JP2006133881A - Print information processor and print information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print information processor and an information processing method for acquiring an output in a format desired by a print executer even when charging management is operated. <P>SOLUTION: This print information processor is provided with an interface 405 for transmitting/receiving the information of at least print budgets and consumption print costs, a user interface 406 for accepting the selection of the specifications of the changing processing of a plurality of types of page formats from the outside and a print data spool part 404 for changing a page format to the print data according to the specifications selected through the user interface 406 when print consumption costs exceed a print budget in executing print based on print data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print information processing apparatus and a print information processing method suitable for billing management.

  In recent years, a host computer or an image input device such as a scanner or a digital camera (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a host) is connected to a bidirectional interface (for example, IEEE1284.4, IEEE1394, USB, IPX, etc.). In a data processing system configured with a printing device connected via a network), output information input from a host is analyzed on the printing device side, and a bitmap is output as output data of a printer engine, for example, a laser beam printer. It is known that data is developed and image recording is performed by scanning and exposing a photosensitive drum with a laser beam modulated based on the developed data.

  Also, there are printing apparatuses that are provided with a switch for switching the control language and a card slot for instructing switching, and have an emulation function. Such a printing apparatus is configured to be capable of processing a plurality of printing apparatus control language systems, and is configured to be able to execute print processing while switching between the emulation mode and the native mode according to an application executed by the user. Yes. In such a printing apparatus, output information sent from the host is converted into intermediate data suitable for the printing apparatus in the normal printing apparatus.

  In addition, there is a system that performs billing management in a print network system including the above-described printing apparatus. The charge management system is a system in which a price is set for one print sheet, and the total cost consumed by the print performer is obtained from the total number of print sheets used by the print performer in the printing apparatus. The results collected by the billing management system are used for the settlement of the settlement period and the suppression of printing execution that attempted to execute printing beyond the budget.

  For example, when a print executor tries to execute printing beyond the budget, information such as “print cannot be executed” is transmitted from the accounting management server or the like. In such a case, in order to reduce the number of print sheets consumed, the print executor prints a multi-page document on one sheet by changing the page format setting such as the page layout change or the duplex setting. Therefore, it is necessary to change the setting of the printing apparatus. Here, the page layout is a method of reducing and arranging a plurality of pages of a document on one side of a sheet.

  For example, when the original data as shown in FIG. 25A exists, if the page layout is changed as shown in FIG. 25B, two originals are printed on one side of one print sheet. Since the print is reduced to a size of 50%, the print paper consumption is half of the number of originals. If double-sided printing as shown in FIG. 25C is performed, a document is printed on each side of one sheet of printing paper, so that the amount of printing paper consumed is half of the number of documents (Patent Document). 1).

  As described above, if the page format is changed in consideration of the budget and the consumption until then, the print performer can perform printing within the budget. However, it is complicated to perform this operation every time printing is executed. In order to avoid such complications, it is conceivable to cause the print data generation program on the host computer to automatically change the page format in consideration of the budget and the consumption up to that time. However, if the cost already consumed is very close to the budget, it may not be possible to perform subsequent printing unless extreme reduction is performed. For this reason, when the budget is decreasing, it is necessary to save the budget according to the warning and print. In such a case, rather than letting the print data creation program determine the price as a result of the page format change, it is easier to understand the budget balance if the page format is changed according to the amount set by the print performer, Convenient. Therefore, in the conventional technique, the print executor sets the amount of money every time printing is executed.

  However, there are cases where it is necessary to print without changing the page format. However, the conventional technique cannot respond to such a request and cannot perform printing.

  Further, similarly to the change of the page format described above, it is complicated to set the amount of money each time printing is performed. In addition, since it is not possible to correlate between the preceding and succeeding prints, page format change processing may be performed with an algorithm that does not match the print performer's preference, and eventually the print performer needs to change the page format. It can't be said that the complexity is fully resolved.

  Furthermore, in addition to original document information and image information, various incidental information can be added to the document or image format in whole or in part. It is possible to add information such as the creation date and time and the creation location. There are also documents and image formats to which importance and attention can be added. However, if the page format is automatically changed by the print data generation program as described above, it may be difficult to see a page to which importance or attention is added.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-84737

  An object of the present invention is to provide a print information processing apparatus and a print information processing method that can obtain an output in a format desired by a print executor even when charge management is performed.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventor has come up with various aspects of the invention described below.

  A first print information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires at least information about a print budget and a consumption print cost, and a reception unit that receives a selection of specifications for changing processing of a plurality of types of page formats from outside. Page format changing means for changing the page format for the print data according to the specification selected via the receiving means when the consumption printing cost exceeds the printing budget when printing is performed based on print data; It is characterized by having.

  The second print information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information on at least a print budget and a consumption print cost, and when the print consumption is performed based on print data, the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget And a transfer means for transferring a portion of the print data for which the consumed printing cost exceeds the printing budget to a printing apparatus usable with other cash.

  A third print information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires at least information about a print budget and a consumption print cost, an additional information determination unit that determines whether there is additional information attached to print data, And changing means for changing a page format for the print data when the consumption printing cost exceeds the printing budget when printing is performed based on the data, and the page format changing means is configured to determine the incidental information. For the print data that is determined to be attached by the means, the change in the page format is suppressed.

  A fourth print information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an information acquisition unit that acquires at least information on a print budget and a consumption print cost, a reception unit that receives an external selection of the print budget, and performs printing based on print data. When executed, the printer has a page format changing means for changing a page format for the print data when the consumed printing cost exceeds a printing budget selected via the receiving means.

  A printing system according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described print information processing apparatuses and accounting management means for managing the printing budget and the consumption printing cost.

  A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described print information processing apparatuses, and a printing unit that executes printing of the print data in a page format that has been changed by the page format changing unit. .

  According to the present invention, when printing based on print data is performed, even if the consumed printing cost exceeds the printing budget, the reduced page size or double-sided printing is not simply executed, but the page format can be changed based on various information. Thus, the output of the format desired by the print executor can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the host computer 200 and a printer 220 such as a laser beam printer can communicate with each other.

  In the host computer 200, a CPU 202, a RAM 203, a ROM 204, a CRT controller (CRTC) 206, a keyboard controller (KBC) 207, a memory controller (MC) 208 and a host external I / O control unit 209 are connected to each other via a system bus 205. The control unit 201 is provided. Further, a CRT display (CRT) 210 is connected to the CRT controller 206, a keyboard (KB) 211 is connected to the keyboard controller 207, and an external memory 212 is connected to the memory controller 208.

  The CPU 202 processes a document in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets) and the like are mixed based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM included in the ROM 204. The CPU 202 collectively controls each device connected to the system bus 205. Also, a page format conversion processing program, which will be described later, is supplied from a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, or a DVD-ROM, and executed in the same manner.

  The RAM 203 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 202. The ROM 204 program ROM stores the control program of the CPU 202 as described above, and the font ROM of the ROM 204 stores font data used in the document processing, and the ROM 204 data ROM. Stores various data used when performing the document processing or the like.

  The CRT controller 206 controls display on the CRT display 210. A keyboard controller 207 controls key input from a keyboard 211 or a pointing device (not shown). The memory controller 208 controls access to an external memory 212 such as a hard disk (HD) or a flexible disk that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. The host external I / O control unit 209 controls input / output of data and the like via an interface capable of bidirectional communication. Such an interface is not particularly limited as long as two-way communication is possible, and for example, IEEE1394 can be cited.

  On the other hand, the printer 220 includes a printer CPU 222, a RAM 223, a ROM 224, a printer external I / O control unit 226, a printing unit interface (printing unit I / F) 227, a memory controller (MC) 228, and a rasterizer 234 via a system bus 225. A printer control unit 221 connected to each other is provided. In addition, a printing unit (printer engine) 229 is connected to the printing unit I / O control unit 227, an operation panel 230 is connected to the system bus 225, and an external memory 231 is connected to the memory controller 228.

  The printer CPU 222 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 225 based on a control program stored in a program ROM included in the ROM 224 or a control program stored in the external memory 231. Further, the printer CPU 222 outputs an image signal as output information to the printing unit 229 connected via the printing unit interface 227.

  The RAM 223 functions as a main memory and work area for the printer CPU 222. The RAM 223 is used, for example, for print data storage, output information expansion, environment data storage area, and NVRAM (nonvolatile RAM). The RAM 223 is designed so that the memory capacity can be expanded as appropriate by connecting an optional RAM to an expansion port (not shown). As described above, the control program of the CPU 222 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 224, and font data including bitmap font data and outline font data corresponding to the character code is stored in the font ROM of the ROM 204. The data ROM of the ROM 224 stores information used on the host computer. When an external memory 231 such as a hard disk is provided, the data ROM may not be provided.

  The printer external I / O control unit 226 controls input / output of data and the like via an interface capable of bidirectional communication. That is, bidirectional communication is performed between the host computer 200 and the printer 220 via the host external I / O control unit 209 and the printer external I / O control unit 226. For example, information in the printer 220 (paper transport queue information, memory information, etc. in the printer 220) is notified from the printer 220 to the host computer 200.

  The memory controller 228 controls access to an external memory 231 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card. The operation panel 230 is provided with a switch, an LED display, and the like for operation by a print performer. The number of external memories 231 need not be one, but in addition to the built-in font, a plurality of external memories storing an option card and a program for interpreting printer control languages having different language systems may be provided. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 230.

  Next, a configuration of a laser beam printer will be described as an example of the printer 220. The printer 220 is not limited to the laser beam printer, but may be a printer of another printing method such as an ink jet printer. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the laser beam printer.

  The laser beam printer 100 is provided with a printer control unit 101 for controlling the entire laser beam printer 100 and analyzing character information supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 101 corresponds to the printer control unit 221 in FIG. The printer control unit 101 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 102. The laser driver 102 is a circuit that drives the semiconductor laser 103, and switches on / off the laser beam 104 emitted from the semiconductor laser 103 in accordance with an input video signal. The laser beam 104 is swung in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 105 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 106. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 106. The latent image is developed by a developing unit 107 disposed around the electrostatic drum 106 and then transferred to a recording sheet. As this recording paper, for example, a cut sheet is used. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 108 mounted on the laser beam printer 100, taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 111, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 106. The A printing unit (printer engine) 229 in FIG. 2 includes these laser driver 102, semiconductor laser 103, rotary polygon mirror 105, electrostatic drum 106, developing unit 107, paper cassette 108, paper feed roller 111, and the like. . The laser beam printer 100 is provided with an operation panel 112. The operation panel 112 corresponds to the operation panel 230 in FIG. Further, the laser beam printer 100 is provided with at least one card slot (not shown), and in addition to the built-in font, an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) of a different language system are connected from the outside. It is configured to be able to.

  The laser beam printer 100 configured as described above inputs and stores print information (character code, etc.), form information, macro commands, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer, and in accordance with the information. Corresponding character patterns, form patterns, and the like are created, and an image is formed on recording paper or the like as a recording medium.

  The printer 220 shown in FIG. 2 analyzes the print data transmitted from the host computer 200 and converts the print data into intermediate data that can be used for printing. Here, the intermediate data will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the intermediate data.

  The intermediate data 300 for one job includes information on the entire page (job information storage unit) 301 as a header, and print data 302 as band data describing the actual printing method that is print data for one page. Multiple pages are included. The job information storage unit 301 includes a job number 303, a page number 304, a page format 305, a duplex determination flag 306, a fixed flag 306, a copy number 306, and the like. On the other hand, the print data 302 for one page includes a page information storage unit 307 including page information and a drawing data storage unit 308 that is actual print data. The page information storage unit 307 includes a page number 309, a page format 310, duplex information 311, and the like.

  The printing process in the printer 220 is performed based on such intermediate data. The format of the print data transferred from the host computer 200 is not particularly limited as long as the printer 220 can convert it into intermediate data.

  Next, the module configuration on the host computer 200 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a module configuration on the host computer 200.

  The module configuration on the host computer 200 includes an application 401, a graphic command 402, a print data generation processing unit 403, a print data spool unit 404, an interface 405, a user interface (UI) 406, a user information management unit 407, and a user data database ( User data DB) 408 is included. The application 401 operates on the host computer 200, and there are various types such as word processing software, spreadsheet software, graphic editor, and the like. Printing is performed by a graphic command 402 generated by the application 401. The graphic instruction 402 differs depending on the platform type of the host computer 200. The print data generation processing unit 403 converts the graphic command 402 generated by the application 401 into print data that can be understood by the printer 220. The print data spool unit 404 spools the print data. The interface unit 405 is responsible for communication with other devices such as the printer 220 and is responsible for transferring print data from the print data spool unit 404 and exchanging information with other servers and the printer 220. The user interface unit 406 receives an operation from the user. The user data database 408 holds user budget information and past print information. The user data database 408 is always updated to the latest information when the user information management unit 407 exchanges information with a server that manages the entire billing management system. In the present embodiment, for example, when print data is generated by the print data spool unit 404, the page format of the print data is converted according to information delivered from the user information management unit 407.

  FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C show an example of the user interface 406 in the first embodiment. These user interfaces 406 are displayed on the CRT display 210.

  FIG. 5A shows a user interface used when the user instructs execution of printing. In this user interface, it is possible to set the number of copies to be printed and whether or not to check for billing. Here, if the “billing check” is unchecked, only the printing of the document that falls within the budget is executed. On the other hand, if the “charging check” is checked and the “detailed setting” button is further pressed, the user interface for the charging setting for pre-setting shown in FIG. 5-2 is displayed. In the user interface shown in FIG. 5B, in the “page layout” item, it is possible to set how many pages of the document are printed on one side of the paper. In the “double-sided” item, it is possible to set whether to perform single-sided printing or double-sided printing. Further, in the “fixed” item, a setting for determining the relationship between the two settings can be performed. In the present embodiment, the “fixed” target is one of page format setting, duplex setting, or both. When the fixed page format setting is selected, the number of pages of the original printed on one side of the paper is fixed, and single-sided printing or double-sided printing is adjusted according to the budget balance or the like. On the other hand, when the fixed duplex setting is selected, single-sided printing or double-sided printing is fixed, and the number of original pages printed on one side of the paper is adjusted according to the budget balance or the like. In addition, when both fixings are selected, neither setting is adjusted. These settings can be arbitrarily set (automatically determined). Note that the settings using the user interface shown in FIG. 5B are valid for all subsequent printing. Also, the user interface shown in FIG. 5C is a display that is displayed immediately before execution of printing and that allows the print performer to confirm the contents of the print settings. In this user interface, the balance and the like are displayed based on information related to printing to be executed. Note that the setting content using the user interface shown in FIG. 5B only affects printing to be executed in the future.

  Next, a page format conversion process in the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer 200 in the printing system according to the first embodiment.

  First, in step S601, when it is recognized that the print button 501 has been instructed by the print executor via the user interface shown in FIG. 5A, for example, charging information is confirmed in step S02. Next, in step S603, it is determined whether or not the page format needs to be changed based on the billing information. If the page format needs to be changed, a page format change process is performed in step S604. In step S605, print data is generated. In step S606, the print data is transmitted to the printer 220. When sending print data to the printer 220, the charge management server (not shown) is notified of the number of prints, and the charge management server can subtract the printable balance in response to the notification.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S602 in FIG. When confirming billing information (step S602), first, in step S701, the number of pages of a print job to be printed, that is, the number of pages of a document is acquired. The number of pages can be acquired from the print data created by the print data generation processing unit 403. Next, in step S702, the number of print copies is acquired. This number of copies can be acquired from the value input from the user interface shown in FIG. In step S703, the total number of printed sheets is calculated. The total number of printed sheets is “number of pages of print job × number of printed copies”. In step S704, the number of printable sheets is acquired. The number of printable sheets can be obtained by accessing, for example, a billing management server. The charge management server can notify the number of printable sheets based on the printable balance. Further, a budget balance may be acquired instead of the printable number of sheets.

  In step S603 in FIG. 6, the total number of prints is compared with the number of printable sheets. If the total number of prints exceeds the number of printable sheets, it is determined that a page format is necessary.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S604 in FIG. When performing the page format change process (step S604), first, in step S801, based on the information input from the user interface shown in FIGS. A user interface is displayed, and the print executor is requested to change the setting. If the print executor changes the setting, it is determined in step S802 whether the change is a print cancel. If it is determined that the print cancel button 502 has been instructed by the print execution place, the process ends without performing the page formatting process.

  On the other hand, if the print is not canceled, the contents of the page format set by the print performer are acquired in step S803. Similarly, in step S804, the contents of the double-sided setting are acquired, and in step S805, the setting contents regarding the relationship between the two settings are acquired. In this embodiment, the target of “fixed” is either both, page format, or both sides. However, if both fixed are selected, the format cannot be changed and the balance after printing cannot be exceeded, and printing cannot be performed. Therefore, in step S807, for example, a message “cannot print” is displayed on the CRT display 210.

  On the other hand, if the “fixed” target is not both, it is determined in step S808 whether the “fixed” target is the page layout setting. If the target is the page layout setting, the page layout fixed page is determined in step S809. Execute format change processing. If the “fixed” target is not the page layout setting, the “fixed” target is inevitably set to double-sided setting (step S810). Therefore, in step S811, the page format change process at the time of double-sided fixing is executed.

  In step S812, the processing result of step S809 or S811 is received, and the processing result, budget balance, and the like are displayed on the CRT display 210. However, there may be cases where printing cannot be performed even by the processing in step S809 or S811, and in this case, for example, a message “cannot print” is displayed.

  Thereafter, in step S813, the page format change result is authenticated by the print performer. Subsequently, in step S814, the intention of the print executor is determined. If printing is to be executed, the page format change result is stored in step S815, and the process ends. On the other hand, when printing is not executed, the setting is changed again from step S801.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in detail the content of step S809 in FIG. When performing the page format change process when the page format is fixed (step S809), first, in step S901, the total number of printed sheets calculated in step S703 is acquired. Next, in step S902, the setting content of the page layout setting is acquired. The contents of this page layout setting can be acquired from the user interface shown in FIG. Here, the number of pages of a document (print data) contained in one sheet is a natural number N.

  Next, in step S903, it is determined whether or not the total number of prints divided by N exceeds the printable number, that is, exceeds the budget balance. If the number of printable sheets is not exceeded, the page layout is changed to N pages in step S904. On the other hand, if it exceeds the printable number of sheets, the layout as it is does not fit in the print budget. In step S905, whether or not the total number of prints divided by (N × 2) exceeds the printable number. I do. As a result, if the number of printable sheets is not exceeded, double-sided printing fits within the budget. In step S906, the page layout is changed to N-page printing and double-sided printing. If the number of printable sheets is still exceeded, it is determined in step S907 that printing cannot be performed with the current settings.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the details of step S811 in FIG. When performing the page format change process when fixing both sides (step S811), first, in step S1001, the total number of printed sheets calculated in step S703 is acquired. Next, in step S1002, the setting content of the duplex setting is acquired. The contents of this duplex setting can be acquired from the user interface shown in FIG. Here, the value of parameter D is set to 2 when double-sided printing is selected, and the value of parameter D is set to 1 when single-sided printing is selected.

  In step S1003, it is determined whether or not the total number of prints divided by D exceeds the printable number, that is, whether or not the budget balance is exceeded. If the number of printable sheets is not exceeded, in step S1004, the page format is set to “D = 2” or “D = 1” acquired in step S1002. On the other hand, if it exceeds the printable number of sheets, the layout as it is does not fit in the print budget. In step S1005, it is determined whether or not the value obtained by dividing the total number of prints by (printable number of sheets × D) exceeds 8. I do. As a result, if the number does not exceed 8, in step S1006, the value obtained by double-sided printing and rounded up after the decimal point of the value obtained as a result of the calculation in step S1005 is changed to the number of pages in the page layout. If the calculation result in step S1005 exceeds 8, it is determined in step S1007 that printing cannot be performed with the current settings. Here, the number of pages of the document that can be printed on one side of the paper is 8, and for this reason, the reference value in the determination in step S1005 is 8. However, other values may be used.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, in a printing system capable of charge management, printing exceeding the budget can be converted into an appropriate printing format and printed.

  Note that it is not necessary for the host computer 200 to perform all of these processes, and part or all of the processing may be performed by the printer 220. In this case, information necessary for determination is described and transferred in the job information part or page information part of the print data. For information that can be acquired from the charge management server, the printer 220 may directly access the charge management server.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, a host computer 1101 that is operated by a print executor and issues a print execution command is divided into a printing apparatus 1102 managed by the accounting management server 1104 and a printing apparatus 1103 that can be used in cash via the network 1105. They are connected and can communicate with each other. The host computer 1101 also performs billing management in the printing apparatus 1102 by communicating with the billing management server 1104. In the first embodiment, as described above, printing may not be possible even if the page format is changed. In this embodiment, in such a case, the printing apparatus 1103 that is not a target of billing management and can be used with cash is caused to perform printing for that amount.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data created by the host computer 1101 in the second embodiment. In this embodiment, print data 1204 that can be printed within the budget and print data 1204 are generated from the job information storage unit (whole job information) 1201 with respect to the original print data 1200, and print data that cannot be printed within the budget. Print data 1205 is generated from the job information storage unit 1201 and 1203. That is, in this embodiment, the host computer 1101 divides the print data 1200 into two print data 1204 and 1205. The print data 1204 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1102 that is the object of billing management, and the print data 1205 is transmitted to the printing apparatus 1103 that can be used in cash.

  The print data may be divided not by the host computer 1101 but by the printing apparatus 1102. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data created by the printing apparatus 1102 in the second embodiment. In this case, when print data 1300 is sent from the host computer, the printing apparatus 1102 first prints only the print data 1302 that can be printed within the budget. Thereafter, the printing apparatus 1102 generates print data 1304 by combining the job information storage unit 1301 with the print data 1303 that could not be printed, and transfers the print data 1304 to the printing apparatus 1103.

  According to the second embodiment as described above, regarding the printing exceeding the budget, the excess portion is automatically transferred to a printing apparatus that can be used with cash, so that appropriate printing can be performed. In addition, as a printing apparatus which can be used with cash, the printing apparatus etc. which were installed in the shop are mentioned, for example.

  Note that the printing apparatus 1103 is not necessarily provided in a one-to-one relationship with the host computer 1101 or the printing apparatus 1102. The host computer 1101 or the printing apparatus 1102 searches the network 1105 for the printing apparatus 1103, and It can communicate with any printing device 1103.

  Further, the transmission of the print data may be performed before the page format change process for the print data created first, or may be performed after the page format change process.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the method of the page format change process in step S604 in FIG. 6 is mainly different from the first embodiment. That is, in the present embodiment, the page format change process is performed while taking into consideration the importance and / or attention level in the document. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of page format change processing according to the third embodiment.

  When performing the page format change process in the third embodiment (step S604), first, in step S1400, the page format of the page with high importance and the page format of the page with low importance are determined. In step S1401, the values of parameters F, P, and L are initialized to 1. Next, in step S1402, it is determined whether or not processing for all pages has been completed. If not, processing for each page of the subsequent document is performed.

  In step S1403, it is determined whether the processing target is a page for which importance is designated. If the importance level is designated, it is determined in step S1404 whether or not the value of L is 1. If the value of L is not 1, in step S1405, the value of L is set to 1 and 1 is added to the value of F. Thereafter, if the value of F is larger than the value of D2 in step S1406, the value of F is set to 1 and 1 is added to the value of P in step S1407. Thereafter, in step S1408, the values of the parameters F, P, and L are written in the page information headers 311, 309, and 310, respectively. Note that if the page is not an important page in step S1403, if the value of L is 1 in step S1404, or if the value of F is less than or equal to the value of D2 in step S1406, all of the settings in step S1408 are set at that time. I do.

  Subsequently, in step S1409, 1 is added to the value of L. Next, in step S1410, it is determined whether or not the value of L is larger than the value of N1, and if it is larger, 1 is added to the value of F in step S1411. Next, in step S1412, it is determined whether or not the value of F is larger than the value of D1, and if so, the value of F is set to 1 and 1 is added to the value of P in step S1413. In step S1414, the page to be processed is advanced, and the process returns to step S1402. If the value of L is equal to or smaller than the value of N1 in step S1410, or the value of F is equal to or smaller than the value of D1 in step S1412, the process returns to step S1402 at that time. As described above, the processing in steps S1409 to S1413 is update processing performed regardless of whether or not importance is set.

  According to the third embodiment as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 15A, when pages 1503 and 1506 set to have high importance or attention are present in the pages 1500 to 1508 of the document. If it is determined that printing within the budget is impossible based on the billing management information, as shown in FIG. 15B, pages 1503 and 1506 having high importance or attention are printed on one sheet of paper without being reduced. Print one page on the surface. On the other hand, the pages 1500 and 1501 are printed on two pages, that is, reduced and printed on one side for two pages, the page 1502 is printed on one page, and these pages are printed on both sides. As described above, one page 1503 is printed, two pages 1504 and 1505 are printed, and these pages are printed on both sides. Furthermore, as described above, one page of page 1506 is printed, two pages of pages 1507 and 1508 are printed, and these are printed on both sides. However, here, in order to simplify the description, both the pages for which importance is set and the pages for which importance is not set are printed on both sides. Further, a page with high importance is not printed on the same printing surface as a page with no importance set.

  According to the third embodiment, in a printing system capable of charge management, printing that exceeds the budget can be converted into an appropriate page format in consideration of the importance. In other words, print data with high importance can be printed in a state that is easier to see than print data with low importance by suppressing changes in the page format.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, three levels of document and image format importance are supported. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a method of page format conversion processing according to the fourth embodiment.

  In this embodiment, three levels of importance are set for pages 1600 to 1612 of the document. For example, it is assumed that importance level 1 has the lowest importance level and importance level 3 has the highest importance level. In the example illustrated in FIG. 16, the importance levels of the pages 1603 and 1604 are 2, the importance level of the page 1609 is 3, and the importance levels of the other pages are 1.

  In the present embodiment, for example, up to 4 pages can be printed for the importance level 1 pages, up to 2 pages can be printed for the importance level 2 pages, and 1 page printing can be performed for the importance level 3 pages. Only as possible. In addition, double-sided printing is performed at any importance level.

  Under such conditions, as shown in FIG. 16, pages 1600 to 1603 are printed on three pages, pages 1603 and 1604 are printed on two pages, and these are printed on both sides. Also, pages 1605 to 1608 are printed on four pages, page 1609 is printed on one page, and these are printed on both sides. Further, the same page format change processing is performed for pages 1610 and thereafter.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a plurality of types of preferences relating to the page format change process can be set in advance, and one preference or the like can be selected at the time of printing.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram showing means for causing the print performer to select one preference. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of icons 1701 and 1702 are displayed on the screen 1700 of the CRT display 210, and the preference of the page format change process is associated with each of these icons. The icons 1701 and 1702 preferably display a set amount, a budget type, and the like so that the print executor can easily understand the contents.

  FIG. 17 shows a state in which the icon 1702 is selected. When one icon is selected, a menu 603 is displayed in the vicinity thereof. Via this menu 603, it is possible to execute processes such as “print”, “setting change” of the setting content associated with the icon, and “deletion” of the setting content.

  18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating an example of the user interface 406 in the fifth embodiment. These user interfaces 406 are displayed on the CRT display 210.

  FIG. 18A shows a user interface 1801 that is used when a new icon is created or when the setting content associated with the icon is changed. This user interface 1801 is activated and displayed when there is a command for creating a new icon or when “setting change” in the icon setting change menu 1703 is selected. Therefore, a new icon is created when it is newly activated, and setting is changed when it is activated from the icon setting change menu 1703. Via this user interface 1801, the print executor can set a budget type, a set amount, and default priority processing.

  On the other hand, when printing is selected from the menu 1703 and a predetermined page format change process is performed as described later, a print information user interface 1802 shown in FIG. 18-2 is activated and displayed. The user interface 1802 displays print format information 1803 and billing information 1804. When the format change button 505 in the user interface 1802 is pressed, if it is possible to select another page format within the set amount, the result when the page format is changed is displayed in the print format 1803. Is displayed. The user interface 1802 also displays a “print” button 1807 that is pressed when printing is executed and a “cancel” button 1806 that is pressed when printing is stopped.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an icon information database (icon information DB) in which contents such as preferences associated with each icon as described above are stored. The icon information 1900 includes a plurality of icon information 1901. Each icon information 1901 includes an icon ID 1902 for identifying an icon, a budget type 1903 indicating which budget is used, a set amount 1904, priority processing information 1905, multi-page printing information 1906, and duplex printing information 1907. .

  The budget type 1903 includes information such as whether to use the budget assigned to the organization in charge or whether to use the budget assigned to the individual. In the set amount 1904, a budget set for each type is set, and the page format is adjusted to be within the set amount. The priority processing information 1905 includes a page format format to be preferentially selected. For example, it is described whether to select a plurality of pages or double-sided printing preferentially. The multi-page printing information 1906 describes the number of times the multi-page printing has been executed when this icon has been used, and the double-sided printing information 1907 describes the number of times the double-sided printing has been executed. .

  Next, a method for setting page format preferences and the like via icons will be described. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting page format preferences and the like in the fifth embodiment.

  First, when icon setting is started using the user interface 1801 by the print performer in step S2001, the icon ID is confirmed in step S2002. However, when the user interface 1801 is activated from the icon menu 1703, an icon ID exists, but when it is newly activated, there is no icon ID.

  Next, in step S2003, it is determined whether or not the setting target icon is a new icon based on the presence or absence of the icon ID. If the icon is a new icon, in step S2004, the icon information DB shown in FIG. The area of the icon ID that is not used is searched from among the icons, and the icon ID is added to the new icon. Next, in step S2005, the budget type is written into the icon information DB, the set budget is written in step S2006, and the priority processing setting is written in step S2007. If the setting of an already existing icon is changed in step S2003, the process of steps S2005 to S2007 is performed after searching for the icon ID of the icon.

  In this way, the setting content associated with the icon is generated or changed, and this information is stored in the icon information DB.

  Next, page format conversion processing according to the fifth embodiment will be described. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the host computer 200 in the printing system according to the fifth embodiment.

  First, in step S2101, for example, when “print” is selected from the menu 1703 shown in FIG. 17 and a print instruction is input, for example, as shown in FIG. 23-1, the file name to be printed and the number of copies to be printed are selected. A user interface 2301 for requesting input is displayed. Through this user interface, the print executor can arbitrarily set these items.

  Next, in step S2102, the icon ID of the icon being used is acquired, and in step S2103, the corresponding information is searched from the icon information DB. Then, after obtaining the budget type 1903 in step S2104 from the icon information DB, in step S2105, the management server that manages the budget is accessed to check the remaining budget. In step S2106, the set amount 1904 is acquired from the icon information DB.

  Thereafter, in step S2107, it is determined whether or not the set amount is higher than the remaining budget. If it is higher, printing is not possible. In step S2108, another user interface 2302 as shown in FIG. Warn to select the icon and exit. On the other hand, if the set amount is less than or equal to the remaining budget, printing is possible, so print data is generated in step S2109, and page format change processing is performed in step S2111.

  Subsequently, in step S2112, print information 1802 shown in FIG. 18-2 is displayed on the CRT display 210. In step S2113, the print executor is allowed to perform a confirmation operation. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18B, execution of “change”, “cancel”, and “print” can be exclusively selected. Next, it is determined whether or not the “change” button 1805 has been pressed by the print executor. If the “change” button 1805 is pressed, the priority process is switched in step S2115, and the process again in step S2111. Perform page format change processing.

  If the “change” button 1805 has not been pressed, it is determined in step S2116 whether or not the “print” button 1807 has been pressed. If the “print” button 1807 has been pressed, in step S2117 The history of the multi-page print information 806 or the double-sided print information 807 in the icon information DB is updated according to the contents of the page format used. As a result, when the number of uses stored in the multi-page print information 806 or the double-sided print information 807 is reversed, the contents of the priority processing information 1905 are switched. Then, after the history update is completed, the print data, page format, and the like are transmitted to the printer 220. On the other hand, if the “print” button 1807 is not pressed in step S2116, the “cancel” button 1806 is inevitably pressed, so in step S2118 the print data is discarded and the process ends.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing details of step S2111 in FIG. In the fifth embodiment, when performing page format change processing (step S2111), first, in step S221, the number of pages of the selected file input via the user interface 2301 shown in FIG. . Next, in step S2202, the number of copies is similarly acquired from the user interface 2301, and in step S2203, the total number of printed sheets A is acquired. The total number of printed sheets A is “number of pages × number of copies”.

  In step S2204, the number of printable sheets B is acquired from the set amount 1904 of the icon information DB. For example, if the unit price of one sheet is 10 yen, the set amount may be divided by 10 (yen). However, the unit price of one sheet is not limited to 10 yen. When there are a plurality of printers 220 as output destinations, the unit price of one sheet may be different for each printer 220. In this case, for example, if the unit price information is held in the printer 220 or a charge management server (not shown), it can be dealt with.

  Thereafter, in step S2205, it is determined whether or not the total print number A is equal to or greater than the printable number B. If the total print number A is not equal to or greater than the printable number B, all the originals are changed without changing the page format. Since it is possible to print this page, the page format change processing is terminated at that time. On the other hand, if the total number A of prints is equal to or greater than the printable number B, it is determined in step S2206 whether or not a priority process setting exists. If priority processing is set, the setting contents are acquired from the priority processing information 1905 in step 2208. If priority processing is not set, in step S2207, multi-page printing is provisionally set as priority.

  Subsequently, in step S2209, it is determined whether or not double-sided priority is set as the priority processing. If double-sided priority is set, the double-sided determination flag 306 shown in FIG. Divide the number of printed sheets A by 2. This is because in double-sided printing, the number of sheets actually used is one-half that in single-sided printing. In step S2211, it is determined whether or not the total number A of prints is equal to or greater than the printable number B. If the total print number A is not equal to or greater than the printable number B, all pages of the original are printed by performing duplex printing. Since it is possible to print, the page format change processing is terminated at that time.

  On the other hand, if the total print number A is equal to or greater than the printable number B, the double-sided printing alone does not fall within the set amount of money, and in step S2212, the multi-page printing is set. Specifically, the value obtained by dividing the printable number B by the total print number A is written in the page format 310 in the page information storage unit 307 as the number of pages of the document to be printed on one sheet. However, if there is a remainder when the printable sheet number B is divided by the total print sheet number A, a value obtained by adding 1 to the quotient is set as the number of original pages to be printed on one sheet.

  According to the fifth embodiment as described above, in a printing system capable of charge management, the print executor does not need to set the amount of money every time printing is performed, but if the page format needs to be changed, Since the page format is changed according to the preference, printing can be performed in a desired format.

  Note that, as shown in FIG. 24, a plurality of types of page formats may exist for one set amount. That is, the number of print sheets used is equal to 5 regardless of whether 2-page printing 700 or double-sided printing 701 is performed with respect to a 10-page document by a reduced layout. In such a case, for example, considering the history information described in the multi-page print information 1906 and the history information described in the double-sided print information 1907, the page format which the print executor uses more favorably Should be selected.

  The embodiment of the present invention can be realized by, for example, a computer executing a program. Also, means for supplying a program to a computer, for example, a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM recording such a program, or a transmission medium such as the Internet for transmitting such a program is also applied as an embodiment of the present invention. Can do. The above program can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and program product are included in the scope of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a laser beam printer. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of intermediate data. 2 is a block diagram showing a module configuration on a host computer 200. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface 406 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the user interface 406 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the user interface 406 in 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a host computer 200 in the printing system according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of step S602 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the content of step S604 in FIG. 6 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the content of step S809 in FIG. 8 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the content of step S811 in FIG. 8 in detail. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the print data which the host computer 1101 produces in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of print data created by the printing apparatus 1102 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the method of the page format change process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the method of the page format conversion process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the method of the page format conversion process in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the means to make a print performer select one preference. It is a figure which shows an example of the user interface 406 in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the other example of the user interface 406 in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of icon information DB in which contents, such as preference, were stored. It is a flowchart which shows the method of setting the preference etc. of a page format in 5th Embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a host computer 200 in a printing system according to a fifth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the content of step S2111 in FIG. 21 in detail. It is a figure which shows the user interface 2301. FIG. FIG. 10 shows a user interface 2302. It is a figure which shows the example of the multiple types of page format which exists with respect to one set amount of money. It is a figure which shows the conventional print information processing method.

Explanation of symbols

200: Host computer 201: Control unit 202: CPU
203: RAM
204: ROM
205: System bus 206: CRT controller 207: Keyboard controller 208: Memory controller 209: Host external I / O control unit 210: CRT display 211: Keyboard 212: External memory 220: Printer 221: Printer control unit 222: Printer CPU
223: RAM
224: ROM
225: System bus 226: Printer external I / O control unit 227: Printing unit interface 228: Memory controller 229: Printing unit 230: Operation panel 231: External memory 234: Rasterizer 401: Application 402: Graphic command 403: Print data generation processing Section 404: Print data spool section 405: Interface 406: User interface 407: User information management section 408: User data database

Claims (31)

Information acquisition means for acquiring at least printing budget and consumption printing cost information;
Accepting means for accepting external selection of specifications for changing processing of multiple types of page formats;
Page format changing means for changing the page format for the print data according to the specification selected via the accepting means when the consumption printing cost exceeds the printing budget when printing is performed based on print data;
A print information processing apparatus comprising: The accepting means is
Item selection accepting means for accepting the setting of multiple types of items, regarding the selection of specifications for changing processing of multiple types of page formats,
Priority receiving means for receiving a priority relationship between the plurality of types of items;
The print information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Display means for displaying the printing budget;
Confirmation accepting means for accepting confirmation of the printing budget;
The print information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Information acquisition means for acquiring at least printing budget and consumption printing cost information;
When printing is performed based on print data, when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget, a portion of the print data in which the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget can be used with other cash Transfer means for transferring to the device;
A print information processing apparatus comprising: Accepting means for accepting external selection of specifications for changing processing of multiple types of page formats;
Page format changing means for changing the page format for the print data according to the specification selected via the accepting means when the consumption printing cost exceeds the printing budget when printing is performed based on print data;
Have
The transfer means transfers print data when the consumed printing cost exceeds the printing budget even if printing is performed based on the page format after the change by the page format changing means. Item 5. The print information processing apparatus according to Item 4. Information acquisition means for acquiring at least printing budget and consumption printing cost information;
Ancillary information judging means for judging the presence or absence of the ancillary information attached to the print data;
Changing means for changing a page format for the print data when the printing cost consumed exceeds the print budget when printing is performed based on the print data;
Have
The print information processing apparatus, wherein the page format changing unit suppresses the change of the page format for the print data determined to have the additional information added by the auxiliary information determining unit.   The print information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the incidental information includes at least one of importance and attention.   8. The print information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the page format changing unit changes the page format according to the step when information of a plurality of steps is set in the incidental information. 9. Information acquisition means for acquiring at least printing budget and consumption printing cost information;
Receiving means for receiving the selection of the printing budget from the outside;
Page format changing means for changing the page format for the print data when the consumption printing cost exceeds the print budget selected via the receiving means when printing is performed based on the print data;
A print information processing apparatus comprising:   The print information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the reception unit displays, as a user interface, one or more icons set for each print budget on a display unit.   The print information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the accepting unit displays the print budget assigned to the icon together with the icon.   The print information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a storage unit that stores a use history of each page format for each icon.   The print information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the format changing unit changes the page format in consideration of the usage history.   4. The page format changing unit according to claim 1, wherein the page format changing unit performs at least one of reduced printing and duplex printing on the page format as the page format change. The print information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or any one of claims 5 to 13.   The said page format change means changes the said print data so that the said consumption printing expense may be settled in the said printing budget, Any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3 or any one of Claims 5 thru | or 14 characterized by the above-mentioned. The print information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A print information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
Billing management means for managing the printing budget and consumption printing cost;
A printing system comprising: A print information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
Printing means for executing printing of the print data in the page format after being changed by the page format changing means;
A printing apparatus comprising: An information acquisition step for acquiring at least information of a printing budget and consumption printing cost;
A receiving step for accepting selection of specifications for changing processing of multiple types of page formats from the outside;
A page format change step for changing the page format for the print data according to the specification selected in the accepting step when the printing cost consumed exceeds the print budget when printing is performed based on print data;
A printing information processing method characterized by comprising: An information acquisition step for acquiring at least information of a printing budget and consumption printing cost;
When printing is performed based on print data, when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget, a portion of the print data in which the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget can be used with other cash A transfer step to transfer to the device;
A printing information processing method characterized by comprising: An information acquisition step for acquiring at least information of a printing budget and consumption printing cost;
An incidental information determination step for determining whether there is incidental information attached to the print data;
A change step of changing a page format for the print data when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget when printing is performed based on the print data;
Have
In the page format change step, the print information processing method is characterized in that the change of the page format is suppressed for the print data that is determined that the auxiliary information is added in the auxiliary information determination step. An information acquisition step for acquiring at least information of a printing budget and consumption printing cost;
An accepting step for accepting selection of the printing budget from the outside;
A page format change step for changing the page format for the print data when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget selected in the acceptance step when printing is performed based on the print data;
A printing information processing method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
An information acquisition procedure for acquiring at least information on printing budget and consumption printing cost;
Acceptance procedure for accepting selection of specifications for changing processing of multiple types of page formats from outside,
A page format change procedure for changing the page format for the print data according to the specifications selected in the acceptance procedure when the consumption printing cost exceeds the print budget when printing is performed based on print data;
A program characterized by having executed. An information acquisition procedure for acquiring at least information on printing budget and consumption printing cost;
When printing is performed based on print data, when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget, a portion of the print data in which the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget can be used with other cash A transfer procedure to transfer to the device;
A program characterized by having executed. On the computer,
An information acquisition procedure for acquiring at least information on printing budget and consumption printing cost;
Incidental information determination procedure for determining whether there is additional information attached to the print data;
A change procedure for changing a page format for the print data when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget when printing is performed based on the print data;
And execute
In the computer,
In the page format change procedure, a program that suppresses the change of the page format for print data that is determined to have the additional information added in the additional information determination procedure. On the computer,
An information acquisition procedure for acquiring at least information on printing budget and consumption printing cost;
An acceptance procedure for accepting the selection of the printing budget from the outside;
A page format change procedure for changing the page format for the print data when the consumption print cost exceeds the print budget selected in the acceptance procedure when printing is performed based on print data;
A program characterized by having executed. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not printing of a document to be printed is possible based on the number of printable sheets and the total number of printed sheets of the document to be printed;
Changing means for changing the format of the document to be printed when the determining means determines that printing is not possible;
A print information processing apparatus comprising:   27. The print information processing apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the format includes a format of the number of sheets printed per sheet. A determination step of determining whether printing of a document to be printed is possible based on the number of printable sheets and the total number of printed sheets of the document to be printed;
A change step of changing the format of the document to be printed when it is determined that printing is not possible in the determination step;
A printing information processing method characterized by comprising:   The print information processing method according to claim 28, wherein the format includes a format of the number of sheets printed per sheet. On the computer,
A determination step of determining whether printing of a document to be printed is possible based on the number of printable sheets and the total number of printed sheets of the document to be printed;
A change step of changing the format of the document to be printed when it is determined that printing is not possible in the determination step;
A program characterized by having executed.   The program according to claim 30, wherein the format includes a format of the number of sheets printed per sheet.

Images