JP2022145288A - Printing system, printing method, information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce restrictions on a type and a printer driver in grouping of print jobs.SOLUTION: A printing system 1 in which an information processing apparatus 30 causes an image forming apparatus 20 to print a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal 10, has: intermediate data generation means that converts data to be printed received from the information processing terminal into intermediate data; and print control means that, based on print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means, allocates the intermediate data to a job group. The print control means causes the image forming apparatus to print the plurality of pieces of intermediate data allocated to the job group in preference to the intermediate data allocated to the other job groups.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing method, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as printers and MFPs print continuous paper and cut paper. In the case of cut sheet printing, even if a "print job to print on A4 paper" and a "print job to print on A3 paper" are successively input to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus automatically selects the appropriate paper tray. You can select "Print on A4 paper" and "Print on A3 paper" in succession. However, in continuous paper printing, only one type of paper is set at a time. Assume that a "print job for printing on a 15x11 inch form" and a "print job for printing on an 8.5x11 inch form" are successively input to the image forming apparatus while a "15x11 inch form" is set in the image forming apparatus. In this case, the operator temporarily stops the image forming apparatus when the printing of the "print job for printing on a 15x11 inch form" is completed. Then, the operator needs to remove the "15x11 inch form" from the image forming apparatus, set the "8.5x11 inch form" instead, and then start the "print job to print on the 8.5x11 inch form".

Therefore, a technique for reducing the replacement of continuous paper has been devised (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100003). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200003 discloses a technique for rearranging a plurality of print jobs that print on different sheets so that print jobs with the same temperature conditions or the same sheet information are continuously executed, and then submitted to an image forming apparatus. is disclosed.

However, in the conventional technology, only print jobs created by a printer driver of a specific model are grouped.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a print job processed by a job controller in a DFE (Digital Front End) is RAW data generated by a printer driver of a specific model. Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-200015, a specific upstream system is required to pass RAW data to the image forming apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to reduce restrictions on printer models, printer drivers, and the like in grouping print jobs.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a printing system in which an information processing apparatus prints a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal using an image forming apparatus, wherein data to be printed received from the information processing terminal is converted into intermediate data. intermediate data generation means for converting; and print control means for allocating the intermediate data to job groups based on print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means, wherein the print control means The plurality of intermediate data assigned to a job group are printed by the image forming apparatus with priority over the intermediate data assigned to another job group.

Restrictions such as model and printer driver in grouping print jobs can be reduced.

1 is a system configuration diagram of an example of a printing system; FIG. It is a hardware block diagram of an example of a computer apparatus. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral that is an example of a printer; FIG. FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a client PC and a print server divided into blocks; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen of a virtual printer driver; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a property screen of a virtual printer driver; FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram for explaining functions of a terminal device by dividing them into blocks; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a web application screen for an operator; It is a figure which shows an example of a job group list screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a job group edit screen displayed when an edit button is pressed; It is a figure which shows an example of an administrator menu screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printing system setting screen; FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a distribution key definition and a distribution table; FIG. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of a login screen and a printer selection screen; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a table registration screen. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a case where the button “(1) Create standard 'sorting key definition'” is pressed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a case where the “(2) Add user-defined sorting key to 'sorting key definition'…” button is pressed. It is a figure which shows an example of a confirmation screen (the 1). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printer setting screen; It is a figure which shows an example of a standard setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a confirmation screen (the 2). It is a figure which shows an example of the content of a "distribution table." It is an example of the flowchart figure explaining the preparation procedure of a distribution table. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution table registration screen (Part 1); FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution table registration screen (Part 2); It is a figure which shows an example of a distribution table registration screen (the 3). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printer setting screen; It is a figure which shows an example of a standard setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a distribution table registration screen (part 4). FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution key registration confirmation screen; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirmation of allocation destination job group registration; FIG. 10 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for the printing system to sort print jobs into job groups; FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating print job distribution using a distribution table and a distribution key definition; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen (basic settings) of a printer driver; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen (extended setting) of the printer driver; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen where an end user designates a paper size on a "page setting" screen of spreadsheet software; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a “standard settings” screen operated by a system administrator; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a registry editor screen;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A printing system and a printing method in the printing system will be described below with reference to examples as an example of a mode for carrying out the present invention.

<Overview of Operation of Printing System of this Embodiment>
In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, a print server resident program, which will be described later, collectively groups print jobs having common print settings such as paper size. Since the print job is EMF data, it is possible to reduce restrictions such as the model and printer driver. Since the actual printer driver executes print jobs in units of groups, it is possible to reduce the number of paper replacements and improve the operating rate of the printer. Also, an upstream system is not required from the printer's point of view.

<Terms>
A group is a collection of things that have something in common. Grouping refers to putting things that have something in common into the same group. In this embodiment, print jobs having the same print settings are sorted into the same group.

Giving priority to intermediate data assigned to a job group over intermediate data assigned to another job group means that all print jobs belonging to the same job group are printed until printing is completed. A print job is printed. However, if the operator changes the print order of the job group, printing of print jobs belonging to the same job group may be interrupted.

<Configuration example>
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an example of a printing system 1. As shown in FIG. A printer 20, a print server 30, a client PC 10, and a terminal device 50 are connected to a network N. The print server 30 and the client PC 10 are installed with, for example, a Windows (registered trademark) OS (server OS).

The client PC 10 (an example of an information processing terminal) can request printing by the printer 20 from the print server 30 . In such a system, the client PC 10 must have the same printer driver as the print server 30 installed. It would be very costly for an administrator or the like to install a printer driver in each client PC 10 on the network.

Point&Print makes it possible to download and install a printer driver from the print server 30 to the client PC 10 as a means of solving this inconvenience. This is a Windows (registered trademark)-based OS standard function. In this embodiment, a virtual printer driver and a real printer driver, which will be described later, are installed in the client PC 10 after being installed in the print server 30 by the Point&Print mechanism.

The printer 20 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on cut paper such as paper or continuous paper and outputs the image. The printer 20 is sometimes called a printing device. Further, if the printer 20 has the functions of the printer 20, the printer 20 may be called an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral/Printer/Product), a multifunction machine, a copier, a facsimile device, a scanner device, or the like.

The print server 30 may be any information processing device on which a predetermined OS operates. The print server 30 may have one or more information processing devices. In this case, one information processing device may each provide the function of the print server 30, or a plurality of information processing devices may provide the function of one print server 30. FIG. Also, the print server 30 may be compatible with cloud computing. Cloud computing is a form of usage in which resources on a network are used without being conscious of specific hardware resources. The print server 30 may exist on-premises or may exist on the Internet.

The client PC 10 is an information processing device on which a predetermined OS, applications, and printer driver operate. Various applications for creating a document to be printed run on the OS. The end user operates the client PC 10 to request the print server 30 to print. The client PC 10 is, for example, a PC, a tablet terminal, a smart phone, a wearable PC, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). In addition, a game machine, a digital camera, or the like may be used as long as a predetermined OS, application, and printer driver operate.

A terminal device 50 is connected to the network N as required. A web browser operates on the terminal device 50 to execute a web application provided by the print server 30 . A web application is software or its mechanism that operates by cooperation between a program in a programming language (for example, JavaScript (registered trademark)) that operates on a browser and a program on the web server side, and that is executed on the browser. In this embodiment, the operator operates the terminal device 50 to change the priority of job groups. Also, the administrator operates the terminal device 50 to make various settings. A specific example of the terminal device 50 may be the same as the client PC 10 .

<Hardware configuration example>
FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an example of the computer device 500. As shown in FIG. The client PC 10, print server 30, and terminal device 50 have the hardware configuration of a computer device 500 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer device 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 508, a network I/F 509. , a bus line 510 , a keyboard 511 , a pointing device 512 , a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514 and a media I/F 516 .

Among these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire computer apparatus. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501 such as IPL. A RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501 .

The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading or writing of various data to/from the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501 .

A display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I/F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external device in this case is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, the printer 20, or the like.

A network I/F 509 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. A bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG.

Also, the keyboard 511 is a kind of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, and the like. A pointing device 512 is a kind of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The optical drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data to/from an optical medium 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Any optical media such as CD-ROM, DVD-RW, and Blu-Ray (registered trademark) may be used. A media I/F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data to a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

<<Equipment>>
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a multi-function peripheral that is an example of the printer 20. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 20 includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control section 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I/F 950.

Among these, the controller 910 includes a CPU 901, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, and a storage unit, which are the main parts of the computer. A local memory (MEM-C) 907 , an HDD controller 908 , and an HD 909 as a storage unit, and the NB 903 and ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921 .

Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the printer 20 . The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901, the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and is a memory controller that controls reading and writing with respect to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target. have

The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a, which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b, which is used as a drawing memory for expansion of programs and data, memory printing, and the like. The program stored in the RAM 902b is configured to be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, etc. as a file in an installable format or an executable format. You may

SB 904 is a bridge for connecting NB 903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 906 is an image processing IC (Integrated Circuit) having hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge that connects the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD controller 908, and MEM-C 907, respectively. This ASIC 906 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 907, and multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic. , and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 922 with a scanner section 931, a printer section 932, and a facsimile section. The ASIC 906 may have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface and an IEEE 1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface, and may be connected to these interfaces.

MEM-C 907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and an encoding buffer. The HD 909 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating font data used for printing, and accumulating forms. The HD 909 controls reading or writing of data to or from the HD 909 under the control of the CPU 901 . The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to speed up graphics processing, and can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 902 with high throughput. .

Also, the near field communication circuit 920 is provided with an antenna 920a of the near field communication circuit. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit for NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like.

Furthermore, the engine control section 930 has a scanner section 931 , a printer section 932 and a facsimile section 933 . The operation panel 940 displays a current setting value, a selection screen, and the like, and a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel for receiving input from an operator, and setting values for image forming conditions such as density setting conditions. A hardware key 940b including a numeric keypad for accepting a copy start instruction and a start key for accepting a copy start instruction is provided. The controller 910 controls the entire printer 20, such as drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 940, and the like. The scanner unit 931 or printer unit 932 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

Note that the printer 20 can switch and select the document box function, the copy function, the printer 20 function, and the facsimile function in sequence using the application switching key on the operation panel 940 . The printer 20 is in the document box mode when the document box function is selected, in the copy mode when the copy function is selected, in the printer mode when the printer 20 function is selected, and in the facsimile mode when the facsimile mode is selected.

A network I/F 950 is an interface for data communication using the network N. FIG. A short-range communication circuit 920 and a network I/F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922 .

<About functions>
FIG. 4 is an example of a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the client PC 10 and the print server 30 by dividing them into blocks. First, the overall flow will be briefly explained.

(1) End user A inputs to the application 11 a print operation for data to be printed (document file 12). During a print operation, end user A selects virtual printer driver 14 . The virtual printer driver 14 is a name used to distinguish it from the real printer driver 16 that actually performs printing. Although it looks like a printer driver to the end user, it is used for linking with the real printer driver 16, for example. When the end user A uses the actual printer driver 16, printing is started without spooling to the original spool 41. - 特許庁The presence of the virtual printer driver 14 allows the print server resident program 33 to store EMF data in its own spool 41 .

(2) The GDI (Graphics Device Interface) 13 passes EMF data to the virtual printer driver 14 . EMF data is print data written in GDI commands of Windows (registered trademark). EMF data does not depend on the model of the printer 20 . Since the EMF data is later converted into RAW data specific to the printer 20, it is sometimes called intermediate data.

(3) The virtual printer driver 14 stores EMF data in the EMF spool (for client) 15 .

(4) EMF data saved in the EMF spool (for client) 15 is automatically (almost instantly) sent to the EMF spool (for server) 32 by Windows (registered trademark) using the RPC (Remote Procedure Call) protocol. .

(5) The spooler of the print server 30 (a program that manages and controls the spool) communicates with the spooler of the client PC 10 by RPC, detects that there is a print request, calls the real printer driver 36, and executes EMF Request printing of data. The virtual printer driver 31 does not have its own printing function.

(6) Here, in this embodiment, the print server resident program 33 (an example of print control means) receives a print request and saves the EMF data as a print job in the unique spool 41 . The original spool 41 is not a spool prepared by the OS, but a spool prepared by the printing system 1 of this embodiment. Although the name is spool, any storage means that can be managed by the print server resident program 33 may be used.

The print server resident program 33 of this embodiment sorts print jobs into job groups according to print settings and grouping conditions. That is, the print server resident program 33 distributes EMF data having print settings that meet the grouping conditions to the same job group.

In this way, grouping is performed using EMF data that does not depend on the model.

(7) The printing system 1 also provides a driver setting registration program 40 (an example of condition creating means) for accepting registration or modification of grouping conditions. The administrator C registers or changes grouping conditions in the driver setting registration program 40 . Grouping conditions (distribution table, which will be described later) are stored in the setting information DB 38 .

(8) The print server resident program 33 requests the GDI 35 to execute printing with the real printer driver 36 (an example of printing means) based on the print order of the job groups saved in the unique spool 41 . The print server resident program 33 requests the GDI 35 to print a print job belonging to one job group with priority over print jobs of other job groups.

Upon receiving the request, the GDI 35 retrieves the print job from the original spool 41 and saves it in the real printer driver spool 42 . The real printer driver 36 converts the EMF data in the real printer driver spool 42 into RAW data and saves it in the real printer driver spool 42 .

(9) The spooler of the print server 30 (a Windows (registered trademark) spool management and control program) passes the RAW data of the real printer driver spool 42 to the port monitor 37 . When the port monitor 37 acquires the RAW data, the printer 20 prints it.

<Description of each function>
As shown in FIG. 4, the client PC 10 has an application 11, a GDI 13, a virtual printer driver 14, an EMF spool (client) 15, one or more real printer drivers 16, and a client PC resident program 17. . Print server 30 has virtual printer driver 31 , EMF spool (server) 32 , print server resident program 33 , web application 34 , GDI 35 , one or more real printer drivers 36 , and port monitor 37 . The setting information DB 38 and the external user information DB 39 may be included in the print server 30 or may be on the network.

Hereinafter, among these functions, mainly the functions provided by the printing system 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

<<Application>>
First, the application 11 is software for editing the document file 12 instructed to be printed by the end user. The application 11 may be any application such as a word processor application, a spreadsheet application, or a web browser application.

<<GDI>>
In the Windows (registered trademark) print architecture, print settings and print instructions from the application 11 are notified to the GDI of the OS using an API. This GDI 13 is part of the OS. The GDI 13 takes charge of drawing-related processing such as drawing of straight lines and curves, rendering of fonts, and control of palettes. In this embodiment, the GDI 13 generates EMF data.

<<Virtual Printer Driver>>
The virtual printer driver 14 is installed in the client PC 10 by the end user using the Point&Print function of Windows (registered trademark). The virtual printer driver 14 does not actually print, but requests the print server 30 to print. On the print setting screen of the virtual printer driver 14, the end user designates the real printer driver 16 that actually performs printing.

FIG. 5 is an example of the print setting screen 100 of the virtual printer driver 14. As shown in FIG. The print settings screen 100 of FIG. 5 is displayed when the end user right-clicks the icon of the virtual printer driver 14 and selects "print settings".

A printer name column 101 is a column for the end user to select the actual printer driver 16 from a pull-down menu. The end user can specify any real printer driver 16 regardless of the model of the printer 20 . The actual printer driver 16 already installed in the client PC 10 is displayed in a pull-down menu.

The setting button 102 is a button for the end user to display the print setting screen of the real printer driver 16 currently selected in the printer name column 101 .

When the end user uses the virtual printer driver 14 to print, the print server 30 performs the processing described with reference to FIG.

<<Actual printer driver>>
The actual printer driver 16 is a printer driver used when actually printing from the client PC 10 to the printer 20, but is not used directly in this embodiment. However, in the client PC 10, not only the virtual printer driver 14 on the print server 30 but also all real printer drivers 16 used by end users are installed as network printers (printer drivers installed by Point & Print). Thereby, the end user can display a predetermined screen by pressing the setting button 102 .

<<Client PC resident program>>
The printing system 1 of this embodiment has a direct printing prohibition function. Direct printing means that the end user prints using the real printer driver 16 without using the virtual printer driver 14 .

FIG. 6 is an example of a property screen of the virtual printer driver 14. As shown in FIG. The property screen 110 of FIG. 6 is displayed when the administrator right-clicks the icon of the virtual printer driver 14 and selects "printer properties".

As shown in FIG. 6, in the properties of the virtual printer driver 14, the administrator checks a check box 111 for "prohibit printing using other printer drivers." This prevents end users from printing directly. That is, an error is displayed when attempting to print directly using the actual printer driver 16 .

The client PC resident program 17 realizes the direct printing prohibition function by monitoring the end user's operation.

Note that if the end user has Windows (registered trademark) administrator authority, the client PC resident program 17 can be terminated, so this function may be disabled. Since this setting can be performed only by a Windows (registered trademark) administrator, FIG. 6 must be a property screen, not a print setting screen.

<Functions of the terminal device>
FIG. 7 is an example of a functional block diagram for explaining the functions of the terminal device 50 by dividing them into blocks. The terminal device 50 has a communication section 51 , a display control section 52 and an operation reception section 53 . Each of these functional units is a function or means implemented by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the terminal device 50 . A web browser is assumed for this program, but dedicated software for communicating with the print server 30 may also be used.

The communication unit 51 receives screen information provided by the print server 30 and described in HTML, XML, CSS (Cascade Style Sheet), JavaScript (registered trademark), and the like. The web application 34 is realized by this JavaScript (registered trademark) or the like. The communication unit 51 transmits information input to the terminal device 50 by the administrator or operator to the print server 30 .

The display control unit 52 interprets screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506 . The operation reception unit 53 receives various operations performed by a manager or an operator on various screens displayed on the display 506 .

<<Print server virtual printer driver>>
The virtual printer driver 31 of the print server 30 is the same as that of the client PC 10 .

<<Web application>>
The web application 34 can provide a job group list screen for operators and various screens for administrators, as will be described later.

On the job group list screen, the end user can display print jobs (actually EMF data) on the unique spool 41 for each job group and change the print order of the job groups.

Note that the operator must log in to the web application 34 before using the web application 34 . This is because the web application 34 logs the operation history for each operator so that "who operated the print job or job group" can be confirmed later.

User information of the web application 34 is stored in the external user information DB 39 . The user information in the external user information DB 39 may be provided by the Web application 34 independently of the management function, or may be provided by LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) or the like.

<< original spool >>
On the unique spool 41, print jobs grouped according to print settings and grouping conditions are saved for each job group. For example, in FIG. 4, print jobs are grouped into three job groups 41a according to print setting items such as paper size and copy enhancement. This is because the grouping conditions of paper size and copy enhancement are set in the sorting table, which will be described later. Details will be described later. Note that the copy enhancement is a function of adjusting the strength of impact when printing on impact printer carbon paper or non-carbon paper.

<<Web application and driver setting registration program>>
Since the Web application 34 and the driver setting registration program 40 are closely related, they will be described together.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen for the operator of the web application 34. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows an example of a login screen 120 displayed by the terminal device 50. FIG.

A user name field 121 is a field for an operator or administrator to enter a user name (or user ID).

- The password field 122 is a field for the operator or administrator to enter a password.

FIG. 8B shows an example of the printer selection screen 130 displayed by the terminal device 50 when the login button 124 is pressed (successful login). The printer selection screen 130 displays a list of printers that can be selected by the operator. The printer selection screen 130 has radio buttons 132 corresponding to printer names 131 .

In this embodiment, it is assumed that one printer is connected to the print server 30 and one type of printer driver is installed in the print server 30. Therefore, the printer selection screen 130 in FIG. One printer is displayed.

When the operator selects this printer and presses the Next button 133, a job group list screen is displayed.

FIG. 9 is an example of the job group list screen 140. As shown in FIG. Each item will be explained.

- The radio button 151 accepts selection of a job group by the operator.

- The job group name 141 is the name of the job group of the print job. The printing system 1 manages print jobs for each job group on its own spool 41 .

- The job group status 142 has one of the following statuses.
a. Printing
b. Waiting for printing
c. Stop printing

A print job included in a job group also has a status of "printing", "waiting for printing", or "printing stopped". The "printing" job group has one "printing" print job inside, and all the remaining print jobs are in the "print waiting" state. In the "waiting for printing" job group, all internal print jobs are in the "waiting for printing" state. The job group of "printing stopped" has all the internal print jobs in the "printing stopped" state.

The number of jobs 143 is the number of print jobs that the job group has.

- Either "user created" or "standard" is registered in the job group type 144 . “Created by User” is a job group created based on a distribution table, which will be described later. "Standard" is a job group created based on the paper size of the print job. Note that "non-group job" at the bottom of FIG. 9 is a job group in which print jobs that do not belong to any job group are registered.

• Up button 145 increases the priority in which the job group is printed.

• Down button 146 decreases the priority in which the job group is printed.

The stop button 147 changes the status 142 of the job group to "stop printing". The stop button 147 is valid only when the job group status 142 is "printing" or "waiting for printing". The stop button 147 changes the status of all jobs in the job group to "stop printing". If there is a print job that is "printing", the stop button 147 changes all remaining print jobs to "stop printing" after printing is completed (after the print request to the real printer driver is completed). The state of the print job being "printing" means the state from when the print server resident program 33 starts the operation of retrieving the print job from the original spool 41 to when the print request to the actual printer driver 36 is completed. Point. When the print request to the real printer driver 36 is completed, the print job disappears from the job group. However, the print job may still be “printing” in the print queue of the real printer driver 36 .

- The start button 148 changes the status 142 of the job group to "waiting for printing". The start button 148 is valid only when the job group status is "stop printing". The start button 148 changes the status of all jobs in the job group to "waiting for printing". When the start button 148 is pressed, the status of the job group containing the "printing" job becomes "printing".

When the printing of the "printing" print job is completed and deleted from the job group, it will be as follows.

a. If there is a "Waiting to print" print job in the top-level job group, the status of the top-level "Waiting to print" job in the job group changes to "Printing" and printing starts immediately (actual printer print request to the driver).

b. If there are no remaining print jobs in the top job group, that job group will not be displayed in the job group list (if a job is registered in that job group in the future, it will be displayed again).

c. If the top-level job group status is "Stop printing", the top-level job in the top-level job group in "Waiting for printing" transitions to "Printing", and the status of that job group also changes to "Printing". become "medium".

The edit button 149 is used by the operator to move print jobs between job groups.

A return button 150 is a button for returning to the printer selection screen 130 .

FIG. 10 is an example of a job group edit screen 160 displayed when the edit button 149 is pressed. Note that the operator has already selected a job group using the radio button 151 in FIG. The job group editing screen 160 has an addition target job list column 161 , a registered job list column 162 , an add button 163 and a delete button 164 .

- The addition target job list column 161 displays a list of print jobs that do not belong to the job group. In the addition target job list column 161, print jobs of “non-group jobs” to which print jobs that cannot be assigned to any job group are assigned are displayed.

- The registered job list field 162 displays a list of print jobs registered in the job group.

The add button 163 is a button for registering a print job from the added job list field 161 to the registered job list field 162 .

The delete button 164 is a button for deleting a print job from the registered job list column 162 and moving it to the addition target job list column 161 .

Next, a case where the administrator presses the "Go to administrator screen" button 123 on the login screen 120 of FIG. 8A will be described.

FIG. 11 is an example of the administrator menu screen 170 displayed by pressing the button 123 to the administrator screen. The administrator menu screen 170 is a screen for starting setting of the printing system 1 . The administrator selects “printing system settings” 172 and presses the next button 171 .

FIG. 12 is an example of a printing system setting screen 180 displayed when the Next button 171 is pressed. Each item of the printing system setting screen 180 will be described below.

・"Automatic job group creation" 181
This item is for the administrator to set whether or not the driver setting registration program 40 automatically creates a job group. The radio button 181a accepts a setting for automatically creating a "standard" type job group based on the paper name. The radio button 181b accepts a setting not to accept automatic job group creation.

・"Automatic distribution of jobs to job groups" 182
In this item, the administrator sets whether or not the driver setting registration program 40 automatically distributes print jobs to job groups. The radio button 182a accepts a setting that the driver setting registration program 40 performs automatic sorting. The radio button 182b accepts the setting that the driver setting registration program 40 does not perform automatic sorting.

・"Initial status of distributed jobs" 183
This item is for the administrator to set the initial state of the sorted job. The radio button 183a accepts a setting to set the initial state of the sorted print jobs to waiting for printing. The radio button 183b accepts a setting that the initial state of the distributed print job is to stop printing.

"Initial state of group 'Job not belonging to group'" 184
This item is for the administrator to set the initial state of the "non-group job" group. The radio button 184a accepts the setting that the initial state of the print jobs in the "non-group job" group is to stop printing. The radio button 184b accepts the setting that the initial state of the print jobs in the "non-group job" group is waiting for printing.

"Operation when a new job group transitions to the state of 'printing'" 185
This item is for the administrator to set the operation when a new job group transitions to the "printing" state. When the administrator checks the check box 185a, the driver setting registration program 40 executes the program or script specified in the program field 185b. For example, a program that displays a message prompting the operator to replace paper is specified.

The contents set by the administrator on the printing system setting screen 180 of FIG. 12 are saved in the setting information DB 38 . The saved information is referred to by the web application and the driver setting registration program 40 .

<<Setting Information DB>>
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a distribution key definition and a distribution table. The distribution key definition is a table in which the administrator registers print setting items that serve as keys for distributing print jobs to job groups. The distribution table is a table in which the administrator defines the correspondence between one or more distribution key values and distribution destination job groups. The sorting table determines the grouping conditions. Note that the distribution key definition and the distribution table are stored in the setting information DB 38 .

A distribution key definition and a distribution table are defined for one printer driver.
(1) Sort key definition
(2) Sorting Table FIG. 13(a) is a diagram for explaining sorting key definitions. The distribution key definition defines print setting items (distribution keys) when the print server resident program 33 distributes print jobs to job groups. The hatched cells in the distribution key definition are registered by the administrator using the driver setting registration program 40 . Since the distribution key definition table format is open to the public, the administrator can modify the contents of the created table as necessary. In FIG. 13(a), the key No. = 02, 03, 09 since the activation flag 191 is checked, the print server resident program 33 uses the physical paper size (horizontal and vertical) and "copy enhancement" as a sorting key.

In the case of a normal cut-sheet printer, it is necessary to leave the activation flag (default is ON) of "OS-defined paper ID" (key No. 01), which will be described later, ON. This is because it is necessary for sorting print jobs that use "A4" or "B4 (JIS)". The "OS-defined paper ID" is the identification number of the paper originally managed by the OS, such as "A4" or "B4 (JIS)" ("OS-defined paper ID" is determined by Windows (registered trademark). ing). "Drv/User-defined paper name" contains the paper name defined by the printer driver (such as "15x11 inch form (13.2")") or the user-defined paper name defined by the administrator.

However, depending on the printer driver, only driver-defined paper (such as "15x11 inch form (13.2")") and user-defined paper are supported. In other words, OS-defined paper may not be supported by some printer drivers. Therefore, when sorting jobs based on paper size in the printing system 1 that uses a printer driver that does not support OS-defined paper, the activation flag for "OS-defined paper ID" (key No. 01) may be OFF. FIG. 13A shows an example in which the administrator turns off the activation flag of the OS-defined paper ID.

Each item will be described below.

・Validation flag 191
The activation flag 191 specifies whether the print server resident program 33 actually uses the distribution key corresponding to the activation flag for grouping print jobs. If the activation flag 191 is not ON, even if a sorting key is specified in the sorting table, it will not be used for grouping.

As standard-defined distribution keys, only "OS-defined paper ID" and "Drv/User-defined paper name" are enabled by default (the default is canceled in FIG. 13). The rest are disabled by default.

A user-defined sorting key is added to the sorting key definition by the administrator executing the driver setting registration program 40 . At this time, the initial value of the activation flag is ON.

・Key No. 192
Key No. is the identification number of the distribution key. The key number is automatically numbered by the driver setting registration program 40 . It is used for association with the "distribution table" described later.

・Distribution key name 193
The distribution key name is an attribute that serves as a key for grouping print jobs. The distribution key name 193 is written in characters or the like so that the administrator can understand it. For example, when the validation flag for "OS-defined paper ID" is ON, the print server resident program 33 sorts print jobs with the same OS-defined paper name into one job group. When the validation flags of a plurality of sorting keys are ON, the print server resident program 33 sorts print jobs with the same valid sorting key values into one job group. In the example of FIG. 13(a), a job group in which all the values of "paper width (horizontal)", "paper length (vertical)", and "copy enhancement" are the same are sorted into one job group.

Only one of the "OS-defined paper ID" (dmPaperSize) or the "paper width (horizontal) and paper length (vertical)" (dmPaperWidth and dmPaperLength) is valid in the DEVMODE structure. For paper defined by the OS, such as "A4" and "B4 (JIS)", only the "OS-defined paper ID" is valid (the "paper width (horizontal) and paper length (vertical)" are cleared to zero). (assuming there is For paper defined by the printer driver or the user, such as "15x11 inch form (13.2")", only "paper width (horizontal) and paper length (vertical)" are valid ("OS-defined paper ID" is cleared to zero).

・Key type 194
The key type 194 is either "standard defined" or "user defined". "Standard definition" is a pre-defined sorting key. Administrators do not need to register. The corresponding DEVMODE structure members reside in the standard region. A member is each item that constitutes a structure. “User defined” is a distribution key registered by the administrator using the driver setting registration program 40 . The corresponding DEVMODE structure members reside in the private area.

・Byte position 195 on the DEVMODE structure (an example of position information)
This item indicates the number of bytes in the DEVMODE structure where the distribution key information exists. Byte position 195 on the DEVMODE structure is determined from the Default DevMode in the registry. In the case of the standard definition distribution key, since the byte position is fixed and determined, the value of the byte position has already been entered. See Figures 34-38 for the DEVMODE structure.

・How to get byte position 196
In the case of a user-defined distribution key, the administrator executes the driver setting registration program 40 so that the driver setting registration program 40 determines the byte position and writes it to the distribution key definition. The “tool” in “tool execution” refers to the driver setting registration program 40 .

・Data length 197
For the standard members of the DEVMODE structure, the data length is always short (2 bytes) except for "Drv/User defined form name". In the case of a member of the private area, the data length depends on the printer driver, so the driver setting registration program 40 determines it.

・Default ON/OFF 198
When the driver setting registration program 40 creates the distribution key definition, the activation flags that are ON from the beginning are only "OS defined paper ID" and "Drv/User defined paper name". In the example of FIG. 13(a), the administrator edits the distribution key definition that has already been created, and turns off the activation flags of "OS-defined paper ID" and "Drv/User-defined paper name". . In this example, physical paper size is used as a key to distribute jobs, so there is no need to use "Drv/User-defined paper name" as a distribution key.

・Annotation 199
This item indicates in which member the distribution key name value is registered in the DEVMODE structure.

FIG. 13(b) shows an example of a sorting table. The distribution table defines the correspondence between one or more distribution key values and distribution destination job groups. The hatched cells are registered by the administrator using the driver setting registration program 40 . Since the table format of the "distribution table" is open to the public, the administrator can modify the contents of the created table as necessary.

・ID201
The ID 201 is identification information for each row of the distribution table, and is automatically numbered by the driver setting registration program 40 .

・Distribution key 202
The key No. is defined in the "distribution key definition". The values are specified by the printer driver, but are not open to the public. As will be described later, the administrator can register using the driver setting registration program 40 .

・Distribution destination job group name 203
This item is the name of a job group to which print jobs with all matching distribution key values are to be distributed.

As an example, key No. The values associated with are assumed as follows.
It is assumed that the value 01 of "distribution key No. 02 [paper width (horizontal)]" means "15 inch".

It is assumed that the value 02 of distribution key No. 02 [paper width (horizontal)] means "8.5 inch".

It is assumed that the value 01 of the distribution key No. 03 [paper length (vertical)] means "11 inch".

It is assumed that the value 00 of distribution key No. 09 [copy enhancement] means "no copy enhancement".

It is assumed that the value 01 of distribution key No. 09 [copy enhancement] means "with copy enhancement". ”

<Sorting key definition and creating a sorting table>
The definition of the distribution key and the creation of the distribution table using the driver setting registration program 40 will be described below. The driver setting registration program 40 operates the registry using Windows (registered trademark) administrator authority. Therefore, the driver setting registration program 40 is implemented as a desktop application instead of a web application.

When the administrator starts the driver setting registration program 40, he is first prompted to enter a user name and password.

FIG. 14(a) is a login screen 210 for the administrator to execute the driver setting registration program 40. FIG. A user name or user ID of the administrator is entered in the user name column 211 . A password is entered in the password field 212 . A login button 213 is used by the terminal device 50 to request the driver setting registration program 40 to authenticate using a user name and password.

FIG. 14B shows an example of the printer selection screen 220 displayed when the login button 213 is pressed. In this embodiment, one printer and one type of printer driver are assumed, so a single printer is displayed on the screen in FIG. 14(b). The administrator selects which printer the settings to be made from now on are for. The printer name specified here is stored in the setting information DB 38 in association with the distribution key definition and the distribution table.

FIG. 15 is an example of a table registration screen 230 displayed when the Next button 221 is pressed. The table registration screen 230 has the following three buttons.
(1) "Create standard 'sorting key definition'" button 231
(2) "Add user-defined sorting key to 'sorting key definition'..." button 232
(3) "Create 'sorting table'..." button 233
These buttons are described below.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a case where the "(1) create standard 'sorting key definition'" button 231 is pressed. When this button is pressed, the driver setting registration program 40 automatically creates the "distribution key definition" of FIG. 16 for the designated printer 20. FIG. That is, the driver setting registration program 40 creates a distribution key definition that associates the position and size of the print setting item in the DEVMODE structure with the distribution key (print setting item).

The administrator thinks that "jobs should be grouped by paper name only", and in the printing system setting screen 180 of FIG. (default)" is selected, the necessary operations are completed. Grouping of jobs based on paper names can be easily realized according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 33, which will be described later.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a case where the "(2) Add user-defined sorting key to 'sorting key definition'..." button 232 is pressed. As an example, FIG. 17 describes a case where the administrator adds the last line (No. 09 "copy enhancement") of "distribution key definition".

When the administrator presses the "(2) Add user-defined sorting key to 'sorting key definition'..." button 232, the driver setting registration program 40 registers the contents of the current Default DevMode corresponding to the designated printer driver. is temporarily stored in memory.

The driver setting registration program 40 displays the confirmation screen (part 1) 240 of FIG. On the confirmation screen (No. 1) 240, an explanation 241 of the displayed screen and how to use the screen 242 are displayed.

Screen description 241 is as follows.
・Printer setting screen 250
・Confirmation screen (2) 270

Screen usage 242 is as follows.
"First, click the [Default settings...] button on the printer settings screen, then
Change the setting value used for the sorting key, and click the [OK] button.

Next, enter the name of the sorting key on the "Confirmation screen (2)" and click the [OK] button. ”
When the administrator presses the OK button 243, the screens of FIGS. 19 and 21 are displayed simultaneously.

FIG. 19 is an example of a printer setting screen 250 displayed when the administrator presses the OK button 243. As shown in FIG. The administrator presses the standard setting button 251 .

FIG. 20 is an example of a standard setting screen 260 displayed when the standard setting button 251 is pressed. The standard setting screen 260 is a screen for the administrator to specify a user-defined sorting key. The administrator checks the copy enhancement check box 261 as an example of a user-defined distribution key. That is, the administrator changes the state of the check box 261 for copy enhancement. The administrator presses the OK button 262 .

FIG. 21 is an example of a confirmation screen (part 2) 270 displayed by pressing the OK button 243 . The confirmation screen (part 2) 270 displays the details of subsequent operations and notes 272 . Operation details and notes 272 are as follows.
When this "confirmation screen (2)" is displayed, the "printer setting screen" is displayed at the same time.

First, click the [Standard settings...] button on the "Printer settings screen", change the setting value used for the sorting key, and click the [OK] button.

To change the print settings, click the [Preferences...] button on the [Advanced] tab.

Note that it is not the "Preferences..." button on the "General" tab.

After changing the settings on the printer setting screen and clicking the [OK] button, enter the sorting key name below on this "Confirmation screen (2)" and click the [OK] button ( must be done in this order). ”
If you click the [OK] button on this "Confirmation screen (2)", the setting information after changing the setting values on the "Printer setting screen" will be recorded.

Furthermore, this "driver setting registration program" compares the data before and after changing the setting, and saves the analysis result in the "sorting key definition" of the "setting database". ”
Also, the confirmation screen (part 2) 270 displays a sorting key name column 271 . The administrator can enter a user-defined sorting key name in the sorting key name field 271 . When the administrator clicks the OK button 273 in FIG. 21, the driver setting registration program 40 associates the name of the distribution key with the byte position and length on the registry key (Default DevMode) where the value has changed. Record in "Sorting key definition". As will be explained with reference to FIGS. 34 to 38, the byte position and length on the registry key where the value has changed is the private area in which the "copy enhancement" setting is stored. As described above, (No. 09 "copy enhancement") is added to the last line of the "distribution key definition" in FIG.

If there are multiple distribution keys to be added, the administrator repeats the above operations.

<<Creating a sorting table>>
22 to 31 are diagrams for explaining the case where the "(3) Create distribution table..." button 233 is pressed. A case in which the administrator registers the contents of the "distribution table" in FIG. 22 will be described below.

The administrator repeatedly displays a screen, which will be described later, and registers all the contents of the "distribution table" in FIG. 22 according to the following procedure. Since the table format of the "distribution table" is open to the public, the administrator may create the "distribution table" for only one row, for example, and add the rest of the rows manually.

・ Row of ID 101 in the sorting table
[A] The administrator specifies the distribution destination job group name "15x11 inches (no copy enhancement)".

[A-1] The administrator specifies the distribution key 1 "paper width (horizontal)" (key number is 02).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "15 inches" (value is 01).
[A-2] The administrator specifies the distribution key 2 "Paper length (vertical)" (Key No. is 03).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "11 inches" (value is 01).
[A-3] The administrator designates the distribution key 3 "copy enhancement" (key No. is 09).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "None" (value is 00).

・ Row of ID 102 in the sorting table
[B] The administrator specifies the distribution destination job group name "15x11 inch (with copy enhancement)".
[B-1] The administrator specifies the distribution key 1 "paper width (horizontal)" (key number is 02).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "15 inches" (value is 01).
[B-2] The administrator specifies the distribution key 2 "Paper length (vertical)" (Key No. is 03).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "11 inches" (value is 01).
[B-3] The administrator designates the distribution key 3, "copy enhancement" (key number is 09).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "Yes" (value is 01).

・ID 103 row in the sorting table
[C] The administrator specifies the distribution destination job group name "8.5x11 inch (no copy enhancement)".
[C-1] The administrator specifies the distribution key 1 "paper width (horizontal)" (key number is 02).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "8.5 inches" (value is 02).
[C-2] The administrator specifies the distribution key 2 "Paper length (vertical)" (Key No. is 03).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "11 inches" (value is 01).
[C-3] The administrator designates the distribution key 3 "copy enhancement" (key No. is 09).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "None" (value is 00).

・ Row of ID 104 in the sorting table
[D] The administrator specifies the distribution destination job group name "8.5x11 inch (with copy enhancement)".
[D-1] The administrator specifies the distribution key 1 "paper width (horizontal)" (key number is 02).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "8.5 inches" (value is 02).
[D-2] The administrator specifies the distribution key 2 "Paper length (vertical)" (Key No. is 03).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "11 inches" (value is 01).
[D-3] The administrator designates the distribution key 3, "copy enhancement" (key number is 09).
→ The administrator specifies the corresponding setting value "Yes" (value is 01).

Referring to FIG. 23, the overall flow (above [A] to [D]) for the administrator to create the sorting table will be described. FIG. 23 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the procedure for creating a sorting table. 23 is performed by the client PC 10 executing the driver setting registration program 40. FIG.

First, the administrator operates the client PC 10, so that the client PC 10 displays the table registration screen 230 of FIG. 15 (S1).

Next, the administrator presses the "(3) create a sorting table..." button 233 (S2).

As a result, the client PC 10 displays a sorting table registration screen (part 1) 280, which will be described later (S3).

Next, the administrator enters the name of the job group to which the job is to be assigned, and presses the Next button (S4). As a result, the client PC 10 displays a distribution table registration screen (part 2) 290, which will be described later (S5).

Next, the administrator selects a sorting key and presses the next button (S6).

As a result, the client PC 10 displays a distribution table registration screen (part 3) 300, which will be described later (S7).

Next, the administrator presses an OK button (S8). As a result, the client PC 10 concurrently displays a printer setting screen 310 and a distribution table registration screen (part 4) 330, which will be described later (S9, S11).

Next, the administrator selects a distribution key value on the printer setting screen 310 and presses an OK button (S10).

Further, the administrator presses the OK button on the distribution table registration screen (part 4) 330 (S12).

As a result, the client PC 10 displays a distribution key registration confirmation screen 340, which will be described later, so the administrator determines whether there is another distribution key to be registered in the same distribution destination job group, and presses the Yes or No button. (S13).

When the Yes button is pressed, the driver setting registration program 40 causes the client PC 10 to display the distribution table registration screen (part 2) 290 again.

When the No button is pressed, the client PC 10 displays a distribution destination job group registration confirmation screen 350, which will be described later, so the administrator determines whether or not to register another distribution destination job group, and presses the Yes or No button. is pressed (S14).

When the Yes button is pressed, the driver setting registration program 40 causes the client PC 10 to display the distribution table registration screen (part 1) 280 again.

The driver setting registration program 40 displays the table registration screen 230 on the client PC 10 when the No button is pressed.

The driver setting registration program 40 allows the administrator to register the sorting table by changing the screen in this way.

Below, each screen explained in FIG. 23 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 24 is an example of a sorting table registration screen (part 1) 280 displayed by pressing the “(3) create sorting table...” button 233 . A distribution table registration screen (part 1) 280 has a distribution destination job group name column 281 . The administrator enters a desired (arbitrary) allocation destination job group name and presses the Next button 282 .

FIG. 25 is an example of a sorting table registration screen (part 2) 290 displayed by pressing the next button 282 . The administrator selects a distribution key to be used for distribution to the distribution destination job group input in FIG.

FIG. 26 is an example of a sorting table registration screen (part 3) 300 displayed when the next button 292 is pressed. The distribution table registration screen (part 3) 300 displays an explanation 301 of the displayed screen and how to use the screen 302 .

Screen description 301 is as follows.

・Printer setting screen 310
・Sorting table registration screen (4) 330
The screen usage 302 is as follows.
"First, click the [Default settings...] button on the printer settings screen, then
Set the value to be used for the sorting key, and click the [OK] button.

Next, click the [OK] button on the sorting table registration screen (4). ”
When the administrator presses the OK button 303, the screens of FIGS. 27 and 29 are displayed simultaneously.

FIG. 27 is an example of the printer setting screen 310. As shown in FIG. FIG. 27 is the same as FIG.

FIG. 28 is an example of a standard setting screen 320 displayed when the standard setting button 311 is pressed. On the standard setting screen 320, the administrator designates, for example, the value of the paper size column 321 as the value of the distribution key. The administrator selects “15×11 inch” paper in the paper size column 321 of the standard setting screen 320 . As a result, the paper size "15×11 inches" becomes the value of the distribution key selected on the distribution table registration screen (part 2) 290 of FIG.

FIG. 29 is an example of a distribution table registration screen (part 4) 330 displayed when the OK button 322 is pressed. A distribution table registration screen (part 4) 330 displays the details of subsequent operations and points to note 331 . Subsequent operation contents and notes 331 are as follows.
When the "Sorting table registration screen (4)" is displayed, the "Printer setting screen" is displayed at the same time.

First, click the [Standard settings...] button on the "Printer settings screen", set the values to be used for sorting, and then click the [OK] button.

To change the print settings, click the [Preferences...] button on the [Advanced] tab.

Note that it is not the "Preferences..." button on the "General" tab.

After making settings on the printer setting screen and clicking the [OK] button, click the [OK] button on this "Sorting table registration screen (4)" (be sure to perform the operations in this order).

When you click the [OK] button on this "Sort table registration screen (4)", the setting values of the "Printer setting screen" are recorded in the "Sort table" of the "Setting database". ”
By pressing the OK button 332, the driver setting registration program 40 reads the value on the Default DevMode corresponding to the distribution key name specified by the administrator, records it in the "distribution table", and then displays the following dialog.

FIG. 30 is an example of a distribution key registration confirmation screen 340. As shown in FIG. In the job group name field 341, the distribution destination job group name <"15x11 inches (no copy enhancement)" entered by the administrator in the distribution destination job group name field 281 of the distribution table registration screen (part 1) 280 of FIG. 24, etc. > is included.

When the administrator presses the Yes button 342, the distribution table registration screen (part 2) 290 is displayed again. When the administrator presses the No button 343, the driver setting registration program 40 displays the following dialog. FIG. When the administrator presses the yes button 351, the sorting table registration screen (part 1) 280 is displayed again. When the administrator presses the No button 352, the table registration screen 230 of FIG. 15 is displayed again.

<Overall processing flow of the printing system>
Processing of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 32 is an example of a sequence diagram showing a procedure for allocating print jobs to job groups by the printing system 1 .

S41: The end user uses the virtual printer driver 14 on the client PC 10 to print the document file 12 generated by the application 11. FIG.

S42: The GDI 13 passes the job data (EMF data) generated from the document to the virtual printer driver 14 of the client PC 10. EMF data is stored in the EMF spool (client) 15 .

S43: The virtual printer driver 14 of the client PC 10 sends the EMF data to the virtual printer driver 31 of the print server 30 (moving from the EMF spool (for client) 15 to the EMF spool (for server) 32 using RPC).

S44: The virtual printer driver 31 of the print server 30 stores the EMF data in the EMF spool (server) 32.

S45: The virtual printer driver 31 requests the print server resident program 33 to execute the print job. The print server resident program 33 distributes print jobs stored in the EMF spool (server) 32 to job groups. Details will be described with reference to FIG.

S 46 : The print server resident program 33 moves the print job from the EMF spool (for server) 32 to the original spool 41 .

S47: The operator P operates the web application 34 to change the job group to which the print job belongs. By doing so, the operator P can change the assignment destination of the automatically assigned print job. This operation is not necessarily performed at this timing, and the operation timing is an example.

S48: Web application 34 accepts job group change. The web application 34 notifies the print server resident program 33 of the job group change.

S49: The print server resident program 33 changes the job group to which the print job saved in the unique spool 41 belongs according to the notification from the web application 34.

S50: The print server resident program 33 starts printing the EMF data of the highest priority job group in the original spool 41. The print server resident program 33 starts printing print jobs belonging to one job group in the order of reception date and time. In other words, the print server resident program 33 starts printing for each job group. In other words, the print server resident program 33 preferentially prints print jobs belonging to one job group over print jobs belonging to other job groups.

S51: The print server resident program 33 requests the GDI 35 to print the EMF data by the real printer driver 36 for each job group. Upon receipt of the request, the GDI 35 retrieves the EMF data from the original spool 41 and stores it in the actual printer driver spool 42 .

S52: The real printer driver 36 converts the EMF data in the real printer driver spool 42 into RAW data and saves it in the real printer driver spool 42 again.

S53: The spooler of the print server 30 passes the RAW data of the real printer driver spool 42 to the port monitor 37.

S54: The port monitor 37 inputs the RAW data to the printer 20. This allows the printer 20 to execute the print job and print the RAW data.

As described above, print jobs are grouped without depending on the printer driver of a specific model, and the print server 30 can execute print jobs in units of job groups.

<Distribution of print jobs using a distribution table>
FIG. 33 is an example of a flowchart for explaining print job distribution using a distribution table and a distribution key definition. In the setting information DB 38, "automatically distribute jobs to job groups" is ON.

First, the print server resident program 33 retrieves one print job from the EMF spool (server) 32 (S21).

The print server resident program 33 determines whether a sorting table has been created (exists) (S22).

If the determination in step S22 is Yes, the print server resident program 33 determines whether the print job has the distribution key value registered in the distribution table and the distribution key registered in the distribution key definition is valid. It is determined whether the conversion flag is ON (S23). The print settings of the print job are stored in the DEVMODE structure. The position of the value of the item specified by the distribution key in the DEVMODE structure is registered in the distribution key definition. The print server resident program 33 acquires the print setting item specified at the above location from the DEVMODE structure, and determines whether the EMF data conforms to the sorting table (grouping condition).

If the determination in step S23 is Yes, the print server resident program 33 determines whether or not the allocation destination job group already exists (S24). The distribution destination job group is identified by, for example, the ID of the distribution table.

If the determination in step S24 is Yes, the print server resident program 33 registers the print job in the allocation destination job group of the original spool 41 (S25).

If the determination in step S24 is No, the print server resident program 33 creates a new job group using the assignment destination job group name in the assignment table, and registers the job in the created job group (S24-2).

If the determination in step S22 is No, the print server resident program 33 determines whether or not the "validation flag" of the distribution key definition is in the default state (only key Nos. 01 and 04 are ON) (S26).

If the determination in step S26 is No, the print server resident program 33 causes the client PC 10 to display an error message "If the sorting table has not been created, use the sorting key definition in its default state" (S27). This is because, if there is no distribution table, there is no distribution destination job group, so there are cases where distribution cannot be performed unless the "validation flag" is in the default state. In this case, the print jobs are sorted into non-group jobs.

If the determination in step S26 is YES, the print server resident program 33 determines whether or not the distribution destination job group specified by the paper name of the print job already exists (S28). This is because when the "validation flag" is in the default state, the paper is sorted based on the paper name. Since the job group is assigned a paper name, the print server resident program 33 can determine whether the allocation destination job group has been created.

If the determination in step S28 is Yes, the print server resident program 33 saves the print job in an existing job group having the paper name as the job group name (S29). In this way, the print server resident program can distribute EMF data to job groups without creating a "distribution table" by the administrator.

If the determination in step S28 is No, and if the determination in step S23 is No, the print server resident program 33 "automatically creates a 'standard' type job group based on the paper name" in the setting information DB 38. is selected (S30).

If the determination in step S30 is Yes, the print server resident program 33 creates a new job group having the paper name as the job group name, and saves the print job (S31). Even if the administrator does not define job groups each time, the print server resident program 33 automatically creates job groups based on paper names, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator.

If the determination in step S30 is No, the print server resident program 33 saves the print job as a non-group job (S32).

As described above, the print server resident program 33 can collectively group print jobs having common print settings such as paper size. In this embodiment, the end user or administrator does not need to create "bibliographic information XML describing job attributes".

<About the DEVMODE structure>
The DEVMODE structure will be supplemented below. The DEVMODE structure is a structure on memory that stores print setting information (paper size, number of copies, print orientation, paper feed tray, resolution, etc.) specified by the end user at the time of printing. The DEVMODE structure is provided by the OS, but can also be referenced by the application.

The DEVMODE structure has an area called a private area (extended area). Setting information unique to the printer is saved in this private area.

For example, FIG. 34 shows an example of a print setting screen (basic settings) of a certain printer driver. The end user can make various print settings such as “Paper Size” 321 and “Number of Copies” 323 . The print setting information for these preferences is stored in the standard area of the DEVMODE structure.

FIG. 35 is an example of a print setting screen (extension setting) of a certain printer driver. Information such as "copy enhancement" in FIG. 35 (improving density when copying) is not a function that exists in general printers, so there is no corresponding member in the standard area of the DEVMODE structure. Print setting information related to such extended settings is stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure.

"Paper size" included in the basic settings can also be set by the end user on application-specific setting screens (such as "page settings").

FIG. 36 is an example of a screen where the end user designates the paper size on the "page setting" screen of the spreadsheet software. The specification of "paper size" 361 on the application-specific setting screen and the specification of "paper size" on the driver setting screen displayed from the application are automatically synchronized in many applications and saved in the DEVMODE structure. be done.

For applications that do not synchronize settings, the "paper size" in the application-specific setting screen is generally given priority and saved in the DEVMODE structure (the "paper size" specified in the driver setting screen is ignored). .

By the way, settings such as "paper size" and "enhancement of copy" are performed by the end user by changing the initial values of the settings already displayed on the setting screen at the time of printing. The initial values displayed on the setting screen immediately after installing the printer driver are determined by the printer driver.

The default values displayed on the setting screen can be changed by the system administrator on the "Standard settings" screen of Windows (registered trademark) (The "Standard settings" screen can only be operated by system administrators with administrator privileges. can).
By changing the setting values on the "standard setting" screen, the initial values of the print setting screen displayed by the end user at the time of printing can be changed.
The "Preferences" screen can be displayed by right-clicking the printer on the "Devices and Printers" screen of Windows (registered trademark) and clicking the [Preferences...] button on the [Advanced] tab.

FIG. 37 is an example of the "standard setting" screen operated by the system administrator. The system administrator has changed the initial value of "enhanced copy" 362 from "off" to "on" on the "standard setting" screen. On this screen, when the system administrator checks the check box of "copy enhancement" 362 and presses the [Apply] button, the initial value of "copy enhancement" 362 is changed to "on".

The initial value after change is saved in the following location in the registry.
■ Registry key name:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Print\Printers\(printer name)
■ Registry key value:
Default DevMode
FIG. 38 shows an example of the registry editor screen. "Paper size" and the like are standard members of the DEVMODE structure, so the bytes of the Default DevMode are determined. What value means what kind of paper is also usually fixed (the situation is slightly different for paper defined by the printer driver and user-defined paper, but it can be treated as known in advance). ).

However, printer driver-specific settings such as "copy enhancement" are saved in the private area (extended area) of the DEVMODE structure. Information such as what byte of the Default DevMode 363 is “copy enhancement”, what value is “yes”, and what value is “no” is determined independently by the printer manufacturer and is not open to the public. not

However, by changing and saving the setting of "copy enhancement" on the "standard setting" screen of FIG. and what values are "yes" and what values are "no".

In this embodiment, as described above, the driver setting registration program 40 monitors changes in Default DevMode data and registers setting item values of the printer driver in the "setting database".

<Main effects>
As described above, in the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, the print server resident program 33 collectively groups print jobs having common print settings such as paper size.
Since the print job is EMF data, it is possible to reduce restrictions such as the model and printer driver. Since the actual printer driver 36 executes print jobs in units of groups, it is possible to reduce the number of paper exchanges and improve the operating rate of the printer. Also, an upstream system is not required when viewed from the printer 20 .

Also, the print server resident program 33 automatically acquires print settings such as paper name and paper size from the DEVMODE structure. The end user does not have to set print settings for grouping each time.

Also, in this embodiment, the print server resident program 33 can group print jobs based on the print settings stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure.

<Other application examples>
Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above using examples, the present invention is by no means limited to such examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. and substitutions can be added.

For example, although the roles of the end user, operator, and administrator are specified in this embodiment, any one of the end user, operator, and administrator may perform all the operations described in this embodiment.

Also, the configuration example of FIG. 4 and the like is divided according to the main functions in order to facilitate understanding of the processing by the client PC 10 and the print server 30 . The present invention is not limited by the division method or name of the unit of processing. The processing of the client PC 10 and the print server 30 can also be divided into more processing units according to the content of the processing. Also, one processing unit can be divided to include more processing.

Moreover, the devices described in the examples are only representative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, print server 30 includes multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. Multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other over any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., to perform the processes disclosed herein.

Further, the print server 30 can be configured to share the processing steps disclosed in this embodiment, such as FIG. 32, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a given unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices of print server 30 . Also, the print server 30 may be integrated into one server device, or may be divided into a plurality of devices.

Each function of the embodiments described above may be implemented by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification means a processor programmed by software to perform each function, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, or a processor designed to perform each function described above. Devices such as ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and conventional circuit modules are included.

The GDI 13 is an example of intermediate data generation means, and the print server resident program 33 is an example of print control means. The driver setting registration program 40 is an example of condition creating means.

1 printing system 10 client PC
20 printer 30 print server 50 terminal device

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-113115

Claims (14)

A printing system in which an information processing apparatus prints a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal using an image forming apparatus,
intermediate data generating means for converting data to be printed received from the information processing terminal into intermediate data;
printing control means for allocating the intermediate data to job groups based on print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means;
The print control means prints the plurality of intermediate data assigned to the job group by the image forming apparatus with priority over the intermediate data assigned to another job group.
A printing system having 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein said print control means allocates said intermediate data having said print settings that meet a grouping condition to the same job group. When the intermediate data matches the grouping condition and the job group matching the grouping condition does not exist, the print control means generates the job group to which the intermediate data is to be distributed. 3. The printing system according to item 2. The information processing device provides a web application to the terminal device,
The terminal device displays a screen for accepting settings for automatically generating the job groups via the web application, and accepts settings for automatically generating the job groups from an administrator,
4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein a setting for automatically generating said job group is transmitted to said information processing apparatus. a condition creation means for automatically creating the print setting items;
The condition creation means creates a distribution key definition in which position information of the print setting item in the DEVMODE structure is associated with the print setting item,
The print control means acquires the print setting item specified by the position information from the DEVMODE structure of the intermediate data according to the grouping condition, and determines whether the intermediate data conforms to the grouping condition. 5. The printing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the printing system determines whether. The information processing device provides an application to the terminal device,
the terminal device displays, via the application, a screen for accepting settings of the print setting items stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure, and accepts the settings of the print setting items from an administrator;
sending the settings of the print setting items stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure to the information processing device;
6. A printing system according to claim 5, wherein said condition creating means registers said print setting items stored in a private area of a DEVMODE structure in said distribution key definition. The condition creation means provides position information of the print setting item in the private area of the DEVMODE structure based on the registry key changed when receiving the setting of the print setting item stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the location information is associated with the items of the print settings stored in the private area of the DEVMODE structure. the terminal device displays a screen for accepting the setting of the grouping condition via a web application provided by the information processing device, and accepts the setting of the grouping condition from an administrator;
8. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the grouping condition is transmitted to the information processing device. The terminal device displays a screen for accepting the name of the job group to which the intermediate data is to be distributed, a screen for accepting the print setting items of the sort key definition, and a print setting screen for accepting the values of the items,
The terminal device transmits the name of the job group, the print setting items of the distribution key definition, and the values of the items to the information processing device,
9. The condition creating unit creates the grouping condition by associating the name of the job group, the print setting item of the sorting key definition, and the value of the item. The printing system described in . If the grouping condition does not exist, the print control means assigns the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means to the job group whose name is the paper name of the print settings of the intermediate data. 9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the distribution is performed. When the grouping condition does not exist and the job group whose name is the paper name of the print settings of the intermediate data does not exist,
9. The printing system according to claim 8, wherein said print control means allocates said intermediate data generated by said intermediate data generating means to jobs not belonging to a group. A printing method performed by a printing system in which an information processing apparatus prints a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal using an image forming apparatus,
an intermediate data generating means converting data to be printed received from the information processing terminal into intermediate data;
a step in which print control means sorts the intermediate data into job groups based on the print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means;
a step in which the print control means prints the plurality of intermediate data assigned to the job group with priority over the intermediate data assigned to another job group by the image forming apparatus;
A printing method having An information processing device for printing a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal with an image forming device,
intermediate data generating means for converting data to be printed received from the information processing terminal into intermediate data;
printing control means for allocating the intermediate data to job groups based on print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation means;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the print control unit prints the plurality of intermediate data assigned to the job group by the image forming apparatus with priority over the intermediate data assigned to another job group. An information processing device that prints a print job transmitted from an information processing terminal using an image forming device,
intermediate data generating means for converting data to be printed received from the information processing terminal into intermediate data;
functioning as print control means for allocating the intermediate data to job groups based on the print settings for the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generating means;
A program in which the print control unit prints the plurality of intermediate data assigned to the job group with priority over the intermediate data assigned to another job group by the image forming apparatus.

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