JP3867450B2 - Print control apparatus and computer-readable recording medium on which print control program is recorded - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention is a printing system that performs a printing process on a plurality of print data, stores the plurality of print data, and performs a reprint process based on a reprint request.Printing control deviceAnd a computer-readable recording medium in which a print control program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, a printing system that connects a plurality of client devices and a network-compatible printer via a network and sequentially stores a large number of print data of the client devices in a hard disk or the like of the printer to control printing processing has been widely used. is doing.
[0003]
  As such a printing system, a system that performs a reprint process for specific print data in response to a reprint request is known. That is, the printed print data is stored in a hard disk or the like unless deleted, and when a reprint request is received, the corresponding print data is read and printed out. As a result, if the user transmits the print data only once, the print output can be performed a plurality of times thereafter, and a highly convenient printing system can be realized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in a printing system compatible with the above-described conventional reprinting process, the user tends to keep the print data transmitted for reprinting in the storage unit for a long time without deleting the print data. In addition, as the number of client devices increases, so much print data is held in the storage unit, and the capacity allocated as the print data storage area may be exceeded, resulting in a situation where new print data cannot be stored. It was a problem.
[0005]
  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and unnecessary print data can be automatically deleted without a troublesome operation by the user, so that it is possible to effectively prevent the storage unit from being over capacity.Print control deviceAnother object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium on which a print control program is recorded.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above problem, the printing according to claim 1.Control deviceIs a printing system that performs print processing for multiple print dataIn the printing system including the reprint count setting means for setting the reprint count that is the upper limit of the reprint processing count as the additional information corresponding to each of the plurality of print data, the print processing for the print data is performed. A printing control device for controlling,A storage unit that stores the plurality of print data as a target of reprint processing, and a reprint request is receivedsometimesBy reprint control means for reading print data from the storage means and controlling reprint processing for the print data; and by the reprint control meansResponding to the reprint requestAnd a print data deleting unit that deletes the print data that has reached the reprint number of times from the storage unit.
[0007]
  According to this invention, in the printing system, additional information is associated with each of a plurality of print data, and the number of reprints is set as one of the additional information.And in the print control device,The plurality of print data is once stored in the storage unit, and when a reprint request is received, the corresponding print data is read and reprint processing is performed. For each print dataIn response to reprint requestsWhen the number of reprint processes is counted and the set number of reprints is reached, this print data is deleted from the storage means.
[0008]
  Therefore, capacity is limitedPrint controllerEven when the reprinting process is performed using the storage unit, the print data that has been reprinted a required number of times is automatically deleted from the storage unit. Therefore, the reprint process can be executed as many times as the user desires while securing a free area in the storage unit and avoiding a situation where new print data cannot be stored.
[0009]
  Printing according to claim 2Control deviceThe printing according to claim 1.Control deviceThe reprinting number setting means can change the reprinting number already set for each print data.
[0010]
  According to the present invention, after the reprint count is set for the print data, the set reprint count can be changed to a different value and set again. Therefore, the number of reprints can be easily changed reflecting the user's circumstances and the like, and the print data reprint process and the delete process can be flexibly performed according to the situation.
[0011]
  Printing according to claim 3Control deviceIs the printing according to claim 2Control deviceThe print data deleting means deletes the print data from the storage means when the reprint count for the print data is changed to zero by the reprint count setting means.
[0012]
  According to the present invention, when the number of reprints set for the print data is changed to zero, the print data is deleted from the storage means. Accordingly, even when the scheduled reprinting process becomes unnecessary, the print data can be quickly deleted without being wasted.
[0013]
  Printing according to claim 4Control deviceIs the printing according to claim 2Control deviceAnd a reprint count change prohibiting means for prohibiting the change of the reprint count for each print data.
[0014]
  According to this invention, the change of the reprint count set for the print data is prohibited, and the set reprint count is maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to perform a reprint process and a delete process that can appropriately cope with a case where it is desired to delete the print data after a predetermined number of times, or when it is not desired to perform a print more than a predetermined number.
[0015]
  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the reprint count setting unit does not specify the reprint count by the user. Is characterized in that a predetermined default value is set as the number of reprints.
  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the print control apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the reprint count setting unit varies the default value according to at least one of a user and a type of print data. It is characterized by being set to a value.
  The print control apparatus according to claim 7 further includes a print control unit that controls print processing for print data when a print request is received in the print control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The storage unit stores print data when receiving the print request.
  Claim8Printing described inControl deviceClaim 1 to claim7Printing according to any ofControl deviceThe printing system creates the print dataAnd re-printing number setting meansA client device;AboveA printing control device,Sent by the sending means of the client device as the print requestAdditional information including the number of reprintsas well asReceiving means for receiving print dataFurtherIt is characterized by providing.
[0016]
  According to this inventionCreate print dataClient devicePrint data sent as a print request from the printer and additional information including the number of reprints set in the print dataWhen you receive thisWhen the printing process for the print data is controlled and then a reprint request is received,The reprinting process and the deletion process described above are performed. Therefore, even when a large number of client devices are connected to the print control device via a network or the like,Print controllerA print job can be reliably executed by effectively securing a free space in the storage unit, and each user of the client device can execute a desired reprint process.
[0017]
  Claim9A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing control program described in 1 is recorded is a printing system that performs printing processing on a plurality of print dataControl device for controlling print processing for the print dataAn additional information management means for managing additional information including the number of reprints, which is the upper limit of the number of reprint processes, in association with each of the plurality of print data, and reprinting the plurality of print data Storage control means for storing in a predetermined storage means as a processing target, received a reprint requestsometimesAccording to the reprint control means for reading the print data from the storage means and controlling the reprint processing for the print data, the reprint control meansResponding to the reprint requestThe print data deletion unit that deletes the print data whose number of reprint processes has reached the reprint number from the storage unit is provided.
[0018]
  According to this invention, printingControl deviceWhen the software is started, additional information is managed in association with a plurality of pieces of print data, and the number of reprints is included as one of the additional information. The plurality of print data is once stored in the storage unit, and when a reprint request is received, the corresponding print data is read and reprint processing is performed. For each print dataIn response to reprint requestsWhen the number of reprint processes is counted and the set number of reprints is reached, this print data is deleted from the storage means.
[0019]
  Therefore, capacity is limitedPrint controllerEven when the reprinting process is performed using the storage unit, the print data that has been reprinted a required number of times is automatically deleted from the storage unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide software that performs necessary reprinting processing while securing a free area of the storage unit and avoiding a situation where new print data cannot be stored.
[0020]
  Claim10A computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 1 is provided.9In the computer-readable recording medium on which the printing control program according to claim 1 is recorded, the computer is further caused to function as reprinting number setting means for setting the reprinting number for each of the plurality of print data. .
[0021]
  According to this invention, printingControl deviceWhen the software is started, the number of reprints is set for each of a plurality of print data, and the above-described processing is performed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide software for performing reprint processing on print data by appropriately setting the desired number of times by the user.
[0022]
  Claim11A computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 1 is provided.10In the computer-readable recording medium on which the printing control program described in the above is recorded, the reprinting number setting unit can change the reprinting number that has already been set for each print data.
[0023]
  According to this invention, printingControl unitWhen the software is activated, after the reprint count is set for the print data, the set reprint count can be changed to a different value and set again. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the number of reprints reflecting the user's circumstances and the like, and it is possible to provide software that flexibly executes print data reprint processing and deletion processing according to the situation.
[0024]
  Claim12A computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 1 is provided.11In the computer-readable recording medium in which the print control program according to claim 1 is recorded, the print data deleting means stores the print data when the reprint count for the print data is changed to zero by the reprint count setting means. It deletes from the said preservation | save means, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0025]
  According to this invention, printingControl deviceWhen the software is activated, when the set number of reprints set for the print data is changed to zero, the print data is deleted from the storage means. Therefore, even when the scheduled reprinting process is no longer necessary, it is possible to provide software that performs a quick deletion process without wasting the print data.
[0026]
  Claim13A computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 1 is provided.11The computer is further made to function as a reprint count change prohibiting unit that prohibits the change of the reprint count for each print data.
[0027]
  According to this invention, printingControl deviceWhen the software is activated, the change of the reprint count set for the print data is prohibited, and the set reprint count is maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to provide software for executing a reprinting process and a deletion process that can be appropriately handled when it is desired to delete the print data after a predetermined number of times, or when it is not desired to print more than a predetermined number of times. it can.
  15. A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing control program according to claim 14 is recorded. In the computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to any one of claims 9 to 13 is recorded, the reprint count setting unit is configured so that when the user does not specify the reprint count, A predetermined default value is set as the number of reprints.
  A computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 15 is the computer-readable recording medium recording the printing control program according to claim 14, wherein the reprint count setting means is the default The value is set to a different value according to at least one of the user and the type of print data.
  A computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to claim 16 is recorded is a computer-readable recording medium on which the print control program according to any one of claims 9 to 15 is recorded. When received, the computer further functions as a print control unit that controls a print process for print data, and the storage unit stores the print data when the print request is received.
  A computer-readable recording medium recording the print control program according to claim 17 is the computer-readable recording medium recording the print control program according to claim 16, wherein the printing system creates the print data. And additional information and print data including the reprint count transmitted by the transmission means of the client apparatus as the print request, the client apparatus including the reprint count setting means and the print control apparatus. The computer is further caused to function as receiving means for receiving the signal.
  According to this invention, printingControl deviceWhen you start the softwareCreate print dataClient devicePrint data sent as a print request from the printer and additional information including the number of reprints set in the print dataWhen you receive thisWhen the printing process for the print data is controlled and then a reprint request is received,The reprinting process and the deletion process described above are performed. Therefore, even when a large number of client devices are connected to the print control device via a network or the like,Print controllerA print job can be reliably executed by effectively securing a free space in the storage unit, and each user of the client device can execute a desired reprint process.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a printing system on a network in which a plurality of client devices such as a personal computer and a network printer as a printing control device corresponding to the network are interconnected will be described. Do.
[0029]
  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a network printer 1 and a client device 2 are connected to each other via a network 3 to constitute a printing system. In practice, a plurality of client devices 2 can be connected to the network, but FIG. 1 shows one client device 2 for simplicity.
[0030]
  The network printer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a hard disk 14, a display unit 15, an input unit 16, an interface 17, and a print engine 18. The interface 17 of the network printer 1 is connected to the network 3.
[0031]
  In the above configuration, the CPU 11 comprehensively controls the network printer 1 and executes a control program. The CPU 11 controls print processing in the present embodiment, and also functions as a reprint control unit, a print data deletion unit, and the like according to the present invention.
[0032]
  The ROM 12 stores a print control program, necessary parameters, and the like as fixed data. The RAM 13 temporarily holds data and programs necessary for various processes, and temporarily holds print data transmitted from the client device 2 for data expansion processing and print processing.
[0033]
  The hard disk 14 mainly serves as a storage unit for storing print data transmitted from the client apparatus 2 as a target of reprint processing. A plurality of print data is sequentially stored for each print job in the print data storage area 14a of the hard disk 14, and is deleted according to the processing described later.
[0034]
  Here, a data structure of a plurality of print data stored in the print data area 14a will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, N print data indicated by print data 1, 2 to N are stored in the print data area 14 a in the order of transmission from the client device 2. The area beyond the print data N is an empty area.
[0035]
  As shown in FIG. 2, each print data has header information and a data portion of the print data body. The header information is additional information corresponding to each print data, and is composed of data describing various control information. The print data body is data that is actually output to the print engine 18. In the present embodiment, the data format of the print data created by the client device 2 is various, and in order to conform to the data format that can be actually processed by the print engine 18, for example, conversion processing such as bitmap expansion is performed. After the generated print output data is generated, it is stored in the print data storage area 14a as the print data body. However, the print data before the conversion process may be stored in the print data storage area 14a as the print data main body. In this case, the conversion process is performed as necessary.
[0036]
  In the present embodiment, the number of reprints is one of the data described in the header information. The number of reprints indicates the upper limit of the number of reprint processes for each print data, and is used in the process described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the number of reprints is written in the last part of the header information, for example, “5” for print data 1, “1” for print data 2, and “3” for print data N. ing. As will be described later, the number of reprints for print data is set by the client apparatus 2 and transmitted to the network printer 1 together with the print data. Therefore, this may be extracted and added to the header information.
[0037]
  If the reprint count is not set for the print data, a predetermined default value may be set as the reprint count. This default value can be set to a different value depending on, for example, the user of the client device 2 and the type of print data.
[0038]
  Returning to FIG. 1, the display unit 15 is a means for displaying data and the like associated with the printing process, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The input unit 16 is means for inputting data or commands to the network printer 1, and for example, a key operation unit that is pressed by the user is arranged. In this embodiment, the number of reprints set for each print data can be changed by a key operation from the input unit 16, which will be described later in detail.
[0039]
  The interface 17 performs an interface operation when communicating various data with the client device 2 via the network 3, and enables data transmission to the client device 2 and data reception from the client device 2. The interface 17 functions as a receiving unit of the present invention in combination with the CPU 11.
[0040]
  Under the instruction of the CPU 11, the print engine 18 prints out the print data that has received the print instruction. For example, printing output is performed by an inkjet method or a laser beam method.
[0041]
  Next, the client device 2 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a display unit 25, an input unit 26, and an interface 27. Further, the interface 27 of the client device 2 is connected to the network 3.
[0042]
  In the above configuration, the CPU 21 comprehensively controls the client device 2 and executes various application software. Various types of print data are created by these application software. Further, the CPU 21 also functions as a reprint count setting unit of the present invention.
[0043]
  The ROM 22 stores various programs and necessary parameters as fixed data, and the RAM 23 temporarily holds work data and the like of various programs. Furthermore, the storage unit 24 is a readable / writable memory such as a hard disk, in which various application software is installed.
[0044]
  The display unit 25 is a means for displaying image data or the like, and is configured by, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display. The input unit 26 is a means for inputting data and the like necessary for processing of the client device 2, and is configured by a keyboard, for example.
[0045]
  The interface 27 performs an interface operation when communicating various data with the network printer 1 via the network 3, and enables data transmission to the network printer 1 and data reception from the network printer 1. The interface 27 functions as a transmission unit of the present invention in combination with the CPU 21.
[0046]
  Next, a printing process for print data performed in the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, in order to enable new print output without transmitting the print data once printed out from the client device 2, reprint processing is performed on each print data in the print data storage area 14a. In addition, due to the limitation of the capacity of the hard disk 14, the print data is deleted in order to prevent the empty area from running out when the print data from a large number of client apparatuses 2 are stored one after another. In the following, a detailed description will be given mainly of the reprint process and the delete process among the processes performed in the client device 2 and the network printer 1.
[0047]
  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the client device 2. First, the client apparatus 2 activates predetermined application software and creates print data according to each data format (step S1). It is also possible to use pre-created print data.
[0048]
  Next, the above-mentioned reprint count is set for the created print data (step S2). That is, the upper limit value of the number of times is set in advance in preparation for the user of the client device 2 executing the printing process again after the first printing process. Here, as a method for setting the number of times of reprinting, for example, a setting function can be added to the printer driver, input as a command option can be performed, or the like.
[0049]
  Next, the print data is transmitted from the client device 2 to the network printer 1 via the network 3 (step S3). At this time, the number of reprints set together with the print data is transmitted. Normally, a print request for print data is issued from the client device 2, but for the purpose of simply storing print data in the hard disk 14, it is not necessary to make a print request.
[0050]
  Thereafter, the client device 2 determines whether or not to execute the print data reprinting process (step S4). That is, it waits for an instruction to reprint print data by a predetermined input operation at an appropriate timing, for example.
[0051]
  If the result of determination in step S4 is that there is no reprint instruction (step S4; NO), the process continues to wait. If there is a reprint instruction (step S4; YES), a reprint request is made to the network printer 1 (step S4). S5). Actually, step S4 and step S5 are repeated processes. However, since the print data that has executed the set number of reprints is deleted as will be described later, the client apparatus 2 independently counts the number of reprints in step S5 or determines the print data storage status in the network printer 1. It is necessary to confirm.
[0052]
  Next, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing performed in the network printer 1. First, the print data transmitted from the client device 2 in step S3 is received via the network 3 (step S11). At this time, the received print data is once held in the RAM 13. Since the number of reprints is received together with the print data, it is extracted.
[0053]
  The received print data is sequentially stored in the print data storage area 14a of the hard disk 14 (step S12). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, predetermined control information is written as header information, and appropriate processing such as bitmap expansion is performed to write the print data body. Also, the extracted number of reprints is written as part of the header information.
[0054]
  Next, print processing is performed on the print data based on the print request from the client device 2 (step S13). That is, the print data converted into a predetermined data format is output to the print engine 18. However, the process of step S13 is not performed for print data that has not received a print request.
[0055]
  In addition, you may perform the process of step S12 and step S13 in reverse order. In this case, the print data held in the RAM 13 is first printed, and then the print data is stored in the hard disk 14.
[0056]
  Next, it is determined whether or not a reprint request for print data has been received from the client device 2 (step S14). That is, in order to respond to the reprint request from the client apparatus 2 in step S5, a reprint process described later is executed. If there is no reprint request in step S14 (step S14; NO), it continues to wait for the reprint request while executing other processes.
[0057]
  On the other hand, if there is a reprint request in step S14 (step S14; YES), the print data is read from the print data storage area 14a and reprint processing is executed (step S15). Actually, the same printing process as in step S13 is performed.
[0058]
  Then, 1 is subtracted from the reprint count set in the print data, and the reprint count is updated (step S16). The new reprint count is newly written as the reprint count of the corresponding header information in the print data storage area 14a at an appropriate timing. For example, in the case of the print data 1 in FIG. 2, it is updated to 4 that is obtained by subtracting 1 from the original reprint count 5.
[0059]
  Next, it is determined whether or not the number of reprints updated in step S4 is zero (step S17). If the result of determination in step S17 is that the number of reprints is not zero (step S17; NO), the process returns to step S14 and the same processing is repeated.
[0060]
  On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S17 is that the number of reprints is zero (step S17; YES), the corresponding print data is deleted from the print data storage area 14a (step S18). As a result, the empty area of the print data storage area 14 is increased by the amount of the deleted print data.
[0061]
  In steps S16 and S17, the process of sequentially subtracting 1 from the number of reprints has been described. In addition to this, for example, the number of reprint processes for specific print data is counted and the set reprint is set. Various methods such as determining whether the number of times of printing has been reached can be considered, but there is no substantial difference.
[0062]
  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process for changing the number of reprints performed in the network printer 1. In the present embodiment, the number of reprints set for each print data in the client device 2 can be changed as described above. FIG. 5 shows a process when the number of reprints for the print data already stored in the print data storage area 14a is changed later.
[0063]
  In FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not there is a key operation on the input unit 16 of the network printer 1 (step S21). If any key operation is performed on the input unit 16 as a result of the determination (step S21; YES), it is determined whether or not this is an operation for changing the number of reprints (step S22). On the other hand, when the key operation is not performed on the input unit 16 (step S21; NO), the key operation is kept waiting.
[0064]
  For example, as a key operation for changing the number of reprints to the input unit 16 by the user, after inputting a command code for changing the number of reprints, the number of print data stored in the print data storage area 14a is set. This is done by inputting, selecting specific print data, and inputting a change value for the number of reprints to be newly set. Therefore, in step S22, it can be determined that an operation for changing the number of reprints has been performed based on these input data.
[0065]
  If it is determined in step 22 that the reprint count has been changed (step S22; YES), it is determined whether or not the input reprint count change value is zero (step S23). On the other hand, when the operation for changing the number of reprints is not performed (step S22; NO), the process returns to step S21 and continues to wait for the key operation on the input unit 16.
[0066]
  If the result of determination in step S23 is that the change value is not zero (step S23; NO), this change value is set as the new number of reprints (step S24). That is, the changed number of reprints is written in the corresponding header information of the print data storage area 14a.
[0067]
  On the other hand, if the change value is zero as a result of the determination in step S23 (step S23; YES), the print data to be changed is deleted from the print data storage area 14a (step S25). In other words, as a result of the number of times of reprinting becoming zero, the reprinting process is not performed thereafter, and it is no longer necessary to store the print data in the print data storage area 14a.
[0068]
  In addition, although the process performed by the network printer 1 side was demonstrated in step S21-step S25, you may make it perform the same process by the client apparatus 2 side. In this case, it is necessary to send the reprint count after the change from the client apparatus 2 to the network printer 1.
[0069]
  Further, a means for prohibiting the above-described reprinting number changing process may be provided. For example, a predetermined reprint count change prohibition command may be determined so that it can be input from the input unit 16 of the network printer 1 or the input unit 26 of the client device 2. In this way, if the change in the number of reprints can be prohibited, the number of print outputs can be limited to a certain value, and then the print data can be reliably deleted from the hard disk 14.
[0070]
  As described above, according to the present embodiment, print data in which the number of reprints is set is transmitted from the client apparatus 2 to the network printer 1 and is stored in the print data storage area 14 a of the hard disk 14. When each print data is reprinted in response to a reprint request from the client device, the number of times is counted, and when the reprint of the set number of reprints is completed, the print data is deleted from the print data storage area 14a. I tried to do it. For this reason, the user of the client device 2 does not need to delete itself, and unnecessary print data is automatically deleted, so that it is not necessary to leave print data in the print data storage area 14a that does not need reprinting. Sufficient free space can be secured. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent a situation in which new print data cannot be stored in the print data storage unit 14a, to effectively use the print data, and to construct a highly reliable and convenient print system for the user.
[0071]
  In the present embodiment, a case has been described in which the number of reprints set in the print data received by the network printer 1 is stored as header information in the print data storage area 14a of the hard disk 14 along with the print data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied even in the case where the above-described reprint count is stored and managed in a predetermined storage unit as additional information of print data.
[0072]
  The print control program for causing the above-described print control processing according to the present invention to function can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a floppy disk that can be read by a computer included in the printing system. Then, the print control program according to the present invention is realized by installing the print control program in the computer using the CD-ROM or the like and then starting and executing the program.
[0073]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the present invention, the print data is reproduced in the printing system.printingAfter setting the number of times,The print controller isSince the print data that has been stored in the storage means as the reprint target and the reprint of the reprint count has been executed is deleted, the print data that is no longer required to be reprinted without any cumbersome operation by the user It can be automatically deleted to secure a sufficient free space in the storage means, and the processing of the printing system in which the reprint processing is introduced can be facilitated and the reliability can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a plurality of print data stored in a print data storage area of a hard disk of the printer server according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a client apparatus in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a network printer in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating reprint count change processing performed by a network printer in the printing system according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Network printer
2 ... Client device
3 ... Network
11, 21 ... CPU
12, 22 ... ROM
13, 23 ... RAM
14 ... Hard disk
14a: Print data storage area
15, 25 ... display section
16, 26 ... Input section
17, 27 ... Interface
18 ... Print engine
24. Storage unit

Claims (17)

A printing system that performs a printing process on a plurality of print data, and includes, as additional information corresponding to each of the plurality of print data, a reprint count setting unit that sets a reprint count that is an upper limit of the number of reprint processes. A printing control apparatus for controlling a printing process for the print data in a printing system comprising:
Storage means for storing the plurality of print data as reprint processing targets;
Reprint control means for reading print data from the storage means when receiving a reprint request, and controlling reprint processing for the print data;
A print data deleting unit that deletes, from the storage unit, print data in which the number of reprint processes corresponding to the reprint request by the reprint control unit reaches the reprint number;
A printing control apparatus comprising: The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprint count setting unit is capable of changing the reprint count already set for each print data. 3. The print data deletion unit according to claim 2, wherein the print data deletion unit deletes the print data from the storage unit when the reprint count for the print data is changed to zero by the reprint count setting unit. Print control device . The print control apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a reprint count change prohibiting unit that prohibits a change in the reprint count for each print data. 5. The reprint count setting means sets a predetermined default value as the reprint count when the user does not specify the reprint count. 6. Print control device. The print control apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reprint count setting unit sets the default value to a different value according to at least one of a user and a type of print data. A print control unit that controls a print process for print data when a print request is received;
  The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores print data when the print request is received. The printing system is configured with a client device comprising the reprinting number setting means with creating the print data, and said print control apparatus,
The print control apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a reception unit that receives additional information and print data including the number of reprints transmitted by the transmission unit of the client apparatus as the print request . A computer included in a print control apparatus that controls print processing for the print data in a print system that performs print processing for a plurality of print data;
Additional information management means for managing, in association with each of the plurality of print data, additional information including the number of reprints that is the upper limit of the number of reprint processes;
A storage control unit that stores the plurality of print data in a predetermined storage unit as a target of reprint processing;
Reprint control means for reading print data from the storage means when receiving a reprint request, and controlling reprint processing for the print data;
Print data deleting means for deleting, from the storage means, print data in which the number of reprint processes corresponding to the reprint request by the reprint control means reaches the reprint number;
A computer-readable recording medium on which a printing control program is recorded. 10. The computer-readable record recording a print control program according to claim 9 , further causing the computer to function as a reprint count setting means for setting the reprint count for each of the plurality of print data. Medium. 11. The computer-readable recording medium having a print control program recorded thereon according to claim 10 , wherein the reprint count setting means can change the reprint count already set for each print data. . 12. The print data deletion unit according to claim 11 , wherein when the reprint count for the print data is changed to zero by the reprint count setting unit, the print data deletion unit deletes the print data from the storage unit. A computer-readable recording medium on which a printing control program is recorded. 12. The computer-readable recording medium having a print control program recorded thereon according to claim 11 , wherein said computer is further caused to function as a reprint count change prohibiting means for prohibiting a change in said reprint count for each print data. . 14. The reprint count setting unit sets a predetermined default value as the reprint count when the user does not specify the reprint count. A computer-readable recording medium on which the printing control program is recorded. 15. The computer recorded with the print control program according to claim 14, wherein the reprint count setting means sets the default value to a different value according to at least one of a user and a type of print data. A readable recording medium. Causing the computer to further function as print control means for controlling print processing for print data when a print request is received;
  16. The computer-readable recording medium recording a print control program according to claim 9, wherein the storage unit stores print data when receiving the print request. The printing system includes a client device that creates the print data and includes the reprint count setting unit, and the print control device.
  The print control according to claim 16, further comprising: causing the computer to function as a reception unit that receives additional information and print data including the reprint count transmitted by the transmission unit of the client apparatus as the print request. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded.

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