JP2005141735A - Instruction accepting program and data processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print data output control program which saves the trouble of selecting a driver to improve operability and prevents erroneous operations when selecting FAX transmission or printer printing to perform processing. <P>SOLUTION: A display control part displays which processing of FAX transmission and printer printing an instruction accepted by an acceptance part instructs, on a display part of a computer (S3), and a control part causes a data conversion part for printer printing or a data conversion part for FAX transmission to perform the conversion processing of print data when the acceptance part accepts an instruction to perform the displayed processing (YES in S4), and print data after conversion processing is outputted to a printer or a facsimile machine in accordance with its data format (S5 to S9). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an instruction reception process for receiving which of fax transmission and printer printing is executed for print data stored in a computer or the like.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a computer can send print data including document data and image data by fax, or print data can be printed by a printer connected to a network. In this case, a fax transmission driver is used when faxing print data, and a printer driver separate from the fax transmission driver is used when printing with a printer.
JP 2000-224366 A

  When using separate drivers for fax transmission and printer printing as described above, the user selects and starts the corresponding driver depending on whether fax transmission or printer printing is performed, and fax transmission is performed by each driver. Alternatively, the paper size for printer printing must be set. For this reason, it takes time and effort for the user to select a driver, and the operation method for each driver is different. Furthermore, it is also desirable to prevent erroneous operations when fax transmission or printer printing is selected and executed.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. When processing is performed by selecting either fax transmission or printer printing, there is no need to select a driver, the operability is improved, and an erroneous operation is performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an instruction receiving program and a data processing system that can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is an instruction receiving program that receives an instruction to fax or print print data stored in a storage unit of a computer based on an instruction from an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the computer a process selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction As a reception means
It is what makes a computer function.

  In this configuration, the instruction content display control means displays on the display unit of the computer whether the content indicated by the instruction received by the first receiving means is a process of fax transmission or printer printing. When the second accepting unit accepts an instruction to execute the process, the final instruction accepting unit accepts the instruction accepted by the first accepting unit as the final instruction.

The invention according to claim 2 is the instruction receiving program according to claim 1, wherein the print data conversion means converts the print data into a data format for printer printing,
Fax transmission data conversion means for converting the print data into a data format for fax transmission;
Output means for outputting the data converted by the printer printing data conversion means or the fax transmission data conversion means;
When a final instruction is received by the final instruction receiving unit, the print data conversion process is performed by either the printer print data conversion unit or the fax transmission data conversion unit according to the content of the final instruction. As a control means for causing the output means to output the data after the conversion process,
Furthermore, the computer is made to function.

  In this configuration, when the final instruction receiving unit receives the final instruction, either the printer print data conversion unit or the fax transmission data conversion unit performs the print data conversion process according to the content of the final instruction. The print data after the conversion process is output by the output means.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the instruction receiving program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means performs processing displayed on the display unit by the instruction content display control means. When an instruction not to be executed is received by the second receiving means, a process different from the process displayed by the instruction content display control means is executed.

  In this configuration, for example, when the instruction content display control means displays on the display section that the fax transmission process is performed as the content of the instruction received by the first receiving means, the fax transmission process is performed. When the instruction to not execute is received by the second receiving unit, the control unit causes the printer printing process to be executed, and when the display unit displays that the printer printing process is to be executed, the printer printing process is performed. When an instruction not to execute is received by the second receiving unit, the control unit causes the fax transmission process to be executed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the instruction receiving program according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein any one of the fax transmission and printer printing is executed together with the processing selection message. Required item display control means for causing the display unit to display required items that need to be set at least in the case,
When the essential item is displayed by the essential item display control means, the computer is further functioned as third accepting means for accepting an instruction to set the essential item by external input,
The control means starts processing for fax transmission or printer printing based on the setting instruction received by the third receiving means.

  In this configuration, essential items that need to be set at a minimum when executing either fax transmission or printer printing are displayed on the display unit by the mandatory item display control unit together with the process selection message. When the setting instruction for the required item is received by the third receiving unit, the control unit causes the processing for fax transmission or printer printing to be executed based on the setting instruction received by the third receiving unit. ing.

The invention according to claim 5 is the instruction receiving program according to claim 4, wherein the determining means determines whether or not the essential item is set by the setting instruction received by the third receiving means. When,
When the determination means determines that there is a deficient essential item, the deficient item display control means displays on the display section that there is a deficient essential item.
Furthermore, the computer is made to function.

  In this configuration, the determination unit determines whether all of the essential items are set according to the setting instruction received by the third reception unit, and if it is determined that there is an indispensable essential item, the lack item display control is performed. The means displays on the display section that there is an indispensable essential item.

The invention according to claim 6 is a data processing system for faxing or printing the print data stored in the storage unit of the data terminal device based on an instruction by an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the data terminal device a processing selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction Receiving means;
Printer print data conversion means for converting the print data into a printer print data format;
Output means for outputting the data converted by the printer printing data conversion means;
When the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit indicates a printer printing process, the data converted by the printer print data converting unit is output from the output unit, and the final instruction is transmitted by fax. A data output control means for attaching the fax transmission instruction information indicating that the data is for fax transmission to the data converted by the printer print data conversion means and outputting the data from the output means. A data terminal device having
Fax transmission means for converting the data received from the output means of the data terminal device into a data format for fax transmission and executing fax transmission;
Printer print processing means for executing printer printing using data received from the output means of the data terminal device;
When fax transmission instruction information is attached to the data received from the output unit of the data terminal device, the fax transmission unit executes the data conversion and fax transmission based on the received data, and the received An image forming apparatus having operation control means for causing the printer print processing means to perform printer printing of the received data when the fax transmission instruction information is not attached to the data;
It is equipped with.

  In this configuration, when the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit is a fax transmission process from the data terminal device, the data converted by the printer print data converting unit is added with the fax transmission instruction information. If the image forming apparatus determines that the received data includes fax transmission instruction information, the data is transmitted to the fax transmission unit based on the received data. Conversion and fax transmission are executed.

The invention according to claim 7 is a data processing system for faxing or printing the print data stored in the storage unit of the data terminal device based on an instruction by an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the data terminal device a processing selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction Receiving means;
Data conversion means for converting the print data into a bitmap data format;
Output means for outputting the bitmap data converted by the data conversion means;
When the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit indicates a printer printing process, the data converted by the data converting unit is output from the output unit, and the final instruction indicates a fax transmission process. A data terminal device having data output control means for attaching the fax transmission instruction information indicating that the data is for fax transmission to the data converted by the data conversion means and outputting the data from the output means; ,
Fax transmission means for converting the bitmap data received from the output means of the data terminal device into a data format for fax transmission and executing fax transmission;
Printer print processing means for executing printer printing using bitmap data received from the output means of the data terminal device;
It is determined whether or not fax transmission instruction information is attached to the data received from the output means of the data terminal device, and when the received bitmap transmission data is attached with the fax transmission instruction information, the fax transmission is performed. If the data conversion and fax transmission is executed on the basis of the received bitmap data and no fax transmission instruction information is attached to the received bitmap data, the printer print processing means receives the received data. An image forming apparatus having operation control means for executing printer printing of bitmap data;
It is equipped with.

  In this configuration, when the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit is a fax transmission process from the data terminal device, the data converted into the bitmap by the data converting unit is added with the fax transmission instruction information. Output to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus determines that fax transmission instruction information is attached to the received bitmap data, the fax is based on the received bitmap data. The transmission means is configured to execute data conversion and fax transmission.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need to select and start each driver corresponding to each process of fax transmission or printer printing, and each process of fax transmission and printer printing can be used properly with a simple operation. In addition, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation of erroneously inputting which of fax transmission and printer printing is to be performed when the instruction content display unit displays the instruction again.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, data conversion for fax transmission or printer printing can be performed with a simple operation without activating each driver corresponding to fax transmission or printer printing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an instruction not to execute the process displayed on the display unit is received by the instruction content display control means, the instruction content display control means. Therefore, even if the user wants to start the process different from the process displayed by the instruction content display control means, the process is executed again. The processing by the other means can be started without performing an operation of inputting an instruction.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, all of the essential items that need to be set at a minimum when executing either fax transmission or printer printing are displayed on the display unit. When the setting instruction for the item is received, the printer printing or fax transmission process is started based on the received setting instruction. Therefore, the user determines whether to execute the fax transmission or the printer printing process. Regardless, it is possible to set essential items common to fax transmission and printer printing on the same display screen.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when there is a shortage of input of essential items that need to be set in order to perform fax transmission and printer printing, this is known by displaying on the display unit based on the determination by the determination means. Therefore, the user can surely input data that is insufficiently input, and can prevent a situation in which proper printing processing cannot be performed due to insufficient data.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the data converted by the printer print data conversion unit is attached with the fax transmission instruction information even when the fax transmission processing is performed from the data terminal device. In the image forming apparatus, the received data is converted into a data format for fax transmission and fax transmission is performed. Therefore, a data conversion function for fax transmission is provided to the data terminal device side. It is possible to eliminate the necessity of having

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the data terminal device outputs the bitmap data converted by the data conversion means to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus instructs the received data to send a fax. Depending on whether the information is attached or not, either printer printing using bitmap data or fax transmission by converting bitmap data into a data format for fax transmission is performed. It is possible to eliminate the necessity of providing a data conversion function for fax transmission on the apparatus side.

(First embodiment)
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) in which an instruction receiving program according to the present invention is installed, and a printer and a facsimile apparatus connected thereto.

  The PC 1 is connected to the printer 30 via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable, a parallel cable such as a Centronics interface, or a serial cable such as RS-232C, etc., and print data output from the PC 1 is printed on recording paper by the printer 30. It has come to be. Here, the communication I / F 160 functions as a LAN interface, a parallel I / F unit, or a serial I / F unit. The printer 30 includes various apparatuses having a printer function, such as a multifunction machine or a facsimile apparatus having a facsimile function, a printer function, and a copy function.

  The facsimile communication unit 170 adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication, and performs data transmission / reception with the external facsimile apparatus 50 through the public line 51. The facsimile communication unit 170 is provided with an NCU (Network Control Unit) for controlling connection of a telephone line with the counterpart facsimile machine 50 which is a data transmission / reception partner.

  In addition to the communication I / F 160 and the facsimile communication unit 170, the PC 1 includes a CPU 100, a ROM (read only memory) 110, a RAM (random access memory) 120, a recording medium driving device 130, an operation unit (input device) 140, and a display unit. 150 and a storage device (storage unit) 200.

The ROM 110 stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) that is a basic program for controlling peripheral devices such as the storage device 200 and the recording medium driving device 130.
The RAM 120 is used as a work area for the CPU 100 and temporarily stores various data. The recording medium driving device 130 reads various data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, and a DVD (digital versatile disk) under the control of the CPU 100. The storage unit referred to in the claims includes not only the storage device 200 but also a recording medium such as a RAM 120 and a recording medium read by the recording medium driving device 130 and an external hard disk connected to the PC 1.

  The operation unit 140 includes a keyboard, a mouse, and the like, receives a user operation command, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the operation command to the CPU 100. The display unit 150 includes a liquid crystal panel, a CRT (cathode ray tube), or the like, and displays various images under the control of the CPU 100.

  The storage device 200 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk, and stores an operating system that is a basic program for overall control of a personal computer, an instruction receiving program according to the present invention, and the like. This instruction receiving program executes print data stored in the storage device 200 or the like of the PC 1 by selecting either fax transmission or printer printing based on an instruction input to the receiving unit 102 from the outside. It is something to be made. When the instruction receiving program is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a flexible disk, the instruction receiving program is stored in the storage device 200 by installing the recording medium in the recording medium driving device 130 and installing it. When the instruction reception program is stored in a WEB server on the Internet, the program may be stored in the storage device 200 by downloading the instruction reception program from the WEB server.

  The CPU 100 executes an instruction receiving program under the control of the operating system, whereby a display control unit 101 (display control unit, instruction content display control unit, essential item display control unit, deficient item display control unit), reception unit ( First to third receiving means, final instruction receiving means) 102, printer printing data conversion section (printer printing data conversion means) 103, fax transmission data conversion section (fax transmission data conversion means) 104, discrimination section ( It functions as a determination unit 105, a control unit (control unit) 106, and an output unit (output unit) 107.

  The display control unit 101 is set at a minimum even when executing a process selection message for prompting input of an instruction as to which of fax transmission or printer printing is to be executed, or when executing any of fax transmission or printer printing. Necessary items that are necessary are displayed on the display unit 150.

  The display control unit 101 also displays on the display unit 150 whether the instruction received by the receiving unit 102 as an instruction to the process selection message is a fax transmission or printer printing process. If the determining unit 105 determines that the required items received from the user are insufficient, the display unit 150 displays that there are insufficient required items.

  The accepting unit 102 accepts an instruction to perform either fax transmission or printer printing by external input when the display control unit 101 displays the processing selection message on the display unit 150.

  In addition, when the display control unit 101 displays either the fax transmission or the printer printing process selected by the user as a process selection message on the display unit 150, the reception unit 102 displays this process. An instruction to execute the displayed processing (either fax transmission or printer printing) is accepted by an external input. Furthermore, when the essential item is displayed by the display control unit 101, the accepting unit 102 accepts an instruction to set the essential item by an external input.

  The printer print data converter 103 converts the print data into a printer print data format (for example, PDL (Page Description Language)). The fax transmission data conversion unit 104 converts the print data into a data format suitable for fax transmission (for example, raster data). The determination unit 105 determines whether or not the essential items displayed on the display unit 150 by the display control unit 101 have been set by the setting instruction received by the reception unit 102 without being insufficient. The display control unit 101 causes the display unit 150 to display that there is an indispensable essential item when the determining unit 105 determines that there is an indispensable essential item.

  The control unit 106 converts the print data into either the printer print data conversion unit 103 or the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 in accordance with an instruction input from the outside to the reception unit 102 by the user and an instruction to set the essential items. Execute the process. The output unit 107 outputs the data converted by the printer print data conversion unit 103 to the printer 30 via the communication I / F 160, and outputs the data converted by the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 to the facsimile communication unit 170. Is output. The data received by the facsimile communication unit 170 is transmitted to the external facsimile apparatus 50 through the public line 51.

  Next, a process for performing printer printing and fax transmission by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed. FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of display screens for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing. 4 and 4 show examples of confirmation display screens.

  When the instruction receiving program is activated in accordance with a user instruction, the display control unit 101 performs a process selection message for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing and a minimum when executing any process of fax transmission or printer printing. The required items that need to be set are displayed on the display unit 150 (S1). This processing selection message is represented, for example, on a display screen 1501 shown in FIG. In this display screen 1501, an “Output” field is displayed as a process selection message for selecting an output destination, and a selectable process (output destination) is displayed in the horizontal bar of this field. Yes. When the “▼” mark displayed at the end of the horizontally long bar is pressed, as shown in FIG. 3B, all selectable processes (printer and fax) are displayed. As described above, when the user selects a desired process with the operation unit (mouse pointer or the like) 140 in a state where printer printing and fax transmission are displayed as all selectable processes, the process selected by the user is performed. An instruction to execute the process is received by the receiving unit 102.

  Further, as the essential items, for example, as shown in the display screen 1501 in FIG. 3A, the document size (Page size), the output paper size (Print size), the paper orientation at the time of printing (Orientation), and the print quality (Quality), the number of prints (Print copies), etc. are displayed. In this case as well, as in the case of the display of the above process, the selectable size or quality is displayed in the horizontal bar of each column, and the “▼” mark displayed at the end of this horizontal bar. When is pressed, all selectable sizes or qualities are displayed. As described above, when the user selects a desired size or quality with the operation unit 140 in a state where the selectable size or quality is displayed in the bar, the processing with the size or quality selected by the user is executed. The accepting unit 102 accepts an instruction to do so.

  Also, the paper orientation can be selected from portrait (Portrait) and landscape (Landscape) by clicking the “O” mark in the “Orientation” column of FIG. The “◯” mark of the selected item is replaced with the “●” mark and displayed. Further, a user-desired number (number of sheets) is input from the operation unit 140 in the “Print copies” field. By pressing an OK button 1502 on the display screen 1501, a processing selection instruction and each required item setting instruction operated on the display screen 1501 are received by the receiving unit 102.

  Note that default values are determined in advance for the above-described processing and each essential item, and even when the user does not perform any setting, processing with the default values is performed.

  In addition, when the “Layout” and “Output” tag display portions are operated with the operation unit 140 on the display screens shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, they are displayed in a horizontally long bar in the “Output” column. In accordance with each of the selectable processes (printer or fax), a display for performing paper layout setting and print output state setting is displayed in detail, and these settings can be performed.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart of FIG. 2 again, an instruction to set the print data processing and each essential item is input by the user's operation. When the instruction is received by the receiving unit 102 (YES in S2), the instruction is set by this instruction. The display control unit 101 displays the print data processing and the contents of each essential item on the display unit 150 using a confirmation screen 1503 as shown in FIG. 4, for example (S3).

  When the user operates the operation unit 140 and presses the Cancel button 1505 on the confirmation screen 1503, an instruction not to execute the processing displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the reception unit 102 (NO in S4). Returning to the process of S1, the display control unit 101 needs to be set at least when executing either the process selection message for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing and the process of fax transmission or printer printing. A certain required item is displayed on the display unit 150.

  When the OK button 1502 on the confirmation screen 1503 is pressed and an instruction to execute the processing displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102 (YES in S4), the receiving unit 102 receives the received instruction. Is accepted as the final instruction. Then, the control unit 106 determines whether fax transmission or printer printing is selected by the user (S5).

  If printer printing is selected here (“printer printing” in S5), the control unit 106 outputs to the printer print data conversion unit 103 based on the setting of the required items received by the receiving unit 102. The target print data is converted to create PDL data (S6). Then, the control unit 106 causes the output unit 107 to output the PDL data to the printer 30 via the communication I / F 160 (S7).

  If fax transmission is selected ("Fax transmission" in S5), the control unit 106 outputs to the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 based on the setting of the required items received by the reception unit 102. The target print data is converted to create raster data (S8). Then, the control unit 106 transmits the raster data from the output unit 107 to the facsimile communication unit 170 (S9), and the facsimile communication unit 170 transmits the data to the facsimile apparatus 50 as a transmission destination through a public line.

  In this way, the display control unit 101 displays a selection message for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing on the display unit 150, and printer printing data is based on an instruction input from the user in response to the processing selection message. Either the conversion unit 103 or the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 is selected, print data conversion processing is executed, and the converted print data is output to one of the printer or the facsimile apparatus according to the data format. As a result, there is no need to select and activate each driver corresponding to each process of fax transmission or printer printing, and each process of fax transmission and printer printing can be used properly with a simple operation.

  In addition, since the contents set by the user are displayed on the display unit 150 before the fax transmission or printer printing process is executed and confirmation is requested by the user, it is erroneous to determine whether the fax transmission process or the printer printing process is performed. Incorrect operation can be prevented.

  Furthermore, essential items that need to be set at a minimum when executing either fax transmission or printer printing are displayed on the display unit 150. When a setting instruction for the displayed essential items is accepted, the mandatory items are accepted. Since the print data conversion process is performed by either the printer print data conversion unit or the fax transmission data conversion unit based on the set setting instruction, the user executes either the fax transmission process or the printer print process. Regardless of whether or not, essential items common to fax transmission and printer printing can be set on the same display screen 1501.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of processing for performing printer printing and fax transmission by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed. The description of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4 described above in addition to FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the same processing as in FIG. .

  In the first embodiment, when the user inputs an instruction not to execute the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503 and the process of each essential item, the process returns to the process of S1 again, and the display control unit 101 However, the display unit 150 displays a process selection message that prompts the user again to select fax transmission or printer printing, and essential items that need to be set at a minimum when executing either fax transmission or printer printing. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, when the user inputs an instruction not to execute the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503 and the process for each essential item, the second display is displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503. The process that is not performed is executed.

  Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 5, for example, when printer printing is selected once by the user and the confirmation display screen 1503 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed (S3), the processing displayed on the display unit 150 is performed. If the instruction to execute is received by the receiving unit 102 (YES in S4), the control unit 106 executes the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503, that is, printer printing (S11).

  In addition, when the confirmation display screen 1503 is displayed (S3) and the instruction to not execute the process displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102 (NO in S4), the control unit 106 Then, the processing different from the processing displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503, that is, fax transmission is executed (S12). Here, the case where the instruction not to execute the process displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102 is, for example, when the user performs an operation of pressing the “Cancel” button on the confirmation display screen 1503. And so on.

  As the processing of S11 and S12, the control unit 106 performs processing similar to S5 to S9 in FIG. 2 to execute printer printing or fax transmission processing.

  Therefore, when the confirmation display screen 1503 displays that the printer printing is selected by the user, when the instruction to execute the processing displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102, the control unit 106, the printer printing displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503 is executed, and when an instruction not to execute the processing displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the reception unit 102, the processing displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503 The fax transmission that is different from the above is executed.

  As a result, even if the user wants to execute a process different from the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503, the user can immediately execute the other process without performing an operation of re-inputting the process setting. Can be executed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of processing for performing printer printing and fax transmission by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by the PC 1 in which the instruction receiving program is installed. The third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in addition to FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the same processing as in FIG. 2 and FIG. Therefore, the description is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, a default value is defined for the process and each essential item, and even if the user does not perform any setting, the process with the default value is executed. The third embodiment is a case where default values are not defined for the processing and each essential item, and when the essential item as displayed on the display screen 1501 of FIG. 3 is not set by the user, The display control unit 101 displays on the display unit 150 that the required item is not set, and after the required item is input, the display control unit 101 displays a confirmation display screen 1503 (FIG. 4) showing the input content. After that, the control unit 106 executes a fax transmission or printer printing process.

  In the third embodiment, the display control unit 101 displays a processing selection message for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing and a message for prompting the setting of each essential item on the display unit 150 (S1), and then When an instruction from the user is input and the reception unit 102 receives (YES in S2), the determination unit 105 determines whether or not an essential item is input (S15).

  Here, when it is determined that there is an indispensable item for which setting by the user is insufficient and setting is insufficient (NO in S15), the display control unit 101 informs the display unit 150 that there is an indispensable essential item. It is displayed (S16). The case where the setting of the essential items is insufficient is, for example, the case where the OK button 1502 on the display screen 1501 is pressed while the numerical value of the number of prints (Print copies) is not input.

  After the display of S16, after the processing of S1 and S2, when the determination unit 105 determines that the essential item has been set by the user (YES in S15), the display control unit 101 displays the confirmation display screen 1503. The data is displayed on the unit 150 (S3). When the instruction from the user to execute the process displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102 (YES in S4), the control unit 106 performs the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503. Execute (S11). When the instruction not to execute the process displayed on the display unit 150 is received by the receiving unit 102 (NO in S4), the control unit 106 performs a process different from the process displayed on the confirmation display screen 1503. Is executed (S12).

  As a result, when there is a shortage of input of essential items that need to be set in order to perform fax transmission and printer printing, the user can be sure of the shortage of input data because the display unit 150 can know this fact. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which proper printing processing cannot be performed due to lack of data.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the embodiments described above, the display screen 1501 (FIG. 3) includes, as examples of essential setting items, the document size (Page size), the output paper size (Print size), the paper orientation (Orientation) at the time of printing, and the print quality. Although (Quality) and the number of printed sheets (Print copies) are shown, the essential items referred to in the present invention are not limited to these. In addition, as a method of setting processing and each required item, a method of pressing the “▼” button is shown, but other methods, for example, a method of inputting a numerical value such as a paper size from a keyboard, etc. It does not matter.

  In the first embodiment, the display control unit 101 is set to a minimum when executing either a process selection message for prompting selection of fax transmission or printer printing and a process of fax transmission or printer printing. Necessary items that are necessary are displayed on the display unit 150 (S1 in FIG. 2), but the display control unit 101 does not display such essential items, but performs control based on an instruction to select fax transmission or printer printing. The unit 106 may cause the printer print data conversion unit 103 or the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 to execute print data conversion processing.

  In each of the above embodiments, the data output destination from the output unit 107 is set to the printer 30 or the facsimile communication unit depending on whether the printer print data conversion unit 103 or the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 performs data conversion. The same multi-function device (multiple functions such as a fax function, a printer function, a copy function, etc.) can be used for either printer printing or fax transmission using data output from the personal computer 1. In the case of the image forming apparatus having the same function, the data output destination from the output unit 107 can be the composite output regardless of whether the printer print data conversion unit 103 or the fax transmission data conversion unit 104 performs the data conversion. It becomes a machine. In this case, the processing performed by the facsimile communication unit 170 is performed in the multifunction device.

  Note that the instruction receiving program shown above includes the PC 1, the display control unit 101, the receiving unit 102, the printer print data conversion unit 103, the fax transmission data conversion unit 104, the determination unit 105, the control unit 106, and the output unit 107. However, as the instruction receiving program according to the present invention, it is sufficient that at least the PC 1 functions as the display control unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 and receives the above-described final instruction from the user.

  Next, the data processing system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data processing system according to the present invention. Note that the same components as those of the personal computer 1 shown in FIG.

  The personal computer 1 in the data processing system 10 includes only the printer print data conversion unit 103 as the data conversion unit, and does not include the fax transmission data conversion unit 104. The control unit (data output control means) 106 stores the storage device 200 in the printer print data conversion unit 103 regardless of whether the instruction from the user received by the reception unit 102 is printer printing or fax transmission. Is converted to PDL, which is a data format for printer printing. However, when the control unit 106 causes the output unit 107 to output the data converted into the PDL, if the instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102 is printer printing, only the data of this PDL is stored. When the instruction from the user is fax transmission, information indicating an instruction to execute fax transmission (hereinafter, fax transmission instruction information) is added to the PDL data and output.

  The multifunction device 2 includes a control unit (operation control unit) 20 that controls the operation of each unit of the apparatus, an image reading unit 21 having a scanner or the like that reads a document image, data of a document image read by the image reading unit 21, An image memory 22 that temporarily stores image data read by the image reading unit 21, data of a document image read by the image reading unit 21, data sent from a personal computer connected to a network, etc. A printer unit (printer printing processing means) 23 for printing out the image.

  The multifunction device 2 executes various functions necessary for facsimile communication, and transmits and receives image data to and from the external facsimile apparatus 50 through the public line 51. Are provided with an operation unit 25 including a transmission start key for receiving various operation instructions, a numeric keypad, an abbreviated number key and the like, and a display unit 26 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for displaying operation guidance for the operator.

  Further, the multi-function device 2 includes an HDD 27 that stores image data read by the image reading unit 21, a data receiving unit 28 that receives data from a network-connected personal computer, etc., and an image image read by the image reading unit 21. And an image processing unit 29 that performs data editing / processing (code / decoding processing, enlargement / reduction processing, compression / decompression processing) processing and the like.

  The facsimile communication unit 24 further converts the PDL data received from a personal computer (PC 1 in this embodiment) connected to the network into raster data, and further generates fax data that is encoded for fax transmission. Part 241 is provided.

  The control unit 20 determines whether or not the fax transmission instruction information is attached to the PDL data received from the networked personal computer or the like, and the fax transmission instruction information is attached to the received PDL data. The fax communication unit 24 executes the data conversion and fax transmission on the received PDL data. If the fax transmission instruction information is not attached to the received PDL data, the printer unit 23 receives the received PDL data. The printer printing of the PDL data is executed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the data processing system 10 performs printer printing and fax transmission. In addition, about the process similar to the process shown in the said FIG. 2, the same sign is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the final instruction from the user is received by the reception unit 102 (YES in S4), the control unit 106 determines whether fax transmission or printer printing is selected by the user (S5). If the specific instruction indicates printer printing (“printer printing” in S5), the printer print data converter 103 converts the print data to be output and creates PDL data (S6). If the final instruction indicates fax transmission (“fax transmission” in S5), the control unit 106 converts the print data to be output to the printer print data conversion unit 103. PDL data is created and fax transmission instruction information is added (S22). Then, the control unit 106 causes the output unit 107 to transmit the PDL data created for printer printing or the PDL data with fax transmission instruction information created for fax transmission to the MFP 2. (S21).

  When the data receiving unit 28 of the MFP 2 receives the data from the PC 1 (F1), the control unit 20 determines whether or not fax transmission instruction information is added to the received data (F2). When the control unit 20 determines that fax transmission instruction information is added to the received PDL data (YES in F2), the control unit 20 converts the received PDL data into raster data to the fax data conversion unit 241 of the facsimile communication unit 24. Conversion is performed (F4), and compressed data encoded for fax transmission is created from the raster data (F5). Then, the control unit 20 causes the facsimile communication unit 24 to transmit the encoded compressed data to the destination facsimile machine 50 (F6).

  If the control unit 20 determines that the fax transmission instruction information is not added to the received PDL data (NO in F2), the control unit 20 causes the printer unit 23 to perform printer printing using the received PDL data ( F3).

  Next, a second embodiment of the data processing system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Note that the same components as those of the personal computer 1 shown in FIG.

  The PC 1 of the data processing system 11 according to the second embodiment includes a bitmap data conversion unit 108 as a data conversion unit. Then, even if the instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102 is either printer printing or fax transmission, the control unit 106 stores the print data stored in the storage device 200 in the bitmap data conversion unit 108. Is converted into bitmap data. However, when the control unit 106 causes the output unit 107 to output the bitmap data, if the instruction from the user received by the receiving unit 102 is printer printing, only the bitmap data is output. When the instruction from the user is fax transmission, fax transmission instruction information is added to the bitmap data and output.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when printer printing and fax transmission are performed by the data processing system 11 according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the process similar to the process shown in the said FIG.2 and FIG.8, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Upon receiving a final instruction from the user (YES in S4), the control unit 106 determines whether fax transmission or printer printing is selected by the user, and this final instruction indicates printer printing. In this case (“printer printing” in S5), the bitmap data converter 108 converts the print data to be output into bitmap data (S31). If the final instruction indicates fax transmission (“Fax transmission” in S5), the control unit 106 causes the bitmap data conversion unit 108 to convert the print data to be output into bitmap data. In addition to the conversion, fax transmission instruction information is added (S32). Then, the control unit 106 transmits the bitmap data created for the printer printing or the bitmap data with the fax transmission instruction information created for the fax transmission to the MFP 2 (S21). .

  When the data receiving unit 28 of the MFP 2 receives the data from the personal computer 1 (F1), the control unit 20 determines whether or not fax transmission instruction information is added to the received data (F2). . When the control unit 20 determines that the fax transmission instruction information is added to the received bitmap data (YES in F2), the control unit 20 converts the received bitmap data to the fax data conversion unit 241 of the facsimile communication unit 24. Compressed data encoded for fax transmission is created (F5). Then, the control unit 20 causes the facsimile communication unit 24 to transmit the encoded compressed data to the destination facsimile machine 21 (F6).

  If the control unit 20 determines that the fax transmission instruction information is not added to the received bitmap data (NO in F2), the printer unit 23 performs printer printing using the received bitmap data. (F3).

1 is a block diagram showing a personal computer in which an instruction receiving program according to the present invention is installed, and a printer and a facsimile machine connected to the personal computer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by a personal computer in which an instruction receiving program is installed. (A) (b) is a figure showing an example of a display screen which prompts selection of fax transmission or printer printing. It is a figure which shows the example of a confirmation display screen. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by a personal computer in which an instruction receiving program is installed. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of processing for performing fax transmission and printer printing by a personal computer in which an instruction receiving program is installed. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data processing system according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when printer printing and fax transmission are performed by the data processing system. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the data processing system which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when printer printing and fax transmission are performed by the data processing system according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Multifunction machine 10,11 Data processing system 30 Printer 100 CPU
101 Display control unit (display control means, instruction content display control means, essential item display control means, missing item display control means)
102 Reception part (first to third reception means, final instruction reception means)
103 Printer Data Conversion Unit (Printer Data Conversion Unit, Data Conversion Unit)
104 Fax transmission data conversion unit (fax transmission data conversion means)
105 Discrimination unit (discrimination means)
106 Control unit (control means)
107 Output unit (output means)
108 Bitmap data converter (data converter)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 130 Recording medium drive device 140 Operation part 150 Display part 170 Facsimile communication part 200 Storage device (storage part)
20 control unit (operation control means)
23 Printer section (printer printing processing means)
24 Facsimile communication section (fax transmission means)
241 Fax data converter (fax transmission means)
50 Facsimile Machine 51 Public Line 1501 Display Screen 1502 OK Button

Claims (7)

An instruction receiving program for receiving an instruction to fax or print print data stored in a storage unit of a computer based on an instruction by an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the computer a process selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction As a reception means
An instruction reception program that causes a computer to function. Printer print data conversion means for converting the print data into a printer print data format;
Fax transmission data conversion means for converting the print data into a data format for fax transmission;
Output means for outputting the data converted by the printer printing data conversion means or the fax transmission data conversion means;
When a final instruction is received by the final instruction receiving unit, the print data conversion process is performed by either the printer print data conversion unit or the fax transmission data conversion unit according to the content of the final instruction. As a control means for causing the output means to output the data after the conversion process,
The instruction receiving program according to claim 1, further causing a computer to function.   The control means is displayed by the instruction content display control means when the second reception means receives an instruction not to execute the process displayed on the display unit by the instruction content display control means. The instruction receiving program according to claim 2, wherein a process different from the process being executed is executed. Indispensable item display control means for displaying on the display unit the essential items that need to be set at the minimum when executing any of the fax transmission and printer printing together with the processing selection message;
When the essential item is displayed by the essential item display control means, the computer is further functioned as third accepting means for accepting an instruction to set the essential item by external input,
The instruction receiving program according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control means starts processing for the fax transmission or printer printing based on the setting instruction received by the third receiving means. Determining means for determining whether or not the essential item has been set according to the setting instruction received by the third receiving means;
When the determination means determines that there is a deficient essential item, the deficient item display control means displays on the display section that there is a deficient essential item.
Furthermore, the instruction | indication reception program of Claim 4 which makes a computer function. A data processing system for fax transmission or printer printing of print data stored in a storage unit of a data terminal device based on an instruction by an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the data terminal device a processing selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction Receiving means;
Printer print data conversion means for converting the print data into a printer print data format;
Output means for outputting the data converted by the printer printing data conversion means;
When the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit indicates a printer printing process, the data converted by the printer print data converting unit is output from the output unit, and the final instruction is transmitted by fax. A data output control means for attaching the fax transmission instruction information indicating that the data is for fax transmission to the data converted by the printer print data conversion means and outputting the data from the output means. A data terminal device having
Fax transmission means for converting the data received from the output means of the data terminal device into a data format for fax transmission and executing fax transmission;
Printer print processing means for executing printer printing using data received from the output means of the data terminal device;
When fax transmission instruction information is attached to the data received from the output unit of the data terminal device, the fax transmission unit executes the data conversion and fax transmission based on the received data, and the received An image forming apparatus having operation control means for causing the printer print processing means to perform printer printing of the received data when the fax transmission instruction information is not attached to the data;
Data processing system with A data processing system for fax transmission or printer printing of print data stored in a storage unit of a data terminal device based on an instruction by an external input,
Display control means for displaying on the display unit of the data terminal device a processing selection message that prompts an input of an instruction as to whether to execute the fax transmission or printer printing;
First receiving means for receiving, by external input, an instruction to execute either the fax transmission or printer printing when the processing selection message is displayed by the display control means;
Instruction content display control means for displaying on the display section whether the instruction received by the first receiving means is the fax transmission or printer printing;
When the instruction content display control means displays either the fax transmission or printer printing process on the display unit, the instruction content display control unit accepts an instruction as to whether to execute the displayed process by an external input. A second receiving means;
When the second receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the process displayed by the instruction content display control unit, a final instruction for receiving the instruction received by the first receiving unit as a final instruction Receiving means;
Data conversion means for converting the print data into a bitmap data format;
Output means for outputting the bitmap data converted by the data conversion means;
When the final instruction received by the final instruction receiving unit indicates a printer printing process, the data converted by the data converting unit is output from the output unit, and the final instruction indicates a fax transmission process. A data terminal device having data output control means for attaching the fax transmission instruction information indicating that the data is for fax transmission to the data converted by the data conversion means and outputting the data from the output means; ,
Fax transmission means for converting the bitmap data received from the output means of the data terminal device into a data format for fax transmission and executing fax transmission;
Printer print processing means for executing printer printing using bitmap data received from the output means of the data terminal device;
It is determined whether or not fax transmission instruction information is attached to the data received from the output means of the data terminal device, and when the received bitmap transmission data is attached with the fax transmission instruction information, the fax transmission is performed. If the data conversion and fax transmission is executed on the basis of the received bitmap data and no fax transmission instruction information is attached to the received bitmap data, the printer print processing means receives the received data. An image forming apparatus having operation control means for executing printer printing of bitmap data;
Data processing system with

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