JP2006350803A - Print control apparatus, print control system, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To bother troubles such as confirming an output page and reprinting when a user cancels printing by mistake. SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a canceled print job can be efficiently reprinted without waste.
In a print control apparatus capable of receiving a print job from an information processing apparatus, a print processing stop means for canceling the processing of the print job, a storage means for storing the printed page and the print job, and a print job that has been canceled A selecting means for selecting and a means for reprinting the selected print job are provided.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control system, a program, and a storage medium that perform reprocessing after the print process is stopped when the print process is stopped in the print control apparatus.

  As this type of print control apparatus, a print control apparatus that simply cancels a print job is shown.

As a conventional example, for example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-154071

  However, in the above-described conventional printing system, when the user cancels the printing by mistake, in order to re-process the print job that has been canceled, the print job that has been canceled by the user by mistake. Reprinting process must be performed.

  Also, if the canceled print job has already printed part of it, if you do not want to reprint a page that has already been printed, the user checks the page that has been output and the output has not been performed. There was a hassle of reprinting from the page.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a print control device, a print control system, a program, and a storage medium that can easily reprint a canceled print job.

  In order to achieve the above object, a print control apparatus and a print control system of the present invention perform data processing on a page basis for the print information in a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a communication medium. A processing unit that generates output data that can be output from the printing unit, a print processing cancellation unit that cancels processing of the print information by the processing unit, and the print information when the print processing cancellation unit cancels printing. Storage means for storing the identification information and print information acquired from the above, selection means for selecting a print process in which processing of the print information stored in the storage means has been stopped based on the identification information, and Based on the print information stored in the storage means, the processing means performs data processing on the print processing in which the processing of the print information selected by the selection means has been stopped. Characterized by comprising a reprocessing means for processing should do print information.

In the print control device, when the print processing stop unit cancels printing,
Storage means for storing page information already processed by the processing means;
A print process to be processed by the processing means based on the print information stored in the storage means and the already-processed page information. Reprocessing means for controlling a data processing start page of information and processing output data of a non-output page from the printing unit.

  The selection means may further comprise an access restriction means for enabling a selectable user to make a selection based on the print information.

  In the reprocessing means, the reprocessable user includes an access restriction means that enables reprocessing based on the print information.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily reprint a cancel job in the case where the user has canceled it by mistake. Further, it is possible to print from the continuation of the page that has already been printed before cancellation. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent a user who has no authority to acquire a cancel job list from acquiring a cancel job list. Further, it is possible to prevent a user who does not have the print job of the cancel job from printing the cancel job.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings based on a plurality of examples.

[First Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, some embodiments of claims 1 and 2 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the cancel job reprinting method according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. As long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the serial port is connected regardless of whether it is a single device, a system composed of a plurality of devices, or a parallel port. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a system in which processing is performed through a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). . Further, the information processing apparatus described in the first embodiment is a host computer, and the communication device is a printer.

  The cancel job reprinting method according to the first embodiment includes a host computer 3000 and a printer 1500. The host computer 3000 includes a CPU 1, a RAM 2, a ROM 3, a keyboard controller (KBC) 5, a CRT controller (CRTC) 6, a disk controller (DKC) 7, a printer controller (PRTC) 8, a keyboard (KB) 9, A CRT display (CRT) 10 and an external memory 11 are provided.

  First, the configuration of each part of the host computer 3000 will be described in detail. The CPU 1 is a central processing unit that comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus, and is stored in the program ROM 3b (described later) of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. Based on the document processing program or the like, document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.), etc. are mixed is executed. Further, the CPU 1 executes outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and displays a WSYIWYG (What You See Is What You Get: CRT display screen on the CRT display 10. The function of printing in the size and shape as it is visible.

  Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT display 10 and executes various data processing. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1. The ROM 3 includes a font ROM 3a, a program ROM 3b, and a data ROM 3c. The font ROM 3a or the external memory 11 stores font data used for the document processing. The program ROM 3b or the external memory 11 stores an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program for the CPU 1. The data ROM 3c or the external memory 11 stores various data used when performing the document processing or the like.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from a keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. A disk controller (DKC) 7 controls access to the external memory 11. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via the bidirectional interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500. The keyboard 9 includes various keys.

  A CRT display (CRT) 10 displays figures, image characters, tables, and the like. The external memory 11 includes a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), and the like, and includes a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a printer). Driver) and the like.

  The CPU 1, RAM 2, ROM 3, keyboard controller (KBC) 5, CRT controller (CRTC) 6, disk controller (DKC) 7, and printer controller (PRTC) 8 are arranged on the computer control unit 2000.

  Next, the configuration of each part of the printer 1500 will be described in detail. The CPU 12 is a central processing unit that comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 15, and is stored in a program ROM 13b (described later) of the ROM 13. An image signal as output information is output to the printing unit (printer engine) 17 based on a control program or the like or a control program stored in the external memory 14. The CPU 12 can communicate with the host computer 3000 via the input unit 18 and can notify the host computer 3000 of information in the printer 1500 and the like.

  The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown) connected to the expansion port. The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like. The ROM 13 includes a font ROM 13a, a program ROM 13b, and a data ROM 13c. The font ROM 13a stores font data used for generating the output information. The program ROM 13b stores a control program for the CPU 12 and the like. The data ROM 13c stores information used on the host computer 3000 when the printer 1500 is not connected to the external memory 14 such as a hard disk.

  The input unit 18 transmits and receives data between the printer 1500 and the host computer 3000 via the bidirectional interface 21. A printing unit interface (I / F) 16 transmits and receives data between the CPU 12 and the printing unit 17. A memory controller (MC) 20 controls access to the external memory 14. The printing unit 17 performs a printing operation based on the control of the CPU 12. The operation unit 1501 includes switches for various operations, display means (for example, an LED display), and the like.

  The external memory 14 includes a hard disk (HD), an IC card, and the like, and is connected to the printer 1500 as an option. The external memory 14 stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like, and access is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The number of external memories 14 is not limited to one, and a plurality of external memories 14 can be provided. In other words, in addition to the built-in font, an option card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages with different language systems may be connected. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store printer mode setting information from the operation unit 1501.

  The above-described CPU 12, RAM 19, ROM 13, input unit 18, printing unit interface (I / F) 16, and memory controller (MC) 20 are disposed on the printer control unit 1000.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a typical print processing configuration in the host computer 2000 to which a print control device 2500 such as a printer is directly connected or connected via a network. In FIG. 2, the cancel job display unit 200 and the cancel job selection unit 201 exist as files stored in the external memory 11 of FIG. Is a program module to be executed.

  Further, the print processing control unit 205, the print cancel / reprint control unit 206, and the canceled print processing data 206 are loaded into the RAM 19 by the OS or a module using the module when executed by the printer 1500 in FIG. A program module or data to be executed.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print control apparatus and the print control apparatus as its module, the configuration of the host computer and the host computer as its module in the embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 2000 denotes a host computer (terminal) which transmits print information including print data and control codes to a print control apparatus (printer apparatus) 2500. The host computer (terminal) 2000 performs bidirectional communication with the print control apparatus (printer apparatus) 2500, and performs print processing, print stop processing, and reprint processing.

  The cancel job control unit 200 performs control for canceling the print job of the print control apparatus (printer apparatus) 2500. The cancel job display unit 201 displays a list of print jobs canceled by the print control apparatus (printer apparatus) 2500. The cancel job selection unit 202 selects a job to be reprinted from the print jobs displayed on the cancel job display unit 201.

  A print processing control unit 205 performs control for outputting a print job. A print cancel / reprint control unit 206 controls the cancel or reprint of the print job. Canceled print processing data 207 accumulates data for canceling a print job in the print cancel / reprint control unit 206 or performing reprinting.

  The operation of the print control system having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the print control apparatus cancels the print job. This is a flow when the user transmits a print job cancel command from the host computer 2000 and the printer 2500 receives it in an environment where the connection between the host computer 2000 and the input / output device (for example, the printer device 2500) is set. It is determined whether it is a print job cancel packet. (Step S301) If the packet is a print job cancel packet, the print job is canceled. (Step S302) Subsequently, the printed page is stored in the cancel job list of the canceled print processing data 207. (Step S303) Subsequently, the print information and the identification information are stored in the cancel job list of the canceled print processing data 207. (Step S304)
FIG. 4 is an example of a flow in which the user reprints a canceled print job from the host computer 2000. When a cancel job list acquisition request is issued from the host computer 2000 (step S401), the printer 2500 transmits a cancel job list (step S402). Subsequently, in the host computer 2000, the cancel job display unit 201 displays a cancel job list (step S403). Subsequently, the cancel job selection unit 202 selects a cancel job to be printed, and the user selects whether to print all pages of the selected print job or not to reprint the printed page (step S404). (Step S405) If all pages are not printed, a reprint command that does not print the printed pages is created (step S406), and if all pages are printed, the printed pages are printed.

A reprint command is created (step S407). Subsequently, a cancel job print command is transmitted. (Step S408)
The printer 2500 receives the cancel job print command and determines whether or not to print all pages (step S409). If not printing all pages, prints the unprinted page of the selected cancel job (step S410). ) When printing all pages of the selected cancel job, all pages are printed. (Step S411)
FIG. 5 shows registered contents of the job ID 501, the print information file 502, and the print job printed page 503 registered in the canceled print processing data 207.

  The cancel job display unit 201 of the host computer 2000 can select the print job desired by the user by the cancel job selection unit 202 by displaying the data of FIG.

  The print job canceled by the above steps can be reprinted.

  Also, the print cancel / reprint control unit 206 can reprint the pages after the already printed pages by referring to the printed pages 503 of the print job.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, some embodiments of claims 1, 2, and 3 will be described.

  In the first embodiment, the method for reprinting a cancel job has been described. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a cancel job list can be displayed only by a user having access rights when re-printing a cancel job.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the access right confirmation processing procedure for the cancel job list acquisition request according to the present embodiment.

  A description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In step S601, the cancel job control unit 200 of the host computer acquires the user ID and password. At this time, the cancel job control unit 200 has a method of displaying a dialog and requesting the user to input the user ID and password, or using the access right of the logged-in user. In the cancel job list acquisition request (step S401), the user ID and password acquired in step S601 are added to the request and transmitted to the printer 2000.

  In step S602, the print cancel / reprint control unit of the printer 2000 checks whether the user ID and password added to the cancel job list acquisition request are correct. If they are correct, the cancel job list is transmitted (step S602). The process proceeds to S402).

  If the user ID and password are incorrect, a cancel job list acquisition request failure notification is sent to the host computer (step S603).

  Through these steps, it is possible to prevent the cancel job list from being displayed to a user who does not have the authority to display the cancel job list.

[Third Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, some embodiments of claims 1, 2, and 4 will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the access right confirmation method for the cancel job list acquisition request related to the reprint method of the cancel job has been described. In the present embodiment, a case where only a user having an access right can print a cancel job when reprinting the cancel job will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for confirming the access right of the cancel job print request according to this embodiment.

  A description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In step S701, the cancel job control unit 200 of the host computer acquires the user ID and password. At this time, the cancel job control unit 200 has a method of displaying a dialog and requesting the user to input the user ID and password, or using the access right of the logged-in user. In the cancel job print request (step S408), the user ID and password acquired in step S701 are added to the request and transmitted to the printer 2000.

  In step S702, the print cancel / reprint control unit of the printer 2000 checks whether the user ID and password added to the cancel job print request are correct. If they are correct, the cancel job print process (step S409). Proceed to

  If the user ID and password are incorrect, a cancel job print failure notification is sent to the host computer (step S703).

  With these steps, it is possible for a user who has no print job authority to cancel a cancel job to be printed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a typical printing system of a host computer to which a printer is connected. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows one Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of registration of the canceled printing process data which is one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows two Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows three Example of this invention.

Claims (8)

In a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a communication medium, processing means for processing the print information in units of pages and generating output data that can be output from a printing unit;
Print processing stop means for canceling processing of the print information by the processing means;
Storage means for storing identification information and print information acquired from the print information when the print processing stop means cancels printing;
A selection unit that selects a print process in which the process of the print information stored in the storage unit is stopped based on the identification information;
Reprocessing means for processing the print information to be processed by the processing means based on the print information stored in the storage means for the print processing for which the processing of the print information selected by the selection means has been stopped And a printing control apparatus. In the case where the print processing stop unit cancels printing in the print control apparatus,
Storage means for storing page information already processed by the processing means;
A print process to be processed by the processing means based on the print information stored in the storage means and the already-processed page information. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reprocessing unit that controls a data processing start page of information and processes output data of an unoutput page from the printing unit.   3. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an access restriction unit that enables a selectable user to make a selection based on the print information.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprocessing unit includes an access restriction unit that enables a reprocessable user to perform reprocessing based on the print information. In a print control apparatus capable of receiving print information from an information processing apparatus via a communication medium, processing means for processing the print information in units of pages and generating output data that can be output from a printing unit;
Print processing stop means for canceling processing of the print information by the processing means;
Storage means for storing identification information and print information acquired from the print information when the print processing stop means cancels printing;
A selection unit that selects a print process in which the process of the print information stored in the storage unit is stopped based on the identification information;
Reprocessing means for processing the print information to be processed by the processing means based on the print information stored in the storage means for the print processing for which the processing of the print information selected by the selection means has been stopped And a printing control system. In the print control system, when the print processing stop unit cancels printing,
Storage means for storing page information already processed by the processing means;
A print process to be processed by the processing means based on the print information stored in the storage means and the already-processed page information. 6. The print control system according to claim 5, further comprising reprocessing means for controlling a data processing start page of information and processing output data of an unoutput page from the printing unit.   7. The print control system according to claim 5, further comprising: an access restriction unit that enables a selectable user to select based on the print information.   7. The print control system according to claim 5, further comprising an access restriction unit that enables a reprocessable user to perform reprocessing based on the print information.

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