JP5093014B2 - Information processing apparatus, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus that stores a printed history, a print control method and a print control program executed by the information processing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus represented by an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) has various functions, so that settings for printing image data have become complicated. For this reason, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-223225 describes an image processing apparatus that detects an error that occurs between a processing condition set for an input job and a processing capability.

However, in the conventional image processing apparatus, an error is not detected unless an error occurs between the processing capability. For example, the user may misinterpret and set the processing condition, but an error may not occur between the processing capability and the processing condition. In this case, the process is executed according to the processing condition input by the user. For this reason, there is a problem that printing is not performed in a state desired by the user.
JP 2007-223225 A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated. That is.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a print control method that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a print control program that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, the information processing apparatus includes data acquisition means for acquiring data and parameters for printing the acquired data , which are input by a logged-in user. receiving the parameters, and the print setting means for setting the accepted parameters, generates a print job including the acquired and set parameter data, and a print job transmission means for transmitting, in response to the transmission of the print job Storage means for storing history information indicating that printing has been performed, including related information relating to the print job, and the related information includes user identification information for identifying the user who set the parameter, and stored. Error setting that accepts selection of history information and sets the selected history information as a setting error target And related information related to the print job to which the print job is scheduled to be transmitted by the print job transmission means at the stage after the parameter is set by the print setting means and before the print job is transmitted by the print job transmission means. If the history information is extracted from the stored history information, and the history information is extracted by the extraction means, at least partly includes the same related information and the history information set as the setting error target is notified. comprising a notification means, and notification means that displays at least the user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information.

According to this aspect, when a print job including a set parameter and data input by a logged-in user is transmitted, related information related to the print job and history information indicating that printing has been performed are stored. The selected history information is set as a setting error target. Next, after the parameters are set and before the print job is sent, the related information related to the print job scheduled to be sent contains at least part of the related information and is set as a setting error target. The extracted history information is extracted , and at least user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information is displayed . If the user recognizes an error by looking at the paper that is printed and output, if the history information for that print is set as a setting error target, after the parameters are set, before the print job is sent At this stage, the history information is extracted , and at least user identification information of the related information included in the history information is displayed . For this reason, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

  Preferably, the error setting unit includes error association means for receiving error information related to the setting error and storing the error information in association with the history information set as the setting error target, and the notification means is associated with the extracted history information. Error information displayed.

  For this reason, mistakes set in the past can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user.

  Preferably, the notification unit further includes a history display unit that displays the history information extracted by the extraction unit.

Preferably, the history display means, when displaying the parameters, default parameters and different parameters are displayed with default parameters and display mode different.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to display a parameter whose setting is wrong so that the user can easily understand it.

  Preferably, the related information includes parameters set as a plurality of elements, data identification information for identifying data to be printed, and an application program for processing the data to be printed. Application identification information, user identification information for identifying a user who has instructed printing, the number of pages of data to be printed, and the size of data to be printed. Including an extraction condition setting means for setting at least one element to be extracted, and at least one of the related information related to the print job before being transmitted by the print job transmitting means is set as the extraction target. Extract history information that contains one of the two elements from the stored history information

  According to this aspect, since the user can select the extraction condition, it is possible to notify according to the level of the user.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a print control method accepts and accepts a step for obtaining data and a parameter for printing the obtained data, which is input by a logged-in user . A step of setting a parameter, a step of generating and transmitting a print job including the set parameter and the acquired data, and a print job including related information related to the print job in response to the transmission of the print job. The step of storing history information indicating that it has been performed and the related information include user identification information for identifying the user who set the parameter , accepts selection of the stored history information, and sets the selected history information The parameter is set in the error setting step and the parameter setting step. After being fixed, at the stage before the print job is sent in the step of transmitting a print job, at least a portion related information a print job related to the print job that is to be transmitted in the transmitting step is the same relevant information wherein, and, when extracting from among the history information stored history information set in the setting error target, the history information is extracted, it viewed including the steps of: notifying, to, notifying step includes extracting including the step of displaying at least a user identification information of the related information included in the history information.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a print control method that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the print control program accepts and accepts a step for obtaining data and a parameter for printing the obtained data, which is input by a logged-in user. A print job including a set parameter, a step for generating and transmitting a print job including the set parameter and the acquired data, and a print job including related information related to the print job according to execution of the print job. The step of storing history information indicating that it has been performed and the related information include user identification information for identifying the user who set the parameter , accepts selection of the stored history information, and sets the selected history information In the step to set the error target and the step to set the parameter, After the meter is set, at the stage before the print job in the step of transmitting a print job is sent, at least partially the same related to the related information a print job in the transmitting step is associated with the print job will be sent A step of extracting the history information including the information and set as a setting error target from the stored history information, and a step of notifying when the history information is extracted are executed by the computer and informing The step includes a step of displaying at least user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information .

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide a print control program that prevents the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, print system 1 includes MFPs 100 to 103 that are each connected to a network 2 and function as image forming apparatuses, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 200.

  The network 2 is a local area network (LAN), and is connected to the Internet via a gateway. The connection form of the network 2 may be wired or wireless. The network 2 is not limited to a LAN, and may be a network using a public switched telephone network, a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet.

  The PC 200 is a general computer, and a driver program for controlling each of the MFPs 100 to 103 is installed in the PC 200. Therefore, the PC 200 can execute the application program installed therein and print the generated data on any of the MFPs 100 to 103.

  Each of MFPs 100 to 103 includes a scanner device for reading an original, an image forming device for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on image data, and a facsimile device. And an image processing function for processing image data.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP. 2 and 3, MFP 100 includes a main circuit 110, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document conveying device 120 for conveying a document to document reading unit 130, and a still image. An image forming unit 140 for forming a sheet or the like, a sheet feeding unit 150 for supplying the image forming unit 140 with a sheet, and an operation panel 160 as a user interface are included.

  The main circuit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 113, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 114, and an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM). ) 115, a hard disk drive (HDD) 116 as a mass storage device, a facsimile unit 117, and a card interface (I / F) 118 to which a flash memory 118A is attached. CPU 111 is connected to automatic document feeder 120, document reading unit 130, image forming unit 140, sheet feeding unit 150, and operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. The RAM 114 temporarily stores still images continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 160A and an operation unit 160B. The display unit 160A is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electroluminescence Display), and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 160B includes a plurality of keys, and accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers by user operations corresponding to the keys. Operation unit 160B further includes a touch panel provided on display unit 160A.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to network 2. The CPU 111 communicates with the MFPs 101 to 103 or the PC 200 via the communication I / F unit 112 to transmit / receive data. The communication I / F unit 112 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via the network 2.

  The facsimile unit 117 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and transmits facsimile data to the PSTN or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. The facsimile unit 117 stores the received facsimile data in the HDD 116 or outputs it to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 117 on a sheet. Further, the facsimile unit 117 converts the data stored in the HDD 116 into facsimile data, and transmits the facsimile data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The card I / F 118 is mounted with a flash memory 118A. The CPU 111 can access the flash memory 118A via the card I / F 118. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded in the flash memory 118A attached to the card I / F 118 to the RAM 114 and executes it.

  Note that the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded in the flash memory 118A, and the program stored in the HDD 116 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network 2 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 116 of the MFP 100 or may add a new program and write it. Further, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to network 2 and store the program in HDD 116. The program here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  The program is not limited to being recorded in the flash memory 118A, but a magnetic tape, cassette tape, magnetic disk (flexible disk, hard disk, etc.), optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) / MO (Magneto-Optical Disc) / Recording may be performed on a semiconductor memory such as an MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an optical card, a mask ROM, or a flash memory.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the PC. Referring to FIG. 4, each PC 200 is connected to a bus 208, and is used as a CPU 201 for controlling the entire PC 200, a ROM 202 for storing programs executed by the CPU 201, and a work area for the CPU 201. A RAM 203, a network I / F 204 for connecting the PC 200 to the network 3, an HDD 205 as a mass storage device, a display unit 206, an operation unit 207 for accepting input of a user operation, an external storage device 209, including.

  The external storage device 209 is loaded with a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-ROM) 209A storing a print control program. The CPU 201 loads the print control program stored in the CD-ROM 209A to the RAM 203 via the external storage device 209 and executes it. The recording medium for storing the print control program is not limited to the CD-ROM 209A, but a flexible disk, cassette tape, optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)), IC A semiconductor memory such as a card, an optical card, a mask ROM, an EPROM (and an EEPROM, etc.) may be used. Alternatively, the print control program stored in the HDD 205 may be loaded into the RAM 203 and executed. The print control program may be downloaded from another computer connected to the network 2, and the print control program may be stored in the HDD 205. The program here The program includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 201 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU included in the PC together with data stored in the HDD. Referring to FIG. 5, CPU 201 provided in PC 200 generates a data acquisition unit 51 that acquires data, a print setting unit 53 that sets parameters for printing data, and a job that prints according to the set parameters. A print job transmission unit 55 for transmission, a history information storage unit 57 for storing history information indicating that printing has been performed, and error setting for setting history information selected from the stored history information as a setting error target Unit 61, an extraction unit 63 that extracts history information set as a setting error target from the stored history information, and a notification unit 71 that notifies when history information is extracted.

  If the user inputs an operation for instructing image data stored in the HDD 205 to the operation unit 207, the data acquisition unit 51 acquires the data instructed by the user by reading from the HDD 205. Further, if the user inputs a print instruction to the operation unit 207 while the PC 200 is executing the application program, data to be processed by the application program is acquired. The data acquisition unit 51 outputs the acquired data to the print job transmission unit 55 and outputs data related information related to the data to the extraction unit 63. The data related information includes a data name for identifying data, a data size, an application name in which the data is generated, and the number of data pages.

  The print setting unit 53 receives parameters for printing input by the user to the operation unit 207. Then, print setting unit 53 sets the accepted parameters so that MFP 100 can print. Specifically, a print instruction including parameters is output to the print job transmission unit 55. In addition, the print setting unit 53 outputs the parameters to the extraction unit 63.

  The print job transmission unit 55 receives an instruction for the user to select one of the MFPs 100 to 103, and prints a print job including data input from the data acquisition unit 51 and parameters input from the print setting unit 53. The data is transmitted to one selected by the user from MFPs 100 to 103 via the network I / F 204. Here, a case where MFP 100 is selected will be described as an example. MFP 100 that receives the print job prints an image of data included in the print job on a sheet in accordance with the parameters included in the print job. When the print job transmission unit 55 transmits a print job to the MFP 100, the job number of the transmitted print job is set. Is issued, and the job No. And the parameters are output to the history information storage unit 57.

  The history information storage unit 57 receives the job number from the print job transmission unit 55. When the parameters are input, history information is generated and added to the history table 81 stored in the HDD 205 and stored. The history information includes related information related to printing. The related information includes a plurality of elements. Here, a plurality of elements are a user name for identifying a user who has instructed printing, a parameter set for printing, a data name for identifying data, a name of an application program in which data is generated, and data Including the number of pages and the size of the data.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a format of history information. Referring to FIG. 6, the history information is the job number. , A print time item, a related information item, and a setting error flag item. Job No. The item No. includes a job No. for identifying the printed job. Is set. In the print time item, the date and time when the image forming unit 140 executes the job and prints is set. The related information item includes an instruction user item, a parameter item, a data name item, an application item, a page number item, and a data size item. The related information is information related to the job. In the item of the instructing user, user identification information of the user who instructed printing, here, the user name is set. In the parameter item, a parameter for printing is set. In the item of data name, data identification information for identifying data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51, here, a file name is set. In the application item, the name of the application program in which the data acquired by the data acquisition unit 51 is generated is set. In the page number item, the number of data pages is set. In the data size item, the data size of data is set. A setting error flag is set in the setting error flag item. The setting error flag will be described later.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the error setting unit 61 sets the history information selected by the user from the history information included in the history table 81 stored in the HDD 205 as a setting error target. Specifically, history information included in the history table 81 is displayed as a list, and a setting error flag of history information selected by the user is set. The setting error flag is set to “1” when set as a setting error target, and is set to “0” when not set as a setting error target.

  The error setting unit 61 includes a mistake association unit 61. The error association unit 61 receives error information input by the user to the operation unit 207 and stores the error information in the HDD 205 in association with the history information. As a result, error information 83 is stored in the HDD 205. The error information is text data that the user inputs to the operation unit 207, for example, the contents of the setting mistake, the cause, and the like.

  The extraction unit 63 receives data-related information from the data acquisition unit 51 and receives parameters from the print setting unit 53. The extraction unit 63 includes an extraction condition setting unit 65 for setting extraction conditions. The extraction condition setting unit 65 sets a search key for extracting history information. The key is set with at least one of a plurality of elements included in the related information. The extraction condition setting unit 65 displays names of a plurality of elements included in the related information on the display unit 206, and sets at least one element selected by the user as a key. Since the user can select an element as an extraction condition, notification can be made in accordance with the level of the user.

  The extraction unit 63 selects at least one element set as a key by the extraction condition setting unit 65 from the data related information input from the data acquisition unit 51 and the parameters input from the print setting unit 53. . Then, the history information including at least one element selected from the history information included in the history table 81 stored in the HDD 205 and having the setting error flag set to “1” is extracted. To do. The extraction unit 63 outputs the extracted history information to the notification unit 71. When a plurality of history information is extracted, all the history information is output to the notification unit 71.

The notification unit 71 includes a history information display unit 73. The history information display unit 73 displays a list of history information input from the extraction unit 63, parameters set in the parameter item of the history information selected by the user, and error information associated with the history information. Are displayed on the display unit 206. When displaying the parameters set in the item of the parameter, the default parameters and different parameters are displayed in the default parameters and display mode different. For example, the default parameters and different parameters are displayed in a different format as the format for displaying the default parameters. The format includes color, typeface, and the like. Since the user can check the error information set when a setting error has been made in the past and the parameter as the setting at that time, the same error can be prevented from being repeated. In addition, since parameters different from the default parameters are displayed with different display modes, it is possible to display parameters with incorrect settings so that the user can easily understand them.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the flow of print control processing. The print control process is a process executed by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the PC 200 executes a print control program. Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 201 determines whether or not the user has logged in. The process waits until the user logs in (NO in step S01). If logged in (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, it is determined whether a print instruction is accepted. If a print instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S03; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S20. In step S03, data is acquired. If the user inputs an operation for instructing data stored in the HDD 205 to the operation unit 207, the data instructed by the user is acquired by reading from the HDD 205.

  In the next step S04, parameters are accepted. A parameter input by the user to the operation unit 207 is received. The parameters received here do not necessarily require the user to input parameters, but include parameters set as defaults. Then, the accepted parameters are set for printing (step S05). In step S06, it is determined whether or not a start button provided in operation unit 207 has been pressed. If the start button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S07; otherwise, the process returns to step S04.

  In step S07, it is determined whether or not history information having the same element set in the related information is stored in the history table 81 of the HDD 205. If such history information is stored, the process proceeds to step S08; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S18. In step S08, a warning screen is displayed on display unit 206.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning screen. Referring to FIG. 9, the warning screen is a screen for notifying the user that history information has been extracted, and includes a message “printing error detected”. The user can select whether or not to continue printing. If the user points to a button with the characters “OK”, the forced print instruction operation, which is an operation for starting printing with the set parameters, is performed. Entered. On the other hand, when the user notices a setting mistake, the user can select an operation for correcting the parameter. If the button indicating the character “cancel” is indicated, an operation for correcting the parameter is input.

  Returning to FIG. 7, in step S09, it is determined whether or not a forced print instruction operation has been accepted. If a forced print instruction operation is accepted, the process proceeds to step S18; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S18, a print job including the parameters and data set in step S05 is generated and transmitted to MFP 100. In the next step S19, history information is generated and added to the history table 81 stored in the HDD 205, and the process proceeds to step S20.

  Referring to FIG. 8, on the other hand, in step S10, the history information extracted in step S07 is read from history table 81 stored in HDD 205. Then, a history list screen for displaying the read history information is displayed on the display unit 206. In the next step S12, it is determined whether any one of the displayed history information has been selected. If one piece of history information is selected, the process proceeds to step S13. If not, the process returns to step S11. In step S13, it is determined whether error information is associated with the selected history information. If error information is associated, the process proceeds to step S14; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S <b> 14, error information associated with the selected history information is read from the HDD 205 and displayed on the display unit 206. As the error information, for example, the user is displayed such as the contents and cause of the setting mistake, so that it becomes easy to understand mistakes set in the past.

  In step S15, a parameter setting screen for displaying the parameter set in the parameter item of the history information selected in step S12 is displayed on the display unit 206. In step S16, it is determined whether there is a parameter different from the default value among the parameters displayed in step S15. If there is a parameter different from the default value, the process proceeds to step S17. If not, the process returns to step S04. In step S17, the parameter different from the default value is displayed in red different from black for displaying the parameter of the default value, and the process returns to step S04.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a history list screen. Referring to FIG. 10, history list screen 300 includes an area 301 for displaying history information as a list and an area 303 for displaying error information. FIG. 10 shows an example where the history information displayed at the top of the history information displayed in a list is selected.

  FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a parameter setting screen. Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B, parameter setting screens 310 and 310A display different types of parameters for layout and parameters for finishing. Each of the parameter setting screens 310 and 310A includes areas 311 and 311A for displaying parameters set for printing included in the history information, and preview areas 317 and 317A for displaying an image on which data is printed. Also, a parameter 313 different from the default value among the parameters displayed in the area 311 and a parameter 315 different from the default value among the parameters displayed in the area 311A are displayed in red. Here, the parameters displayed in red are hatched. For this reason, an erroneous setting can be displayed in an easily understandable manner.

  Returning to FIG. 7, in step S20, it is determined whether an error setting instruction has been accepted. When the initial setting screen 320 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display unit 206 and the button 321 indicating “printing error detection setting” is designated, an error setting instruction is accepted. If an error setting is accepted, the process proceeds to step S21. If not, step S21 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S21, an error setting process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S22. The error setting process will be described later.

  In step S22, it is determined whether a logout instruction has been accepted. When the user inputs an operation to log out to the operation unit 207, a logout instruction is accepted. If a logout instruction is accepted, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S02.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of error setting processing. The error setting process is a process executed in step S21 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, in step S <b> 31, an error setting screen for accepting an error setting is displayed on display unit 206.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the error setting screen. Referring to FIG. 14, error setting screen 330 displays an area 331 for displaying history information as a list, an area 333 for inputting error information, and characters “Confirm parameters of selected printing history”. Button 335, a button 337 displaying characters “detailed settings for detecting printing mistakes”, and a button 339 displaying characters “delete selected printing history”.

  Returning to FIG. 13, in step S32, it is determined whether one of the history information displayed in a list has been selected. If one piece of history information is selected, the process proceeds to step S33. If not, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S33, the selected history information is set as a setting error target. Specifically, “1” is set in the setting error flag item of the selected history information in the history table 81 stored in the HDD 205.

  In the next step S34, it is determined whether or not error information has been accepted. If text is input in the area 333 of the error setting screen 330 shown in FIG. 14, the input text is accepted as error information. If error information is accepted, the process proceeds to step S35; otherwise, step S35 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S36. In step S35, the accepted error information is stored in the HDD 205 in association with the history information selected in step S32, and the process proceeds to step S36.

  In step S36, it is determined whether a parameter display instruction has been accepted. If the button 335 on the error setting screen 330 shown in FIG. 14 is instructed, a parameter display instruction is accepted. If a parameter display instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S37; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S37, a parameter setting screen for displaying parameters set in the parameter item of the history information selected in step S32 is displayed on the display unit 206. The parameter setting screen is the same as the parameter setting screen shown in FIG. In step S38, it is determined whether there is a parameter different from the default value among the parameters displayed in step S37. If there is a parameter different from the default value, the process proceeds to step S39; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S40. In step S39, the parameter different from the default value is displayed in red different from black for displaying the parameter of the default value, and the process proceeds to step S40.

  In step S40, it is determined whether a deletion instruction has been accepted. If the button 339 on the error setting screen 330 shown in FIG. 14 is instructed, a deletion instruction is accepted. If a delete instruction has been accepted, the process proceeds to step S41; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S42. In step S41, the history information selected in step S32 is deleted from history table 81 stored in HDD 205, and the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S42, it is determined whether an extraction condition setting instruction has been accepted. If the button 337 on the error setting screen 330 shown in FIG. 14 is instructed, an extraction condition setting instruction is accepted. If an extraction condition setting instruction is accepted, the process proceeds to step S43. If not, the process returns to the print control process. In step S43, an extraction condition setting screen is displayed, and an extraction condition set by the user according to the extraction condition setting screen is accepted. In the next step S44, the extraction condition accepted in step S43 is set, and the process returns to the print control process. The extraction condition is specifically a key for extracting history information, and the setting of the extraction condition is to set at least one of a plurality of elements included in the related information as a key for extraction. .

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the extraction condition setting screen. Referring to FIG. 15, the extraction condition setting screen displays a plurality of elements included in the related information in a selectable manner. Specifically, the extraction condition setting screen includes a parameter for printing (parameter setting), a file name (file name) of data to be printed, and a name of the application program (application name) in which the data is generated. The user name (user name) of the user who instructed printing, the number of data pages (number of pages), and the data size of data (data size) are displayed in a selectable manner. If the user selects at least one of a plurality of elements of the related information, the selected at least one element is set as an extraction condition for extracting history information as a key for extraction. In the figure, an example is shown in which parameter settings and user names are set as extraction conditions. When a plurality of elements are set as extraction conditions, the extraction condition is an OR condition, and the same history information is extracted from at least one of the plurality of elements.

  As described above, when a job to be printed is generated and transmitted according to the parameters set by the user, the PC 200 in the present embodiment includes history information indicating that the job is printed, including related information related to the job. Remember. The job includes a print job for printing data stored in the HDD 116. Furthermore, when history information is selected, the PC 200 sets the selected history information as a setting error target. After that, after the parameters are set, before the job is executed, the history information that includes the same related information as the related information related to the job to be executed and is set as the setting error target is extracted. Then, it notifies. When a user recognizes an error by looking at a sheet printed and output, if history information for the print is set as a setting error target, the history information is extracted and notified. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the same setting as a mistake set in the past from being repeated.

  Also, error information related to the setting error is received and stored in association with the history information set as the setting error target. When the error information is associated with the extracted history information, the error information is displayed. For this reason, mistakes set in the past can be displayed in an easy-to-understand manner for the user.

Further, when displaying the parameters included in the history information, the default parameters and different parameter, since the display with default parameters and display mode different, displaying the parameters that incorrect settings so that the user can easily understand Can do.

  Further, the related information included in the history information includes a plurality of elements, and the plurality of elements includes set parameters, data identification information for identifying data to be printed, and data to be printed. Application identification information for identifying the application program for processing the user, user identification information for identifying the user who instructed printing, the number of pages of data to be printed, and the data to be printed Including the size, the user can select from a plurality of elements as the extraction condition. For this reason, since the user can select extraction conditions, it can be notified according to the user's level.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the print job is generated when the PC 200 causes the MFP 100 to print is described as an example. However, the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 is provided with the function illustrated in FIG. The processing shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 13 may be executed. In this case, the print job transmission unit 55 is unnecessary, and instead, the CPU 111 includes an image formation control unit that controls the image formation unit 140. The image forming control unit causes the image forming unit 140 to form an image of data on a sheet in accordance with a print job including data input from the data acquisition unit 51 and parameters input from the print setting unit 53. In this case, the job for which the history information is generated is not limited to a print job, but includes a scan job in which data read by the original reading unit 130 is output and stored in the HDD 116, and a facsimile job in which facsimile data is transmitted or received. It may be. As a result, history information is stored for all the processes that can be executed by the MFP 100, and can be notified by setting a setting error flag.

  In the above-described embodiment, the PC 200 has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the print control method and the print control method for executing the print control process illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8, and 13 are described. It goes without saying that the invention can be understood as a print control program to be executed by a computer.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a printing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the function which CPU provided in PC has with the data memorize | stored in HDD. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of functions of a CPU included in an MFP together with data stored in an EEPROM. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the format of log | history information. 6 is a first flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of print control processing. 10 is a second flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of print control processing. It is a figure which shows an example of a warning screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a log | history list screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a parameter setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an initial setting screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of an error setting process. It is a figure which shows an example of an error setting screen. It is a figure which shows an example of an extraction condition setting screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print system, 2 networks, 51 Data acquisition part, 53 Print setting part, 55 Print job transmission part, 57 History information storage part, 61 Error setting part, 61 Miss association part, 63 Extraction part, 65 Extraction condition setting part, 71 Notification section, 73 History information display section, 81 History table, 83 Error information, 100 to 103 MFP, 110 Main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 Communication I / F section, 116 HDD, 118 Card I / F, 118A Flash memory, 130 Document reading unit, 140 Image forming unit, 160 operation panel, 160A display unit, 160B operation unit.

Claims (7)

Data acquisition means for acquiring data;
A parameter for printing the acquired data, a parameter input by a logged-in user is accepted, and a print setting means for setting the accepted parameter;
Print job transmission means for generating and transmitting a print job including the set parameters and the acquired data;
Storage means for storing history information indicating that printing has been performed, including related information related to the print job in response to transmission of the print job;
The related information includes user identification information for identifying a user who sets the parameter,
An error setting means for receiving selection of the stored history information and setting the selected history information as a setting error target;
The parameter is set by the print setting unit and before the print job is transmitted by the print job transmission unit, and is related to the print job to which the print job is scheduled to be transmitted by the print job transmission unit. Extraction means for extracting from the stored history information the history information set as the setting error target, including at least part of the related information and the related information;
An informing means for informing when the history information is extracted by the extracting means,
The information processing apparatus is configured to display at least user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information . The error setting unit includes error association means for receiving error information related to a setting error and storing the error information in association with the history information set as the setting error target,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit displays error information associated with the extracted history information.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit further includes a history display unit that displays the history information extracted by the extraction unit. Said history display section, when displaying the parameters, default parameters and different parameters are displayed in the default parameters and display mode different information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The related information includes the parameters set as a plurality of elements, data identification information for identifying data to be printed, and an application program for processing the data to be printed. Including application identification information, user identification information for identifying a user who has instructed printing, the number of pages of data to be printed, and the size of data to be printed,
The extraction means includes an extraction condition setting means for setting at least one element to be extracted from the plurality of elements,
Among the related information related to the previous print job transmitted by the print job transmitting means, at least one element set as the extraction target includes history information including the same element. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is extracted from a house. Obtaining data, and
A parameter for printing the acquired data, receiving a parameter input by a logged-in user, and setting the received parameter;
A transmission step of generating and transmitting a print job including the set parameters and the acquired data;
Storing history information indicating that printing has been performed, including related information related to the print job, in response to transmission of the print job;
The related information includes user identification information for identifying a user who sets the parameter,
Accepting selection of the stored history information and setting the selected history information as a setting error target; and
After the parameter is set in the step of setting the parameter, and before the print job is transmitted in the step of transmitting the print job, the print job is scheduled to be transmitted in the transmission step. Extracting the history information set as the setting error target from the stored history information, at least part of which includes the same related information as the related information ,
If the history information is extracted, a step of notifying, only including,
Step comprises the steps of including print control method for displaying at least the user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information to the notification. Obtaining image data; and
A parameter for printing the acquired image data, accepting a parameter input by a logged-in user, and setting the accepted parameter;
A transmission step of generating and executing a print job including the set parameters and the acquired data, and transmitting the print job;
Storing history information indicating that printing has been performed, including related information related to the print job, in response to transmission of the print job;
The related information includes user identification information for identifying a user who sets the parameter,
Accepting selection of the stored history information and setting the selected history information as a setting error target; and
After the parameter is set in the step of setting the parameter, and before the print job is transmitted in the step of transmitting the print job, the print job is scheduled to be transmitted in the transmission step. Extracting the history information set as the setting error target from the stored history information, at least part of which includes the same related information as the related information ,
If the history information is extracted, let the computer execute the step of informing ,
The informing step includes a step of displaying at least user identification information of the related information included in the extracted history information .

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