JP2000330982A - System and method for external character environment management and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the system and method for external character environment management and the storage medium which are capable of setting external character environment always accurately. SOLUTION: It is checked whether or not a document requested to be printed was printed before (step S1→S2) and when the document is found unprinted, its output information is saved on a server computer (step S3→S4); and the external character environment of an output-destination printer is referred to and set (step S5) and then a print instruction is issued to the printer (step S6).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system for managing an external character environment, a method for managing an external character environment, and a storage medium for switching and using a plurality of types of external characters.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An external character environment management system in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched to be used for various documents, for example, has been conventionally known.

This external character environment management system switches a current external character environment to the external character environment at the time of document creation, for example, when printing a document created using an external character after a while after the document is created, for example. Was like that.

[0004]

As described above, in the above-described conventional external character environment management system, it is necessary to switch the current external character environment to the external character environment at the time of document creation. When the time has elapsed since the creation of the document, or when the creator and the output person of the document are different, the external character environment cannot be set correctly.

[0005] In addition, a situation may occur in which the external character used at the time of document creation differs in character type, character pattern, etc. from that at the time of document creation due to version upgrade or the like.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and an object of the present invention is to provide an external character environment management system, an external character environment management method, and a storage medium that can always accurately set an external character environment. I do.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the external character environment management system according to claim 1 is a print request for printing a document, wherein the print request includes information for identifying the document and information for identifying the document. At least one information processing apparatus for outputting a print request including information on external characters used in the document, a database for storing the output print request, and a document corresponding to the output print request Is an external character environment management system in which at least one or more printers for printing a print job are connected on the same network, wherein the receiving unit for receiving the output print request and the database are searched to obtain the received print request. Determining means for determining whether or not the print request has been output in the past; and determining whether the print request has not been output in the past based on the determination result of the determination means. Storage means for storing the print request in the database; detection means for detecting a printer in which information on external characters matching the information on the external characters in the received print request is set; and Is detected, the document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer, and when the target printer is not detected, information on the external character in the received print request is set to one of the printers. Control means for controlling the printer to print a document corresponding to the received print request.

Preferably, the database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and the detecting means reads out the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the printer holds information on external characters set in the printer, and outputs the held information to the network in response to access from another device; The detecting means is configured to access the printer via the network, read out information on external characters held by the printer, and detect a target printer.

Further, preferably, the information on the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external character environment management system for managing an external character environment that switches between a plurality of types of external characters and uses the external character environment. Storage request receiving means for receiving a request, designating means for specifying a use, and storing means for storing the specified use and the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request in association with each other. I do.

Preferably, when the specified use is already stored, the storage unit changes the external character environment stored in association with the use to the external character environment corresponding to the newly received storage request. And save it.

Preferably, a switching request receiving means for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, a selecting means for selecting any one of the stored applications, and the stored external character Setting means for setting the external character environment corresponding to the selected use as the current external character environment in the environment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an external character environment management system for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, wherein the external character environment management system stores the current external character environment. Storing request receiving means for receiving a request, detecting means for detecting the type of application currently being used, and storing the type of the detected application in association with the external character environment corresponding to the received storing request Storage means.

Preferably, when the detected type of application is already stored, the storage unit stores the external character environment stored in association with the type of application in a newly received storage request. It is characterized in that it is replaced and stored in a corresponding external character environment.

Preferably, a switching request receiving means for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, and an external character corresponding to the type of application detected by the detecting means in the stored external character environment Setting means for setting the environment as the current external character environment.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for managing an external character environment according to claim 11 is a print request for printing a document, wherein information for specifying the document and information used in the document are used. At least one information processing apparatus for outputting a print request including information on an external character, a database for storing the output print request, and at least one apparatus for printing a document in response to the output print request An external character environment management method for managing an external character environment in which the above-described printer is connected on the same network, the receiving step of receiving the output print request, and searching the database for the received print, A determining step of determining whether the request has been output in the past; and, based on the determination result in the determining step, when the print request has not been output in the past, A storage step of storing the print request in the database, a detection step of detecting a printer in which information on external characters matching the information on the external characters in the received print request is set, and a target printer by the detection step. Is detected, the document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer, and when the target printer is not detected, information on the external character in the received print request is set to one of the printers. And a control step of controlling the printer to print a document corresponding to the received print request.

Preferably, the database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and in the detecting step, reads out the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the printer holds information on external characters set in the printer, and outputs the held information to the network in response to access from another device. In the detecting step, by accessing the printer via the network, information on external characters held by the printer is read, and a target printer is detected.

Further, preferably, the information on the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for managing an external character environment according to claim 15 is a method for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, wherein the external character environment is stored in a current external character environment. A storage request receiving step of receiving a request, a specifying step of specifying a use, and a storing step of storing the specified use in a storage unit in association with the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request. It is characterized by.

Preferably, in the storing step, when the specified use has already been stored, the external character environment stored in association with the use is replaced with the external character environment according to the newly received storage request. And save it.

Preferably, a switching request receiving step of receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, a selecting step of selecting one of the stored applications, and a step of selecting the stored external character Setting the external character environment corresponding to the selected use as the current external character environment in the environment.

To achieve the above object, a method for managing an external character environment according to claim 18 is a method for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, wherein the external character environment is stored in a current external character environment. A storage request receiving step of receiving a request, a detecting step of detecting a type of an application currently being used, and a storage unit in which the detected type of the application is associated with an external character environment corresponding to the received storage request. And a preservation step of preserving the information.

Preferably, in the storing step, when the detected application type is already stored, the external character environment stored in association with the application type is stored in the newly received storage request. It is characterized in that it is replaced and stored in a corresponding external character environment.

[0026] Preferably, a switching request receiving step of receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, and an external character corresponding to the type of application detected by the detecting step in the stored external character environment. Setting the environment as the current external character environment.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to claim 21 is a print request for printing a document, wherein information for specifying the document and external characters used in the document are provided. At least one information processing apparatus for outputting a print request including information about the print request, a database for storing the output print request, and at least one or more information processing apparatuses for printing a document in response to the output print request. A storage medium storing a program that can be implemented by a computer, the storage medium storing a computer-readable program including an external character environment management module that manages an external character environment connected to a printer on the same network, wherein the external character environment management module stores the output print request. By searching the receiving module and the database to determine whether the received print request has been output in the past. A discriminating module for performing the operation, a storage module for storing the print request in the database when the print request has not been output in the past according to a result of the discrimination by the discrimination module, and information relating to the external character in the received print request A detection module that detects a printer in which information on external characters that match
When the target printer is detected by the detection module, a document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer, and when the target printer is not detected, any one of the printers prints the received print request. And a control module configured to control the printer to print a document corresponding to the received print request after setting information on external characters.

Preferably, the database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and the detection module reads the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. It is characterized by.

Preferably, the printer holds information on external characters set in the printer, and outputs the held information to the network in response to access from another device. The detection module accesses the printer via the network, reads out information on external characters held by the printer, and detects a target printer.

Further, preferably, the information relating to the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file.

In order to achieve the above object, a storage medium according to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention stores a program that can be realized by a computer and includes a character storage environment management module that manages a character storage environment used by switching a plurality of types of character storage. The medium, wherein the external character environment management module includes a storage request receiving module that receives a storage request for the current external character environment, a specification module that specifies a usage, a specified usage, and a response to the received storage request. A storage module for storing the external character environment in the storage means in association with the external character environment.

Preferably, in the storage module, when the specified use has already been stored, the external character environment stored in association with the use is replaced with the external character environment according to the newly received storage request. And save it.

Preferably, a switching request receiving module for receiving a switching request for switching the current external character environment to another environment, a selecting module for selecting any one of the stored applications, and the stored external character A setting module for setting an external character environment corresponding to the selected use as a current external character environment in the environment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program that can be implemented by a computer, including a foreign character environment management module that manages a private character environment used by switching a plurality of types of external characters. The medium, wherein the external character environment management module includes a storage request receiving module that receives a storage request for a current external character environment, a detection module that detects a type of an application currently being used, and a type of the detected application. And a storage module for storing the external character environment in the storage unit in association with the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request.

Preferably, in the storage module, when the type of the detected application is already stored, the external character environment stored in association with the type of the application is stored in the newly received storage request. It is characterized in that it is replaced and stored in a corresponding external character environment.

Preferably, a switching request receiving module for receiving a switching request for switching the current external character environment to another environment, and an external character corresponding to the type of application detected by the detection module in the stored external character environment A setting module for setting an environment as a current external character environment.

[0037]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of one of a plurality of computers constituting the external character environment management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the computer according to the present embodiment stores a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 for controlling the entire computer and performing arithmetic processing, and stores a system start-up program, character pattern data, and the like. ROM
(Read-only memory) 2, a data storage area with no restrictions on use, a RAM (random access memory) 3 for loading and executing each program and data for each of various processes, and a key from a keyboard (KB) 10. The CPU 1 receives input data or menu instructions from a pointing device (PD) 11 such as a mouse.
Control unit (KBC) 4 for transmitting the data to the RAM 3
A display control unit (CRTC) 5 for reading the display information stored in the CRT 12, that is, reading the bitmap image converted from the character data, and transferring the read bitmap image to the CRT 12.
A display device (CRT) 12 for receiving and displaying data from C5, a disk control unit (DKC) 6 for controlling data transmission and the like of an external storage device 13, and a printer control unit for controlling operation of a printer (PRT) 14 (P
It mainly comprises an image reader controller (IRC) 8 for controlling the operation of an image reader (IR) 15 and a network controller (NETC) 9 for connecting to a network (not shown).

The components 1 to 9 are connected to each other via a system bus 16.

In the present embodiment, the external storage device 13
Floppy disk drive (FDD) 13a, hard disk drive (HDD) 13b, and CD-ROM drive (C
D-ROMD). The external storage device 13 stores programs and data, and the CPU 1 refers to the stored data as necessary, or
Or to load.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a use environment of the external character environment management system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, various personal computers 21 to 25, a server computer 26, a printer 27, and a multi-function device 28 having functions such as a facsimile / printer / copier are connected via a network N. It is connected.

The configuration shown in FIG.
26 to 26 are shown. Also, the present invention
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to the server computer 26.

The computer according to the present embodiment has a basic I / O
The program operates by executing an operating system (OS) such as an O program, a window system, and the like, and an application serving as a process of the present invention.

The basic I / O program is stored in the ROM 2, and the operating system is stored in the hard disk device 13b.

When the power of the main body is turned on,
The operating system is read from the HDD 13b into the RAM 3 by the IPL (Initialize Program Loading) function in the basic I / O program, and the operation is started.

The program and related data of the present invention
FD or CD-ROMD inserted into FDD 13a
It is supplied from a CD-ROM inserted into the memory 13c. Then, by once installing the program and related data from the FD or CD-ROM into the HDD 13b, the program and the related data can be loaded from the HDD 13b to the RAM 3 and executed. Alternatively, the program can be directly loaded from the FD or CD-ROM to the RAM 3 without being installed in the HDD 13b and executed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the RAM 3.

In the figure, an area 3a has basic I / O
A program is loaded, an operating system such as a window system is loaded and executable in an area 3b, and a program of the present invention, that is, a printing environment management program is loaded and executable in an area 3c. In the area 3d, related data is loaded and executable. The area 3e is a work area used by each program.

The printing environment management program is shown in FIG.
3 is a coded program created based on the flowchart of the print environment management process shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the printing environment management program and related data of the present embodiment are obtained by inserting a recording medium 31 such as an FD or a CD-ROM into a recording medium insertion port 30a provided in the computer main body 30. Supplied. The program and related data are temporarily installed from the FD or the CD-ROM into the HDD 13b, so that the
And execute the program.
Note that it is also possible to directly load the program from the FD or CD-ROM to the RAM 3 and execute the program without installing the program on the HDD 13b.

FIG. 5 shows a recording medium 3 such as an FD or a CD-ROM in which a printing environment management program and related data are recorded.
1 shows an example of the configuration of the recorded content.

As shown in the figure, a recording medium 31 such as an FD or a CD-ROM stores volume information 31a, directory information 31b, a print environment management program execution file 31c, a print environment management program related data file 31d, and the like. Have been.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an associating format between a font and an external character file.

As shown in the figure, the external character is composed of one type independent character and a plurality of type dependent external characters. Font dependent sub-characters associated with fonts can be defined for each font, and there are multiple correspondences between fonts and external character files.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the print request data.

In the figure, the print request data is used for a document name, for example, information for specifying a host such as an IP address, information for uniquely specifying a document file such as a last update date, and a document to be printed. The number of external characters, the typeface corresponding to the number of external characters, the information associated with the external character file such as the external character file and the version and character type, the information accompanying the document data such as the creator and the output destination printer, and the document data. If the external character is a typeface-independent external character, information indicating that there is no correspondence to the corresponding typeface name,
For example, set a space.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information on a printed document held on the server computer 26. As shown in FIG.

In the figure, the information on the printed document includes information specifying the host such as a document name, for example, an IP address, information uniquely specifying the document file such as the last update date, and the document to be printed. , The number of external characters used, the typeface for the number of external characters, the external character file, and information attached to the external character file such as the version and character type.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when downloading an external character to a printer.

FIG. 10 shows the RAM 3 of the received print request.
It is a figure showing the above-mentioned holding form.

In the figure, in the area (a), the document name (name), the host specifying information (host), the last update date (update), and the number of used external characters (ngaiji)
Are held. In the area (b), a table composed of a typeface (shotai []), an external character (gaiji []) and additional information (inf []) is held. The additional information includes the version of the external character file and the character type defined in the external character file. The area (c) holds document data (document).

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a format of holding the output information on the RAM 3. The data stored in the HDD 13b described with reference to FIG.
Hold on 3.

In FIG. 11, the area (a) holds the data of the number of output information (ndata), and the area (b) holds the document name (names []) and the host specifying information (hosts []). ), Last update date (updates
[]), A table including the number of used external characters (ngaijis []), and a pointer (addr []) to (c) is held. In the area (c), typeface (shotai)
s []), a table including external character files (gaijis []) and supplementary information (infs []) is held.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a format in which the external character information set in the printer is stored in the RAM 3.

In the figure, the area (a) holds data on the number of printers that can be output (nprinter), and the area (b) holds information (printer []) specifying the printer such as a queue name. , The number of external characters (pgaiji []) set in the printer, and a pointer (paddr []) to (c) are stored. In the area of (c), a typeface (pshotai)
s []), a table including external character files (pgaijsis []) and supplementary information (pinfs []) are held.

The control processing executed by the computer configured as described above, that is, the server computer 26,
Hereinafter, this will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the printing process executed by the server computer 26, especially the CPU 1.

In the figure, first, in step S1,
The print request from the client computer (any one of 21 to 25) sent via the network N is received and stored in the RAM 3 in the format shown in FIG. The information on the external character in the print request is, for example, the external character information of the current client computer, and does not match the external character information when the document is printed.

Next, in step S2, it is checked whether the document requested to be printed has been printed before. Specifically, the output information is read from the HDD 13b via the DKC 6 and stored in the RAM 3 in the format of FIG.
The index (d) is set to "-1" indicating non-printing. Then, name, host, and up in FIG.
date and names [i], host in FIG.
s [i], updates [i] (i = 0 to ndata
-1) are compared, and if all match, the value of i is set to index.

In the following step S3, it is determined from the value of index whether or not the document requested to be printed has been output (printed). If the document has not been printed, that is, index = -1.
In step S4, the process proceeds to step S4, where the output information is stored. If index ≠ -1, step S4 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S5.

The storage of the output information is described in detail in FIG.
Names [ndata] and hosts [nd] in (b)
data], updates [ndata], ngaij
is [ndata] is assigned to na of FIG.
The values of me, host, update, and ngaiji are set, and shotais [k], gai of FIG.
jis [k], infs [k] (k = addr [nda
ta-1] + ngaijis [ndata-1] + i,
i = 0 to ngaiji-1), respectively, as shown in FIG.
Shotai [i], gaiji [i], in of (b)
The value of f [i] is set, the value of ndata in FIG. 11A is set in the index in FIG. 11D, and ndata is incremented by “1”.

Next, in step S5, an external character environment reference / setting subroutine for referring / setting the external character environment of the output destination printer is executed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of the external character environment reference / setting subroutine.

In the figure, first, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the output destination printer holds the setting information. If the setting information is held in the output destination printer side, the process proceeds to step S12, and the output is performed. If it is not held by the destination printer, the process proceeds to step S13.

In step S12, information on the printer that can be output is read from the HDD 13b, and
2 (a) and (b). That is, pri
Referring to the external character setting information from the Internet [i] (i = 0 to nprinter-1) via the network N, FIG.
A pointer to (c) is set in paddr [] of (b), and is stored in the RAM 3 in the format of (c). Then, "-1" which means that there is no compatible printer is set in the "index" of FIG.

In the following step S13, it is determined whether or not the external character settings match. Specifically, first, nga
It is determined whether ijis [index] and pgaiji [i] match, and if they do not match, processing is performed for the next i. Next, it is determined whether or not the correspondence between the font and the external character file matches. That is, shotais
[J], gaijs [j], infs [j] (j = a
ddr [index-1] + ngaijis [index
x-1] to addr [index-1] + ngaiji
s [index-1] + ngaijis [index]
-1) is pshotais [k], pgaijis
[K], pinfs [k] (k = paddr [i-1]
+ Pgaiji [i-1] to paddr [i-1] + p
gaiji [i-1] + pgaiji [i]). However, when index = 0, addr [index-1] and ngaijsis
[Index-1] is processed as "0". Similarly, when i = 0, paddr [i-1]
And pgaiji [i-1] are processed as "0". If they match, the value of i is set in the index. The above processing is performed for i = 0 to nprinter−
1 (step S14).

At step S14, when all the printers have been inspected (i = nprinter-1), the
In the case of -1, it is determined that there is no printer having the same external character environment, and the process proceeds to step S15 to set and save the printing environment.

The setting and storage of the printing environment is performed by ngaj
is [index], shotais [j], gaij
is [j] (j = addr [index-1] + nga
ijis [index-1] to addr [index-
1] + ngajiz [index-1] + ngajij
This is performed by setting is [index] -1) and external character data in the printer via the network N.
However, when index = 0, addr [ind
ex-1] and ngaijis [index-1]
Are processed as "0".

When there are a plurality of usable printers, various selection criteria are conceivable, such as setting the printer to a printer capable of immediate output if the printer name is included in the document accompanying information. . Further, in the present embodiment, as an example, external character setting information is referred to for all available name printers. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when a printer name is specified as supplementary information of a document,
It is also possible to refer to the external character setting information only for the printer, and to set if it does not match.

On the other hand, if the output destination printer does not hold the setting information in step S11, the flow advances to step S16 to store the external character setting information of the printer from the HDD 13b via the DKC 6 in the RAM 3 in the format shown in FIG. Then, in step S15, after the external character setting information is transmitted to the printer, the external character setting information of the printer corresponding to the "index" is updated.

Returning to FIG. 13, in step S6, pri
After the print command is issued to the internet [pinindex] via the network N, the print processing ends.

If the supplementary information of the external character file is the version of the external character file, the match / mismatch determination in step S5 is made by comparing the versions.
If there is no printer having the same setting, the server computer 26 sets the corresponding version of the external character data in the printer.

If the supplementary information of the external character file is the character type of the external character file, the match / mismatch determination in step S5 compares not only the character type but also the character pattern. If there is no printer with the same setting, the external character file of the server computer 26 is searched, and the external character data corresponding to the font is completely replaced or only the character type that does not match is replaced.

As described above, in the external character environment management system according to the present embodiment, when printing a document, it is determined whether or not the document has been printed in the past. While the environment is saved, in the case of printing, the external character environment at that time is referred to and set, so that the external character environment of the document can be set accurately.

Next, an external character environment management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The external character environment management system according to the present embodiment
Since only the elements that associate the external character environment with the external character environment management system of the first embodiment are different, the same hardware as in FIGS. 1 to 6 is used.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a holding format of the association information.

In the figure, if the association type is “0”, it means association with the application, and if “1”, it means association with the application, and the association information is the application or application. Then, the correspondence between the typeface name and the external character file name for the number of associated external characters is held. The storage location of the association information is not limited to the hard disk device 13b in the computer that instructs the association, but is also applied to the case where the association is instructed by the client computer 21 in FIG. You.

FIG. 16 shows the RAM 3 of the defined association information.
It is a figure showing the above-mentioned holding form.

In the figure, the area (a) holds the data of the number of association information definitions (ninf), and (b)
Are associated type (kind []), association information of application or application (inf []), number of external characters (ngaiji []), font name (shota)
i []) and a table consisting of the address (addr []) of the correspondence table (c) between the external character file name (gaiji []).

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the format in which the association storage information is stored in the RAM 3.

In the figure, data of type (c_kind), use or application association information (c_inf), and the number of external characters in the current environment (c_ngaiji) are held in the area (a). In the area b), a table including a font name (c_shotai []) of a font dependent file and a corresponding external character file name (c_gaiji []) is held.

The use association processing and application processing executed by the computer configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 18 shows a computer according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a use association process executed by the CPU 1 in particular.

In the figure, first, in step S21, designation is received from the KB10 or PD11 via the KBC4.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not the designation is to be saved. If the designation is to be saved, the processing in steps S23 to S28 is performed. S29-S
31 is performed.

First, the storage processing will be described.

In step S23, the current external character environment is set to H
RAM in the format of FIG. 17 from DD13b via DKC6
Read on 3.

In step S24, the designation of the use to be associated with the external character setting information is received from the KB 10 through the KBC 4, and stored in c_inf in FIG. 17A. c_ki
For nd, “0” is set, which means that it is associated with the use.

In step S25, the association information is set to HD
D3b through DKC6 in RAM3 in the format of FIG.
Read on.

In step S26, inf [i] (i =
0 to ninf-1) and c_inf. If there is the same one, the same table index is set in the index of FIG. 17C, and the related information is replaced (step S27). Perform additional processing (step S2)
8).

The replacement in step S27 is performed by deleting data and then adding data. In particular,
First, it is deleted from the font external character-related table shown in FIG. That is, i = addr [index + 1] to ad
dr [ninf-1] + ngaiji [ninf-1]
For each i of -1, shotai [addr [ind
ex] + i-addr [index + 1]], gaij
i [addr [index] + i-addr [index
x + 1]] is replaced by shotai [i] and gaiji [i].
Are stored, and addr [i] -ngaiji [in
dex] is reset to addr [i]. Next, FIG.
Delete from the table of (b). That is, i = ind
For each i of ex to ninf-2, kind [i +
1], inf [i + 1], ngaiji [i + 1], a
The values of ddr [i + 1] are respectively represented as kind [i],
Inf [i], ngaiji [i], addr [i] are stored, and ninf-1 is reset to ninf. Further, c_kind, c_inf, and c_ngaiji are respectively represented by kind [ninf], inf [ninf], n
gaiji [ninf] is set. addr [nin
f] includes addr [ninf-1] + ngaiji
[Ninf-1] is set. i = 0 to ngaiji
For each i in [ninf] -1, c_shotai
Each value of [i] and c_gaiji [i] is sh
otai [addr [ninf] + i], gaiji
Set to [addr [ninf] + i]. ninf +
1 is reset to ninf, and the data of FIG. 16 is written to the HDD 13b in the format of FIG.

In step S28, an information adding process is performed when the association information has not been defined. Specifically, the values of c_kind, c_inf, and c_ngaiji are respectively represented by kind [ninf] and inf [nin
f], ngaiji [ninf]. addr
[Ninf] includes addr [ninf-1] + nga
ij [ninf-1] is set. i = 0 to ngai
c_shota for each i of ji [ninf] -1
Each value of i [i] and c_gaiji [i] is represented by s
hotai [addr [ninf] + i], gaiji
Set to [addr [ninf] + i]. And n
Inf + 1 is reset to ninf, and the data of FIG. 16 is written to the HDD 13b in the format of FIG.

Next, the setting of the external character environment will be described.

In step S29, the association information is set to HD
The data is read from D13b via the DKC 6, stored in the RAM 3 in the format shown in FIG. 16, and inf [i], kind [i]
A list in which (i = 0 to ninf-1) is “0” meaning association with the application is displayed on the CRT 12.

In step S30, KB10 or P
The designation of the application is received from D11 via the KBC4, and the corresponding index number is stored in the index.

In step S31, the external character environment associated with the selected use is set as the current external character environment. Specifically, shotai [addr [i] +
i], gaiji [addr [i] + i] (i = 0 to n
gaiji [index] -1) is set as the current external character environment.

As described above, in the use association process, the external character environment and the application using the external character environment are associated with each other, so that the external character environment can always be set accurately.

FIG. 19 shows a computer according to this embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an application association process executed by the CPU 1 in particular.

In the figure, first, in step S41, designation is received from the KB10 or PD11 via the KBC4.

Next, in step S42, it is determined whether or not the designation is to be saved. If it is determined that the designation is to be saved, the processing in steps S43 to S48 is performed.
If it is determined that the designation is not to be saved, that is, if it is determined that the setting is to be made, the processing of steps S49 to S51 is performed.

First, the storage processing will be described.

In step S43, the current external character environment is set to H
RAM in the format of FIG. 17 from DD13b via DKC6
Read on 3.

In step S44, the currently used application is referred to and stored in c_inf in FIG. 17A as an application to be associated with. c
In "_kind", "1" is set, which means that it is associated with the application.

At step S45, the association information is set to HD
D3b through DKC6 in RAM3 in the format of FIG.
Read on.

In step S46, inf [i] (i =
0 to ninf-1) and c_inf. If there is the same information, the same table index is set in the index of FIG. 17C, and the related information is replaced (step S47). Perform additional processing (step S4)
8).

The replacement in step S47 is performed by deleting the data and then adding the data. In particular,
First, it is deleted from the font external character-related table shown in FIG. That is, i = addr [index + 1] to ad
dr [ninf-1] + ngaiji [ninf-1]
For each i of -1, shotai [addr [ind
ex] + i-addr [index + 1]], gaij
i [addr [index] + i-addr [index
x + 1]], respectively, as shotai [i], gaij
Each value of i [i] is stored, and addr [i] -ngaj
Reset i [index] to addr [i]. Next, it is deleted from the table of FIG. That is,
For each i of i = index to ninf-2, kin
d [i + 1], inf [i + 1], ngaiji [i +
1] and addr [i + 1] are respectively
[I], inf [i], ngaiji [i], addr
Stored in [i] and reset ninf-1 to ninf. Further, c_kind, c_inf, c_ngai
ji are represented by kind [ninf] and inf, respectively.
[Ninf] and ngaiji [ninf].
addr [ninf] includes addr [ninf-1]
+ Ngaiji [ninf-1] is set. i = 0
For each i of ngaiji [ninf] -1, c_s
The values of hotai [i] and c_gaiji [i] are converted to shotai [addr [ninf] + i] and g, respectively.
aiji [addr [ninf] + i]. n
Inf + 1 is reset to ninf, and the data of FIG. 16 is written to the HDD 13b in the format of FIG.

In step S48, an information adding process is performed when the association information has not been defined. Specifically, the values of c_kind, c_inf, and c_ngaiji are respectively represented by kind [ninf] and inf [nin
f], ngaiji [ninf]. addr
[Ninf] includes addr [ninf-1] + nga
ij [ninf-1] is set. i = 0 to ngai
c_shota for each i of ji [ninf] -1
Each value of i [i] and c_gaiji [i] is represented by s
hotai [addr [ninf] + i], gaiji
Set to [addr [ninf] + i]. And n
Inf + 1 is reset to ninf, and the data of FIG. 16 is written to the HDD 13b in the format of FIG.

Next, the setting of the external character environment will be described.

In step S49, the association information is set to HD
The data is read from D13b via the DKC 6, and stored in the RAM 3 in the format shown in FIG.

At step S50, the currently used application is referred to. Specifically, the table in FIG. 16 is searched for i = 0 to ninf−1, and
[I] is “1” meaning the association with the application, and inf [i] indicates the index number of the table that is the same as the application referred to by inde
x.

In step S51, the external character environment associated with the application being used is set as the current external character environment. Specifically, shotai [addr
[I] + i], gaiji [addr [i] + i] (i
= 0 to ngaiji [index] -1) is set as the current external character environment.

As described above, since the external character environment and the application using the external character environment are associated with each other in the application associating process, the external character environment can always be set accurately.

It is needless to say that the storage and setting of the external character environment can be applied to a locally connected printer and a printer connected to a network.

In both of the above-described embodiments, a system configuration in which a plurality of personal computers are used as clients, one server computer is used, and two printers are used. The present invention can be applied to at least one server computer and at least one printer. Further, the server computer is not essential and can be replaced by a personal computer or an intelligent printer.

It is not necessary to employ a high-performance personal computer such as a workstation (of course, it may be employed), and any personal computer can be used as long as it can be connected to a network. .

A storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU 1 or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include the floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and CD-RO.
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,
ROM 2 or the like can be used. Further, the program code may be supplied from the server computer 26 via the communication network N.

When the computer executes the readout program codes, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program codes. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU 1 provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by the processing is also included.

[0134]

As described above, according to the first, eleventh, or twenty-first aspect of the present invention, a print request for printing a document includes information for identifying the document and information in the document. At least one information processing apparatus that outputs a print request including information on external characters used in a database, a database that stores the output print request, and prints a document in accordance with the output print request In an external character environment in which at least one or more printers are connected on the same network, it is determined whether or not the received print request has been output in the past by searching the database. When the print request has not been output in the past, the print request is stored in the database, and information on the external character in the received print request is stored. Is detected, and when a target printer is detected, a document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer, and the target printer is detected. Otherwise, after setting information relating to the external character in the received print request to any of the printers, a document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer, so that the external character environment is always accurately set. It becomes possible to do.

According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, 15 or 25, in an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, a storage request for the current external character environment is accepted, and a use is specified. Since the designated use and the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, the external character environment can always be set accurately.

Further, according to the invention as set forth in claim 8, 18, or 28, in an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, a storage request for the current external character environment is accepted and currently used. The type of application is detected, and the detected type of application and the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request are stored in the storage unit in association with each other, so that the external character environment is always accurately set. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of one of a plurality of computers constituting an external character environment management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a use environment of the external character environment management system according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a memory map of a RAM in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a method for supplying a printing environment management program and related data from a recording medium to the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of recorded contents of a recording medium on which a print environment management program and related data are recorded.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an associating format of a font and an external character file.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of print request data.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of information on a printed document held on the server computer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a data format when downloading external characters to the printer of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format for holding a received print request on a RAM in FIG. 1;

11 is a diagram showing a format of holding output information on a RAM in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a storage format of external character information set in the printer on the RAM in FIG. 1;

13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a printing process executed by the server computer of FIG. 2, particularly, a CPU;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of a sub-character environment reference / setting subroutine of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of association information on a RAM in FIG. 1 in the external character environment management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a format of holding defined association information on a RAM in FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a format for storing association storage information on a RAM in FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 shows a computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a use association process particularly executed by the CPU.

FIG. 19 shows a computer according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an application association process executed by the CPU.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 ROM 3 RAM 4 Keyboard control part 5 Display control part 6 Disk control part 9 Network controller 10 Keyboard 11 Pointing device 12 CRT 13 External storage device 21-25 Personal computer 26 Server computer 27 Printer 28 Multifunction machine N Network

Claims (30)

[Claims] At least one or more print requests for printing a document, the print request including information for specifying the document and information on external characters used in the document are output. An external character environment management system in which an information processing device, a database for storing the output print request, and at least one or more printers for printing a document in response to the output print request are connected on the same network. Receiving means for receiving the output print request; determining means for searching the database to determine whether the received print request has been output in the past; and determining the determination means. As a result, when the print request has not been output in the past, a storage unit for storing the print request in the database; and the received print request. Detecting means for detecting a printer in which information relating to external characters matching the information relating to external characters is set, and when the target printer is detected by the detecting means, a document corresponding to the received print request is detected by the printer. When printing, when the target printer is not detected, after setting information on the external character in the received print request to any printer, a document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer. And a control means for controlling the external character environment management system. 2. The database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and the detecting unit reads out the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. The external character environment management system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The printer stores information on external characters set in the printer and outputs the stored information on the network in response to access from another device. 2. The external character environment management system according to claim 1, wherein, by accessing the printer via the network, information on external characters held by the printer is read and a target printer is detected. . 4. The external character according to claim 1, wherein the information on the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file. Environmental management system. 5. An external character environment management system for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, a storage request receiving unit for receiving a storage request for a current external character environment, a specifying unit for specifying a use, An external character environment management system comprising: a storage unit configured to store the specified use in association with the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request. 6. The storage means, when the specified use has already been stored, converts the external character environment stored in association with the use into an external character environment according to a newly received storage request. The external character environment management system according to claim 5, wherein the external character environment management system is replaced and stored. 7. A switching request receiving unit for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, a selecting unit for selecting any one of the stored applications, and in the stored external character environment, 7. The external character environment management system according to claim 5, further comprising: a setting unit configured to set an external character environment corresponding to the selected application as a current external character environment. 8. 8. An external character environment management system for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, a storage request receiving means for receiving a storage request for a current external character environment, and a type of an application currently used. And a storage unit for storing the type of the detected application and the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request in association with each other. 9. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein when the type of the detected application is already stored, the external character environment stored in association with the type of the application is changed according to a newly received storage request. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the data is replaced and stored in an external character environment.
The external character environment management system described in. 10. A switching request receiving unit for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, and a current external character environment corresponding to a type of an application detected by the detecting unit in the stored external character environment. 10. The external character environment management system according to claim 8, further comprising: setting means for setting the external character environment. 11. At least one or more print requests for printing a document, the print request including information for specifying the document and information on external characters used in the document are output. An information processing apparatus, a database for storing the output print request, and at least one printer for printing a document in response to the output print request manages an external character environment in which the printer is connected on the same network. An external character environment management method, comprising: a receiving step of receiving the output print request; and a determining step of searching the database to determine whether the received print request has been output in the past. As a result of the determination in the determination step, when the print request has not been output in the past, a storage step of storing the print request in the database; A detecting step of detecting a printer in which information relating to an external character corresponding to the information relating to the external character in the received print request is set; and, when a target printer is detected by the detecting step, the printing received by the printer. When the document corresponding to the request is printed and the target printer is not detected, after setting information relating to the external character in the received print request to any one of the printers, the printer responds to the received print request. And a control step of controlling to print a document. 12. The database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and in the detecting step, reads out the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. The method for managing an external character environment according to claim 11, wherein: 13. The printer holds information on external characters set in the printer,
In response to an access from another device, the stored information is output on the network. In the detecting step, the printer accesses the printer via the network to obtain the external characters held by the printer. The method of claim 11, wherein the information is read to detect a target printer. 14. The external character according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the information on the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file. Environmental management method. 15. An external character environment management method for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, a storage request receiving step of receiving a storage request for a current external character environment, a specifying step of specifying a use, A method for managing an external character environment, comprising a storage step of storing the specified use and an external character environment corresponding to the received storage request in a storage unit in association with each other. 16. In the storing step, when the specified use is already stored, the external character environment stored in association with the use is changed to the external character environment according to the newly received storage request. 16. The method for managing an external character environment according to claim 15, wherein the external character is replaced and stored. 17. A switching request receiving step of receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, a selecting step of selecting any one of the stored applications, and in the stored external character environment, 17. The external character environment management method according to claim 15, further comprising a setting step of setting the external character environment corresponding to the selected use as the current external character environment. 18. A method for managing an external character environment in which a plurality of types of external characters are switched and used, comprising: a storage request receiving step of receiving a storage request for a current external character environment; and a type of an application currently used. And a storage step of associating the detected type of application with the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request and storing the external character environment in storage means. . 19. In the storing step, when the type of the detected application is already stored,
19. The external character environment management method according to claim 18, wherein the external character environment stored in association with the type of the application is replaced with an external character environment according to a newly received storage request and stored. 20. A switching request receiving step of receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment; and, in the stored external character environment, a current external character environment corresponding to the type of application detected by the detecting step. 20. The external character environment management method according to claim 18, further comprising a setting step of setting the external character environment as the external character environment. 21. At least one or more printers for outputting a print request for printing a document, the print request including information for specifying the document and information on external characters used in the document. An information processing apparatus, a database for storing the output print request, and at least one printer for printing a document in response to the output print request manages an external character environment in which the printer is connected on the same network. A storage medium that stores a computer-implementable program including an external character environment management module, wherein the external character environment management module includes: a receiving module that receives the output print request; and a reception module that searches the database to receive the print request. A determination module for determining whether the received print request has been output in the past, and a determination by the determination module As a result, when the print request has not been output in the past, a storage module that stores the print request in the database, and information about the external character that matches the information about the external character in the received print request are set. A detection module for detecting a printer, and when the target printer is detected by the detection module, a document corresponding to the received print request is printed by the printer. When the target printer is not detected, one of the printers is printed. And a control module for controlling the printer to print a document corresponding to the received print request after setting information relating to an external character in the received print request. 22. The database stores information on external characters set in the printer, and the detection module reads out the stored information on external characters from the database to detect a target printer. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein: 23. The printer holds information on external characters set in the printer,
In response to access from another device, the stored information is output on the network, and the detection module accesses the printer via the network to access the external characters held by the printer. 22. The storage medium according to claim 21, wherein the information is read to detect a target printer. 24. The storage according to claim 21, wherein the information on the external character set in the printer is at least one of a version of the external character file and a character type included in the external character file. Medium. 25. A storage medium storing a program that can be realized by a computer, the storage medium including a foreign character environment management module that manages a private character environment used by switching a plurality of types of private characters, wherein the private character environment management module includes a current private character. A save request receiving module for receiving a save request for the environment, a designation module for designating a use, a save module for associating the designated use with the external character environment according to the accepted save request, and saving in a storage means; A storage medium characterized by having: 26. The storage module, when the specified use is already stored, replaces the external character environment stored in association with the use with the external character environment according to the newly received storage request. The storage medium according to claim 25, wherein the storage medium is replaced and stored. 27. A switching request receiving module for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, a selecting module for selecting any one of the stored applications, and in the stored external character environment, 27. A setting module for setting an external character environment corresponding to the selected use as a current external character environment.
A storage medium according to claim 1. 28. A storage medium storing a program that can be implemented by a computer, the storage medium including an external character environment management module that manages an external character environment used by switching a plurality of types of external characters, wherein the external character environment management module includes a current external character. A storage request receiving module for receiving a storage request for the environment, a detection module for detecting the type of the application currently being used, and associating the detected application type with the external character environment corresponding to the received storage request. And a storage module for storing the data in a storage means. 29. The storage module, when the type of the detected application is already stored, changes the external character environment stored in association with the type of the application according to a newly received storage request. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the storage medium is replaced with an external character environment and stored. 30. A switching request receiving module for receiving a switching request for switching a current external character environment to another environment, and a current external character environment corresponding to a type of an application detected by the detection module in the stored external character environment. 30. The storage medium according to claim 28, further comprising: a setting module configured to set an external character environment.