JP4492408B2 - Document distributed distribution system, method and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a distribution management apparatus that receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends a print instruction for the document information to a print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination, and printing from the distribution management apparatus The present invention relates to a distributed document distribution system in which a plurality of print control devices that print out document information instructed to be printed to the distribution destination output device based on an instruction are connected via a network. The present invention relates to a document distribution and distribution system capable of flexibly setting each print setting in conformity with system requirements, a method and a program thereof.

  In a printing system to which various types of printers are connected, the printable area is different for each printer, so it is necessary to set print settings such as a margin and an offset for each printer. As a result, when a request for re-output or the like is generated and the output target printer is changed, the print setting must be changed.

  On the other hand, in a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system in which a print server is installed for each distribution destination where various types of printers are installed, and a print instruction is issued from the distribution management server to each print server, It is necessary to make print settings such as the number of copies, scale, or data merge for each distribution destination, and for the distribution target document information (distribution data), it is also necessary to make print settings such as paper size and paper type for each distribution data. There is.

  In this type of system, it is desirable to have print settings for enabling distributed output that satisfies all the requirements for distribution data, distribution destinations, and distribution destination printers.

  In addition, the technique described in each of the following patent documents is known as a conventional technique for processing print settings and distribution data in order to partially satisfy certain requirements.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for changing an image layout according to a printer.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 discloses a technique for designating a bin number to be discharged in order to sort a print job for each user (group). It is disclosed.

  Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a print control apparatus that transmits print information of a plurality of print settings set for the same document in one print job to an output apparatus, and a control method therefor. Specifically, the basic principle is to generate and integrate print jobs according to the print medium, and plain paper is double-sided and stapled for distribution, but OHP is controlled so as not to be double-sided and stapled. This is a technology for processing print settings depending on the process.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a technique in which a recipient can register print settings in accordance with a document type (formal document, draft document, etc.), and process print data accordingly (mark settings are not processed). ing.

Patent Document 5 discloses a technique for determining whether to perform high-quality printing, medium-quality printing, or low-quality printing according to the customer base.
JP 2000-20510 A JP 2000-357073 A JP 2003-29942 A JP 2003-223297 A JP 2002-99828 A

  However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 are techniques for processing print settings and distribution data in order to partially satisfy certain requirements, and are a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system described above. However, it is not possible to perform print settings that enable distributed output that satisfies all the requirements of distribution data, distribution destinations, and printers of distribution destinations, but after creating composition data for each distribution destination and printer The current situation is to avoid printing by requesting printing to the system.

  Under such circumstances, a method of handling a plurality of different print settings, such as for each distribution destination or each printer, as a lump of data and simultaneously specifying the plurality of print settings is conceivable. When applied to a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system, etc., the print settings for each distribution data, distribution destination, and printer cannot be set in accordance with the system requirements. There is a problem that it is difficult to achieve distributed document distribution according to the customer's operation mode.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can flexibly set print settings for each of a plurality of different targets including print settings for distribution target document information in a form that matches the system requirements, and distributes documents according to customer operation forms. An object of the present invention is to provide a distributed document distribution system, a method and a program that can easily realize distribution.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 accepts a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends out a print instruction for the document information to a print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination. Document distribution formed by connecting a distribution management device and a plurality of print control devices for printing out the document information instructed to print to the distribution destination output device based on a print instruction from the distribution management device via a network In the distributed document distribution program implemented in the distribution management apparatus in the distribution system, print settings are received for each target document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination output device, and each document information Print setting processing for each target set as print setting, distribution destination print setting, output device print setting, print information print setting for distribution target document information received when receiving a distribution instruction, 1 so that the same print setting attribute item does not overlap the distribution destination print setting and the output device print setting preset for the distribution destination in the cloth instruction and the output device of the distribution destination. The distribution management apparatus performs a print setting fusion process for generating a print setting for a print instruction to be added to the print instruction to the print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print setting according to the first aspect, wherein priority is set between the print settings for each object of the document information print setting, the distribution destination print setting, and the output device print setting. The distribution management apparatus further performs print setting priority information management processing for managing priority information, and in the print setting fusion processing, printing in print setting for each target with the highest priority is performed according to the print setting priority information. There is no overlap with the first selection process for selecting the setting attribute item and the print setting attribute item selected by the first selection process during the print setting for each object other than the highest priority print setting for each object. Performing a second selection process for selecting a print setting item and a process for generating the print setting for the print instruction by merging the print setting attribute items selected by the first and second selection processes. Characteristic To.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the priority among the print settings for each target of the print settings for document information, print settings for distribution destinations, and print settings for output devices is set as a print setting attribute item. The distribution management apparatus further performs a print setting priority information management process for managing separately set attribute item-specific print setting priority information, and the print setting fusion process overlaps the print settings for each target to be merged. If there is a duplicate attribute item determination process for determining whether or not there is a print setting attribute item to be performed, and the duplicate attribute item determination process determines that there is a duplicate print setting attribute item, the attribute item-specific print setting priority A print setting attribute item selection process for selecting a print setting attribute item in the print setting for each target with the highest priority for each overlapping print setting attribute item according to the information; A process of generating the print setting for print instruction by fusing the print setting attribute item selected by the selection process and the print setting attribute item not overlapping between the print settings for each target to be merged; Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, in the per-target print setting process, at least one of the attribute items of output paper size, output document type, and output paper type. The document information print setting process for setting the document information print setting specified by associating one attribute item with the distribution target document information, the output ratio including the original output, the maximum output size, and the maximum output size. A distribution destination print setting process for setting the distribution destination print setting in which at least one attribute item among the attribute items of the adaptive output instruction indicating adaptive output is associated with each distribution destination, and output paper The above-mentioned output specified by associating one of the attribute items of size, type of output document, print margin, and finisher type with each distribution destination output device Characterized in that to perform a pair output device printing setting processing for setting the device print settings.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a distribution management apparatus that receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends out a print instruction for the document information to a print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination, and the distribution management In the distributed document distribution system in which a plurality of print control devices that print out the document information instructed to be printed to the output device of the distribution destination are connected via a network based on a print instruction from the device, the distribution management The apparatus accepts a print setting request for each target of document information to be distributed, a distribution destination, and an output apparatus of the distribution destination, and print settings for each document information, print settings for distribution destination, and print settings for output apparatus, respectively. For each target print setting processing means to be set as, to the document information print setting for the distribution target document information received at the time of receiving the distribution instruction, the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the output device of the distribution destination The pre-distribution destination print setting and the output device print setting that are set in advance are merged into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap, and the print control device corresponding to the distribution destination is merged. And print setting fusion processing means for generating print settings for a print instruction to be added to the print instruction.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a distribution management apparatus and a plurality of print control apparatuses are connected via a network, and the distribution management apparatus receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends the distribution instruction to the distribution destination. A print instruction for the document information is sent to the corresponding print control apparatus, and the print control apparatus prints out the document information instructed to print to the output apparatus of the distribution destination based on the print instruction from the distribution management apparatus. In the distributed document distribution method, the distribution management device accepts a print setting request for each target document information, distribution destination, and output device of the distribution destination, and sets document information print settings, Print setting processing step for each target set as distribution destination print setting and output device print setting, and printing of document information for distribution target document information received by the distribution management device when receiving the distribution instruction And the same print setting attribute item for the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the output setting for the distribution destination and the output setting for the output device set in advance for the output device of the distribution destination. A document setting fusion processing step for generating a print setting for a print instruction to be added to the print instruction to the print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination. Distribution method.

  According to the present invention, a print setting request is received for each distribution target document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination output device, and the document information print setting, distribution destination print setting, and output are respectively set. For each target print setting processing function to be set as the apparatus print setting, print setting for document information for the distribution target document information received when the distribution instruction is accepted, the distribution destination in the distribution instruction, and the output device of the distribution destination The pre-distribution destination print setting and the output device print setting that are set in advance are merged into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap, and printing to the print control device corresponding to the distribution destination is performed. Since the distribution management device is provided with a print setting fusion processing function for generating print settings for print instructions to be added to instructions, print settings such as the number of copies and output scale are required for each distribution destination or output device installed at the distribution destination. The On the other hand, even when it is applied to a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system that has a system requirement that the paper size and paper type must be set for each document information to be distributed, Document information print settings), print settings for distribution destination (print settings for distribution destination), print settings for output device (print settings for output device) can be easily set in a form that matches the system requirements, and customer operation Flexible document distribution according to the form can be realized.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a document distribution / distribution system according to the present invention.

  This system includes a client terminal (PC: personal computer) 10 for instructing distribution of document information, a document management server 20 for storing and managing document information (including documents and drawings), and a document instructed for distribution from the client PC 10. A distribution management server 30 that obtains information from the document management server 20 and gives a print instruction to the print server 40 corresponding to the specified distribution destination, and a plurality of print servers 40 (40A, 40B) installed at the respective bases A, B,. ,...) Are connected to each other via a network 90.

  In this system, the print server 40A is installed at a site A (for example, the floor of a trial department of Company A), and is distributed to printers 50A-1, 50A-2, 50A-3,. Connected with.

  Further, the print server 40B is installed at the base B (for example, the floor of the management department of the company A) and is connected to the printers 50B-1, 50B-2, 50B-3,. Has been.

  Similarly, a plurality of print servers 50 (not shown) are installed at each site, and are connected to one or a plurality of printers 50 that are installed at various locations within each site.

  In the system of the present invention having such a configuration, the client PC 10 issues a distribution instruction to the distribution management server 30 specifying the document information to be distributed and the distribution destination (for example, the A company prototype department, the A company management department, etc.). The distribution management server 30 acquires document information to be distributed from the document management server 20 based on the distribution instruction issued from the client PC 10 and print server 40 (40A, 40A, 40B,...), And each print server 40 is based on the print instruction from the output management server 30 and the printer 50 installed at the distribution destination receives the print target document information together with the print instruction. Realizes distributed document distribution processing to be printed out.

  Each printer 50 [(50A-1, 50A-2, 50A-3,...), (50B-1, 50B-2, 50B-3,. Many models are included, and even if they are the same model, they are often operated with different print settings for each department (for example, the company A prototype department or the management department).

  For example, with regard to Company A, it is indispensable for the prototype division to output the drawing data in full size in order to grasp the drawings in detail, but the management division only needs to know the information necessary for management. For convenience, reduced printing is sufficient, and print settings are made for each department in accordance with operational convenience.

  In the system of the present invention, even when a distribution instruction is issued from the client PC 10 side, for example, the output management server 30 is notified of the distribution target in order to realize document distribution in the output form desired by each distribution destination. A processing function for setting print options (hereinafter referred to as print settings) is added for each of a plurality of different objects such as document information, distribution destinations, and distribution destination printers.

  The print settings for each distribution destination and each distribution destination printer are set in advance. On the other hand, if there is a distribution instruction request from the client PC 10, the print settings for the distribution target document information are accepted and accepted. The print setting for the document information, the print setting for the distribution destination set in advance and the print setting for the printer 50 of the distribution destination are merged under a predetermined fusing condition (in the scope of claims) And a processing function for issuing a print instruction for the distribution target document information to the corresponding print server 40 including the final print setting.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the distribution management server 30 according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution management server 30 distributes a communication interface (I / F) unit 31 that controls a communication interface with the client PC 10 and each print server 40 via the network 90, each document information to be distributed. A print setting processing unit 321 for performing print settings for each destination and each printer 50, and a print for generating a final print setting by fusing the print settings for each target set by the target print setting processing unit 321 A distribution management processing unit 323 that performs distribution processing of the distribution target document information to a designated distribution destination based on a distribution instruction received from the client PC 10 via the setting fusion processing unit 322 and the communication I / F unit 31. The control unit 32 that controls the entire apparatus including the print setting integration processing unit 322 generates a final print setting for each piece of document information to be distributed and a distribution destination. And a print setting priority management unit 33 for registering and managing priority information indicating the priority on which of the print settings for each printer 50 is preferentially adopted in the priority information management table 331, and a print setting processing unit for each object A data print setting storage unit 341, a distribution destination print setting storage unit 342, and a printer print setting storage unit 343 that store the print settings for each distribution target document information (data) set by 321, each distribution destination, and each printer 50. A storage unit 34 having

  Next, the per-target print setting process in the per-target print setting processing unit 321 of the control unit 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  The per-target print setting processing unit 321 performs the per-target print setting process in cooperation with the client PC 10 based on the per-target print setting operation on the client PC 10.

  As the print setting operation for each target, the person in charge of distribution causes the display unit to display the setting target selection screen 150 shown in FIG. 4 by appropriately operating the input / operation unit of the client PC 10. In response to the display of the setting target selection screen 150, a print setting request is sent from the client PC 10 to the distribution management server 30.

  After the setting target selection screen 150 is displayed, the person in charge of distribution selects a desired print setting target from the print setting target list (distribution data, distribution destination, printer) displayed on the screen 150 ( Check the radio button corresponding to the desired print setting target), and press the “OK” button. As a result, selection information corresponding to the selected print setting target is sent to the distribution management server 30.

  Further, when the “OK” button is pressed, a print setting screen (not shown) corresponding to the selected print setting target is displayed on the display unit of the client PC 10.

  The person in charge of distribution selects and inputs attribute item information necessary for print settings on the print setting screen and sends each piece of information to the distribution management server 30, thereby causing the print setting processing unit 321 for each target. Thus, print setting processing can be performed for each data (distribution target document information), each distribution destination, or each printer.

  In response to the print setting operation for each target of the client PC 10, the print setting processing unit 321 for each target monitors whether or not there is a print setting request from the client PC 10 (step S101).

  Here, if there is a print setting request (YES in step S101), it continues to analyze the selection information sent from the client PC 10 to check whether the selected setting target is data, distribution destination, or printer. (Step S102).

  As a result of this check, depending on whether the selected setting object is data (pair data in step S102), distribution destination (pair distribution destination in step S102), or printer (pair printer in step S102). The corresponding print setting holding destination (data print setting storage unit 341 of the storage unit 34, distribution destination print setting storage unit 342, printer print setting storage unit 343) is determined (step S103), and then sent from the client PC 10 The incoming print setting attribute item information is received (step S104), and the received print setting attribute item information is stored as a print setting in the print setting holding destination determined in step S103 (step S105).

  Next, the client PC 10 monitors whether or not the setting operation has been completed (step S106). While the setting operation has not been completed (NO in step S106), the processing in steps S102 to S106 is continued to accept another type of print setting. If completed (YES in step S106), the series of print setting processing for each object ends.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the contents of the print setting information for each target stored (set) in the holding area corresponding to each setting target type by the print setting process for each target in FIG.

  FIG. 5A shows the distribution destination print setting stored in the distribution destination print setting storage unit 342 of the storage unit 34 by the distribution destination print setting process in FIG. 3 [the process that has undergone the determination result of (the distribution destination in step S102)]. An example of the print setting information 342a is shown, and FIG. 6B shows the print setting information stored in the printer print setting storage unit 343 of the storage unit 34 by the printer print setting process in FIG. An example of the stored printer print setting information 343a is shown.

  Here, the distribution destination print setting information 342a includes values of attribute items such as an output ratio including the full size output, a maximum output size, and an adaptive output instruction indicating adaptive output so as to be within the maximum output size. The contents are specified in association with.

  Further, the print setting information for printer 343b has contents in which values of attribute items such as output paper size, output document type, print margin, finisher type and the like are associated with each distribution destination printer.

  Note that in the data print setting process in FIG. 3 (the process that has passed the determination result (in step S102), the value of each attribute item such as the output paper size, the output document type, and the output paper type is distributed data ( It is possible to set a data print setting consisting of the contents specified in association with the distribution target document information). With regard to this data print setting process, the print instruction is issued when the client PC 10 issues a print instruction to the distribution management server 30. It is assumed that the processing is performed according to the print setting operation for the distribution data performed in accordance with the above, and the flow of the processing will be described in the document distribution processing (see FIG. 7) in the distribution management server 30 described later.

  In this document distribution process, when the distribution management server 30 receives a distribution instruction from the client PC 10, the distribution management server 30 also receives print settings for the distribution data, and prints the received distribution data (for data print settings) in advance. The final print setting that is added to the print instruction of the distribution data by merging the print setting for the set distribution destination (to the distribution destination print setting) and the print setting for the printer (to the printer print setting) according to a predetermined condition. Is generated.

  Here, as a condition for merging the data print setting, the distribution destination print setting, and the printer print setting, as shown in each embodiment described later, a print setting priority in which a priority among these three print settings is set. There is a method using information (see the first embodiment) and a method using the attribute item-specific print setting priority information in which the priority between the three print settings is set for each print setting attribute item (second embodiment).

  Examples of the present invention will be described below.

  In the distribution management server 30 according to the first embodiment, for example, print setting priority information 331 a having the contents shown in FIG. 6 is set in advance in the priority information management table 331 of the print setting priority management unit 33.

  The print setting priority information 331a shown in FIG. 6 is associated with three different print settings “(print settings for data), (print settings for distribution destinations), and (print settings for printers)”. Information indicating priority (highest priority in the order of priorities 1, 2, and 3) indicating whether to use (select) the print setting is preferentially registered.

  In particular, in this example, the print setting priority information 331a associated with the priorities of print setting for data = priority 1, print setting for distribution destination = priority 2, and print setting for printer = priority 3 is registered. It has been done.

  The setting of the print setting priority information 331a can be realized by cooperative processing between the client PC 10 and the distribution management server 30.

  Specifically, before the distribution management server 30 starts the document distribution process in the procedure described later (see FIG. 7), a setting request is sent from the client terminal 10 to the distribution management server 30 based on a predetermined setting operation by the distributor. The control unit 32 of the distribution management server 30 accepts the above setting request, and then prints the corresponding relationship (see FIG. 6) according to the priority designation for each type of print setting input from the client PC 10. The print setting priority information 331a is registered in the priority information management table 331 of the priority management unit 33.

  After setting the print setting priority information 331a, the distribution management server 30 receives a distribution instruction from the client PC 10 and performs a document distribution process according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Note that the document distribution process in FIG. 7 (the same as the document distribution process in FIG. 10) is performed based on, for example, each function unit (print setting process for each target) in the control unit 32 based on a document distribution and distribution program installed in the control unit 32 The unit 321, the print setting fusion processing unit 322, and the distribution management processing unit 323) share the respective processes and execute them.

  In carrying out the document distribution process shown in FIG. 7, the person in charge of distribution decides which document (distribution target document information: distribution data) and how many copies (number of distribution copies) are to be distributed to the client (distribution destination). Using the PC 10, a distribution instruction specifying the determined distribution destination, distribution data, and number of distributions is generated, and the generated distribution instruction is sent to the distribution management server 30.

  The distribution management server 30 receives the distribution instruction sent from the client PC 10 through the communication I / F unit 31 and passes it to the control unit 32.

  When the control unit 32 receives the print instruction from the client PC 10 (YES in step S201), the control unit 32 activates the print setting processing unit 321 for each target and receives the print setting for the distribution data in the print instruction (step S202).

  In setting the print for the distribution data, the distribution person operates the client PC 10 to display the setting target selection screen 150 (see FIG. 4) on the display unit and select the distribution data as the setting target. Each attribute item information of print setting for distribution data, such as data output size and output paper type, is input.

  In response to the distribution data setting operation on the client PC 10 side, in the distribution management server 30, the target print setting processing unit 321 has passed the determination result of the data print setting process [(data in step S102) in FIG. By processing, the attribute item information input on the client PC 10 side is received, and the attribute item information is stored in the data print setting storage unit 341 of the storage unit 34, whereby the data print setting information 341a (not shown) is displayed. Set as

  At this point, for example, the distribution destination print setting corresponding to the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the printer printing setting corresponding to the distribution destination printer are respectively shown in FIGS. The contents shown in b) are already stored (set) in the distribution destination print setting storage unit 342 and the printer print setting storage unit 343.

  After executing the print setting acceptance and setting process for the data in step S202, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 refers to the print setting priority information 331a set in the priority information management table 331, and sets the highest priority. After specifying the high print setting, each print attribute item of the specified highest priority print setting is selected (step S203).

  Next, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 checks each print attribute item in the print setting other than the print setting with the highest priority specified in step S203, and among these pieces of print setting attribute information, the highest priority is set. If there is a print setting item that does not overlap with each print setting attribute item in the high print setting, the print setting item is selected (step S204).

  Subsequently, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 selects each print attribute item in the print setting with the highest priority selected in step S203 and each print setting attribute in the print setting with the highest priority selected in step S204. Merge the print setting attribute items in the other print settings that do not overlap with the items (that is, merge the three print settings into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap) ) Generate final print settings (step S205).

  Thereafter, the distribution management processing unit 323 obtains document information (actual information) corresponding to data (distribution target document information: file name) included in the distribution instruction received in step S201 from the document management server 20, and in advance. With reference to the set print server / printer allocation management information, a print server 40 corresponding to the output destination also included in the distribution instruction is selected, and the acquired document information is sent to the selected print server 40. Is sent to the print server 40 by sending the print control information added with the final print settings generated in step S205 (step S206).

  On the other hand, when the print server 40 receives the output instruction from the distribution management server 30, the print server 40 selects a printer 50 that matches the print setting (the final print setting) included in the output instruction, and sends the print instruction to the printer 50. Is controlled to print out the document information included in the file according to the print setting.

  According to the series of document distribution processes shown in FIG. 7, when the print setting priority information 331a having the contents shown in FIG. 6 is registered in the priority information management table 331, for example, in step S203, the highest priority is obtained at this time. All the print setting attribute items in the print setting for the high data are selected, and in step S204, the print setting attribute items in the print setting for the data are duplicated from the print setting for the distribution destination and the print setting for the printer. A print setting attribute item that is not to be selected is selected and merged with the print setting attribute item selected in step S203 to generate a final print setting (step S205).

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of print setting fusion processing in the distribution management server 30 in such a case (when the print setting priority information 331a having the highest print setting priority for distribution data is set).

  In this example, after a distribution instruction AAA in which distribution destination = prototype department, distribution data = document AAA, and the number of distributions = 1 is received, the type of output document (= document AAA) ( = A4 size normal document output), output paper size (= A4), output paper type (paper quality) (= plain paper), and print margin (= 5 mm) specified print attribute items (designated) Data print settings) are set.

  At this time, for the distribution destination (= prototype department) in the distribution instruction AAA, the print setting (vs. distribution destination print setting) including the output ratio [= original size output (scale = 100%)] as an attribute item is set. Has been.

  Among the printers A and B installed in the distribution destination (= prototype department), for the printer A, the type of output document (= output as a regular document of A4 size / output as a storage document of A3 size) , A print setting (= print setting for the printer) including the print margin (= 3 mm) as an attribute item is set, and for the printer B, the type of output document (= output as a drawing of A0 size), the finisher type (= paper) A print setting (for printer print setting) including “fold: present” as an attribute item is set.

  In such a setting situation, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 recognizes that “print setting for distribution data” has the highest priority by referring to the print setting priority information 331a shown in FIG. Value of each print setting attribute item in “print setting for distribution data” “output document type (= output as A4 size normal document), output paper size (= A4), output paper quality (= plain paper), print First, “margin (= 5 mm)” is selected.

  Next, check the print settings for distribution destination and the print settings for printer, and print attribute items in “Print settings for distribution destination” that do not overlap with the print setting attribute items in “Print settings for distribution data” selected earlier Value “output ratio [= actual output (scale = 100%)]” is selected.

  Then, by combining these selected printing attribute items, “output document type (= output as A4 size normal document), output paper size (= A4), output paper quality (= plain paper), A final print setting AAA composed of values of the print setting attribute items “print margin (= 5 mm), output ratio [= original size output (scale = 100%)]” is generated.

  Thereafter, the distribution management processing unit 323 receives document information (=) from the document management server 20 with respect to the print server 40A (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the company A prototype section that is the distribution destination included in the current distribution instruction. A print instruction including the document AAA) and the final print setting AAA generated by the print setting fusion processing unit 322 is issued.

  Thereby, in the print server 40A, the final print setting AAA included in the print instruction that satisfies the print setting AAA included in the print instruction from the distribution management server 30 (the printer denoted by reference numeral 50A-1 in FIG. 1). Is executed to print the document information to be printed (= document AAA) on an A4 size plain paper at an equal magnification (scale = 100%) as an A4 ordinary document with a margin of 5 mm. .

  As described above, in this embodiment, the client PC 10 receives a print setting request for each target document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination printer from the client PC 10. The distribution management server 30 is provided with a processing function for setting the destination print setting and the printer print setting. Further, the distribution management server 30 sets the document information print setting for the distribution target document information received when the distribution instruction is received from the client PC 10. And the same print setting attribute item for the distribution destination print setting and the printer print setting preset for the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the printer of the distribution destination respectively. The final print settings are generated by merging them into one, and the final print settings are added to issue a print instruction to the print server 40 corresponding to the distribution destination. As a result, print settings such as the number of copies and output scale are required for each distribution destination or printer 50 installed at the distribution destination, while paper size and paper type are set for each distribution target document information from the client PC 10. Even when applied to a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system that has a system requirement that it is necessary, print settings for document information (for document information print settings), print settings for distribution destinations (for distribution destination print settings) Therefore, it is possible to easily set the three print settings for the printer (for print settings for the printer) in a form that matches the system requirements, and to realize flexible document distribution according to the customer's operation mode.

  In particular, in this embodiment, a priority is set between the three print settings of the document information print setting, the distribution destination print setting, and the printer print setting, and the highest priority print is performed in the above-described print setting fusion processing. Since the print setting attribute item corresponding to the setting type is preferentially selected to generate the final print setting, it is possible to operate which of the three print settings is to be emphasized by associating the priority. It is possible to further increase the adaptability to the fusion setting that matches the system requirements of the setting.

  In the distribution management server 30 (referred to as 30B for convenience) according to the second embodiment, for example, by print setting item having the contents shown in FIG. 9 in the priority information management table 331 of the print setting priority management unit 33. The priority information 331b is set in advance.

  The priority information 331b by print setting item shown in FIG. 9 gives priority to any print setting among the three print settings “(print setting for data), (print setting for distribution destination), and (print setting for printer)”. Priority information indicating whether to use (select) is registered in association with each print setting attribute item.

  In particular, in this example, it is defined (priority definition :) that priority is applied corresponding to each print setting attribute item of paper size, paper quality, scale (output scale), print margin, and paper folding. Corresponding to each print setting attribute item, the print setting for data, the print setting for the distribution destination, and the priority between the print settings for the printer (priority in order of priority 1, 2, 3) are set. Yes.

  The priority information 331b for each print setting item can also be set by the cooperative processing between the client PC 10 and the distribution management server 30, as with the print setting priority information 331a according to the first embodiment.

  After setting the priority information 331a for each print setting item, the distribution management server 30B receives a distribution instruction from the client PC 10 and performs a document distribution process according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In the document distribution process in FIG. 10, the processes in steps S301 and S302 are the same as the processes in steps S201 and S202 in FIG.

  In the distribution management server 30 according to the present embodiment, after receiving the print setting for the data and setting processing in step S302, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 prints the data (print setting for data: data printing). Stored in the setting storage unit 341), the distribution destination print setting corresponding to the distribution destination in the distribution instruction received in step S 301 (stored in the distribution destination print setting storage unit 342), and the printer of the distribution destination The printer print setting (stored in the printer print setting storage unit 343) corresponding to is checked (step S303), and it is checked whether there are duplicate print setting attribute items among these three print settings (step S303). Step S304).

  If it is determined that there are duplicate print setting attribute items among the three print settings (YES in step S304), the print setting fusion processing unit 322 uses the duplicate print setting attribute item as a key for each print setting item. The priority information 331b (see FIG. 9) is searched to identify the highest priority print setting corresponding to the print setting attribute item, and the highest of the overlapping print setting attribute items recognized in step S304. A print setting attribute item having a high priority print setting is selected (step S305).

  Subsequently, the print setting fusion processing unit 322 checks whether or not there are other duplicate print setting attribute items (step S306), and if there is another (next) duplicate print setting attribute item (step S306). (S306 YES), returning to step 305, the print setting attribute item having the highest priority among the duplicate print setting attribute items is selected (step S305), and the next duplicate print setting attribute item is present thereafter. As long as this is done (step S306 YES), the process is continued.

  During this time, if it is determined that the next duplicate print setting attribute item does not exist (YES in step S306), the print setting fusion processing unit 322 displays the print attribute items selected so far in step S305 (each having the highest priority). Each value of the print setting attribute item of the print setting is merged with the value of the print attribute item that does not overlap among the three print settings (that is, the same print setting attribute item overlaps the three print settings). The final print settings are generated by merging them into one so as not to occur (step S307).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that there are no duplicate print setting attribute items among the three print settings (NO in step S304), the print setting fusion processing unit 322 merges the print setting attribute items of the three print settings. The final print setting is generated (step S308).

  After generating the final print settings in step S307 or S308, the distribution management processing unit 323 performs document information (actual information) corresponding to data (document information: file name) included in the distribution instruction received in step S301. ) From the document management server 20 and referring to the preset print server / printer allocation management information, the print server 40 corresponding to the output destination also included in the distribution instruction is selected, and the selected A print instruction is given to the print server 40 by sending print control information obtained by adding the final print settings generated in step S307 or S308 to the acquired document information (see FIG. 4). Step S309).

  On the other hand, when the print server 40 receives the output instruction from the distribution management server 30, the print server 40 selects a printer 50 that matches the print setting (the final print setting) included in the output instruction, and sends the print instruction to the printer 50. Is controlled to print out the document information included in the file according to the print setting.

  According to the series of document distribution processes shown in FIG. 10, when the priority information 331b (see FIG. 9) for each print setting item is registered in the priority information management table 331, the three print settings are set in step S304. If it is determined that there is an overlapping print setting attribute item (YES in step S203), each corresponding print in the print setting with the highest priority is set for each of the one or more overlapping print setting attribute items. A setting attribute item is selected (step S305), and each selected print setting attribute item is merged with non-overlapping print setting attribute items in the three print settings to generate a final print setting (step S307). It will be.

  11 and 12 show such a case (the attribute item-specific print setting priority information 311b in which the priority between the three print settings for each target is set for each print setting attribute item is set, and the three prints are displayed. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of print setting fusion processing in the distribution management server 30 when there are duplicate print setting attribute items between settings).

  Here, FIG. 11 shows a flow in the case of accepting a distribution instruction in which the A company prototype department is designated as the distribution destination, and FIG. 12 is a case in which the distribution instruction in which the A company management department is designated as the distribution destination. Shows the flow.

  In FIG. 11, before receiving a distribution instruction from the client PC 10 in which the A company prototype department is designated as the distribution destination, the distribution management server 30 sends an output ratio [= actual output (scale = 100%) to the A company prototype department. )] As an attribute item is set.

  Among the printers A and B installed in the company A prototype department, for the printer A, the type of output document (= output as a regular document of A4 size / output as a storage document of A3 size), print margin ( = 3mm) is set as an attribute item (print setting for printer), and for printer B, the type of output document (= output as A0 size drawing) and finisher type (= paper folding: yes) Is set as an attribute item (print setting for printer).

  Further, in the priority management table 311, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, for the paper size, print settings for the distribution destination (print setting for distribution destination), print settings for the printer (print setting for printer), and data The priority is higher in the order of print settings (vs. data print settings), and the paper quality is higher in the order of v. Data print settings, v. Destination print settings, v. Printer print settings, and the scale is v. Destination print settings. The priority is higher in the order of the data print setting and the printer print setting. For the margin and the paper folding, the instruction contents having the higher priority in the order of the printer print setting, the data print setting, and the distribution destination print setting, respectively. The priority information 311b for each print setting item is set.

  Under such a setting environment, for example, a distribution instruction AAA in which distribution destination = prototype department, distribution data = document AAA, and the number of distribution copies = 1 is accepted, and is output to the distribution data (= document AAA). Print settings (vs. data print settings) in which print attribute items such as document type (= output as an A4 size normal document), output paper size (= A4), and output paper type (paper quality) (= plain paper) are specified. ) Is set, each print setting attribute item included in the three print settings of the corresponding data print setting, the already set destination print setting and the printer print setting has priority for each print setting item. As a result of selection in descending order of priority based on the priority of each print setting attribute item among the three print settings set in the degree information 311b, “output document type (= output as an A4 size normal document” ), Output paper size (= A4), output paper quality (= plain paper), output ratio [= original size output (scale = 100%)], print margin (= 3 mm) ” A final print setting AAA configured is generated.

  Similarly, a distribution instruction AAB in which distribution destination = prototype department, distribution data = document BBB, and the number of distribution copies = 2 is accepted, and the type of output document (= document BBB) When print settings (for data print settings) in which print attribute items of output paper size (= A3) and output paper type (= perforated paper) are specified are set. Is “output document type (= output as A3 size archived document), output paper size (= A3), output paper quality (= perforated paper), output ratio [= original output (scale = 100%)] , “Print margin (= 3 mm)” is generated, and a final print setting AAB including the values of the print setting attribute items is generated.

  In addition, a distribution instruction AAC in which distribution destination = prototype department, distribution data = drawing CCC, distribution number = 3 copies is accepted, and the type of output document (= A0) for the distribution data (= drawing CCC). When print settings (for data print settings) in which print attribute items such as output paper size (= A0) and output paper type (= plain paper) are specified are set, Output document type (= output as A0 size drawing), output paper size (= A0), output paper quality (= plain paper), output ratio [= original size output (scale = 100%)], finisher type (= A final print setting AAC including the values of the print setting attribute items “paper folding: present)” is generated.

  Each time the distribution management server 30 receives each of the above distribution instructions, the print setting set processing unit 322 generates a final print setting corresponding to each of the distribution instructions, and then the distribution management processing unit 323 performs the distribution instruction. The document information acquired from the document management server 20 and the final generated by the print setting fusion processing unit 322 with respect to the print server 40A (refer to FIG. Print instructions including print settings.

  Thereby, in the print server 40A, the printer A (printer denoted by reference numeral 50A-1 in FIG. 1) or the printer B (reference numeral 50A-2 in FIG. 1) that satisfies the print settings included in the print instruction from the distribution management server 30 is displayed. The printer to be attached is driven according to the final print setting included in the print instruction, thereby performing output control for printing the print target document information with specifications satisfying the final print setting.

  In FIG. 12, before receiving a distribution instruction in which the company A management department is designated as the distribution destination from the client PC 10, the distribution management server 30 sends the maximum output size (= A3) and the maximum output size to the company A management department. The print setting (adaptive destination print setting) including an adaptive output instruction (= A3 or higher fits to A3) as an attribute item is set.

  For the printer A installed in the management department of company A, the type of output document (= output as an A4 size normal document / output as an A3 size archived document / output as an A0 size drawing), print margin ( = 3 mm) is set as an attribute item (print setting for printer).

  Under such a setting environment, for example, a distribution instruction BBA in which distribution destination = administration department, distribution data = document AAA, and the number of distribution copies = 1 is accepted, and is output to the distribution data (= document AAA). Print settings (vs. data print settings) in which print attribute items such as document type (= output as an A4 size normal document), output paper size (= A4), and output paper type (paper quality) (= plain paper) are specified. ) Is set, each print setting attribute item included in the three print settings of the corresponding data print setting, the already set destination print setting and the printer print setting has priority for each print setting item. As a result of selection in descending order of priority based on the priority for each print setting attribute item among the three print settings set in the degree information 311b (in the contents of FIG. 9), “output document type (= A4 size Print setting attributes such as “output as continuous document), output paper size (= A4), output paper quality (= plain paper), output ratio [= original size output (scale = 100%)], print margin (= 3 mm)”. A final print setting BBA composed of the item values is generated.

  Similarly, a distribution instruction BBB in which distribution destination = management department, distribution data = document BBB, and the number of distribution = 2 is specified is accepted, and the type of output document (= document BBB) is output for the distribution data (= document BBB). When print settings (for data print settings) in which print attribute items of output paper size (= A3) and output paper type (= perforated paper) are specified are set. Is “output document type (= output as A3 size archived document), output paper size (= A3), output paper quality (= perforated paper), output ratio [= original output (scale = 100%)] , “Print margin (= 3 mm)” is generated as a final print setting BBB including values of the print setting attribute items.

  Also, a distribution instruction BBC in which distribution destination = administration department, distribution data = drawing CCC, number of distribution = 3 copies is accepted, and the type of output document (= A0) for the distribution data (= drawing CCC). When print settings (for data print settings) in which print attribute items such as output paper size (= A0) and output paper type (= plain paper) are specified are set, Print setting attribute items such as “output document type (= output as A0 size drawing), output paper size (= A3), output paper quality (= plain paper), scale (= fit), margin (= 3 mm)” A final print setting BBC composed of the values is generated.

  Each time the distribution management server 30 receives each of the above distribution instructions, the print setting set processing unit 322 generates a final print setting corresponding to each of the distribution instructions, and then the distribution management processing unit 323 performs the distribution instruction. The document information acquired from the document management server 20 and the final setting generated by the print setting fusion processing unit 322 with respect to the print server 40B (see FIG. 1) corresponding to the company A management department that is the distribution destination included in FIG. Print instructions including print settings.

  As a result, the print server 40B drives the printer A that satisfies the print settings included in the print instruction from the distribution management server 30 (the printer denoted by reference numeral 50B-1 in FIG. 1) according to the final print settings included in the print instruction. As a result, output control is performed to print the document information to be printed with specifications satisfying the final print setting.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, the three print settings of the data print setting, the distribution destination print setting, and the printer print setting are received separately, and the same print setting attribute item is duplicated in these three print settings. In order to create a final print setting and instruct printing to be merged into one so as not to occur, as in the first embodiment, even when applied to a large-scale concentrated drawing / distribution system or the like, The same effect as that of the first embodiment is achieved in that the three of print setting, destination print setting, and printer print setting can be easily set in conformity with the system requirements.

  In particular, in the second embodiment, the print setting item priority information 331b in which the priority between the three print settings is set for each print setting attribute item is used, and the three print settings are being processed during the print setting fusion process described above. For each attribute item, the print setting attribute item corresponding to the print setting with the highest priority is selected for each attribute item, and the final print setting is generated collectively. In order to grasp the drawings in detail, it is necessary to output the drawing data in full size, while the management department has different operation modes for each customer such that rough printing is necessary to suppress the information necessary for management Even in the case of mixed, it is possible to flexibly cope with the distributed document distribution processing according to the operation mode of each customer by associating the priority between the print settings for each print setting attribute item.

  The present invention can be applied to a large-scale centralized drawing / distribution system and the like, and the same print setting attribute item is duplicated for each target print setting for each of the distribution target document information, the distribution destination, and the distribution destination output device. By providing a function for generating print settings for print instructions by merging them into one so that they do not occur, the print settings for each target can be set flexibly in a form that matches the system requirements.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a document distribution / distribution system according to the present invention. The block diagram which shows the function structure of a distribution management server. The flowchart which shows the print setting process for every object in the print setting process part for every object. The figure which shows the example of a display of a setting object selection screen. The figure which shows the setting content of a destination printing setting and a printer printing setting. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating setting contents of print setting priority information according to the first embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating document distribution processing of the distribution management server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of print setting integration processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating setting contents of print setting priority information according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating document distribution processing of the distribution management server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of print setting fusion processing when receiving distribution instructions for a certain distribution destination according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of print setting fusion processing when receiving distribution instructions for different distribution destinations according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Client terminal (PC), 150 ... Setting object selection screen, 20 ... Document management server, 30 ... Distribution management server, 31 ... Communication interface (I / F) part, 32 ... Control part, 321 ... Print setting process for every object , 322... Print setting fusion processing unit, 323... Distribution management processing unit, 33... Print setting priority management unit, 331... Priority information management table, 331 a .. print setting priority information, 331 b. Information 34... Storage unit 341... Data print setting storage unit 342. Distribution destination print setting storage unit 342 a .. distribution destination print setting information 343... Printer print setting storage unit 343 a. 40A, 40B ... print server, 50, 50A-1, 50A-2, 50A-3, 50B-1, 50B-2, 50B-3 ... printer, 90 ... network Work

Claims (6)

Based on a distribution management device that receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends a print instruction for the document information to a print control device corresponding to the distribution destination, and a print instruction from the distribution management device, Document distribution / distribution program installed in the distribution management device in a document distribution / distribution system in which a plurality of print control devices for printing out the document information instructed to be printed to the output device of the distribution destination are connected via a network In
Accepting print settings for each target of document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination output device, and targets to be set as document information print setting, distribution destination print setting, and output device print setting, respectively Every print setting process,
Document information print setting for distribution target document information received at the time of receiving distribution instruction, and distribution destination print setting and output device set in advance for the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the output device of the distribution destination, respectively. The print settings are merged into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap, and the print setting for the print instruction to be added to the print instruction to the print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination is generated. A distributed document distribution program that causes the distribution management device to perform print setting fusion processing. Print setting priority information management processing for managing print setting priority information in which priority is set between print settings for each target of the document information print setting, the distribution destination print setting, and the output device print setting. Let the device do more,
In the print setting fusion process,
A first selection process for selecting a print setting attribute item in the print setting for each target with the highest priority according to the print setting priority information;
A second selection process for selecting a print setting item that does not overlap with the print setting attribute item selected by the first selection process in the print setting for each target other than the print setting for each target other than the highest priority print setting;
The document distribution and distribution program according to claim 1, wherein the print setting attribute item selected by the first and second selection processes is merged to generate the print instruction print settings. Print setting priority for managing print setting priority information for each attribute item in which the priority among the print settings for each target of the print setting for document information, the print setting for distribution destination, and the print setting for output device is set for each print setting attribute item Further causing the distribution management device to perform degree information management processing,
In the print setting fusion process,
A duplicate attribute item determination process for determining whether or not there is a duplicate print setting attribute item between the print settings for each target to be merged;
If it is determined by the duplicate attribute item determination process that there is a duplicate print setting attribute item, printing for each target with the highest priority is performed for each duplicate print setting attribute item according to the attribute item print setting priority information. Print setting attribute item selection processing for selecting the print setting attribute item being set;
A process for generating the print setting for the print instruction by fusing the print setting attribute item selected by the print setting attribute item selection process and the print setting attribute item not overlapping between the print settings for each target to be merged; The document distributed distribution program according to claim 1, wherein: In the print setting process for each target,
Document information print setting process for setting the document information print setting in which at least one attribute item of the output paper size, output document type, and output paper type attribute items is associated with distribution target document information. When,
The output ratio including the full size output, the maximum output size, and at least one attribute item of each attribute item of the adaptive output instruction indicating adaptive output so as to be within the maximum output size is specified in association with each distribution destination Distribution destination print setting processing for setting distribution destination print settings;
The output device print setting in which any one of the attribute items of output paper size, output document type, print margin, and finisher type is associated with each distribution destination output device is set. The document distributed distribution program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the output device print setting process is performed. Based on a distribution management device that receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and sends a print instruction for the document information to a print control device corresponding to the distribution destination, and a print instruction from the distribution management device, In a distributed document distribution system in which a plurality of print control devices that print out the document information instructed to be printed on the output device of the distribution destination are connected via a network.
The distribution management device includes:
Accept the print setting request for each target document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination output device, and set them as document information print settings, distribution destination print settings, and output device print settings, respectively. Print setting processing means for each object;
Document information print setting for distribution target document information received at the time of distribution instruction reception, and distribution destination print setting and output device set in advance for the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the output device of the distribution destination, respectively. The print settings are merged into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap, and the print setting for the print instruction to be added to the print instruction to the print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination is generated. A document distribution and distribution system comprising: a print setting fusion processing unit. A distribution management device and a plurality of print control devices are connected via a network, and the distribution management device receives a distribution instruction including document information to be distributed and a distribution destination, and the document is sent to the print control device corresponding to the distribution destination. In a distributed document distribution method in which a print instruction for information is sent and the print control apparatus causes the output apparatus of the distribution destination to print out the document information instructed to print based on the print instruction from the distribution management apparatus.
The distribution management device accepts a print setting request for each distribution target document information, distribution destination, and distribution destination output device, and sets document information print setting, distribution destination print setting, and output for each target. A print setting processing step for each object to be set as a device print setting;
The distribution management device sets document information printing for the distribution target document information received when the distribution instruction is accepted, and the pair distribution set in advance for the distribution destination in the distribution instruction and the output device of the distribution destination. A print instruction added to the print instruction to the print control apparatus corresponding to the distribution destination by merging the destination print setting and the print setting for the output device into one so that the same print setting attribute items do not overlap. A document distribution and distribution method comprising: a print setting fusion processing step for generating a print setting for use.

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