 2B via the network 4. Also good. In the latter case, the operation panel 14 ′ may be a mobile terminal such as a tablet PC.

Next, a third configuration example of the on-demand print system will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a third configuration example of the on-demand print system.
In the third configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (1 </ b> C) and the user terminal 3 are connected by a network 4. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the same components as those shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2 can be realized by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the third configuration example of the on-demand print system shown in FIG. 3, the server 2 is omitted. In the third configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the digital multi-function peripheral 1C includes a storage unit 26 that includes a document DBm1 and a panel information DBm2. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 1C includes an on-demand print including a panel editing function for editing a display screen such as a print screen displayed on the display unit 15 when the processor 21 executes the POD application P stored in the nonvolatile memory 24. Various types of processing are realized.

  In other words, the digital multifunction peripheral 1C of the third configuration example has various functions (panel editing function, display control function, print control function, document registration function, and the like realized by the processor 31 executing the POD application P. Panel information management function). In other words, the digital multi-function peripheral 1C according to the third configuration example includes the functions of the server 2A according to the first configuration example.

Next, a fourth configuration example of the on-demand print system will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fourth configuration example of the on-demand print system.
In the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 (1D), the server 2 (2D), and the user terminal 3 are connected by a network 4. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4, portions that are realized by the same configuration as the configuration shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, or FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 4, a server 2 (2D) having a storage unit 36 that stores the document DBm1 is provided in the third configuration example shown in FIG. That is, in the fourth configuration example shown in FIG. 4, the digital multi-function peripheral 1D has a storage unit 26 including a panel information DBm2 for storing panel information, and the server 2D as an external device stores a document DBm1 for storing a document. Has a storage unit 36. The panel editing function for editing the operation screen displayed on the display unit 15, the display control function, and the print control function are realized by executing the POD application P stored in the nonvolatile memory 24 by the processor 21 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. It shall be.

  As described above, in the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment, an operation screen (an operation screen for selecting a document to be printed or instructing execution of document printing) displayed on the operation panel 14 is edited. The function may be provided in the server 2D or may be provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1D. Further, the document DB for storing the document or the panel DB for storing the panel information may be provided in the server 2, may be provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1D, or may be provided in another external device different from the server 2D. Also good. Further, the operation panel 14 for selecting a document to be printed on demand and giving a print instruction may be provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1D, may be connected to the server 2D, or may be an operation device (for example, a tablet) connected to the network. Terminal, mobile terminal, etc.).

Next, various processes in the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment will be described.
The on-demand print system is assumed to be used in various operation modes. For this reason, in the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment, the user who actually operates customizes the operation screen (print screen) displayed on the operation panel and the document to be printed. Thereby, the on-demand print system according to the present embodiment can easily change the operation screen (print screen) displayed on the operation panel in accordance with the operating environment in which on-demand printing is actually performed.

  For example, when an on-demand print system is installed in a store, a document to be printed on-demand is assumed to be bargain information, a coupon ticket or an in-store map. In such an operation mode, the operation screen displayed on the operation panel for instructing printing can be customized to the background or icon to be displayed according to the atmosphere of the store or the purpose of the document to be printed. In addition, when an on-demand print system is installed in a school, a document to be printed is assumed to be a communication item or a gradebook. In such an operation mode, the operation screen is customized using a background or icons suitable for students.

  The customization (editing) of the operation screen is provided as a processing function (panel editing function, panel editing means) by the processor 31 (or 21) that executes the panel editing program. The panel editing program is included in the POD application P. The panel editing program may be installed on the digital multi-function peripheral 1 or on the server 2. The panel editing program is installed together with templates such as various background images and button (icon) images that can be used for editing the operation screen. The processor that executes the panel editing program can edit (create) an operation screen displayed on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14 using a template prepared in advance.

Next, a flow of processing for shifting to various processing in the on-demand print system will be described.
In the following description, various processes will be described mainly assuming the on-demand print system of the first configuration example shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the transition of various processes.
The process shown in FIG. 5 is provided as a web application, for example. Further, in the following description, the users who handle the on-demand print system include end users who perform printout, admin users who register documents to be printed, and SE users who have authority to customize (edit) the operation screen. Assume that three types of users are defined.

  For example, assuming an operation mode when an on-demand print system is placed in a store, the end user is a customer who prints a coupon at the store, and the admin user is a system administrator of the store that issues the coupon. A SE user is a system engineer (SE) (or a service person who undertakes maintenance) who delivers the system to a store.

  First, in the standby state of the on-demand print system, the processor 31 of the server 2 displays a standby screen on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14 (ACT1). The processor 31 functions as a display control unit and causes the display unit 15 to display a standby screen based on the standby screen panel information stored in the panel information DBm2 of the server 2. That is, the panel information DBm2 of the server 2 stores panel information as display data to be displayed on the display unit 15. The processor 31 selects panel information on a screen to be displayed on the display unit 15. For example, the processor 31 provides panel information as display data in response to access from the digital multifunction peripheral 1 by a browser. The processor 21 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 displays the standby screen acquired from the server 2 by the browser on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 14 in full screen display. In a state where the standby screen is displayed on the display unit 15, the processor 21 receives an input to the operation unit 16 such as a touch panel. The processor 21 notifies the server 2 of the instruction content input by the operation unit 16.

  In a state where the standby screen is displayed on the display unit 15, the processor 31 of the server 2 detects (determines) whether or not there is an input through the operation unit 16 (ACT2). For example, the processor 31 of the server 2 determines whether or not the instruction content input by the operation unit 16 is received in a state where the standby screen is displayed on the display unit 15 by the browser. When an input from the operation unit 16 is detected (ACT2, YES), the processor 31 of the server 2 executes a process according to the input.

  When detecting an input by the operation unit 16, the processor 31 determines whether or not the instruction content input by the operation unit 16 is a special command (ACT3). For example, the special command is a command for instructing a shift to a document registration process that can be performed by an admin user or a panel editing process that can be performed by an SE user. The special command may be any command that can be specified by an operation different from the normal operation. For example, the special command may be defined as a specific key input (for example, input to a specific function key) or an operation input of a specific procedure (for example, touching a specific location on the screen with a specific procedure).

  When it is determined that the instruction content input by the operation unit 16 is a normal operation other than the special command (ACT3, NO), the processor 31 shifts to an on-demand print mode for executing the on-demand print process (ACT4). . The processor 31 starts the on-demand print program included in the POD application P, thereby shifting to the on-demand print mode. When shifting to the on-demand print mode, the processor 31 displays, for example, an on-demand print initial operation screen (main operation menu screen) and executes on-demand print in accordance with an instruction input on the initial operation screen. I do.

  When it is determined that the instruction content input by the operation unit 16 is a special command while the standby screen is displayed (ACT3, YES), the processor 31 displays an input field for inputting authentication information for user authentication. It is displayed on the display unit 15 (ACT5). In a state where the input field is displayed on the display unit 15, the processor 31 accepts input of user authentication information or the like to the input field (ACT6).

For example, the processor 31 may display an address bar (URL input field) for inputting a URL on the display unit 15 as an input field for user authentication information.
For example, when the operation screen is displayed on the display unit 15 by the browser, the processor 31 operates in a normal mode such as a standby screen (operation screen in a normal mode such as standby or on-demand print processing (standby screen, document (Selection screen, print instruction screen, etc.) are displayed in full screen, and only the operation screen is displayed on the operation screen (standby screen, etc.) displayed in full screen by the browser.

  On the other hand, when the display by the browser is a non-full-screen display, the display unit 15 displays the functional area of the browser including the address bar in addition to the operation screen such as the standby screen. In the function area displayed in the non-full-screen display, an address bar used as a URL input field (user authentication information input field) is displayed. Therefore, when a special command is input, the processor 31 may cause the display unit 15 to display an address bar as an input field for a transition instruction by changing the display by the browser to a non-full screen display.

  The processor 31 accepts an input of a transition instruction to the document registration process in the input field displayed on the display unit 15 or a transition instruction to the panel editing process. For example, in a state where an address bar is displayed as an input field for user authentication information by the browser, the processor 31 accepts input of user authentication information (for example, a user ID and a password) to the address bar. The processor 21 of the digital multi-function peripheral notifies the server 2 of information input in an input field (for example, an address bar for URL input).

  That is, the processor 31 detects (determines) whether or not information is input in the input field in a state where the input field of the user authentication information is displayed in response to the input of the special command (ACT 6). When information is input in the input field (ACT6, YES), the processor 31 determines whether or not the information input in the input field is user authentication information of the SE user (SE authentication) (ACT7).

  The SE authentication is an authentication process for authenticating whether a user (SE user such as a system engineer or a service person) has authority to perform document registration processing, editing processing, and the like. That is, the processor 31 determines whether or not the user who inputs information in the input field by SE authentication is an SE user. This authentication process (SE authentication) is not limited to a specific authentication method, and for example, user authentication may be performed using biometric information or the like. When it is confirmed that the user is an SE user (that is, when the SE authentication is successful) (ACT7, YES), the processor 31 displays a menu screen for the SE user on the display unit 15 (ACT10). When the SE user makes all functions included in the POD application P available, the processor 31 selects various processes including a document registration process and a panel editing process that can be executed by the POD application as the menu screen for the SE user. A menu screen to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 15.

  If it is determined that the information input in the input field for user authentication information is not for the SE user (ACT 7, NO), the processor 31 determines whether the information input in the input field is user authentication information for the admin user. It is judged (Admin authentication) (ACT9).

  Admin authentication is, for example, authentication of whether a user (administrator user such as a system administrator) who has authority to perform some management functions (for example, document registration processing) among the functions provided by the POD application. Authentication processing. That is, the processor 31 determines whether or not the user who inputs information in the input field by admin authentication is an admin user. Note that admin authentication is not limited to a specific authentication method, and for example, admin authentication may be performed using biometric information or the like.

  When it is confirmed that the user is an admin user (that is, when the admin authentication is successful) (ACT 9, YES), the processor 31 causes the display unit 15 to display a menu screen for the admin user (ACT 10). When the admin user makes available a part of the functions included in the POD application P, the processor 31 performs processing that can be executed by the admin user among the processes that can be executed by the POD application as the menu screen for the admin user ( For example, a menu screen for selecting (document registration processing) is displayed on the display unit 15.

  FIG. 6 is a display example of the menu screen for the SE user. In the display example shown in FIG. 6, a menu screen for selecting one of the functions provided by the POD application is displayed. FIG. 7 is a display example of an admin menu screen. The admin menu screen shown in FIG. 7 is obtained by erasing items (options) that the admin user cannot implement from the menu screen shown in FIG.

The processor 31 selects a function to be executed in a state where the SE menu screen or the administration menu screen is displayed. When document registration is selected in the state where the administration menu screen is displayed (ACT 11, YES), or SE When document registration is selected while the menu screen is displayed (ACT13, YES), the processor 31 activates a document registration program included in the POD application P and executes document registration processing (ACT12). ).

  When the panel editing process is selected on the SE menu screen (ACT 14, YES), the processor 31 activates the panel editing program included in the POD application P and executes the panel editing process (ACT 14).

Next, on-demand print processing will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the on-demand print process.
When a normal operation is input to the operation unit 16 while the standby screen is displayed (for example, when the touch panel is touched), the processor 31 shifts to an on-demand print process. After shifting to the on-demand printing process, the processor 31 displays a category selection screen for selecting a document to be printed on the display unit 15 (ACT 21). The category selection screen displays, for example, a button (category icon) assigned to each category to which a document capable of on-demand printing belongs. In this case, documents that can be printed on demand are classified into a plurality of categories. The category selection screen is displayed based on the panel information stored in the panel information DBm2. For example, the category selection screen is one of operation screens in which the background, header, footer, button, layout, and the like are edited by panel editing processing.

  When any of the category icons displayed on the category selection screen displayed on the display unit 15 is instructed (ACT22, YES), the processor 31 selects a document belonging to the category assigned to the instructed category icon. A document selection screen is displayed on the display unit 15 (ACT 23). For example, the processor 31 causes the display unit 15 to display selectable documents in a list format as a document selection screen. The processor 31 displays buttons (document icons) for selecting individual documents on the document selection screen. The document icon may be an icon displaying a file name, text information indicating the content, or a thumbnail or the like that can preview actual print content.

  When a document to be printed is selected from the list of documents displayed on the display unit 15 (ACT 24, YES), the processor 31 transfers the selected document as print data to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (ACT 25). The processor 31 may transfer electronic data of the document to the digital multifunction device 1 if the document is a file format document that the digital multifunction device 1 can print. Further, the processor 31 may expand the selected document into print data for printing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and transfer the developed print data for printing to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 executes a printing process using the electronic data of the document received from the server 2 or the print data.

Next, the document registration process will be described.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of document registration processing.
After shifting to the document registration process, the processor 31 accepts registration of a document to be subjected to on-demand printing (ACT 31). The document registered in the document DB m1 may be electronic data or image data (scan data) scanned by the scanner 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  When accepting registration of electronic data as a document (ACT 32, YES), the processor 31 determines whether or not electronic data as a document to be registered is stored in an external device (external server) ( ACT33). For example, when the document to be registered is electronic data input by the system administrator (for example, electronic data input from a locally connected storage device), the processor 31 stores the document to be registered in an external device. (ACT33, NO). When the document to be registered is electronic data stored in the storage unit of the external device accessible via the network 4, the processor 31 determines that the document to be registered is stored in the external device. (ACT33, YES).

  If it is determined that the document to be registered is not stored in the external device (ACT 33, NO), the processor 31 acquires electronic data as the document to be registered (ACT 34). When the electronic data is acquired, the processor 31 registers the acquired electronic data as a document in the document DBm1 (ACT 35). Further, the processor 31 receives attribute information corresponding to the registered document (ACT 36). The processor 31 registers the received attribute information in the document DBm1 in association with the document (ACT 37).

  As described above, when the electronic data input by the admin user is registered as a document, the server 2 designates the document by the admin user using the file designation function on the on-demand print system, and registers the designated document in the document DBm1. (make a copy. Thereafter, the server 2 registers attribute information in association with the registered document.

  If it is determined that the document to be registered is electronic data stored in an external device (external server or the like) (ACT 33, YES), the processor 31 acquires reference information for accessing the document to be registered. (ACT38). The reference information includes information indicating an external device in which the electronic data is stored, and information indicating a file name stored in a storage unit in the external device. The server 2 may take electronic data from an external device and register it as a document in the document DB m1.

  The processor 31 registers the reference information of the electronic data (document) stored in the acquired external device in the document DBm1 (ACT39). Further, the processor 31 receives attribute information corresponding to the registered document (ACT 40). The processor 31 registers the received attribute information in the document DBm1 in association with the document (ACT41).

  As described above, when registering a document stored in an existing external device, the server 2 acquires reference information for accessing the document stored in the external device designated by the admin user, and uses the reference information as the document. Is registered in the document DBm1. Further, reference information for accessing a document such as electronic data stored in an external device may be registered in a reference information DB provided in the storage unit. In this case, the document DBm1 may not be copied.

  If the data to be registered as a document is scan data (ACT 42, YES), the processor 31 reserves a scan to be registered as a document for the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (ACT 43). The digital multi-function peripheral 1 receives a scan reservation from the server 2. After receiving the scan reservation, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 transfers the scan data scanned by the scanner 12 to the server 2.

  The processor 31 of the server 2 receives the scan data transferred by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (ACT 44). When the scan data is received from the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the processor 31 converts the received scan data into electronic data to be registered as a document (ACT 45). When the scan data is converted into electronic data for registration, the processor 31 registers the electronic data as a document in the document DBm1 (ACT 46). Further, the processor 31 receives attribute information corresponding to the registered document (ACT 47). The processor 31 registers the received attribute information in the document DBm1 in association with the document (ACT 48).

  As described above, when registering scan data as a document, the MFP receives a scan reservation from the server, and the server receives the scan data obtained as a result of the scan by the MFP after the scan reservation. The server converts the received scan data into a printable data format (PFD), and converts the printable data into attribute information (for example, information indicating a product related document in an operation example in a retail store). ) And register it in the document DB.

Next, the panel editing process will be described.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the panel editing process.
When the panel editing process is started, the processor 31 starts editing the operation screen used for the on-demand print process. For example, the processor 31 displays a background selection screen for selecting (changing) the background of the operation screen to be edited on the display unit 15. The SE user operates the operation unit 16 to select and input the background of the operation screen to be edited on the background selection screen displayed on the display unit 15. The processor 31 holds background definition information indicating the background selected by the operation unit 16 in the storage unit 36 (ACT 51). The background definition information may be stored in the RAM 32 or in the nonvolatile memory 34.

  Further, the processor 31 displays a setting screen for defining the header and footer on the operation screen to be edited on the display unit 15. The SE user operates the operation unit 16 to input header and footer definition information (for example, a name displayed on the operation screen) on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 15. The processor 31 stores the header and footer definition information input by the operation unit 16 in the storage unit 36 (ACT 52). The definition information of the header and footer may be stored in the RAM 32 or in the nonvolatile memory 34.

  Further, the processor 31 displays a button setting screen for defining buttons to be arranged on the operation screen to be edited on the display unit 15. The SE user operates the operation unit 16 to input button definition information to be displayed on the operation screen to be edited on the button setting screen displayed on the display unit 15. The processor 31 stores the button definition information input by the operation unit 16 in the storage unit 36 (ACT 53). The button definition information may be stored in the RAM 32 or in the nonvolatile memory 34.

  When the definition of the background, header, footer, and button to be displayed on the operation screen being edited is completed (ACT 54, YES), the processor 31 is configured to define the relationship of screen transitions with other operation screens for the operation screen being edited. The screen is displayed on the display unit 15. The SE user operates the operation unit 16 to input definition information that defines a screen transition relationship with another operation screen with respect to the operation screen being edited. The processor 31 stores the definition information of the screen transition input by the operation unit 16 in the storage unit 36 (ACT 55). The screen transition definition information may be stored in the RAM 32 or in the nonvolatile memory 34.

  Further, the processor 31 displays a setting screen for defining a function to be assigned to each button on the operation screen being edited as a command on the display unit 15. For example, information defined as a command includes a print instruction, a scan instruction, the number of prints, or print settings. The SE user operates the operation unit 16 to input definition information that defines a command for the operation screen being edited. The processor 31 stores the definition information of the command input by the operation unit 16 in the storage unit 36 (ACT 56). The command definition information may be stored in the RAM 32 or in the nonvolatile memory 34.

  When the definition information of the background, header, footer, button, screen transition, and command is confirmed, the processor 31 generates panel information in which the definition information is collected (ACT 57). That is, the panel information includes the display contents of the operation screen based on the definition information of the background, header, footer, and button, the display procedure of the operation screen based on the definition information of the screen transition, and the operation screen based on the definition information of the command. The instruction content is set. The processor 31 registers the generated panel information in the panel information DBm2 as operation screen information (ACT 58).

As described above, a print control device such as a server or a digital multi-function peripheral in which a POD application is installed uses a panel editing function as a display content of each operation screen used for on-demand print processing as a background, a header, a footer, and Define a button. Also, the print control apparatus defines a screen transition indicating a transition relationship between the operation screen being edited and another operation screen, and a command assigned to each button on the operation screen, using the panel editing function. .
As a result, according to the on-demand printing system according to the present embodiment, the user or the system administrator customizes (edits) the operation screen used for the operation in which the end user instructs the printing of the document according to the operation mode or the usage. )it can.

  In addition, a print control device such as a server or a digital multifunction peripheral in which a POD application is installed saves the edited panel information in a database provided in the server, the digital multifunction peripheral or an external device, and the digital multifunction peripheral or the server browser The operation screen based on the panel information is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel in response to the access from. As a result, the end user can select a document he / she wants to print or instruct printing on an operation screen edited by an operator such as a system administrator.

  In addition, an operation screen based on panel information provided by a server as a print instruction apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral can be displayed on the operation panel on the display unit of the operation panel. As a result, the end user touches the icon on the browser displayed on the operation screen with the touch panel, and the document that the end user wants to print by the page transition or the filtering process by the document attribute information in the same manner as the normal Internet operation. Can be selected.

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which functions to be implemented in the apparatus are recorded in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and similar functions may be downloaded from the network to the apparatus, and the similar functions are stored in the recording medium. You may install it in the device. The recording medium may be any form as long as the recording medium can store the program and can be read by the apparatus, such as a CD-ROM. In addition, the function obtained by installing or downloading in advance may be realized in cooperation with an OS (operating system) inside the apparatus.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D) ... Digital multifunction device, 2 (2A, 2B, 2D) ... Server, 12 ... Scanner, 13 ... Printer, 14 ... Operation panel, 15 ... Display part, 16 ... Operation part, 21 ... Processor, 24 ... Non-volatile memory, 31 ... Processor, 34 ... Non-volatile memory, m1 ... Document registration DB, m2 ... Panel information DB, P ... POD application.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of the claims at the beginning of the present application is added below.
[1]
An editing unit (Act 15) for editing an operation screen related to a document print instruction stored in the storage device;
A memory (m2) for storing panel information of the operation screen edited by the editing unit;
A display control unit (Act1) that causes a display device to display an operation screen according to a user's operation based on the panel information stored in the memory;
A print instruction unit (Act 4) for causing the printing device to print the document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device;
A printing instruction apparatus.
[2]
A mode switching unit (Act3) that shifts to editing processing of the operation screen by the editing unit when a special command is input by the operating device;
The print instruction apparatus according to [1].
[3]
Furthermore, a user authentication unit (Act 7) for authenticating whether the user is a user who has the authority to execute editing processing;
A mode switching unit (Act14) that shifts to the editing process of the operation screen by the editing unit when the user authentication unit succeeds in the authentication with the user who has the authority to execute the editing process.
The print instruction device according to [1].
[4]
The display control unit displays an operation screen based on the panel information on the display device by a browser;
The print instruction apparatus according to any one of [1] to [3].
[5]
In the print controller
An editing function for editing an operation screen related to a print instruction of a document stored in the storage device;
A storage function for storing panel information of the operation screen edited by the editing function in a memory;
A display control function for causing the display device to display an operation screen corresponding to a user operation based on the panel information stored in the memory;
A print instruction function for causing a printing device to print a document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device;
Print instruction program for realizing
[6]
A mode switching unit that shifts to editing processing of the operation screen by the editing unit when a special command is input by the operating device;
The printing instruction program according to [5].

Claims (6)

An editing unit (Act 15) for editing an operation screen related to a document print instruction stored in the storage device;
A memory (m2) for storing panel information of the operation screen edited by the editing unit;
A display control unit (Act1) that causes a display device to display an operation screen according to a user's operation based on the panel information stored in the memory;
A print instruction unit (Act 4) for causing the printing device to print the document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device;
A printing instruction apparatus. A mode switching unit (Act3) that shifts to editing processing of the operation screen by the editing unit when a special command is input by the operating device;
The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1. Furthermore, a user authentication unit (Act7) for authenticating whether the user is a user who has the authority to execute the editing process;
A mode switching unit (Act14) that shifts to the editing process of the operation screen by the editing unit when the user authentication unit succeeds in the authentication with the user who has the authority to execute the editing process.
The printing instruction device according to claim 1. The display control unit displays an operation screen based on the panel information on the display device by a browser;
The print instruction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the print controller
An editing function for editing an operation screen related to a print instruction of a document stored in the storage device;
A storage function for storing panel information of the operation screen edited by the editing function in a memory;
A display control function for causing the display device to display an operation screen corresponding to a user operation based on the panel information stored in the memory;
A print instruction function for causing a printing device to print a document selected on the operation screen displayed on the display device;
Print instruction program for realizing A mode switching unit that shifts to editing processing of the operation screen by the editing unit when a special command is input by the operating device;
The printing instruction program according to claim 5.

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