JP6641952B2 - Printing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system that performs printing based on print data received from a terminal such as a PC or a tablet.

  A printing system that determines whether a file that has received a print instruction from a user is a file that has already been printed by another user, and notifies the other user when another user has already printed the same file. (See Patent Document 1 below). This technique avoids wasting paper by avoiding double printing of the same file.

JP 2013-145593 A

  By the way, when printing a file selected on a terminal such as a PC (personal computer) or tablet with a printing device, the user intends to print the latest version of the file, but mistakenly selects the old version and prints it. In this case, time and resources are wasted.

  The technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1 only notifies that the same file has already been printed by another user, and does not warn the user of the fact that the file to be printed is an old version. Absent.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has as its object to provide a printing system that can prevent a file of an old version from being erroneously printed.

  The gist of the present invention to achieve this object lies in the inventions in the following items.

[1] a printing unit;
A receiving unit that receives print data to be printed with the file and to which file information indicating a file name of the file to be printed and an update date and time are added ;
A latest file information storage unit in which the latest file information whose update date and time is the latest file information is stored for each file name ;
A print data storage unit in which the latest file information printed print data by the printing unit for each of the latest file information stored in the storage unit is stored,
A determination is made as to whether the update date and time indicated by the file information added to the received print data is newer or older than the update date and time indicated by the latest file information relating to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit. Department and
The determination unit updates the latest file information related to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit with the file information added to the received print data when the new file information is determined to be new. A storage control unit that stores the received print data in the print data storage unit as print data corresponding to the updated latest file information ,
When the determination unit determines that the old , notification unit that notifies the user to that effect,
Have a,
The storage control unit, when storing the received print data in the print data storage unit in association with the updated latest file information, print data of a partial page of a file to be printed by the print data If not yet prepared, the print data storage unit stores an old version of print data having the same file name that has an updated date and time that is older than the update date and time indicated by the updated latest file information and has all pages aligned. And printing system.

In the above invention, for each file, the file information and the print data whose update date and time have been received and printed so far are stored, and the update information indicated by the file information added to the newly received print data is stored. If the date and time is older than the update date and time indicated by the latest file information that has already been saved , the user is notified and warned of the fact to prevent the old version of the file from being erroneously printed.

  In the above invention, when only some pages in the latest file are printed, the print data of the previous version is stored together with the print data of the latest file.

[2] When a part of the page is aligned all the pages of print data that has not yet aligned, printing system according to the and deletes the old version of the print data [1].

  In the above invention, when all pages of the latest file are collected, the previous version is deleted.

[ 3 ] a printing unit;
A receiving unit that receives print data to be printed with the file and to which file information indicating a file name of the file to be printed and an update date and time are added;
A latest file information storage unit in which the latest file information whose update date and time is the latest file information is stored for each file name;
A print data storage unit in which print data printed by the printing unit is stored for each of the latest file information stored in the latest file information storage unit;
A determination is made as to whether the update date and time indicated by the file information added to the received print data is newer or older than the update date and time indicated by the latest file information relating to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit. Department and
The determination unit updates the latest file information related to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit with the file information added to the received print data when the new file information is determined to be new. A storage control unit that stores the received print data in the print data storage unit as print data corresponding to the updated latest file information,
When the determination unit determines that the old, notification unit that notifies the user to that effect,
Has,
The storage control unit, when storing the received print data in the print data storage unit in association with the updated latest file information, the received print data, corresponding to the latest file information before the update If the correction amount for the previous version of the print data stored in the print data storage unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined value , the print data of the previous version is held in the print data storage unit, and the correction amount is set to the predetermined value. printing systems that and deletes the print data of the previous version from the print data storage unit if less than the value.

  In the above invention, when the latest version has a large amount of correction with respect to the previous version, both the latest version and the previous version are stored. Modifications include both increases and decreases.

[4] If the determination unit determines that the print data is old, the latest print information including the same file name as the file name indicated by the file information added to the print data instead of the received print data. A selection unit that receives a selection as to whether or not to print the print data stored in the print data storage unit in association with the user,
When the selection unit receives a selection from the user to print the print data stored in the print data storage unit instead of the received print data, the corresponding data stored in the print data storage unit A print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the print data of
Having
The printing system according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein:
In the above invention, if the file to be printed by the received print data is a version older than the latest received version of the file, it is determined whether to print the latest received version instead of the received print data. When the user inquires and accepts the selection and selects the latest received version, printing is performed based on the stored print data of the latest received version of the file.
[ 5 ] Among the print data stored in the print data storage unit, the print data satisfying a predetermined deletion condition is deleted, and the latest file information corresponding to the deleted print data is deleted from the latest file information storage unit. The printing system according to any one of [1] to [ 4 ], further including a stored data deleting unit for deleting.

  In the above invention, for example, print data that is not used for a certain period or more is deleted.

  According to the printing system of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an old version of a file from being printed by mistake.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of registered contents of a latest file information database. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a printing apparatus that has received print data. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of print data saving processing. 11 is a flowchart illustrating details of another example of print data storage processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print data deletion processing.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a printing system 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 2 includes a plurality of printing apparatuses (image forming apparatuses) 10 connected to a network 3 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a latest file information database 40, and a user terminal 5 such as a PC or a tablet. Is done.

  The printing apparatus 10 includes a copy function of optically reading a document and printing a duplicate image of the document on recording paper, a scanning function of saving image data of the read document as a file and transmitting the file to an external terminal via a network, This is a so-called multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a print function for printing and outputting a document or image on recording paper based on a print job (print data) received from the terminal 5 via the network 3.

  The user terminal 5 has a function of generating print data for a file selected by the user as a print target, transmitting the print data as a print job to the printing apparatus 10, and inputting the print data.

  The latest file information database 40 registers and manages information on the latest version (received latest version) received and printed for each file received and printed by the printing apparatus 10 so far.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the latest file information table 50 managed by the latest file information database 40. In the latest file information table 50, for each file, information on the latest version (received latest version) of the file and information on the version one generation before can be registered. Specifically, for each file, the file name, the total number of pages of the latest version, the number of raster pages of the latest version, the file update date of the latest version, the print date of the latest version, print data corresponding to the latest version (raster data) Of previous version of print data, total number of pages of previous version, number of raster pages of previous version, file update date of previous version, one generation The print date of the previous version is registered. In addition, various information extracted from the print data received by the printing apparatus 10, such as a file creator, may be registered.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration example in which the latest file information database 40 is separated from the printing apparatus 10, the printing apparatus 10 may have a configuration in which the latest file information database 40 is built.

  The printing system 2 refers to the information registered in the latest file information table 50 of the latest file information database 40, so that the file to be printed by the print data received from the user terminal 5 can It is determined whether the version of the file is older than the latest version (the latest version received) or is a newer version than the latest version received. If the version is older, the existence of the latest version is determined by the user. Notify. This prevents the old version from being erroneously printed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus 10. The printing apparatus 10 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 that controls the operation of the printing apparatus 10 in a centralized manner. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image reading unit 14, an image forming unit 15, an image processing unit 16, a nonvolatile memory 17, a hard disk device 18, a network communication unit 19, The panel 22 and the like are connected.

  The CPU 11 is based on an OS (Operating System) program, and executes middleware, application programs, and the like. The ROM 12 stores various programs, and the CPU 11 executes various processes in accordance with these programs to realize the functions of the printing apparatus 10.

  The RAM 13 is used as a work memory for temporarily storing various data and an image memory for storing image data when the CPU 11 executes processing based on a program.

  The image reading unit 14 has a function of optically reading a document and acquiring image data. The image reading unit 14 includes, for example, a light source that irradiates light to the document, a line image sensor that receives the reflected light, and reads one line in the width direction of the document, and sequentially sets a reading position in line units in the length direction of the document. A moving unit for moving, an optical path including a lens and a mirror for guiding reflected light from the document to the line image sensor to form an image, and a conversion unit for converting an analog image signal output from the line image sensor into digital image data It is configured with such as.

  The image forming unit 15 performs a function of forming (printing) an image corresponding to image data on recording paper (a function of a printing unit). Here, a recording paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device are provided, and image formation is performed by an electrophotographic process. It is configured as a so-called laser printer. Image formation may be performed by another method.

  The image processing unit 16 performs processes such as enlargement / reduction and rotation of an image, as well as rasterization for converting print data included in a print job into raster data (image data), and compression / decompression of image data.

  The nonvolatile memory 17 is a memory (flash memory) whose stored contents are not destroyed even when the power is turned off.

  The hard disk device 18 is a nonvolatile and large-capacity storage device, and stores various programs, print data, and the like. The hard disk device 18 functions as a print data storage unit 18a that stores, for each file to be printed by print data received and printed in the past, print data used for the print.

  The network communication unit 19 has a function of communicating with the user terminal 5 and the file management server 40 via the network 3.

  The operation panel 22 includes a display unit 23 and an operation unit 24. The display unit 23 is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and has a function of displaying various operation screens, setting screens, and the like. The operation unit 24 includes hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a start button, and a touch panel provided on a physical screen of the display unit 23. The touch panel detects a coordinate position where a physical screen of the display unit 23 is touch-operated with a touch pen, a finger, or the like.

  The CPU 11 of the printing apparatus 10 executes a program to determine whether a file to be printed by the print data received from the user terminal 5 is an older version than a file that has been printed in the past. Fulfill. More specifically, the CPU 11 performs the functions of a determination unit 31, a storage control unit 32, a notification unit 33, a selection unit 34, a print control unit 35, and a stored data deletion unit 36.

  The determination unit 31 obtains, from the latest file information database 40, information on a file similar to the file to be printed by the print data received from the user terminal 5, and determines whether the file to be printed by the print data received from the user terminal 5 , To determine whether the file is newer or older than the latest received version.

  That is, based on the received print data, the printing apparatus 10 uses the attribute information of the file to be printed by the print data (available information such as the file name, the total number of pages, the number of pages of the print data, and the file update date). And transmits the attribute information to the latest file information database 40. The latest file information database 40 that has received this compares the received attribute information with the information stored in its own device, and prints a file similar to the file to be printed with the print data received from the user terminal 5. The information is retrieved from the latest file information table 50, and the information of the file is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10.

  The determination unit 31 compares the similar file information received from the latest file information database 40 (the attribute information of the received latest file and the file of the previous generation) with the attribute information acquired from the print data received this time. It is determined whether the file to be printed by the print data received this time is an older version than the latest received version, or a newer version than the latest received version. Note that the same operation is performed even in a configuration in which the printing apparatus 10 includes the latest file information database 40.

  The storage control unit 32 is obtained from the received print data when the determination unit 31 determines that the file to be printed by the received print data is a newer version than the latest received version of the file. Control is performed to save the attribute information of the file to be printed by the print data in the latest file information database 40 as the attribute information of the received latest version of the file. Further, the print data storage unit 18a stores the received print data (or raster data obtained by rasterizing at the time of printing) as print data of the latest received version of a file to be printed.

  The notifying unit 33 has a function of notifying the user that the file to be printed by the received print data is determined by the determining unit 31 to be a version older than the latest received version of the file. Fulfill.

  The selection unit 34 prints the received print data when the determination unit 31 determines that the file to be printed by the received print data is a version older than the latest received version of the file, Instead, the user receives a selection as to whether to print the received latest version of the print data of the file to be printed.

  When the selection unit 34 receives a selection from the user to print the latest version of the received print data, the print control unit 35 determines whether the received print data stored in the print data storage unit 18a is to be printed. Based on the received latest version of the print data of the file to be printed, the image forming unit 15 performs printing. On the other hand, when the print data received this time is selected, the image forming unit 15 is caused to perform printing based on the print data received this time.

  The stored data deletion unit 36 has a function of deleting the print data stored in the print data storage unit 18a when the print data is not used for a long time.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by the printing apparatus 10. Upon receiving the print data from the user terminal 5 (step S101; Yes), the printing apparatus 10 extracts various attribute information of a file to be printed by the print data from the print data, and extracts a similar file including the attribute information. Is transmitted to the latest file information database 40, and information on similar files is obtained (step S102). Here, it is determined whether or not the file is a similar file based on the identity of the attribute information such as the file name and the creator. The similar file is the latest received version of the same file, although there may be a difference in version from the file to be printed by the received print data.

  If the similar file is registered in the file management server 40 (step S103; Yes), the attribute information of the similar file (the attribute information on the latest received version of the file to be printed by the received print data) and the received print The data is compared with the attribute information of the file to be printed, and whether or not the received print data is an older version of the file to be printed than a similar file is determined (step S104). It is determined whether the file to be updated is a newer version than the similar file (step S105). Here, it is determined whether the version is new or old using the update date of the file, which is one of the attribute information.

  If the similar file is not registered (step S103; No) and if the file to be printed in the received print data is a newer version than the similar file (step S105; Yes), printing is performed based on the received print data. Is performed (step S106). Then, the print data (or the raster data used for printing) is stored in the print data storage unit 18a (step S107), and the attribute information of the file to be printed by the print data received this time is updated to the latest received file of the file. Is registered in the latest file information database 40 as the attribute information (step S108), and this processing is ended.

  If the received print data has the same version as the file to be printed (step S105; No), printing is performed based on the received print data (step S109), and the process ends.

  If the received print data is a file to be printed whose version is older than the similar file (step S104; Yes), a file having a newer version (the latest received file) than the file to be printed by the received print data is in the past. The user is notified that printing has been performed, and the user receives a selection of printing the received print data or printing the latest received file (step S110).

  If the received latest file is selected (step S111; Yes), printing is executed based on the print data of the received latest file stored in the print data storage unit 18a (step S112), and The process ends. In this case as well, the latest file information database 40 is accessed to update the attribute information on the print date of the received latest file.

  If a selection to print the received print data is received (step S111; No), printing is performed based on the received print data (step S113), and the process ends.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the processing (step S107 in FIG. 5) for storing the received print data in the print data storage unit 18a. First, the received print data (or raster data) is stored in the print data storage unit 18a (step S201). Next, it is determined whether the print data stored this time is a partial page of a file to be printed by the print data (step S202). Whether or not some pages are recognized by comparing with the total number of pages.

  If it is not a part of the pages (step S202; No), the print data of the previous version (the print data that has been the latest received version) is deleted (step S204).

  In the case of some pages (step S202; Yes), it is determined whether or not all the pages of the file to be printed with the print data have been prepared in this save (step S203). If all the pages are completed (step S203; Yes), the previous version of the print data (the print data that has been the latest received version) is deleted (step S204).

  If any of the pages are not aligned (step S203; No), the process ends without deleting the previous version without deleting it. For example, in the file “BBB” in FIG. 2, the total number of pages is “20” and the number of raster pages (the number of printed pages) is “10”, so that all the pages are not aligned. Therefore, the previous version (one generation before) is also stored, and its attribute information is registered in the latest file information table 50.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of another example of the process (step S107 in FIG. 4) of storing the received print data in the print data storage unit 18a. First, the received print data (or raster data) is stored in the print data storage unit 18a (step S301). Next, it is determined whether the correction amount for the latest received version of the file to be printed in the print data received this time exceeds a threshold value (step S302).

  If the correction amount is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (step S302; No), the print data of the immediately previous version (the print data that has been the latest received version) is deleted (step S303). On the other hand, if the correction amount exceeds the threshold value (step S303), the process ends without deleting the previous version without deleting it. The increase or decrease in the correction amount is determined based on the number of pages, the data size of print data, and the like.

  For example, if the previous version has 10 pages and the new version received this time has increased to 20 pages, or vice versa, the correction amount is large such as 5 pages. , Leave both versions. In particular, when the number of pages is reduced by the correction, the information is deleted from before the correction, so that the information is preserved while leaving the previous version.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the stored data deletion unit 36. The print result of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 18a is confirmed (step S401). The printing result is determined, for example, based on the printing date registered in the latest file information database 40. For print data that has not been printed for a predetermined period or longer (step S402; Yes), the print data is deleted from the print data storage unit 18a (step S403), and the information of the file corresponding to the deleted print data is updated to the latest file. The information is deleted from the information database 40 (step S404), and the process ends.

  Regarding the print data printed within the predetermined period (Step S402; No), since there is a print result, the saving is continued without deleting it.

  As described above, by deleting the print data that has not been printed for a long time from the print data storage unit 18a, the shortage of the storage capacity of the print data storage unit 18a is solved. When the free space of the print data storage unit 18a becomes equal to or less than a certain value, the print data may be preferentially deleted from the oldest print date. In addition, it is possible to preferentially delete a print job with a low print frequency based on the print frequency. The deletion target may be determined based on both the print date and the print frequency.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an erroneous printing of a file of a version older than the file printed in the past. Further, even when the user who instructed to print the old version file does not have the new version file, the latest version can be printed based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit 18a.

  As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to those shown in the embodiments, but may be changed or added without departing from the gist of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  The print data stored in the print data storage unit 18a may be the received print data itself, raster data obtained by rasterizing by the printing apparatus 10, or the like.

  In the embodiment, the print data corresponding to the received latest file and the print data immediately before (one generation before) when the predetermined condition is satisfied are stored in the print data storage unit 18a. The print data of the generation or older may be further stored.

  In the embodiment, when the file to be printed by the received print data is the same as the received latest file, printing is performed based on the received print data. However, the print data is stored in the print data storage unit 18a. Printing may be performed based on the print data. In particular, when raster data is stored in the print data storage unit 18a, since it is not necessary to perform rasterization again, the processing amount is reduced, and printing can be performed quickly.

  The printing apparatus 10 is not limited to the MFP described in the embodiment, but may be a printing apparatus having only a printing function.

2 printing system 3 network 5 user terminal 10 printing device 11 CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Image reading part 15 ... Image forming part 16 ... Image processing part 17 ... Non-volatile memory 18 ... Hard disk device 18a ... Print data storage part 19 ... Network communication part 22 ... Operation panel 23 ... Display part 24 ... Operation part 31 ... Judgment part 32 storage control unit 33 notification unit 34 selection unit 35 print control unit 36 stored data deletion unit 40 latest file information database 50 latest file information table

Claims (5)

A printing unit;
A receiving unit that receives print data to be printed with the file and to which file information indicating a file name of the file to be printed and an update date and time are added ;
A latest file information storage unit in which the latest file information whose update date and time is the latest file information is stored for each file name ;
A print data storage unit in which the latest file information printed print data by the printing unit for each of the latest file information stored in the storage unit is stored,
A determination is made as to whether the update date and time indicated by the file information added to the received print data is newer or older than the update date and time indicated by the latest file information relating to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit. Department and
The determination unit updates the latest file information related to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit with the file information added to the received print data when the new file information is determined to be new. A storage control unit that stores the received print data in the print data storage unit as print data corresponding to the updated latest file information ,
When the determination unit determines that the old , notification unit that notifies the user to that effect,
Have a,
The storage control unit, when storing the received print data in the print data storage unit in association with the updated latest file information, print data of a partial page of a file to be printed by the print data If not yet prepared, the print data storage unit stores an old version of print data having the same file name that has an updated date and time that is older than the update date and time indicated by the updated latest file information and has all pages aligned. And printing system. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein when all pages of the print data for which some pages have not yet been collected, the print data of the old version is deleted. A printing unit;
A receiving unit that receives print data to be printed with the file and to which file information indicating a file name of the file to be printed and an update date and time are added;
A latest file information storage unit in which the latest file information whose update date and time is the latest file information is stored for each file name;
A print data storage unit in which print data printed by the printing unit is stored for each of the latest file information stored in the latest file information storage unit;
A determination is made as to whether the update date and time indicated by the file information added to the received print data is newer or older than the update date and time indicated by the latest file information relating to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit. Department and
The determination unit updates the latest file information related to the same file name stored in the latest file information storage unit with the file information added to the received print data when the new file information is determined to be new. A storage control unit that stores the received print data in the print data storage unit as print data corresponding to the updated latest file information,
When the determination unit determines that the old, notification unit that notifies the user to that effect,
Has,
The storage control unit, when storing the received print data in the print data storage unit in association with the updated latest file information, the received print data, corresponding to the latest file information before the update If the correction amount for the previous version of the print data stored in the print data storage unit is equal to or larger than a predetermined value , the print data of the previous version is held in the print data storage unit, and the correction amount is set to the predetermined value. If the value is less than the value, the print data of the previous version is deleted from the print data storage unit . When the determination unit determines that the print data is old , in place of the received print data, it is associated with the latest file information including the same file name as the file name indicated by the file information added to the print data. A selection unit that receives a selection from a user as to whether or not to print the print data stored in the print data storage unit ,
When the selection unit receives a selection from the user to print the print data stored in the print data storage unit instead of the received print data, the corresponding data stored in the print data storage unit A print control unit that causes the printing unit to print the print data of
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: From among the print data stored in the print data storage unit, the print data satisfying a predetermined deletion condition is deleted, and the latest file information corresponding to the deleted print data is deleted from the latest file information storage unit. the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a data deleting unit.

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