JP4453357B2 - Print processing apparatus and print processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus that prints document information that is instructed to print based on a print attribute that is set at the time of instructing the print. The present invention relates to a print processing apparatus and a print processing program that can easily set the optimum print attributes.

  Today, with increasing interest in environmental protection in a wide range of fields, various measures for resource-saving printing have been taken in print processing systems to save printing resources such as recording paper and toner.

  As typical examples of printing effective for resource saving, for example, N-up printing for printing image information for N pages on one sheet, double-sided printing for printing image information on both sides of one sheet, and the like. Can be mentioned.

  When such resource-saving printing is performed, it is most common for the user to set a print attribute for the document information when requesting printing of the desired document information.

  However, it is not easy for the user to determine appropriate setting items (print attributes to be set). For example, if there are too many setting items (such as when the N-up number is large), it is effective for resource saving. This resulted in an unclear print result and readability was impaired.

  Conversely, if there are too few setting items (such as when the N-up number is small), the readability can be maintained, but this does not lead to resource saving.

  In addition, the optimal print settings for resource-saving printing differ between document information mainly consisting of images and document information mainly consisting of text. It is difficult for the user to set a proper print attribute.

  Based on this background, there has been a tool for summarizing the cost reduction rate with respect to the print history, but there is no tool that makes the user aware of the reduction rate of the printing cost at the time of the print request.

  In addition, there is a method of setting a print attribute that leads to a reduction in print resources as a default, but in this method, only a fixed print attribute can be set.

  In addition, as a publicly known technique related to print attribute setting at the time of resource saving printing, for example, in Patent Document 1 below, printing can be performed from a print fee and the number of document pages in a charge printing system that can limit print settings of an end user. A technique for acquiring print setting information is disclosed.

Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for searching for an allowable attribute for enlargement / reduction at the time of printing and determining an optimum layout within the attribute.
JP 2002-189576 A JP 2000-357070 A

  However, since the document described in Patent Document 1 does not have a function for automatically adjusting print attributes, it has not been possible to eliminate the complexity of print attribute setting operations by the user when document information is resource-saving printed.

  In addition, since the document described in Patent Document 2 performs printing according to the layout determined in the attribute, the readability of the printed document is guaranteed, but resource saving may not be achieved depending on the value of the allowable attribute. It was.

  As described above, conventionally, it has been difficult to set optimum printing attributes effective for resource saving and readability maintenance, and as a result, there has been a problem that printing satisfying both resource saving and readability maintenance cannot be realized. It was.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, can set optimum printing attributes effective for resource saving and readability without bothering the user, and can easily realize printing satisfying both resource saving and readability maintenance. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print processing apparatus and a print processing program.

To achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention, in the print processing device for printing the document information the print instruction on the basis of the print attribute set when printing instruction, when the print instruction of the document information, reducing Designation means for designating the type of target print resource, the target reduction rate of the print resource, and weight designation for specifying weighting information used for allocation of the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed And the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed corresponding to the weighting information for each page designated by the weight designation unit based on the reduction rate designated by the designation unit. Calculating means for calculating; storage means for storing reduction rate management information in which reduction rate information for each print attribute is set in correspondence with the type of print resource; reduction rate management information stored in the storage means; in front Based on the type of the print resource designated by the designation unit and the reduction rate of each page calculated by the calculation unit, the print attribute satisfying the reduction rate of each page is retrieved, and the retrieved print ; and a print attribute setting means for setting an attribute as a print attribute of said each page.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the specifying unit specifies the reduction rate corresponding to one or a plurality of print resources to be reduced , and the print attribute setting unit includes the printing attribute setting unit. corresponding to the designated one or more print resources by specifying means sets the print attributes.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, wherein the specifying means, a printing resource in the reduction target, specifying at least one of the recording paper or toner.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when the weighting information is not specified by the weight specifying means, the information determination for determining the information type for each page of the document information instructed to be printed. And weighting means for assigning weighting information to each page corresponding to the information type of each page determined by the information determining means, and the calculating means is provided by the weighting means. The reduction rate for each page is calculated corresponding to the weighting information for each page .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the print attribute setting unit presets an addition value of the reduction rate based on the reduction rate of each page calculated by the calculation unit. Corresponding to the same recording sheet based on the delimiter determined by the delimiter determined by the delimiter determined by the delimiter determined by the delimiter determined by the delimiter determined by the delimiter of the recording sheet by associating each page in the vicinity of the reference value sequentially with one recording sheet Correction means for correcting the reduction rate of each page so that the reduction rate of each page becomes the same value, reduction rate management information stored in the storage unit, and print resources designated by the designation unit And the reduction attribute of each page corrected by the correction means, the print attribute satisfying the reduction ratio of each page is searched, and the searched print attribute is the print attribute of each page Set as .

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 1 , wherein a display means for displaying a print preview corresponding to printing based on the print attribute set by the print attribute setting means, and after the print preview display, Weight correction means for correcting weight information for each page in accordance with the designation of weight information by the weight specification means, and the print attribute setting means uses the weight information corrected by the weight correction means to Reset the settings .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the print attribute setting means includes, as the print attribute, a page layout including N-up, double-sided, single-sided, and font size, color, paper size, and paper type. At least one of the toner types is set .

According to the print processing program of the present invention, when the computer is instructed to print document information, the designation means for designating the type of print resource to be reduced and the target reduction rate of the print resource Weighting means for designating weighting information used for allocation of the reduction ratio for each page of the document information, weighting for each page designated by the weight designation means based on the reduction ratio designated by the designation means Calculation means for calculating the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed corresponding to the information, reduction rate management information in which the reduction rate information for each print attribute is set corresponding to the type of print resource Based on the reduction rate management information stored in the storage unit, the type of print resource designated by the designation unit, and the reduction rate for each page calculated by the calculation unit. The searches the printing attributes that satisfies the reduction ratio of each page, to function as a print attribute setting means for setting a print attribute obtained by the search as a print attribute of said each page.

  According to the present invention, when a cost corresponding to a reduction rate of a print resource used for printing is designated by the cost designating means at the time of printing instruction, the print attribute setting means sends the document information instructed to print by the cost designating means. In order to set print attributes that can be printed within the specified cost range, the user simply designates the cost corresponding to the desired resource reduction rate in accordance with the desire to reduce the print resource. Therefore, it is possible to automatically set the optimum printing attributes corresponding to printing that can keep the printing resources within the specified cost range, and it is very easy to save resources without forcing the user to perform complicated printing attribute setting operations. realizable.

  In addition, by automating the print attribute setting process, as in the case where the user himself / herself sets the print attribute, printing that causes too many setting items and impairs readability is performed, or conversely, there are few setting items. Therefore, it is possible to prevent printing that is not suitable for resource saving, and it is possible to easily realize printing that satisfies not only resource saving but also readability.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print processing system 50 according to the present invention.

  The system 50 includes a plurality of client terminals 10 (10a, 10b, 10c,...) Used by a user who prints a document (document information) using this system, and the client terminals 10 and the network 20 via the client terminals 10 (10a, 10b, 10c,. Connected to the print processing apparatus 30 that receives a print request for document information from the client terminal 10 and generates a print job. The print processing apparatus 30 is connected to the print processing apparatus 30 via the network 21. A plurality of printers 40 (40a, 40b, 40c,...) That print out the document information as images based on the print job to be printed.

  The client terminal 10 is realized by, for example, a PC (personal computer) or the like, and includes an input / operation unit, a display unit, a control unit (CPU), and the like (not shown).

  A user who uses the client terminal 10 to access the print processing apparatus 30 to print document information logs in the print processing apparatus 30 by operating the input / operation unit, and then displays it on the display unit of the client terminal 10. A print request operation for designating a printer to be printed, document information to be printed, the number of copies, and the like is performed using the print request screen.

  The print processing apparatus 30 includes a main control unit 31, an application server 32, a print attribute setting unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a display control unit 35.

  The main control unit 31 controls the entire print processing apparatus. As a part of the control, the main control unit 31 displays a login screen on the display unit of the client terminal 10 in response to a login request from the client terminal 10, A login acceptance process for permitting or rejecting login based on a user ID input by the user using the login screen is performed.

  The application server 32 holds various applications having document information processing (document information generation / management / print instruction) functions, and responds to the client terminal 10 in response to a request from the client terminal 10 that has completed the login. Supply application.

  As a result, the client terminal 10 can activate an application held by the application server 32 to generate document information or make a print request for the document information.

  When receiving a document information print request from the client terminal 10, the application server 32 makes a resource-saving print request (printing document information by reducing print resources), which is made by the client terminal 10 as necessary. The configuration is acceptable.

  When there is a print request for desired document information from the client terminal 10 using the above application, the application server 32 generates a print job for the document information to be printed and sends it to the printer 40 (queuing).

  When the client terminal 10 receives a resource-saving print request for the document information when the document information print request is made, the print attribute setting unit 33 prints the print attribute / cost management table 341 provided in advance in the storage unit 34. Referring to the print attribute / cost management information stored in the document information, control is performed to automatically set print attributes capable of realizing resource-saving printing of the document information.

  The storage unit 34 stores various information including an operation program of the print processing apparatus 30 and the like. The storage unit 34 also has a print attribute / cost management table 341 (see FIG. 3) that stores print attribute / cost management information used to set print attributes necessary for resource saving printing when a resource saving print request is received. Is provided.

  For this print attribute / cost management information, for example, the main control unit 31 accepts a setting request made by the user using the client terminal 10, and then prints the print attribute / cost management information sent from the client terminal 10. The attribute / cost management table 341 can be stored.

  The display control unit 35 designates the number of copies to be printed, the printer to be printed, and the like on the display unit of the client terminal 10 in response to a print request operation performed on the print processing apparatus 30 by the user using the client terminal 10. Control to display the print request screen.

  In this system 50, a user logs in to the print processing apparatus 30 using the client terminal 10, accesses the application server 32 after the login is permitted, starts an application held in the application server 32, It is possible to edit desired document information.

  When the user desires to print the document information being edited, for example, the user can perform a predetermined print request operation instructing to open the print request screen on the edit screen of the document information.

  When the print request operation is performed, the display control unit 35 generates a print request screen for the document information, and displays the print request screen on the display unit of the client terminal 10.

  Using the print request screen displayed on the display unit of the client terminal 10, the user can perform operations such as specifying the number of copies of the document information, specifying a printer that performs printing, and a print start instruction.

  In particular, the system 50 is configured to issue a print instruction for resource-saving printing, which is printing that saves printing resources such as paper and toner, using the print request screen.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print request screen 350 displayed on the display unit of the client terminal 10 under the control of the display control unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the print request screen 350, a tool ("printer name" combo box in the figure) 351 for specifying a printer to execute printing, a tool for inputting the number of copies (same as "number of copies to be printed") are input. Box) 352, a tool for inputting a print range (same as “print range” input box) 353, a tool for instructing start of printing (same as “print” button) 358, a tool for instructing cancellation of printing (same as “ In addition to a normal print instruction tool such as “Cancel” button 359, tools 354, 355, 356, and 357 used for resource-saving print instructions to be described later are provided.

  Here, the tool (“resource reduction rate (cost)” input box in FIG. 2) 354 is used to perform resource-saving printing with reduced printing resources such as recording paper and toner when printing desired document information. In addition, this is a cost designation tool that designates, as a cost, the ratio (reduction rate) to which these print resources are to be reduced compared to when the resource saving print setting is not performed. With this cost designation tool 354, the cost (resource reduction rate) of the print resource compared to when the resource saving setting is not performed can be designated by a numerical value (%) such as “50” or “40”.

  Further, the tool (“reduction target resource” combo box) 355 is a reduction target resource designation tool for designating the type of print resource (recording paper, toner, etc.) to be reduced in resource saving printing. The reduction target resource designation tool 355 can designate a print resource as a resource saving target by selecting a desired print resource type from the corresponding combo box.

  A tool ("weighting" input box) 356 is a weighting score for each page used when assigning a cost to each page of document information to be resource-saving printed [the higher the value (score), the heavier] Is a weighting tool for designating. With this weighting designation tool 356, it is possible to designate a numerical value such as “1” or “2” in the corresponding input box as the weighting point (weighting information) of each page.

  A tool (“print preview” button) 357 supports resource-saving printing based on printing attributes automatically set by the printing attribute setting unit 33 based on resource-saving printing instructions using the tools 354, 355, and 356. This is a resource saving print preview instruction tool for instructing display of a print preview (resource saving print preview) to be performed. The tool 357 can instruct display of the resource saving print preview by selecting the corresponding “print preview” button.

  As described above, in the system 50 of the present invention, when resource-saving printing is performed on certain document information, the reduction rate (cost) for which print resource is reduced by using the tools 354 and 355 on the print request screen 350. In this case, the weighting information for each page used for cost allocation can be specified using the tool 356.

  As an example, in FIG. 2, a resource saving print instruction indicating that the paper is reduced to 40% as compared to when resource saving printing is not set is issued. Further, regarding the weighting of each page of the document information to be resource-saving printed, the first page (P1) has a weight score of 1st, 2nd page (P2), 2nd page (P3) 2, ... It is also specified.

  The print processing apparatus 30 prints the document information to be printed when there is an instruction to start resource saving printing in a state where weighting information is not designated using the weighting designation tool 356 at the time of the above resource saving printing instruction. The information type is automatically determined for each page, and the weighting information for each page is automatically calculated according to the determination result.

  As described above, after the resource saving print setting is completed using the print request screen 350, when a print start instruction (pressing the print button 358) is made, the client terminal 10 instructs the print processing apparatus 30 to save the resource saving. Document information to be printed is sent out.

  On the other hand, in the print processing apparatus 30, the application server 32 receives the document information for resource saving printing sent from the client terminal 10 and generates a print job to be queued in the printer 40.

  At this time, the print attribute setting unit 33 relates to the document information to be resource-saving printed, and print resources that fall within the cost range designated by the cost designation tool 354 (the reduction target resource designation tool 355). The print attributes that can be printed are automatically set using the print resource specified by (1).

  In this process, the print attribute setting unit 33 sets the print attribute for each page of the document information, for example, for the document information including a plurality of pages. At this time, the print attribute setting unit 33 sets the print attribute with reference to the print attribute / cost management information stored in the print attribute / cost management table 341 prepared in advance in the storage unit 34.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the print attribute / cost management table 341.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the print attribute / cost management table 341, for example, page layout (N-up, single-sided, double-sided, font size, etc.), color, paper size, paper type, consumable (low toner), etc. are printed. Corresponding to the attribute information, the value of printing cost (reduction rate achieved at the time of printing) based on each print attribute information corresponds to the print resource (in this example, paper and toner). It is remembered.

Here, the value of each cost corresponding to each print attribute is reduced to the extent that each print resource is printed when the print attribute is set compared to when the resource saving print setting is not performed. It is given as a reduction rate (%).
For example, for a print resource of paper, a value of cost = 100% corresponding to the case where the resource saving print setting is not performed is set for the print setting of single-sided printing, whereas the print setting of double-sided printing is set. Is set to a value of cost = 50%, which means that 50% of the resource can be saved compared to when the resource saving printing is not set.

  Similarly, for N-up printing of printing resources such as paper, a value of cost = 100% corresponding to the case where resource-saving printing setting is not performed is set for the printing setting of 1 up (no N-up). On the other hand, the print settings of 2 up, 4 up, and 8 up are 50%, 25%, and 12.5% of resource savings (paper), respectively, compared to the above-mentioned when resource saving printing is not set. Costs that mean it can be accomplished = 50%, 25%, and 12.5% are set.

  As for the print resource of toner, a value of cost = 100% corresponding to the case where the resource-saving print setting is not performed is set for any one-sided print, double-sided print, and 1-up print settings. On the other hand, for the print settings of 2 up, 4 up, and 8 up, 50%, 25%, and 12.5% of the resource saving (toner) are respectively compared to when the resource saving printing is not set. Costs that mean it can be accomplished = 50%, 25%, and 12.5% are set.

  In addition, for a print setting for using low toner relating to a print resource called paper, a value of 100% corresponding to the case where the resource saving print setting is not performed is set, whereas for a print resource called toner. For the print setting to use the low toner, a value of cost = 50%, which means that 50% of the resource saving (toner) can be achieved, compared to when the resource saving printing is not set, is set.

  In the example of FIG. 3, specific values are disclosed only for the cost values corresponding to the print settings of the print side (single side, double side), N up (1 up, 2 up, 4 up, 8 up) and low toner. However, it goes without saying that the corresponding costs are also set for the print settings such as the font size, the color of the image information, the paper size, and the paper type.

  Next, the print attribute setting processing operation of the print attribute setting unit 33 based on the resource saving print instruction will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  This example particularly shows the print attribute setting processing operation when the client terminal 10 uses the print request screen 350 to give a resource saving print setting instruction for, for example, paper.

  During the standby, the print attribute setting unit 33 of the print processing apparatus 30 monitors whether or not the cost for resource saving print setting is input from the client terminal 10 using the print request screen 350 (step S101). ).

  Here, for example, when a cost corresponding to the resource-saving print setting for paper (input using the cost specifying tool 354 and the reduction target resource specifying tool 355 on the print request screen 350) is input (step In step S101, the print attribute setting unit 33 further adds weighting information (input using the weighting designation tool 356 on the print request screen 350) corresponding to the document information to be printed at this time. Is checked (step S102).

  Here, when weighting information is added (YES in step S102), the printing attribute setting unit 33 acquires weighting information for each page of the document information to be resource-saving printed (step S103), and the weighting information is obtained. The process proceeds to the process of calculating the cost for each page of the document information (step S105).

  On the other hand, if weighting information is not added (NO in step S102), the print attribute setting unit 33 uses the information type determination unit (not shown) to display the information type (text, image, etc.) of the resource-saving print target document information at this time. ) For each page, and weighting information for each page is calculated corresponding to the information type of each page determined by the information type determination unit (step S104).

  In this case, there is a method of calculating weighting information that increases the cost for information with a high density of images and characters.

  As described above, after automatically calculating the weight for each page according to the information type, the print attribute setting unit 33 uses the calculated weight information for each page to calculate the cost for each page (step S105). I do.

  In the cost calculation process in step S105, the cost is calculated for each page according to the point ratio of the weighting information of each page.

  The cost calculation formula in this case is given by the following formula (1).

Cost per page (%)
= Number of pages x cost / 100 x number of pages / total number of points x 100 (1)
Next, the print attribute setting unit 33 refers to the cost for each page calculated by the above equation (1), and determines a paper break corresponding to resource saving printing based on the current resource saving printing setting (step S106). ).

  Specifically, the sheet separation is determined based on the number of pages where the added value of the cost for each page calculated in step S105 is 100%. Here, if it is not possible to divide by 100%, it is divided by a page having an addition value close to 100%.

Next, the cost for each page calculated in step S105 is corrected according to the obtained page break (step S107). In this process,
Condition 1 = Total cost for each sheet is 100%.

  Condition 2 = All pages printed on the same sheet have the same cost.

  The cost is corrected so as to meet the two conditions.

  Further, using the cost corrected in step S107, the printing attribute for each sheet is selected so as to be lower than the corrected cost (so as to be within the corrected cost range) (step S108).

  In this process, a print attribute lower than the corrected cost for each page is searched from the print attribute / cost management table 341, and the searched print attribute is selected as a print attribute for each page.

  At that time, when a plurality of printing attributes are applied as the printing attributes of each page (for example, in the case of G in FIG. 5 to be described later, a setting of double-sided and two-up on the first page to the third page) The product of the cost corresponding to the printing attribute is handled as the paper cost.

  Then, while the printing attributes for all pages are not selected (NO in step S109), the processing in step S108 is continued. When the printing attributes for all pages are selected during that time (YES in step S109), each of the selections made so far is performed. The print attribute for each page is set corresponding to each page.

  Regarding the print attribute selection processing in step S108, a priority order is determined in advance for each print attribute, and when there are a plurality of print attributes with the same cost that satisfy the selection condition, the priority order is higher. A method of selecting in order can be applied.

  Next, the print attribute setting process in the print attribute setting unit 33 will be described in more detail with a specific example.

  Here, in order to simplify the description, “cost = 40, reduction target resource = paper” is set to indicate that the document information consisting of the number of pages = 5 is intended to save 40% of the resource for the paper. The case of resource-saving printing will be described.

  Further, in this case, for each page, weighting information such as 1st page = 1, 2nd page = 2, 3rd page = 2, 4th page = 3, 5th page = 1 is designated. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a table showing the transition of each data generated in the main processing steps in FIG. 4 under the above conditions.

  In FIG. 5, A indicates the page configuration (consisting of 5 pages) of document information that is the target of cost input (target of resource saving printing) in step S101.

  B indicates a state in which cost = 40 (%) is designated in step S101 of FIG. 4 for the document information to be resource-saving printed, and C indicates one page in step S103 of FIG. It shows a state in which the weighting information of the first = 1, the second page = 2, the third page = 2, the fourth page = 3, and the fifth page = 1 is acquired.

  After receiving the resource-saving printing instruction under the conditions as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the print attribute setting unit 33 uses the above equation (1) to calculate the cost for each page in step S105 of FIG. calculate. In FIG. 5, D indicates the cost of each page calculated in step S105.

In this example, since the number of pages = 5 and the total number of weighting information = 9, the value of the cost (%) of the first page (weighting = 1) is calculated using the above equation (1),
Calculated as 5 × 40 ÷ 100 × 1 ÷ 9 × 100 = 22.2.

  Similarly, the value of the cost (%) of the second page (weighting = 2), the third page (weighting = 2), the fourth page (weighting = 3), and the fifth page (weighting = 1) is the above (1). ) Are calculated as 44.4, 44.4, 66.7, and 22.2, respectively.

  Next, with respect to the determination of the sheet separation in step S106 in FIG. 4, the print attribute setting unit 33, as shown in E of FIG. The sheet separation is determined so that the first to third pages are set as the first sheet, and the fourth to fifth pages with the added value of cost being 88.9 are set as the second sheet.

  Next, regarding the cost correction in step S107, the print attribute setting unit 33 corrects the value as shown in F of FIG. That is, in this case, the print attribute setting unit 33 applies the conditions 1 and 2 described above for the first to third pages according to the paper break determined in E of FIG. Similarly, for the fourth to fifth pages, the cost of each page is corrected to 50 (%).

  Further, regarding the selection of the print attribute in step S108, the print attribute setting unit 33 selects the print attribute having the contents as shown in G of FIG. That is, in this case, the print attribute setting unit 33 uses the print attribute / cost management table 341 (see FIG. 3) based on the cost of the first to third pages corrected by F in FIG. 5 = 33.3 (%). By searching, a combination of printing attributes (provided that the resource to be reduced = corresponding to the paper) that can achieve cost = 25 (%) satisfying the condition of being within the cost range, for example, duplex printing and 2-up printing And the determined printing attribute (both sides / 2 up) is determined as the printing attribute corresponding to the first to third pages.

  Similarly, for the 4th to 5th pages, by searching the printing attribute / cost management table 341 based on the cost of the 4th to 5th pages corrected in F of FIG. A printing attribute that can achieve a cost satisfying the condition of within the range = 50 (%) (however, the resource to be reduced = corresponding to the paper), for example, double-sided printing is obtained, and the obtained printing attribute (both sides) is set to the 4 It is determined as a print attribute corresponding to ˜5 pages.

  As described above, the printing attributes selected for each page in the setting process flow shown in FIGS. 5A to 5G are set for each corresponding page of the document information to be resource-saving printed in step S110. Is done.

  The print attributes automatically set for each page by the print attribute setting unit 33 are collected as a print job together with the print data of the corresponding document information (resource information for resource saving printing), and from the application server 32 to the printer 40 (print To the printer specified at the time of instruction).

  When the printer 40 receives the print job from the application server 32, the printer 40 prints out the print data in the print job for each page according to the print attributes set corresponding to the page.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an output result of the printer 40 of the document information in which the print attributes are automatically set in the processing flow shown in FIG.

  In this case, in the printer 40, the document information (P1, P2) of the first page and the second page among the document information of the resource-saving print target in which the print attribute setting corresponding to the print attribute selection result shown in G of FIG. P2) is printed 2-up on the front surface of the first sheet, and only the document information (P3) on the third page is printed 2-up on the back side. Next, the document information (P4) of the fourth page is printed 1-up on the front surface of the second sheet, and further, the document information (P5) of the fifth page is printed 1-up on the back side of the second sheet. End the operation.

  Here, the printing resource (paper in this example) reduction rate in the resource-saving printing output result shown in FIG. 6 will be verified.

  As for the document information consisting of five pages as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the document information is printed without performing the resource saving print setting (one-sided printing: cost = 100%), normally five sheets are consumed. The

  In contrast, when the resource saving printing instruction function according to the present invention is used and resource saving printing is performed for the same document information by designating cost = 40 (%), as shown in FIG. Resource consumption by reducing print resources (paper) to 2/5 = 40 (%) when compared with paper consumption 5 when resource-saving print setting is not performed. Can be achieved.

  In the conventional method in which the user himself / herself sets the printing attribute, it is extremely difficult to set the printing attribute that enables 40% resource-saving printing, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. . In particular, in the conventional method, even if a standard for reducing the number of sheets is given, the consciousness of reducing the reduction rate to 40% cannot be reached.

  In this regard, in the present invention, it is possible to perform resource-saving printing that satisfies the desired reduction rate by simply specifying the cost corresponding to the reduction rate desired by the user, considering the reduction rate from the beginning. It is possible to greatly simplify the trouble of determining and setting printing attributes for resource saving printing.

  In the above conventional method, when resource-saving printing of document information consisting of 5 pages, the user gives an indication that the use of 5 sheets of paper should be stopped by using 2 sheets of paper, and the document information consisting of 5 pages is saved. Although it is possible to set printing attributes such that printing on each side of two sheets is performed with 4-up, in this case, the image information of each page after printing becomes too fine and the readability is lowered.

  In this regard, in the present invention, by adding a function of specifying the weight of each page in accordance with the specification of the cost, it is possible to suppress the set up number N from becoming excessive for a page having a large weight value. Can do.

  In the example of the output result of FIG. 6, weighting such as 1, 2, 2, 3, and 1 is performed in order from the first page to the fifth page of the document information to be resource-saving printed, and is shown in G of FIG. 5. As a result, a print output result as shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained.

  According to this print result, the first to third pages are 2-up printed using both sides of the first sheet, and the fourth to fifth pages are respectively 1-up printed using both sides of the second sheet. As a result, the printed image information does not have to be as fine as that in the 4-up printing, and the readability can be maintained.

  In particular, the fourth page having a large weighting information value (number of weight points = 3) can be printed in one up, and the maximum readability can be maintained.

  As described above, in the system of the present invention that automatically sets printing attributes that enable printing that falls within the specified cost range in accordance with the cost specification from the user, the resource saving at the reduction rate that the user is aware of Is very useful for maintaining the readability of image information after printing.

  By the way, there is a situation in which a user designates a target cost and weight, and in a print result output based on a print attribute automatically set in accordance with the designation, a certain page is unsatisfactory from the viewpoint of, for example, readability. Can happen.

  In order to cope with such a situation, the system 50 of the present invention displays a print preview corresponding to printing based on the setting of the print attribute based on the print attribute set by the print attribute setting unit 33, and after the preview display, It has a function of resetting printing attributes using the weights corrected by the weighting designation tool 356.

  That is, in the print processing apparatus 30 according to the present invention, after specifying the cost and weighting information using the print request screen 350 shown in FIG. 2, before the print start instruction, the resource-saving print preview of the print request screen 350 is displayed. When the button 357 is pressed, the display control unit 35 displays on the display unit of the client terminal 10 a print preview corresponding to printing based on the print attribute setting by the print attribute setting unit 33 according to the specification of the cost and weighting information. .

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of the resource saving print preview.

  This resource-saving print preview corresponds to the print attribute setting based on the processing described in FIG. 5, and an image obtained by reducing the image information corresponding to the print result shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  After pressing the resource saving print preview button 357, first, a print preview corresponding to the surface of the first sheet as shown in FIG. 7A is displayed.

  After that, each time the screen is scrolled, a print preview corresponding to the first back surface (FIG. (B)), a print preview corresponding to the second surface (FIG. (C)), the second back surface A print preview (FIG. 4D) corresponding to is sequentially displayed.

  The user looks at the resource-saving print preview and, if satisfied with the print result such as the resource-saving print preview, presses the print button 358 to start resource-saving printing. In the resource-saving printing executed at this time, a printing result as shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when the user sees the resource saving print preview and is not satisfied with the print result such as the resource saving print preview, the user corrects the weight information of each page of the document information using the weight designation tool 356. Perform the operation.

  When this weighting information correction operation is performed, the printing attribute setting unit 33 acquires the corrected weighting information, and then resets the printing attributes through the same processing as steps S105 to S110 in FIG. A resource-saving print preview reflecting the result of resetting the print attributes is displayed.

  The resource-saving print preview displayed at this time has contents corresponding to the print result based on the print attributes reset corresponding to the corrected weighting information.

  Thereafter, the user looks at the resource-saving print preview corresponding to the reset print attribute, and if the print result such as the resource-saving print preview is satisfied, presses the print button 358 to save the resource. By starting printing, it is possible to obtain a printing result according to the reset printing attributes.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the resource saving print preview corresponding to the printing based on the printing attributes set by the printing attribute setting unit 33, and the weighting information by the weight designation tool 356 after the resource saving printing preview is displayed. A function that corrects weighting information in units of pages according to the specification and a function that accepts resetting of print attributes using the corrected weighting information are provided. By re-setting the printing attributes until the image quality is obtained, it is possible to perform resource-saving printing that is more desirable by the user in terms of both reduction rate and readability.

  In the above description, an example is given in which paper is specified as a print resource that is a resource-saving target in the resource-saving print instruction (cost specification) on the print request screen 350, but in the system 50 of the present invention. The resource-saving print setting can be performed corresponding to various print resources including not only paper but also toner and the like.

  Also, resource-saving print settings can be performed by combining a plurality of print resources such as paper and toner.

  FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are diagrams showing display modes of the print request screen 350 when resource saving print settings are performed under conditions different from those in FIG.

  First, FIG. 8 shows a display mode of the print request screen 350 when the cost is specified corresponding to the toner.

  In this example, on the print request screen 350, cost = 40 (%) is input by the cost specifying tool 354, toner is specified by the reduction target resource specifying tool 355, and at the same time, the weight specifying tool 356 The weight points (P1 = 1, P2 = 2, P3 = 2,...) Of each page of the document information to be resource-saving printed are designated.

  As described above, when a resource-saving print instruction for reducing the toner to 40% is given on the print request screen 350 as compared to when resource-saving printing is not set, the print attribute setting unit 33 A process for automatically setting printable print attributes by using toner as a designated print resource within the designated cost range is performed.

  FIG. 9 shows a display mode of the print request screen 350 when the cost is designated corresponding to the toner and the paper.

  In this example, on the print request screen 350, cost = 50 (%) is input by the cost specification tool 354, toner and paper are specified by the reduction target resource specification tool 355, and at the same time, by the weight specification tool 356. The number of weight points (P1 = 1, P2 = 2, P3 = 2,...) Of each page of the document information to be resource-saving printed is designated.

  As described above, when the resource-saving printing instruction for reducing the toner and the paper to 50% is given on the print request screen 350 as compared with the case where the resource-saving printing is not set, the print attribute setting unit 33 Then, processing is performed for automatically setting printable print attributes by using the designated printing resource toner and paper within the designated cost (average value of both toner and paper).

  8 and 9, resource saving printing based on the printing attributes automatically set by the printing attribute setting unit 33 is performed. As a result of the printing, the printing resources designated at the time of resource saving printing setting are designated. Cost savings can be achieved.

  Note that the print attribute automatic setting processing operation according to the cost designation from the cost designation tool 354 in the print attribute setting unit 33 described above is, for example, printing for executing each processing step shown in FIG. For example, the processing program is stored in the main control unit (computer) 31, and the main control unit 31 reads out the print processing program and controls each part of the apparatus such as the print attribute setting unit 33.

  As can be seen from the above-described processing operation, this print processing program is a print processing program for printing document information instructed to print based on the print attributes set at the time of instructing printing. A cost designation step for designating a cost corresponding to the reduction rate of the print resource to be used, and a print attribute setting for setting print attributes for printing the document information instructed for printing within the cost range designated by the cost designation step. A program capable of causing a computer to execute the steps.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, for a model that cannot be set separately for each page during printing, based on the print attributes set by the print attribute setting unit 33, the page designation print function is used to print one document in multiple times. You may make it do.

  In this case, a method of providing a function (display or print output) for outputting the print attribute setting result by the print attribute setting unit 33 as, for example, recommended print settings having contents as shown in FIG. 10 according to a predetermined operation. There is also. As a result, the user refers to the recommended print setting and performs resource saving printing in which one document is divided into a plurality of times while setting print attributes for each page using the page designation print function. It can proceed efficiently.

  The present invention can be applied to all print processing apparatuses that print document information instructed to print based on the print attributes set at the time of print instruction, and the document information instructed to print is in a cost range designated by the cost designation means. By providing a function for automatically setting print attributes that can be printed, printing that satisfies both resource saving and readability maintenance can be easily realized.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print processing system according to the present invention. The figure which shows an example of a printing request | requirement screen. The figure which shows the structure of a printing attribute / cost management table. 6 is a flowchart showing a print attribute setting processing operation of a print attribute setting unit. FIG. 5 is a table showing the transition of each data generated in main processing steps in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an output result of document information when setting print attributes illustrated in FIG. 5. The figure which shows the example of a display of a resource saving print preview. The figure which shows the display mode of the printing request | requirement screen at the time of the resource saving printing setting by conditions different from FIG. The figure which shows the display aspect of another printing request | requirement screen at the time of the resource saving printing setting by conditions different from FIG. The figure which shows the recommended printing setting output mode corresponding to the printing attribute setting result by a printing attribute setting part.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10a, 10b, 10c ... Client terminal, 20, 21 ... Network, 30 ... Print processing apparatus, 31 ... Main control part, 32 ... Application server, 33 ... Print attribute setting part, 34 ... Storage part, 341 ... Print attribute / Cost management table, 35 ... display control unit, 350 ... print request screen, 354 ... cost designation tool, 355 ... reduction target resource designation tool, 356 ... weight designation tool, 357 ... resource saving print preview button, 40, 40a, 40b , 40c ... printer, 50 ... print processing system

Claims (8)

In a print processing apparatus for printing document information instructed to print based on a print attribute set at the time of print instruction,
A designation means for designating a type of print resource to be reduced and a target reduction rate of the print resource when instructing to print the document information ;
Weight designating means for designating weighting information used for allocation of the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed;
Calculation for calculating the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed corresponding to the weighting information for each page designated by the weight designation unit based on the reduction rate designated by the designation unit Means,
Storage means for storing reduction rate management information in which reduction rate information for each print attribute is set corresponding to the type of print resource;
The reduction rate of each page based on the reduction rate management information stored in the storage unit, the type of print resource designated by the designation unit, and the reduction rate of each page calculated by the calculation unit A print processing apparatus comprising: a print attribute setting unit that searches for a print attribute that satisfies the above-described conditions and sets the searched print attribute as a print attribute of each page . The designation means is:
Specify the reduction rate corresponding to one or more print resources to be reduced ,
The print attribute setting means includes:
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print attribute is set corresponding to one or a plurality of print resources designated by the designation unit. The designation means is:
The print processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein at least one of recording paper and toner is designated as the print resource to be reduced. An information discriminating unit for discriminating an information type for each page of the document information instructed to be printed when the weighting information is not designated by the weight designation unit;
Weighting means for assigning weighting information to each page corresponding to the information type of each page determined by the information determining means;
Comprising
The calculating means includes
The reduction rate for each page is calculated corresponding to the weighting information for each page assigned by the weighting means.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The print attribute setting means includes:
Based on the reduction rate of each page calculated by the calculation means, each page where the added value of the reduction rate is in the vicinity of a preset reference value is associated with one recording paper in order to separate the recording paper. Delimiter determining means to determine,
Correction means for correcting the reduction rate of each page so that the reduction rate of each page corresponding to the same recording sheet becomes the same value based on the division determined by the division determination unit;
With
The reduction rate of each page based on the reduction rate management information stored in the storage unit, the type of print resource designated by the designation unit, and the reduction rate of each page corrected by the correction unit The print attribute satisfying the above is searched, and the searched print attribute is set as the print attribute of each page.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1 . Display means for displaying a print preview corresponding to printing based on the print attributes set by the print attribute setting means;
Weight correction means for correcting weight information per page in accordance with designation of weight information by the weight designation means after the print preview display;
Comprising
The print attribute setting means includes:
The print attribute is reset using the weighting information corrected by the weight correcting means.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The print attribute setting means includes:
As the print attribute, at least one of N-up, double-sided, single-sided, page layout including font size, color, paper size, paper type, and toner type is set.
The print processing apparatus according to claim 1 . Computer
A designation means for designating a type of print resource to be reduced and a target reduction rate of the print resource when instructing to print document information;
Weight designating means for designating weighting information used for allocating the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed;
Calculation for calculating the reduction rate for each page of the document information instructed to be printed corresponding to the weighting information for each page specified by the weight specifying unit based on the reduction rate specified by the specifying unit means,
Storage means for storing reduction rate management information in which reduction rate information for each print attribute is set corresponding to the type of print resource;
The reduction rate of each page based on the reduction rate management information stored in the storage unit, the type of print resource designated by the designation unit, and the reduction rate of each page calculated by the calculation unit Print attribute setting means for searching for the print attribute satisfying the condition and setting the searched print attribute as the print attribute of each page
Print processing program to function as.

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