JP2003296057A - Print order receiving system, print control device, order receiving method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print order receiving system, a print control device, an order receiving method, a program and a recording medium for determining whether or not the order reception is decided or canceled based on the content of a print order after receiving the print order from a central control device. <P>SOLUTION: The print order given to a center server 102 from a client 101 via a network 100 is received by one of a plurality of print servers, it is determined whether or not the printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and whether or not the order reception is decided or canceled according to the result of determination. If cancellation of the order reception is decided, the reason for canceling the order reception is notified to the center server 102. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print ordering system and a print management system in which one of a plurality of print management apparatuses receives a print order from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and causes the printing apparatus to perform print processing. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an order receiving method therefor, a program, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, one of a plurality of print servers (print management devices) receives a print order from a user of a client computer to a center server (central management device) via the Internet, and print processing is performed by the printing devices. In the print ordering system, when data is sent from the center server to the print server,
Even if there is an error in the print data, the order cancel processing for canceling the order cannot be performed in the series of processing flow.

When the order cancel processing is performed,
The database operation process by the administrator who understood the configuration of the center server was required.

[0004]

In the conventional system as described above, when the operator of the print server cancels the order, it is necessary to contact the manager of the center server by another system. I was unable to cancel the order.

Further, it is necessary to contact the user who has placed an order by another system, and it has been impossible to convey the cancellation notification in the series of processing flow.

Further, specialized knowledge is required to update the database of the center server accompanying the order cancel processing.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and after receiving a print order from a central management unit, it is possible to decide whether to confirm or cancel the order based on the content of the print order. An object of the present invention is to provide a system, a print management apparatus, an order receiving method therefor, a program, and a recording medium.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, one of a plurality of print management apparatuses receives a print order from a client to a central management apparatus via a network, and the printing apparatus receives the print order. A print ordering system for performing print processing on a print order, and a determining unit that receives a print order ordered from the central management unit and determines whether printing is possible based on the content of the received print order; Depending on the determination result by the means, when the order is decided or the order is decided to be canceled, and the order decision means decides to cancel the order, the reason for canceling the order is the central management device. And a notification means for notifying the user.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a print management apparatus which receives a print order from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and causes the printing apparatus to perform print processing. An order for a print order placed on the central management unit is received, and the order is placed according to the result of the judgment by the judgment unit for judging whether or not printing is possible based on the contents of the received print order. It has an order decision means for deciding whether to confirm or cancel, and a notification means for notifying the central management unit of the reason for canceling the order when the order decision means decides to cancel the order. Characterize.

Further, the present invention is an order receiving method of a print order receiving system in which one of a plurality of print management apparatuses receives a print order from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and the printing processing is performed by the printing apparatus. In accordance with the determination step of receiving a print order placed in the central management device and determining whether printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and the determination result in the determination step, An order receiving step for deciding whether to confirm or cancel the order, and a notification step for notifying the central management device of the reason for canceling the order when the order canceling step decides to cancel the order. It is characterized by having.

The present invention is also an ordering method for a print management apparatus, which receives a print order ordered from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and causes the printing apparatus to perform print processing. The received print order is accepted, and the order is confirmed or canceled according to the determination step of determining whether printing is possible based on the content of the received print order and the determination result of the determination step. It is characterized by further comprising an order determining step for determining whether or not the order is canceled in the order determining step, and notifying means for notifying the central management device of the reason for canceling the order.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration and operation of the printing system in which the center server receives a print order from the user of the client computer via the network and the print order is processed by any of the plurality of print servers will be described.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining the printing system of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1,
Client computer 101, center server 1
02, the print server 103 (1), 103 (2),
, 103 (N) are connected via a network 100 such as the Internet.

The print servers 103 (1), 10
3 (2), ..., 103 (N) have the same configuration, and therefore, in order to simplify the description, a plurality of print servers 103 (1), 103 (2) ,.
When referring to the print server specified in (N), it is referred to as print server 103 (X). Also, a plurality of print servers 103 (1), 103 (2), ..., 10
When referring to all 3 (N), simply print server 1
Write 03.

The center server 102 and the print server 103 respectively include a CPU, a ROM, and a
It is composed of a RAM, a HDD, etc., and is composed of an information processing device (computer) operated by a dedicated operator. The client computer 101 is composed of a general information processing device (computer) including a network browsing unit. In the present embodiment, the network 100 will be described by taking the Internet as an example.
It may be another network system such as a cal area network).

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the flow of control and information in the printing system. In FIG. 2, the user (orderer) who created the print order data on the client computer 101 uses the network browsing means 201 capable of browsing the Internet to access the center server 1.
The print order data is transmitted to 02. Also, by connecting to the center server 102 using the network browsing means 201, it is possible to inquire about the print processing status of the ordered print order data.

Next, the order processing unit 202 of the center server 102 receives the print order data from the client computer 101 and stores it in the print order information storage unit 209 in the database 203. Further, the print order receiving unit 204 of the print server 103 (1) extracts and acquires the corresponding print order data from the print order information storage unit 209 in the database 203 of the center server 102. The status registration unit 205 registers the print processing status in the printing device availability status information storage unit 210 in the database 203 of the center server 102 so that the orderer can view the print processing status, and also the print server 1
03 (X) registers the availability of the printing device so that it can be searched.

The status reference means 206 of the print server 103 (1) is used by another print server 103
The print device availability information storage unit 2 in the database 203 of the center server 102 stores the print device availability information of (X).
Reference will be made from 10. Further, the external print requesting means 207 uses the status referring means 206 to send information to the center server 102.
Print server 103 based on availability obtained from
The printing agent for the print order data is sent to the network 10 in (X).
Request via 0. Conversely, print server (1)
When the print server (X) requests the printing agency, the carry-in means 208 is used to fetch the corresponding print order data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configurations of the print server 103 and the printer. As shown in FIG. 3, a print management apparatus 301 corresponding to the print server 103, a printing apparatus 303 (1) managed by the print management apparatus 301,
303 (2), ..., 303 (N) is the network 302
Is always connected via. The printing device 303
Since (1), 303 (2), ..., 303 (N) have the same configuration, a plurality of printing devices 303 (1), 303 (2), ...
When referring to the printing device 303 specified in 303 (N), it will be referred to as printing device 303 (X). Further, when referring to all of the plurality of printing devices 303 (1), 303 (2), ..., 303 (N), they are simply referred to as printing device 303. The network 302 is a general network system, and a LAN (Local Area Network) is used in this embodiment, but another network system may be used as long as it is a network that can be always connected.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of the print management apparatus 301. In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as C
It is referred to as PU). Reference numeral 402 denotes a random access memory (hereinafter, referred to as RAM), which functions as a main memory of the CPU 401, an area of an execution program, an execution area of the program, and a data area.

Reference numeral 403 is a read only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) which stores the operation processing procedure of the CPU 401. The ROM 403 includes a program ROM in which basic software (OS) that is a system program for controlling the equipment of the information processing apparatus is recorded, and a data ROM in which information necessary for operating the system is recorded.
Further, instead of the ROM 403, an HDD 409 described later may be used.

A network interface (NETIF) 404 controls the data transfer between the information processing devices via the network and diagnoses the connection status. A video RAM (VRAM) 405 develops an image to be displayed on the screen of the CRT 406, which shows the operating state of the information processing apparatus described later, and controls the display.

Reference numeral 406 is a display device such as a display (hereinafter referred to as CRT). 407 is an external input device 40
8 is a controller (hereinafter, referred to as KBC) for controlling an input signal from 8. Reference numeral 408 denotes an external input device (hereinafter referred to as KBC) for receiving an operation performed by the user, and a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse is used, for example.

Reference numeral 409 denotes a hard disk drive (hereinafter,
HDD) and is used for storing application programs and various data. The application program in this embodiment is a software program or the like that executes various processing means in this embodiment.

An external input / output device (hereinafter, referred to as FDD) 410 inputs / outputs a removable disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive or a CDROM drive, and is input from the medium of the above application program. Used for reading, etc.

Reference numeral 413 denotes a magnetic recording medium (eg Zip, floppy disk or external hard disk) read by the FDD 410, an optical recording medium (eg C).
It is a removable data recording device (removable medium) such as a D-ROM, a magneto-optical recording medium (for example, MO), a semiconductor recording medium (for example, a memory card) (hereinafter referred to as FD). The application program and data stored in the HDD 409 can be stored in the FDD 410 and used.

Reference numeral 411 is a controller (hereinafter referred to as PRTC) for controlling an output signal to the PRT 412 described later. 412 is a printing device (hereinafter referred to as PRT)
For example, an LBP (Laser Beam Printer) or the like is used. Reference numeral 400 denotes a transmission bus (address bus, data bus, input / output bus,
And control bus).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a processing means group operating in the print management apparatus 301 and a storage apparatus group for storing information, a control and information flow between the processing means group and the storage apparatus group,
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an outline of control and information flow between the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303. In the figure, reference numerals 204 to 208, 502 and 503 denote processing means, and those explained in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals. These processing means are the ROM 403 shown in FIG.
RA read from HDD 409 or FDD 410
It is a module that is developed in the M402 and operates as an application program used by the CPU 401 or a part of the program.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 is a print order information storage device, and 504 is an external print request information storage device, and the HDD 409 and RAM in the print management device 301 using a file system or database system.
Information is stored using at least one of 402 and FDD 410. Further, the information stored in the information storage devices 501 and 504 can be directly accessed with specific keys and conditions.

The arrows shown in FIG. 5 represent the main flow of control and information flow between processing means. Print management device 30
1. The flow across the printing device 303 is NETIF4
If it is connected via the network 302 through 04, it is transmitted to the printing apparatus 303. In addition, the other flow across the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303 is transmitted to the PRT 412, that is, the printing apparatus 303 via the PRTC 411. The printer 303 and PR
The difference in T412 is only the connection form with the print management apparatus 301. That is, when the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303 are directly connected, the printing apparatus 30
3 and PRT412 are the same device.

The relationship between the information processing device (print management device 301) and the processing means and information storage device in the information processing device is
The information and instructions input from B408 are expanded to the RAM402 as needed through the KBC407 and the CPU40
It is transmitted to 1. Information stored in the information processing device and the necessary processing means calculated by the CPU 401 is stored in the ROM 403, the HDD.
RAM from 409, FDD410 or RAM402
RAM 402, HDD
409, FDD 410, etc., the information of the calculation result is written in the information storage device. At the same time, the CPU 401
VRAM 405, if the result calculated in
The resulting information is displayed on the CRT 406 via. CPU 401, RAM 402, ROM 403, NE
TIF404, VRAM405, KBC407, HDD
Transmission between the 409 and the FDD 410 is performed via the transmission bus 400.

Hereinafter, each processing means and information storage device will be specifically described. In this embodiment, the print management apparatus 301 is operated by an operator (operator) who executes print output processing. The print order receiving unit 204 shown in FIG. 5 is a processing unit that operates in the print management apparatus 301, sets the order number in the order number of the order information for the ordered print order data, and prints the print information. It has a function of setting the order number and the print data number in the order number, associating them with the print data, and storing them in the print order information storage device 501 in the print management apparatus 301.

The order information is information in which items such as a print management device number, an orderer number, an order date, and a print status are collected using the order number as a key. The print information is the print service type, using the order number and print data number as keys.
This is information regarding print data in which items such as the number of print copies, the number of ordered copies, the number of pages, and the printer number are collected. It should be noted that a plurality of print information can be associated with one order information. The print order information storage device 501 has a function of storing a plurality of order information.

The print order receiving means 204 is automatically activated by an external means or is activated by an operator. The printing unit 50 is instructed by the operator.
Reference numeral 2 has a function of extracting print data stored in the print order information storage device 501, transmitting it to the printing device 303 (X), and instructing the printing device 303 (X) to print. The print order information management unit 503 has a function of listing the status of the print order data stored in the print order information storage device 501 by an operator's operation.

The status registration means 205 stores the availability of the printing device 303 (acceptable, temporarily stopped, etc.) in the database 2 of the center server 102 according to an operator's instruction.
03, and the processing status of the ordered print data (print standby, print end, etc.) is registered in the print order information storage unit 209 in the database 203 of the center server 102. .

The external print request means 207 activated from the print order information management means 503 according to the operator's instruction,
Center server 1 using status search means 206
02, the printer availability information is acquired from the availability information storage unit 210 in the database 203, and the print server 103 (X) capable of requesting external printing is selected.
The print order data selected from the print order data stored in the print order information storage device 501 is taken out to the external print request information storage device 504, compressed / packaged into a file, and known to the selected print server 103 (X). The file is sent using an electronic mail system or the like, and the external print request information storage device 504 stores the external print request information. The print order information management unit 503 displays that the print order data is in the status of “external print request” and limits the print processing of the print order data.

The printing device availability information is a collection of items such as printer status, e-mail address, etc., using the print management device number and printer code as keys. The external print request information is information in which items such as a requested print management device number and a request date are collected using the order number as a key. The external print request information storage device 504 has a function of storing a plurality of print order data and external print request information brought out from the print order information storage device 501.

The carry-in means 208 activated by the print order information management means 503 according to the operator's instruction decompresses the data sent by a known electronic mail system or the like.
It has a function of expanding and storing the print order data stored in the external print request information storage device 504 in the print order information storage device 501.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the external print request processing. The print order information storage device 501 shown in FIG.
External print request means 207, external print request information storage device 5
04 is described in detail. The print order information storage device 501 has an order information storage unit 601 in the HDD 409 that stores order information having a format such as order number, print management device number, orderer number, order date, and print status, and an order. A print-related information storage unit 602 having formats such as number, print data number, print service type, number of prints, number of orders, number of pages, printer number, and the like, and a print output by the printing apparatus 303. The print data storage unit 603 stores data.

The external print requesting means 207 uses the program R
External print information from a data acquisition processing unit 604, which is a program that is read from the OM 403 into the RAM 402 and becomes available, a data storage processing unit 605, and an external print request information storage unit 610 in an external print request information storage device 504, which will be described later. And a data deletion processing unit 606 that deletes.

The external print request information storage device 504 uses the data acquisition processing unit 604 to print the print order information storage device 501.
The print order data extracted from the data storage processing unit 60
5 stored in the FDD 410 or HDD 40
An order information storage unit 607 having a format such as an order number, a print management device number, an orderer number, an order date, a print status, and the like in FIG. 9, and an order number, print data number, and print service. A printing-related information storage unit 608 having formats such as type, number of prints, number of orders, number of pages, and printer number, and stores printing information.
A print data storage unit 609 that stores print data to be printed out by the printing apparatus 303;
The external print request information storage unit 610 has a format such as an order number / requested print management device number / request date and stores information of data requested for external print.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of the external print request information storage unit 610. The external print request information table 700 includes an order number 701 that stores the order number of the print order data for which an external print request has been made, and a print management apparatus number 702 that is the requested print management apparatus for determining which print management apparatus has requested the printing. A request date 703 that stores the date when the external print request process was performed, and a comment 704 that stores arbitrary information regarding the external print request.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a database image of the external print request information storage unit 610. Here, a file image 800 is shown in the case where the information of the database is expanded into a file so that the above format diagram stored in the database can be easily understood.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the format of the order information storage unit 601 in the print order information storage device 501 and the order information storage unit 607 in the external print request information storage device 504, one for each order unit. The table is created. The difference between 601 and 607 is that 601 is in the HDD 409, and 607 is the HDD 4 extracted from 601.
09 or that stored in the FD 413. The order information table 900 includes an order number 901 that stores the order number of the print order data, a print management apparatus number 902 for determining which print management apparatus has accepted the print order, and a person who has placed an order. Orderer number 903, order date 9 that stores the date the order was accepted
04, "print standby" to determine the status of print processing
A print status 905 for storing statuses such as “printing completed” and “external print request”, and a price 906 for storing the price in the case of paying for the print order.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the formats of the print-related information storage unit 602 in the print order information storage device 501 and the print-related information storage unit 608 in the external print request information storage device 504. Multiple tables are created. The difference between 602 and 608 is that 602 is in the HDD 409, and 608 is the one extracted from the 602 and stored in the HDD 409 or the FD 413. Printing-related information table 1000
Is the order number 1 that stores the order number of the print order data associated with the order number 901 of the order information table 900.
001, a plurality of print data can be included for each order unit, a print data number 1002 that stores a number for distinguishing the print data, and a margin to print the print data A print service type 1003, a number of print copies 1004 that stores the number of copies actually printed, an order number 1005 that stores the requested number of print orders, and the number of pages of the print data document. 100 pages to do
6. A printer number 1007 for distinguishing the printer to be printed out.

FIG. 11 shows a printing device availability information storage unit 210 in the database 203 of the center server 102.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the format of the above, and is created by the number of printing devices. The printing device availability information table 1100 includes a printing management device number 1101, a printer code 1102 that distinguishes a printing device connected to the printing management device, and a printer status 1103 that registers the availability of the printing device (usable / unusable status). , An e-mail address 1104 that serves as a contact when an external print request is made and when the requested processing is completed.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the carry-in process. The external print request information storage device 504 of FIG.
The carry-in means 208 and the print order information storage device 501 are described in detail. External print request information storage device 50
An order information storage 4 stores order information having a format such as an order number, print management apparatus number, orderer number, order date, and print status of print data externally requested by another print management apparatus. Part 607 and order number
A print-related information storage unit 608 having a format such as print data number, print service type, print copy number, order copy number, page number, printer number, and the like, and storing print information;
The printing device 303 includes a print data storage unit 609 that stores print data to be printed out.

The carry-in means 208 is the program ROM 4
The data acquisition processing unit 1201 and the data storage processing unit 1202, which are programs that can be read from 03 to the RAM 402 and made available.

The print order information storage device 501 is the HDD 4
Order number, print management device number, orderer number,
An order information storage unit 601 having a format such as order date / print status and storing order information, and a format such as order number / print data number / print service type / print number / order number / page number / printer number A print-related information storage unit 602 that stores the print information
And a print data storage unit 603 that stores print data to be printed out by the printing device 303.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a screen image operated by the external print requesting unit 207 when the operator performs an external print request process. Further, in FIG. 14, the carry-in means 2 is shown.
08 shows an example of a screen image operated by the operator when carrying-in processing.

The outline of a series of processes will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 15 shows a process in which an operator in charge of the print management device requests external printing of print processing to another print management device, and FIG. 16 shows print management of print request data requested by the operator from another print management device. Fig. 1 shows the process of printing brought in to the device.
Reference numeral 7 represents a process when the operator receives a notification that the process of requesting external printing to another print management apparatus is completed.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the processing operation at the time of the external print request, in which the operator sends the print data in the print order information storage device 501 to the external print request means 207.
Represents a process of bringing out to the external print request information storage device 504 and requesting printing to another print management device.

Program ROM 40 by the operator
3 is a list of print order data received by the print order receiving unit 204, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 403 into the RAM 402 and is available by the print order information management unit 503 that is a program that is read into the RAM 402 and is available ( Order information table 9
00 and information in the print related information table 1000)
It is displayed on 406 (step S1). Here, the operator selects an order to be an external print request target from the list of print order data displayed on the CRT 406 in step S1 (step S2). And
When the operator selects the external print request process according to the screen display displayed on the CRT 406,
An external print request processing screen is displayed on the top (step S
3).

Next, from the program ROM 403 to the RAM
The status server 206, which is a program that can be read and used by the server 402, selects a printing device that matches the printer number 1007 of the print-related information table 1000 related to the external print request target order as the center server 10.
No. 2 printing management device number 110 of the printing device availability information table 1100 of the printing device availability information storage unit 210
The search is performed by comparing with 1, and the external print request destination candidate is displayed on the external print request processing screen on the CRT 406 (step S4).

Here, according to the operator's instruction, the folder to which the external print request information is brought out is selected (step S5), and the external print request destination is selected from the external print request destination candidates displayed in step S4. Then (step S6), a screen for prompting the operator to select whether or not to start the external print request process is displayed in the program ROM 40.
CRT 40 by the external print request means 207, which is a program that can be used by being read from RAM 3 to RAM 402.
6 is displayed (step S7), and if the operator does not desire to start the external print request processing, the series of external print request processing is stopped. When the operator desires to start the external print request process, the above-described step S5 is performed.
Create a folder with the order number as the data storage location in the export destination folder selected in step S (step S).
8).

The data acquisition processing unit 604 reads the order information of the selected order from the order information storage unit 601 in the HDD 409 onto the RAM 402 (step S
9), the data storage processing unit 605 stores the order information in the order information storage unit 607 of the folder created in step S8 described above (step S10).

The data acquisition processing unit 604 outputs the print-related information of the selected order from the print-related information storage unit 602 in the HDD 409 and the print data of the selected order from the print-data storage unit 603 in the HDD 409.
Data is read onto M402 (step S11), the data storage processing unit 605 saves the print-related information in the print-related information storage unit 608 of the folder created in step S9 described above, and the folder created in step S9 described above. The print data is stored in the print data storage unit 609 (step S12).

The data storage processing unit 605 compresses the folder storing the order information storage unit 607, the print-related information storage unit 608, and the print data storage unit 609 into a package file (step S13), and at step S4 described above. The package file is transmitted from the printing device availability information acquired from the center server 102 to the request destination selected in step S6 using a known electronic mail system (step S14). Data storage processing unit 605
Is stored in the HDD 409 based on the order information read in step S9, the print-related information read in step S11, and the requested printing apparatus information selected in step S6. It is stored in the external print request information table 700 of the external print request information storage unit 610 (step S15).

From step S3, the external print request screen displayed on the CRT 406 is closed (step S16), and the external print request means 207 also ends. Upon receiving the termination of the external print requesting unit 207, the print order information management unit 503 sets the print status 905 of the order information table 900 of the order information storage unit 601 of the order for which the external print requesting process is performed to “external print request”. And set CRT
The print status of the print order data list (information of the order information table 900 and the print-related information table 1000) displayed on 406 is also displayed as "external print request" (step S17), and another print request is made. In order to prevent double printing with the management device, the printing process is restricted for the order on the screen (step S18).

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the operation of bringing in print data requested by another print management apparatus. The operator of the other print management apparatus externally prints the print order data in the print order information storage device 501. Requesting means 2
The operator brings the print order data brought out to the external print request information storage device 504 by 07 into the print order data sent by e-mail by the carry-in means 208.
Represents the process of bringing in and printing.

A list of print order data received by the print order receiving unit 204 by the print order information managing unit 503 (the order information table 900 and the print related information table 10).
00 information) is displayed on the screen displayed on the CRT 406 (step S21). Then CR by the operator
When the carry-in process is selected in accordance with the screen display displayed on T406, the program ROM 403 reads R
The carry-in means 208, which is a program that can be read and used by the AM 402, displays a carry-in processing screen on the CRT 406 (step S22).

Next, the package file received by e-mail or the like from another print management apparatus is expanded / decompressed to form the external print request information storage apparatus 504 (step S2).
3). Data acquisition processing unit 1201 in the carry-in means 208
Reads a list of data requested to be printed on the RAM 402 from the order information storage unit 607 in the external print request information storage device 504 and displays it in the print requested data list on the carry-in processing screen displayed on the CRT 406 ( Step S24).

According to the operator's instruction, the order to be brought in is selected on the screen displayed on the CRT 406,
When the carry-in means 208 displays on the CRT 406 a screen for allowing the operator to select whether or not to start the carry-in process according to the screen displayed on the CRT 406 (step S25), and the operator does not want to start the carry-in process. , The series of carry-in processing is stopped. Further, when the operator desires to start the carry-in process, the data acquisition processing unit 120 in the carry-in means 208.
Reference numeral 1 denotes the order information of the selected order from the order information storage unit 607 in the external print request information storage device 504 in the RAM.
The data is read onto 402 (step S26), and the data storage processing unit 1202 stores the order information storage unit 601 in the HDD 409.
The order information such as the print management apparatus number of the print request source is stored in (step S27).

Next, the data acquisition processing unit 1201 stores the print-related information of the selected order from the print-related information storage unit 608 in the external print request information storage device 504 in the RAM.
The print data of the selected order is read into the RAM 402 from the print data storage unit 609 in the external print request information storage device 504 (step S
28), the data storage processing unit 1202 stores the print related information in the print related information storage unit 602 in the HDD 409,
The print data is stored in the print data storage unit 603 in the HDD 409 (step S29).

At step S22, the carry-in screen displayed on the CRT 406 is closed (step S3).
0), the carry-in means 208 also ends. Upon receiving the end of the carry-in means 208, the print order information management means 503 refers to the order information storage unit 601 and the print-related information storage unit 602 of the order for which the carry-in processing has been performed, and displays the print on the CRT 406. The list of order data (information in the order information table 900 and the print-related information table 1000) is updated and displayed, and the order selected by the operator is selected (step S31), and according to the screen displayed on the CRT 406. The screen that allows the operator to select whether or not to start the printing process is the program RO
The CRT 406 by the printing unit 502, which is a program that is read from the M403 into the RAM 402 and becomes available.
Displayed above (steps S32 and S33), if the operator does not wish to start the print processing, the series of print processing is stopped.

When the operator desires to start the print processing, the print data storage unit 60 is based on the information in the print related information storage unit 602 in the print order information storage device 501.
The print data of No. 3 is sent to the printing apparatus 303 (X) and print processing is performed (steps S34 and S35). The print screen displayed on the CRT 406 is closed from step S32 described above (step S36), and the printing unit 502 is also terminated. Upon receiving the end of the printing unit 502, the print order information management unit 503 displays the print processing status on the list (the information of the order information table 900 and the print related information table 1000) of the print order data displayed on the CRT 406. Is updated to "print completed" and displayed (step S3)
7).

According to the operator's instruction, a print request is made by using a known electronic mail system, and the fact that the printing is completed is notified to another print management apparatus which is the request source of the brought-in print request order (step S38). ), Delete processing of the print request order that has been requested for printing and brought in (step S39). The operator prints out the printed matter printed in step S35 described above by the administrator of another print management apparatus which is the external print request source, or the client computer 10.
It is sent by mail or the like to the orderer who has ordered the printing using No. 1 (step S40).

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the processing operation for confirming the end when the print management apparatus, which is the destination of the external print request, receives a notification that the printing is completed, and the operator stores the external print request information. This represents a process of deleting data from the external print request information storage unit 610 of the apparatus 504 and registering “printing completed” in the center server 102 by the status registration unit 205 so that the orderer can identify it.

When the known electronic mail system receives a notification from the other print management apparatus requesting printing that the print processing is completed (step S41), the data deletion processing unit 606 in the external print requesting means 207. But HDD4
The external print request information table 70 of the external print request information storage unit 610 in the external print request information storage device 504 in 09.
The information of the corresponding order is deleted from 0 (step S
42). Then, by the print order information management means 503,
Order information storage unit 6 in HDD 409 of the corresponding order
Print status 905 of the order information table 900 of 01
Changed from "External print request" to "Print standby", and CRT
A list of print order data on the screen displayed on 406 (order information table 900 and print related information table 1000).
Information), the print status displayed as "external print request" of the corresponding order is updated to "print end" and displayed (step S43), and double printing is performed with another print management apparatus that requested printing. In order to prevent this, the print processing that is restricted on the screen is canceled (step S44).

Next, the print order information management means 503 updates the print order information 209 in the database 203 in the center server 102 by the status registration means 205, which is a program that is read from the program ROM 403 to the RAM 402 and made available. The print processing status of the print order order is set to "print completed" so that the orderer using the client computer 101 can determine the print processing status (step S45).

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to request printing to another print management apparatus in a situation where the printing apparatus cannot be used, and it becomes possible to manage the list of print data for which external printing is requested, and There is an effect that it is possible to prevent double printing with another print management apparatus.

Next, after the data is sent from the center server 102 to the print server 103 (X), it is determined whether or not printing is possible based on the data, and if possible, the order is accepted. If it is impossible to print due to confirmation and printing, and because the number of copies is too large to support from the data, the print server 103
A process of canceling an order by the operator (X), transmitting it to the center server 102 along with the cancellation information and notifying the user will be described.

FIG. 18 outlines the processing means group operating in the center server (central management unit) 102, the storage device group for storing information, the control and information flow between the processing means group and the storage device group. FIG. In the figure, reference numerals 202, 1801, 1802 and 1803 denote processing means, which are designated by the same reference numerals as those described with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the server order processing means 202 of FIG. 18 is the same as the one described as the order processing means 202 in FIG. These processing means are the ROM shown in FIG.
A module that is read from 403, HDD 409, or FDD 410, expanded in RAM 402, and operates as an application program used by CPU 401 or a part of the program.

In FIG. 18, 209 is a print order information storage device, 210 is a print server information storage device, 18
Reference numeral 04 is an orderer information storage device, to which the same reference numerals as those described in FIG. 2 are attached. What is briefly described as the print order information storage unit 209 in FIG. 2 is the print order information storage device 209 that is described in detail in FIG. 18, and what is described as the printing device availability status storage unit 210 in FIG. 18 is the print server information storage device 210 of FIG. 18, and the printing device availability information storage unit 181 stores the printing device availability information storage unit 181 in FIG.
It is 5.

These information storage devices use the file system or the database system to store the HDD 409 and the RAM 40 in the central management device 102 of the center server.
2 and at least one of the FDDs 410 is used to store information. The information stored in the information storage devices 209, 210, 1804 can be directly accessed with specific keys and conditions. In addition, arrows shown in FIG. 18 represent main ones of control and information flows between the processing means.

The relationship between the information processing device (central management device 102 of the center server) and the processing means and information storage device inside the information processing device is determined by the user through the KBC 407 according to the information and instructions input from the KB 408, and if necessary, the RAM 4
It is expanded to 02 and transmitted to the CPU 401. The information stored in the necessary processing means and the information storage device, which is calculated by the CPU 401, is expanded to the RAM 402 from the ROM 403, the HDD 409, the FDD 410, the RAM 402, or the like, and the CPU 401
If the result calculated by the CPU 401 is necessary, the information of the calculation result is written in the information storage device existing in the RAM 402, the HDD 409, the FDD 410, or the like.
At the same time, the result of the calculation by the CPU 401 is displayed on the CRT 406 via the VRAM 405 if necessary. CPU401, RAM4
02, ROM403, NETIF404, VRAM40
5, the KBC 407, the HDD 409, and the FDD 410 are transmitted via the transmission bus 400.

The processing means and the information storage device will be specifically described below. Here, the central management device (center server) 102 is operated by an administrator (operator) who manages the center server. The server order processing means 202 shown in FIG.
A central management device 102 is a processing unit that operates within the computer, and a user who wants to place a print order uses the browser browsing device 201 of the client computer 101, based on the data transmitted through the network 100 represented by the Internet. The orderer information is confirmed by comparing it with the data in the orderer information storage unit 1813 in the orderer information storage device 1804 in the orderer information storage device 1804, and the order number is set in the order number of the order information for the ordered print order data. The print order information storage device 20 in the central management device 102
No. 9 of the print order information storage unit 1810, the order number of the print related information and the print data number are set in the order number and associated with the print data, and the print related information of the print order information storage device 209 in the central management apparatus 102. The storage unit 1811 has a function of storing print-related information and the print data storage unit 1812 stores print data.

Here, the order information is a collection of items such as the orderer number, order date, order status, and price with the order number as a key, and the print order information storage device 2
In 09, it is stored in the order information storage unit 1810. The print-related information is information about print data in which items such as the print service type, the number of copies, the number of copies, the number of pages, the job status, and the print management device number are collected using the order number and the print data number as keys. In the print order information storage device 209, it is stored in the print related information storage unit 1811, and the print data is stored in the print data storage unit 1812. It is possible to associate a plurality of print-related information with one order information. Print order information storage device 209
Has a function of storing a plurality of order information.

The server order processing means 202 is automatically activated by an external means or is also activated by an operator's operation.

The distribution processing means 1801 is the central management unit 1.
The print order notification processing unit 1805 and the print order data distribution processing unit 1806 are processing units that operate in 02. First, the print order notification processing unit 1805 prepares distribution data for the print management apparatus related to the specified order number and print data according to an instruction from the server order processing unit 202, and uses the print management apparatus number of the print-related information as a key. By searching the print management device information storage unit 1814 in the print server information storage device 210, the e-mail address of the contact information of the print server 103 (X) including the print management device of the data distribution destination is acquired, and the print order is placed. Notify that there is a known email mechanism. A print order data distribution processing unit 1806
Responds to a request from the print order receiving unit 204 of the print management apparatus 301 of the print server 103 (X) notified by the print order notification processing unit 1805, and outputs the corresponding distribution data prepared by the print order notification processing unit 1805. To deliver.

The distribution processing means 1801 is automatically activated by an external means, or is activated by an operator's operation.

On the other hand, processing status management means 1802
Is a processing means operating in the central management device 102,
Processing status reference processing unit 1807, processing status registration processing unit 1808, and processing status notified processing unit 180
9 and manages order status and job status. The order status is a processing status regarding orders such as a server order, a print site order, a delivered order, and a print site order cancellation from the time the user places an order until the print output is delivered, and in the central management apparatus 102. It is stored in the order information storage unit 1810 of the print order information storage device 209. This is the status that the user can refer to using the browser browsing device 201 of the client computer 101.

The job status means that the server has been received, the server is waiting to be delivered, the server is being delivered, the server is being delivered, and the server is being delivered, from the time the user places an order until the time the printed output is delivered.
Printing site received, printing site printing standby, printing site printing,
This is a processing status related to a print job such as completion of printing at the printing site, and is stored in the print related information storage unit 1811 of the print order information storage device 209 in the central management apparatus 102. Since a plurality of print-related information can be linked to one order information, the related order status is advanced as the plurality of linked job statuses progress.

The processing status reference processing unit 1807 is based on an instruction requested by the user through the network 100 by using the browser browsing apparatus 201 of the client computer 101, and the print order information storage apparatus 20.
The order status of the corresponding order is referred to from the order information storage unit 1810 of No. 9 and returned. The processing status notified processing unit 1809 receives the processing status from the status registration unit 205 of the print management apparatus 301 of the print server 103 (X), and receives the processing status data. When the received processing status is “print base order cancellation”, the processing status data and the cancellation information describing the reason why the print server 103 (X) cannot accept the order are also received.

The processing status registration processing section 1808 registers the processing status data received by the processing status notified processing section 1809 in the corresponding job status of the print related information storage section 1811 of the print order information storage device 209, and if necessary. If there is, the order status in the order information storage unit 1810 is updated. If the received processing status is “print base order cancellation”, the processing status data is registered and the cancellation information notifying unit 1803 is activated.

The processing status management means 1802 is
It is automatically activated by an external means or is also activated by an operator's operation.

The cancellation information notifying unit 1803 is a processing unit operating in the central management unit 102 and notifies the user of the cancellation information. Cancellation information notification means 1
803 is started by the processing status management unit 1802, and the cancellation information is delivered. Using the orderer number of the delivered cancellation information as a key, the e-mail address of the corresponding user is acquired from the orderer information storage unit 1813 of the orderer information storage device 1804, and the cancellation information is obtained using a known electronic mail mechanism. Notice.

FIG. 19 shows the print server 103 (X).
And a storage device group that stores information, a storage device group that stores information, an outline of control and information flow between the processing means group and the storage means group, and between the print management device 301 and the printing device 303. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the control and the flow of information, and mainly the process of confirming the print order. In FIG. 19, 204, 2
05, 502, 503 and 1901 are processing means,
The same reference numerals as those described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 are attached.

The process of the status registration unit 205 described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 is the same as the process of the printer status registration processing unit 1909 in the status registration unit 205 in FIG. These processing means are the ROM 4 shown in FIG.
03, the HDD 409 or the FDD 410, is loaded on the RAM 402, and operates as an application program or a part of the program used by the CPU 401.

In FIG. 19, a print order information storage device 501 and a temporary print information storage device 1907 use at least one of the HDD 409, RAM 402, and FDD 410 in the print management device 301 by using a file system or a database system. To store information. The information stored in the information storage devices 501 and 1907 can be directly accessed with specific keys and conditions. The arrows shown in FIG. 19 represent the main ones of the flow of control and information between processing means. Print management device 30
1. The flow across the printing device 303 is NETIF4
If it is connected via the network 302 through 04, it is transmitted to the printing apparatus 303. Further, the other flow across the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303 is transmitted to the PRT 412, that is, the printing apparatus 303 via the PRTC 411.

The printing apparatus 303 and the PRT 412 are different only in the connection form with the print management apparatus 301. That is, when the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303 are directly connected, the printing apparatus 303 and the PRT 41
2 becomes the same device.

The relationship between the information processing device (print management device 301) and the processing means and information storage device in it is
The information and instructions input from B408 are expanded in the RAM 402 as needed through the KBC 407 and the CPU 401
Transmitted to. Information stored in the CPU 401 and calculated in the necessary processing means and information storage device is stored in the ROM 403 and HDD.
RAM from 409, FDD410 or RAM402
RAM 402, HDD
409, FDD 410, etc., the information of the calculation result is written in the information storage device. At the same time, the CPU 401
VRAM 405, if the result calculated in
The resulting information is displayed on the CRT 406 via. CPU 401, RAM 402, ROM 403, NE
TIF404, VRAM405, KBC407, HDD
Transmission between the 409 and the FDD 410 is performed via the transmission bus 400.

The processing means and the information storage device will be specifically described below. Here, the print management apparatus 301
Is operated by an operator who executes print output processing. Print order receiving means 204 shown in FIG.
Is a processing unit that operates in the print management apparatus 301,
The print order information reception processing unit 1902 and the print order data reception processing unit 1903 are included. First, the print order information reception processing unit 1902 receives a print order from the distribution processing unit 1801 of the central management apparatus 102 of the center server by e-mail, and interprets the content of the received e-mail. The print order data reception processing unit 1903 requests distribution of print order data corresponding to the distribution processing unit 1801 of the central management apparatus 102 of the center server based on the information obtained by interpreting the electronic mail received by the print order information reception processing unit 1902. And the received print order data, and the temporary print order information storage device 190 in the print management device 301.
7 has the function of storing.

The temporary print order information storage device 1907 has the same structure as the print order information storage device 501, and stores the received print order data until the operator performs the order confirmation process.

The print order receiving means 204 is automatically activated by an external means or is also activated by an operator's operation.

Print order determining means 1901 shown in FIG.
Is a processing unit that operates in the print management apparatus 301,
The print order data confirmation processing unit 1904, the print order confirmation processing unit 1905, and the print order cancellation processing unit 1906 are included. The operator uses the print order data confirmation processing unit 1904 to determine whether or not it is possible to receive an order from the contents of the order information and print-related information stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907, and also the print order data confirmation processing unit 19
The printing means 502 activated from 04 partially prints the print data in the temporary print information storage device 1907, and determines from the print result whether printing is possible.

Here, when the operator determines that it is possible to receive an order for the relevant print order data using the print order data confirmation processing unit 1904, the print order confirmation processing unit 1905.
Is used to express the intention of "ordering". Then, the print order confirmation processing unit 1905 moves the relevant print order data temporarily stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907 to the print information storage device 501, sets the job status to “standby for printing base print”, and sets the order status. Is set to “print base order” and the status registration unit 205 is notified.

If the operator uses the print order data confirmation processing unit 1904 to determine that it is impossible to receive an order for the corresponding print order data, the print order cancellation processing unit 1
906 is used to express the intention of “cancellation”, and “cancellation information” in which the reason for cancellation is transmitted to the user is created. Then, the print order cancel processing unit 1906 deletes the corresponding print order data temporarily stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907, sets the order status to “print base order cancel”, and sets the status together with “cancel information”. Notify the registration means 205. The print order determining unit 1901 is activated by an operator's operation.

Status registration means 205 shown in FIG.
Is a processing unit that operates in the print management apparatus 301,
The processing status registration processing unit 1908 and the printer status registration processing unit 1909 are included. The processing status registration processing unit 1908 has a “processing status” regarding the print order data notified by the print order determining unit 1901 according to an operator's instruction or an instruction from the print order determining unit 1901, and a case of cancel processing. The “cancellation information” is notified to the processing status management unit 1802 of the central management apparatus 102 of the center server. The printer status registration processing unit 1909 notifies the processing status management unit 1802 of the central management apparatus 102 of the center server of the vacant status (acceptable status, temporary suspension, etc.) of the printing apparatus 303 according to an operator's instruction.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the format of the order information storage unit 1810 in the print order information storage device 209 of the center server (central management unit) 201, and one table is created for each order unit. The order information table 2000 stores an order number 2001 that stores the order number of the print order data, an orderer number 2002 that distinguishes the user who placed the order, an order date 2003 that stores the date and time when the order was accepted, and the user placed an order. From server to delivery of print output, "server order", "print base order",
It is composed of an order status 2004 for storing processing statuses regarding orders such as “delivered” and “print base order cancelled”, and a price 2005 for storing the price in the case where the price is paid for the print order. To be done.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the format of the print related information storage unit 1811 in the print order information storage unit 209 of the center server (central management unit) 102, and a plurality of tables are created for each order unit. . The print related information table 2100 is the order information table 2000.
Order number 2101, which stores the order number of the print order data associated with the order number 2001, and a plurality of print data can be included for each order unit, and the number for distinguishing the print data is stored. Print data number 21
02, a print service type 2103 for distinguishing what kind of margin or the like is to print the print data, the number of print copies 2104 for storing how many copies have actually been printed, and the number of ordered copies 2105 for storing the number of print order requests. , The number of pages 2106 for storing how many pages the print data document is composed of, "server received", "server delivery standby", "server delivery" from the time the user places an order until the printed output is delivered Job status for storing the processing status related to print jobs such as "Medium", "Server delivery completed", "Print base received", "Print base print standby", "Print base print in progress", "Print base print completed" 2107, a print management device number 2108 for distinguishing the print management device of the print output request destination, and the like.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the format of the print management device information storage section 1814 in the print server information storage device 210 of the center server (central management device) 102, which is created for each print management device. Incidentally, FIG.
1, 210 is the printing device availability information storage unit, but in order to explain in more detail 210 is divided into the printing management device information storage unit 1814 and the printing device availability status storage unit 1815, and in FIG. The description of the printing device availability information table 1100 corresponds to the printing device availability information storage unit 1815 in FIG.

The print management device information table 2200 includes a print management device number 2201, a print management device status 2202 for registering the operating status (usable / unavailable status) of the print management device, and a contact address for notifying print order information. Becomes
An e-mail address 2203, a print management device are installed, and are composed of a location 2204 which is a delivery source when delivering a print output result to a user.

In order to suppress the delivery charge to the user when the status reference means 206 in the print management apparatus 301 of the print server 103 selects another print management apparatus in performing the above-mentioned external print request processing. The location 2204 is also used as information for selecting the print management apparatus closest to the user's address.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the format of the printing device availability information storage portion 1815 in the print server information storage device 210 of the center server (central management device) 102, and the format is created for the number of printing devices. Incidentally, FIG.
1 has the same meaning as that described as the printing device availability status table 1100.

Printing device availability information table 2300
Is a print management device number 2301, a printer code 2302 that distinguishes the printing devices connected to the print management device, a printing device status 2303 that registers the operating status (usable / unusable status) of the printing device, and printing with the printing device. It is composed of a printable service type 2304 indicating the type of print service that can be executed.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the format of the orderer information storage unit 1813 in the orderer information storage unit 1804 of the center server (central management unit) 102, which is used by a user who uses the print ordering system according to this embodiment. Store information.

The orderer information table 2400 stores an orderer number 2401 for uniquely identifying a user, an orderer name 2402 for storing the user's name, a print order cancel process on the print management apparatus side, and the like. , An e-mail address 2403 for storing the notification destination when sending a notification from the cancellation information notifying unit 1803 by e-mail, and an expiration date 240 for storing the expiration date of the orderer number 2401
4 and so on.

An outline of a series of processes will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. Here, a process in which the operator of the print management apparatus 301, which is the print server 103 (X), confirms the print order, and a process in the central management apparatus 102, which is the center server after confirming the print order, will be described.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing the processing operation at the time of receiving a print order in the print management apparatus 301.
This is a process in which the operator confirms the print order by using the print order determining unit 1901 and confirms the order, or cancels the order.

First, when the operator of the print management apparatus 301 activates the print order information management means 503 which is a program that is read from the program ROM 403 to the RAM 402 and becomes available (step S101).
The program is a program that is read from the program ROM 403 to the RAM 402 and becomes usable. The print order information receiving processing unit 1902 of the print order receiving unit 204 activated by the print order information managing unit 503 is the distribution processing unit 1801 of the central management apparatus 102. An e-mail indicating that there is a print order is received by the e-mail mechanism from the print order notification processing unit 1805, and the content thereof is interpreted (step S10).
2).

Next, the print order data reception processing unit 1903, which receives an instruction from the print order information reception processing unit 1902, connects to the print order data distribution processing unit 1806 of the distribution processing unit 1801 of the central management apparatus 102 to perform the corresponding printing. The order data is received (step S103). Then, in step S104, the print order data reception processing unit 1903
The received print order data is arranged in the temporary print information storage device 1907, which has the same configuration as the print order information storage device 501 and temporarily stores the print order data until the order is confirmed.

The operator is a program that can be used by being read from the program ROM 403 to the RAM 402 and is displayed on the CRT 406 by the print order data confirmation processing unit 1904 of the print order determining unit 1901 activated by the print order information managing unit 503. The order information and the print-related information of the corresponding print order data stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907 are confirmed (step S10).
5). Then, the operator performs CR in step S105.
If it is judged that the order cannot be received due to the fact that the order content displayed on the screen on T406 is too large to handle, etc., press the "Cancel Order" button on the displayed screen. The process proceeds from step S106 to step S118. The order cancel processing will be described later.

If it is determined in step S106 that the corresponding order can be received, the "temporary print" button on the displayed screen is pressed, the process proceeds to step S107, and the program ROM 403 is read into the RAM 402. The print order determining unit 1901 activates the printing unit 502, and the operator issues an instruction to temporarily print out the corresponding print data, and the activated printing unit 502 outputs the temporary printing information. The corresponding print data is extracted from the storage device 1907, and the printing device 3
A printout instruction of the corresponding print data is output to 03. The operator takes out the printed output product from the printing apparatus 303.

Then, the operator carries out step S107.
If it is determined that the corresponding order cannot be received due to the fact that there is a clear error in the data output from the print result output in, or the output result is clearly different from the output desired by the user, the CRT 406 will The "order cancellation" button on the screen displayed at is pressed, and the process proceeds from step S108 to step S118. The order cancel processing will be described later.

If it is determined in step S108 that the corresponding order can be received, the "order confirmation" button on the displayed screen is pressed and the process proceeds to step S109. The corresponding print order data temporarily stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907 is moved to the print order information storage device 501. As a result, the contents of the relevant print order data are displayed on the print order data list screen displayed on the CRT 406 by the print order information management unit 503. Then, the print order confirmation processing unit 1905 sets the job status of the corresponding print order data to “print base printing standby”, sets the order status to “print base order”, and reads it from the program ROM 403 to the RAM 402 for use. Status registration means 205, which is a possible program
To notify the processing status registration processing unit 1908 of the processing status (step S110).

Next, the processing status registration processing unit 1908, which has received the notification from the print order confirmation processing unit 1905, makes a corresponding print order to the processing status notified processing unit 1809 of the processing status management unit 1802 of the central management apparatus 102. Notify the data processing status (step S1)
11). Next, the print order information management unit 503 causes the CRT 4
The print means 502 is activated by the operator selecting the corresponding print order data from the print order data list screen displayed on 06 and pressing the "print" button, and the activated print means 502 stores the print order information. Device 501
Then, the corresponding print data is extracted, and a printout instruction of the extracted print data is issued to the printing device 303. afterwards,
When the print output of the printing apparatus 303 is completed, the operator takes out the print output result product (step S112).

Next, the printing means 502 which has recognized the end of the printing output by the printing device 303 is the print order information management means 5.
The print order information management unit 503, which has notified the printer 03 of the end of the print output, sets the job status of the print order data to “print base printing end”,
The status registration means registration means 205 is activated to notify the processing status registration processing unit 1908 of the processing status (step S113). On the other hand, print order information management means 5
03 processing status registration processing unit 19
08 notifies the processing status notified processing unit 1809 of the processing status management unit 1802 of the central management apparatus 102 of the processing status of the relevant print order data (step S114).

Next, the operator takes the action of delivering the printed output product printed in step S112 to the user according to the method selected by the user who placed the print order, such as mailing, home delivery or direct handing (step S115). next,
On the screen displayed on the CRT 406 by the print order information management unit 503, the operator selects the relevant print order data and presses the "delivered" button, thereby setting the order status of the relevant print order data to "delivery". The print order information management unit 503 activates the status registration unit registration unit 205 and notifies the processing status registration processing unit 1908 of the processing status (step S116). Next, the processing status registration processing unit 1908 that has received the notification from the print order information management unit 503.
Is the processing status management means 18 of the central management device 102.
By notifying the processing status notified processing unit 1809 of No. 02 of the processing status of the corresponding print order data, a series of processing for receiving the order of the print order data is completed (step S117).

Step S106 or Step S1 described above
In 08, when the operator judges that the order cannot be received and presses the “order cancel” button on the screen displayed on the CRT 406, the print order cancel processing unit 1906 follows the instruction displayed on the screen. Then, "cancel information" that describes the reason why the order cannot be accepted is created (step S118). Next, in step S119, the print order cancel processing unit 1906.
Deletes the corresponding print order data temporarily stored in the temporary print information storage device 1907 (step S11).
9).

Next, the print order cancel processing unit 1906.
Sets the order status of the relevant print order data to "print base order cancellation", and the status registration means 2
05 to notify the processing status registration processing unit 1908 of the processing status and “cancellation information”, and the processing status registration processing unit 1908 notifies the processing status notified processing unit 1809 of the processing status management unit 1802 of the central management apparatus 102. By notifying the processing status of the relevant print order data and the "cancel information", a series of processing for canceling the order of the print order data is completed (step S120).

In FIG. 26, after the print order data is distributed to the print management apparatus 301 as the print server 103 (X) in the center server (central management apparatus) 102, the processing status is sent from the print management apparatus 301. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing operation centering on a processing status management unit 1802 at that time.

First, whether it is automatically started by external means,
Alternatively, the processing status management unit 18 which is a program that is read from the program ROM 403 activated by the operator's operation into the RAM 402 and becomes available
02 is a status registration unit 20 of the print management apparatus 301.
No. 5 receives the notification from the processing status registration processing unit 1908 and reads the received processing status information (step S201). Next, the print status registration processing unit 18 instructed by the processing status notified processing unit 1809.
08 determines the received processing status, and if the order status is “print base order received” or “delivered”, the process proceeds from step S202 to step S203, and the processing status registration processing unit 1808 determines the print order information. The corresponding order status 2004 in the order information storage unit 1810 of the storage device 209 is updated to “print base order received” or “delivered”, and the corresponding job status 2107 in the print related information storage unit 1811 is set according to the received job status. Update to “print base print standby” or “print base print completed”. When the job status is “print base printing completed”, the print related information storage unit 18
A series of processes is ended by setting the number of printed copies based on the information received together with the processing status in the number of prints 2104 of 11 (step S203).

If the received order status is "print base order cancel" in step S202, the process advances to step S204, and the processing status notified processing unit 1809 sends the "cancel information" together with the processing status data. Is received (step S2
04). Then, the processing status registration processing unit 1808
Is the order information storage unit 18 of the print order information storage device 209.
The corresponding order status 2004 of 10 is updated to "print base order cancellation" (step S205).
Next, the processing status registration processing unit 1808 sends the processing status notified processing unit 1809 in step S204 described above.
The cancellation information notifying unit 180, which is a program that receives the "cancellation information" received by the user, reads it from the program ROM 403 into the RAM 402, and becomes available
3 is activated and the "cancellation information" is delivered (step S206).

Thus, the cancellation information notifying means 18
03 extracts the orderer number from the “cancellation information” delivered from the processing status registration processing unit 1808, and stores the orderer information storage unit 181 in the orderer information storage device 1804.
The e-mail address of the user corresponding to the orderer number is acquired from 3 (step S207). Then, the cancellation information notifying unit 1803 creates an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address acquired in step S207 in which the content of the “cancellation information” described above is described, and uses the known e-mail mechanism to send the e-mail. By transmitting, the series of processing is completed (step S208).

As described above, according to the embodiment, after the data is sent from the center server to the print server, the operator of the print server can cancel the received order in a series of processes. Therefore, there is an effect that the cancellation information can be transmitted to the user.

[Other Embodiments] Various devices are operated to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments.
Supplying a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a computer in an apparatus or system connected to the various devices,
What is implemented by operating various devices according to a program stored in the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Further, in this case, the program code of the above-mentioned software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium of the program code, a communication medium (a wired line such as an optical fiber or a wireless line) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, a wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying the program information as a carrier wave. Etc.) can be used.

Further, means for supplying the above-mentioned program code to the computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Here, as the recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a magnetic disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM or the like can be used.

Further, the computer executes the supplied program code so that the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, and the program code operates in the OS (operating system), or Needless to say, the program code is included in the present invention when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with other application software or the like.

Furthermore, after the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or function expansion unit is instructed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like included in the above-mentioned performs a part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is thereby defined. It should not be construed as limiting. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or the main features thereof.

[0134]

As described above, according to the present invention,
After accepting a print order from the central management unit, you can decide whether to confirm or cancel the order based on the contents of the print order.If you cancel the order, notify the central management unit of the reason for canceling the order. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram for explaining a printing system.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram for explaining an outline of control and information flow in the printing system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the print server 103 in detail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a print management apparatus 301.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a processing unit group that operates in the print management apparatus 301 and a storage apparatus group that stores information, an outline of control and information flow between the processing unit group and the storage unit group, and the print management apparatus 301 and printing. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an outline of control and information flow between devices 303.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an external print request process, including a print order information storage device 501 and an external print request unit 2.
07 is a diagram for explaining the external print request information storage device 504 in detail.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of an external print request information storage unit 610.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a database image of an external print request information storage unit 610.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a format of order information storage units 601 and 607.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a format of print related information storage units 602 and 608.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a format of a printing device availability information storage unit 210.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a carry-in process,
External print request information storage device 504, carry-in means 208,
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the print order information storage device 501 in detail.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen image operated when performing an external print request process.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen image operated when carrying-in processing is performed.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when an external print request is made.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a carry-in processing operation of print data requested by another print management apparatus.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a processing operation of confirmation of termination when a notification that printing has been completed is received from another print management apparatus to which an external print request has been issued.

FIG. 18 is a group of processing units that operate in the center server (central management unit) 102 and a group of storage devices that store information;
It is a figure for explaining the outline of control and information flow between those processing means groups and storage device groups.

FIG. 19 is a summary of a processing unit group that operates in the print management apparatus 301 that is the print server 103 (X) and a storage device group that stores information, a control between the processing unit group and the storage unit group, and an information flow. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an outline of control and information flow between the print management apparatus 301 and the printing apparatus 303.

FIG. 20 is an order information storage unit 181 in the print order information storage device 209 of the center server (central management device) 201.
It is a figure which shows the format of 0.

FIG. 21 is a print-related information storage unit 1 in the print order information storage device 209 of the center server (central management device) 102.
It is a figure which shows the format of 811.

22 is a diagram showing a format of a print management apparatus information storage unit 1814 in the print server information storage apparatus 210 of the center server (central management apparatus) 102. FIG.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a format of a printing device availability information storage unit 1815 in the print server information storage device 210 of the center server (central management device) 102.

FIG. 24 is an orderer information storage unit 18 in an orderer information storage device 1804 of a center server (central management device) 102.
It is a figure which shows the format of 13.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when a print order is received in the print management apparatus 301.

FIG. 26 is a process when the processing status is sent from the print management apparatus 301 after the print order data is distributed to the print management apparatus 301 as the print server 103 (X) in the center server (central management apparatus) 102. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation centered on a status management unit 1802.

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A print order receiving system in which one of a plurality of print management apparatuses receives a print order from a client to a central management apparatus via a network, and causes the printing apparatus to perform print processing. A determination unit that receives an order for the ordered print order and determines whether or not printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and determines the order according to the determination result by the determination unit, or Printing having an order decision means for deciding whether to cancel and a notification means for notifying the central management device of the reason for canceling the order when the order decision means decides to cancel the order. Ordering system. 2. The print order receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not printing is possible based on whether the number of print copies of the print order is a predetermined number or more. 3. The print order accepting system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit temporarily prints the content of the print order and determines whether or not printing is possible based on the print result. 4. The print order receiving system according to claim 1, wherein the reason for canceling the order is sent from the central management unit to the client who has placed the print order via the network. 5. The print order receiving system according to claim 4, wherein the reason for canceling the order is sent as an electronic mail to the electronic mail address of the client. 6. The print order accepting system according to claim 1, wherein when the order accepting unit decides to cancel the order, it requests another print management apparatus to accept the print order. 7. The print order receiving system according to claim 1, wherein each of the print management apparatuses includes an external print requesting unit that requests another print management apparatus to print the print order data. 8. A print management apparatus for accepting a print order ordered from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and causing the printing apparatus to perform print processing, wherein the print order ordered to the central management apparatus is accepted. A determination unit that determines whether printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and an order determination unit that determines whether to confirm or cancel the order according to the determination result of the determination unit. And a notification unit that notifies the central management unit of the reason for canceling the order when the order determining unit determines to cancel the order. 9. The print management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the determination unit determines whether printing is possible based on whether the number of print copies of the print order is a predetermined number or more. 10. The print management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the determination unit temporarily prints the content of the print order and determines whether or not printing is possible based on the print result. 11. The print managing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the order determining unit determines to cancel the order, the print managing apparatus requests another print managing apparatus to accept the print order. 12. The print management apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an external print request unit that requests another print management apparatus to print the print order data. 13. An order receiving method of a print order receiving system, wherein one of a plurality of print managing apparatuses receives a print order from a client to a central managing apparatus via a network, and the print processing is performed by the printing apparatus. A decision process for receiving a print order ordered from the management device and determining whether or not printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and confirming the order according to the determination result in the determination process An order acceptance determining step of deciding whether to cancel or cancel, and a notification step of notifying the central management device of the reason for the order cancellation when the order cancellation is determined in the order determining step. Ordering method for the print ordering system. 14. A method of receiving an order for a print order ordered from a client to a central management apparatus via a network and causing the printing apparatus to perform print processing, the print order being ordered to the central management apparatus. And a decision step of deciding whether or not printing is possible based on the content of the received print order, and whether to decide or cancel the order according to the decision result of the decision step. An order receiving method for a print management apparatus, comprising: an order determining step; and a notification means for notifying the central management apparatus of the reason for canceling the order when the order determining step decides to cancel the order. . 15. A program for causing a computer to function as the unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12. 16. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 15 is recorded.