JP2005275544A - Printing processing method and printing processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To streamline printing processing that uses email. <P>SOLUTION: A print server, upon receiving a print command mail message, reserves printing and sends a copy confirmation mail message (Step 100 to 112). Users reply to the copy confirmation mail message with a copy command mail message (Step 114 to 118), and the print server sets print copies according to the copy command mail messages, and executes printing processing to produce the necessary printout copies at a designated printing end date/time (Step 120 to Step 128). This can save the individual users from sending the same job data for printing processing, to streamline accurate printing processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print processing method and a print processing apparatus when data such as a PDF file transmitted by e-mail is received and print processing is performed.

  E-mail has become widespread as an information transmission means using networks such as the Internet and Intranet, and the use of e-mail has become common. In e-mail, not only text information such as text data but also image data and music data can be transmitted and received.

  In this electronic mail, a plurality of mail addresses are designated as destinations, and the same mail or attached file is distributed to each mail recipient.

  On the other hand, in a network, printers are connected via a print server or a print controller (hereinafter referred to as a print server), and many clients connected to the network share one or several printers. Improvement of operation efficiency is achieved.

  In addition, in the network, by setting a mail address in the print server and sending a PDF file or the like as an attached file by e-mail to the print server, the attached file can be printed.

  By the way, when a large number of clients use one or several printers, the printing process may be delayed depending on the time, and the waiting time until printing is output may be long. In addition, when an error such as running out of paper occurs, the waiting time is further increased.

  From here, a proposal has been made that the print output time from the printer can be set so that the waiting time can be eliminated and the printed matter can be obtained at a desired time (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  On the other hand, when printing an attached file attached to an e-mail, the mail recipient opens the attached file using an appropriate application, sets the print processing on the application, and sends it to the print server as a print job. There is a need to.

  In the electronic mail, the same attached file can be transmitted to a plurality of clients. However, when printing an attached file, each client needs to set the printing process.

  The print server performs predetermined image processing and RIP processing for each print job, and outputs raster data to the printer. Also, even if the print server receives the same job from a large number of clients, image processing and RIP processing are executed for each print job. There is a problem if you can't.

  From here, it is possible to send the attached file to the print server together with multiple mail recipients, and print the number of copies of the mail recipients at the same time on the print server. Is this the correct number of copies? Whether or not is unknown. That is, the mail recipient may not necessarily need to print out the attached file, and may need to print out multiple copies by himself.

  Also, when printing out many copies at once, the time required for image processing and RIP processing can be saved, but the actual print processing time is uncertain, and if the print processing is accumulated, it is necessary at the required time. This causes a problem that a large number of copies cannot be obtained, and conversely affects the processing time of a print job transmitted from a general client.

In addition, there is a problem that when an attempt is made to obtain a print output divided into a plurality of times, an e-mail with an attached file must be transmitted to the print server each time.
JP-A-6-340151

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described facts, and an object thereof is to provide a print processing method and a print processing apparatus that enable efficient print processing when performing print processing using e-mail. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a print processing method for performing print processing on an attached file using an e-mail to which an attached file is attached and a print instruction is described as a print instruction mail. When the print processing date and time and the confirmation mail address of the number of copies are described as the print instruction, the number of print copies is set from the number instruction mail transmitted from the confirmation destination mail address, and the set number of print copies is printed. The output is performed before the print processing date and time.

  According to the present invention, the print reservation is made by the print instruction mail designated by the print date and time. The number of copies to be printed is sent as a print instruction mail from the confirmation destination designated by the print instruction mail.

  Thereby, it is possible to perform a printing process for a necessary amount at the designated date and time. Since the print data to be printed at this time is attached to the first print instruction mail, the same print data is not sent as many times as necessary, and efficient print processing is possible.

  As the printing date and time, a printing end date and time may be designated, or a printing start date and time may be designated.

  In the present invention, a copy confirmation email based on the print instruction is transmitted to each of the confirmation destination email addresses, and the print copy is set from the reply email to the copy confirmation email to perform the printing process. it can.

  Further, in the present invention, the number of the confirmation destination email addresses is set as a temporary print copy number, a copy confirmation deadline is set based on the temporary print copy number and the print processing date and time, and the copy confirmation deadline is described in the copy confirmation email. It may be a thing.

  Such a print processing apparatus applied to the present invention is connected to a plurality of information processing terminals via a network so that electronic mail can be exchanged, and print processing is performed based on print data and print instructions input from the information processing terminals. A print processing apparatus that identifies the information processing terminal that is the confirmation destination of the print processing date and time and the number of copies from the electronic mail to which the print data is attached as an attached file, and is described as the confirmation destination A mail analysis unit that specifies the number of copies from an e-mail transmitted from the information processing terminal based on the print instruction mail, and a reservation that performs print processing based on the print date and time and the number of copies specified by the mail analysis unit The execution means may be included.

  In addition, the print processing apparatus includes a mail generation unit that generates a copy confirmation email based on the print instruction to be transmitted to the information processing terminal that is the confirmation destination, and the mail analysis unit generates a response from the reply email to the copy confirmation email. It is preferable to be able to specify the number of copies to be printed. The number of the confirmation destination email addresses is set as the temporary print copy number, and the copy confirmation deadline described in the copy confirmation email can be set based on the temporary print copy number and the print processing date and time. It is more preferable that this enables accurate printing processing to be performed at the designated printing date and time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an efficient printing process using an electronic mail is possible. In addition, since the number of print copies is set based on a request from a preset confirmation destination, an excellent effect is achieved in that a print process with an exact number of copies can be performed easily and efficiently.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network 10 applied to the present embodiment. The network 10 is provided with a print server 12 as an image processing apparatus, and a printer 14 as a print output apparatus is connected to the print server 12.

  In addition, a plurality of client PCs 16 are connected to the network 10, and print output using the printer 14 is possible from each of the client PCs 16.

  On the other hand, the network 10 is provided with an incoming mail server (POP server) 18 and an outgoing mail server (SMTP server) 20. In the network 10, an email address for each of the client PCs 16 or network users using the client PC is set. Has been. In the network 10, a mail address is also set for the print server 12. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that the mail address of the user who uses the client PC 16 is set for each client PC 16.

  Thereby, in the network 10, it is possible to use electronic mail between the client PCs 16 and between the client PC 16 and the print server 12. Note that the network 10 is also connected to an external network, which enables exchange of electronic mail with the Internet, an external network, or the like.

  That is, when the received mail server 18 receives an e-mail addressed to a registered user (client PC 16) in the network 10 including the print server 12, the corresponding e-mail is delivered in response to a request from the print server 12 and the client PC 16. To do.

  Further, the outgoing mail server 20 distributes the electronic mail sent from the network 10 to a received mail server (the incoming mail server 18 or the like) in which a destination mail address is registered. In this embodiment, the incoming mail server 18 and the outgoing mail server 20 are provided, but a mail server in which the incoming mail server and the outgoing mail server are integrated may be used.

  Conventionally known configurations can be applied to such a network 10, and detailed description of the network 10 is omitted.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the print server 12. The print server 12 is provided with a network interface (I / F) 22 and a bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) 24, and is connected to the network 10 (see FIG. 1) via the network I / F 22. It is connected to the printer 14 via the bidirectional I / F 24.

  The print server 12 is provided with a print controller 26 that controls the operation of the print server 12 and the operation of the printer 14, an image processing unit 28, and a print function setting unit 30.

  In the print server 12, when a print job is input, the print function setting unit 30 sets various print functions such as the number of prints, and the image processing unit 28 performs image processing and RIP processing based on the set print function. And raster data based on the image data of the print job is generated.

  The print controller 26 outputs the raster data generated by the image processing unit 28 to the printer 14. As a result, a print output corresponding to the print job can be obtained from the printer 14. Note that the print server 12 has a conventionally known configuration regarding print processing, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Incidentally, the print server 12 is provided with an input determination unit 32 and a mail management unit 34. The input determination unit 32 determines whether the data input to the print server 12 via the network I / F is a print job or an e-mail. When the print job is input, the print job is set to the print function setting unit 30. And print processing is executed.

  In addition, when the input determination unit 32 receives an e-mail, the input determination unit 32 outputs the received e-mail to the mail management unit 34.

  In the mail management unit 34, an information analysis unit 36 and a mail creation unit 38 are formed. The information analysis unit 36 extracts a print instruction (hereinafter referred to as a print instruction) recorded in the received electronic mail and information for executing the print instruction. In addition, the mail creating unit 38 creates an e-mail having a preset form based on the information extracted by the information analyzing unit 36.

  Further, the information analysis unit 36 extracts the transmission destination address of the email created by the email creation unit 38 from the received email.

  Thereby, in the mail management part 34, the transmission of the electronic mail according to the received electronic mail is possible.

  The print server 12 is provided with an HDD 40 for storing various data, and a job management unit 42 is formed. When a print instruction for an attached file is input together with the attached file by e-mail, the job management unit 42 stores the print instruction and the attached file in the HDD 40 as a print job and holds them. Further, the job management unit 42 reads out the held print job based on the held print instruction or the print instruction input from the mail management unit 34 and outputs it to the print function setting unit 30.

  As a result, the print server 12 executes print processing on the attached file attached to the e-mail based on an instruction by the e-mail or newly input e-mail. Note that the print server 12 is provided with a timer having a calendar function so that a print job can be executed (print processing) at a preset time.

  Here, a basic process for the print instruction mail in the print server 12 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 shows the flow of processing in the network 10 at this time, and the step numbers in FIG. 3 are also shown below.

  A user (print instructor) who gives a print instruction by e-mail creates a print instruction mail (step 100) and transmits the print instruction mail to the print server 12 (step 102).

  When the print server 12 receives an e-mail in which a print instruction for job data is described together with an attached file (hereinafter referred to as job data), the print server 12 executes print processing based on the setting.

  In response to this, the print server 12 receives an e-mail (print instruction mail) in which the print end date and the confirmation destination address of the number of copies (number of copies) are described in the print instruction (step 104). Is stored as a print job (step 106), and a print reservation is set in accordance with the print end date and time. At the same time, a copy confirmation time limit is set based on the designated print end date and time (step 108).

  As the number of copies confirmation deadline, for example, the provisional number of copies is set by the number of confirmation destination addresses set in the received e-mail, and the number of provisional copies is calculated from the estimated time when one part of the print processing is performed based on the job data. The processing time required to execute the print process can be predicted, and the print processing start time (date and time) can be set from the predicted processing time and the print end date and time, so that the number of copies can be determined by this date and time To do.

  Thereafter, the print server 12 creates a copy confirmation mail specifying the copy confirmation deadline (step 110), and transmits the created copy confirmation mail to each of the confirmation destination addresses (step 112).

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a print instruction mail. The print instruction mail for print reservation includes an attached file serving as job data, and includes information for confirming the number of copies together with the print end date and time. It may be included, and is preferably a predetermined form (format). In addition to the copy confirmation address, the provisional copy number includes the spare copy number when “spare copy number” is designated.

  The user who is designated as the copy confirmation destination address and receives the copy confirmation mail returns a copy confirmation mail, for example, when print output is required.

  5A and 5B show an example of a copy confirmation mail based on the print instruction mail. As shown in FIG. 5 (A) and FIG. 5 (B), at least a reply deadline is specified as the copy confirmation mail. In FIGS. 5A and 5B, when the recipient of the copy confirmation mail does not need the designated print output, the copy confirmation mail is not sent back.

  As a copy confirmation mail, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), when the copy confirmation mail is returned, the required number of copies of the corresponding user is counted as one, but FIG. 5 (B). As shown in FIG. 5, a copy number input field 46 may be provided so that the required number of copies can be input.

  Further, as the copy confirmation mail, a file in which a data job is highly compressed for preview may be created, and this file may be attached to the copy confirmation mail as an attached file.

  Here, when the user who has received the copy confirmation mail requests print output, a reply mail (copy instruction mail) is created (step 116), and this copy instruction mail is transmitted to the print server 12 (step 118).

  The mail management unit 34 of the print server 12 receives the reply mail when the copy confirmation mail is returned (step 120). Thereafter, when the copy server 12 reaches the copy confirmation time limit, the reply mail is totaled and the number of print copies is set (step 122), and the print start time is set from the total number of print copies (step 124).

  That is, when a reply mail of the copy confirmation mail is received, the number of received reply mails is set as the number of print copies. When a copy number input field 46 (see FIG. 5B) for inputting the required number of copies is provided in the reply mail, the necessary number of copies input in the number of copy input field 46 is counted for the reply mail. do it.

  In the mail server 12, when the number of copies and the print start time are set in this way, the print processing is started at the print start time (step 126), and a print output of the confirmed number of copies is obtained at the print end date and time. (Step 128).

  As a result, in the network 10, since print processing of the same job data is not input from a plurality of client PCs 16 (users), the print server 12 and the printer do not repeat print processing based on the same job data. 16 loads can be reduced.

  Further, since the print server 12 confirms the necessity of print output from each user based on the print instruction mail, it is possible to eliminate waste of print output.

  Furthermore, since the print server 12 finishes the print process in accordance with the print end date and time specified in the print instruction mail, it should be delivered to the user who needs the print output at an appropriate timing. Can do.

  On the other hand, in the above description, the print instruction mail includes the print end date and the copy confirmation destination address. However, the instruction of the print instruction mail is not limited to this, and is in accordance with the setting of the print server 12. Various instructions may be given.

  6A and 6B show the setting information in the print server 12 for the print instruction mail and the setting (setting value) of the print server 12 for the setting information.

  The setting information in the print server 12 includes print start date / time, print end date / time, number of copies (number of copies to be printed), number of copies confirmation destination address, number of copies confirmation method, number of copies confirmation deadline, provisional number of copies, minimum number of copies, number of spare copies, printable / unprintable There is a forced print permission in a possible time zone and a non-printable time zone, and the print server 12 can include these setting information.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the print start date / time can be set to “date / time”, “automatic”, “immediate”, or “undecided (unset)”. "Date" and "Undecided (not set)".

  Here, when “date and time” is set, the setting in the print instruction mail is used. When it is “undecided”, it is set with reference to other setting information. When the date and time cannot be set, When information that allows the setting of the date and time is input from the sender of the print instruction mail, the setting is made based on the information.

  The number of copies is either “(numerical value)”, “automatic” or “undecided (unset)” using a numerical value specifically set in a print instruction mail or the like. The number of copies is set when information that can be set is input by referring to the information, or when the number of copies that can be set is input from the sender of the print instruction mail.

  The copy confirmation destination address can be set to “address” or “group”. In addition, as a method for confirming the number of copies, a method using a reply mail or a method using a URL can be set. In any case, the designation method is clearly indicated by a number confirmation mail.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the copy confirmation time limit includes “automatic”, “until the print start time”, “until the print end time”, and “(date and time)” using a specific setting in the print instruction mail. The number of spare copies can be set to “(numerical value)” using a specific numerical value of the print instruction mail and “(ratio)” set in advance as a numerical value.

  In addition, the setting information can include a printable / impossible time zone. For example, the print processing can be performed while avoiding a time zone in which normal print processing is concentrated. It is possible to prevent the print processing from staying with efficiency.

  Further, the setting information can include a forced print permission in a non-printable time zone, thereby making it possible to cope with urgent print processing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7A shows setting information that can be included in the copy confirmation mail. Based on the setting information in the print server 12, the number confirmation mail can include “number confirmation method”, “number confirmation address”, “number confirmation URL” or “number confirmation period”.

  FIG. 7B shows setting information that can be included in the copy confirmation reply mail. In the copy confirmation mail, the “request copy number” or “reject copy number ( The number of unnecessary copies) ”can be included.

  FIG. 7C shows the setting information that can be included in the reserved print in the print server 12. In the print server 12, according to the setting information, the “number of copies confirmation group” and “number of copies confirmation” are shown. The “allowance time from the print start time of the deadline” or “the allowance time from the print accommodation time of the copy confirmation deadline” or the like can be provided as setting information for the reserved print.

  Here, FIG. 8 shows a flow of processing in the network 10 when a part of the setting information setting in the print server 12 is different from that in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, the reply mail to the copy confirmation mail transmitted by the print server 12 to each of the copy confirmation destination addresses is changed to a copy confirmation mail that designates the necessary / unnecessary number of copies (necessary number / unnecessary number of copies). When receiving a copy instruction mail, the setting information is set so that a copy instruction receipt mail (confirmation mail) is returned.

  The print server 12 accepts a copy confirmation mail for changing the number of copies until the copy confirmation deadline is reached. However, when the copy confirmation deadline has passed, the print server 12 rejects the receipt of the copy confirmation deadline and returns a reply mail indicating that the copy is confirmed. Is set to send (copy instruction rejection mail).

  Further, when the print process is completed, the print server 12 notifies the end of the print process by an electronic mail (print result notification mail). In FIG. 8, the same steps as those in FIG. 3 are given the same reference numerals.

  When issuing a print instruction for job data, the print instructor sends a print instruction mail attached with the job data to the print server 12 (steps 100 and 102).

  The print server 12 receives the print instruction mail (steps 104 and 106), sets the copy confirmation time limit, and sets the scheduled print start time (step 130). Thereafter, the print server 12 creates a copy confirmation email (step 110) and transmits the created copy confirmation email to each of the copy confirmation destination addresses (step 112). As a result, the user designated as the copy confirmation destination receives the copy confirmation mail (step 114).

  As the copy confirmation mail at this time, for example, the form shown in FIG. 5B can be used.

  Here, the user who has received the copy confirmation mail creates a reply mail specifying the required number of copies or the unnecessary number of copies (step 132), and returns the created reply mail to the print server 12 (step 118).

  When the print server 12 receives a copy instruction mail that is a reply mail of the copy confirmation mail (step 132), it returns a confirmation mail (copy instruction reception mail) (step 134). The confirmation mail (copy instruction receipt mail) at this time preferably describes a method for changing the number of copies based on the copy instruction mail.

  On the other hand, the number of designated copies may change after sending the number-of-copies instruction mail. At this time, it can be created as a reply mail for a copy instruction mail (for example, a copy confirmation mail or a copy instruction receipt mail) for changing the number of copy copies (necessary copy / unnecessary copy) (step 136).

  The user who created the copy change mail transmits this copy change mail to the print server 12 (step 138).

  The print server 12 also sends a confirmation mail (step 142) when it receives a copy number change mail describing the required number of copies / unnecessary copies (step 140).

  In this way, when the required number of copies / unnecessary number of copies is instructed and the copy confirmation time limit is reached, the print server 12 aggregates the required number of copies / unnecessary copies and sets the number of copies to be printed (step 122). The print start time is reset based on the number of print copies (step 144). Thereafter, when the set print start time is reached, the print server 12 starts the reserved print process (step 126).

  On the other hand, the creation of a copy instruction mail may be sent (step 146). When the copy instruction mail is transmitted (step 148), the print processing may already be started.

  When the print server 12 receives the copy instruction mail after the print processing is started (step 150), the print server 12 transmits a copy instruction rejection mail to the sender of the copy instruction mail. It is preferable to describe the reason for rejecting the copy instruction in the copy instruction rejection mail at this time.

  Thereby, the user who has sent the copy instruction mail after the copy confirmation deadline (start of print processing) can accurately confirm that the copy instruction has not been accepted. Further, the print server 12 can end the print process at the print end date and time specified in advance by rejecting the copy number instruction received after the start of the print process.

  When the print processing is completed (step 128), the print server 12 creates an e-mail (print result mail) notifying the print end result (step 154), and this print result notification mail is set as the copy number confirmation destination. The user is sent (step 156).

  The notification mail at this time can describe the number of copies to be printed, the print result, and the like. As a result, the user can confirm that the print process has been completed, so that the print output can be received without delay.

  On the other hand, the setting information of the print server 12 can be set so that a plurality of print outputs are possible.

  At this time, a plurality of print end dates / times or print start dates / times are set and transmitted in the print instruction mail transmitted from the print instructor to the print server 12. Here, a description will be given assuming that a plurality of print end dates and times are set.

  In the print server 12, when a plurality of print end dates and times are designated in the print instruction mail, a copy confirmation time limit is set for each print end date and time. Also at this time, the print server 12 sets the provisional copy number from the number of copy confirmation destination addresses specified in the print instruction mail, and determines the provisional copy number and the estimated time required to print out one copy. The time required to print out all the copies is predicted, and the copy confirmation deadline for each print end date is set from the predicted time and the print end date.

  Thereafter, the print server 12 creates a copy confirmation mail and transmits it to each copy confirmation destination address.

  FIG. 9A shows an example of the copy confirmation mail at this time. In this copy confirmation mail, an ID is assigned to the print end date and time specified in the print instruction mail, and the print end date and time, the copy confirmation time limit, etc. are clearly indicated together with the ID.

  In addition, the copy confirmation mail is provided with a copy number input field 48. In this copy number input field 48, an ID for designating the print end date and the required number of copies to be printed at that time are input.

  FIG. 9B shows an example of a reply mail (a copy number instruction mail) when an ID is 1 and one copy output is requested. At this time, an ID set for each print end date and time in the print server 12 and the number of output instruction copies at that time are described in the copy number input field 48.

  Further, FIG. 9C shows a main part of a reply mail (copy number instruction mail) requesting print output of ID 1 for 1 copy, 2 for 2 copies, and 4 for 10 copies. At this time, the requested number of copies to be printed is described in the copy number input field 48 for each ID for the print end time.

  A user who has received a copy confirmation mail and does not require (do not request) print output may not reply to the copy confirmation mail, but a user who does not request print output may enter a copy number. You may make it reply to a print server, without describing anything in the column 48. FIG.

  When the print server 12 receives a copy instruction mail as a reply mail to the copy confirmation mail, the print server 12 counts the number of copies to be printed for each print end date and time set by the ID, and sets it for each print end date and time. The required number of copies is determined for each copy confirmation deadline.

  Further, the print server 12 sets the print start time based on the number of copies and the print end date / time counted by the copy confirmation deadline, and starts the print processing at the set print start time, so that the print end time is matched. So that the requested number of copies can be obtained. That is, for each print end date and time, the required number of print copies is totaled and the print process is executed.

  Here, an ID is set for each print end date and time, and the required number of copies is confirmed for each set ID (for each print end date and time). Whether or not print output is required, including the required number of copies, if necessary, is accepted, and the number of copies requested so far is totaled for each copy confirmation deadline set for each print end date and time. Thus, print output may be performed.

  On the other hand, as the setting information of the print server 12, when a predetermined number of copies of print output are collected, print output for the number of copies may be performed.

  At this time, when a print instruction mail in which the print end date and the copy destination address are described is received, the print end date and time specified in the print instruction mail is recognized as the final print end date and the final number of copies Set a confirmation deadline.

  At this time, the copy confirmation time limit is set based on the provisional copy number and the print end date / time set based on the number of copy confirmation destination addresses. Further, the print server 12 has a number of printed copies, and initially, this number of printed copies is set to 0 (zero).

  In the print server 12, when the copy confirmation time limit is set, a copy confirmation mail is sent to each copy confirmation destination address. At this time, the description shown in FIG. 10 may be included in the copy confirmation email. In the copy confirmation email, the description of the print end date and time is omitted, and at least the copy confirmation deadline is clarified.

  The print server 12 updates the count value for the required number of copies each time a copy confirmation mail is received. Further, when the value obtained by subtracting the number of printed copies from the required number of copies reaches the number of preceding print start copies set in advance by the print server 12, the number of copies is printed.

  In addition, when the print output is completed, the print server 12 adds the number of printed copies to the number of printed copies.

  In the print server 12, this operation is repeated until the copy confirmation time limit. When the preceding print is performed, the user who has requested the print output for the corresponding print output performs the preceding print before the copy number confirmation deadline, and indicates that the print output requested by the user has been completed. It is preferable to send an email.

  When the copy confirmation time limit is reached while performing such advance printing, the print server 12 calculates the final required print output number by subtracting the number of printed copies from the required number of copies, and starts printing from this and the print end date and time. The time is set, and after the set print start time is reached, the print processing is started in accordance with the print end date and time, and the remaining print output is performed in response to the copy number instruction.

  Note that the number of copies when the preceding printing is performed may be set not by the print server 12 but by a print instruction mail. Alternatively, the number of preceding print copies may be set to 1, and print output may be performed each time a copy confirmation mail is received.

  In order to respond to a request for print output of a plurality of copies, the copy confirmation mail may be provided with a copy number input field, or the number of copies may be instructed by the number of reply mails. That is, a user who requests print output of a plurality of copies may send a reply mail to the print server 12 in the required number of copies.

  In this case, the number of printed copies may be the number of users specified by the copy confirmation destination address. The number of printed copies may not be confirmed.

  On the other hand, the print server 12 can set the print time zone as setting information, not the number of copies when the preceding print is performed prior to the print end date or the print start date.

  Also at this time, when the print instruction mail is received, the copy confirmation deadline is set from the designation of the print end date and the number of copy confirmation destination addresses of the print instruction mail, and the copy confirmation mail is sent to each of the copy confirmation destination addresses. Call to.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the copy confirmation e-mail at this time clearly indicates the copy confirmation deadline and omits the print end date and time.

  The print server 12 updates the value of the required number of copies when receiving the number of copies instruction mail returned by the user based on the number of copies confirmation mail.

  In addition, when the print server 12 reaches a preset print time zone, the print server 12 executes print processing for the number of copies obtained by subtracting the required number of copies and the number of printed copies at that time.

  At this time, the time required for the printing process is predicted, it is determined whether or not the printing can be completed within the printing time period, and if the printing can be completed, the printing process for the number of copies obtained by subtracting the required number of copies and the number of printed copies is executed. .

  When it is predicted that the print job cannot be completed within the print time period, the print processing is executed for the number of copies that can be printed within the print time period.

  Thereafter, the number of copies for which the printing process has been completed is added to the number of printed copies, and preceding printing is executed in the print time period until the number of copies confirmation time limit is reached. Also at this time, it is preferable to send a notification mail notifying the user that the print output has been completed that the requested print output has been completed.

  Also, when the number of copies confirmation deadline has been reached, the number of printed copies is calculated by subtracting the number of printed copies from the required number of copies, the print start time is set based on the calculated number of print copies and the print end date, and the set print start time is Print out the remaining number of copies.

  Note that when the number of copies printed by the preceding print has reached the required number of copies, the print processing in accordance with the print end date and time is ended.

  On the other hand, in the above description, when the print server 12 receives the print instruction mail transmitted to the print server 12, the print server 12 creates, transmits, and returns a copy confirmation mail based on the print instruction mail. Although it has been explained that the print processing is executed based on the mail and the print instruction mail, when the mail sender sends the mail with the job data as an attachment to the mail recipient, a copy of the mail is sent. May be determined by the print server 12 to be a print instruction mail.

  That is, when a copy of an e-mail with an attached file is transmitted to the print server 12, the print server 12 may receive the e-mail as a print instruction mail.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of the e-mail at this time. This e-mail is shown in Document 1. pdf and document 2. A copy is sent to the print server 12 (here, printserver1) when user1 sends pdf as a file to user2, user3, and user4.

  Further, in the body of this e-mail, a print instruction for the print server 12 is described. In this electronic mail, “document 1.pdf” and “document 2.pdf” which are attached files are designated as job data, and designation of the print end date and time is described. In addition, the number of email replies is specified as a method for checking the number of copies.

  When the print server 12 receives this e-mail as a print instruction mail, it makes a print reservation based on the print instruction.

  At this time, since the number of copies is the number of mail replies in the print server 12, the number of destination users) mail addresses) is set as the provisional number of copies, and the print start date and time is determined based on the print end date and the provisional number of copies. Set (Print Start Time). In the print server 12, since the number of mail replies is designated as the copy confirmation method, the creation and transmission of the copy confirmation mail are omitted.

  Further, when the mail recipient receives an electronic mail to which a print instruction is added and requests a printout of an attached file, the mail recipient transmits a reply mail to the electronic mail to the print server 12. At this time, the electronic mail to be transmitted to the print server 12 may be a copy of the reply mail to the original sender.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of a reply mail (print request mail) that uses a copy of the reply mail to the original mail sender as a print request to the print server 12.

  When the print server 12 receives such a reply mail, the print server 12 analyzes whether or not the contents of the print job instruction are described in the received reply mail. The print request mail for the print job is determined, and the necessary number of copies for the corresponding print job is counted.

  In addition, when the print server 12 reaches the print start time set for the reserved print job (print instruction), the print server 12 starts print processing for the necessary number of copies counted so far. At this time, when a print request mail is received during the print process, the print process may be performed including that amount, and even after the print is completed, it may be performed before the print end date and time. When a print request mail is received, the required number of copies may be changed and printed out.

  In the print server 12, for example, the print processing is completed when the designated print end date / time is reached after the print is completed, or after the required number of copies (for example, the provisional number of copies set in advance) is completed. Send a notification email to that effect and delete (cancel) the print reservation.

  Further, the print server 12 can include (set) a warning / notification function as setting information.

  This warning / notification function allows the administrator of the network 10 to print when it is predicted that the print processing cannot be completed at the specified print end date and time when the print end date and time is specified by the print instruction. Not only the administrator of the server 12 and the printer 14 but also the print instructor (sender of the print instruction mail), the number confirmation destination, etc. are notified by e-mail.

  That is, electronic mail is used as a warning means. As warning means, known means set in the print server 12 or printer 14 such as telephone (including facsimile), lamp, display, alarm sound, etc. can be applied together.

  The warning notification using the e-mail is set to be executed when the print process cannot be started even after the print start time set from the designated print end date and time, for example. At this time, if the print end time can be predicted, the predicted print end date (time) is also notified.

  The print processing cannot be started at the set print start time. Other reserved prints overlap between the print start time and the print end time, or a print job input prior to the print start time indicates the print start time. There are times when the print job is stagnating in addition to when the print job does not end even when it has passed, and when there is another print job being executed.

  In addition, as a state in which the printing process cannot be started at the set print start time, a state where consumables such as toner are out of consumables in the printer 14, a state where consumables are expected to run out, a state where paper out or paper out is predicted ( In addition to the designated number of sheets, etc.), there is a possibility that a malfunction of the printer 14, a paper jam, or a discharge failure due to the output being collected or accumulated at the discharge port of the printer 14 may occur. The printer 14 is turned off or is in a sleep state.

  When the print server 12 detects such a state, it sends a warning notification mail.

  At this time, the print server 12 describes a URL enabling access to the reserved print job in the notification mail, and the print instructor who receives the notification mail clicks the URL to cancel the print job. Or, it may be possible to change the designation of a print instruction (for example, print end date and time).

  In addition, a stagnation of print processing caused by the printer 14 itself (for example, out of paper, out of consumables, printer failure, power out warning, etc.) can be dealt with by a printer or network administrator using a normal warning or warning display. Since it can be eliminated, the notification mail may be set not to be transmitted if it is before a preset time with respect to the print start time.

  As a result, when it is not possible to perform print processing according to the print instruction, it is possible to promptly respond by providing an accurate notification to the print instructor or the user who confirms the number of copies. it can.

  The embodiment described above does not limit the configuration of the present invention, and the present invention can be applied to a network having an arbitrary configuration capable of print processing using an electronic mail function.

It is a schematic block diagram of the network applied to this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the print server applied as a print processing apparatus to this Embodiment. It is a procedure figure which shows the outline of the flow of the printing process using the email in the network which provided the print server. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a print instruction mail. (A) And (B) is the schematic which shows the example of a copy number confirmation mail, respectively. 6 is a chart showing an example of setting information and setting contents for print reservation using e-mail in a print server. FIG. 6B is a chart showing an example of setting information and setting contents applicable to print reservation using e-mail in the print server together with FIG. 6A. (A) is a chart showing an example of setting information and setting contents applicable to a copy confirmation mail, (B) is a chart showing an example of setting information and setting contents applicable to a reply mail, (C) FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of setting information and setting contents that can be applied to print reservation using e-mail in the print server. FIG. 4 is a procedure diagram illustrating an example of a flow of print processing using setting information different from that in FIG. 3. Schematic diagram showing another example of the copy confirmation mail, (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the copy instruction mail for (A), (C) is an example of a description different from (B) in the copy instruction mail for (A). FIG. It is the schematic which shows another example of the description of a copy confirmation mail. (A) is a schematic diagram showing another example of a print instruction mail, (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reply mail based on (A).

Explanation of symbols

10 Network 12 Print Server (Print Processing Device)
14 Printer (Printing output device)
16 Client PC (information processing terminal)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 Transmission mail server 20 Reception mail server 26 Print controller 28 Image processing part 34 Mail management part 36 Information analysis part (mail analysis means)
38 Mail creation part (mail creation means)
42 Job Management Department

Claims (6)

A print processing method for performing print processing on an attached file by using an e-mail in which an attached file is attached and a print instruction is described as a print instruction mail,
When a print processing date and time and a confirmation mail address of the number of copies are described as the print instruction in the print instruction mail,
A print processing method, wherein the number of copies is set from a copy number instruction mail transmitted from the confirmation destination e-mail address, and the print output of the set number of prints is performed by the print processing date and time.   2. The copy confirmation mail based on the print instruction is transmitted to each of the confirmation destination mail addresses, and the print processing is performed by setting the print copy number from a reply mail to the copy confirmation mail. Print processing method.   The number of the confirmation destination e-mail addresses is a temporary print copy number, a copy confirmation deadline is set based on the temporary print copy number and the print processing date and time, and the copy confirmation deadline is described in the copy confirmation mail. Item 3. The print processing method according to Item 2. A print processing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of information processing terminals in a network so that electronic mail can be exchanged, and that performs print processing based on print data and a print instruction input from the information processing terminal,
From the e-mail with the print data attached as an attached file, the information processing terminal that is the confirmation destination of the print processing date and the number of copies is specified, and the print instruction from the information processing terminal described as the confirmation destination An email analysis means for identifying the number of copies from an email sent based on the email;
Reservation execution means for performing print processing based on the print date and the number of copies specified by the mail analysis means;
A print processing apparatus. Mail generating means for generating a copy confirmation mail based on the print instruction to be transmitted to the information processing terminal of the confirmation destination;
The print processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the mail analysis unit specifies the number of print copies from a reply mail to the copy confirmation mail.   6. The number confirmation deadline described in the number confirmation mail can be set based on the number of provisional printing copies as the number of the confirmation destination email addresses and the number of provisional printing copies and the print processing date and time. The printing processing apparatus as described.

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