JP2004094312A - Print system, printing method and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively use an interruption function of a print processor and prevent print data from being interrupted for a long time. <P>SOLUTION: This print system executes printing by a request from a second information processor for print data of a first information processor and receives the print data therefrom including specification information specifying the interruption function. This system also removes the interruption function of the print processor by the continuation of the interrupted state for a prescribed time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system for printing printed matter such as a form, or an information processing apparatus, a printing method, and a control program used in the printing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the rapid development of the Internet and the proliferation of web servers (WWW servers), the use of business processes on the web has been promoted. If the host computer used by the user has a web browser capable of displaying information and inputting information by the user, the user can perform business processing via the web browser.
[0003]
Here, in order for business processing to be performed via a browser, a web server must be present on the network, and the web browser and the web server exchange information via the network. For example, the web server receives the information input by the user from the web browser, processes the information, and returns the processed information to the web browser. The web browser displays the information received from the web server so that the user can input new information.
[0004]
In print processing associated with business processing, a web server generates print data in response to a print instruction from a web browser, and transmits the print data to the web browser. The web browser is characterized in that print data from the web server is transferred to the printer as it is, and complicated processing is not required.
[0005]
Further, in a printing process in a business process, an important printed matter such as a form may be printed. Therefore, it may not be desirable for the printed matter to be viewed or taken by another user.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, in order to prevent the printed matter from being output without your knowledge, it is conceivable to use the offline function of the printer. The output of the printed matter is stopped by shifting the printer to the offline state and interrupting the processing of the print data. In response to the user releasing the offline function of the printer, the processing of the print data is restarted and the printed matter is output.
[0007]
However, the printing process in the above-described business process is characterized in that the web browser does not need to perform complicated processes. Therefore, when the web browser or the user separately starts printer management software for controlling the printer, and the user operates the printer via the printer management software, complicated processing is increased.
[0008]
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to enable a web browser to execute a printer offline function only by transmitting print data transmitted from a web server to a printer even in the above-described business processing.
[0009]
Further, although the off-line function is activated to prevent the printed matter from being output, it is not preferable that the processing of the print data is interrupted for a long time. In particular, when a printer is shared by a plurality of users, print data of other users may not be processed for a long time.
[0010]
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prevent an off-line state from continuing for a long time and to prevent print processing from stagnating for a long time.
[0011]
Further, it is troublesome for the user to separately start up the printer management software in order to operate / set the offline function.
[0012]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to operate and set an offline function using only a web browser.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is directed to a first information processing apparatus, wherein first information processing apparatus generates print data with specification information for specifying execution of an interruption function, and transmits the generated print data to the second information processing apparatus The second information processing apparatus transfers the print data to the print processing apparatus, and the print processing apparatus executes the interruption function according to the designated information.
[0014]
Further, the first information processing device transfers data in which predetermined information is described to the second information processing device, and the second information processing device displays the predetermined information based on the transferred data. Then, print data related to predetermined information is generated according to a print instruction from the second information processing apparatus.
[0015]
In addition, the print data is output to the print processing apparatus and the designation information for designating execution of the suspend function for suspending the processing of the print data, and it is detected that the print processing apparatus has executed the suspend function according to the designated information. Accordingly, the user is notified of the execution of the interruption function or the instruction of canceling the interruption function.
[0016]
The print data is output to the print processing apparatus and the designation information for designating the execution of the interruption function for interrupting the processing of the print data is output to the print processing apparatus. A release command designating the release of the function is output to the print processing apparatus.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration diagram of a print system according to the present invention. These units may be configured by a CPU executing a program stored in a memory, or may be partially implemented by hardware.
[0018]
101 is an information processing device as a web server computer. 102 is a network communication control unit. The network communication control unit 102 is mainly configured by a web server program, and transfers data described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) and other types of data in response to an external request. For data transfer, protocols such as HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are mainly used.
[0019]
103 is a print data generation unit. The print data generation unit 103 generates print data that can be processed by the printer. For example, print data corresponding to a screen displayed on a web browser is generated using form data or the like.
[0020]
In the case of creating a form, the web browser displays an input screen for inputting information to be described in the form. On the other hand, the network communication control unit 102 receives information input on the input screen, and the print data generation unit 103 generates print data of a form from the received information and form data dedicated to the form. Also, if necessary, the database may be searched using the information input on the input screen as a keyword, information to be described in the form may be further obtained, and print data may be generated based on the obtained information. . As a result, it is possible to generate print data capable of performing clearer printing than converting the screen itself into print data.
[0021]
Reference numeral 105 denotes an information processing device as a client computer used by the user. 106 is a data input / output unit. The data input / output unit 106 is mainly configured by a web browser, interprets HTML data and other data received from the outside, displays a document or an image, or converts information input on the displayed screen. Send to web server.
[0022]
Reference numeral 107 denotes a print output unit. The print output unit 107 analyzes the print data generated by the print data generation unit 103.
[0023]
108 is a printer. The printer 108 has an offline function, and when the offline function is activated, the processing of the print data is interrupted. Then, the offline state is maintained until an instruction to release the offline function is input from the operation panel or until an offline release instruction is received from an external device. Further, the processing of the print data is restarted in response to the release of the offline function. Note that the printer 108 may be a printing device such as an inkjet printer, a laser beam printer, a copying machine, a multifunction peripheral, a facsimile, or a printing control device for controlling the printing device.
[0024]
A communication medium 104 connects the server computer 101 and the client computer 105. Examples of the communication medium include a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and wireless communication. The printer 108 and the client computer 105 may be connected via a dedicated interface cable, or may be connected via the communication medium 104.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a more detailed functional configuration diagram of the print output unit 107. A print data analysis unit 201 analyzes print data. The print data analysis unit 201 analyzes the print data and determines whether to enable the offline function (whether to execute the offline function), whether to automatically release the offline function, and whether to automatically execute the offline function. In the case where the offline function is canceled, the operation necessary for canceling the offline function is read.
[0026]
A data storage unit 202 manages information generated by being analyzed by the print data analysis unit 201. The data storage unit 202 stores information in a memory such as a RAM or a hard disk.
[0027]
Reference numeral 203 denotes an off-line release control unit having a time measurement function. The time measurement function may be any function that can measure time with a certain degree of accuracy, such as a date and time function normally provided in a computer.
[0028]
An output control unit 204 has a function of transmitting print data to the printer 108.
[0029]
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing processing executed by each unit of the client computer. It is assumed that the processing shown in this flowchart is realized by executing a program corresponding to each step by the CPU.
[0030]
First, the processing is started when the data input / output unit 106 receives the print data (step 301). The data input / output unit 106 passes the received print data to the print output unit 107 (Step 302).
[0031]
The print output unit 107 starts analyzing the print data (step 303). Then, it is checked whether or not the activation of the offline function is specified, and the result is stored in the data storage unit 202 (step 304).
[0032]
Next, it is checked whether or not automatic release of the offline function is designated, and the result is stored in the data storage unit 202 (step 305). Further, it is checked whether a time (release time) until the offline function is automatically released is specified, and the result is stored in the data storage unit 202 (step 306). Finally, it is checked whether an operation necessary for automatically canceling the offline function is specified, and the result is stored in the data storage unit 202 (step 307).
[0033]
The data storage unit 202 stores, in a memory or the like, the result of the check or the specified contents (time to cancel, etc.). Thereafter, the output control unit 204 transmits the print data to the printer (Step 308).
[0034]
Further, the offline release control unit 203 determines whether or not the activation of the offline function has been specified based on the information stored by the data storage unit 202 (step 309). If no designation has been made, the printer 108 does not go offline. Therefore, it is not necessary to perform the processing of FIG. On the other hand, if the designation has been made, the printer 108 shifts to the offline state as the print data is analyzed. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the processing of FIG.
[0035]
The processing of FIG. 4 will be described. FIG. 4 mainly shows the processing of the offline release control unit 203. First, the offline release control unit 203 determines whether the automatic release of the offline function has been designated based on the information stored by the data storage unit 202 (step 401). If automatic release is specified, the offline release control unit 203 starts measuring time (step 402).
[0036]
When receiving a plurality of print data from a plurality of external devices, the printer holds the plurality of print data and manages a print order of each print data. The print data is processed by the printer when its turn comes.
[0037]
Therefore, the offline release control unit 203 determines that the processing of the print data transmitted in step 308 has been started, thereby detecting that the offline function has been executed (step S403). In order to determine whether the processing of the print data has been started, the offline release control unit 203 inquires of the printer 108 about the status (processing state) of the print data. Alternatively, when the printer 108 has a function of notifying the start of processing of print data, the determination may be made based on this notification.
[0038]
If the processing of the print data has started (Yes in step 403), the user is notified that the processing of the print data has started, and the user is instructed to release the offline function of the printer 108 and receive the printed material. (Step 404).
[0039]
On the other hand, when the printer 108 starts processing the print data, the printer 108 shifts to the offline state according to the specification of the activation of the offline function. Then, the offline state is maintained until the user inputs an instruction to release the offline function from the operation panel, or until the user receives an offline release instruction from the external device. As a result, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being output without the user's knowledge and from being read or taken by another person.
[0040]
After notifying the user, it is determined whether or not the user has released the offline function (step 405). If the release is detected, the process ends. If the release has not been detected yet, it is determined whether or not the automatic release of the offline function has been designated (step 406). When the automatic release of the offline function is not specified, the printer keeps the offline state unless the user instructs the release of the offline function.
[0041]
On the other hand, if the automatic release of the offline function is specified, it is determined whether or not the release time has elapsed (step 407). If the release time is specified in the print data, it is determined whether or not the specified release time has elapsed. If the release time is not specified in the print data, the predetermined release time is determined. It is determined whether or not has elapsed.
[0042]
If the offline function has not been released even after the release time has elapsed (Yes in step 407), the automatic release processing of the offline function is started. First, based on the information stored by the data storage unit 202, an operation necessary for automatically canceling the offline function is confirmed.
[0043]
If the printed matter can be output as it is, that is, if it is not necessary to stop the printing, an off-line release command for releasing the off-line function is issued to the printer 108 (step 409). Then, the printer 108 releases the offline function and performs printing based on the print data.
[0044]
On the other hand, if it is necessary to cancel printing in order to prevent the printed matter from being output, the print cancellation command is issued to the printer 108, and then the offline cancellation command is issued to the printer 108. In order to stop the processing of the print data, a print stop command may be issued after issuing the offline release command. Further, in addition to the print stop command, a command for deleting print data or a command for initializing the memory of the printer 108 may be used.
[0045]
As described above, by executing the process of automatically canceling the offline function, it is possible to prevent the print process from being stagnated without any other print data being processed. For example, if the user fails to confirm the notification in step 404 or goes out for a long time and the user does not perform the release processing of the offline function, the offline state is prevented from continuing for a long time. .
[0046]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a business processing page displayed on the web browser. The user performs business processing on this business processing page, and presses a print button 510 when a printed material corresponding to this page is required.
[0047]
Reference numeral 501 denotes a web browser window displayed on a monitor or a display device of the client computer. A window title is displayed in an area 502. In the areas 503 and 504, commands possessed by the web browser are displayed. The user can use the print function of the web browser to print the image itself displayed in the window, but in this case, a printout without necessary information or an unclean printout is output. There is fear.
[0048]
Reference numeral 505 denotes a text field for inputting an address (URL: Uniform Resource Location or the like) of a server computer to be accessed.
[0049]
506 and 507 are fields in which the user can select each item. 508 is a display button. When this display button is pressed, the items selected by the user in the columns 506 and 507 are transmitted to the server computer. Then, the server computer generates new display data (display HTML document data) based on the form name selected in 506 and the person name selected in 507, and transmits it to the client computer. The web browser displays the contents of the form based on the new display data indicating the form.
[0050]
For example, when the display button 507 is pressed, the web browser transmits a display instruction to the server computer. The server computer acquires data on the work status of Mr. Natsume Soseki from the database, generates display data based on the data, and transmits the display data to the client computer. Then, the weekly work status of Mr. Soseki Natsume is displayed in 509.
[0051]
When the print button 510 is pressed, the web browser transmits a print instruction to the server computer. Then, the print data generation unit 103 acquires data on the work status of Mr. Soseki Natsume from the database, and generates print data indicating the work status table based on the data. Then, the network communication control unit 102 transmits the generated print data to the client computer.
[0052]
FIG. 6 shows a user's designation of whether or not to activate the offline function, designation of whether or not to automatically release the offline function, designation of a release time, and designation of an operation when the offline function is automatically released. 4 shows a screen for inputting a. The screen in FIG. 5 is displayed after the user presses the print button 510. Note that the screen of FIG. 5 may be displayed at the same time as the screen of FIG. 6, and the user may press the print button 510 after inputting to the screen of FIG.
[0053]
Reference numeral 601 denotes a web browser window. A check box 602 is used to select whether to enable the offline function. When the check is put, it is assumed that the activation of the offline function is specified.
[0054]
A check box 603 is used to select whether to automatically cancel the offline function. If this is checked, it is assumed that automatic cancellation has been specified.
[0055]
Reference numeral 604 denotes a text box for designating a time until the offline function is automatically released when the offline function is automatically released. The user enters the desired release time here. In FIG. 6, the release time is input in units of minutes, but may be input in units of seconds or minutes. Alternatively, instead of the time until the cancellation, the time of the cancellation may be input.
[0056]
A selection box 605 is used to specify an operation when canceling the offline function.
[0057]
The information input or specified in FIG. 6 is transmitted to the web server together with or separately from the print instruction.
[0058]
In the above description, the screen of FIG. 6 is displayed every time printing is performed, but information input or specified on the screen of FIG. 6 may be stored in the server computer 101. In this case, the print data generation unit 103 generates print data based on the information stored in the server computer 101.
[0059]
Finally, a control configuration of the server computer 101 and the client computer 105 will be described. FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a control configuration of the server computer 101 or the client computer 105.
[0060]
Each unit (102, 103, 106, 107) in FIG. 1 is realized by loading a corresponding program into the memory 703 and executing the program by the CPU 702 of the computer.
[0061]
These programs are stored in an external memory 705 such as a hard disk. The external memory 705 may use a removable storage medium such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM.
[0062]
The display 704 displays a web browser and an image. The I / O interface 706 is a port for connecting to the network 104, and corresponds to a network interface card or the like. Further, the user inputs and designates information by using the keyboard and the pointing device 701.
[0063]
An object of the present invention is to realize software (for example, a control program for controlling each unit in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a program for controlling the processes in FIGS. 3 and 4) realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments. This is achieved by supplying a storage medium recording the program code of the control program) to a computer, and causing a computer device (CPU 702) of the computer to read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium. As a method of supplying a program or data to a computer, a method of storing the program or data on a floppy (R) disk FD and supplying it to a computer main body (via a floppy (R) disk drive) is general. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0064]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, in addition to a floppy disk or a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like is used. Can be. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
In a print system in which the second information processing apparatus requests print data of the first information processing apparatus and performs print processing, the second information processing apparatus receives the print data including the designation information for designating the interruption function, thereby performing the second The interruption function of the print processing apparatus can be effectively used without increasing complicated processing in the apparatus.
[0066]
In particular, the interruption function of the print processing apparatus can be used without separately activating a management program for controlling the print processing apparatus.
[0067]
Also, by notifying the user that the interruption function of the print processing apparatus has been executed or instructing cancellation of the interruption function, it is possible to prevent the printed matter from being output without knowing it. The user can be alerted so that data processing is not interrupted for a long time.
[0068]
In addition, by canceling the interruption function of the print processing apparatus in response to the interruption state continuing for a predetermined time, it is possible to automatically prevent the interruption of the interruption processing for a long time and the processing of the print data. .
[0069]
In addition, the burden on the user that the management program functions separately by displaying the setting screen for setting the automatic release of the interruption function, the time for executing the automatic release, or the operation for automatically canceling the suspension period. Can be eliminated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration diagram of a print system.
FIG. 2 is a more detailed functional configuration diagram of a print output unit.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by each unit of the client computer.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by each unit of the client computer.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a business processing page displayed on a web browser.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen for inputting necessary information such as an offline function.
FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram showing a control configuration of a server computer or a client computer.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 server computer 102 network communication control unit 103 print data generation unit 104 communication medium 105 client computer 106 data input / output unit 107 print output unit 108 print processing device 201 print data analysis unit 202 data storage unit 203 offline release control unit 204 output control unit

Claims (14)

A print system including a print processing apparatus having an interrupt function for interrupting processing of print data, a first information processing apparatus, and a second information processing apparatus,
The first information processing device is
Generating means for generating print data with specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function;
Transfer means for transferring the generated print data to the second information processing apparatus,
The second information processing device includes:
An output unit for outputting the transferred print data to the print processing apparatus. A printing method using a print processing apparatus having an interruption function of interrupting processing of print data,
A generation step for the first information processing apparatus to generate print data with specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function;
A transfer step in which the first information processing device transfers the generated print data to a second information processing device;
An output step in which the second information processing device outputs the transferred print data to the print processing device;
A suspending step of executing the suspending function according to the designation information. A transfer step in which the first information processing device transfers data in which predetermined information is described to the second information processing device;
A display step of displaying the predetermined information based on the transferred data,
3. The printing method according to claim 2, wherein, in the generating step, print data related to the predetermined information is generated in response to a print instruction from the second information processing apparatus. A determining step of determining whether the suspending function has been released;
4. The printing method according to claim 2, further comprising: a canceling step of outputting a canceling instruction designating canceling of the interrupting function to the print processing apparatus in response to the canceling of the interrupting function not being canceled for a predetermined time. Method. In the generating step, print data with release designation information that specifies automatic release of the interruption function, and time designation information that indicates the time at which the automatic release is performed,
The release step outputs the release command to the print processing apparatus in accordance with the release specification information when the interruption function is not released even after the time indicated by the time specification information has elapsed. 4. The printing method according to 4. In the generating step, generating print data with operation specifying information specifying an operation when automatically canceling the interruption function,
6. The printing method according to claim 4, wherein, in the releasing step, the releasing instruction and a stop instruction for stopping processing of print data are output to the print processing apparatus in accordance with the operation designation information. 7. The printing method according to claim 2, further comprising a notification step of notifying a user that the interruption function has been executed or an instruction to cancel the interruption function. The second information processing device displays a setting screen for setting at least one of the automatic release of the interruption function, the time for executing the automatic release, and the operation for automatically releasing the suspension period. The printing method according to claim 5, further comprising a display step. A printing method using a print processing apparatus having an interruption function of interrupting processing of print data,
An output step of outputting specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function and print data to the print processing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting that the print processing apparatus has executed the interruption function according to the designation information;
And a notifying step of notifying a user that the interrupting function has been executed or instructing cancellation of the interrupting function in response to detecting that the interrupting function has been executed. Printing method. 10. The printing method according to claim 9, wherein in the detecting step, the execution of the interruption function is detected by detecting that print data including the designation information has begun to be processed by a print processing apparatus. Method. A printing method using a print processing apparatus having an interruption function of interrupting processing of print data,
An output step of outputting specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function and print data to the print processing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting that the interruption function has been released,
A canceling step of outputting, to the print processing apparatus, a canceling instruction for canceling the interrupting function in response to the cancellation of the canceling function not being detected for a predetermined time. 12. The printing method according to claim 11, wherein in the release step, when there is designation information designating automatic release of the interruption function, the release command is output to the print processing apparatus. A control program for controlling a computer capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having an interruption function of interrupting processing of print data,
An output step of outputting specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function and print data to the print processing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting that the print processing apparatus has executed the interruption function according to the designation information;
Causing the computer to execute a notification step of notifying the user that the interruption function has been executed or instructing the user to release the interruption function in response to the detection that the interruption function has been executed. Characteristic control program. A control program for controlling a computer capable of communicating with a print processing apparatus having an interruption function of interrupting processing of print data,
An output step of outputting specification information for specifying execution of the interruption function and print data to the print processing apparatus;
A detection step of detecting that the interruption function has been released,
Canceling the interruption function is not detected for a predetermined time, and outputting a cancellation instruction for designating cancellation of the interruption function to the print processing apparatus. program.

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