JP2006015610A - Printing system, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system which can perform printing data output processing for reducing a load on a storage device of a printer, a control method for the printing system, and a program. <P>SOLUTION: The storage device, which is built in an information processor on a network, is effectively utilized, so that the load on the storage device of the printer can be reduced and so that saved data can be reused. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, an image forming system, and a control method therefor.

  In recent years, printing methods have been diversified in various ways such as double-sided printing, reduced / enlarged printing, and bookbinding functions due to the multifunctionalization of image forming apparatuses and image forming systems such as copying machines and printers. In addition, a function of transferring print data and read image data to another apparatus or FAX on the network or saving it in a storage device in the printing apparatus has been added.

Further, in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the user's effort for moving a file, a user box is automatically installed in the image forming apparatus, and after the image data is stored in the user box, the user saves the file such as the image data. There has been an invention that, when moved to another PC, automatically saves it in the folder of the destination PC from the next time.
JP 2003-304370 A

  However, in order to use the functions of the image forming apparatus as in the conventional example, a lot of operations are required for printing, and the image data per page increases due to the increase in resolution, number of gradations, and color space. Therefore, it takes time to process data and image data read by a scanner, and the capacity to be stored in a storage device such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) in the apparatus has to be limited.

  In the example of Patent Document 1, stored data exists in a specific printing apparatus or a user's PC, and the stored image data or print data is from other than the specific printing apparatus or PC. It was not easy to be reused.

  The present invention effectively reduces the load on the storage device of the printing device by effectively using the storage device built in the information processing device on the network, and reduces the user's operation by providing means for reusing the stored data. An object is to provide a means for speeding up the processing.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus connected to the network and making a print request;
History information storage means for storing the print request as history information;
Output data conversion means for converting print data accompanying a print request into output data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and comparison for comparing the contents of the history information stored in the previous history information storage means with the print request from the information processing apparatus Means,
In a printing system comprising a printing device connected to a network and printing output data,
The printing system further includes control means for controlling the system,
As a result of comparison by the comparison means, if there is no matching history information,
The control means creates output data by the output data conversion means, prints out from the printing apparatus, designates an information processing apparatus on the network that stores the output data according to the history information, and the history information Update
When there is matching history information as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the control means transfers the output data stored from the information processing apparatus on the network according to the history information and prints it by the printing apparatus. The history information is updated while outputting.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
An information processing apparatus connected to the network and making a print request;
A history information storage step of storing the print request as history information in a history information storage means;
An output data conversion step for converting print data associated with a print request into output data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and a comparison for comparing the print request from the information processing apparatus and the history information stored in the previous history information storage means Process,
In a printing control method comprising a printing apparatus connected to a network and printing output data,
The printing control method further includes a control step. As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, when there is no matching history information,
The control step creates output data by the output data conversion step, prints out from the printing device, designates an information processing device on the network that stores the output data according to the history information, and the history information Update
As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, if there is matching history information,
The control step transfers the output data stored from the information processing apparatus on the network according to the history information, prints it out by the printing apparatus, and updates the history information.

In order to achieve the above object, a printing control method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A printing control device,
A storage unit for storing, as history information, data of a print job printed and printed in the past;
Based on the comparison between the print request input from the information processing apparatus and the history information,
If the print request is in the history information, print processing is performed using print job data stored in the storage unit according to the history information,
If not, it has a control means for performing print processing using newly generated print job data transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a user repeatedly prints a file, it is possible to output the image data and print data from the history information and perform printing processing at high speed. In addition, the storage area can be expanded by distributing apparatuses for storing image data and print data to image forming apparatuses or information processing apparatuses on a network.

  Hereinafter, a print data output process for reducing the load on the storage device of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1 is an example of a configuration diagram of a print data processing system according to the present invention. The host computer 10, the database server 20, the network 30, the Internet 40, and the printing device 60 are configured.

  The host computer 10 is a device that can make a print request to the printing apparatus 60, and transfers page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL) data to the printing apparatus 60 over the network 30. In addition, a storage device 11 such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) is provided. The PDL data includes output destination information (printing device 60 in FIG. 1) in addition to print data in which print positions of characters and images are designated by coordinates, or graphics such as circles and squares are described in a text format. Form information or macro instructions are added. Examples of PDL include Canon's LIPS (registered trademark) and Adobe's PostScript (registered trademark). Any electronic device can be used as long as it can request output from the printing apparatus 60 instead of the host computer 10. The print request history, PDL data, form information or macro instruction, and image data processed by the printing apparatus 60 described later can be stored for each category such as user or group.

  The database server 20 is a database and is equipped with a storage device such as the HDD 21. Although the database is installed in the database server 20, it is not shown here. Similar to the host computer 10, the information device on the network 30 processed the print request history, PDL data, form information or macro instruction, the printing device 60 described later, or a printing device connected to the network 30. Image data can be stored for each category such as user or group. The database may be installed in another client PC on the network 30 or a storage device in the server.

  The network 30 is connected to the host computer 10 and the printing apparatus 60, other client PCs and servers on the network 30 (not shown here), and communicates by transmitting and receiving data via the network I / F. For example, a LAN or a public line can be used.

  The Internet 40 is an information network that can communicate with information devices all over the world. Although not shown here, the network 30 is connected to the Internet 40 via a router, a firewall, or the like.

  The printing device 60 is a main body device such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral Device), a FAX device, or a printer device that includes a document scanning function, a printing function, and a BOX function. A control system configuration of the printing apparatus 60 is shown in FIG.

  The controller unit 100 is connected to a scanner 200 as an image input device and a printer 300 as an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a network such as a LAN 500 or a telephone line 600 to input / output image information and device information. Controller.

  The CPU 103 functions as a controller that controls the entire digital multi-function peripheral.

  A RAM 107 is a system work memory for the CPU 103 to operate, and is also used as an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

  The ROM 108 is used as a boot ROM, and stores a boot program for the digital multifunction peripheral.

  An HDD 109 is a hard disk drive and stores system software, image data, and the like. The HDD 109 may store information such as an image output speed and an installation position related to a node connected to the network (LAN 500) for each address. A node means a terminal or network device connected to a network. Similarly to the host computer 10, the information device on the network 30 unique to the present invention is connected to the history, PDL data, form information or macro command, the printing device 60 described later, or the network 30. It is possible to store image data processed by a printing apparatus for each category such as a user or a group.

  When storing a file such as image data from the host computer 10 to the database server 20 or other information device on the network, or from the printing device 60 to the database server 20 or other information device on the network, for example, the FTP protocol Or SMB protocol used for file sharing in Windows (registered trademark) 98 / Me / 2000 / XP.

  The operation of the entire printing system is controlled by the host computer 10, the printing device 60, or the database server 20, or in cooperation with each other.

  The operation unit I / F 104 is an interface unit with the operation unit 400 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 400 to the operation unit 400. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user from the operation unit 400 to the CPU 103.

  A network I / F 105 is connected to the LAN 500 and inputs / outputs information. The MODEM 106 is connected to the public line 600 and performs modulation / demodulation processing for data transmission / reception.

  The above devices are arranged on the system bus 101.

  The image bus I / F 110 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 101 and the image bus 102 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure.

  The image bus 102 is configured by a high-speed bus such as a PCI bus, IEEE1394, or PCI Express (registered trademark).

  The following devices are arranged on the image bus 102. A PDL accelerator 111, which is a raster image processor, expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The PDL accelerator 111 can also input / output an intermediate code called a display list from the PDL. When a display list is input, the PDL accelerator 111 converts the display list into a bitmap image. When outputting a display list, it is mainly used for temporary storage. The device I / F unit 112 connects the scanner 100 and the printer 300, which are image input / output devices, to the controller 100, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner image processing unit 700 corrects, processes, and edits input image data.

  The printer image processing unit 800 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like according to the printer on the print output image data. The image compression unit 115 performs compression / decompression processing of JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

  Here, the PDL accelerator has been described to handle PDL data, that is, a page description language, but may be configured to handle BDL, that is, a band description language (Band Description Language). In this case, the page is divided and processed in band units.

<Image input unit (scanner)>
FIG. 3 shows an overview of the scanner that is the image input unit.

  The scanner unit 200, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The manuscript paper is set on the tray 202 of the manuscript feeder 201, and when the user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 400, the controller CPU 103 gives an instruction to the scanner 200, and the feeder 201 feeds the manuscript paper one by one to copy the manuscript image. Perform a read operation.

<Image output unit (printer)>
FIG. 4 shows an overview of a printer that is an image output unit.

  The printer unit 300, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 103. The printer unit 300 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and paper cassettes 302, 303, 304, and 305 corresponding to the paper feed stages are mounted. A paper discharge tray 306 receives paper that has been printed. Although not shown here, it is also possible to bind the output sheets by sorting the output order, performing double-sided printing, or enlarging / reducing by an instruction from the controller CPU 103 by a stapling device.

<Scanner image processing unit>
The configuration of the scanner image processing unit 700 is shown in FIG.

  The image bus I / F controller 701 is connected to the image bus 102 and controls the bus access sequence, and generates control and timing of each device in the scanner image processing unit 700. The image area separation processing unit 703 determines an image area by detecting a character part from the input image, and generates an image area signal used for subsequent image processing. The table processing unit 704 performs table conversion in order to convert image data that is read luminance data into density data. The filter processing unit 705 performs a convolution operation with a digital spatial filter according to a purpose such as edge enhancement. For example, the editing unit 706 recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shading, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area.

  The processed image data is transferred to the image bus 102 via the image I / F bus controller 701 again.

<Printer image processing unit>
The configuration of the printer image processing unit 800 is shown in FIG.

  The image bus I / F controller 801 is connected to the image bus 102 and controls the bus access sequence and generates control and timing of each device in the printer image processing unit 800. The background removal processing unit 802 removes the background color when image data or the like obtained by reading a document having a light background color is sent. A color conversion processing unit 803 performs color conversion in accordance with the output characteristics of the printer. A resolution conversion unit 804 performs resolution conversion for converting image data received from the LAN 500 or the telephone line 600 into the resolution of the printer 300. The smoothing processing unit 805 performs a process of smoothing jaggy (image roughness appearing at a black and white border such as an oblique line) of the image data after resolution conversion.

<Operation unit>
FIG. 7 shows an operation unit 400 of a digital multi-function peripheral suitable for applying this embodiment. The liquid crystal operation panel 401 is a combination of a liquid crystal and a touch panel, and displays setting contents, soft keys, and the like. A start key 402 is a hard key for instructing the start of a copy operation and the like, and green and red LEDs are incorporated therein. The green LED lights when the start is possible and the red LED lights when the start is impossible. A stop key 403 is a hard key used to stop the operation. The hard key group 404 is provided with a numeric keypad, a clear key, a reset key, a guide key, and a user mode key.

  FIG. 8 shows a state where a normal copy screen is displayed on the liquid crystal operation panel 401. The setting display unit 411 displays a current operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral, a set magnification, a sheet, and the number of copies. The magnification soft key group 412 is provided with the same magnification, enlargement, reduction, and zoom keys that are soft keys relating to the magnification at the time of copying. The automatic reduction layout key 413 is a key used when designating an output layout such as 2in1, 4in1. The sorter key 414 is used when designating a processing method of output paper. A double-sided key 415 is used when double-sided printing is applied to an original or an output method. A paper selection key 416 is used when transitioning to a screen for designating the size, color, material, etc. of the output paper. The density designation key group 417 is a part for adjusting the density of the read or output image and displaying the setting contents. The application mode key 418 is used to move to the application mode screen. In the application mode, functions such as page continuous shooting, OHP insertion, frame erasing, negative / positive inversion, image repeat, and mirror image can be set.

  Also, there are tabs (not shown) on the upper or lower portion of the liquid crystal operation panel. In the above description, the copy tab has been selected. However, by selecting a transmission / FAX tab or a box tab (not shown), Transition to the mode screen.

<PDL accelerator>
FIG. 9 shows a typical schematic configuration diagram of the PDL accelerator 111. The CPU 3001 controls the entire accelerator via the local bus 3002 based on a control command from the program. The ROM 3003 stores a control program executed by the CPU 3001. The work RAM 3005 stores various types of information and also functions as a work area for the CPU 3001. The ASIC 3004 has a function of developing a raster image in the image memory 3006 based on a file described in a page description language. A hard disk unit 3011 is used for temporarily storing images. A compression / decompression circuit 3012 is used to compress a raster image and send data to the bus I / F 3007, or receive compressed data from the bus I / F 3007, decompress the data, and store it in the image memory 3006. . A bus I / F 3007 provides an interface between the system bus 102 and the local bus 3002, and has a DMA 3009 inside thereof. Data can be transferred and received from the system bus 102 from 3014. The DMA 3009 is activated by the CPU 3001 based on a program or a control command that activates the DMA 3009.

  The system configuration in the printing apparatus 60 has been described above.

<Print data output processing>
The print data output process of the present invention using the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user executes a printing process in S1, the printing apparatus or the server managing the database receives a printing command (printing request).

  The server that manages the printing apparatus or database that has received the print processing command (print processing request) in S2 detects the user name and group name of the command transmission source. It may be detected by authenticating the user when receiving the print command.

  In S3, a history file as shown in FIG. 11 is read based on the information detected in S2. Here, it is assumed that the history file is stored in the storage device in the information processing apparatus on the server managing the printing apparatus or database, or on the network, and is accessible at any time. If the history file has been successfully read, the process proceeds to S4. If the history file has failed to be read, the process proceeds to S6.

  In S4, it is determined whether or not the history file read in S3 matches the contents of the print command. For example, when a file PC 1-9p and double-sided printing request is made from a client PC on the network, the file is compared with the history file of FIG. If it matches the contents in the file, the process proceeds to S5, and if not, the process proceeds to S6. In the case of the above example, since there is a match, the process proceeds to S5.

  In step S5, in accordance with the contents stored in the history file, a command is transmitted to transfer the image data and print setting data stored in the output destination apparatus from the storage destination apparatus. In the above example, the history file storage destination of FIG. 11 is 192.168.0.234, so this apparatus is accessed and the file image data of “file1.doc” is transferred to the printing apparatus name MFP A. Send instructions. If the data has been successfully transferred, the process proceeds to S7, and if the transfer has failed, the process proceeds to S6. Here, it is assumed that the image data and the print setting data may be compressed, and the expansion can be performed at either the output destination or the storage source.

  In S6, the PDL code is developed into image data (bitmap image) in the printer image processing 800 in accordance with the print command, and the process proceeds to S7 and S8.

  In S7, the printer 300 prints out the image data transferred and developed in S5 and S6.

  In S8, a history setting file set in advance is read. If the reading is successful, the process proceeds to S9. If the reading is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S11. The history setting file will be described later.

  In S9, the image data developed in S6 is stored in the corresponding apparatus according to the history setting file read in S8. For example, the history setting file of FIG. 13 is read and the storage destination is determined to be MFP A. Here, if the storage capacity is insufficient or the corresponding device cannot be accessed, it is stored in another device, or if there is no storage capacity, the oldest history is deleted. Note that the storage timing is stored at the end of printing so as not to reduce the printing throughput.

  The content processed in the history file in S10 is updated.

  Printing ends at S11.

  Next, a method for creating / updating the history setting file will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Note that the following settings are made from a printing apparatus and a client PC connected to the network. The history setting file can be created / updated at any time. For example, the history file can be edited such as when a new printer is registered, when the printer to be used is changed, or at any desired time of the user. .

  At T1, history setting file creation / update as shown in FIG. 13 is started.

  At T2, user, client PC, and printing device information is read. Note that user authentication may be performed when a history file is created / updated, and data acquired at the time of authentication may be read. If reading (authentication) is successful, the process proceeds to T3. If the reading fails, the process proceeds to T7, and the history setting file creation / update ends.

  At T3, the history setting file is read based on the information acquired at T2. Here, it is assumed that the storage location of the setting file is known by each device. If the setting file can be read, the process proceeds to T4. If the reading fails, the process proceeds to T7, and the history setting file creation / update ends.

  At T4, based on the information read at T2 and T3, device information usable by the user or device is detected from the network. Further, when a server on the network is managing, information may be acquired from the server.

  At T5, the storage destination is set from the device detected at T4.

  At T6, the storage destination capacity is set. The capacity may be limited by each user / device.

  At T7, the history setting file creation / update ends.

[Other Embodiments]
The above is the description of the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be configured to achieve the functions shown in the claims or the functions of the configurations of the embodiments. Anything is applicable.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and store the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium and program storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  The storage medium for supplying the program code is, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD + R, DVD + RW. Magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Example of use of network system suitable for applying this embodiment Control system configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral suitable for applying this embodiment Scanner overview Printer overview Configuration of scanner image processing unit Configuration of printer image processing unit Operation unit of digital multi-function peripheral suitable for applying this embodiment LCD panel display example in the operation unit Overview of PDL accelerator Flow chart showing print data output processing Table showing setting example of history file Flow chart showing setting means of history setting file Table showing setting example of history setting file

Claims (21)

An information processing apparatus connected to the network and making a print request;
History information storage means for storing the print request as history information;
Output data conversion means for converting print data accompanying a print request into output data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and comparison for comparing the print request from the information processing apparatus and the history information stored in the history information storage means Means,
In a printing system comprising a printing device connected to a network and printing output data,
The printing system further includes control means for controlling the system,
As a result of comparison by the comparison means, if there is no matching history information,
The control means creates output data by the output data conversion means, prints out from the printing apparatus, designates an information processing apparatus on the network that stores the output data according to the history information, and the history information Update
When there is matching history information as a result of the comparison by the comparison means, the control means transfers the output data stored from the information processing apparatus on the network according to the history information and prints it by the printing apparatus. A printing system that outputs and updates the history information.   The history information storage unit stores any one of a print setting, a print output destination device name, a print data file name, a print date, a printed user name, and a save destination included in the print request. The printing system according to claim 1.   3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the history information is updated by storing, in the history information storage unit, processing contents by the control unit based on a comparison result of the comparison unit. The history information storage means further includes history setting information,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the history setting information stores one of an IP address, a user name, a printing device name, and a storage capacity of an information processing device on the network.   5. The printing system according to claim 4, further comprising history setting information editing means capable of creating or updating the history setting information in the history information storage means.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is PDL data, and the output data is bitmap data.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is an intermediate code.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is bitmap data.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is an intermediate code. An information processing apparatus connected to the network and making a print request;
A history information storage step of storing the print request as history information in a history information storage means;
An output data conversion step for converting print data accompanying a print request into output data that can be output by the printing apparatus, and a comparison for comparing the print request from the information processing apparatus and the contents of the history information stored in the history information storage means Process,
In a printing control method comprising a printing apparatus connected to a network and printing output data,
The printing control method further includes a control step. As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, when there is no matching history information,
The control step creates output data by the output data conversion step, prints out from the printing device, designates an information processing device on the network that stores the output data according to the history information, and the history information Update
As a result of the comparison in the comparison step, if there is matching history information,
According to the history information, the control step transfers the output data stored from the information processing apparatus on the network, prints out the print apparatus, and updates the history information. .   The history information storage unit stores any one of a print setting, a print output destination device name, a print data file name, a print date, a printed user name, and a save destination included in the print request. The printing control method according to claim 10.   The printing control method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the history information is updated by causing the history information storage means to store the processing contents of the control step based on a comparison result of the comparison step. The history information storage means further includes history setting information,
The print control method according to claim 10, wherein the history setting information stores any one of an IP address, a user name, a printing apparatus name, and a storage capacity of an information processing apparatus on the network.   14. The print control method according to claim 13, wherein the history information storage step includes history setting information editing means capable of creating or updating the history setting information.   The print control method according to claim 10, wherein the print data is PDL data, and the output data is bitmap data.   The print control method according to claim 10, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is an intermediate code.   The print control method according to claim 10, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is bitmap data.   The print control method according to claim 10, wherein the print data is BDL data, and the output data is an intermediate code.   A program for causing a computer to execute the printing control method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 19. A printing control device,
A storage unit for storing, as history information, data of a print job printed and printed in the past;
Based on the comparison between the print request input from the information processing apparatus and the history information,
If the print request is in the history information, print processing is performed using print job data stored in the storage unit according to the history information,
If not, a print control apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs print processing using newly generated print job data transmitted from the information processing apparatus.

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