JPH0954731A - Printed matter distribution system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printed matter distribution system making a subscriber possible to immediately receive an arriving printed matter and also, capable of simplifying switching processing in a printer. SOLUTION: The printer 5 is equipped with a bin correspondence table 61 in which a reception subscriber identification code is made correspond to the bin identification code of an individual bin in accordance with the discharge destination of a printed matter, and a transmitter confirms the bin identification code of the individual bin in accordance with the discharge destination of the printed matter in the bin correspondence table 61 by a network managing job in advance. Then, a printer control part 53 receiving a print job including the bin identification code from a transmission subscriber 2 via a server 1 drives a box switching means 63 which selects a mail box 57 only when the bin identification code is included in the print job, and discharges the printed matter to the individual bin 64 in accordance with the reception subscriber identification code included in the print job, and after that, issues a prescribed information job to inform the reception subscriber 3 of the printed matter of the arrival of the printed matter.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer, which is connected to a network with a plurality of subscribers and has a plurality of bins, to print a printed matter in a predetermined bin based on the recipient subscriber information contained in the received print job. The present invention relates to a printed matter distribution system for distributing and discharging, and more particularly, to a printed matter distribution system capable of promptly receiving a printed matter by a receiving subscriber and easily controlling switching of distribution and discharging destinations.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of printed matter distribution system, a technique for distributing printed matter is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-2075.
No. 40 publication.

In this network system, a printer control device for connecting a printer provided with a sorter is connected to the network, and information indicating each of a plurality of bins for storing recording media of the sorter and the name of the recipient are provided. The information indicating the name of the recipient, which is added to the print job received via the network, is recognized in association with the storage unit that stores the information indicated in advance and the recognized name of the recipient is stored in the storage unit. If it is registered, a control means for controlling the printer to output the recording medium is provided to the bin corresponding to the name of the recipient.

[0004]

In the above-described conventional printed matter distribution system, the printer controller stores and registers the bin information corresponding to the recipient, and when the print job is received, the bin information is added to the print job. The printed matter is output from the registered recipient information to the indexed bin corresponding to the registered recipient. With this configuration, the output printed matter can be easily obtained from the bin registered by the recipient, but there is a problem that it is necessary to receive a notification from the sender in order to obtain the printed matter immediately after arrival.

An object of the present invention is to provide a printed matter distribution system in which a recipient can receive a printed matter immediately after the printed matter arrives by automatically notifying the recipient of the arrival of the printed matter.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A printed matter distribution system according to the present invention is based on recipient subscriber information contained in a print job received by a printer having a plurality of bins connected to a network with a plurality of subscribers. In a printed matter distribution system for distributing and discharging printed matter to a predetermined bin, when the printer distributes and discharges the printed matter to individual bins corresponding to a particular subscriber, issues a predetermined information job to subscribers who receive the printed matter, Notification of print arrival.

Further, as one of specific means of the printed matter distribution system according to the present invention, the printer has a receiving subscriber identification code and a bin identification code of an individual bin corresponding to a specific subscriber to whom the printed matter is distributed and discharged. When the corresponding bin correspondence table and the print job are received, the printed matter is distributed and discharged to individual bins corresponding to the receiving subscriber identification code included in the print job by referring to the bin correspondence table, and then the printed matter And a control unit for issuing a predetermined information job to the recipient subscriber, and notifies the recipient subscriber of the arrival of the printed matter.

Further, as another means, the print job includes a bin identification code of an individual bin corresponding to a specific subscriber to which prints are to be distributed and discharged, and the printer includes the receiving subscriber identification code and the print discharge. When a network management job having a bin correspondence table in which the above bin identification codes are associated with each other and a receiving subscriber identification code are received, the bin correspondence table is referred to and the receiving subscriber identification code is used to determine the print distribution destination. While the bin identification code is indexed and returned to the calling subscriber, when the print job is received, only when the print job includes the bin identification code, a control unit that drives a mechanism for selecting the individual bin is provided. There is.

[0009]

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

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the printed matter distribution system shown in FIG. 1, a printer 5 is connected to a network 4 connecting a server 1 and subscribers 2 and 3, and the server 1 has a queuing unit 11 and transmits data on the network 4. It controls the order of data transmission.

The printer 5 includes a network connection controller 5
1, an information file 52, a printer controller 53, a storage device 54, a printer driver 55, and a common box 56 and a mailbox 57. Further, the storage device 54 has a bin correspondence table 61 and a subscriber correspondence table 62, the printer drive unit 55 has a box switching means 63, and the mail box 57 has a plurality of individual bins 64 corresponding to each receiving subscriber. Shall have. Here, in the bin correspondence table 61, as shown in the figure, a subscriber identification code and a personal identification code are registered in advance corresponding to the bin identification code assigned to each individual bin 64, and are shown here. As such, the bin identification code is a bin number, and the subscriber identification code is a subscriber name. On the other hand, in the subscriber correspondence table 62, although a detailed diagram is omitted, it is assumed that subscriber information such as an address is registered in advance for each subscriber name.

Although this configuration is similar to the conventional one, the difference from the conventional one is that the network connection control unit 51 has an arrival information transmission procedure and the printer control unit 53 has a bin information transmission procedure. In addition, the printer drive unit 55 has a box switching unit 63 for switching between the common box 56 and the mailbox 57. Further, in addition to the print job, a network management job and an information job are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, this print job is composed of a header portion 71 and actual data 72.
It is assumed that the header portion 71 includes a sender identification code, a recipient identification code (not shown), and a bin identification code 73 of a bin number, which is a printed matter discharge destination for N bytes.
It is also assumed that a network management job is issued when the sender requests the printer 5 to obtain the bin number of the printed matter discharge bin corresponding to the receiving subscriber from the receiving subscriber name. Further, this information job is sent to the mailbox 57.
When the printed matter is discharged to the recipient, the receiving subscriber corresponding to the discharged individual bin 64 is notified of the arrival of the printed matter.

The network connection control unit 51 is used by the subscriber 2
When a subscriber information request command is received from the printer 4 via the network 4, the command contents are recorded in the information file 52 and transferred to the printer control unit 53, and the individual bin 64 corresponding to the printed matter receiving subscriber 3 is stored as subscriber information. , The subscriber information is formed into a response, and is sent to the subscriber 2 of the command source via the network 4. Further, when the network connection control unit 51 receives a print job from the subscriber 2 via the network 4 and the server 1, the print job content is described in the information file 52.
And transfer to the printer control unit 53, and
When the notification of the end of the printing / discharging process is received together with the receiving subscriber address, the information job of the arrival of the printed matter is sent to the receiving subscriber 3.

When the printer control unit 53 receives the subscriber information request command from the network connection control unit 51, the printer control unit 53 causes the bin correspondence table 61 of the storage device 54 to store the subscriber information request command based on the subscriber name included in the received subscriber information request command. Inquiries are made and the bin number of the individual bin 64 of the discharge destination is read as bin information, and this bin information is notified to the network connection control unit 51. Further, when the printer control unit 53 receives a print job from the network connection control unit 51, the printer control unit 53 stores the bin identification code 73 based on the bin number of the print job and the video data in which the actual data 72 based on the character code is drawn on the image. 55, and when the printer drive unit 55 receives a print processing / discharge processing end notification from the printer drive unit 55, the address read from the subscriber correspondence table 62 of the storage device 54 based on the name of the subscriber who receives the printed matter is sent together with the end notification. It is sent to the network connection control unit 51.

When the printer drive unit 55 receives a print request for video data without a bin number, the printer drive unit 55 discharges the printed matter to the common box 56. On the other hand, when a video data print request is received from the printer control unit 53 together with the bin number, the printer drive unit 55 switches the discharge destination from the common box 56 by the box switching unit 63, selects the mailbox 57, and selects the bin number. A printed matter obtained by printing the received video data on paper is discharged to the bin, and the printer control unit 53 is notified of the end of the processing.

Next, the operation procedure of the network management job will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

First, the sending subscriber 2 issues a network management job to the printer by a subscriber information request command in order to confirm the bin number registered for the receiving subscriber 3. In the printer 5, the network connection control unit 51 receives a subscriber information request command via the network 4. When the subscriber information request command arrives (procedure S1), the network connection control unit 51 records the arrived command information in the information file 52 (procedure S1).
2) and transfer to the printer controller 53 (step S3)
I do.

The printer control section 53 has a subscriber name included in the received command information, for example, a subscriber identification code ABCD.
As a result of searching the bin correspondence table 61 based on EFGH (procedure S4), the bin number "1" is read as bin information from the corresponding bin identification code, and this bin information is sent to the network connection control unit 51.

The network connection control unit 51 forms the received bin information into a response as the subscriber information of the subscriber information request command (procedure S5), and the response is the subscriber who is the sender of the command via the network 4. It returns to 2 (step S6) and ends the procedure.

Next, the operation procedure of the print job will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIG.

The print job is sent by the subscriber 2 to the server 1 in the format shown in FIG. The server 1 puts the received print job in the queue unit 11, takes it out according to a predetermined priority order with other jobs, and sends it to the network connection control unit 51 of the printer 5 via the network 4. When the print job arrives (procedure S21), the network connection controller 51 records the arrived information in the information file 52 (procedure S22) and transfers it to the printer controller 53 (procedure S23).

The printer control unit 53 investigates the designation of the bin number of the printed material discharge destination from the region of the bin identification code 73 of the header unit 71 of the received print job (procedure S24), and when the bin number is designated (procedure S24). (YES in S25), the printer drive unit 55 is first instructed to switch the discharge destination from the common box 56 to the mailbox 57 (step S26), and then to the individual bin number of the discharge destination (step S2).
After 7), the video data in which the actual data 72 to be printed is drawn is transferred (step S28).

The printer drive section 55 switches the discharge destination of the printed matter to the mail box 57 by the box switching means 63 based on the switching instruction received in the step S26, and the step S27.
1 of the individual bins 64 selected based on the bin number received in
Then, the paper on which the video data received in step 28 is printed is discharged as a printed matter (step S29). When this process ends (YES in step S30), the printer drive unit 55 notifies the printer control unit 53 of the end of the process.

When the step S30 is "YES" and the process control notice is received, the printer controller 53 reads the recipient address from the subscriber correspondence table 62 of the storage device 54 based on the recipient subscriber name of this print job ( In step S31), the recipient address is added, and the network connection control unit 51 is requested to issue an information job for notifying the receiving subscriber of the arrival of the mail by the printed matter (step S32). The network connection control unit 51, which is requested to issue the information job in step S32, sends the information job in the procedure shown in FIG.

On the other hand, if the step S25 is "NO" and there is no bin designation in the bin identification code 73 of the print job, the printer controller 53 transfers the video data of the actual data 72 to be printed to the printer driver 55 (procedure). Then, the printer drive unit 55 discharges the paper on which the received video data is printed as a printed matter to the common box 56 (step S4).
2) Then, the procedure ends.

Next, the operation procedure of the information job will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.

When the network connection control unit 51 receives a print job arrival information job issuance request from the printer control unit 53 in the step S32 (step S11), it confirms the print job in the information file 52 (step S12). The information job of the printed matter arrival notification is formed in a predetermined format (step S13), and the address received at the same time is sent to the network 4 (step S14) to end the procedure.

In the above description, a mail box having individual bins individually ejected by the sorter function is provided at the printed matter ejection destination, and a common box provided by a stocker provided separately from the bins for ejecting the printed matter having no designated ejection destination. Is shown, and this switching can be easily determined by the presence or absence of the bin identification code in the header portion of the print job. On the other hand, even if there is no bin identification code, a common box with a different structure can be deleted by adding a partial bin number of an individual bin in the printer control unit instead of the common box and designating the discharge destination. . In this case, the printer control unit needs a bin number adding unit instead of the box switching unit of the printer driving unit.

The PIN code of the bin correspondence table shown in FIG. 1 is registered for a subscriber who requests security,
The subscriber information request command is rejected if this PIN is not specified in addition to the subscriber identification code. A non-volatile memory created by information registered in advance is used as the subscriber correspondence table, but a bin writable table may also be registered together using a normal writable memory.

In the above description, the internal number of the receiving subscriber is confirmed in advance by the network management job and added to the print job to simplify the internal control of the printer. However, the print job does not include the bin number. Alternatively, the printer control unit may index the bin number from the bin correspondence table based on the identification code of the receiving subscriber obtained from the header of the print job, and distribute and discharge the printed matter.

In the above description, the bin identification code is the bin number, but other symbols or codes may be used. Further, although the subscriber identification code is the subscriber name, other symbols, codes, or subscriber numbers may be used.

Although the functional blocks have been illustrated and described above, the distribution of the functions is free as long as the above-mentioned functions are satisfied even if there is separation / merging or the like. Further, although the operation procedure has been illustrated and described, for example, in steps S26 to S28, instructions or transfers can be performed simultaneously, and replacement before and after the operation procedure, parallel processing, and the like are also free as long as the above functions are satisfied. Therefore, the above description is not meant to limit the invention.

[0034]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the printer, the bin correspondence table in which the receiving subscriber identification code is associated with the bin identification code of the individual bin corresponding to the specific subscriber to whom the printed matter is distributed and discharged. When a control unit receives a print job, the control unit refers to the bin correspondence table and distributes and discharges the printed matter to individual bins corresponding to the recipient identification code included in the print job. A printed matter distribution system for issuing a predetermined information job is obtained.
With this configuration, when the printed matter arrives in the individual bin, the information job immediately notifies the receiving subscriber of the arrival of the printed matter, so that the subscriber can promptly receive the arrived printed matter.

Further, according to the present invention, the sender confirms in advance the bin identification code of the individual bin corresponding to the particular subscriber to which the printed matter is distributed and discharged by the network management job, and the print job including this bin identification code. Is issued to the server, and when the printer receives this print job from the server, a printed matter distribution system is provided which drives the mechanism for selecting individual bins only when the print job includes the bin identification code. With this configuration, the processing function in the printer can be simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram and a connection diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial format diagram showing an embodiment of a print job according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a network management job procedure according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of an information job procedure according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a print job procedure according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 server 2, 3 subscribers 4 network 5 printer 11 queue part 51 network connection control part 52 information file 53 printer control part 54 storage device 55 printer drive part 56 common box 57 mailbox 61 bin correspondence table 62 subscriber correspondence table 63 Box switching means 64 individual bottles

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A printed matter distribution system in which a printer, which is connected to a network with a plurality of subscribers and has a plurality of bins, distributes and ejects printed matter to predetermined bins based on the receiving subscriber information contained in the received print job. At
When the printer distributes and discharges the printed matter to individual bins corresponding to a particular subscriber, the printer issues a predetermined information job to the subscriber who receives the printed matter, and notifies the arrival of the printed matter. . 2. A printed matter distribution system in which a printer, which is connected to a network with a plurality of subscribers and has a plurality of bins, distributes and ejects printed matter to predetermined bins based on the receiving subscriber information contained in the received print job. At
The printer stores a bin correspondence table in which a receiving subscriber identification code is associated with a bin identification code of an individual bin corresponding to a specific subscriber who is a distribution destination of printed matter, and the bin correspondence table when receiving the print job. The receiving subscriber is provided with a control unit for issuing a predetermined information job to the receiving subscriber of the printed matter after the printed matter is distributed and discharged to individual bins corresponding to the receiving subscriber identification code included in the print job with reference to the receiving subscriber. A printed matter distribution system, which notifies the arrival of a printed matter to a customer. 3. A printed matter distribution system in which a printer, which is connected to a network with a plurality of subscribers and has a plurality of bins, distributes and ejects printed matter to predetermined bins based on the receiving subscriber information contained in the received print job. At
The print job includes a bin identification code of an individual bin corresponding to a specific subscriber to which the printed material is to be distributed, and the printer associates the receiving subscriber identification code with the bin identification code of the printed material to be ejected. When receiving a network management job that has a bin correspondence table and a recipient subscriber identification code,
While referring to the bin correspondence table, the bin identification code of the printed material distribution and discharge destination is indexed from the recipient subscriber identification code and returned to the originating subscriber. On the other hand, when the print job is received, the bin identification code is added to the print job. And a control unit that drives a mechanism for selecting the individual bins only when included.