JP2006092164A - Data processing method, data processing program and data processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability and operating efficiency at the time of connecting data to be inputted from peripheral equipment such as a scanner in various processing jobs such as a print job. <P>SOLUTION: A print server 12 is provided with a data managing part 50, and the setting of insertion data is extracted from a print job where data insertion is set, and the output request of data is made to a server 48 to which external equipment 64 is connected based on the extracted setting. In this case, data ID is added to every requested data. The server is provided with a requested data managing part 82, and when requested data are outputted, the data ID is added. In the data management part, the insertion data are collected while being collated based on the data ID, and when the insertion data are prepared, data connection and print processing based on the setting is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing method, a data processing program, and a data processing system that perform processing such as concatenation of data of various processing jobs such as a print job.

  In an image processing terminal such as a personal computer or a workstation, various types of documents can be created by performing document creation, editing, image creation, processing editing, and the like. Also, networking has become widespread, and image processing terminals can read images (image data) from peripheral devices such as scanners connected to the network, and create a document with the read image pages inserted. ing.

  By the way, when inserting a page of an image read by a scanner or the like, if the image has not been read yet until the document is printed, after the document is printed out, the image read by the scanner or the like is printed out. It is necessary to manually insert a newly printed image page into a document that has been printed out.

  In order to prevent this, it is necessary to read the image before the document printing process and insert the read image at a predetermined position in the document to perform the printing process. Later, an operation of inserting the read image into the document occurs on the image processing terminal.

  At this time, when inserting a large number of originals into a document, it is necessary to make sure that the order is correct. For this reason, if an image is read from one scanner, it takes time.

  From here, when dividing a large number of documents and reading each of the divided documents with different scanners, the scanner is controlled in this reading order by inputting the reading order, and the read images are set in the set order. A document reading method for rearranging has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, regarding rearrangement of documents read from a plurality of scanners, a proposal has been made to add a reading time to data scanned by a scanner and rearrange the data based on the reading time (for example, (See Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, in any case, after reading an image, it is necessary to insert the read image into a document on the image processing terminal.

  From this point, a data processing method has been proposed in which information input from a plurality of designated input sources is displayed as icons, and the order of connection is set by the arrangement of the icons (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  However, even in this method, in order to perform document printing processing, it is necessary to give a print instruction to a document in which information (data) is linked.

From here, an insert mark is given to the position where the image read by the scanner or the like is inserted into the print job, and when the print job with this insert mark is executed, the print job is stored in advance based on the insert mark. There has been proposed a server apparatus that reads out and inserts a current image and executes print processing (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-191011 JP 2002-33879 A JP 2000-315130 A JP 2002-82794 A

  However, even in the method proposed in Patent Document 4, an image to be inserted into a print job needs to be read in advance by a scanner and stored in a storage unit. In particular, when the image processing terminal used by the user and the scanner that reads the image are located at a distance, the work efficiency of the created document print processing is deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and in various processing jobs such as a print job, a data processing method capable of improving work efficiency when connecting data input from a peripheral device such as a scanner, The object is to propose a data processing program and a data processing system.

  In order to achieve the above object, a data processing method according to the present invention is a data processing method for concatenating insert data in a document, and the insertion position of the insert data together with the external device and data information used for inputting the insert data. By inputting a data connection instruction including the data ID, a data ID set for each of the inserted data is added to the data information and the output of the data is requested. When outputting, the data is processed based on the data information and the data ID is added, and the data with the data ID is input from the external device, so that the corresponding data is converted into the data ID. Based on the data connection instruction, and the collected insertion data is collected at a predetermined timing. Wherein the data connection processing based on.

  According to the present invention, a data ID is set for each insertion data, the data ID is added to the data information, and an output of the data as the insertion data is requested to the external device. When data is requested, the external device performs processing based on the data information for the requested data and outputs the data together with the data ID.

  At this time, for example, when an image is read by specifying any scanner as an external device, the image is read at the specified resolution and image size by specifying the resolution and image size as data information, A data ID is added to the read image data and output.

  This data is accumulated as insertion data for each data concatenation instruction based on the data ID, and concatenated to the document based on the data concatenation instruction.

  As a result, even when a large number of data connection instructions are processed in parallel as processing jobs, it is possible to accurately collect insertion data for each data connection instruction.

  Also, even if data to be inserted data is input at an arbitrary timing and in an arbitrary order, it can be accurately collected, and operations and operations for data connection processing are facilitated.

  In such a data connection method of the present invention, when a data input time limit is set as the data information, the same data ID is input by inputting the same data ID within the data input time limit. Of the inserted data collected when the processing time limit is reached when a processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction. You may perform a connection process.

  Further, in the data connection method of the present invention, when a data input time limit is set as the data information, and when a processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction, except for uncollected insertion data in the data input time limit, Data concatenation processing may be performed at the processing deadline. As a result, the data concatenation processing is not executed at the processing deadline or the data concatenation processing is delayed from the processing deadline due to the lack of insertion data. Can be prevented.

  Such a data processing program for achieving the present invention is a data processing program for concatenating insert data into a document, and the insertion position of the insert data together with the external device and data information used for inputting the insert data. A data connection instruction including: a step of adding an ID for specifying data to the data information in response to the received data processing instruction, and requesting output of data to the external device; When the data with the data ID added is input, the step of collecting and holding the data as insertion data of the corresponding data ID, and the collected insertion data at the predetermined timing based on the data connection instruction And a step of performing a connection process, and the external device side may include the data. Receiving the request, performing a process based on the data information on the requested data, and adding the data ID to the data subjected to the process based on the data information and outputting the data Steps may be included.

  In the data processing program of the present invention, when the input deadline of the insertion data is set as the data information, the data with the same data ID added within the input deadline is input. The step of updating the insertion data of the corresponding data ID can be included.

  A data processing system to which the present invention is applied is suitable for a data processing system that concatenates insert data into a document, and inserts the insert data together with the external device and data information and data information used to input the insert data. A connection instruction input means for inputting a data connection instruction including a position, and when the data connection instruction is input, a data ID is added to each of the inserted data and a data input request is sent to the external device together with the data information. Data request means for outputting, and requested data management provided for the external device to perform processing based on the data information and add the data ID when outputting data based on the data input request And the data ID of the data input from the request data management means Data management means for collecting the insertion data for each data connection instruction, and data connection means for connecting the insertion data collected by the data management means to the insertion position based on the data connection instruction. I just need it.

  In the data processing system of the present invention, when a data input deadline is set in the data information of the insertion data, the data management means has the same data ID as the corresponding insertion data until the data input deadline. What is necessary is just to update the inserted data to the input data every time the added data is input. When the processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction, the data connection means What is necessary is just to perform a data connection process using only the insertion data collected by the data management means when the time limit is reached.

  Furthermore, the data processing system of the present invention may include an editing means that enables addition or deletion of the insertion data for each data connection instruction, whereby a data connection instruction such as a change of insertion data can be included. Changes can be made easily.

  In the data connection instruction of the present invention, the importance level is set for each insertion data. For example, the data connection processing is executed when insertion data having a high importance level is prepared, or until the processing deadline set in advance is reached. If insertion data with high importance is not available, it is possible to apply such as requesting input of the corresponding insertion data.

  In the data processing system of the present invention, the data management means collects data input from a plurality of different request data management means, and outputs the data when the requested data is collected. First management means and second management means for collecting the data input from the plurality of first management means, wherein the data processing means is collected by the second management means A concatenation process can be performed using the insertion data.

  Furthermore, the data processing system of the present invention can include a print processing unit that performs a printing process based on the data generated by the data processing unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately collect insertion data for each processing job, and it is possible to input insertion data at an arbitrary timing from a designated external device. The excellent effect that the troublesomeness of the work at the time can be eliminated is obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network 10 according to the present embodiment. In this network 10, a plurality of networks 10A, 10B,... Each forming a local LAN, for example, are connected by a router 12, for example.

  The network 10A is connected to a print server 14 as an image processing apparatus and a client PC 16 such as a personal computer or a workstation as an image processing terminal.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print server 14 is provided with a network interface (network I / F) 18, and the client PC 16 is provided with a network I / F 20. The print server 14 and the client PC 16 are connected to the network so that various types of data can be transmitted and received.

  The client PC 16 is provided with an application 22 and a driver 24 such as a printer driver. In the client PC 16, processing such as creation, processing, and editing of a document or an image can be performed using the application 22, thereby enabling creation of a document. The client PC 16 can transmit the created document as a processing job such as a print job. At this time, the client PC 16 can use the driver 24 to set processing settings such as various print settings.

  On the other hand, the print server 14 is provided with a bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) 26, and is connected to the printer 30 via the bidirectional I / F 26 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication.

  Such a print server 14 can be configured by adding a PCI board having a predetermined function to a personal computer (PC). The print server 14 includes input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse, and display devices such as a CRT display and an LCD, and may include a print processing function (WYSIWYG function) for a display image of the display device. Various processes and settings can be performed by the display and the input operation using the input device.

  The print server 14 is provided with an image processing unit 32 as well as an operation control of the print server 14 and a print controller 30 that controls print processing using the printer 28. The image processing unit 36 performs various image processing on the print job and performs RIP processing, thereby generating raster data to be output as print data to the printer 28.

  The print server 14 is provided with a function setting unit 34. In the client PC 16, when a created document is transmitted as a print job or a processing job, it is possible to set a print function and various processing functions using the driver 24.

  When the function setting unit 34 receives a print job or a processing job transmitted from the client PC 16, the function setting unit 34 determines the set function and performs processing setting according to the set function.

  The image processing unit 32 performs image processing and RIP processing based on the functions set here, and the print controller 30 controls the operation of the printer 28 so that printing processing based on these settings is executed.

  Thus, the print server 14 can obtain a print output based on the print job from the printer 28 by transmitting the print job from the client PC 16.

  The print server 14 receives the normal print job from the client PC 16 and sequentially spools the print job to the processing queue, reads the print job from the processing queue, and performs image processing and RIP processing. . In the print server 14, the raster data generated by the RIP process is spooled in a print queue, and the raster data is sequentially output from the print queue to the printer 28 as print data. It has a configuration.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the printer 28, a printer 36 and a scanner 40 are connected to the network 10 as external devices. The printer 36 and the scanner 38 are connected to the network 10B (10) via a print server 40 and a scanner server 42 that control the operations of the printer 36 and the scanner 38, respectively. Note that a file server 44 or the like may be connected to the network 10B (10).

  As a result, the image (image data) read by the scanner 38 can be read by the print servers 14 and 40 and the file server 44 as well as the client PC 16. Further, the basic functions of the print server 40 are the same as those of the print server 14, thereby enabling print processing using the printer 36.

  In this embodiment, the print server 14 and the client PC 16 are connected to the network 10A, and the print server 40, the scanner server 42, and the file server 44 are connected to the network 10B. However, these connections are limited to this. It is not a thing.

  In the following description, the print server 14 and the scanner 28 will be mainly described. When the external devices other than the printer are collectively referred to as the external device 46, the servers other than the print server 14 are collectively referred to as the server 48. In the following description, the scanner 38 is mainly used as the external device 46 for reading data. However, the external device applied to the present invention is not limited to this, and various types of data such as image data on the network 10. Can output image data from storage media such as HDDs, FDs, CDs, DVDs, and MOs, as well as copiers, facsimiles, and other imaging devices such as digital cameras and digital video cameras. Can be included.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print server 14 is provided with a data management unit 50 and an HDD 52 for storing various types of information and used for data spooling. In the data management unit 50, an external device 46 (server 48) such as a scanner 38 (scanner server 42) connected to the network 10 is registered. In the print server 14, data from the registered external device 46 is registered. Can be read.

  For example, the external device 46 is registered in the data management unit 50 using information that can identify the external device 46 such as the server name and address of the server 48 to which the external device 46 is connected.

  FIG. 3A shows a registration list dialog 54 as an example of a user interface (UI) indicating the external device 48 registered in the print server 14. In the registration list dialog 54, the registered external devices 46 are displayed in order of the registration number for each type of the external device 46 such as a scanner or a print server.

  In the print server 14, the external device 46 can be registered and the registered external device 46 can be deleted from the registration list dialog 54 of the external device 46. For example, the external device 46 is newly registered. When doing so, an empty number is designated from the type of the corresponding external device 46.

  FIG. 3B shows a main part of a registration dialog 56 as an example of a user interface (UI) used for registering the external device 46 in the print server 14.

  In the registration dialog 56, for example, the type of the external device 46 for registering the printer 36 (print server 40) or the scanner 38 (scanner server 42), the registration number, and a server for specifying the external device 46 on the network 10. 48 addresses and server names are input, and the registration button 58 is operated.

  As a result, the external device 46 is registered in the print server 14. The external device 46 may be registered not only on the print server 14 but also from the client PC 16 or each server 48.

  In the data management unit 50 of the print server 12, by registering the external device 46, an identification number is assigned to each registered external device 46, and the registered external device 46 is managed based on this identification number.

  On the other hand, in the client PC 16 connected to the print server 14, data such as an image input from the external device 46 is entered in the document created by the application 22 from the setting of the print option using the driver, the scan option or the copy option. Data concatenation designation such as insertion of used pages is possible.

  FIG. 4A shows an insertion list dialog 60 as an example of a user interface used for setting page insertion on the client PC 16. In the insertion list dialog 60, a list of insertion pages (insertion data) on a document for specifying data insertion is displayed, and by operating the add button 62, new insertion data can be set. The insertion data can be deleted by selecting one from the above and operating the delete button 64.

  FIG. 4B shows an outline of an insertion setting dialog 66 as an example of a user interface displayed by operating the add button 62.

  In the insertion setting dialog 66, the position to be inserted, the type of equipment used when inputting data (external equipment 46 to be used), the registration number on the print server 14, and the data ID for specifying the data to be inserted are submitted. A deadline (data entry deadline) can be set. In addition, the importance of the inserted page may be set.

  As the data insertion position, in addition to expressions such as “insert after n pages”, expressions such as “insert before n pages” may be used. In addition, as a process when concatenating data, not only insertion but replacement (replacement of n pages), composition (composition to n pages), and the like are possible, and these processes may be selectable.

  That is, in this embodiment, “data insertion” is described as one of the data connections, but it can be applied to processes such as “data replacement” and “data composition”.

  In the insertion setting dialog 66, data insertion is set by operating the OK button 68, and the set insertion data is displayed in the insertion list dialog 60 shown in FIG. When data is inserted using the scanner 38 or the like, the data size, resolution, color correction conditions, and the like may be set as options, and it is more preferable to provide such option settings.

  The data ID for specifying the data to be inserted is set by the print server 14 by sending a print job or processing job in which data insertion is set to the print server 14, and is notified to the client PC 16 of the transmission source. This is preferable because it can prevent duplication of data IDs.

  Further, in the client PC 16, when a plurality of jobs are connected to form one job, data input from the external device 46 can be inserted between the jobs.

  On the other hand, data connection such as page insertion can also be set on the print server 14. At this time, it is sufficient that not only data insertion within one job (document) but also connection of a plurality of jobs and data insertion (page insertion) between the connected jobs are possible. Further, when inserting a page in a job on the print server 14, a UI similar to that used for the client PC 16 can be used.

  FIG. 5A shows a main part of a job insertion list dialog 70 as an example of a user interface when connecting data input from the external device 46 to a job on the print server 14.

  In the job insertion list dialog 70, it is possible to input the job name of the linked job and the designation of the output date / time. By inputting the designation of the output date / time, processing is performed by the designated date / time.

  In the job insertion list dialog 70, a list of jobs and data to be connected is displayed in the order of connection, and the order can be changed, that is, the connection order can be set by operating the up key 72A and the down key 72B.

  Here, by selecting a job or data from the list and operating the delete button 74, the selected job or data can be deleted (deleted from the list). Further, by operating the add button 76, the data to be linked can be put in the list.

  FIG. 5B shows a main part of the insertion setting dialog 78 displayed by operating the add button 76. In this insertion setting dialog 78, it is possible to set the type, registration number, data ID for specifying data, submission deadline, and importance of the external device 46 used for data input. The set data is displayed in a list in the job insertion list dialog 70 shown in FIG. 5A, and the connection position (order) can be set by operating the up key 72A and the down key 72B. Note that in the insertion setting dialog 78 shown in FIG. 5B, when an image is read by the scanner 38 or the like, options such as size, resolution, and color correction conditions may be set.

  In the print server 14, data insertion (page insertion) is also possible for jobs to be linked. When inserting pages into a job, for example, jobs displayed in the job insertion list dialog 70 are displayed. It is only necessary to select and display the insertion list dialog 60 shown in FIG. 4A to insert data.

  Note that by using the job insertion list dialog 70 shown in FIG. 5A and the insertion setting dialog 78 shown in FIG. 5B, setting of job connection on the client PC 16 and data insertion between jobs is performed. It can be carried out.

  When the print server 14 receives a processing job such as a print job in which data insertion such as page insertion is designated, the print server 14 requests the server 48 managing the corresponding external device 46 to output data. That is, when it is designated to read data from the scanner 38, the data is specified by the data ID to the scanner server 42, and the output of the corresponding data is requested.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a request data management unit 82 is provided in the server 48 that controls the operation of the external device 46 such as the scanner server 42 to which the scanner 38 is connected.

  The request data management unit 82 creates a list of request data based on requested data (data ID). This list can be displayed on a display (display device) (not shown) provided in the server 48.

  FIG. 6A shows an outline of a list (request data list 84) displayed on the scanner server 42 as an example of the server 48. In the request data list 84, the request source, the data ID of the request data, the submission deadline, and the like are displayed.

  In addition, when the requested data has a designation such as option setting, the requested data management unit 82 manages the designated content as a requested data option. For example, when reading an image using the scanner 38, size, resolution, color correction parameters, and the like can be set, and the settings at this time are managed as request data options by the request data management unit 82 of the scanner server 42. .

  Here, for example, when any of the requested data (image) is read using the scanner 38, the document on which the image is recorded is loaded into the scanner 38. At the same time, a dialog for specifying input data is displayed on a display device (not shown) provided in the scanner server 42.

  As such a user interface, for example, an input data designation dialog 86 shown in FIG. 6B or an input data designation dialog 88 shown in FIG. 6C can be used.

  In the input data dialog 86 shown in FIG. 6B, a list of data requested by the scanner server 42 is displayed, and the data ID of data to be input can be designated from this list. In the input data designation dialog 88 shown in FIG. 6C, the data ID is entered in the box 88A.

  As a result, when an image is read by the scanner 38, the scanner server 42 adds a data ID to the image data of the read image and outputs the data ID to the print server 14 that is the request source. At this time, if there is an option setting for the request data, image reading is performed based on the option setting.

  This makes it possible to output the requested data accurately. For example, when data is input using the scanner 38 or the like, desired data can be input with a simple operation without setting the resolution, the image size, and the like.

  In addition, as a method for designating the data to be input (data ID), a simple display such that the user (client) does not make an input error such as a requested data ID and a job name for combining the read data. Any configuration can be applied as long as it is performed.

  On the other hand, when the requested data is input, the print server 14 concatenates and holds the data based on the insertion setting.

  The print server 14 can display the progress of data connection. FIG. 7A shows a main part of a job dialog 90 as an example of a user interface for displaying progress. The job dialog 90 has substantially the same basic configuration as the job insertion list dialog 70 (see FIG. 5A), and can be used in place of the job insertion list dialog 70.

  In the job dialog 90, re-editing of data connection (data insertion) is possible. Further, in the job dialog 90, it is made clear which data is lacking by displaying “acquired” (OK display) or “unacquired” (not displayed) for each data.

  Further, in the job dialog 90, editing of data insertion into the job can be performed by selecting the job displayed in the list. FIG. 7B shows an edit dialog 94 as an example of a user interface used for job data editing. In this edit dialog 94, information for specifying the data insertion position and data to be inserted is displayed. By operating the add button 96, data insertion can be added, and by operating the delete button 98, The insertion setting of the displayed data can be deleted.

  The job dialog 90 is provided with a forced print button 92. By operating the forced print button 92, print processing using data collected and held so far is executed.

  As described above, the data management unit 50 (see FIG. 2) of the print server 14 acquires the corresponding data together with the data ID of the data necessary for each job and the information that can identify the external device 46 that requested the data. Holds whether or not. FIG. 8 shows an outline of the list (request data list 100) at that time, and the data management unit 50 of the print server 14 makes a data request to each server 48 based on the request data list 100. At the same time, the data (data ID) sent from the server 48 is collated.

  Here, when all the requested data is obtained for any job, the input data is connected based on the designation, and the printing process is executed.

  In the print server 14 configured as described above, when a document or the like created by the client PC 16 is sent as a print job, the print function setting is determined, image processing based on the set print function, RIP Processing and printing processing are executed.

  As a result, the print job document is printed out from the printer 28.

  By the way, the print server 14 and the client PC 16 can insert pages (data insertion) into a document or a linked job in which documents are linked.

  The print server 14 performs job management when data insertion is set or a job with data insertion set is received.

  Here, an outline of data management in the data management unit 50 of the print server 14 will be described with reference to FIG. This flowchart receives a processing job such as a print job in which data insertion is designated (in this case, a print job is taken as an example), or the print server 14 inserts data into a job (connects data to linked jobs). (Including) is executed.

  In the first step 200, data to be inserted is extracted from a job for which data insertion is designated, and in step 202, a list of insertion data is created. Thereafter, in step 204, based on the insertion data list, a data output request is made to each of the servers 48 of the designated external device 46. At this time, the data ID is transmitted, and if there is an option setting for the requested data, the option setting is also transmitted.

  Thus, in the server 48 that has received the data output request, the request data management unit 82 creates a list of the requested data and manages the requested data.

  On the other hand, when the data management unit 50 of the print server 12 makes a data output request, in step 206 it is confirmed whether or not the data has been received. When data is received, an affirmative determination is made in step 206 and the process proceeds to step 208. Transition.

  In step 208, it is confirmed whether or not the received data is the requested data. At this time, it is confirmed whether or not a data ID is added to the received data. When the data ID is added, the data ID is verified.

  If the data IDs coincide with each other, it is determined that the requested data is requested, an affirmative determination is made in step 208, the process proceeds to step 210, and the received data is spooled.

  Thereafter, in step 212, it is confirmed whether all the requested data has been prepared. When all of the requested data has been prepared, an affirmative determination is made in step 212 and the process proceeds to step 214 to concatenate the data input to the corresponding job and Print processing is executed for the job for which connection has been completed (step 216). When the output date / time is specified, the printing process is executed at the specified output date / time.

  On the other hand, in step 218, which is shifted from a negative determination in step 206, it is checked whether there is any data that has not been input even though the submission deadline has been reached, and the submission deadline has been reached. If there is any data, an affirmative determination is made at step 218 and the routine proceeds to step 220. In step 220, the client PC 16 is notified that there is data that has not been input until the submission deadline.

  When the submission deadline is extended by this notification, an affirmative determination is made in step 222 to perform the deadline extension. If the deadline extension is not specified, the setting and server are set so that the corresponding data is removed (deleted) from the request data. 48 is notified.

  It should be noted that when data whose submission deadline has occurred occurs, it may be excluded from the request data only as a notification, or may be excluded from the request data without notification.

  On the other hand, in step 226, it is confirmed whether or not the output date and time set for the print job has been reached, and if the output date and time is reached and an affirmative determination is made in step 226, even though the insertion data is not complete, step 226 is performed. Move to 228. In this step 228, the client PC 16 is notified that the output date and time has been reached, and if there is an output instruction from the client PC 16, an affirmative determination is made in step 228 and the process proceeds to step 214, and only the collected data is concatenated. Perform the printing process.

  If the output date / time is extended (changed) when it is notified that the output date / time has been reached, an affirmative determination is made in step 228 and the process proceeds to step 230 to change the output date / time and continue the process. Further, when the output date / time is reached, the process may be shifted to step 214 to perform the printing process without notifying the client PC 16.

  Further, as long as the insertion data set as important is prepared, the printing process may be executed even if there is data that has not been input.

  Further, until the output deadline is reached, a negative determination is made in step 226, so that the process proceeds to step 206 to accept data. At this time, by receiving data to which the same data ID is added, update processing for rewriting the data of the corresponding data ID is performed. In other words, data can be input until the output deadline or the submission deadline set for each data is reached, so that the latest data until the output deadline or submission deadline is reached. The processing used is made possible.

  On the other hand, the print server 14 can perform forced printing (forced printing) by opening the job dialog 90. In step 232, it is confirmed whether or not forced printing is instructed.

  If forced printing is indicated at this time, an affirmative determination is made in step 232, and the process proceeds to step 214. Only the data that has been input and spooled so far is connected, and the printing process is executed.

  As described above, the print server 14 collects the designated data by inputting the job in which the data concatenation is designated. Therefore, the client PC 16 performs the work of transmitting the job in which the data concatenation is designated. All you need to do is Further, since the data can be input from the external device 46 designated at an arbitrary timing, the external device 46 is not occupied for data input, and the external device 46 having a desired function is used. Data can be input from

  Furthermore, when inputting a plurality of data, it is possible to input them in an arbitrary order.

  In addition, the print server 14 can perform editing processing such as addition, deletion, and change of input data and change of an insertion position even for a job for which input has been completed. Printed output can be obtained.

  On the other hand, when data is inserted into a linked job or when data is inserted into a document, the original job or document is set as a template, and newly input data is linked to this template. Good.

  At this time, the template may be registered in the data management unit 50 of the print server 14 and the data to be inserted may be designated as the attachment rate.

  FIG. 10 shows a job insertion list dialog 102 as an example for instructing data insertion when using a template. In the job insertion list dialog 102, by selecting a template, jobs a, jobs b,... Set in the template are displayed. Further, by setting the insertion data, the set insertion data is displayed in order. FIG. 10 shows an example in which scan data a and b are inserted between jobs A and B.

  Thereby, for example, data input or the like can be performed at an arbitrary timing when performing insertion printing (variable printing) or the like.

  Further, the insertion data can be held in a state (raster data) processed by RIP, for example, and used in another data connection. At this time, for example, the selection is made based on the data ID or the like. FIG. 11 shows a data display dialog 104 as an example of a user interface when spooled data is used as insertion data. In the data display dialog 104, a thumbnail 106 of the data can be displayed together with the data ID.

  As a result, when spooled data is used as insertion data, the contents of the corresponding data can be easily and accurately confirmed.

  In this embodiment, the print server 12 centrally manages the data input from all the servers 48. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data input is distributedly managed by a plurality of servers 48 and input from each server 48. The collected data may be collected by the original print server 14 and the final data connection may be performed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 12, the external device 46 designated for data input (here, the external devices 46A to 46F) is divided into a plurality of groups, and one of the divided external device groups is By managing by one server 48, data input from the external device 46 is managed by a plurality of servers 48 (here, servers 48A and 48B). The print server 14 manages data collection at the servers 48A and 48B as the main server.

  At this time, if the collected data can be linked, the servers 48A and 48B perform the linkage process and output the print data to the print server 14. As a result, processing at the print server 14 can be reduced.

  In addition, this Embodiment demonstrated above does not limit the structure of this invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the print server 14 performs the insertion data concatenation and print processing, but the print server 40 can perform the same processing. In this embodiment, a print job has been described as an example. However, a job that has been subjected to data concatenation and data concatenation has been completed is a client PC 16 that is a request source, a client PC 16 that is designated as an output destination, or another server. It can be applied to a processing job to be transmitted to 48. Thus, in the present embodiment, the processing in the print server 14 is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to processing in other servers 48 such as the scanner server 42 and the file server 44.

  That is, the present invention is not limited to the print server 14 and can be applied to processing in an arbitrary server 48.

It is a schematic block diagram of the network applied to this Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows a print server and client PC. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for displaying a list of registered external devices, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for registering external devices. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for displaying a list of insertion data, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for setting data insertion. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for displaying a list of insertion data linked between jobs, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for setting data insertion. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a request data list, and (B) and (C) are schematic diagrams showing a user interface for designating input data. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for displaying the progress status, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user interface used for re-editing data insertion for a job selected from the user interface of (A). is there. It is the schematic which shows an example of a request data list. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of data management. It is the schematic which shows an example of the user interface when using a template. It is the schematic which shows an example of the user interface used for the data display when connecting the spooled data. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of distributed management of data.

Explanation of symbols

10 (10A, 10B) network 14 print server (data request means, data management means, second management means)
16 Client PC
28 Printer 32 Image Processing Unit 36 Printer (External Device)
38 Scanner (external device)
40 Print server (request data management means)
42 Scanner server (request data management means)
44 File server (request data management means)
46 External device 46A-46F External device 48 Server (request data management means)
48A, 48B server (first management means)
50 Data management section (data request means, data management means)
54 Registration List Dialog 56 Registration Dialog 60 Insert List Dialog 66 Insert Setting Dialog 70 Job Insert List Dialog 78 Insert Setting Dialog 82 Request Data Management Unit 86, 88 Input Data Specification Dialog 90 Job Dialog 94 Edit Dialog 100 Request Data List 102 Job Insert List Dialog 104 Data display dialog

Claims (13)

A data processing method for concatenating insert data into a document,
When the data connection instruction including the insertion position of the insertion data is input together with the external device used for inputting the insertion data and the data information, the data ID added to the data information for each insertion data is added to the data By requesting the output of
When the external device outputs data based on the request, it performs processing based on the data information and adds the data ID to the data,
By inputting the data with the data ID added from the external device, the corresponding data is collected for each data connection instruction based on the data ID,
A data processing method, wherein the collected insertion data is subjected to data connection processing based on the data connection instruction at a predetermined timing.   When a data input deadline is set as the data information, the data having the same data ID is input within the data input deadline, thereby updating the insertion data of the corresponding data ID to the input data. The data processing method according to claim 1.   3. The data according to claim 1, wherein when the processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction, the insertion processing of the inserted data collected when the processing time limit is reached is performed. Processing method.   When a data input deadline is set as the data information and a processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction, the data connection processing is performed at the processing time limit except for uncollected insertion data in the data input time limit. The data processing method according to claim 1, wherein the data processing method is a data processing method. A data processing program for concatenating insert data into a document,
A step of receiving a data connection instruction including an insertion position of the insertion data together with the external device and data information used for inputting the insertion data;
Adding an ID for specifying data to the data information in response to the received data processing instruction and requesting the external device to output data;
Collecting and holding as insertion data of the corresponding data ID by inputting the data with the data ID added from the external device; and
Performing a data concatenation process on the collected insertion data based on the data concatenation instruction at a predetermined timing;
A data processing program comprising: On the external device side,
Receiving the request for data;
Performing a process based on the data information for the requested data;
Adding and outputting the data ID to the data subjected to processing based on the data information;
The data processing program according to claim 5, comprising:   The step of updating the insertion data of the corresponding data ID by inputting the data with the same data ID within the input time limit when the input time limit of the insertion data is set as the data information The data processing program according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by comprising: Suitable for data processing systems that concatenate insert data into documents,
A connection instruction input means for inputting a data connection instruction including an insertion position of insertion data together with the external device and data information and data information used for inputting the insertion data;
Data request means for adding a data ID for each inserted data and outputting a data input request together with the data information to the external device by inputting the data connection instruction;
Request data management means provided for the external device, which performs processing based on the data information when outputting data based on the data input request and adds the data ID;
Data management means for collecting the insertion data for each data connection instruction while collating the data ID of data input from the request data management means;
Data connection means for connecting the insertion data collected by the data management means to the insertion position based on the data connection instruction;
A data processing system comprising:   When a data input deadline is set in the data information of the insertion data, the data management means each time data with the same data ID as the corresponding insertion data is input until the data input deadline, 9. The data processing system according to claim 8, wherein the insertion data is updated to the input data.   When a processing time limit is set in the data connection instruction, the data connection means performs data connection processing using only the insertion data collected by the data management means when the processing time limit is reached. 10. A data processing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein:   The data processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising an editing unit that enables addition or deletion of the insertion data for each data connection instruction. A plurality of first management means for collecting data inputted from a plurality of different requested data management means and outputting the requested data when the requested data is collected;
Second management means for collecting the data input from the plurality of first management means;
The data processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the data processing means performs concatenation processing using the insertion data collected by the second management means.   The data processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising: a print processing unit that performs a print process based on the data generated by the data processing unit.

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