JP2007060121A - Print system and program recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system realized by a printer, a multifunction printer, and a PC, the copying setting operation of which is simplified. <P>SOLUTION: When printing an original, the printer attaches print setting contents as a cover sheet to the original and prints out the resulting original. When copying the original while being attached with the cover sheet, the multifunction printer provided with a scanner carries out copying print according to contents of the cover sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a composite printing apparatus, and a printing system realized by a PC.

  Conventionally, when a user who created a document prints an original with a printing apparatus and copies and prints the printed original with a composite printing apparatus equipped with a scanner, what is the printing operation at the stage when the copying user creates the original? Independent operation settings were newly set and copy printing was performed.

As a conventional example, for example, Patent Document 1 can be cited.
JP 2003-60881 A

The above workflow is
(1) Although the main items have already been set at the stage of printing the original, a new print setting operation or print operation is requested from the user. For example, when an original is created on a double-sided original by a printing apparatus and copied by a multi-function peripheral, the user must set the double-sided printing to the multi-function printing apparatus even when copying.

  (2) The printed material created by copying the original may be different from the intention of the user who created the original. For example, in the case of a photo or an image with high artistic elements, the person who created the original wants to print only the page on which the image is written in color so that it can be seen widely, and only that page wants to be reduced Suppose that there was no hope. However, the copying operation is performed independently of the original creator's intention.

(3) There is a printing system in which a printing apparatus and a document server are connected to a network, and original data and a printing method can be acquired from the document server. However, in a complex printing apparatus that is not physically and logically connected, It was necessary to set it manually by the user.
There was a problem.

  In order to solve the above problems, the following measures are taken.

  (1) At the time of original printing, the printing apparatus outputs an instruction sheet instructing an original printing method as an original cover sheet at the same time as the original.

  (2) When a copy of the original is printed, a cover sheet is attached and scanned, and the composite printing apparatus automatically recognizes the copy original without having to set the printing method and finishing method of the original. Print.

  (3) If necessary, the original printing user prepares selection items on the cover sheet.

  (4) The composite printing apparatus recognizes the selection item of the cover sheet, and performs a copy printing operation according to the selected operation.

  By taking these measures, the following actions can be obtained.

When copying and printing with a composite printing device using the original and cover sheet output by the printing device,
(1) Since the copy printing operation is designated by the cover sheet, a complicated print setting operation for the copy user is not necessary.

  (2) A copying operation reflecting the intention of the user who created the original is possible.

  (3) The effect of the cover sheet is effective even in a composite printing apparatus that is not physically and logically connected.

  (4) When the copy user selects a selection item for the cover sheet, print setting without using the panel becomes possible.

  (5) Since the print setting items are listed on the cover sheet, there is a sense of security for the copy printing user.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

When the cover sheet and the document generated by the printing apparatus according to the present invention are copied by the composite printing machine according to the present invention,
(1) Since the copy printing operation is designated by the cover sheet, a complicated print setting operation for the copy user is not necessary.

  (2) A copying operation reflecting the intention of the user who created the original is possible.

  (3) The effect of the cover sheet is effective even in a composite printing apparatus that is not physically and logically connected.

  (4) When the copy user selects a selection item for the cover sheet, print setting without using the panel becomes possible.

  (5) Since the print setting items are listed on the cover sheet, there is a sense of security for the copy printing user.

  In the present invention, as will be described in detail below, a printing apparatus and another complex printing apparatus including a scanner cooperate with each other via a cover sheet, thereby simplifying the copy printing operation setting of the complex printing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which the printing system according to the present exemplary embodiment can operate.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 110 denotes a single function printer (hereinafter referred to as SFP (Single Function Printer)), and 120 denotes a PC, each connected to a LAN 100. Reference numeral 190 denotes a composite printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as MFP (Multi Function Printer)), which is connected to a LAN 190 independent of the LAN 100. A firewall 120 connects the LAN 100 to the external Internet 130. The LAN 100 is connected to another network 140 via the firewall 120 and the Internet 130.

  The user creates a print job at 110 on the PC 120 and transfers the print job to the SFP 110. The SFP 110 executes a printing process after receiving a print job. In the present invention, a workflow in which a user copies a document printed by the SFP 110 using the MFP 191 is more convenient and simple.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of a general personal computer, and the internal configuration of the PC 120 in FIG. 1 is as described above. The PC 200 includes a CPU 201 that executes various kinds of software stored in the ROM 202 or the hard disk (HD) 211 or supplied from the flexible disk drive (FD) 212, and comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204. To do. A RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201. A keyboard controller (KBC) 205 controls instruction input from a keyboard (KB) 209 or a pointing device (not shown). Reference numeral 206 denotes a CRT controller (CRTC) that controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 210. A disk controller (DKC) 207 controls access to the hard disk (HD) 211 and the flexible disk controller (FD) 212 for storing a boot program, a program for realizing the present invention, various applications, editing files, user files, and the like. To do. A network interface card (NIC) 208 bi-directionally exchanges data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 220.

  In this embodiment, the LAN 220 is the same as the LAN 100 in FIG.

  In FIG. 3, 300 is an example of the internal configuration of the MFP or SFP on which the program of the present invention operates, and is equivalent to 110 and 191 in FIG. The device 300 includes a CPU 301 that executes various programs stored in a ROM 302 or a hard disk (HD) 310 or supplied from a flexible disk drive (FD) 311, and generally controls each device connected to the system bus 304. Control. A RAM 303 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 301. A user interface controller (UIC) 305 controls display on the user interface (UI) 309 and instruction input from the 309. A function controller (FUNCC) 306 realizes / controls a function (FUNC) 310 that is a function unique to each device. In the case of a monochrome printer, a monochrome print engine controller and a monochrome print engine, in the case of a color printer, a color print engine controller and a color print engine, and in the case of an MFP, the device 300 includes a function controller (FUNCC) 306 and a function (FUNC) 310 for each function. Have each. Reference numeral 307 denotes a disk controller (DKC) which controls access to a hard disk (HD) 311 and a flexible disk controller (FD) 312 for storing a boot program, a program for performing the operation of the present invention, various applications, and data files. A network interface card (NIC) 308 bi-directionally exchanges data with a network printer, another network device, or another PC via the LAN 320. In this embodiment, the LAN 320 is the same as the LAN 100 and the LAN 190 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 is an operation model diagram of the PC, MFP, and SFP in the printing system of the present invention. Reference numeral 410 denotes a PC, which is an SFP, which is equivalent to 120 in FIG. 420 is an SFP, which is equivalent to 110 in FIG. Reference numeral 430 denotes an MFP, which is equivalent to 190 in FIG. MFP 430 and SFP 420 are connected via LAN 440.

  The PC 410 transfers the print job to the SFP 420, and the SFP 420 prints the cover sheet 421 and the original 422. The content of the cover sheet 421 describes print settings for the document 422. Thereafter, when copying by the MFP 430, the user attaches the cover sheet 421 as a cover to the document 422 and executes it. Then, the MFP recognizes the cover sheet 421 and copies the document 431 with the setting contents described on the cover sheet. Since the print setting contents are described on the cover sheet, the user only needs to perform the minimum necessary operation. In some cases, the user only has to place the cover sheet and the document on the ADF (Auto Document Feeder) or press the copy start button.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the SFP 420 in the operation of the present invention. In step 510, a processing event is first waited. If an event occurs, it is determined in step 520 whether it is a print job, and if it is a print job, it is determined in step 540 whether there is a request to print a cover sheet. If there is a cover sheet print request, print image data of the cover sheet is created in step 550, the cover sheet is printed in step 551, and the process of step 560 is performed. If there is no request for cover sheet printing in step 540, the processing in step 560 is performed as it is. In step 560, the requested original is printed. Thereafter, in step 561, a print completion notification is issued to the event generation source, and the process returns to processing 510 to wait for the event occurrence. If the event that occurred in step 520 is not a print job execution request, appropriate processing is performed for the event that occurred in step 530, and the process returns to step 510 and waits for a processing event.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the MFP 430 in the operation of the present invention. In step 601, a processing event is first waited. When an event occurs, it is determined in step 610 whether the job is a scan job, and if it is a scan job, scanning is started in step 630. If it is not a scan job, the process proceeds to step 620. In step 631, the presence / absence of a cover sheet is determined. If there is a cover sheet, the process proceeds to step 640, and if not, the process proceeds to step 650. In step 640, the content of the cover sheet is read, and in step 641, print setting processing according to the content is performed. In step 642, it is determined whether or not there is a cover sheet print request. If there is a print request, cover sheet printing is performed in step 643, and the flow advances to step 651. If there is no cover sheet print request, step 643 is skipped and the process moves to step 651. In the process 600, the scan process of step 650 is performed in parallel processing from step 640 to immediately before step 651. In step 651, scan processing and document processing are performed, and then the process returns to step 601 to wait for a processing event again. In step 620, processing outside the scope of the present invention is performed, and the processing returns to step 601 waiting for a processing event again.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the process of the print driver in the PC 410 according to the present invention. In step 701, an event is awaited, and when it occurs, the process moves to process 702 and the process is distributed. If a print setting request is issued from the user, the process proceeds to step 710. If a print request from the user occurs as an event, the process proceeds to step 720. If any other event occurs, the process proceeds to step 730. In step 710, print setting processing is performed, and in 701, a request from the user is awaited again. If creation of a cover sheet is requested at step 720, cover sheet data is created at step 721. Thereafter, document data is created in step 722, a print job is created in step 723, and the print job created in step 724 is transmitted to the SFP 420. Thereafter, the process returns to step 701 to wait for an event again. In step 730, processes other than the print setting process and the print process are performed, and the process proceeds to 701 to wait for an event.

  FIG. 8 is an example of the cover sheet 421 in FIG. An item 810 is a page setting item. In the example shown in the figure, the original size is printed in A4 from page 1 to page 22 and from page 24 to the end of the document, and pages 23 to 24 are printed in A3. Also, it is specified that the original is printed vertically from page 1 to page 22 and from page 24 to the end of the document, and from page 23 to page 24 is printed horizontally. Item 820 indicates the print quality, the resolution is printed at all page 1200 dpi, black and white are printed from page 1 to page 22 and page 24 to the end of the document, and pages 23 to 24 are printed in full color. An item 830 indicates finishing, and 23 pages to 24 pages indicate single-sided printing, and 1 page to 22 pages and 24 pages to double-sided printing from the end of the document. Also, stapling is not performed. Item 940 indicates that target models that can reflect the setting of the cover sheet are AA5000, AA6000, BB3100, and BB3200. Items 897 to 899 are barcodes, and part or all of the print setting contents of the cover sheet are represented by barcodes. As a result, the MFP 430 can accurately read a part or all of the print setting contents of the cover sheet.

  FIG. 9 is an example of the cover sheet 421 in FIG. The difference from the cover sheet 800 is that the print setting description by the user is possible in the mark sheet format. An item 910 is a page setting. In this cover sheet, A5, B5, A4, B4, A3, and B3 can be specified. It is also possible to specify the orientation of the document in portrait and landscape. The number of copies can also be specified in the range of 1 to 999999. In the item 920, print quality can be specified, and in the example of the cover sheet 900, monochrome or full color can be specified.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a memory map of a CD-ROM which is an example of a storage medium. Reference numeral 9999 denotes an area in which directory information is stored, and indicates positions of an area 9998 in which subsequent installation programs are stored and an area 9997 in which programs for realizing the present invention are stored. An area 9998 stores a program for installing a program for realizing the present invention. Reference numeral 9997 denotes an area in which a program for realizing the present invention is stored. When the program for realizing the present invention is installed in the printing device 300, first, the installation program stored in the area 9998 where the installation program is stored is loaded into the system and executed by the CPU 301. Next, the installation program executed by the CPU 301 reads the program for realizing the present invention from the area 9997 in which the program for realizing the present invention is stored, and stores it in the hard disk 311.

  Note that the present invention may be applied to a system or an integrated device including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, etc.) or an apparatus including a single device.

  In addition, a storage medium in which a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by executing the program code read by the computer, and the OS running on the computer is part of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. The CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  The present invention can also be applied to a case where the program is distributed to a requester via a communication line such as personal computer communication from a storage medium in which a program code of software realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded. Needless to say.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. The figure which showed the internal structure of the general personal computer. The figure which showed the internal structure of the general printing device. The figure which showed the flow of operation | movement among PC, MFP, and SFP. The operation | movement flowchart in SFP. 6 is an operation flowchart in the MFP. The operation | movement flowchart in PC. An example of a cover sheet. An example of a cover sheet. The figure which shows the memory map in the storage medium of the program of this invention.

Claims (8)

In a printing system where a printing device and a PC are connected,
Let the user specify the printing attributes to be written on the cover sheet at the time of printing or determine it by default, and instruct the printing device to output the cover sheet;
A printing apparatus that prints a cover sheet and an original according to an instruction from a PC. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A printing apparatus that prints a current or default print attribute as a cover sheet content together with a document even if there is no content instruction from a PC. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
When a cover sheet is attached and loaded as a cover when scanning a document,
A composite printing apparatus that recognizes and scans a cover sheet and a document, and performs copy printing of the scanned document according to an instruction of the cover sheet. The cover sheet according to claim 1,
A cover sheet characterized in that it can be set as the content of the cover sheet whether or not copy printing of the cover sheet itself is performed. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A PC characterized in that it can be set as the cover sheet contents whether or not the cover sheet itself is copied or printed when printing the cover sheet. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A composite printing apparatus capable of setting whether or not to perform copy printing of a cover sheet itself when scanning the cover sheet. The cover sheet according to claim 1,
A cover sheet that can describe selection items such as a mark sheet and the like, and the copy user can control the copy printing operation of the composite printing apparatus by selecting an item on the printed cover sheet. . The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
A composite printing apparatus that recognizes a selection item on a cover sheet and performs a copy printing operation according to the instruction.

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