JP2001051914A - Data output control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency in the output work of document data or the like and to save time and labor of a user required for the output stage of a document prepared by the user. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a central processing unit(CPU) 1, a main storage device 2, a display device 3, an input device 4 and communication equipment 7. In the case of outputting data, the CPU 1 transmits data from FAX equipment 5 or electronic mail device 6 through a communication line to a personal computer or FAX equipment outside a facility and transmits data through the communication equipment 7 and a computer network NW to a printer 30. When the output of data is instructed by the input device 4 while designating the destination to output data, output data are outputted corresponding to information, that the data output device of the output destination has, read from the main storage device 2 in response to this output instruction. Only by designating the output destination, the user can make the data output device of the desired output destination execute the desired data output without starting the driver software of the data output device of the output destination or performing output setting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data output control system, and more particularly to a printer, a copier, a facsimile, a multifunction printer, and other computers such as an e-mail which are used by being connected to a computer network. The present invention relates to a data output control system that outputs data to the data output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when outputting document data, image data, and the like, various output means such as a facsimile and an electronic mail are used in addition to a printer. Usually, the procedure for output differs for each output means.

[0003]

Since the procedure is different for each output means, in order to output to a plurality of output means, output is performed sequentially (that is, many times) in a different procedure for each output means. It was necessary and required time-consuming work. For example, when distributing meeting materials to members, it is necessary to deliver by e-mail to a certain destination, and to send by fax to a certain destination. Paper distribution may be required. In such a case, output has to be performed sequentially while switching the output means according to the other party (normally, switching between e-mail software, fax transmission software, printer driver, etc.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a data output control system in which the output work of document data and the like is made more efficient, and the time and labor required by the user in the output stage of the document created by the user are saved. It is to be.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a data output control system for controlling a plurality of data output means connected to a computer network, comprising: Output destination information storage means for storing in advance the correspondence between the output destination and the type of the data output means, output destination specifying means for specifying the output destination, output instruction means for instructing data output, and the output instruction Output control means for outputting output data corresponding to the information of the output destination data output means read from the output destination information storage means in response to an output instruction of the means. I have.

When the data output destination is specified by the output destination specifying means and the data output is specified by the output specifying means,
In response to the output instruction, output data corresponding to the information of the output destination data output unit read from the output destination information storage unit is output from the data output unit. Thus, if the user specifies the output destination, the data output unit of the desired output destination can execute the desired data output without starting the driver software of the data output unit of the output destination or setting the output. it can.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the data output control system according to the first aspect, the output destination specifying means can specify a plurality of output destinations, and the output instruction is given to each of the output destinations. Data is output by one operation of the means.

When the output instruction means is operated once for data output, desired data output is obtained from the data output means of a plurality of output destinations specified in advance by the output destination specifying means. Thereby, regardless of the type of the data output means at the data output destination, the data output means at the required data output destination can perform the data output by one operation.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 2
In the data output control system according to the above, registration means for registering information of the type of each of the plurality of data output means as a certain group, and registration information for storing the registration information registered in the registration means The output control means refers to the storage contents of the output destination information storage means and performs a process required for data output corresponding to the storage means and the group registered in the registration information storage means. It is characterized in that it is executed in a single operation.

[0010] In the registration information storage means, the registration means registers the types of information possessed by each of the plurality of data output means as a certain group. The output control means executes processing necessary for data output by one operation of the output instruction means with reference to the registered contents.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the data output control system according to the first aspect, the output destination specifying means can specify a plurality of output destinations, and the output destination is specified for each of these output destinations. Data is output by the same operation of the instruction means.

Data is output to each of the plurality of output destinations specified by the output destination specifying means by the same operation of the output instruction means. This simplifies the operation of the output destination instruction means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the data output control system according to the first aspect, a priority registering means for registering information on the priority of the output assigned to the plurality of data output means, And priority order storage means for storing registration information registered in the priority order registration means, wherein the output control means outputs data based on the priority order information stored in the priority order storage means. Features.

The output control means executes data output based on the registration information of the output priority assigned to the plurality of data output means. Thus, even when the data output means of the target output destination is in use or has a problem such as a failure and the data cannot be output, the data is output to the registered lower-priority output destination. be able to.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a data output control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Network Environment FIG. 1 shows an example of a network environment in which the data output control system according to the present invention operates. In the network environment, a computer PCk used in one facility
Are mutually connected to another computer (not shown) by a computer network NW, and the output device P
Lk, PHk, PFk, etc. are also connected to the computer network NW. The output device PLk is a low-end printer installed near the user's own seat, for example, in groups. On the other hand, the output device PH
k is a high-end printer installed at a location away from the user's own seat, for example, in departments. The computer network NW is connected to an output device PF such as a fax machine outside the facility through a communication line TN such as a public telephone line.
k and a computer outside the facility (not shown). The output devices PLk, PHk, PFk, and the like function as common output devices shared by the computer PCk connected to the computer network NW and other computers (not shown).

(2) System Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of the system configuration of the data output control system operating in the network environment. The data output control system includes a central processing unit 1, a main storage device 2, a display device 3, an input device 4, and a communication device 7. The central processing unit 1 executes various application software programs including data output control software on basic software called an operating system that controls the entire system stored in the main storage device 2,
When outputting data, the data is transmitted from the facsimile device 5 or the e-mail device 6 to a personal computer or a facsimile device outside the facility via the communication line TN, and to the printing device 30 such as a printer via the communication device 7 and the computer network NW.

The main storage device 2 stores various kinds of application software including the above basic software and data output control software related to the present invention. The main storage device 2 also stores information necessary for the central processing unit 1 to perform information processing, for example, various output device information corresponding to the facsimile device 5, the e-mail device 6, and the printing device 30, respectively. It can be taken out according to. In addition, information input by the user from the input device 4 is stored as registration information, and can be taken out as necessary.

The display device 3 comprises a CRT display or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays information processed by the central processing unit 1 as graphics, characters, and the like. The input device 4 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. The user inputs and issues various data to the central processing unit 1 through the input device 4.

(3) Data Output Control Flow The flow of the data output control routine, the new registration routine, and the priority setting routine by the data output control software of the data output control system described in FIG. 2 are shown in FIG.
5 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Data Output Control Routine> When the flow of the data output control routine shown in FIG. 3 starts, FIG.
The image shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 3. The display screen includes a distribution button 8, a registration button 9,
A personal button 10, a group button 11, a group name input button 12, a name input field 13, an output device type input field 14, an output device designation symbol input field 15, a start button 16, and a stop button 17 are displayed.

When the distribution button 8 is clicked on the display screen, it is determined whether or not the output device information of the data output destination has been registered (step S1). If it is determined that the output device information of the output destination has been registered (Yes in step S1), it is determined whether or not designation of all output destinations is completed (step S2). The output destination is specified by clicking the individual button 10 or the group button 11 on the display screen of FIG. 6 to specify a specific output destination or a group. In the example of FIG. 6, for the output destination of “06”, input the name “Goro Kawai 4”, the type of output device “FAX”, and the output device designation symbol “03-1234-5678”, An example of a field in which a plurality of various output destinations including the output destination “06” and output device information corresponding to the output destination are named as “sales 01” and registered as a certain group.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the output device information of the output destination is not registered (No in step S1), the user is inquired whether to register the output device information (step S33). The user clicks a “register” button 9 on the display screen of FIG. 6 (step S3).
Then, the process proceeds to the execution of the registration subroutine S4 in FIG.

The output device information of the output destination has been registered (Yes in step S1), a registration subroutine (step S4)
When the end and the output device information are not registered (No in step S3), the process waits until designation of all output destinations is completed (loop of steps S1 and S2). In this state,
Click start button 16 in FIG. 6 (step S
If Yes in 2), the type of the output destination output device is determined (step S5).

If it is determined in step S5 that the type of the output device at the output destination is an electronic mail device, an output process to the electronic mail device 6 (step S6) is executed.
Data output is performed (step S9). If it is determined that the type of the output device at the output destination is a printing device (printer), the output process to the printing device 30 (step S
7) is executed, and when it is determined that the type of the output device of the output destination is the facsimile device 5, an output process to the facsimile device 5 (step S8) is executed, and data output is executed for each (step S9). ). During execution of data output, the screen of FIG. 7 is displayed on the display device 3 of FIG.

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the output is successful (step S10). If the output is successful (Yes in step S10), it is determined whether there is a next output destination (step S11). At this time, if there is no next output destination (No in step S11), the process shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the display device 3 of the transmission source (step S12), and the process ends when the user clicks the OK button 20 in FIG. 9 or the OK button 21 in FIG. When there is a next output destination (Yes in step S11), the process returns to step S5.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S10 that the output has failed (No in step S10), it is determined whether there is an output device having the next priority (step S13). If there is an output device to which the next priority is assigned (Yes in step S13), it is determined whether the output device can be changed (step S14). When the transfer of the output device is permitted (OK), the user clicks the OK button 18 in FIG. 8 (Yes in step S14).
Then, it is determined whether or not the transfer destination output device is of the same type as the prioritized output device (step S15). At this time, if the output device of the transfer destination is the same type as the output device of the priority order (Yes in step S15), the output is executed (step S9), and the output device of the transfer destination is set to the output device of the priority order. If not the same type (No in step S15), the process returns to step S5.

It should be noted that there is no output device to which the next priority is assigned in step S13 (No in step S13).
Is determined, the presence or absence of the next output destination is determined (step S11). In addition, when the transfer of the output device is not possible in the above step S14, when the user presses the stop button 19 in FIG.
Is clicked (Yes in step S14), it is determined whether there is a next output destination (step S11).

<Registration Routine> When the flow of the registration routine of FIG. 4 starts, it is determined whether the registration content is new or changed (step S21). When it is determined that the registration content is new (new in step S21), the user inputs the name of the output destination to the field 13 on the display screen of FIG. 6 using the input device 4, and registers the name (step S22). Then, the type of the output device is input to the field 14 to register the type of the output device (step S23), and the output device designation symbol is entered to the field 15 to register the output device designation symbol (step S24).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S21 that the registered content is a change (changed in step S21), whether the changed content is the name or type of the output device, or the output device designation symbol It is determined which one is (step S25). When the name of the output device is changed, the changed name is registered (step S22), and when the type of the output device is changed, the changed type of the output device is registered (step S23). In the case of a change, the changed output device designation symbol is registered (step S).
24).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the output device of the next priority is registered (step S26), whether or not the priority of the output device is correct (step S27), and whether or not the output destination is registered in the group (step S27). (Step S28), it is determined whether all registrations have been completed (Step S29), and the process returns. If it is determined in step S26 that the output device having the next priority is not registered (Yes in step S26), the process returns to step S23. Also, in the above step S27,
The priority order of the output devices is incorrect (N in step S27)
When it is determined to be G), the priority order setting routine of FIG. 5 (step S30) is executed, and then step S28 is executed. Further, when it is determined in step S28 that the output destination is to be registered in the group (Yes in step S28), it is determined whether the output destination is new for the registered group (step S31).

If it is determined in step S31 that the output destination is not a registered group new (No in step S31), the output destination is registered in the group (step S32).
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not all registrations have been completed (step S
29). If it is determined in step S31 that the output destination is a new registered group (Yes in step S31), the user inputs the name of the group to the field 12 of the display screen of FIG. Registration (Step S
33) Then, in step S32, the output destination is registered in the group (step S32). If all the registrations are completed in step S29 (Yes in step S29), the process returns, and all the registrations are not completed (step S29).
If No), the process returns to step S21.

<Priority Order Setting Routine> When the flow of the priority order setting routine of FIG. 5 (step S30) starts, the user selects and selects the output device priority order correction field 24 (see FIG. 12) of the output device to be corrected. Cursor 2
5, the pull-down is performed (step S41). Thereafter, the correct output device type corresponding to the output device priority order is selected with the selection cursor 25 (step S42), and the output device type is determined, and at the same time, is changed to the corresponding output device designation symbol (step S43). Click the button 26. As a result, the lower output device type is automatically changed (step S44), and it is determined whether or not all corrections have been completed (step S45). If the correction has not been completed, the user clicks the correction button 22 on the display screen of FIG. 11 to return to step S41. Further, when all the corrections are completed (Yes in step S), the user enters FIG.
By clicking the OK button 23 on the display screen of No. 1, the process returns.

[0034]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In response to the output instruction, the output data corresponding to the information held by the data output means of the output destination read from the output destination information storage means is output from the data output means, so that the user can specify the output destination. This allows the desired data output means to execute the desired data output without setting up the driver software or setting the output of the data output means at the output destination, and the operation for data output is greatly reduced. Therefore, the labor required for the data output operation can be greatly reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, if the output instruction means is operated once for data output, desired data output can be obtained from the data output means of a plurality of output destinations specified in advance. Regardless of the type of data output means at the data output destination, data can be output from a required data output destination with a single operation, and the operation for data output is further simplified.

Further, according to the present invention, by registering the types of information possessed by each of the plurality of data output means as a fixed group, the processing required for data output can be performed by referring to the registered contents. It can be executed by a single operation of the output instructing means, and the required data output can be executed by a single operation even for different types of data output means.

Further, according to the present invention, the data is output to each of the plurality of designated output destinations by the same operation of the output instruction means, so that the operation of the output destination instruction means is simplified.

Still further, according to the present invention, the data output means at the target output destination is in use by causing the data output means to execute the data output based on the registration information of the output priority assigned to the data output means. When data output cannot be performed due to problems such as failure or failure, data can be output to the registered lower priority output destination, and the data output destination data output means cannot be used. Also, data can be output using other data output means, and the waiting time for data output can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a network environment in which a data output control system according to the present invention operates.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a data output control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a data output control routine by data output control software of the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a new registration routine by data output control software of the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a priority setting routine by data output control software of the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a field screen for registering information of various output devices in the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a display device showing that output data is being printed in the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the output device makes a determination to change an output destination in the data output control system of FIG. 2;

9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a display device indicating that printing of output data has been completed in the data output control system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 shows the data output control system of FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a display device indicating that all distribution has been completed.

FIG. 11 shows the data output control system of FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a display device indicating a priority order of registered output devices.

FIG. 12 shows a data output control system of FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a display screen of a display device for executing correction of a priority order of registered output devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Central processing unit 2 Main storage device 3 Display device 4 Input device 5 Fax device 6 E-mail device 7 Communication device 30 Printing device (output device) NW Computer network TN Communication line PCk Personal computer PLk, PHk, PFk Output device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 HH03 HJ06 HK04 HN05 HN13 HP06 HQ14 5B021 AA01 AA05 EE02 5B089 GA13 HA01 HA06 JA05 JA31 JA35 KA04 KA12 KB04 KB13 KC23 KC26 KC34 K04A13 AA35 AB22 AB42 AC03 AC42 AC43 BA00 BC01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A data output control system for controlling a plurality of data output means connected to a computer network, said output destination information storage means storing in advance a correspondence between a data output destination and a type of the data output means. Output destination designating means for designating the output destination; output instructing means for instructing output of data; and an output destination read from the output destination information storage means in response to an output instruction from the output instructing means. Data output control system, comprising: output control means for outputting output data in accordance with information held by the data output means. 2. The output destination specifying means is capable of specifying a plurality of output destinations, and data is output to each of the output destinations by a single operation of the output instruction means. 2. The data output control system according to 1. 3. A registration unit for registering information of a type included in each of the plurality of data output units as a fixed group, a registration information storage unit for storing registration information registered in the registration unit, The output control means corresponds to the groups registered in the registration information storage means, respectively, and refers to the storage contents of the output destination information storage means so that the output control means performs a process required for data output by one operation of the output instruction means. The data output control system according to claim 2, wherein the data output control system is executed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said output destination specifying means is capable of specifying a plurality of output destinations, and data is output to each of these output destinations by the same operation of said output instruction means. Data output control system. 5. A priority registering means for registering output priority information assigned to the plurality of data output means,
A priority storage unit for storing registration information registered in the priority registration unit, wherein the output control unit outputs data based on the priority information stored in the priority storage unit. The data output control system according to claim 1, wherein