JP2004255745A - Network device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of a conventional network printer wherein it is difficult to adjust image quality in the way of outputting a large number of copies. <P>SOLUTION: Network devices connected with a network are managed and output processing to a network device is performed in response to a request from a client on the network. Information to be outputted is received from the client along with information indicating output. The information to be outputted is then adjusted based on the information indicating output. During output of the adjusted information toward the network device, an indication for altering the information indicating output is received from the client (S5032). The information indicating output is altered based on the indication for altering it (S5041, S5044). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to network device control for performing output processing to a network device in response to a request from a client.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in the printing industry, it takes time for the device to stabilize, and the color depends on the environment (temperature / humidity, etc.) of the day, the degree of wear of the device, the brand / model number of the ink, or the brand / type of paper. It is a daily matter that changes according to the etc., and an experienced adjusting person performs test printing during output, taking into account those conditions, and matches the color in the test printing Going out is widely performed.
[0003]
Also, in a print job in an image forming apparatus, it is common that image data is thrown into a printer driver together with a set job ticket and printed. There is no way to correct even if an image change such as color occurs while outputting the number of copies, and in many cases, the same job ticket is output from the beginning to the end.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a market for a large number of copies or a large number of jobs called print-on-demand (POD), print processing using digital printing has been increasingly performed instead of printing.
[0005]
In such a case, it is necessary to use a different concept from the conventional image forming apparatus that handles the number of copies used in offices. The idea of assuring the same color until the last page, or even if the page being adjusted is discarded, as seen in the printing industry, only the output result with the adjusted color obtained after the device is sufficiently stable There was no idea of using it.
[0006]
For example, in a print job, the job ticket set on the driver causes all print jobs from the first copy to the last copy to be performed based on the gamma table once set, even if the number of copies is large. .
[0007]
As described above, the conventional image forming apparatus cannot sufficiently cope with a large amount of printing by POD, and a satisfactory output result has not always been obtained.
[0008]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to make it possible to perform image quality adjustment without stopping a printing operation even during the output of a large number of copies.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes the following steps as a method for solving the above-described problem.
[0010]
That is, in a network device management server that manages network devices connected to a network and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network, output instruction information and output target information from the client are Receiving and adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information, outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device, and outputting the output from the client during output of the output target information. When receiving a change instruction of the instruction information, the output instruction information is changed based on the change instruction.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The present invention manages a network device connected to a network, performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network, and outputs an output from the client to a network device management server having a web server function. Receiving the instruction information and the output target information, adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information, and outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device; When the information change instruction is received, the output instruction information is changed based on the change instruction. When the output instruction information is changed, the output of the output target information is adjusted based on the output instruction information after the change. Switch to something and continue.
[0012]
The network device management server holds the output instruction information before the change and the output instruction information after the change, and switches them at a predetermined timing to adjust the output target information. The network device is a network printer. It is. The output target information is a file specified by the client, and this file is temporarily stored together with the output instruction information in a folder stored and managed by the network device management server. Then, the network management server monitors the output instruction information stored in the folder during the output of the file, and if the output instruction information has been updated, switches the output of the file to an adjustment based on the updated output instruction information. To continue.
[0013]
The output instruction information from the client can be changed via a web browser. The output instruction information includes information related to image quality adjustment, and the output target information is adjusted based on the image quality adjustment information. A file to be output is described in a page description language, and the file is developed into image data according to the output instruction information.
[0014]
Further, in response to a request from the client, the network device management server transmits GUI information for selecting a network device to be an output destination to a browser of the client, and as a result of transmitting the GUI information, the request from the client is received. The output target information and the information specifying the selected network device are received and managed, and the output target information managed by the management unit is output to the selected network device. The GUI information includes information for displaying information on a job ticket for setting conditions for output.
[0015]
The present invention can be realized in the configuration and processing specifically shown in the drawings attached to the application corresponding to the following embodiments.
[0016]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
<First embodiment>
● Overview of the system
1A and 1B are diagrams showing the concept of the system configuration of the present embodiment. FIG. 1B shows a comparatively simple network configuration, and FIG. 1A shows a configuration in which the network 101 of FIG. 1B is divided into two systems 101a and 101b in order to give priority to network traffic and performance. . The present embodiment is applicable to any of these configurations. 1A are hereinafter referred to as a public network 101a and a private network 101b.
[0018]
Hereinafter, components common to FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the configurations of both drawings will be described together.
[0019]
The document server 102 has two network interface cards (NICs) on hardware. One is connected to the NIC 111 connected to the public network 101a, and the other is connected to the private network 101b having a printer. NIC 112 exists.
[0020]
The computers 103a, 103b and 103c are clients that send jobs to the document server 102. Although not shown, many clients are connected in addition to these. Hereinafter, a plurality of clients will be referred to as a client 103.
[0021]
Further, to the private network 101b, an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 105 and a printer 107 are connected. The MFP 105 performs monochrome scanning or printing, or low-resolution or binary simple color scanning or color printing. Although not shown, other devices such as an MFP, a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine, etc. are connected to the private network 101b.
[0022]
The MFP 104 is a full-color MFP capable of high-resolution, high-gradation full-color scanning or printing and the like, and may transmit and receive data by connecting to the private network 101b. It is assumed that a plurality of bits can be transmitted and received simultaneously by an independent interface, and is connected to the document server 102 by a unique interface card 113.
[0023]
The scanner 106 is a device that captures an image from a paper document, and includes a device that is directly connected to a computer via a SCSI interface, in addition to a device that is connected to a network as illustrated. In some cases, the scanner function itself is supported as a part of the function of the MFP 105.
[0024]
In the document server 102, the above-mentioned NIC, dedicated I / F card, SCSI card, or the like is connected to a portion called a motherboard on which a CPU, a memory, and the like are mounted as a hardware configuration by an interface called a PCI bus.
[0025]
Here, on the client computer 103, application software for executing so-called DTP (Desk Top Publishing) is operated to create / edit various documents / graphics. The client computer 103 performs a printout by converting the created document / graphic into a page description language (Page Description Language; PDL) and sending it to the MFP 104 or 105 via the network 101a.
[0026]
Each of the MFPs 104 and 105 has a communication unit capable of exchanging information with the document server 102 via the network 101b or the dedicated interface 109, and transmits information and status of the MFPs 104 and 105 to the document server 102 or a client via the document server 102. It is a mechanism for sequentially informing the computer 103 side. Further, the document server 102 (or the client 103) has utility software that operates by receiving the information, and the MFPs 104 and 105 are managed by the computer 102 (or the client 103).
[0027]
● Configuration of MFPs 104 and 105
Next, the configuration of the MFPs 104 and 105 will be described with reference to FIGS. However, the difference between the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 is the difference between full-color and monochrome, and since the full-color device often includes the configuration of the monochrome device except for the color processing, only the full-color device will be described here. The description of the monochrome device will be added as needed.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFPs 104 and 105 include a scanner unit 201 for reading an image, a scanner IP unit 202 for performing image processing on the image data, and a facsimile unit for transmitting and receiving an image using a telephone line represented by a facsimile. 203, a NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 204 for exchanging image data and device information using a network, and a dedicated I / F unit 205 for exchanging information with the full-color MFP 104. The image signal is temporarily stored in the core unit 206 or the route is determined according to the usage of the MFPs 104 and 105.
[0029]
The image data output from the core unit 206 is sent to a printer unit 209 which forms an image via a printer IP unit 207 and a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) unit 208. The sheet printed out by the printer unit 209 is sent to the finisher unit 210, where a sheet sorting process and a sheet finishing process are performed.
[0030]
[Configuration of Scanner Unit 201]
Next, the configuration of the scanner unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 301 denotes a platen glass on which a document 302 to be read is placed. The original 302 is irradiated by an illumination lamp 303, and the reflected light is imaged on a CCD 308 by a lens 307 via mirrors 304, 305, and 306. The first mirror unit 310 including the mirror 304 and the illumination lamp 303 moves at a speed v, and the second mirror unit 311 including the mirrors 305 and 306 moves at a speed v / 2 to scan the entire surface of the document 302. The first mirror unit 310 and the second mirror unit 311 are driven by a motor 309.
[0031]
[Configuration of Scanner IP Unit 202]
First, the scanner IP unit 202 in the color image MFP 104 will be described with reference to FIG. 4A. The input optical signal is converted into an electric signal by the CCD sensor 308. The CCD sensor 308 is a color sensor of three lines of RGB, and is input to the A / D conversion unit 401 as R, G, and B image signals, where gain adjustment and offset adjustment are performed. It is converted into bit digital image signals R0, G0, B0. Thereafter, a well-known shading correction using a read signal of the reference white plate is performed for each color by the shading correction unit 402. Further, since the respective color line sensors of the CCD sensor 308 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, the line delay adjustment circuit (line interpolation unit) 403 corrects a spatial shift in the sub-scanning direction.
[0032]
Next, an input masking unit 404 is a part that converts a read color space determined by the spectral characteristics of the R, G, and B filters of the CCD sensor 308 into a standard color space of NTSC. Performs a 3 × 3 matrix operation using device-specific constants in consideration of various characteristics such as the spectral characteristics of the input signal, and converts the input (R0, G0, B0) signal into a standard (R, G, B) signal. Convert.
[0033]
Further, a luminance / density conversion unit (LOG conversion unit) 405 is configured by a look-up table (LUT) RAM, and converts the RGB luminance signals into C1, M1, and Y1 density signals.
[0034]
On the other hand, in the scanner IP unit 202 of the MFP 105 for monochrome images, after performing A / D conversion 401 and shading 402 of a single color using a single-color one-line CCD sensor 308 according to FIG. Is sent to the core unit 206.
[0035]
[Configuration of FAX Unit 203]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the FAX unit 203 will be described with reference to FIG. First, at the time of reception, after the image data input via the telephone line is received by the NCU unit 501 to convert the voltage, the demodulation unit 504 in the modem unit 502 performs A / D conversion and demodulation operation. Are expanded into raster data by the expansion unit 506. Generally, a run-length method or the like is used for compression and expansion in a facsimile apparatus. The image converted into the raster data is temporarily stored in the memory unit 507 and sent to the core unit 206 after confirming that there is no transfer error in the image data.
[0036]
Next, at the time of transmission, the compression unit 505 performs compression such as a run-length method on the raster image image signal input from the core unit, and the modulation unit 503 in the modem unit 502 performs D / A conversion and modulation. After performing the operation, it is sent to the telephone line via the NCU unit 501.
[0037]
[Configuration of NIC Unit 204]
The configuration of the NIC unit 204 will be described with reference to FIG. 6A. The NIC unit 204 performs an interface function with the network 101. For example, the NIC unit 204 obtains information from the outside using an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable such as 10Base-T / 100Base-TX, or the like. It plays a role in flowing information to the outside.
[0038]
When information is obtained from outside, the voltage is first converted by the transformer unit 601 and sent to the LAN controller unit 602. The LAN controller unit 602 has a first buffer memory (not shown) therein, determines whether the information is necessary information, and sends it to the second buffer memory (not shown). A signal flows through the core unit 206.
[0039]
Next, when providing information to the outside, the LAN controller 602 adds necessary information to the data sent from the core unit 206 and connects to the network 101 via the transformer unit 601. .
[0040]
[Configuration of Dedicated I / F Unit 205]
The dedicated I / F unit 205 is an interface unit with the full-color MFP 104, and is configured by transmitting multi-valued bits in parallel for CMYK, image data of 4 × 8 bits, and a communication line. In the present embodiment, the transmission using the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable cannot output at a speed corresponding to the MFP 104, and the performance of other devices connected to the network is sacrificed. Is used.
[0041]
[Configuration of Core Unit 206]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the core unit 206 will be described with reference to FIG. 6B. The bus selector unit 611 of the core unit 206 plays a role of traffic control in using the MFPs 104 and 105. That is, the bus is switched according to various functions in the MFPs 104 and 105, such as a copy function, a network scanner, a network printer, facsimile transmission / reception, and display.
[0042]
The following shows a bus switching pattern for executing each function.
[0043]
Copying function: scanner 201 → core 206 → printer IP 207
Network scanner: scanner 201 → core 206 → NIC unit 204
Network printer: NIC section 204 → core 206 → printer IP 207
Facsimile transmission function: scanner 201 → core 206 → facsimile unit 203
Facsimile reception function: FAX unit 203 → core 206 → printer IP 207
Next, the image data output from the bus selector unit 611 is sent to the printer IP unit 207 via the compression unit 612, the memory unit 613 including a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk (HDD), and the decompression unit 614. As a compression method used in the compression unit 612, a general method such as JPEG, JBIG, or ZIP may be used. The compressed image data is managed for each job, and is stored together with additional data such as a file name, a creator, a creation date and time, and a file size.
[0044]
Further, if a job number and a password are provided and stored together, the personal box function can be supported. This is a function for temporarily storing data and making printout (readout from HDD) only to a specific person. When a printout instruction for a stored job is issued, the printout is performed from the memory unit 613 after performing authentication using a password, the image is decompressed, returned to a raster image, and sent to the printer IP unit 207.
[0045]
[Configuration of Printer IP Unit 207]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the printer IP unit 207 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B. 7A and 7B show a case where the subsequent printer 209 is a color printer and a monochrome printer, respectively.
[0046]
Reference numeral 701 in FIG. 7A denotes an output masking / UCR circuit unit which converts the M1, C1, and Y1 signals into Y, M, C, and K signals, which are toner colors of the printer 209, by using a matrix operation. The C1, M1, Y1, and K1 signals based on the RGB signals read in 308 are corrected to C, M, Y, and K signals based on the spectral distribution characteristics of the toner and output.
[0047]
Next, a gamma conversion unit 702 converts the data into C, M, Y, and K data for image output using a look-up table (LUT) RAM in consideration of various color characteristics of the toner. After being subjected to spatial filter processing such as sharpness or smoothing, the image signal is sent to the PWM unit 208.
[0048]
On the other hand, in FIG. 7B, the output masking / UCR circuit unit is not provided, and the image signal input from the core unit 206 is directly subjected to gamma conversion in the gamma conversion unit 702, and the spatial filter unit 703 performs spatial filter processing. After that, it is binarized by the binarization circuit 704 and transmitted to the PWM unit 208.
[0049]
[Configuration of PWM Unit 208]
The configuration of the PWM unit 208 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B. Image data (single color in the case of the MFP 105) output from the printer IP unit 207 and separated into four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are respectively (In the case of color, the configuration shown in FIG. 8A is required for four colors).
[0050]
In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 801 denotes a triangular wave generator, and 802, a D / A converter (D / A converter) for converting an input digital image signal into an analog signal. The signal from the triangular wave generator 801 (signal a in FIG. 8B) and the image signal from the D / A converter 802 (signal b in FIG. 8B) are compared in magnitude by the comparator 803, and the density is compared to the signal c in FIG. , And is sent to the laser drive unit 804. As a result, each color of C, M, Y, and K is converted into a laser beam by each laser 805. Then, a laser beam of each color is scanned by a polygon scanner 913 and irradiated on a photosensitive drum (917, 921, 925, 929 shown in FIG. 9) of each color.
[0051]
[Configuration of Printer Unit 209 (for Color MFP 104)]
FIG. 9 is a sectional structural view of the color printer unit. A polygon mirror 913 receives four laser beams emitted from four semiconductor lasers 805. One of them scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 917 through mirrors 914, 915, and 916, the other scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 921 through mirrors 918, 919, and 920, and the next one mirrors The photosensitive drum 925 is scanned and exposed through 922, 923, and 924, and the last one is scanned and exposed on the photosensitive drum 929 through mirrors 926, 927, and 928.
[0052]
On the other hand, a developing device 930 supplies yellow (Y) toner, and forms a yellow toner image on the photosensitive drum 917 according to the laser beam. A developing unit 931 supplies magenta (M) toner, and forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 921 according to the laser beam. Reference numeral 932 denotes a developing unit that supplies cyan (C) toner, and forms a cyan toner image on the photosensitive drum 925 according to the laser beam. A developing device 933 supplies black (K) toner, and forms a magenta toner image on the photosensitive drum 929 according to the laser beam. By transferring the toner images of the four colors (Y, M, C, and K) onto the conveyed sheet, a full-color output image can be obtained.
[0053]
Sheets fed from any of the sheet cassettes 934 and 935 and the manual feed tray 936 are sucked onto the transfer belt 938 via the registration rollers 937 and conveyed. Synchronous with the paper feed timing, the toner of each color is developed in advance on the photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is transported. The sheet on which the toner of each color has been transferred is separated from the transfer belt 938 and is conveyed by a conveyance belt 939, and the toner is fixed on the sheet by a fixing device 940. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 940 is once guided downward by the flapper 950, and after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 950, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged in a face-down state, and a correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.
[0054]
The four photosensitive drums 917, 921, 925, and 929 are arranged at regular intervals at a distance d, and the sheet is conveyed at a constant speed v by the conveyor belt 939, and the timing is synchronized. Thus, the four semiconductor lasers 805 are driven.
[0055]
Reference numeral 999 denotes a CCD sensor that detects the degree of registration deviation, and is used to read a registration adjustment mark and adjust the image position.
[0056]
[Configuration of Printer Unit 209 (for Monochrome MFP 105)]
FIG. 10 shows an overview of the monochrome printer unit. A polygon mirror 1013 receives laser beams emitted from the four semiconductor lasers 805. The laser beam scans and exposes the photosensitive drum 1017 through mirrors 1014, 1015, and 1016. A developing unit 1030 supplies black toner. The developing unit 1030 forms a toner image on a photosensitive drum 1017 in accordance with a laser beam, and transfers the toner image to a conveyed sheet to obtain a monochrome output image. Can be.
[0057]
Sheets fed from any of the sheet cassettes 1034 and 1035 and the manual feed tray 1036 are adsorbed on the transfer belt 1038 via the registration rollers 1037 and are conveyed. The toner is developed on the photosensitive drum 1017 in advance in synchronization with the sheet feeding timing, and the toner is transferred to the sheet as the sheet is transported. The sheet to which the toner has been transferred is separated from the transfer belt 1038, and the toner is fixed to the sheet by the fixing device 1040. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 1040 is once guided downward by the flapper 1050, and after the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 1050, the sheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheets are discharged in a face-down state, and a correct page order is obtained when printing is performed in order from the first page.
[0058]
Reference numeral 1099 denotes a CCD sensor for detecting the degree of registration deviation, which is used to read a registration adjustment mark and adjust the image position.
[0059]
[Configuration of Finisher Unit 209]
FIG. 11 shows a sectional structural view of the finisher unit 209. The sheet discharged from the fixing unit 940 (or 1040) of the printer unit 209 enters the connected finisher unit 209. The finisher unit 209 includes a sample tray 1101 and a stack tray 1102, and switches and discharges according to the type of job and the number of sheets to be discharged.
[0060]
There are two sort methods, a bin sort method having a plurality of bins and distributing the bins to each bin, and an electronic sort function described later and distributing output sheets for each job by shifting the bins (or trays) toward the back. Sorting by the shift sort method can be performed.
[0061]
The electronic sort function is called a collate, and if a large-capacity memory such as the memory unit 613 described in the core unit 206 is provided, the order of buffered pages and the order of discharge are changed by using this. In addition, a group function for sorting pages is provided for sorting for sorting jobs. Further, when the sheet is discharged to the stack tray 1102, the sheets immediately before the discharge can be stored for each job, and the sheets can be bound by the stapler 1105 at the time of discharging.
[0062]
In addition, a Z-folder 1104 for folding paper into a Z-shape and a puncher 1106 for making two (or three) holes for files before reaching the above two trays are provided. To perform each processing.
[0063]
Further, the saddle stitcher 1107 performs a process of binding the central portion of the sheet at two places and then half-folding the sheet by biting the central portion of the sheet with a roller to create a booklet such as a weekly magazine or a pamphlet. . The sheets bound by the saddle stitcher 1107 are discharged to a booklet tray (not shown).
[0064]
In addition, although not shown, it is also possible to add a binding by glue (glue) for bookbinding, or a trim (cutting) function for aligning the end face opposite to the binding side after the binding.
[0065]
An inserter 1103 is for feeding a sheet set on the tray 1110 to any of the trays 1101, 1102, and 1108 without passing the sheet through the printer. As a result, a sheet set in the inserter 1103 can be inserted (inserted) between sheets fed to the finisher unit 209. It is assumed that the user inserts the sheet for insertion into the tray 1110 of the inserter 1103 in a face-up state, and the sheet is fed by the pickup roller 1111 in order from the uppermost sheet. Therefore, the sheet from the inserter 1103 is conveyed to the trays 1101 and 1102 as it is, and is discharged in a face-down state. When the sheet is fed to the saddle stitcher 1107, the sheet is sent once to the puncher 1106 side and then switched back to be fed, so that the face is oriented.
[0066]
Next, the trimmer (cutting machine) 1112 will be described. The booklet (saddle-stitched booklet) output by the saddle stitcher 1107 enters the trimmer 1112. At that time, first, the output of the booklet is fed by the roller by a predetermined length, cut by the cutter unit 1113 by a predetermined length, and is separated among a plurality of pages in the booklet. The ends that were used will be aligned neatly. Then, it is stored in the booklet hold unit 1114.
[0067]
● Network 101
Hereinafter, the network 101 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0068]
In the network 101, each configuration as shown in FIG. 1 (the configuration 101a shown in FIG. 12) is connected via a device called a router (1201 to 1205) which connects the networks to each other, and a LAN (Local Area Network). And further networks (1206 and 1207).
[0069]
The LAN 1206 is connected to a router 1205 inside another LAN 1207 via a dedicated line 1208 by an internal router 1201. Such a network is stretched over and over to form a vast connection form.
[0070]
Next, data flowing in the network 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0071]
It is assumed that data 1301 exists in the transmission source device A (1300a), and the data may be image data, PDL data, or a program. When the data 1301 is transferred to the destination device B (1300b) via the network 101, the data 1301 is first subdivided as indicated by 1302, and the divided data 1303, 1304, and 1306 are subjected to a header. A destination address referred to as 1305 (in the case of using the TCP / IP protocol, the destination IP address) and the like are added, and the packet is sequentially transmitted as a packet 1307 onto the network 101. When the header 1311 of the packet 1310 on the network 101 matches the address of the device B, the data 1312 is separated from the packet 1310 and reproduced on the device B in the same data state as the device A.
[0072]
[Printer Driver]
Next, a process of transmitting image data from a computer 102 (or 103) to a printer by a printer driver will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14C.
[0073]
The printer driver is displayed when a GUI for instructing a print operation (a print setting GUI displayed when a print instruction is issued from an application or the like and a display instruction for a property related to “printer” is issued on the GUI for print setting). GUI), the user can send a desired image to a destination such as a printer by designating a desired setting parameter.
[0074]
In FIG. 14A, reference numeral 1401 denotes a window of the printer driver, and a setting item in the window includes a transmission destination selection column 1402 for selecting a target output destination. In the present embodiment, the above-described MFP 104 or the MFP 105 is to be selected. Reference numeral 1403 denotes a page setting column for selecting an output page from a job, and sets which page of an image created by application software operating on the computer 102 (or 103) is output. Reference numeral 1404 denotes a copy number setting column for designating the number of print copies. The number of copies can be increased or decreased by moving the cursor 1404 to this position and clicking the illustrated arrow (arrow on the scroll bar). Reference numeral 1407 denotes a property key for performing detailed settings for the destination device selected in the destination selection column 1402. Then, when desired settings are completed, printing is started using the OK key 1405. On the other hand, printing can be canceled with the cancel key 1406.
[0075]
14B and 14C are diagrams illustrating examples of a GUI displayed when the property key 1407 is clicked in FIG. 14A. This GUI has tabs such as “Paper”, “Graphics”, “Device Options”, and “PDL”, and the items to be set are different each time they are clicked. FIG. 14B shows an example in which a “Paper” tab 1411 has been selected. Here, settings such as a paper size 1415, an imposition layout 1416, a paper orientation 1417, or a paper feed stage 1418 can be made. FIG. 14C shows an example in which the “Device Options” tab 1413 is selected, and setting information unique to the device, for example, finishing settings such as staples, a gamma conversion unit 702 and a spatial filter unit 703 in the printer IP unit 207. And finer adjustments related to image processing can be performed. Specifically, the function type 1431 and its set value 1432 are set to desired values. Incidentally, reference numeral 1433 is a default key for returning the set value to the initial value.
[0076]
Although not shown, resolution and halftone can be set by selecting a “Graphics” tab 1412, and a PDL output format can be selected on a “PDL” tab 1414.
[0077]
● Document server 102
Next, the configuration of the document server 102 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 15 is merely an example, and configurations having various connection methods and various interfaces are generally considered.
[0078]
In FIG. 15, a portion surrounded by a dotted line is a board called a motherboard 1500, on which functions described below are mounted.
[0079]
Reference numerals 1501 and 1502 denote CPUs for controlling software of the document server 102. The CPUs 1501 and 1502 are connected to the secondary cache memory 1503 via the CPU bus 1521. Bus control. An SDRAM 1506 is used for exchanging data between the north bridge 1504 and the south bridge 1505.
[0080]
The north bridge 1504 includes a high-speed peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus (32 bits / 66 MHz) 1522, is connected to a hard disk drive (HDD) 1507 by a SCSI bus 1524 via a SCSI controller and a SCSI interface 114, and has a large capacity. Enables data access. Generally, the HDD 1507 also has an HDD (Integrated Disk Electronics) bus described later. The high-speed PCI bus 1522 can also be used when connecting a printer of a type that sends video data directly to a printer. If necessary, the video interface cards 113a and 113b are connected to the printer, and an interface with a color printer is provided. It is effective for such as. Further, a graphic controller 1508 for displaying a display 1509 is also connected to the north bridge 1504 via an AGP bus 1526.
[0081]
A general PCI bus (32 bits / 33 MHz) 1523 is connected to the south bridge 1505, and NICs (Network Interface Cards) 111 and 112 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) are connected. In the figure, two NICs are connected when there are two networks as shown in FIG. 1A, and in the case of one system as shown in FIG. 1B, one NIC may be used. A CD-ROM drive or a readable / writable CD-R / RW drive 1510 is connected to the south bridge 1505 via the IDE bus 1525, and is used when the document server 102 is installed or when a large amount of data is archived (data storage). used. In addition, a keyboard 1513, a mouse 1514, or a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 1515 is connected via a USB port 1511 and a super I / O unit 1512, and data can be input and output.
[0082]
Next, a data flow in the document server 102 will be described with reference to FIG. These flows are controlled by the CPU described above, and the SDRAM 1506 and the HDD 1507 are used as needed. Note that FIG. 18 is executed after the power of the document server 102 is turned on and the server OS stored in the HDD 1507 and the program functioning as the document server of the present embodiment are loaded into the RAM 1506.
[0083]
First, a job input from the NIC 111 or the SCSI 114 enters the server from the input device control unit 1601 and plays a role in connecting to various client applications. Note that PDL data and JCL (Job Control Language) data are received as inputs. These data correspond to various clients as status information about the printer and the server, and the output of this module combines all the appropriate PDL and JCL components.
[0084]
Next, the input job control unit 1602 manages the requested list of jobs and creates a job list to access individual jobs submitted to the server. Further, this module has three functions of job routing for determining a job route, job split for determining whether to divide and RIP, and job scheduling for determining the order of jobs.
[0085]
The rasterization processing (RIP) unit 1603 includes, for example, a plurality of rasterization units 1603-a, 1603-b, and 1603-c, and can be further increased as necessary. . The RIP module 1603 RIPs the PDLs of various jobs to create bitmaps of appropriate size and resolution. As this RIP processing, rasterization processing in various formats such as PCL, TIFF, JPEG, and PDF, including PostScript (registered trademark of Adobe in the United States, hereinafter, PS), is possible.
[0086]
The data conversion unit 1604 serves to compress the bitmap image created by the RIP and to perform format conversion, and selects the most suitable image image type for each printer. For example, when a job is to be handled in units of pages, processing such as adding a PDF header to bitmap data obtained by rasterizing TIFF, JPEG, or the like by the RIP unit 1603 and editing the data as PDF data is performed.
[0087]
The output job control unit 1605 manages how page images of a job are handled based on command settings. The page image is printed by a printer or saved in the HDD 1507. Whether or not the job after printing is left in the HDD 1507 can be selected. When the job is saved, the job can be recalled. This module is managed by the interaction between the HDD 1507 and the SDRAM 1506.
[0088]
The output device control unit 1606 manages which device is to be output and which device is to be clustered (a plurality of devices are connected and printed simultaneously), and is sent to the interface card 112 or 113 of the selected device. This module also plays a role in monitoring the status of the devices 104 and 105 and communicating the device status to the document server 102.
[0089]
[Page Description Language (PDL)]
Hereinafter, the PDL data and the RIP unit 1603 will be described.
[0090]
PDL represented by the PS language is classified into the following three elements.
[0091]
(A) Image description using character codes
(B) Image description by graphic code
(C) Image description using raster image data
That is, PDL is a language for describing an image composed of a combination of the above-described elements, and data described thereby is referred to as PDL data.
[0092]
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the internal processing of the RIP unit 1603 illustrated in FIG. Each RIP unit 1603 can be broadly divided into an interpreter unit 1701 for translating PDL and a rendering unit 1702 for rendering PDL in color.
[0093]
The interpreter 1701 has a function of interpreting a PDL description as shown in FIG. 18A as a graphic as shown in FIG. 18B.
[0094]
In the character information R1801 shown in FIG. 18A, L1811 is a description for designating the color of the character, and the parentheses indicate the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black densities in order, with the minimum density being 0.0 and the maximum being 1. 0.0. L1811 shows an example of designating that a character is to be black. Next, L1812 substitutes the character string “ABC” for the variable “String1”. Next, L1813 indicates the x and y coordinates of the start position coordinates on the paper on which the character string is laid out, the first and second parameters, the third parameter is the character size, the fourth parameter is the character spacing, Five parameters each indicate a character string to be laid out. In other words, L1813 indicates an instruction to lay out the character string “ABC” with a size of 0.2 and an interval of 0.3 from the position of the coordinates (0.0, 0.0).
[0095]
In the description example of the graphic information R1802, L1821 specifies the color of the line as in L1811, and cyan is specified here. L1822 specifies that a line is to be drawn. The first and second parameters indicate the starting coordinates of the line, and the third and fourth parameters indicate the x and y coordinates of the ending coordinate. The fifth parameter indicates the thickness of the line.
[0096]
In the description example of the raster image information R1803, the raster image is substituted for the variable “image1” in L1831. Here, the first parameter represents the image type and the number of color components of the raster image, the second parameter represents the number of bits per color component, and the third and fourth parameters represent the image size of the raster image in the x and y directions. , The fifth and subsequent parameters are raster image data. The number of raster image data is a product of the number of color components forming one pixel and the image size in the x and y directions. In L1831, since the CMYK image is composed of four color components, the number of raster image data is (4 × 5 × 5 =) 100. Next, L1832 indicates that image1 is laid out in a size of 0.5 × 0.5 from the position of the coordinates (0.0, 0.5).
[0097]
FIG. 18B shows a state in which the above three image descriptions are interpreted and rasterized into raster image data within one page. R1801, R1802, and R1803 correspond to the PDL data in FIG. 18A, respectively. These raster image data are actually developed on the SDRAM 1506 (or the HDD 1507) for each of the C, M, Y, and K color components. For example, the R1801 portion is stored in the SDRAM 1506 of each of the CMYKs as C = 0, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 255 are written, and C = 255, M = 0, Y = 0, and K = 0 are written in the portion of R1802.
[0098]
In the document server 102, the PDL data sent from the client 103 (or the document server 102 itself) may be stored in the SDRAM 1506 (or the HDD 1507) in the form of PDL data as it is or as a raster image as described above. Written and stored as needed.
[0099]
Next, returning to FIG. 17, the rendering unit 1702 will be described. The image data output from the interpreter unit 1701 includes various color spaces in addition to grayscale, RGB, and CMYK. In the case of other color spaces, the CRD (Color Rendering Dictionary) unit 1703 uses CMYK once. Converted to space.
[0100]
For the CMYK data, the overprint detection unit 1704 tests the state of superimposition of images in the PDL language. That is, in the normal PDL, when each part is superimposed, the color of the overwritten part is finally drawn. Mix the upper color while leaving it.
[0101]
In the job ticket set by the user, the black detection unit / black correction unit 1705 selects pure black and process black (black by CMY or CMYK mixed color), and forcibly removes black characters and thin black lines on halftone dots from black. Each value of CMYK is changed according to the setting of the function of hitting in%.
[0102]
As shown in FIG. 19, the color matching unit 1706 performs color adjustment based on the ICC profile on the input RGB or CMYK data in the CMM unit 1904.
[0103]
As shown in FIG. 20, the ICC profile is roughly divided into a source profile 1905 and a printer profile 1906. The source profile 1905 converts RGB (or CMYK) data into a standardized L * a * b * space once. Then, the L * a * b * data is converted again into data in the CMYK space suitable for the target printer.
[0104]
The source profile 1905 is composed of an RGB profile and a CMYK profile. When the input image is an RGB image (such as application software of Microsoft Corporation, JPEG, or TIFF image), the RGB profile is selected, and the CMYK system image (by Adobe) is selected. In the case of Photoshop or Illustrator, the CMYK profile is selected.
[0105]
The printer profile 1906 is created in accordance with the color characteristics of each printer. In the case of an RGB image, it is preferable to select Perceptual (color priority) or Saturation (saturation priority). In the case of an image, an optimal image is often output by selecting Colorimetric (minimum color difference).
[0106]
The ICC profile is generally created in a look-up table format. In the source profile 1905, when RGB (or CMYK) data is input, it is uniquely converted to L * a * b * data. * B * data is converted to CMYK data.
[0107]
Referring back to FIG. 17, the overprint control unit 1707 receives the test result of the above-described overprint detection unit 1704 and performs overprint processing as necessary. Then, the toner reduction unit 1708 limits the amount of applied toner when there is a risk of damaging the printer.
[0108]
After performing the above processing, the image data is once written to the SDRAM 1506 (or the HDD 1507) as bitmap data 1709, and when the print processing is started, the output characteristics of each color are corrected by the gamma correction unit 1710, and then the print processing is performed. Be out.
[0109]
In the gamma correction unit 1710, a linear gamma curve as shown in FIG. 21A is prepared by default, and a table is prepared according to the printer characteristics. For example, when the output characteristic Gp of the MFP 104a has the value shown in FIG. 21B, the output characteristic is corrected to a linear value as shown in FIG. 21A by multiplying the inverse function Ga (FIG. 21C) as a gamma table. When it is desired to obtain the output characteristic Gb (FIG. 21D) as in general commercial printing, it is sufficient to multiply the values by a table of values based on GaxGb. Note that a calibration function described later using a scanner unit or a densitometer of the MFP 104a to create these gamma tables is generally known.
[0110]
● Web browser
Hereinafter, the operation by the web browser in the present embodiment will be described.
[0111]
On the document server 102, a web server program typified by Microsoft's IIS (Internet Information Server) is also operating at the same time, and the current document server responds to a call by the http protocol from the client 103 (or 102 itself). The status of the device 102 or information on peripheral devices can be notified.
[0112]
FIG. 22A is a main screen of a web service provided in the server 102. The IP address of the server (here, for example, 192.168.100.11. If the environment supports DNS, the server name may also be used. Is input to the URL address portion, the service screen is read in advance.
[0113]
This service tool has tabs (2701 to 2706) of "job status", "device status", "job submission", "scanning", "configuration", and "help" containing a manual of this service. ). Hereinafter, the operation when each of these tabs is selected will be described.
[0114]
[Job status]
As shown in FIG. 22A, the “job status” tab 2701 includes a device display unit 2707, job status display units 2708 and 2709 for active jobs, and job history display units 2710 and 2711. Since all of 2711 cannot be displayed, pressing the job status display key 2708 displays all active jobs as needed, and pressing the job history display key 2710 allows reference to all job histories. Hereinafter, details of these display units will be described with reference to FIGS. 22B, 22C, and 22D.
[0115]
First, as shown in FIG. 22B, the device display unit 2707 displays device names 2721 to 2724 of MFPs and the like on the network and device icons 2725 to 2728 (the icons change like 2727 or 2728 according to the status). Then, the statuses 2729 to 2732 of each device are also displayed by characters.
[0116]
The job status display unit 2709 can monitor the status (status) of each job in the server, such as “Spooling” (receiving data before RIP), “Ripping” (during RIP), and “Wait to Print” (print standby). Middle) or “Printing” (during printing). In addition, a job that has been instructed to wait in the server at the time of submitting the job is held as “Hold” before the RIP. If an error or a jam occurs in the device, the fact is displayed to inform the user. The job information after printing is passed to a job history (finished job) display unit 2711. The status of each network device is inquired by the server every predetermined period, and / or each network device notifies the server when its own status changes.
[0117]
The job history display unit 2711 displays the history of the job, and indicates “Printed” when the job is completed normally and “Canceled” when the job is canceled halfway.
[0118]
As shown in FIG. 22C, a job status display unit 2709 displaying information of a job being executed includes a job name 2742, a target printer 2743, a job status 2744, a job priority 2745, a job ID 2746, a client name 2747, and a , The number of copies 2749, the number of copies 2749, the paper size 2750, or a comment column 2751 in which a request from the client to the operator is described. Further, a control key 2741 is displayed for each of these jobs, which can be controlled only by a person (administrator or the like) given a certain privilege. Specifically, there are a job cancel key 2752, a job pause (job pause or hold) key 2753, a job restart (pause job or hold job release) key 2754, and the like.
[0119]
Similarly, in the job history display unit 2711, as shown in FIG. 22D, in addition to the job name 2762, the target printer 2763, the job status 2764, the job ID 2766, the client name 2767, the number of pages of the job 2768, the number of copies 2769, and the paper size 2770, or a comment column 2771 for describing a request from the client to the operator is displayed. Furthermore, a control key 2761 that can be controlled only by a person (administrator or the like) given a certain privilege is displayed for each of these jobs. More specifically, a job archive (function to store the job in another location on the network) key 2772, a job deletion (job delete) key 2773, a job reprint (reprint job) key 2774, and the like are provided. is there. Based on these instructions, the operator can handle the server.
[0120]
[Device Status]
Hereinafter, the display when the “device status” tab 2702 is selected will be described with reference to FIG.
[0121]
A standardized database called MIB (Management Information Base) is built in a network interface portion in the MFP 104 or 105 or the printer 107, and a computer on a network is provided via a network management protocol called SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). And the status of devices connected to the network, including the MFPs 104 and 105, can be exchanged with necessary information. For example, the MFP 104 detects whether the finisher 210 having the function is connected as the equipment information of the MFPs 104 and 105, detects whether an error or a jam has occurred at present, whether printing is being performed, or is idle as the status information. , 105, all static information such as equipment information, device status, network settings, job history, use status management and control, etc. can be obtained. By using the MIB, the document server 102 fetches the status of the MFP or the like as needed and updates it as an HTML file, so that the client can always browse the status.
[0122]
As shown in FIG. 23, according to the “device status” tab 2702, the size of the paper provided in the device managed by the server and the state of replenishment (remaining paper in each paper stacker or cassette 2801 to 2806) are confirmed. It is also possible to check in advance the status (2807) of an accessory such as a finisher installed in each device. However, since the remaining amount of the sheet is detected by the sensor, it is difficult to detect the recording sheet with the accuracy of one sheet, and the minimum unit of the detection is, for example, about ten sheets.
[0123]
[Job Submission]
Next, a case where the “job submit” tab 2703 is selected will be described with reference to FIG. 24A.
[0124]
The method of using the job submission function is the same as that of the above-described print driver. However, this method throws the file on the client 103 directly to the document server 102 without opening the file on the application (without instructing printing on the application). This is for transferring or copying with the following additional information attached to the document file to be printed.
[0125]
Usually, the print driver has two roles, one of which is to launch data by an application on the client 103 and convert the data into PDL data such as PS (or PCL). One is to throw the converted data into the document server 102 (or printer). This is because the conventional RIP processing can only deal with one type of RIP processing.
[0126]
The job submit for such a printer driver performs only the process of throwing the job together with the job ticket using the GUI, but not only the PS but also various formats (for example, PDF, TIFF, JPEG). The same software RIP module can perform RIP processing on data of the same format, or a plurality of types of software RIP modules (for example, PS and PCL) are provided in the document server 102. Even when the RIP module can be switched and used, even when not only one type of PDL but also the various formats and various PDL data described above are directly sent to the document server 102, the RIP process is performed in the same manner as the conventional single PDL data. And expand to bitmap data
[0127]
For a printer having a RIP processing function of a type that handles only PS data instead of bitmap data due to the interface of the MFP 104 or the MFP 105, the document server 102 expands the bitmap data into bitmap data by the above RIP processing. After the data is image-compressed by JBIG or G4 (CCITT), the compressed data is output with a header such as PS (information indicating PS data). As described above, according to the job submission function, it is possible to print various format data by various printers.
[0128]
As shown in FIG. 24A, as a setting item added in job submission, there is a transmission destination selection column 2901 for selecting a target output destination. Generally, the above-described MFPs 104 and 105 or the printer 107 are selected, but a cluster printer described later can also be set. Reference numeral 2911 denotes a column for selecting a file, and a file name may be directly specified together with a directory. Generally, a browse button on the right of the column indicates a job on the server's own computer (or in the network). Select a file.
[0129]
When these settings are made and the print key 2907 is clicked, the set contents and the specified file are transferred to the document server 102 and added (queued) as a print job.
[0130]
Hereinafter, the setting contents of the job ticket call key 2912 will be described.
[0131]
The job ticket means a file in which setting items other than the image data of the job are collected. For example, in the present embodiment, the detailed setting items of each job ticket are classified into several as shown in FIGS. 24A to 24E, and various settings are possible.
[0132]
1. General settings: (FIG. 24A: 2921)
Number of copies, paper size, paper source, media type, presence or absence of both sides
2. Job control: (FIG. 24B: 2922)
Job priority, job save status, etc.
3. Finishing: (FIG. 24C: 2923)
Staples, punches, booklets, etc.
4. Image processing setting: (FIG. 24D: 2924)
Sharpness, brightness, toner reduction settings, etc.
5. Color setting: (FIG. 24E: 2925)
Gamma conversion table settings, ICC profile settings, etc.
The job ticket has an advantage that not only the setting items unique to each device but also the operation proceeds smoothly if prepared in advance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in FIG. As shown as a key 2913 in FIG. 7, a save key for saving an arbitrarily set job ticket for reuse, a save as key for saving with a new name, and a delete key for deleting a job ticket are provided. Also, a job ticket reset key 2908 is provided so that the job ticket can be returned to the default state.
[0133]
Next, each setting item of the job ticket will be described in detail. When the finishing key 2904 is clicked on the display screen of FIG. 24A, a GUI shown in FIG. 24C is displayed. Here, for example, On and Off are prepared in the stapling setting column. If the setting is On, the job is stapled and output, and if the setting is Off, the job is output as it is. However, when a printer having no staple function is selected, control is performed such that this item itself is not displayed or On selection cannot be made. The default setting item, which has a higher selection frequency, is prepared in advance. If the user setting is different from the setting item, a job ticket is registered, and the default setting item appears as the user's own default.
[0134]
The items set here include not only the general settings and the finishing function, but also, for example, when a job management (Job Management) key 2903 in FIG. 24A is clicked, the job control setting shown in FIG. A portion 2922 is displayed, and setting for job control can be performed. Similarly, when an image processing (Image Quality) key 2905 is clicked, an image processing setting unit 2924 shown in FIG. 24D is displayed. When a color (Color) key 2906 is clicked, a color setting unit 2925 shown in FIG. 24E is displayed. Function can be changed.
[0135]
When desired settings are completed and the print key 2907 in FIG. 24A is clicked, if the file to be printed and the job ticket set in the file selection unit 2911 have been set, the set contents are transferred to the document server 102. Is done.
[0136]
Each setting item in these job tickets can be provided with restrictions corresponding to UI constraints in the PPD file of the print driver. Here, the UI constraint means avoidance of the prohibition setting by the GUI. For example, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously setting the duplex copy to the OHP sheet, or, in the case of a printer with a staple sorter, to group sort (sort bin). This is to prevent the stapling by the output method of outputting the same page every time) on the GUI in advance. In some cases, a combination of settings that may damage the printer may be prevented. For example, in general, when the duplex setting is performed on a small sheet of A5 / Statement size or less, a paper jam is likely to occur if the sheet path is not designed to withstand a small sheet of paper. If such operations are repeated, the printer may be damaged. Therefore, when the user makes such settings, it can be prohibited and prevented.
[0137]
However, with UI constraints in PPD, it is generally possible to prohibit two dimensions (combination of two functions), but in the case of three dimensions or more (complex combination of three or more functions), it is difficult to prohibit this. However, since the job submit page is described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), it is easy to apply restrictions even in a combination of three or more dimensions. In the case of a general driver provided by the PPD (for example, a driver for Windows (registered trademark) 95, 98, Me manufactured by Microsoft Corporation or a driver manufactured by Adobe), the size capacity of the PPD is limited in advance. In many cases, if a PPD is created beyond this, there are no restrictions on some of the functions of the UI constraints, but the advantage of HTML description is that there is no particular size restriction.
[0138]
Here, the cluster print according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 25 shows an example of a GUI for job submission for cluster printing. When cluster print (page split by the MFP 104 & MFP 105) is set in the transmission destination selection column 2901 of FIG. 17, it is possible to call up both the job tickets of the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 registered in advance in the web server. By clicking on the job tickets 2902 to 2906 in the same drawing and calling the respective job tickets, selecting the settings of the respective job tickets of the MFP 104 and the MFP 105 and starting printing, cluster printing is executed.
[0139]
In this embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the following flow and GUI will be described by taking cluster printing on two different types of MFPs as an example. It is needless to say that the same method can be used when two MFPs are used. However, since a common job ticket is often selected for printers of the same type, it may be regarded that the same job ticket is specified for a plurality of printers by specifying one job ticket.
[0140]
The print processing in the present embodiment may be performed by a print instruction from a normal application, or may be performed by the above-described job submission. In any case, the data is stored as a file in a hot folder in the document server 102, and is managed as a print wait. In each print data file, information indicating which printer is to be used for printing is requested from the client, and the printer that actually outputs the print data is determined using the information. Therefore, the processing in the document server 102 when the printing processing is actually in the execution stage will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 26A.
[0141]
First, in step S3101, the data file to be printed and the submitted setting information are read, and the job is determined. Here, the job determination means whether a single printer name is set in the setting information or a registered printer group name (a group name of a plurality of printers registered as a job cluster mode, a copy cluster mode). (A group name of a plurality of printers registered as a page cluster mode, a group name of a plurality of printers registered as a page cluster mode). Specifically, when a job is sent, two files of a data file and a job ticket file (or a single file in which the two are integrated) are sent from the client 103 to the document server 102. However, the former is various data files including the PS data as described above, and the latter is a text file as shown in FIG. 27A or FIG. 27B, in which various information regarding output is described. Issued in the form of
[0142]
Here, for example, in FIG. 27A, reference numeral 3201 denotes a job name, which is linked to the data file. Reference numeral 3202 is linked to the output destination, and a job is determined in step S3101 based on the link. Reference numeral 3203 describes RIP and printer information, and RIP is performed based on the information. Reference numeral 3204 denotes setting information set in FIGS. 24A to 24E, which is required for RIP and printing. Note that the contents of FIG. 27B are substantially the same as those of FIG.
[0143]
Returning to FIG. 26A, if it is determined in step S3101 that the job has a single printer name, the flow advances to step S3102 to transfer the data file (for example, PS data output from the client printer driver or transferred as a job submit). RIP processing of the received image data file) and outputs it to the designated printer.
[0144]
If the job is a printer group name (for example, “MFP104 & 105_PageSplit” shown in FIG. 25), the process proceeds to any of steps S3103 to S3105. Steps S3103 to S3105 can be easily analogized from the meaning of each of the clusters described above. Hereinafter, the processing in step S3104 when a printer group name registered as the copy number cluster mode is specified will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 26B. explain.
[0145]
First, in step S 3121, the number of copies to be assigned to one printer is calculated by dividing the number of copies in the setting information by the number of printers registered as a copy number cluster mode group. It may be distributed more often. In addition, the minimum number of copies (or the number of pages) is set in advance, and when the number of copies to be assigned is less than that, the output printer can be selected according to a preset priority.
[0146]
Next, in step S3122, a variable i representing a page number is initialized to “1”, and the flow advances to step S3123. In step S3123, the number of copies to be printed by each printer determined in advance is notified to each printer in PDL format data, and in step S3124, the RIP-processed data data of page i is output to each printer. . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not printing has been completed for all pages for which printing has been requested. If the printing has not been completed, the process advances to step S3126 to increment the variable i, and returns to step S3123.
[0147]
When the processing shown in FIG. 26B is performed, as a result, 1, 1, 1,. . . 2, 2, 2,. . . Are printed in the order of 1, 2, 3,. . . , 1, 2, 3,. . . Of course, it may be printed.
[0148]
[Scanning]
Next, a browser display example when the “scanning” tab 2704 that controls the scanning operation is selected will be described with reference to FIG. 28A.
[0149]
In FIG. 28A, the available scanner status is displayed at 3301. Reference numeral 3302 denotes a scanning key for instructing a scanner driver to be described later. Reference numeral 3303 denotes a quick copy key, which instructs printing to a previously designated printer continuously after the scanning operation. The virtual copying machine is realized by the quick copy operation, that is, by an arbitrary combination of the scanner and the printer separately existing on the network. The printer for quick copy can be set in advance by the printer selection unit 3304. At the same time, the default paper size is selected by the default paper size selection unit 3305, the resolution is set by the resolution selection unit 3306, and the halftone mode selection unit 3307 is set. To set the halftone mode.
[0150]
Hereinafter, functions of the scanner driver will be described. As described above, when the scanning key 3301 is clicked, the scanner driver starts. FIG. 28B shows an example of a GUI of a scanner driver for instructing a scan operation on the computer 102 (or 103). By giving an instruction from this GUI, the user specifies a desired setting parameter. Thus, a desired image can be converted into data.
[0151]
In FIG. 28B, reference numeral 3321 denotes a window of the scanner driver, and as a setting item therein, 3322 denotes a source device selection column for selecting a target transmission source. In general, it is similar to the above-described scanner 201, but may be an image read from a memory or an input from an imaging device such as a digital camera.
[0152]
Reference numeral 3323 denotes a button for performing detailed settings related to the selected source device. When this button is clicked, setting information unique to the device is input on another screen, and special image processing (for example, character mode / photo mode) is performed. It is possible to select and input an image in a processing mode suitable for it.
[0153]
Reference numeral 3324 denotes a column for selecting a scanning method, and can select to take in from a flatbed or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Reference numeral 3325 denotes a portion for designating the reading surface of the document, which can designate whether the document is a single-sided document or a double-sided document. An image size can be selected with 3326, and a resolution can be input with 3327. In 3328, the halftone mode can be selected, and simple binary, dither method, error diffusion, multi-value (8 bits), and the like can be selected.
[0154]
In addition, 3329 and 3330 can alternatively set whether to scan all pages or scan only a specified page when using the ADF. Reference numerals 3331 to 3333 denote parts for determining the size of the image area.
[0155]
When the prescan key 3336 is pressed after these designations, the computer 102 (or 103) issues an instruction request to the device selected in the source device selection column 3322, and starts image input. Here, since the pre-scanning is performed, the image is read at a resolution lower than the actual resolution, and the obtained image is displayed on the display unit 3335 as a preview image 3334. For display, the scale is displayed according to the unit 3331 of the image area.
[0156]
If it is determined that the preview image is OK, the scan operation is started by clicking a scan key 3337. At the start, a dialogue for inputting a file name and a directory name for storing the scan file appears. After inputting, pressing the OK key saves the scanned image. If the preview image is NG, the pre-scan is performed again to confirm it. If it is cancelled, the cancel key 3338 is clicked.
[0157]
[configuration]
Next, a browser display example when the “configuration” tab 2705 is selected will be described with reference to FIG. 29A.
[0158]
The GUI shown in FIG. 29A includes a printer configuration key 3401, a cluster configuration key 3402, a spool queue configuration key 3403, a system configuration key 3404, an archive configuration key 3405, a disk clean configuration key 3406, and a user group configuration. It has tabs for a key 3407, a license configuration key 3408, and a gamma configuration 3409. Hereinafter, each will be described.
[0159]
・ Printer configuration
When the printer configuration key 3401 is clicked, the processing enters the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 29B. Here, three modes of addition, correction, and deletion of a printer are prepared. In the additional mode, a desired printer type (for example, color or black and white) is selected, and further settings can be made as long as the number is equal to or less than the limit number permitted by the server. And the like, and register them in the server 102 with a printer name.
[0160]
The printer correction mode is a mode in which printer information such as an IP address or an accessory is changed and corrected and re-saved, and the printer erasing mode is for removing unnecessary printers from server management. Mode (the printer itself may exist on the network).
[0161]
Reference numerals 3420 shown in FIG. 29A are various kinds of information that are set in advance when setting each printer. The settings are registered by clicking a submit key 3421, and are reset to the initial settings by a reset key 3422. Further, when the test print key 3423 is clicked, the PS data for the test print previously stored in a predetermined folder is copied to a hot folder to be described later, and the output image can be checked.
[0162]
・ Cluster configuration
When a plurality of printers are registered in the server 102, these printers can be combined and registered as a cluster printer. The procedure will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0163]
First, two or more printers are selected from the registered printer group (S3501). For example, if there are three printers A, B, and C, four combinations of A & B, A & C, B & C, and A & B & C are possible. In addition, even if the same printer combination is used, if the modes described below are different, it is possible to register as another cluster printer.
[0164]
Here, if the selected combination is a different type of printer such as a color printer and a black and white printer, it is possible to select from two modes: a color / black and white page separation mode and a color / black and white automatic routing mode ( S3502, S3503).
[0165]
The color / black and white page separation mode (S3505) separates a job into color pages and black and white pages in advance for one job in which color pages and black and white pages are mixed, and prints a page including color information to a color printer. In this mode, a (monochrome) page that does not include color information is output to a monochrome printer.
[0166]
In the color / monochrome automatic routing mode (S3506), similarly, after distinguishing between color pages and monochrome pages in advance, if at least one color page is mixed, all jobs are output to a color printer, and all jobs are converted to monochrome pages. If it does, it will automatically route to a black and white printer. These functions are effective in realizing cost reduction and simplification of operability because there is a gap in the par print cost between the color page and the black and white page.
[0167]
Further, when the selected combination is a printer of the same type such as a color printer and a color printer, or a black and white printer and a black and white printer, three modes are prepared: a job clustering mode, a copy clustering mode, and a page clustering mode. (S3504).
[0168]
The job clustering mode (S3507) is a mode in which jobs are sequentially distributed to vacant printers or printers that are expected to be in the idle state sooner among the printers for which jobs have been set, so-called optimized load balance mode. .
[0169]
In the copy number clustering mode (S3508), for example, a job in which 100 copies are set is allocated to three printers having the same capacity, such as 33 copies, 33 copies, and 34 copies, so that the job ends earlier.
[0170]
In the page clustering mode (S3509), a job of 1000 pages is allocated to two printers by 500 pages at a time.
[0171]
Each of the cluster printers can be registered in a different combination of modes with different names for the same printer combination, and can be treated as a virtual high-speed printer in the same manner as a normal single printer.
[0172]
Also, according to the mode, the minimum pages and minimum number of copies per unit can be set in advance for each mode, and if one unit goes down due to a jam or error, the job is automatically replaced. , A waiting time for job rerouting to be assigned to the printer can be set.
[0173]
・ Spool queue configuration
As shown in FIG. 31A, when the spool queue configuration key 3403 is clicked, the process enters the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 31B. Hereinafter, the procedure will be described.
[0174]
The spool queue configuration has three modes of adding, modifying, and deleting a spool queue, and one of them can be selected (S3601). Hereinafter, the spool queue adding process will be described.
[0175]
When adding a spool queue (S3602), first, a hot folder is created (S3603). Here, the hot folder means that, for example, a folder (or directory) on the server computer 102 is shared with a computer in the network (Share), the hot folder is opened to the client computer 103, and the server computer 102 This is a folder for constantly monitoring (polling) a job in the hot folder and guiding the job to printing when the job is thrown.
[0176]
Then, the added spool queue is associated with the created hot folder (S3604), and then either the printer created by the printer configuration or the cluster printer created by the cluster configuration is associated (S3604). (S3605), and finally, the job ticket of the associated printer or cluster is associated (S3606). In this case, the job ticket is a default value to be referred to only by the client side, and the job ticket can be changed at the time of job issuance according to preference on the client side.
[0177]
The spool queue associated as described above is stored in the server as a spool queue table as shown in FIG. 31C (S3607).
[0178]
・ System configuration
FIG. 32A is an example of a display screen when a system configuration key 3404 for determining a job control method and security is clicked. FIG. 5 shows a control method in which a job submitted from the client 103 (or the server 102 itself) is temporarily held (held) in the server 102, and the held job is prioritized and released (released) by an operator. Is determined, and FIG. 32B shows a workflow at that time.
[0179]
That is, if “Hold All incoming jobs” 3722 is checked (S3701), the method of holding the job is determined (S3702). Here, “mode 1” (S3703), in which all jobs are held, and “mode 2” (S3708), in which the job of the operator flows through (not held) and the jobs of other users are held, can be selected. If 3722 is not checked, “mode 3” in which all jobs are set to through (no hold) is selected.
[0180]
The held job is held in the hot folder unless a user having authority as an operator releases the job in a user group configuration described later. The through job or the job released by the operator is sequentially passed from the hot folder to the input job control unit 1602 and the RIP unit 1603.
[0181]
・ Archive configuration
FIG. 33 is an example of a display screen when an archive configuration key 3405 for deciding a job archive (data storage) control method and security is clicked. Here, it is possible to store a print job, a font, an imposition template, or a password of the client user via the directory path setting unit 3801. Reference numeral 3802 denotes an archive and restore (call of stored data) key, which designates data to be archived in the directory and stores the data on a file server in a network or a readable / writable medium such as a CD-R / W. On the other hand, data write (archive) and read (restore) are performed.
[0182]
・ Disk cleanup configuration
FIG. 34 is an example of a display screen when a disk cleanup configuration key 3406 for securing disk space in the document server 102 is clicked. Here, reference numeral 3901 denotes valid / invalid setting of the automatic disk cleanup function. When this indicates validity, 3902 and 3903 appear. Reference numeral 3902 denotes a cleanup schedule, which is a function for deleting a job according to the disk space, the number of days, or the number of jobs, when the number of jobs becomes excessive. Reference numeral 3903 denotes a part for setting a cleanup method, in which deletion of all related files, deletion of only a large printer ready file, deletion according to the file size, and the like can be set in advance.
[0183]
・ User / group configuration
When printing is started from the print driver, output is generally performed from the printer without considering security or the like.In the present embodiment, however, since the output is once passed through the web server unit of the server, It is possible to define the security level for the users and operators.
[0184]
When performing an operator-mediated print service, it is important to determine the security level of a user, such as a general user and an operator, or an administrator who can arbitrarily add or change the system configuration among the operators.
[0185]
FIG. 35A is a screen displayed when the user / group configuration key 3407 is pressed for setting the user's privilege or security level in advance. Here, when the user / group level is input in the user / group setting unit 4021, the user privilege 4022 permitted to the user is displayed in accordance with the input.
[0186]
The user privileges 4022 include, for example, access rights of a web browser, a right to monitor the status of a job or a device, a right to submit a job to a server, a right to a general user such as a right to access a scanner device, The right to control, the right to change the priority and release order of jobs, the right to reprint previously printed jobs, the right to all operators, and the addition of printers / clusters / queues as described above. There are rights, etc., that are allowed only by an administrator (system administrator), such as rights related to the system configuration such as modification and deletion, and rights to change user privileges.
[0187]
In the following, a process of registering a new user, changing a user privilege, deleting a user / group, and the like by a user (system administrator) who has been given the right to change the user privilege will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 35B.
[0188]
When entering the web browser of the present system, all the users enter their user names and their passwords in advance (S4001, S4002), and the input user names and passwords are transmitted to the server computer 102 once. The server computer 102 checks whether or not the sent user name and password match those registered in advance (S4003), and a user who can change user privileges in advance, such as an administrator (system administrator). If it is (S4004), the process moves to the mode selection process (S4005), but if not, the user privilege cannot be changed.
[0189]
If the server 102 recognizes that the accessed client is an administrator, the desired processing among registration of a new user (S4006 and later), change of privilege (S4011 and later), or deletion of user (S4015 and later) Can be selected (S4005).
[0190]
・ License configuration
FIG. 36 is an example of a display screen when a license configuration key 3408 for managing the number of devices that can be managed by the document server 102 is clicked. The software 4101 for which license is permitted and the device for which license is permitted for each model. You can check the number. This license management is to prevent software from being illegally copied and distributed, and to manage devices so that they can be added scalably. By clicking the license device management key 4103, the number of supported devices can be increased or decreased. In that case, a key code of the license is required.
[0191]
・ Gamma configuration
Hereinafter, a description will be given of the primary color tint adjustment processing by rewriting the gamma table when the gamma configuration key 3409 is clicked. As described above, the gamma correction unit 1710 is a rewritable memory, which can be rewritten using the GUI shown in FIGS. 37A to 37E.
[0192]
When the gamma configuration key 3409 is clicked, the GUI shown in FIG. 37A (or FIG. 37B) is displayed, and operates according to the flowchart in FIG. 37C.
[0193]
First, a device is selected (S4221), and then a mode is selected (S4222). Here, the modes include a calibration mode (S4223), a table editing mode (S4233), a storage mode (S4242), and an erasing mode (S4246).
[0194]
The calibration mode (S4223) is a mode in which tone correction is performed so as to obtain a linear output, and a method using a scanner unit, a densitometer, or the like of the MFP is generally known. In any case, a test print is output from the printer unit (S4224), the density of the output value is sampled and measured (S4227, S4322), and a gamma table is created and stored together with the file name as described above (S4228). To S4230). At the time of test printing, a chart as shown in FIG. 37D or FIG. 37E is used. FIG. 37E is used in the case of a printer in which the density uniformity is not obtained, and it is read whether or not a predetermined density appears at a predetermined location so that the density is reduced by being arranged at random. Can be
[0195]
Referring back to FIG. 37C, in the case of the edit mode (S4233), the data or the graph indicating the gamma characteristic is edited by using the GUI of FIG. 37A or 37B. In the editing by the data shown in FIG. 37A, the output value corresponding to each input value of CMYK is directly input, and in the editing by the graph shown in FIG. 37B, the curve on each graph of CMYK is edited using a mouse or the like. When the submit key 4205 is clicked after editing, a confirmation message appears as to whether or not the edited data is to be reflected in the gamma table. If OK is input, the message is reflected.
[0196]
The table saving mode (S4242) and the erasing mode (S4246) are used for storing the table and erasing the table similarly to the job ticket.
[0197]
[Print processing by job submission]
Hereinafter, a flow of a series of print processing by the above-described job submission will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.
[0198]
FIG. 38 shows a flowchart at the time of job submission. When the client 103 throws a file by job submission, the client 103 first accesses the web server unit 4631 on the server using a web browser (S4608). Then, the server displays a predetermined web page on the client, and the client opens the job submission screen (S4609). Then, the client-side operator selects a desired print file from print files on his or her computer or on a network accessible to him (S4610). The file selected at this time is not necessarily a PS file as long as the server 102 can perform rasterization (RIP), and may be in a form such as PCL, TIFF, JPEG, or PDF.
[0199]
Further, the operator selects a printer or a cluster to be output (S4611). The selected printer name or cluster name is immediately notified to the server 102, and a default (or desired) job ticket prepared in advance on the server side is displayed on the client side (S4612). The operator changes the print-related values to the desired setting values on the browser with respect to the displayed job ticket (S4613), and clicks the OK button. Then, the selected job and the desired job ticket are displayed on the server. The file is transmitted to the folder 4632. At this time, the received job file (here, both the PDL file and the application file) and the job setting information (job ticket) are separately managed by, for example, different extensions.
[0200]
On the other hand, the server 102 sequentially monitors a plurality of hot folders by polling (S4634). If there is a job in the hot folder 4632 (S4635), the job is transferred to the input job control unit 1602, and the RIP is executed according to the above-described flowchart. Then (S4637), the spool queue table 4633 of the desired printer (or cluster) selected by the operator is referred to (S4638, S4639) and printed on the output device registered therein (S4640).
[0201]
[Print processing by normal driver]
Next, a process in which a print instruction is issued from an application (for example, word processing software or the like) operating on the client, and as a result, a job is thrown from the printer driver will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.
[0202]
The printer driver has two main roles. One is to create PDL data (typified by PS) from data on the application, and the other is to send PDL data created there from a client (or the server itself) to a predetermined hot folder in the server. ,.
[0203]
For this purpose, the client 103 starts up application software (S4701), opens or creates a file to be printed, and issues a print instruction. At this time, a GUI as shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C is displayed (S4702). The operator selects a printer in 1402 (S4703), and sets a desired function using the property 1407 or the like (S4705). When the operator clicks the OK button 1405 (S4706), creation of PDL data is started in the client computer 103 (S4707).
[0204]
When the PDL data is completed, the data is immediately sent to a predetermined hot folder 4732 in the server, and is printed in the same manner as the above-described print processing by job submission.
[0205]
Here, in selecting a printer or a cluster, it is necessary to prepare a PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file or the like in the client computer 103 and set a printer driver in advance. The PPD file describes setting items for controlling the printer and their initial values, whether or not combinations of settings are possible, and the like, and is provided as a file unique to each printer or cluster. Then, the operator has to prepare the PPD and the driver by linking the PPD and the driver in his own computer for each printer or cluster.
[0206]
Further, some drivers have a so-called auto-configuration function of sequentially communicating with the printer using SNMP / MIB or the like. That is, the functions supported by the printer and their initial values are registered in the MIB in advance, and when the driver is opened from the client via the network, an inquiry is made as to what functions the printer supports. For example, when a sorter with a staple function is provided, the staple function is disclosed, and a list of support setting items is shown to the driver on the user side, and the user is allowed to change to a desired setting item.
[0207]
[Print processing by driver of this embodiment]
FIG. 40 is a flowchart in the case where print processing is performed from the printer driver in the present embodiment. In this figure, steps S4801 to S4807 operate in the same manner as steps S4701 to S4707 shown in FIG. 39, but the subsequent processing is different.
[0208]
That is, while a normal printer driver sets an IP address or a name of a printer on a network as a port setting or sets a parallel port, the printer driver in the present embodiment Is characterized in that a URL for acquiring the job submit page of the web server in the above is assigned.
[0209]
FIG. 41A is a diagram illustrating a property screen 4901 of the printer 105a, and illustrates a GUI for setting a port on the client computer 103 immediately after setting a printer driver. The property screen has tabs (4902 to 4908) for each function. For example, a detail setting column of a port is included in a detail (Details) tab 4903. However, the tabs and functions in this property are different for each driver and are not necessarily unique.
[0210]
Reference numeral 4909 denotes a column (combo box) for selecting a printing destination port. However, when a printer driver is installed on the client computer 103 for the first time, no port is prepared. Therefore, the user clicks an Add Port key 4912 to display a window shown in FIG. 41B. In this window, the port name (here, the document server 102) and the URL of the server are input, the URL of the job submit page in FIG. 24A is described, and then the OK button 4935 is clicked to return to the screen in FIG. 41A.
[0211]
Then, it is confirmed that the printer 105a is selected as the driver 4910 used for printing, a timeout 4911 or the like is set as necessary, and the property screen 4901 is closed with an OK button 4919.
[0212]
As described above, the URL of the web server in the document server (specifically, a request for browsing a specific page, such as “http: //”, is made), will be described later. In addition, the GUI information of the job submission screen can be acquired from the document server and displayed on the browser of the client, and the print job (print data) generated by the client can be displayed in the application layer instead of TCP / IP, Port 9100, etc. Is transmitted to the website of the URL specified by the file transfer protocol (such as the FTP protocol). In other words, by specifying the URL of the port monitor of the printer driver, unlike the related art, it is possible to transmit a print job using a protocol that is not supported by the OS. For example, the client and the document server may have completely different operating systems, or even send a print job to a remote document server via the Internet (if the document server's web server permits access). It becomes.
[0213]
Returning to FIG. 40, if the user clicks the OK button 1405 in S4806, the operation of rewriting the data on the application into PDL data (for example, PS data) starts, and at the same time, the client 103 registers in advance in the client 103. The start is applied to the URL of the job submission page in the server 102 as the predetermined port. In other words, the printer driver operating on the client side converts the data to be printed passed from the application into PDL data, and converts the HTML page (URL and the subsequent job HTML file name) is given to the browser of the client as an argument, and the client is started. As a result, the client starts a browser and requests the specified HTML file from the document server 102 (it has already been described that the client is also a web server).
[0214]
Although the timing for requesting the transfer of the HTML file for the job submission is as described above, the normal print driver performs the processing sequentially as described above. However, in the present embodiment, the job submission browser screen is always called again. Since the print is started again, the client 103 starts the web server 4831 of the document server 102 immediately after clicking the OK button of the driver as shown in FIG. In the client 103, the processing is completed by the time when the user sets the job ticket by starting the browser at the time of the browser start, and the print button of the job submit screen is clicked. At this timing, the PDL data and the desired job are set. Tickets Method of feeding to the document server 102 to the cord is also possible.
[0215]
Alternatively, the PDL data is registered in the hot folder in advance in FIG. 40, and after confirming that the print data has been registered in the server (so that the registration completion is notified from the server), the HTML file is requested. You may do it. In this case, in step S4814, since the PDL data has already been registered in the server, only the job ticket is transmitted.
[0216]
In response to this, the web server unit 4831 in the server 103 transmits the job submission screen (HTML file) to the client, and causes the client to display the job submission screen (S4808). Can be changed again. When the PDL file is created in step S4807, the PDL file and the changed job ticket are transmitted to the hot folder (S4814), and printing is performed in the same manner as in FIGS. 38 and 39.
[0219]
[Cluster print processing by driver of this embodiment]
In general, printers have their own capabilities and functions. When a client sets up a printer, the client sets up each printer driver or downloads a PPD (PostScript Printer Description) file that matches each printer. It is necessary to prepare them, but these are only for one target printer. If you want to print on two or more printers and different types of printers at the same time, or divide one job However, it is not possible to support so-called cluster printing or job splitting operations, such as a case of outputting to a different type of printer.
[0218]
If you try to create a PPD file by AND or OR combining the unique capabilities and functions of each of the two different types of printers, the combination will be enormous, and you will no longer be able to support more than two different types of printers. Disappears.
[0219]
Therefore, first, different types of printers are registered as cluster printers by the processing shown in FIG. Next, cluster printing is performed by the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, the application is opened and the driver issues a print instruction. At this time, a normal driver cannot set a job ticket for two different types of printers. However, in the present embodiment, if the driver is set as the document server 102 in advance by the method shown in FIGS. 41A and 41B, cluster printing can be handled similarly to the print processing of the present embodiment shown in the above-described flowchart. It becomes possible.
[0220]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when printing from the client using the print driver, the port is set in the web server unit prepared in the server, and the print is always started from the job ticket screen, so that the client It is possible to always select a desired output destination and print using a unified GUI without setting up a number of printer drivers or collecting setting files.
[0221]
[Color adjustment during printing]
Hereinafter, the tint adjustment processing during printing according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0222]
First, after performing gamma adjustment according to the above-described gamma configuration (FIGS. 37A to 37E), when the submission is performed in step S5014 in FIG. 42, the information of the set gamma table is transmitted to the hot folder 5032 on the server side. Can be
[0223]
The files in the hot folder are monitored by polling (S5034), and when the gamma table is submitted, the gamma table is rewritten. Here, two or more gamma tables are prepared, and they are respectively called a gamma table A and a gamma table B.
[0224]
Next, it is necessary to discriminate whether the corresponding printer is currently processing a job or is currently processing the job (S5036). If the printer is not processing, for example, writing to the gamma table A is performed (S3037). The gamma table A is applied from the job processed in.
[0225]
On the other hand, if the job is being processed, the gamma table A is used in the print currently being processed (S5040), and during this time, the newly submitted gamma table is written to the free gamma table B by parallel processing (S5041). ). After the writing is completed (S5042), the gamma tables A and B are switched between pages, and printing using the gamma table B is performed (S5044). That is, the gamma table can be switched without stopping the printer output.
[0226]
If there is a further gamma table adjustment request, a similar procedure is used to print up to the in-process page using the gamma table B, and at the same time, write a new gamma table into the gamma table A. After the writing is completed, the state of the work-in-progress page is checked, and the interval is switched to the gamma table A at the interval, and the output is continued without stopping the printing operation.
[0227]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, even during the printing of a large number of copies, the setting of each color density of the job ticket can be changed without stopping the printing operation. Therefore, the operator can finely adjust each color density while watching the image being output, and even if the image characteristics fluctuate during the output, it is possible to correct the image characteristics while watching the output.
[0228]
<Second embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0229]
In the present invention, the adjustment processing that can be switched during printing is not limited to gamma conversion, and output masking, a spatial filter, and the like can be considered.
[0230]
For example, in the case of output masking, the ratio of each color can be changed using a matrix operation for generating CMYK data from CMYK data or a look-up table in the same manner as a gamma table.
[0231]
Alternatively, in the case of a spatial filter, it is possible to change from strong sharpness to weak sharpness or to apply smoothing according to the degree of the filter.
[0232]
In addition, binarization processing and screening may be switched during printing, or the degree of compression may be switched.
[0233]
In performing these operations, if a gamma configuration screen is opened and set every time printing is performed, a high-speed printer causes considerable waste of recording paper and consumables.
[0234]
Therefore, for example, when a desired job is selected from the active jobs displayed in 2709 of FIG. 22A and double-clicked, the previously set printer, job file and its job ticket are displayed as shown in the job submission screen of FIG. 24A. If displayed, desired settings can be reflected in a short time. Alternatively, if some settings are determined in advance, the job tickets may be named and stored, and the settings may be changed by calling the job tickets 2912.
[0235]
The flow of the process in the second embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not the specified job is currently being processed (active) based on the job ID or the like (S5236). If the specified job is being processed, the difference between the settings is compared (S5242). Alternatively, the data is overwritten (S5244), the same double buffer format setting as in the first embodiment is performed, and the new setting is reflected between pages with good separation so that printing is not stopped.
[0236]
<Third embodiment>
Hereinafter, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0237]
In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which an ICC profile for color conversion is changed during printing. Generally, in order to change the ICC profile during printing, RIP must be performed again. That is, in general color matching, a lookup table referred to as an ICC profile is performed in the process of converting to bitmap data as part of RIP expansion, so if the ICC profile itself or matching conditions are changed, RIP work must be started over. However, since RIP development usually takes a long time, if this is performed during printing, not only will considerable waste of recording paper and consumables be caused, but also the number of pages, the number of copies of the job, and the timing of switching profiles, etc. May end the printing itself.
[0238]
Therefore, in the third embodiment, for example, if the data output from the interpreter unit 1701 shown in FIG. 17 is stored as an intermediate file (or a bitmap file), it is easy to change the ICC profile during printing. Becomes possible.
[0239]
In addition, the ICC profile generally includes several lookup tables in one file, but creates a UI that can change the ratio and intensity of each color component of CMYK, and performs color adjustment using the UI. You may do so.
[0240]
<Fourth embodiment>
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described.
[0241]
In each of the above-described embodiments, desired setting values such as a gamma table are switched during printing. At this time, it is desirable to know at which output the data before and after the adjustment has been switched. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, when there is an output as shown in FIG. 44A, for example, as shown in FIG. 44B, control is performed so that a slip sheet is sandwiched between output sheets at a switching timing. Here, as shown in FIG. 44B, the slip sheet may be a blank sheet or a sheet in which characteristics such as a value to be adjusted are described, and the slip sheet may be interrupted from a sheet feed tray in which colored sheets are set. May be. Thereby, the switching position of the adjustment value can be easily recognized.
[0242]
Further, as shown in FIG. 44C, a cross collate function is performed at the timing of switching of the adjustment value, and the paper is rotated and output, for example, A4 and A4R. It is also effective to change the bin before and after the adjustment if the output is performed or if a finisher with a sort bin is provided.
[0243]
As described above, in the network printer of the fourth embodiment, when the output instruction information is changed, a predetermined sheet indicating the change timing is inserted between the recording sheets that output the output target information, or By making the recording paper for outputting the output target information different before and after the change, the position (timing) at which the output instruction information (adjustment value) is changed in the output recording paper group can be easily grasped. it can.
[0244]
It should be noted that the network configuration itself shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is not different from a normal network at all, and rather the present invention is characterized in that it is realized by executing a program that operates on each device. For example, if it is a client, the program is a printer driver or a browser. In the case of a server, a program that functions as a web server, a program that manages network resources (scanners, printers, or shared folders), a scheduler for performing print processing, a program that performs RIP processing, and control of network resources (If it is a printer, print data distribution). Therefore, it can be easily understood that the present invention also includes such computer programs.
[0245]
Usually, in order to operate a computer on a general-purpose information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, a storage medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) or a CD-ROM storing these programs is set, and an installer is started. These storage media are also included in the scope of the present invention because they are copied to an apparatus.
[0246]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, image adjustment can be performed without stopping the printing operation even during the output of a large number of copies.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to an embodiment.
FIG. 1B is a diagram showing another network configuration of the embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a scanner unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a color scanner IP unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 4B is a block diagram of a monochrome scanner IP unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a facsimile unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6A is a block diagram of an NIC unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 6B is a block diagram of a core unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a printer IP unit of the color image forming apparatus.
FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a printer IP unit of the monochrome image forming apparatus.
FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a PWM unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 8B is a timing chart illustrating operation timings of a PWM unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a sectional structural view of the color image forming apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a sectional structural view of a monochrome image forming apparatus.
FIG. 11 is a sectional structural view of a finisher unit of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a network environment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing network data transfer.
FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen of a printer driver.
FIG. 14B is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of the printer driver.
FIG. 14C is a diagram illustrating an example of a GUI screen of the printer driver.
FIG. 15 is a hardware configuration example of a document server.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a job flow inside the document server.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a flow of a RIP unit.
FIG. 18A is a diagram illustrating a description example of PDL data.
FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an image of the PDL data after raster development.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a flow of a color matching unit.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing types of ICC profiles.
FIG. 21A is a diagram showing a linear gamma table.
FIG. 21B is a diagram illustrating printer output characteristics.
FIG. 21C is a diagram showing a calibrated gamma table.
FIG. 21D is a diagram showing a gamma table taking output characteristics into account.
FIG. 22A is a diagram showing a screen example of a job status tab.
FIG. 22B is a diagram showing a device status in a job status tab.
FIG. 22C is a diagram showing an active job in a job status tab.
FIG. 22D is a diagram showing a printed job in a job status tab.
FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a screen example of a device status tab.
FIG. 24A is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a job submission tab (general setting).
FIG. 24B is a diagram showing a screen example of a job submission tab (job control setting).
FIG. 24C is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a job submission tab (finishing setting).
FIG. 24D is a diagram showing a screen example of a job submit tab (image quality setting).
FIG. 24E is a diagram showing a screen example of a job submission tab (color setting).
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a job submission tab at the time of a cluster.
FIG. 26A is a flowchart of job determination and printer mode selection.
FIG. 26B is a flowchart of division of the number of copies during cluster printing.
FIG. 27A is a diagram illustrating a reference example of a job ticket of a print job.
FIG. 27B is a diagram showing a reference example of a job ticket of a cluster job.
FIG. 28A is a diagram showing a screen example of a scanning tab.
FIG. 28B is a diagram showing an example of a GUI screen of the scanner driver.
FIG. 29A is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a printer configuration.
FIG. 29B is a flowchart of a printer configuration.
FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a cluster configuration.
FIG. 31A is a diagram showing a screen example of a spool queue configuration.
FIG. 31B is a flowchart of a spool queue configuration.
FIG. 31C is a diagram showing an example of a spool queue table.
FIG. 32A is a diagram showing a screen example of a system configuration.
FIG. 32B is a flowchart of a system configuration.
FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a screen example of an archive configuration.
FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a screen example of a disk cleanup configuration.
FIG. 35A is a diagram showing an example of a user / group configuration screen.
FIG. 35B is a flowchart of a user / group configuration.
FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example of a license configuration screen.
FIG. 37A is a diagram showing a screen example of a gamma configuration (data).
FIG. 37B is a diagram showing a screen example of a gamma configuration (graph).
FIG. 37C is a flowchart of a gamma configuration.
FIG. 37D is a diagram showing a test pattern for calibration.
FIG. 37E is a diagram showing a test pattern for calibration.
FIG. 38 is a flowchart at the time of printing from a job submission.
FIG. 39 is a flowchart at the time of printing from a conventional printer driver.
FIG. 40 is a flowchart at the time of printing from a printer driver linked to a web page.
FIG. 41A is a property screen of a printer driver setting linked to a web page.
FIG. 41B is a property screen of a printer driver setting linked to a web page.
FIG. 42 is a flowchart of rewriting a gamma table during printing in this embodiment.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart of normal printing and job processing during printing according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 44A is a diagram showing an output example before and after rewriting the gamma table in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 44B is a diagram showing an output example before and after rewriting the gamma table in the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 44C is a diagram showing an output example before and after rewriting the gamma table in the fourth embodiment.

Claims (21)

A network device management server that manages network devices connected to the network and performs output processing to the network devices in response to a request from a client on the network,
Receiving output instruction information and output target information from the client,
Adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information,
Outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device,
A network device control method, comprising: upon receiving a change instruction of the output instruction information from the client while outputting the output target information, changing the output instruction information based on the change instruction. 2. The network device management server according to claim 1, wherein, when the output instruction information is changed, the output of the output target information is switched to an output based on the output instruction information after the change to continue. Network device control method. 3. The network device management server according to claim 2, wherein the output instruction information before the change and the output instruction information after the change are respectively held, and the output target information is adjusted by switching these at a predetermined timing. The network device control method according to the above. The method according to claim 1, wherein the network device is a network printer. 2. The network device control method according to claim 1, wherein the output target information is a file specified by the client. 6. The network device control method according to claim 5, wherein the file is temporarily stored together with the output instruction information in a folder stored and managed by the network device management server. The network management server monitors the output instruction information stored in the folder during the output of the file, and if the output instruction information is updated, adjusts the output of the file based on the updated output instruction information. 7. The network device control method according to claim 6, further comprising: 8. The network device control method according to claim 7, wherein the output instruction information from the client can be changed via a web browser. 2. The network device control method according to claim 1, wherein the output instruction information includes information related to image quality adjustment, and the output target information is adjusted based on the image quality adjustment information. 6. The network device control method according to claim 5, wherein the file is described in a page description language, and the file is developed into image data according to the output instruction information. 5. The network printer according to claim 4, wherein when the output instruction information is changed, a predetermined sheet indicating the timing of the change is inserted between recording sheets from which the output target information is output. The method for controlling a network device according to claim 1. 5. The network device control method according to claim 4, wherein in the network printer, when the output instruction information is changed, the recording paper for outputting the output target information is changed before and after the change. In the network device management server,
In response to a request from the client, transmitting GUI information for selecting a network device to be an output destination to a browser of the client,
As a result of transmitting the GUI information, receiving and managing output target information requested by the client and information specifying the selected network device,
Outputting the output target information managed by the management means to the selected network device,
2. The network device control method according to claim 1, wherein the GUI information includes information for displaying information on a job ticket for setting a condition for output. A network device management server that manages a network device connected to a network and performs output processing to the network device in response to a request from a client on the network,
Receiving means for receiving output instruction information and output target information from the client,
Adjusting means for adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information,
Output means for outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device;
During the output of the output target information, when receiving a change instruction of the output instruction information from the client, a change unit that changes the output instruction information based on the change instruction,
A network device management server, comprising: A method for controlling a network device management server that manages network devices connected to a network and performs output processing to the network devices in response to a request from a client on the network,
A receiving step of receiving output instruction information and output target information from the client,
An adjusting step of adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information,
An output step of outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device;
During the output of the output target information, when receiving a change instruction of the output instruction information from the client, a change step of changing the output instruction information based on the change instruction,
A method for controlling a network device management server, comprising: A computer program that causes a server that functions as a web server to function as a network device management server that manages network devices connected to a network and performs output processing to the network devices in response to a request from a client on the network. ,
A program of a receiving step of receiving output instruction information and output target information from the client,
A program for an adjustment step of adjusting the output target information based on the output instruction information,
A program of an output step of outputting the adjusted output target information to the network device,
During the output of the output target information, when receiving a change instruction of the output instruction information from the client, a program of a change step of changing the output instruction information based on the change instruction,
A computer program comprising: A recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 16 is recorded. A network management server that manages printers on the network and distributes print data based on the data files stored in the predetermined file storage folder to the printers; A device,
Generating means for generating output instruction information and output target information to be transmitted to the network device management server in response to a print instruction from an application;
File transmission means for storing the generated output instruction information and output target information to the network device management server to store the data file in the file storage folder,
A change instruction transmitting unit that transmits a change instruction of the output instruction information during distribution of the output target information to the printer by the network management server,
An information processing apparatus comprising: A network management server that manages printers on the network and distributes print data based on the data files stored in the predetermined file storage folder to the printers; A method for controlling an apparatus, comprising:
A generation step of generating output instruction information and output target information to be transmitted to the network device management server in response to a print instruction from an application,
A file transmitting step of notifying the generated output instruction information and output target information to the network device management server to store the data as a data file in the file storage folder;
A change instruction transmitting step of transmitting a change instruction of the output instruction information during distribution of the output target information to the printer by the network management server;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: An information processing apparatus serving as a terminal for storing a file to be printed to a network management server which manages a printer on a network and distributes print data based on a data file stored in a predetermined file storage folder to the printer; A computer program that causes
A program of a generation step of generating output instruction information and output target information to be transmitted to the network device management server in response to a print instruction from an application;
By notifying the generated output instruction information and output target information to the network device management server, and causing a file to be stored in the file storage folder as the data file;
A program for a change instruction transmitting step of transmitting a change instruction of the output instruction information during distribution of the output target information to the printer by the network management server;
A computer program comprising: A recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 20 is recorded.

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