JP2003323271A - Print control device, print system, print control method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system which can exercise control of enabled/ disabled print or the like which discriminates individual print device by holding the ID of a print device (output device) or the like in response to a print instruction, in a print environment in which only the print instruction and print data are held. <P>SOLUTION: For performing print processing with the output device 140(x), a job ticket producing means 110 produces a job ticket for the output device 140(x) based on identification information (ID) on the output device 140(x) and instruction information. Control means 120, 130 control the print processing with the output device 140(x) based on the job ticket and print data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention particularly holds only print instructions and print data when performing print processing (print information output processing) based on a job ticket, which is a print instruction for processing, displaying, printing, etc. Printing is possible by distinguishing each printing device (printing device) in the specified printing environment
The present invention relates to a print control device, a print system, a print control method, a computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for implementing the print control device, a print system, and a print control method, which are used in an apparatus or system for performing impossible control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as a method of controlling print processing in a plurality of printing devices, the following method (1) is used.
(4) are mentioned.

Print control method (1): JP-A-5-2166
A method of printing a print file using a job ticket as described in No. 06, etc.

Print control method (2): Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 20001-1
No. 25759, etc., a method of permitting the use of a printing device by designating user identification information and logging in to the system.

Print control method (3): a general method such as restricting access from the operator to the print file (print data) itself. Specifically, for example, by providing a database and restricting access to the database, printing itself is restricted.

Print control method (4): Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-33
A method of adding the name of the printing device (printer name) to the printed print data as described in No. 5059 or the like.

[0007]

However, the conventional print control methods (1) to (4) described above have the following problems (1) to (3).

Problem (1): In the conventional configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 216606/1993, the print data and the print instruction (job ticket) are separated, and printing and reprinting are performed by any printing device (printer). When trying to construct a system using printable data, it is difficult to limit printing only to data of a certain specific condition.

Problem (2): A general conventional configuration for restricting access from the operator to the print data itself, and
In the conventional configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 20001-125759, in which restrictions are imposed by the use permission to the printing device, it is not possible to control the printing enable / disable by each printing device. In addition, the printing device itself
Since it was possible to output any print data, once access to the print data is possible, printing can be performed by any printing device, the printed matter is spread to various places, and the print data itself is managed. There was a fear that it would be meaningless.

Problem (3): JP-A-2000-33505
The conventional configuration described in No. 9 or the like is a configuration of a reuse system in which a print name is added to print data and the printer name is used as a search key, and print restriction is not controlled.

In particular, the print data in the above-mentioned conventional configuration is equal to the image data after printing, and it is not convenient to reuse it in another printing device.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks. In a printing environment in which only a print instruction and print data are held, the ID of the printing device is held for the print instruction. A print control apparatus, a print system, a print control method, a computer readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control method that enable control of print enable / disable for each print device. The purpose is to provide the program.

[0013]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Under such a purpose,
The present invention is a print control device for executing print processing by an arbitrary output device, and generates a job ticket for the output device based on the identification information of the output device and the instruction information of the print processing. A job ticket generating means; and a control means for controlling the print processing by the output device based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generating means and the print data for the print processing by the output device. To do.

Further, the present invention is a print control method for executing a print process by an arbitrary output device, wherein the output device is output based on the identification information of the output device and the instruction information of the print process. A job ticket generation step of generating a job ticket, and a control step of controlling print processing by the output device based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generation step and print data to be printed by the output device. It is characterized by including.

Further, the present invention is a print control method for executing print processing by an arbitrary output device, wherein print data to be the subject of the print processing, and processing, display, and printing of the print data. A print information input step of inputting print information including a print instruction including at least one instruction, an output device ID setting step of setting the ID of the output device, and a print information input by the print information input step A job ticket creating step for creating a job ticket for the output device based on the print instruction to be output and the output device ID set in the output device ID setting step;
A print information control step for controlling the printing operation of the output device based on print information that is a set of the job ticket and print data created by the job ticket creating step, and created by the job ticket creating step A job ticket editing step of performing an edit process including at least one of additional writing and a change on a part or all of the created job ticket, and interpreting the job ticket created by the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step. And a print information processing step of processing the print information to prepare for output based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpreting step, and outputting the print information processed by the print information processing step. Print information to send to the device An information transmission step, an output section information acquisition step for acquiring information about the output device,
A print information saving step of saving the job ticket generated by the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step and the print data as one set, and a print information saving management for managing the save information by the print information saving step. And a step.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a predetermined means, wherein the predetermined means is based on identification information of an arbitrary output device and print instruction information for the output device. The print processing by the output device is controlled based on the job ticket generation means for generating the job ticket for the output device, the job ticket generated by the job ticket generation means, and the print data for the print processing by the output device. And a control means.

Further, the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined step, wherein the predetermined step is print data to be subjected to print processing executed by an arbitrary output device, and the print data. Information input step of inputting print information including a print instruction including at least one instruction of processing, display, and printing, and an output device I for setting the ID of the output device
A job for creating a job ticket for the output device based on the D setting step, the print instruction included in the print information input in the print information input step, and the output device ID set in the output device ID setting step A ticket creation step, a print information control step for controlling the printing operation of the output device based on print information that is a set of the job ticket and print data created in the job ticket creation step, and the job A job ticket editing step of performing an edit process including at least one of additional writing and a change on a part or all of the job ticket created by the ticket creating step, and the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step. A print instruction interpreting step for interpreting the job ticket, a print information processing step for processing the print information to prepare for output based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpreting step, and a print information processing step for processing the print information. A print information transmitting step for transmitting print information to the output device; an output section information obtaining step for obtaining information about the output device; a job ticket generated by the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step. A print information storage step of storing the print data as a set and a print information storage management step of managing storage information by the print information storage step.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the program according to claim 12 or 13 is recorded in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0019]

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

First Embodiment The present invention is applied to a printing system 100 as shown in FIG. 1, for example.

<Structure of Printing System 100> As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 100 includes a host computer 110, a central print management server 120, and a print server 13.
0, the output device (printing device) 140 (x), and the document management server 150 are connected to each other via a network or the like so that they can communicate with each other.

In the above FIG. 1, for simplicity of explanation, 1
Although only one output device 140 (x) is shown, this is a multiple output device 140 (1), 140 (2),
Corresponds to an arbitrary output device 140 (x).

The host computer 110 includes a print information input unit 111, an output device ID setting unit 112, and a job ticket creation unit 113.

The print information input unit 111 inputs print data to be a printing original, print information including a print instruction for processing, displaying, or printing the print data. The output device ID setting unit 112 uses the individual output devices 140
Identification information (output device ID) for distinguishing (x)
To set. The job ticket creation unit 113 creates a job ticket by processing the print information, displaying or printing instructions such as printing, and the output device ID.

The centralized print management server 120 includes a print information control unit 121 and a job ticket editing unit 122.

The print information control unit 121 controls the printing operation based on the set of print information of the job ticket created by the job ticket creating unit 113 and the print data. The job ticket editing unit 122 edits a part or all of the instruction by the job ticket created by the job ticket creating unit 113, such as additional writing or change.

The print server 130 includes the output section information acquisition section 1
31, a print instruction interpretation unit 132, a print information processing unit 133,
And a print information transmission unit 134.

The output section information acquisition section 131 acquires information such as the operation status of the output device 140 (x) and its output device ID. The print instruction interpretation unit 132 interprets the job ticket created by the job ticket creation unit 113 or the job ticket edited by the job ticket editing unit 122. The print information processing unit 133 processes the print information based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpretation unit 132,
Prepare the output. The print information transmission unit 134 transmits the print information processed by the print information processing unit 133 to the output device 140 (x) such as a printer.

The output device 140 (x) includes a print information output unit 141, and the print information output unit 141 outputs print information.

The document management server 150 includes a print information storage management unit 151 and a print information storage unit 152.

The print information storage management unit 151 manages the print information storage unit 152. The print information storage unit 152 stores print information including a job ticket and document data as one set.

<Operation of Printing System 100> FIGS. 2 to 4
4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printing system 100.

Step S201: Referring to FIG. 2, in the host computer 110, the print information input unit 1
Reference numeral 11 inputs print data and print instructions as print information. As print data, for example, PDF (Portable
Data according to Document Format) can be applied. As the print instruction, for example, the number of copies, paper size, various finishings, single-sided / double-sided, N-Up, enlargement / reduction, and designation of a print page can be applied.

Step S202: The output device ID setting unit 112 sets the ID (output device ID) of the output device 140 (x). In the present embodiment, the output device ID is, for example, the output device 140 (x).
The IP address used when the (printer) is connected to a network such as the Internet is used.

Step S203: The job ticket creating section 113 instructs the print information input section 111 to print instructions (number of copies, paper size, stapling, color printing, single-sided / single-sided /
A job ticket is generated based on the output device ID set by the output device ID setting unit 112, such as double-sided, N-Up, enlargement / reduction, and print page designation.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, first, the job ticket creation unit 113 provides layout-related information such as N-Up, enlargement / reduction, paper size, or single-sided / double-sided setting to the job ticket. Set to (step S3
01: layout setting process), the number of print copies is set (step S302: print copy number setting process), the print page range is set (step S303: print page range specifying process), and staple information is set (step Ss3).
04: staple setting process), and the IP address is set as the ID of the output device (step S305: output device ID setting process).

Steps S301 to S30 described above
By 5 (step S203), for example, a job ticket as shown in FIG. 5 is generated.

Note that FIG. 5 shows an example of a part of a job ticket when a set result of additional drawing object related information and a part of a print instruction are set according to the XML system, and the present invention is not limited to this. There is no such thing.

As described above, the host computer 11
The job ticket generated with 0 is sent to the centralized print management server 120. Centralized print management server 120
In the above, the print information control unit 121 controls the printing system 100 by executing the processing from the next step S204 based on the job ticket received from the host computer 110.

Step S204: print information control unit 121
Checks whether or not the ID of the output device 140 (x) whose print processing is about to be executed by the print server 130 matches the output device ID held in the job ticket. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S206, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S205.

Step S205: As a result of the process of step S204, the ID of the output device 140 (x) whose print process is about to be executed by the print server 130 matches the output device ID held in the job ticket. If not, the print information control unit 121 executes error processing. In the present embodiment, for example, the print information control unit 121 does not send the job ticket and print data to the print server 130, but outputs the output device ID to the operator (user) of the host computer 110. Notify that the printing will not be performed due to the mismatch of. Then, this process ends.

Step S206: As a result of the processing of step S204, when the ID of the output device 140 (x) whose print processing is about to be executed by the print server 130 matches the output device ID held in the job ticket. The print information control unit 121 controls the print server 13
A job ticket and print data are transmitted as print information for the printer to 0.

Step S207: The print server 130
The print processing is executed based on the job ticket and print data from the central print management server 120.

Specifically, for example, the print server 130
The process as shown in FIG. 4 is executed for each output device (printer). That is, first, the print instruction interpretation unit 132
Receives the print information (step S401) and interprets the job ticket included in the print information (step S401).
402). Next, the print information processing unit 133 converts the print data included in the print information into print drawing data and performs processing based on the interpretation result, to thereby obtain the print drawing data and the printer control data. Is generated (step S403). Next, the print information transmission unit 134
Transmits the drawing data for printing and the printer control data to the output device 140 (x) (step S
404). As a result, in the output device 140 (x), the print information output unit 141 outputs the output device 14 based on the print drawing data and the printer control data.
The print process by the printer of 0 (x) is executed (step S405). Then, in the print server 130, the output section information acquisition section 131 causes the output device 140
The print result information in (x) is transferred to the print central management server 12
The print information control unit 121 of 0 is notified (step S40).
6).

Steps S208 to S210: The print information control unit 12 in the central print management server 120.
When the print result information notified from the print server 131 is acquired (step S208), the first item adds the print result information to the job ticket (step S209),
This is stored together with the print data as print information (a set of print data and job ticket) in the print information storage unit 152 of the document management server 150 (step S210).
Then, this process ends.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a job ticket when there is no trouble in the print result.

[Second Embodiment] In the present embodiment, when the reprinting process is executed in the printing system 100 shown in FIG. 1, the operation of the printing system 100 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, for example. Follow the operation.

Step S501: The user selects desired print information from the print information (set of print data and job ticket) stored in the print information storage unit 152 of the document management server 150.

Step S502: Document management server 150
In step S501, the print information management unit 151
The print information selected in step 3 is output to the central print management server 120.

Step S503: Centralized print management server 1
20, the print information control unit 121 reads the print instruction from the job ticket included in the print information (set of print data and job ticket) from the document management server 150, and based on the print instruction, the next step S5.
The operation control of the printing system 100 as shown in the processing from 04 is performed.

Step S504: print information control unit 121
Through the output unit information acquisition unit 131 of the print server 130, the ID of the output device 140 (x) (output device I
D) is acquired.

Step S505: Print information control unit 121
Is the output device 140 acquired in step S504.
It is checked whether the ID (x) matches the output device ID held in the job ticket. As a result, if they match, the process proceeds to step S507, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S506.

Step S506: As a result of the processing of step S505, the output device 1 acquired in step S504.
When the ID of 40 (x) does not match the output device ID held in the job ticket, the print information control unit 121 executes error processing. In the present embodiment, for example, the print information control unit 121 notifies the operator (user) or the like that printing cannot be performed because the output device IDs do not match. Then, this process ends.

Step S507: As a result of the processing of step S505, the output device 1 acquired in step S504.
When the ID of 40 (x) matches the output device ID held in the job ticket, the print information control unit 121 instructs the print server 130 to print the job ticket and the print information for each distributed printer. Direct instructions are sent with the print data.

Step S508: The print server 130
The printing process as shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

Steps S509 to S511: In the print central management server 120, the print information control unit 12
When the print result information notified from the print server 131 is acquired (step S509), the first item adds the print result information to the job ticket (step S510),
This is stored together with the print data as print information (a set of print data and job ticket) in the print information storage unit 152 of the document management server 150 (step S511).
Then, this process ends.

The object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the host and the terminal according to the first and second embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and the system or the apparatus. By the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the device reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium,
It goes without saying that it will be achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium is the first and second program codes.
The functions of the embodiment are realized, and the storage medium storing the program code and the program code constitute the present invention. A ROM, flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, or the like can be used as a storage medium for supplying the program code. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the first and second embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that this also includes the case where the above-mentioned processes perform some or all of the actual processing and the functions of the first and second embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the extended function board inserted in the computer or the extended function unit connected to the computer, the extended function is executed based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, this also includes the case where the CPU provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 8 shows the function 600 of the computer. The computer function 600 includes a CPU 601, a ROM 602, and an R, as shown in FIG.
AM 603, keyboard controller (KBC) 605 of keyboard (KB) 609, and CR as a display unit
T-display (CRT) 610 CRT controller (CRTC) 606 and hard disk (HD) 611
A disk controller (DKC) 607 of the flexible disk (FD) 612 and a network interface controller (NIC) 608 for connecting to the network 620 are connected to each other via a system bus 604 so that they can communicate with each other. .

The CPU 601 is a ROM 602 or HD.
By executing the software stored in 611 or the software supplied from FD612, each component connected to the system bus 604 is comprehensively controlled.
That is, the CPU 601 executes the processing program according to the predetermined processing sequence in the ROM 602 or the HD 61.
1 or by reading from FD612 and executing,
Control for realizing the operation in the first and second embodiments is performed.

The RAM 603 functions as the main memory or work area of the CPU 601. KBC605
Controls instruction input from the KB 609 or a pointing device (not shown). CRTC606 is C
It controls the display of the RT 610. The DKC607 is a boot program, various applications, edit files,
It controls access to the HD 611 and the FD 612 that store the user file, the network management program, and the predetermined processing programs according to the first and second embodiments. The NIC 608 bidirectionally exchanges data with a device or system on the network 620.

[0061]

As described above, according to the present invention, when print processing is executed by an arbitrary output device (arbitrary printer among a plurality of printers), identification information (ID) and instruction information of the output device are used. Based on this, a job ticket for the output device is generated, and the print processing by the output device is controlled based on the job ticket and print data. Thereby, for example, the following effects (1) to (4) are obtained.

(1) It becomes possible to control whether printing is possible or not by distinguishing individual output devices. (2) If the job ticket and the print data are associated and held (as one set), even when reprinting is performed using the print data and the print instruction, it is possible to perform printing by distinguishing each output device. / It becomes possible to control such as impossibility. (3) Even when an attempt is made to construct a system using print data and print instructions (job ticket), which are printable and reprintable data in any printer, printing is restricted only to data of a certain specific condition. Will be easier. (4) The convenience of printing on the network is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system to which the present invention is applied in a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a job ticket creation process in the operation of the printing system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a printing process in the operation of the printing system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the job ticket.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the job ticket after the printing process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the printing system according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a computer that reads out a program for causing a computer to realize the functions of the printing system from a computer-readable storage medium and executes the program.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 printing system 110 host computer 111 Print information input section 112 Output device ID setting section 113 Job Ticket Creation Department 120 Centralized print management server 121 Print Information Control Unit 122 Job Ticket Editor 130 print server 131 Output section Information acquisition section 132 Print instruction interpretation unit 133 Print Information Processing Department 134 Print information transmission unit 140 (x) Output device (printing device) 141 Print information output unit 150 Document Management Server 150 151 Print Information Storage Management Unit 152 Print Information Storage Unit

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A print control device for executing print processing by an arbitrary output device, wherein a job ticket for the output device is generated based on identification information of the output device and instruction information of the print processing. And a control unit that controls the print processing by the output device based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generation unit and the print data to be printed by the output device. And a print control device. 2. The print processing instruction information is information of at least one of a print number, a paper size, finishing, single-sided / double-sided, Number-Up, enlargement / reduction, and print page designation by the ticket creating means. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The control means controls a printing process by the output device based on a comparison result of the output device identification information included in the job ticket and the identification information of the output device. The print control apparatus according to claim 1. 4. A holding unit that holds the job ticket and the print data in association with each other, wherein the control unit prints by the output device based on the job ticket and the print data held by the holding unit. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print control apparatus controls the print control. 5. A printing system in which a plurality of devices are communicably connected to each other, wherein at least one device of the plurality of devices is the print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A printing system having a function. 6. A print control method for executing print processing by an arbitrary output device, wherein a job ticket for the output device is generated based on identification information of the output device and instruction information of the print processing. And a control step of controlling the print processing by the output device based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generation step and the print data to be printed by the output device. Print control method. 7. A print control method for executing print processing by an arbitrary output device, comprising at least one of print data to be the target of the print processing, processing, displaying, and printing of the print data. A print information input step of inputting print information including a print instruction including an instruction; an output device ID setting step of setting the ID of the output device; a print instruction included in the print information input by the print information input step; And a job ticket creating step for creating a job ticket for the output device based on the output device ID set in the output device ID setting step, and a set of the job ticket and print data created in the job ticket creating step. Based on the print information that is the information A print information control step for controlling the print operation of the job ticket, and a job ticket editing step for performing an edit process including at least one of additional writing and modification on part or all of the job ticket created by the job ticket creating step. A print instruction interpreting step for interpreting the job ticket generated in the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step; and processing for preparing the print information by processing the print information based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpreting step. A print information processing step; a print information transmission step of transmitting the print information processed by the print information processing step to the output device; an output section information acquisition step of acquiring information about the output device; and the job ticket. Create step or above A print information saving step of saving the job ticket generated by the ticket editing step and the print data as one set; and a print information saving management step of managing the saved information by the print information saving step. Print control method. 8. The job ticket creating step comprises: a layout setting step of setting a layout including at least one of Number-Up, enlargement / reduction, and paper size; a print number setting step of setting a print number; and a print page. It is characterized by including a print page range setting step for setting a range, a single-sided / double-sided printing setting step for setting a single-sided / double-sided printing type, and a staple setting step for setting at least one of presence / absence and position of staples. The print control method according to claim 7. 9. The print information control step compares the ID of the output device held by the job ticket with the ID of the output device itself when the print processing is executed by the output device, and the comparison is performed. Based on the results
8. The print control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of controlling whether or not to execute a print process in the output device. 10. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein the print information transmission step includes a step of acquiring an ID from the output device and supplying the ID to the print information control step. 11. The print information control step acquires the print information stored in advance by the print information storage management step, and outputs the ID of an output device held by a job ticket included in the print information and the output. 8. The print control method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of comparing with an ID of the device itself and controlling whether or not to execute the print processing in the output device based on the comparison result. 12. A program for causing a computer to function as a predetermined means, wherein the predetermined means is for an output device based on identification information of an arbitrary output device and print instruction information for the output device. A job ticket generation unit that generates a job ticket, and a control unit that controls the print processing by the output device based on the job ticket generated by the job ticket generation unit and the print data to be printed by the output device. A program characterized by being provided. 13. A program for causing a computer to execute a predetermined step, wherein the predetermined step is print data to be a print process executed by an arbitrary output device, and processing and display of the print data. , And a print information input step of inputting print information including a print instruction including at least one of print instructions, an output device ID setting step of setting an ID of the output device, and a print information input step. A job ticket creating step for creating a job ticket for the output device based on the print instruction included in the print information and the output device ID set by the output device ID setting step, and created by the job ticket creating step. Job ticket and print data as one set Print information control step for controlling the printing operation of the output device based on the print information which is the information added, and at least one of addition and modification to a part or all of the job ticket created in the job ticket creating step. Based on the interpretation result of the print instruction interpretation step, the job ticket edit step for performing an edit process including the following, the print ticket interpretation step for interpreting the job ticket generated by the job ticket creation step or the job ticket edit step, and the interpretation result of the print instruction interpretation step. A print information processing step of processing the print information to prepare for output, a print information transmitting step of transmitting the print information processed by the print information processing step to the output device, and information about the output device. Output section information acquisition step to be acquired and A print information saving step of saving the job ticket generated by the job ticket creating step or the job ticket editing step and the print data as one set, and a print information saving management for managing the save information by the print information saving step. A program comprising steps and. 14. A computer-readable storage medium on which the program according to claim 12 or 13 is recorded.