JP2006252297A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically complete favorite setting just by bringing the setting in from a device used in the past. <P>SOLUTION: This print system is provided with a print setting registration means for transmitting information for which a user identifier and print setting are turned to a set from terminal equipment, and the set information of the user identifier and the print setting transmitted from the terminal equipment by the print setting registration means is preserved inside an image forming apparatus. The print system is provided with a print setting return means for, when a user to perform print is specified from the terminal equipment to the image forming apparatus, transmitting the print setting corresponding to the specified user from the preserved sets of the user identifier and the print setting from the image forming apparatus to the terminal equipment, and a print instruction means for instructing print from the terminal equipment to the image forming apparatus by using the print setting transmitted from the image forming apparatus by the print setting return means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including one or more host computers connected to a network and one or more image forming apparatuses.

  The printer connected via the network is identified from the host computer by a network identifier or a printer identifier in the print server. The network identifier can uniquely identify the printer in the network, such as an IP address in TCP / IP, without depending on the print server. On the other hand, when a printer is identified in a print server, the host computer can obtain information on the printer that can be used from the print server only by identifying the print server. Even when a printer is identified by a network identifier, it is technically a case of a network identifier because it is possible to list printer devices in the network and to obtain information about the printer device from the printer device. However, it can be said that it is easy to select the target printer from the host computer.

  On the other hand, printer devices have various additional functions, and the functions can be selected from the host computer. In many printing systems, settings can be made in a software module called a printer driver. Default settings can be saved for each host computer or user logged in to the host computer, and printing can be done. It is sometimes possible to select and change settings (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

These function settings are set and stored in each host computer when the printer is identified by a network identifier, and stored in the host computer or print server when the printer is identified using a print server.
JP-A-10-240469

  Since the printer can connect to the network with its own network identifier, it is very easy to install the printer on the network. For this reason, it is possible to easily add, delete, move, and change the network setting of the printer installation frequently. For example, a layout change in an office or a network layout change.

  As a result, when viewed from the host computer, a situation in which the printer device physically changes to appear as a different printer despite the fact that the printer device is physically the same is likely to occur. However, as a practical problem, if the output is simply from the printer, it is easy to access the newly-appearing printer as it is. The problem arises when function settings are made for each printer.

  When the printer is identified by the network identifier, the function setting for each printer stored in the host computer cannot be used when the printer is reorganized. When a printer is identified by a print server, a database that stores function settings in association with the host computer or user information is held in the print server, and the database is updated without forgetting when the printer is reorganized. Such a problem is solved. However, in reality, such maintenance is an extremely time-consuming operation, and the necessity of such an operation offsets the advantage that the printer device can be easily connected to the network. It is.

  There is a method that allows the same setting to be set by default in the printer driver for each model, instead of managing it uniformly on the server, but it is often the case that the setting differs depending on individual differences even for the same type of device. is there. For example, even if the same device has the same function, if a particular device is not in good condition, the device that does not use that function may be used separately from the device that uses it.

  On the other hand, from the user's perspective, a single user may use multiple host computers. For example, there are two cases where a desktop PC used mainly at a fixed position and a notebook PC used in various places while being carried are used. Further, with the cost reduction of PCs, the number of users who use a plurality of PCs is increasing.

  In such an environment, a situation in which the printer function setting must be performed for each host computer is compelling for the user. In this situation, if all printers are managed by the print server, saving the settings in the print server database will free you from the trouble. However, considering server maintenance, it is not always necessary for all environments. It is not possible.

  In addition, as today's technology, there are devices that have a server system added or built in as a device enclosure or ancillary equipment. It is not a condition that the printer device is also installed. Furthermore, since such devices are rare in a network system, the present invention sets a different line.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the same print function setting for each device can be used from any host computer for each user without using a server that collectively manages printer devices on a network such as a print server, It is another object of the present invention to provide a printer system that enables continuous use of print function settings regardless of changes in printer device network settings.

  The above problem can be solved, and the same print function settings for the device can be used for each user from any host computer without using a server that collectively manages printer devices on the network such as a print server. In order to continue to use the print function settings regardless of changes in the settings on the network, a set of user ID and function settings is stored in the printer device, and the printer device is the user specified when using the printer device. The function setting stored corresponding to the ID is returned to the host computer, and the host computer instructs the printing process with the function setting as a default.

  In this means, the printer device only stores the set of user ID and function setting, so it can be realized at low cost and can be mounted on any device regardless of the device grade. It is.

  That is, the technical contents of the present invention can solve the above-described problems by including the following configuration.

  (1) Use for identifying a user who uses an image forming apparatus in a printing system including at least one image forming apparatus and at least one terminal device connected to a predetermined communication medium A user identification unit, a print setting registration unit that transmits information about the user and print settings to the image forming apparatus from the terminal device, and the print setting registration unit that transmits the information from the terminal device. Print setting holding means for storing the set information of the user and the print setting in the image forming apparatus, user specifying means for specifying a user who performs printing on the image forming apparatus from the terminal device, and the printing Print settings corresponding to the user designated by the user designation means from the set of users and print settings stored in the setting holding means are transferred from the image forming apparatus in advance. A print setting return means for sending to the terminal device; and a print instruction means for giving a print instruction from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus using the print setting sent from the image forming apparatus by the print setting return means. A printing system characterized by

  According to the present invention, the same print function setting for a device can be used for each user from any host computer without using a server that collectively manages printer devices on a network such as a print server. It has become possible to continue to use the print function settings regardless of changes in the settings on the network.

  Since only setting information is stored in the printer main body, it can be realized easily and at low cost even in a low-priced device, and many printer devices connected to a network can be supported.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 and 2 are client PCs, 3 and 4 are printers, and 5 is a network connecting the client PCs and printers.

  In the figure, a print job sent from a client PC is processed by a printer and output.

  In FIG. 1, only two client PCs and printers are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary number of client PCs and printers are connected.

  Further, a detailed description will be given, including the configuration of software modules in the client PC and printer.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the client PC and printer in this embodiment. In FIG. 2, hardware and software are mixed for convenience of explanation.

  In the figure, 10 indicates a printer, and 11 indicates a client PC. 10 corresponds to 3 or 4 in FIG. 1, and 11 corresponds to 1 or 2 in FIG. Here, not a specific combination but a general configuration is shown.

  The printer 10 is roughly composed of hardware blocks of 12 image forming apparatuses, 13 storage apparatuses, 14 CPUs, and 15 communication apparatuses. The image forming apparatus 12 is a part having a printing function in the printer 10, and may have a paper transport function and a bookbinding function for realizing additional functions. The storage device 13 stores user information and setting information, which are features of the present invention. The CPU 14 controls the printer 10. With the communication device 15, the printer 10 receives a job or print setting as a print instruction.

  The 11 client PCs are roughly divided into 16 communication devices, 17 CPUs, and 15 input / output device hardware blocks. The communication device 16 is used to transmit a job or print setting as a print instruction from the client PC to the printer. The CPU 17 is a part that can be said to be the main body of the client PC, and all necessary controls and calculations are performed here. The input / output device 18 is a device for inputting information when the user of the client PC performs a necessary operation, and conversely, confirming information obtained from the client PC, and shows a general keyboard, mouse, and display. ing.

  The communication devices 15 and 16 allow the client PC and the printer to communicate in any combination. The printer 10 and the client PC 11 are transparent to each other through the communication device 15 and the communication device 16, respectively. Can be accessed.

  Note that the client PC takes the form of a general computer system, and it is assumed that the client PC is configured by a known technique, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted in this embodiment.

  Reference numeral 20 denotes control software indicating a software program operating on 14 CPUs. In the figure, the control software 20 controls the image forming apparatus 12 based on the print instruction information from the client PC obtained from the communication apparatus 15, and performs output. The storage device 13 is used to store and read user information and setting information. In addition, the control software 20 performs control for transmitting information to the client PC using the communication device 15.

  Reference numerals 21, 22, and 23 denote software programs that operate on 17 CPUs. Reference numeral 21 denotes an operating system operating on 17 CPUs, which uses I / O as resources of the client PC for the 22 printer drivers and 23 application programs, that is, the communication device 16 and the input / output device 18. Provides functionality for A printer driver 22 provides a function for performing output using the printer 10 to the application program 23. The application program 23 runs on the client PC and is general software used by the user.

  When the user uses the application program on the client PC to output to the printer, the input / output device 18 operates the client PC. The operating system 21 transmits user operation information to the application program 23 while controlling the input / output device 18. The application program 23 uses the printer driver 22 or the operating system 21 directly to give a dialog with the user or an instruction for print processing. The printer driver 22 uses an operating system to transmit print data designated by the application program 23 to the printer 10. The operating system 21 transmits a print instruction of the printer driver to the communication device 15 of the printer 10 via the communication device 16.

  Here, the printer driver 22 is a software module corresponding to the printer 10, and different printer drivers play a role for different printers. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing this.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the relationship between the client PC and the printer in FIG. 2 when a plurality of printers are connected. In FIG. 3, only necessary portions are simplified compared to FIG. 2, and the block diagram inside the printer and the input / output device are omitted, but the portions are the same as those in the block diagram in FIG. 2. And

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 30 denotes a client PC. The 30 client PCs are connected to 3 printers A and 4 printers B via the communication device 16. In this case, the printer driver 34 for the printer A and the printer driver 33 for the printer B exist in the CPU 17, respectively. The output to 3 is controlled by 34 and the output to 4 is controlled by 33. . The application program 32 uses different printer drivers 33 and 34 depending on which of the printers A and B is used for output. Even if a plurality of printers are physically connected, there may be a case where the printer driver does not exist in the CPU. However, in this case, for a printer that does not have a corresponding printer driver. Cannot be output.

  Next, a user interface when a user performs printing from a printer through an application program will be described.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a printer driver setting screen in this embodiment. The user interface shown in FIG. 4 is used to operate the input / output device 18 of the client PC in FIG. 2 by using a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown).

  In the figure, 100 is a printer driver setting screen, and 101 is a user ID display section of a user who is going to print, 102 is a duplex printing selection panel, 103 is an imposition printing setting panel, and 104 is paper. A size selection panel, 105 is a print image quality selection panel, 106 is a print start button, and 107 is a print cancel button.

  FIG. 4 shows that the printer driver can select four settings: duplex printing, imposition designation, paper size, and image quality.

  The user ID display 101 indicates the user name used when the user of the client PC logs in to the client PC, and the information for each user stored in the printer is also identified using this user ID. . FIG. 4 shows that the user ID “user-a” is used to log in and print.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a check box for selecting whether to perform double-sided printing or single-sided printing. In FIG. 4, duplex printing is selected.

  A page 103 selects how many pages should be arranged on one side of the paper to be printed. In FIG. 4, it is possible to select from three types of impositions, one page for one page, two pages for one page, and four pages for one page. In the figure, imposition for one page is selected.

  104 designates the paper size used for output. In FIG. 4, A4 size is designated.

  105 selects the image quality. In FIG. 4, a high image quality mode and a normal image quality mode can be selected, and the high image quality mode is selected.

  By pressing the print button 106, printing according to the settings indicated by 101 to 105 can be started. When the cancel button 107 is pressed, the printing process is canceled and the operation returns to the operation of the application program.

  Next, the flow of information when a user performs printing from a printer through an application program will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a communication flow when a user performs printing in the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes a user of the client PC, 201 denotes an application program, 202 denotes a printer driver, and 203 denotes a printer. The application program 201 corresponds to 32 in FIG. 3, the printer driver 202 corresponds to 33 or 34 in FIG. 3, and the printer 203 corresponds to 3 or 4 in FIG.

  First, the user uses an application program. In step 204, a print instruction is issued to print on the application. The application determines a printer driver corresponding to the printer to be printed from the application as processing corresponding to this. In step 205, the printer driver is instructed to perform print settings.

  Here, the application program transmits the user ID of the user who is going to print to the printer driver. Upon receiving the print setting instruction, the printer driver transmits a user ID to the corresponding printer at 206, and requests acquisition of print setting information stored corresponding to the user ID. The printer searches for setting data corresponding to the user ID designated by 206 stored in the storage device 13 in FIG. 2 and returns it to the printer driver at 207. Here, if the setting data corresponding to the user ID is not saved, an error status is returned.

  The printer driver displays the setting screen shown in FIG. 4 based on the settings returned from the printer (208). The setting screen displays the setting returned from the printer in 207, and if the user does not need to change the setting, printing can be started simply by pressing the print button 106 shown in FIG. The setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed by the printer driver between 208 and 209 in FIG.

  Normally, since the settings for the user are reflected, the user can start printing by simply pressing the print button. When the user presses the print button, print settings and a print start instruction are sent to the printer driver in 209.

  When a print start instruction is sent from the user, the printer driver sends a print instruction to the printer with the settings designated by the user (210). At this time, in addition to the print job data, the user ID and print setting data designated by the user are also transmitted to the printer.

  The printer performs a printing process in response to a printing instruction from the printer driver, and at the same time stores the designated user ID and setting data in the storage device 13 in FIG. As a result, in the subsequent printing, the same user can print with the same setting regardless of the client PC.

  When printing is completed, the printer notifies the printer driver (211), then the printer driver transfers to the application (212), and finally the application notifies the user that printing has been completed.

  Next, the structure of data exchanged between the printer driver and the printer will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows the structure of data returned from the printer to the printer driver in 207 of FIG. The data structure shown in FIG. 6 includes areas 300 and 301, 301 is the setting data body, and 300 is data indicating the size of the setting data 300. Since the contents of the setting data differ depending on the printer and printer driver, only the corresponding printer driver can interpret the data structure shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows the data structure sent from the printer driver to the printer at 210 in FIG. The data structure shown in FIG. 7 consists of five areas. Reference numeral 310 denotes a user ID corresponding to the print job. 310 is the same as the user ID 101 shown in FIG. Reference numerals 311 and 312 are setting data corresponding to the transmission data sent in 210. In terms of data structure, these two parts are the same as the data structure shown in FIG. Reference numeral 314 denotes the data body of the print job designated at 210. It includes page data to be printed and operation instruction data for the printer. Reference numeral 313 denotes data indicating the size of 314.

  At the same time as the printing process, the printer saves the data 310, 311 and 312 in FIG. 7 in the storage device 13 in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a data structure indicating a storage state in the storage device 13.

  The data structure shown in FIG. 8 first has a list of user IDs stored in the printer. Reference numerals 320 and 321 represent a part thereof. There is a link to one setting data corresponding to one user ID. There is setting data corresponding to the user ID at the end of the link. 320 indicates setting data indicated by 322 and 323, and 321 indicates data indicated by 324 and 325. Each of the pairs 322 and 323 and 324 and 325 has the same structure as the data structure shown in FIG. 6, and when setting data is returned at 207 in FIG. 5, this pair is returned as it is. Also, when updating the user ID and setting data, the portions 311 and 312 in FIG. 7 are copied and stored as they are.

  As described above, a set of information set by the printer driver and the user ID is stored in the printer main body, and the setting information corresponding to the user ID is returned from the printer before print setting by the printer driver. The print setting information is passed to the printer and the data is updated in the printer body, so that any user PC using the same user ID can print from any client PC, and the connection settings on the network of the printer body can be changed. Even if it changes, you can always use the last print settings.

  In this embodiment, the user ID when logging in to the client PC is used to identify the setting information stored in the printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary user identifier may be used. Is possible. For example, it is effective even if the user inputs the user ID on the printer driver setting screen.

(Second embodiment)
Since the basic configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the page data 314 in FIG. 7 includes operation instruction data for the printer. In the second embodiment, the page data 314 has data corresponding to this as setting data 312. As a result, the setting data stored in the printer cannot include settings related to functions realized by the printer driver, for example, when imposition is performed in the printer driver, but the data transmitted in 210 in FIG. The advantage is that the amount of can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
Since the basic configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first embodiment, setting data corresponding to the user ID is stored in the printer when the print job is transmitted. In the third embodiment, this storage process is made independent, and the user performs a process of registering settings in advance in the target printer.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a setting screen for registration processing in this embodiment. The user interface shown in FIG. 9 is used to operate the input / output device 18 of the client PC in FIG. 2 by using a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown). The registration process having this user interface is a function provided by the printer driver.

  In the figure, 110 is a registration screen, of which 111 is a user ID display section of the user who is registering, 112 is a duplex printing selection panel, 113 is an imposition printing setting panel, and 114 is a paper size selection panel. 115 indicates a print image quality selection panel, 116 indicates a registration start button, and 117 indicates a registration cancel button.

  FIG. 9 shows that the printer driver can select four settings, that is, double-sided printing, imposition designation, paper size, and image quality, which are the same setting contents as the print processing in FIG.

  By pressing the registration button 116, the setting information indicated by 111 to 115 can be registered in the target printer. When the cancel button 117 is pressed, the registration process is cancelled.

  Next, the flow of information during the pre-registration process in the third embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating a communication flow when the user performs setting registration in the print system according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the figure, reference numeral 220 denotes a user of the client PC, 221 denotes a printer driver, and 222 denotes a printer.

  First, in step 223, the user instructs the printer driver to start setting registration. The printer driver transmits the user ID at 224 to the printer corresponding to the user ID of the user who is going to register, and requests acquisition of print setting information stored corresponding to the user ID. The printer searches for setting data corresponding to the user ID designated by 224 stored in the storage device 13 in FIG. 2 and returns it to the printer driver at 225.

  Here, if the setting data corresponding to the user ID is not saved, an error status is returned. The printer driver displays a setting registration screen shown in FIG. 9 based on the settings returned from the printer (226). On the setting screen, the setting returned from the printer is displayed at 226. When an error is returned from the printer, the setting screen is displayed with the default value of the printer driver. When the user changes and sets the registration contents and presses the registration button 116, a setting registration instruction is sent to the printer driver at 227.

  When a setting registration instruction is sent from the user, the printer driver sends a registration instruction to the printer with the setting designated by the user (228). The printer stores the user ID and setting data specified in response to the registration instruction from the printer driver in the storage device 13 in FIG. As a result, in the subsequent printing, the same user can print with the same setting regardless of the client PC.

  When the registration is completed, the printer notifies the printer driver (229), and then the printer driver notifies the user (230) that the registration is completed.

  FIG. 11 shows the data structure of the setting data sent from the printer driver to the printer at 228 in FIG.

  In the figure, 330 is the user ID of the user who is going to register, 332 is setting data corresponding to the user ID indicated by 330, and 331 is data indicating the data of the setting data 332.

  After the processing shown in FIG. 10, the user performs printing processing according to the timing chart of FIG. 5 in the first embodiment. At this time, in the third embodiment, the structure of data passed from the printer driver to the printer in 210 in FIG. 5 is different from that of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the data structure of a print job sent from the printer driver to the printer in the third embodiment. The data structure shown in FIG. 12 consists of only two areas. Reference numeral 341 denotes the data body of the print job designated at 210. It includes page data to be printed and operation instruction data for the printer. 340 is data indicating the size of 341.

  In the third embodiment, since there is a process for storing the setting data corresponding to the user in advance in the printer, the user can use the same setting every time. Further, since the data sent from the printer driver at the time of the printing process is only the data necessary for the print job, it can be realized only by adding a function of an additional procedure to the conventional printing process procedure.

Block diagram showing the overall configuration of the print system Block diagram showing internal configuration of client PC and printer Block diagram when a client PC and multiple printers are connected Figure showing an example of the printer driver setting screen Timing chart showing the flow of communication when a user performs printing in the printing system Diagram showing an example of the data structure returned from the printer to the printer driver Diagram showing an example of the data structure sent from the printer driver to the printer The figure which shows the example of a data structure with the list | wrist of the user ID memorize | stored in the printer The figure which shows an example of the setting screen of registration processing Timing chart showing the flow of communication when a user registers settings in the print system A diagram showing an example of the data structure of setting data sent from the printer driver to the printer A diagram showing an example of the data structure of a print job sent from the printer driver to the printer

Explanation of symbols

1 Client PC
2 Client PC
3 Printer 4 Printer 5 Network (connection line)

Claims (5)

In a printing system including at least one or more image forming apparatuses and at least one or more terminal devices connected on a predetermined communication medium,
User identification means for identifying a user who uses the image forming apparatus;
Print setting registration means for transmitting information that sets a print setting with the user from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus;
Print setting holding means for storing in the image forming apparatus the set information of the user and print settings transmitted from the terminal device by the print setting registration means;
User designation means for designating a user who performs printing from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus;
A print setting for transmitting, from the image forming apparatus to the terminal device, print settings corresponding to the user designated by the user designation means from the set of users and print settings stored in the print setting holding means Return means,
A print instruction unit that issues a print instruction from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus using the print setting transmitted from the image forming apparatus by the print setting return unit;
A printing system comprising: The printing system according to claim 1,
Simultaneously performing a print instruction by the print instruction unit and a print setting registration by the print setting registration unit;
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The print instruction by the print instruction unit and the print setting registration by the print setting registration unit are performed independently.
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The print setting information is included in the print data in the print instruction by the print instruction means,
A printing system characterized by that. The printing system according to claim 1,
The print data in the print instruction by the print instruction means and the information of the print setting are independent.
A printing system characterized by that.

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