JP2004334287A - Electronic document printing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the collection of output results by selecting adjacent printers in the time of distributed printing by a plurality of printers. <P>SOLUTION: This electronic document printing apparatus has: a file archive means for merging files into one file; an unarchiving means for restoring the file to the original files; a print processing procedure description file production means; a print processing procedure description file analysis means; a printing means; and an electronic document production means. The adjacent printers are grouped together and are recorded, and a printer in the same group is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an electronic document printing device that prints an electronic document.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in this type of electronic document printing system, if the printing process is performed by one printer when the number of pages of the electronic document is large or when the number of copies to be printed is large, it takes time until the printing process is completed. There is a problem, and in order to solve this problem, in order to end the printing process for a large number of pages in a short time, a process called distributed printing in which the printing process is distributed to a plurality of printers at once is performed.
[0003]
When performing the distributed printing, if the printers used for printing are scattered in various places, the originals of the print results are collected by turning around each printer.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-105691 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in the conventional electronic document printing system, in order to collect the originals of the print result after the distributed printing process, it is necessary to go to all the printers used for printing and collect all the originals. There was a problem that it took time to collect. Also, in the case of performing page distributed printing in which pages 1 to N1 are output from the printer 1 and pages N1 + 1 to N2 are output from the printer 2 and output by dividing by page numbers, such as: If the printer 2 is arranged next to the printer 1, the documents can be collected in the page order by rotating the printer in order. However, if the document is not printed in the printer arrangement order, the user must sort the pages in the page order. Did not.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points. When performing distributed printing using a plurality of printers, the user can instruct printing using only a nearby printer. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic document printing apparatus capable of easily collecting documents that have been printed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the related art, and has a file archive unit that combines at least one or more files into one file, and an unarchive unit that restores a file combined with one file to an original file. A print processing procedure description file creating means for creating a print processing procedure description file describing a processing method for printing the image data, and analyzing the contents of the print processing procedure description file created by the print processing procedure description file creating means. A print processing procedure description file analyzing means, a print processing procedure description file to the print processing procedure description file for analyzing the processing contents, and a printing means for performing a printing process according to the description instruction contents; At least the image data to be printed by the printing means and the printing procedure Electronic document printing apparatus characterized by owning an electronic document creation means for creating an electronic document file given a file.
[0008]
The print processing procedure description file creating means includes means for setting position information and group information for each printer, printer position information & group information recording means, means for specifying a printer group to be used for printing, and the printer group specifying means. An electronic document printing apparatus, comprising: means for recording a printer group specified by (1).
[0009]
An electronic document printing apparatus having a second printing unit for performing a distributed printing process to a plurality of printers using a plurality of electronic document files created by the second electronic document creation unit.
[0010]
An electronic document printing apparatus having an electronic document file storage unit for storing an electronic document created by the electronic document file creation unit and the second electronic document file creation unit.
[0011]
Electronic document selecting means for selecting an electronic document file saved by the electronic document file saving means,
By having an electronic document printing apparatus characterized in that the electronic document file selected by the electronic document selecting means is reprinted by using the printing means, when performing a distributed printing process using a plurality of printers, An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic document printing apparatus that facilitates collection of printed documents by performing distributed printing using an adjacent printer.
[0012]
As described above, the present invention can be summarized into the following configuration by organizing and summarizing the present invention.
[0013]
(1) file archiving means for combining at least one or more files into one file;
Unarchive means for restoring a file combined into one file to the original file;
A print processing procedure description file creating means for creating a print processing procedure description file describing a processing method for printing the image data,
A print processing procedure description file analyzing means for analyzing the contents of the print processing procedure description file created by the print processing procedure description file creating means;
A printing means for providing a printing procedure description file to the printing procedure description file analyzing means, analyzing the processing content, and performing printing processing according to the description instruction content;
An electronic document printing apparatus, comprising: an electronic document creation unit that creates an electronic document file by providing the file archive unit with at least image data to be printed by the printing unit and the print processing procedure description file.
[0014]
(2) The print processing procedure description file creating means includes means for setting position information and group information for each printer, printer position information & group information recording means,
Means for specifying a printer group to use for printing;
An electronic document printing apparatus comprising means for recording a printer group designated by the printer group designation means.
[0015]
(3) The method according to (1), wherein a second printing unit for performing distributed printing processing to a plurality of printers using a plurality of electronic document files created by the second electronic document creating unit is provided. Electronic document printing apparatus according to the above.
[0016]
(4) The electronic document printing apparatus according to (1), wherein the electronic document printing apparatus has an electronic document file storage unit that stores the electronic document created by the electronic document file creation unit and the second electronic document file creation unit. .
[0017]
(5) electronic document selecting means for selecting the electronic document file saved by the electronic document file saving means;
The electronic document printing apparatus according to (1), wherein the electronic document file selected by the electronic document selecting means is reprinted using the printing means.
[0018]
(6) A second electronic document printing apparatus, wherein all files necessary for print processing described in the print processing procedure description file are provided to the archive means to create an electronic document file.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an electronic document printing apparatus for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a system bus, and each component block to be described below is connected to the system bus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Reference numeral 3 denotes a program memory (hereinafter, referred to as PMEM), which is a program for various processing such as editing, reading device control, analysis of a print processing procedure description file, and print processing based on the analysis. It is read and executed by the second CPU. The created data and print processing data are stored in the PMEM, which is also a data storage memory, and the PMEM is also used for temporarily storing text data and various kinds of instruction information input from the keyboard 9 by the user. Reference numeral 4 denotes a communication control unit that controls input / output data at 18 communication ports. The signal output from the communication port 18 is transmitted to a communication port of another device on the network via the communication line 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes another electronic document printing apparatus connected via the communication line 19. Transmission and reception processing of an electronic document file with a printer or another electronic document printing device shared on a network is performed via the communication control unit 4.
[0021]
In this embodiment, a network such as a LAN will be described. However, the present invention is not applied to a case where a communication port and a communication line connected to the communication control unit are other communication means such as a general public line. Needless to say.
[0022]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a digital camera, reference numeral 6 denotes an image input / output control unit, and reference numerals 7 and 17 denote printers. Image data read from the digital camera 5 is expanded on the PRAM 3 and then expanded on the VRAM 11 and displayed on the CRT 13. You.
[0023]
Reference numeral 8 denotes an input control unit to which input devices such as a keyboard 9, a PD (pointing device; hereinafter, referred to as a PD) 10 and the like are connected. An operator operates the keyboard 9 to issue a system operation command or the like. The PD 10 is used to select and process image information, character data, and numerical data on the 13 CRT and to set print parameters of an electronic document file. In this embodiment, a mouse is used. Thus, the mouse cursor on the CRT 13 is arbitrarily moved in the X and Y directions to select a menu, select and edit image data, graphic data, character data, numerical data, and print parameters.
[0024]
11 is a video image memory (hereinafter referred to as VRAM), 12 is a display output control unit, and 13 is a CRT. Data displayed on the 13 CRTs is developed as bitmap data on 11 VRAMs. For example, in the case of graphic data, a graphic pattern corresponding to the position and the drawing attribute information is developed on the VRAM 11, and a cursor can be directly generated and displayed on the display area of the VRAM 11 by software control.
[0025]
Reference numeral 14 denotes an external storage device control unit, and reference numerals 15 and 16 denote disks for data files for storing electronic document files, image data, graphic data, character data, numerical data, and the like. For example, 15 denotes a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD). Reference numeral 16 denotes a flexible disk (hereinafter, referred to as FD). In the present embodiment, programs such as an archive function for integrating a plurality of files into one file and a print function for electronic document files are recorded on the HD 15, and a recording medium for storing these programs is a ROM or a flexible disk. 16 and devices such as a CD-ROM, a memory card, and a magneto-optical disk.
[0026]
FIG. 2 is an external view of the electronic document printing apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 23 denotes a main body of the electronic document printing apparatus including the system bus 1, the CPU 2, the PMEM 3, and the communication control unit 4. Reference numeral 13 denotes a CRT, 9 denotes a keyboard, 10 denotes a PD, and 21 denotes an FD drive. An FD 22 is set and writes an electronic document file, image data, graphic data, character data, and numerical data to the FD 22, or is recorded on the FD 22. Read electronic document files, graphic data, character data, and numerical data.
[0027]
The present invention is of course realized in an electronic document printing apparatus in which various programs are recorded on the HD 15. Supplies a recording medium on which a program capable of realizing the present invention is recorded to another system or an electronic document printing apparatus, and a computer of the system or the apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the recording medium, The present invention is also achieved. For example, an FD 22 storing an archive function for integrating a plurality of files into one file and a function program for printing an electronic document file is set in the FD drive 21 of another electronic document printing apparatus, and the program is loaded on the hard disk 15. Execute the loaded program. By doing so, the present invention can be realized in other electronic document printing apparatuses.
[0028]
In the following, FIGS. 3 to 13 will be used to describe in detail how to conventionally perform a distributed printing process on an electronic document file with reference to various drawings.
[0029]
First, it is assumed that the electronic document file is composed of a plurality of files recording each information.
[0030]
It is also assumed that the electronic document file is an archive file obtained by integrating a plurality of files into one file.
[0031]
FIG. 3 shows an example of a file list constituting the electronic document file of the present embodiment.
[0032]
Reference numeral 30 denotes an electronic document management file in which information for managing what file is recorded in the electronic document file is recorded.
[0033]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a print processing procedure description file, which printer is used to copy the electronic document file from page X to page Y, at which position of the original document, whether the document is to be enlarged or reduced, and whether or not to rotate. , And all instructions regarding printing of the electronic document file, such as how many copies to print and whether to staple printed paper, are recorded.
[0034]
Reference numeral 32 denotes a print source file, which is an image file itself to be printed in accordance with an instruction recorded in the print processing procedure description file. The format of the image file may be a generally known BMP format or PDF (R) format (PDF is a trademark of Adobe), or may be an original image format. realizable.
[0035]
A printer information file 33 records information unique to each printer. For example, DEVMODE structure information in Windows (R). By recording the DEVMODE information set in the printer driver at the time of the previous printing of the electronic document file, the same contents previously set in the printer driver can be set at the time of reprinting.
[0036]
Reference numeral 34 denotes an editing information file in which information necessary for editing an electronic document file is recorded. For example, the magnification and page number at which the electronic document file was displayed at the time of the previous editing are displayed. Editing of the electronic document file is omitted because it is not related to the present invention.
[0037]
Reference numeral 35 denotes a variable editing information file in which information for performing variable printing of an electronic document file is recorded (variable printing refers to printing a plurality of copies by changing a part of a document to a customer name or the like). Printing with an area that can be changed in print units). Information such as which pages of the electronic document file are to be printed while being changed is recorded. Since variable printing is not related to the present invention, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.
[0038]
Reference numeral 36 denotes a variable database file, which is print data used in variable printing. The data for changing the print content for each printing unit may be text, an image, or other data.
[0039]
Reference numeral 37 denotes a search keyword information file, which records what keyword is registered in the database and makes it searchable when the electronic document file is recorded in the database. Any database can be used to record electronic document files. Since the registration of the electronic document file in the database is not related to the present invention, it is omitted here.
[0040]
FIG. 4 shows a configuration example in which various files are integrated into one document and an electronic document file is archived.
[0041]
Reference numeral 40 denotes header information of the electronic document file, in which information for managing the archived electronic document file when integrated into one document is recorded. By using this electronic document file header information, the integrated archived electronic document file can be restored to the original file state. Reference numerals 30 to 37 denote various files constituting the electronic document file, and reference numeral 41 denotes an archive electronic document file in which the electronic document file header information and the various files are integrated.
[0042]
FIG. 5 shows a detailed configuration example of 40 electronic document file header information.
[0043]
Reference numeral 50 denotes the total number of files, which indicates the total number of files recorded in the electronic document file. By looking at the number of files, it is possible to determine how many files are recorded in the forty electronic document file header information.
[0044]
Reference numeral 51 denotes an electronic document file size, which indicates the size of an archive electronic document file.
[0045]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an offset value from the head of the file to the first file information area, and indicates in which area of the data area 53 the archive electronic document file exists. Numerals 53 to 59 indicate information of each file recorded in the archive electronic document file.
[0046]
Reference numeral 53 denotes a file name, which indicates a file name given when an individual file is extracted from the archive electronic document file.
[0047]
Reference numeral 54 denotes a file size, which indicates how much area the archive electronic document file occupies. Specifically, the size of the file depends on whether it is compressed or not.
[0048]
Numeral 55 denotes an offset value to the substance of the file, in which an offset value from the head of the file in an area occupied by the file in the archive electronic document file is recorded.
[0049]
A compression flag 56 indicates whether this file is compressed and recorded in the archive electronic document file or not.
[0050]
Reference numeral 57 denotes a compression method, which has a meaning only when it is recorded that the data is compressed by the compression flag 56, and a compression method such as MMR is recorded. The details of the compression method are not related to the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0051]
Reference numeral 58 denotes a file attribute, which records a file attribute such as "Read Only" originally owned by the file, and records what attribute is provided when the file is restored by the unarchive function.
[0052]
Reference numeral 59 denotes an offset value to the next file information area, in which an offset value from the head of the archive electronic document file is recorded. Although the subsequent files are omitted in the figure, items 53 to 59 are repeatedly recorded for the number of files.
[0053]
FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the electronic document management file 30.
[0054]
The electronic document management file records information for managing the individual files constituting the electronic document file when the archive electronic document file is restored into individual files by the unarchive function.
[0055]
Reference numeral 60 denotes the total number of files, which indicates the number of files that are each element constituting the electronic document file. Here, the range from 31 print processing procedure description files to 37 search keyword information files in FIG. 3 corresponds thereto, and the number of files is seven.
[0056]
Reference numeral 61 denotes an offset value to the first file information area, which is an offset value from the head of the electronic document management file to the area where the first file information is recorded. Here, offset values from the top of the electronic document management file up to 62 items are recorded. From 62 to 66, information of each file constituting the electronic document file is recorded.
[0057]
Reference numeral 62 denotes a file name, which indicates the name of a file as an element constituting the electronic document file. The name of the print processing procedure description file 31 corresponds to this.
[0058]
Reference numeral 63 denotes a file size, for example, the size of 31 print processing procedure description files is recorded.
[0059]
Reference numeral 64 denotes a path to the file, which indicates in which directory the file is created.
[0060]
Reference numeral 65 denotes a file group type, which can record types from 31 print processing procedure description files to 37 search keyword information files. For example, if there are a plurality of 31 print processing procedure description files, Thus, it can be determined that the files are of the same type.
[0061]
Reference numeral 66 denotes an offset value to the next file information area, which indicates an offset value from the head of the electronic document management file. Although the subsequent files are omitted in the figure, items 62 to 66 are repeatedly recorded for the number of files.
[0062]
FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the print processing procedure description file 31. As described above, the print processing procedure description file describes the processing contents and the procedure of how to print the electronic document file. JDF (trademark of CIP4) is known as a method for describing the print processing procedure. Here, an example using this JDF will be described. Fig. 7 shows an example of JDF description extracted from "JDF Specification Spiral 6.0 Candidate for Release Version 1.0". Here, the format of the print procedure description file and its description method are irrelevant. A plurality of printers used for printing can be selected in JDF or the like, and how to print on each printer can be expressed. Further, description will be made on the assumption that a function for creating and analyzing the print processing procedure description file exists.
[0063]
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the editing information file 34.
[0064]
The editing information file is an area for recording information necessary for editing when creating and editing an electronic document file. Here, the following information is recorded.
[0065]
Reference numeral 80 denotes the previous display magnification, which indicates the magnification when the electronic document file was displayed on the window at the time of the previous editing process.
[0066]
Reference numeral 81 denotes a previous display page number, which indicates the number of displayed pages of the electronic document file.
[0067]
Reference numeral 82 denotes a previous window display position, which indicates a position at which a window for editing an electronic document file was displayed.
[0068]
Reference numeral 83 denotes the previous window display size, which indicates the window size for editing the electronic document file.
[0069]
FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the variable editing information file 35. Reference numeral 90 denotes a page number, which indicates at which page the variable printing area is located when the electronic document file is printed.
[0070]
Reference numeral 91 denotes a position, which indicates at which position of the page indicated by 90 the variable printing area is located.
[0071]
Reference numeral 92 denotes an area size, which indicates how much the rectangular area is occupied by using the position indicated by 91 as the origin at the upper left of the area.
[0072]
Reference numeral 93 denotes the number of variable data, which indicates how much data is recorded in 36 variable database files.
[0073]
Here, it is described that only one variable printing field can be set in one electronic document file. However, it goes without saying that a plurality of fields can be recorded in the variable editing information file 35.
[0074]
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the search keyword information file 37.
[0075]
Reference numerals 100 to 103 denote search keywords, which are keyword character strings for searching the database when an electronic document file is recorded in the database. This search keyword is registered in the database as a search key.
[0076]
Here, the number of items of the search keyword is described as four. However, it goes without saying that the number of keywords may be four or less, or the number of keywords may be variable.
[0077]
FIG. 11 shows how the electronic document file and the print processing procedure description file are changed and processed.
[0078]
Numeral 110 indicates the contents of the electronic document file and the print processing procedure description file immediately after the user has created the electronic document file and instructed the setting and execution of the distributed printing. Here, the user selects an electronic document file using the keyboard 9 or the like, and transfers the electronic document file from the page 1 to page 10 to the A printer, the page 11 to page 20 to the B printer, and the page 21 to the C printer. It is assumed that the user instructs to print one copy at a time from page to page 30. This shows a state in which the distributed print instruction information is recorded in the print processing procedure description file.
[0079]
A print server 111 executes printing of an electronic document file. The electronic document file 110 instructed to execute the distributed printing is transferred to the print server 111. On the print server 111, the electronic document file transferred by using the unarchive function is restored into individual files, the contents of the restored print processing procedure description file are analyzed, and it is interpreted that the distributed printing is designated. I do. Then, a new print processing procedure description file that leaves only the distributed print instruction for each printer is created, and new electronic document files are created for the number of distributions based on the print processing procedure description file. The electronic document files created at this time are 112 to 114.
[0080]
Reference numeral 112 extracts only the portion describing the print processing procedure for the A printer from the print processing procedure description file, and recreates the print processing procedure description file. Similarly, 113 and 114 are electronic document files in which portions describing the print processing procedures for the B printer and the C printer are extracted and the print processing procedure description file is recreated. The electronic document files 112, 113, and 114 created on the print server 111 are simultaneously printed by creating three print processes on the print server.
[0081]
The print server 111 may be the same as the computer that instructed the distributed print processing of the electronic document file 110. Here, an electronic document file is created on the client computer, execution of distributed printing is designated, the electronic document file is transferred to the print server computer 111 via a network such as a LAN, and distributed printing is performed on the print server. Although the processing is described as being performed, the processing may be executed on one computer. That is, an electronic document file may be created on a computer having a print function of the print server 111 and distributed printing processing may be performed.
[0082]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process of writing an instruction for distributed printing of an electronic document file in a print processing procedure description file and creating an electronic document file.
[0083]
In step S1, an electronic document file is created. The user selects an image file from the computer using the keyboard 9 or the like as the print source file 32, and creates an electronic document file. At this time, the variable editing information file 35 described with reference to FIG. 3 may be added.
[0084]
In step S2, it is determined whether or not an instruction for distributed printing has been issued from the keyboard 9. If an instruction has been issued, the process proceeds to step S3. If no instruction has been issued, step S2 is repeated.
[0085]
In step S3, the method of distributed printing is set using the keyboard 9 and the PD 10. As described above, the instruction content of the distributed printing includes the printer to be used, the page range to be printed by the printer, the number of copies to be printed, and the like.
[0086]
Then, in step S4, it is determined whether the setting of the distributed printing has been completed and a print start has been instructed. If printing start has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S5, and if not, step S4 is repeated.
[0087]
In step S5, the method of distributed printing set in step S3 is written in the print processing procedure description file.
[0088]
In step S6, the electronic document file created in step S2 is integrated into one file using the archive function based on the print procedure description file updated in step S5. The file created at this time is the electronic document file 110 before the distributed processing in FIG. The created electronic document file is stored on the computer.
[0089]
Then, the electronic document file created in step S7 is transferred to the print server 111 via a network such as a LAN.
[0090]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a process from a distributed printing instruction on the print server to distributed printing of an electronic document file described in a print processing procedure description file.
[0091]
In step S21, print server 111 receives the electronic document file transmitted in step S7.
[0092]
In step S22, the received archive electronic document file is restored to the original file by using the unarchive function, and the restored print processing procedure description file is analyzed to determine whether or not an instruction for distributed printing has been given. . If the instruction for the distributed printing has not been issued, the process proceeds to step S23, and a normal electronic document printing process is executed. If distributed printing has been instructed, the process proceeds to step S24 to analyze the details of the distributed printing instruction. In this embodiment, since the setting for performing the distributed printing is performed for each page, the details of the instruction of the page distribution are analyzed.
[0093]
Then, in step S25, print processing procedure description files for the number of distributions are created based on the result analyzed in step S24, and the archive functions for the number of distributions are integrated into one based on the print processing procedure description files. Create an electronic document file before
[0094]
Then, in step S26, an archive electronic document file is created for each of the electronic document files created in step S25 using the archive function, and recorded in the computer. The electronic document files created at this time are the electronic document files 112 to 114 in FIG. In the present embodiment, an example of performing three distributed printings is described.
[0095]
In step S27, print processing is performed using an electronic document file in which individual files that have not been integrated by the archive function are separated.
[0096]
Then, if it is necessary to reprint the print after seeing the output result of the print, if the entire print is to be reprinted, the electronic document file stored in step S6 is selected and the execution of the print is instructed. If only printing to the A printer has failed and printing is to be performed again, only the electronic document file for the A printer stored in step S26 is selected and printing is instructed. Since information such as the name of the printer that performs printing and the number of copies is recorded in the print processing procedure description file recorded in each electronic document file, it is only necessary to instruct execution of printing.
[0097]
Further, in step S6 and step S26, since all data necessary for printing the electronic document file is recorded, data cannot be acquired even if the electronic document file is transferred to the print server as in the present embodiment. Failure of the printing process can be prevented.
[0098]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the above-described conventional example with reference to various drawings.
[0099]
FIG. 14 shows an example of a printer group information file for recording printer group information according to the present embodiment.
[0100]
Reference numeral 140 denotes a printer group information file, which records information obtained by grouping printers. Information on the printers in the vicinity is managed by the group information.
[0101]
141 indicates the total number of printers, indicates the number of printers recorded in the printer group information file, 142 indicates the file size of the printer group information, and 143 indicates the offset value to the first printer information area. 144 to 147 are information recorded for one printer, 144 indicates a printer name, 145 indicates a printer group name, 146 indicates a printer group number, and 147 indicates the next file information area. Indicates the offset value. Thereafter, from the printer name of 144 to the offset value to the next file information area of 147 is repeatedly recorded for the number of printers.
[0102]
FIG. 15 shows a dialog for selecting a printer used for distributed printing.
[0103]
Reference numeral 150 denotes a distributed printing printer selection dialog, and 151 denotes a list box showing a list of printers used for distributed printing. This indicates that the printer is used from the printer displayed on the upper side during distributed printing.
[0104]
Reference numeral 152 denotes a printer list. When nothing is displayed in the printer list field 151 for distributed printing, all printers that can be used for printing are displayed. At this time, the mouse cursor which operates the first printer used for the distributed printing in conjunction with the PD 10 is moved to the printer list 152, and the button of the PD 10 is clicked or the key input by the keyboard 9 is performed. Once a printer is selected and displayed in the printer list field 151 for distributed printing, only the printers belonging to the same group as the first selected printer are displayed in the printer list 152, and the printers belonging to the same group thereafter. Printers are added to the printer list 151 for distributed printing.
[0105]
An OK button 153 is used to select a printer to be used for distributed printing and the PD 10 or the keyboard 9 when the printer selection order is determined.
[0106]
Reference numeral 154 denotes a cancel button, which is specified by the PD 10 or the keyboard 9 when canceling the selection of the selected printer for distributed printing, similarly to the OK button.
[0107]
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for selecting a printer used for distributed printing according to the present invention. A description will be given of the printer selection processing in step S3 of the flowchart of FIG.
[0108]
First, in step S30, a distributed printer selection dialog is displayed on the CRT 13.
[0109]
Then, in a step S31, it is determined whether or not the first priority printer to be used first in the distributed printing is selected. If so, the process proceeds to step S32. If not, step S31 is repeated.
[0110]
Next, in step S32, the first priority printer selected in step S31 is displayed in the distributed printer list in the distributed printer selection dialog 150. Then, the display in the printer list is changed to only group printers belonging to the same group as the printer selected in step S31.
[0111]
Then, the process proceeds to step S34, where it is determined whether the OK button 153 has been selected and the selection of the printer to be used for distributed printing has been completed. If the end of selection has been instructed, the process ends, and if not, the process proceeds to step S35.
[0112]
In step S35, it is determined whether or not a printer to be used for distributed printing has been additionally selected from the printer list 152. If not, the process returns to step S34, and if so, the process proceeds to step S36.
[0113]
In step S36, the printer selected in step S35 is added to the printer list 151 for distributed printing, and the process returns to step S34.
[0114]
As described above, it is possible to easily select the printers arranged in the vicinity simply by selecting the printers in order.
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when performing distributed printing using a plurality of printers, it is possible to instruct printing using only a nearby printer, so that a user can easily output an output document. Can be collected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of an electronic document printing apparatus that starts a program in an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an external view of an electronic document printing apparatus that starts a program in the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a list of files constituting an electronic document file;
FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the format of an electronic document file.
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the format of electronic document file header information.
FIG. 6 illustrates a format of an electronic document management file.
FIG. 7 illustrates a format of a print processing procedure description file.
FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the format of an editing information file.
FIG. 9 illustrates a format of a variable editing information file.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a format of a search keyword information file.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a flow of a distributed printing process.
FIG. 12 is a first flowchart illustrating conventional distributed printing.
FIG. 13 is a second flowchart illustrating conventional distributed printing.
FIG. 14 illustrates a format of a printer group information file.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a distributed print printer selection dialog.
FIG. 16 is a first flowchart illustrating selection of a distributed printing printer according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 System bus
2 CPU
3 PMEM
4 Communication control unit
5 Digital cameras
6 Image input / output control unit
7,17 printer
8 Input control unit
9 Keyboard
10 mice (PD)
11 VRAM
12 Display output control unit
13 CRT
14 External storage control unit
15 Hard Disk
16 floppy disk

Claims (6)

File archiving means for combining at least one or more files into one file;
Unarchive means for restoring a file combined into one file to the original file;
A print processing procedure description file creating means for creating a print processing procedure description file describing a processing method for printing the image data,
A print processing procedure description file analyzing means for analyzing the contents of the print processing procedure description file created by the print processing procedure description file creating means;
A printing means for providing a printing procedure description file to the printing procedure description file analyzing means, analyzing the processing content, and performing printing processing according to the description instruction content;
An electronic document printing apparatus, comprising: an electronic document creation unit that creates an electronic document file by providing the file archive unit with at least image data to be printed by the printing unit and the print processing procedure description file. The print processing procedure description file creating means includes means for setting position information and group information for each printer, printer position information & group information recording means,
Means for specifying a printer group to use for printing;
An electronic document printing apparatus comprising means for recording a printer group designated by the printer group designation means. 2. The electronic document according to claim 1, further comprising a second printing unit that performs distributed printing processing on a plurality of printers by using the plurality of electronic document files created by the second electronic document creating unit. Printing device. 2. The electronic document printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic document file storage unit that stores the electronic document created by the electronic document file creation unit and the second electronic document file creation unit. Electronic document selecting means for selecting an electronic document file saved by the electronic document file saving means,
2. The electronic document printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic document file selected by the electronic document selecting means is reprinted using the printing means. A second electronic document printing apparatus, wherein all files necessary for print processing described in the print processing procedure description file are provided to the archive means to create an electronic document file.

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