JPH0692541A - Automatic document preparing-sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save the labor in the preparation and sorting of documents by executing a printing job for preparing a document file according to the data of a printing job schedule file, and then registering document printing data by the destinations of distribution in a spool file. CONSTITUTION:At the time of preparing documents, printing jobs to be executed and the execution scheduled time are stored on every job execution date by a schedule control means 2 on the basis of the data of a job attribute file 11 to prepare a printing job schedule file 12. In a job execution control means 3, the execution scheduled time of the printing job to be executed next is acquired from the file 12, and upon reaching that time, the printing job is executed to prepare a document file 13. After the output of the printing job, a document sorting control means 4 acquires the document printing data of the prepared document file 13 and stores the document printing data by assigned destinations of distribution in a spool file 15. The document printing data is then outputted by the destinations of distribution to a printing device 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form automatic generation / sorting system for automatically generating a form using an electronic computer and sorting and outputting the form according to a distribution destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional form automatic sorting system. In FIG. 9, 1 is an electronic computer, 6 is a printing device, 7 is a form scheduling means,
8 is a form data registration means, 9 is a form monitor means, 21 is a monitor file, 22 is a form schedule attribute file, 23 is a form monitor file, 24 is a user output form file, 25 is a form index file, 26 is a form data file, 27 is a parameter input device.

The monitor file 21 stores the execution date of each job for outputting the form print data,
The form schedule attribute file 22 stores a related record between each job and the output form (indicating the relationship between each job and the output form name). The form schedule means 7 creates a form schedule based on the job schedule. That is, the job to be executed on that day is searched for from the monitor file 21 for each scheduled day, and if there is a corresponding job, the form name output by the job is read from the form schedule attribute file 22 and is sequentially read. Write to 23. At that time, each form is grouped based on the relationship between each form. The registration status of the form print data can be recorded for each form.

When the index ID of the form to be registered in the form data file 26 is input from the parameter input device 27, the form data registration means 8 retrieves the form specified by the user output form file 24 and prints the form. Read the data and use it as the form data file 2
Store in 6. Form print data to form data file 2
When stored in 6, the form name and its distribution destination name are written in the form index file 25 as an index to the form data file 26, and the registration status of the form print data is recorded in the form monitor file 23.

The form monitor means 9 periodically searches the form monitor file 23 to check whether or not there is a group in which all forms have been registered and can be output. Then, if there is a group that can be output, the form print data of the form belonging to the group is read from the form data file 26 and is output from the printing device 6 for each distribution destination.
For example, if there are three distribution destinations, A, B, and C, and there are four types of forms that belong to the group, first, four types of forms for distribution destination A are output, and then four types of forms for distribution destination B are output. Finally, four types of forms for the distribution destination C are output.

In the conventional automatic form sorting system, forms are automatically sorted in this manner. As a conventional document related to such a form automatic sorting system, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-19914 is known.
There is a gazette.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the execution of the job for storing each form print data in the user output form file is not automated, and the form print data form is not processed. The registration process to the data file must be performed by specifying the registration target form from the parameter input device 27, which is troublesome. An object of the present invention is to solve such a problem.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, in the form automatic generation and sorting system of the present invention, a print job to be executed and its scheduled execution time are stored for each job execution date, and a print job schedule file is stored. A schedule management unit for generating and a scheduled execution time of a print job to be executed next from the print job schedule file, execute the print job when the scheduled execution time is reached, generate a form file, and print the print job. When the job execution management means outputs a notification that the form file has been created, and when the job execution management means outputs a notification that the form file has been created, print the form file A form sorting management method that acquires data and stores it in a spool file for each specified distribution destination, and all specified After urging destination of form print data is stored in the spool file, and the provision of a form output managing means for outputting to the printing device for each distribution destination 該帳 slip print data.

[0009]

[Operation] The execution of the print job can be automated by creating the execution schedule of the print job by the schedule management means and executing the print job by the job execution management means according to the execution schedule. Also, every time the execution of one print job is completed, the job execution management means notifies the form sorting management means that the form file has been created, and the form sorting management means receives the notification and notifies the form sorting management means. Since the print data is stored in the spool file for each distribution destination, it is possible to consistently automate from the execution of the print job to the sorting output of the form.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a form automatic generation and sorting system of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1
Is a computer, 2 is a schedule management unit, 3 is a job execution management unit, 4 is a form sorting management unit, 5 is a form output management unit, 6 is a printing device, 10 is a terminal device, 11 is a print job attribute file, and 12 is A print job schedule file, 13 is a form file, 14 is a form attribute file, 15 is a spool file, 16 is a print characteristic file, and 17 is a form attribute table.

Before explaining the operation of this system, each file set or generated during the processing will be explained. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the print job attribute file. This print job attribute file 11
Is a file that is set in advance, and for all print jobs that are targets for creating a print job schedule, the preceding job name, the scheduled execution start date and time, the form file name, and the form attribute file name for each print job. Stores attributes such as job control information. Among the above items,
If there is a print job (hereinafter referred to as a preceding job) that needs to be completed prior to the execution of that job, the name of that job is stored in the "Preceding job name" item. To do.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the print job schedule file. The print job schedule file 12 is the print job attribute file 11 described above.
The print jobs to be executed are stored in the order of the scheduled job execution time for each job execution date. The scheduled job execution date, scheduled job execution time, job end date, job end time, job end code, preceding job name, etc. are stored for each job. The job end date, the job end time, and the job end code are used to record the result after the job is executed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the form attribute file. The form attribute file 14 is a file that is set in advance, and for all the forms output by the print job to be scheduled, the distribution destination name, the print characteristic file name, and the separating means (separation between the forms). (For output of partition pages, means such as offset stacking, etc.) to facilitate the above.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the print characteristic file. The print characteristic file 16 is a file that is set in advance, and for all the forms output by the schedule print job, the paper size, the number of copies, a single-sided / double-sided printing instruction, and a portrait / landscape printing instruction for each form. , Stores printing characteristics such as font type.

Form file 13 and spool file 1
Although not shown in FIG. 5, the form file 13
Spool file 1 is a file that sequentially stores form print data output as a result of execution of each print job.
Reference numeral 5 is a file for storing the form print data for each delivery destination.

Next, the operation of each means will be described. The schedule management means 2 performs the following processing. (1) Print job attribute setting processing for setting the data of the print job attribute file 11. (2) Print job execution schedule processing for generating the print job schedule file 12 based on the data in the print job attribute file 11. (3) Print job execution schedule change processing for changing the contents of the print job schedule file 12. Each of these processes will be described.

(Print Job Attribute Setting Process) First, the terminal device 10 is caused to display a list of job names of print jobs already registered in the print job attribute file 11 in conversation with the terminal device 10. When a new print job is registered, a command input field for inputting print job attributes is displayed on the terminal device 10, and the job name, preceding job name, job execution date, job of the newly registered print job are displayed. Enter the scheduled execution start time, form file name, form attribute file name, and job control information. To change the attributes of a print job that has already been registered, select the corresponding print job from the print job name list displayed on the terminal device 10 and set the attributes of the print job from the print job attribute file 11. Take it out, display it in the command input field, and re-enter the attribute that needs to be changed. After that, it is stored in the print job attribute file 11.

(Print Job Execution Schedule Processing) First, the schedule target date of the print job is input from the terminal device 10, and the print job to be executed on that day is extracted by referring to the job execution date field of the print job attribute file 11. To do. Next, in the print job attribute file 11, the job execution start time field of each extracted print job is referred to, an execution schedule is assembled in the order of the job execution start time, and the print job schedule file 12 is generated. At that time, if a preceding job is designated for the print job, a schedule is assembled so that the preceding job is executed first.

(Print job execution schedule change processing)
First, the schedule change target day is input from the terminal device 10, the schedule information of that day is taken out from the print job schedule file 12, and is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 10. Then, after correcting the portion that needs to be changed, it is returned to the print job schedule file 12 again.

Next, the job execution management means 3 will be described. The job execution management means 3 performs the following processing. (1) Print job schedule monitoring processing for performing schedule management based on the data in the print job schedule file 12. (2) Preceding job execution confirmation processing for confirming the execution of the preceding job when it is specified. (3) Pre-reload job re-entry processing that re-submits when the preceding job is not executed normally. (4) Print job input processing for inputting the print job. (5) Print job execution monitoring processing for monitoring whether or not the input print job is completed. (6) Print job execution end notification processing for notifying the form sorting management unit 4 that the print job has ended.

The contents of those processes will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the job execution management means. (Print job schedule monitoring process) Step 1 ... Reads the current day's schedule from the print job schedule file 12. Step 2 ... From the read data, the data regarding the print job to be executed next is taken out. Step 3 ... By checking the scheduled job execution time, it is determined whether or not the current time has passed the scheduled job execution time. Step 4 ... If not yet passed, wait for a certain time and return to Step 3.

(Preceding job execution confirmation processing) Step 5 ...
When the scheduled job execution time has passed in step 3, it is determined from the data retrieved in step 2 whether or not a preceding job is designated for the print job. Step 6 ... When specified, the job end code of the preceding job in the print job schedule file 12 is checked to determine whether or not the execution of the preceding job is completed. Step 7 ... If not completed, wait for a fixed time and return to Step 6. Step 8: When the execution of the preceding job is completed in step 6, it is determined whether the execution of the preceding job is completed normally.

(Preceding job re-input process) Step 9 ... When the preceding job is terminated due to some abnormality in execution,
The job control information (job execution program) of the preceding job is fetched from the print job attribute file 11 and re-entered into the system.

(Print job input process) Step 10 ... When the preceding job is not designated in Step 5, or when the preceding job is normally completed in Step 8, the job control information of the print job is written from the print job attribute file 11. Take it out and put it in the system.

(Print Job Execution Monitoring Process) Step 11
It is determined whether or not the input print job is completed. Step 12 ... If not finished, wait for a fixed time and return to Step 11.

(Print job execution end notification process) Step 13 ... When the input print job is completed, the job end date, the job end time, and the job end code are recorded in the print job schedule file 12. The job end code is a code indicating whether the job has ended normally or abnormally. Step 14: Notify the form sorting management means that the print job is completed. At this time, the form file name and the form attribute file name of the print job are read from the print job attribute file 11 and notified. Step 15 ... It is judged whether or not the execution of all the print jobs in the schedule file of the current day is completed, and if there are any remaining print jobs, the process returns to Step 2.

Next, the form sorting management means 4 will be described. The form sorting management means 4 performs the following processing. (1) New data may be additionally registered in various definition files such as the form attribute file 14 and the print characteristic file 16,
Form attribute setting process to change the already registered data. (2) A form file monitoring process of receiving a print job end notification from the job execution management means 3 and preparing for reading from the form file 13. (3) Form file input processing for reading data from the form file 13. (4) Form sorting process that determines the distribution destination of the form. (5) Spool file output processing for outputting to the spool file 15.

Among them, the form attribute setting process will be described first. (Form Attribute Setting Process) Various definition files such as the form attribute file 14 and the print characteristic file 16 are designated from the terminal device 10, and the data registered in the files are displayed on the terminal device 10. Then, after additionally registering new data on the display screen or changing the already registered data, those data are stored again in the definition file.

Regarding the processes after the form file monitoring process, the contents of those processes will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure after the form file monitoring process in the form sorting management means. (Form File Monitoring Process) Step 1 ... It is determined whether the job execution management means 3 has notified the end of the print job. Step 2 ... When there is no notification, wait for a fixed time and return to Step 1. Step 3 ... When the job execution management unit 3 notifies the end of the print job and the report file name and the report attribute file name of the print job, the file data of the notified report attribute file name is read to obtain the report attribute. Hold on table 17. Step 4 ... The form file 13 is opened so that the data record can be taken out.

(Form File Input Process) Step 5 ... The print data of the form file name notified by the job execution management means 3 is sequentially read in record units. (Form sorting process) Step 6 ... Acquires the next distribution destination name from the form attribute table 17 held in Step 3.

(Spool File Output Processing) Step 7
The print data record read in step 5 is output to the spool file 15 divided according to the distribution destination. Step 8 ... It is determined whether or not the form has been output to all the distribution destinations in the form attribute table 17. Step 9 ... It is determined whether or not the data record to be read in the form file 13 is completed. Step 10 ... It is determined whether or not the execution of all print jobs in the schedule file for the current day has ended, and if there are any print jobs remaining, the process returns to step 1.

Next, the form output management means 5 will be described. The form output management means 5 performs the following processing. (1) Spool file monitoring processing for monitoring the storage status of the form print data in the spool file 15. (2) Print characteristic output processing for instructing the print characteristics of the form to the printer 6. (3) Print data output processing for outputting form print data to the printing device 6.

The contents of those processes will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the form output management means. (Spool File Monitoring Process) Step 1 ... It is determined whether or not the form print data is stored in the spool file 15 for all the distribution destinations of the form in the form attribute table 17. Step 2 ... If there is a distribution destination that has not been stored yet, wait a certain time and return to Step 1.

(Print characteristic output processing) Step 3 ... The print characteristic file name of the form is acquired from the form attribute table 17. Step 4 ... Read the data from the print characteristics file,
The printing characteristics are instructed to the printing device 6. Also, the separating means is acquired from the form attribute table 17 and the printer 6 is instructed to do so.

(Print data output process) Step 5 ... The print data of the form is sequentially read from the spool file 15 in record units. Step 6 ... Outputs the read data record to the printer 6. Step 7 ... It is determined whether or not all the print data records of the form have been read. Step 8 ... It is determined whether or not the output of all the forms in the form attribute table is completed. If not completed, the process returns to step 1.

In the above embodiment, as the form sorting process in the form sorting management means 4, the next distribution destination name is acquired from the form attribute table 17, but other methods can be adopted. For example, a sorting code is included in the form print data, the position is designated at the stage of the form sorting process, the sorting code is read, and a sorting information table showing the correspondence between the sorting code and the recipient name. It is also possible to obtain the distribution destination name from. In that case, a plurality of distribution destinations can be designated for one sorting code, and a form over a plurality of pages can be output to the designated distribution destination for each page.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the form output management means 5 stores the form print data in the spool file 15 for all the distribution destinations of the form in the form attribute table 17, the print characteristic is output immediately. The process is performed and the print data output process is started.
Other methods can also be adopted. For example, a form output form (immediate output, date / time designated output, output hold) is set in the form attribute file 14, a form output schedule process is added to the form output management means 5, and a form is output for each form. Schedule management can also be enabled.
Also, in the above embodiment, the form output management means 5 is set to 1
Although only the individual pieces are provided, the form output management means 5 may be provided in each printing apparatus installed for each distribution destination.

[0038]

As described above, according to the form automatic generation / sorting system of the present invention, the print job for generating the form file is automatically executed according to the data of the print job schedule file, and each printing is performed. When the job is completed, the form print data is automatically registered in the spool file for each distribution destination. Therefore, once the form automatic generation / sorting system is activated, the forms can be automatically generated and the sorting output can be executed thereafter without the trouble of inputting parameters.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a form automatic generation and sorting system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a print job attribute file.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a print job schedule file.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a form attribute file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of contents of a print characteristic file.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of job execution management means.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure after the form file monitoring process in the form sorting management means.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the form output management means.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a conventional automatic form sorting system.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic computer, 2 ... Schedule management means, 3 ... Job execution management means, 4 ... Form sorting management means, 5 ... Form output management means, 6 ... Printing device, 7 ... Form scheduling means, 8 ... Form data registration means, 9: Form monitoring means, 1
0 ... Terminal device, 11 ... Print job attribute file, 12 ...
Print job schedule file, 13 ... Form file, 14 ... Form attribute file, 15 ... Spool file, 16 ... Printing characteristic file, 17 ... Form attribute table, 21 ... Monitor file, 22 ... Form schedule attribute file, 23 ... Form monitor file , 24 ... User output form file, 25 ... Form index file,
26 ... Form data file, 27 ... Parameter input device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A schedule managing means for storing a print job to be executed and its scheduled execution time for each job execution date to generate a print job schedule file, and executing a print job to be executed next from the print job schedule file. A job execution management unit that acquires a scheduled time, executes the print job when the scheduled execution time is reached, generates a form file, and outputs a notification that the form file has been created when the print job ends When the notification indicating that the form file has been created is output from the job execution management unit, the form sorting management unit that acquires the form print data of the form file and stores it in the spool file for each designated distribution destination After the form print data of all specified distribution destinations is stored in the spool file, the form print data is distributed. A form automatic generation and sorting system, comprising: a form output management means for outputting to a printing device for each recipient.