JP2007286700A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor and a program for improving operability. <P>SOLUTION: When, for example, an icon 3131 of a document is dragged by a mouse cursor 3121 on a display screen 313, and it is detected that the icon 3131 is dropped, for example, on a printer icon 3134, and when a print instruction is transmitted from the printer set at the printer icon 3134 and under print conditions, the processor holds a hierarchy structure for setting the print conditions of the printer icon 3134, and displays a printer icon of a lower order layer in the case that a state with both the icons are overlapped therein continues for a prescribed period of time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, and a program.

  Various techniques for transmitting a print instruction to an image forming apparatus have been devised. A printer driver that generates PDL (Page Technology Language) converts an instruction issued by an operating system (OS) or an application program into PDL, and transfers the PDL to the image forming apparatus to instruct printing.

  On the other hand, in recent image forming apparatuses, an image file in a format such as PDF (Portable Document Format) or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus without being converted into PDL. There is a case where a function capable of executing print processing is installed. When a display unit such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display is provided on the side of an external device such as a personal computer (PC) that instructs the image forming apparatus to print, a file in a format such as PDF or TIFF to be printed is displayed on the display unit A technique for displaying an icon and an icon representing an image forming apparatus and instructing printing by dragging and dropping the icons is also put into practical use.

  Here, it is also devised to set print conditions such as paper size, double-sided / single-sided, etc., for an icon representing the image forming apparatus. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique in which a printer icon in which print conditions are set in advance is displayed, and an icon of a file to be printed is dragged and dropped onto a desired printer icon to perform printing under the set print conditions. ing.

JP 2001-337765 A

  In a situation where various kinds of software are developed and distributed as in recent years, it is not uncommon for a very large number of icons to be displayed on a display in a so-called desktop environment. When the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, it may be assumed that even if the same printer has different icons for different printing conditions, the icons cannot be displayed on the screen.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that can further improve operability.

  In order to solve the above problems, a first information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, and includes a display unit including a display screen, and a pointing device. Pointing device output signal receiving means for receiving an output signal, a first icon representing the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and printing conditions, and a second icon representing a print target document on the display screen, Icon display means for displaying each of the icons, drop detection means for detecting that the second icon is dragged on the display screen using the pointing device and dropped on the first icon, and the drop When the drop is detected by the detection means, the first icon displays A print target document represented by the second icon is printed on the image forming apparatus to be printed by the print condition initially set for the first icon or the print condition represented by the first icon. A print instruction means for controlling to send a print instruction for instructing, and when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions as the first icon, the hierarchical structure information holding that holds the hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons The icon display means is configured to display the first icon displayed on the display screen when the second icon is dragged and a state where it overlaps with one of the first icons has passed for a predetermined time or more. In addition to the icon, the first icon having a different hierarchy is further displayed on the display screen.

  In the configuration of the present invention, when the second icon is dragged and the state where the second icon overlaps with one of the first icons has elapsed for a predetermined time or longer, the first icon having a different hierarchy is further displayed on the display screen. The number of icons on the display screen can be reduced, and the possibility of malfunction due to being accidentally dropped on the first icon with different print conditions is reduced, thereby improving the operability. Improvements can be made.

  A second information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, and includes a display unit that includes a display screen, and a pointing device output signal reception unit that receives an output signal from a pointing device. And icon display means for displaying on the display screen a first icon representing the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and printing conditions, and a second icon representing a document to be printed, and the display On the screen, it is detected that the second icon has been dragged using the pointing device and dropped on the first icon, and the drop detection unit detects that the second icon has been dropped. If the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon A print instruction for instructing to print the print target document represented by the icon according to the print condition initially set in the first icon or the print condition represented by the first icon is transmitted. A print instructing means for controlling, and when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions as the first icon, a hierarchical structure information holding means for holding a hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons, wherein the icon display means In addition to the first icon displayed on the display screen, when the second icon is dragged and the state where the second icon is overlapped with one of the first icons has passed for a predetermined time or more, the hierarchy is different. A first icon is further displayed on the display screen.

  The icon display means may be configured to further display an icon one layer below the first icon displayed on the display screen when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  When the second predetermined condition is satisfied, the icon display means may be configured to display a lower layer icon of the displayed lower layer icon on the display screen.

  The information processing apparatus further includes print condition storage determining means for determining whether or not a print condition is stored in a file storing the print target document represented by the second icon, and the print condition is stored. A print condition extracting unit that extracts a print condition when the print icon is present, a print condition initially set in the first icon, or a print condition represented by the first icon, and the print condition extracting unit Print condition contradiction judging means for judging whether or not there is a contradiction with the printed print condition, and the icon display means displays, for the first icon, an icon with a contradictory print condition and an icon with no contradiction. It can be set as the structure to do.

  The icon display unit changes the display of the first icon when the document to be printed represented by the second icon cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. It can be set as the structure to do.

  The information processing apparatus includes processing performance information holding means for holding processing performance information for each type of image forming apparatus and file, and the icon display means displays the first icon based on the processing performance information. It can be set as the structure which changes.

  The information processing apparatus is further represented by the first icon and user authority information holding means for holding available user information for each of the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and print conditions. An image forming apparatus, or an image forming apparatus and a printing condition, including an authority presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the information processing apparatus can be used by an operator user. And an icon that cannot be used can be displayed in an identifiable manner.

  A first program according to the present invention is a program installed in an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, and the information processing apparatus includes the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and a print condition. When there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions in the first icon representing the above, the hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons is held, and the program is stored in a display unit connected to the information processing apparatus. An icon display process for displaying the first icon and a second icon representing the document to be printed on the display screen, and the second icon is dragged on the display screen using a pointing device, A drop detection process for detecting a drop on one of the first icons, and the drop detection process When it is detected that the document is dropped, the print target document represented by the second icon is initially set in the first icon in the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. Print instruction processing for controlling transmission of a print instruction for instructing printing according to the print condition displayed or the print condition represented by the first icon, and the second icon being dragged. In a case where the overlapped state with one of the icons exceeds a predetermined time, in addition to the first icon displayed on the display screen, the first icon having a different hierarchy is further displayed on the display screen. It is characterized by causing the information processing apparatus to execute another hierarchy icon display processing.

  A second program according to the present invention is a program installed in an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus, and the information processing apparatus includes the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and a print condition. When there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions in the first icon representing the above, the hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons is held, and the program is stored in a display unit connected to the information processing apparatus. An icon display process for displaying the first icon and a second icon representing the document to be printed on the display screen, and the second icon is dragged on the display screen using a pointing device, A drop detection process for detecting a drop on one of the first icons, and the drop detection process When it is detected that the document is dropped, the print target document represented by the second icon is initially set in the first icon in the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. Print instruction processing for controlling transmission of a print instruction for instructing printing according to the print condition displayed or the print condition represented by the first icon, and the second icon being dragged. When a predetermined output signal from the input device is input in a state where the icon overlaps with one of the icons, the first icon displayed on the display screen is added to the first icon having a different hierarchy. Further, the information processing apparatus is caused to execute another layer icon display processing to be displayed on the display screen.

  Note that the above-mentioned programs include not only programs that can be directly executed by a processor such as a CPU, but also programs in a source program format, compressed programs, encrypted programs, and the like. The program according to the present invention may be distributed to the market while being recorded on various recording media, or may be supplied to the market via various networks such as the Internet.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, it is preferable to implement the functions of the operating system (OS) such as detection of various mouse events such as dragging and dropping and detection of input signals of an input device such as a keyboard. Is included. The program according to the present invention is not limited to the case where the code that realizes the function of the OS is included, and the program that causes the information processing apparatus to execute processing using the function of the OS without including the code that realizes the function. Is also included.

  According to the information processing apparatus and the like according to the present invention, the number of icons displayed on the screen can be reduced, and the operability can be further improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) Configuration of Print System FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a print system according to the present embodiment. The print system 1 is configured by connecting MFPs (multifunction peripherals) 100A and 100B, a printer 110, and personal computers (PCs) 31 and 32 via a LAN (local area network) 500.

  The PC 31 is an example of an information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. Specifically, a computer program that implements the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is installed in the PC 31. MFP 100A, MFP 100B, and printer 110 are examples of an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, also referred to as “printer” in the meaning of the image forming apparatus) instructed to print by the information processing apparatus. The MFP is an image forming apparatus that integrates functions such as copying, network printing, a scanner, a FAX, or a document server. Sometimes called a multifunction device.

  The PC 32 according to the present embodiment has a role as a processing performance management server for each printer, and obtains processing performance information by measuring the processing performance of the MFPs 100A, 100B, and 110. The LAN 500 is an example of a connection form between the information processing apparatus and the printer, and may be wired or wireless. The number of PCs and printers connected to the LAN 500 is arbitrary, and a print instruction can be transmitted to a printer such as the MFP 100A from any PC on which the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is installed.

(2) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Next, the configuration of the printer according to the present embodiment will be described using MFP 100A as an example. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of MFP 100A. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of MFP 100A.

  The MFP 100A includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a scanner unit 13, a printer unit 14, a communication interface 16, a document feeder 17, a paper feeder 18, a tray 19 (see FIG. 2), a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a hard disk 23, and It is constituted by a clock IC 24 or the like.

  The operation unit 11 includes a plurality of keys for inputting numbers, characters, symbols, and the like, a sensor that recognizes the pressed key, and a transmission circuit that transmits a signal indicating the recognized key to the CPU 20. .

  Display unit 12 displays a screen for displaying a message to the user, a screen for the user to input setting content and processing content, a screen showing a result of processing executed by MFP 100A, and the like. In the present embodiment, a touch panel is used for the display unit 12. The touch panel has a function of detecting a position on the touch panel touched by the user with a finger and transmitting a signal indicating the detection result to the CPU 20, which is included in the operation unit 11.

  The scanner unit 13 irradiates the original with light and detects reflected light, thereby reading an image drawn on the original with a predetermined reading resolution, and calculating digital image data (in this case, RGB or black density). Density data). The image data obtained in this way is used for printing in the printer unit 14 and is converted into a file in a format such as TIFF, PDF, JPEG, etc., and stored in the hard disk 23. It may be converted into FAX data and used for FAX transmission. The document feeder 17 is provided on the upper part of the main body of the MFP 100 </ b> A (see FIG. 2) and is used to sequentially send one or more originals to the scanner unit 13.

  The printer unit 14 prints an image read by the scanner unit 13, an image of data transmitted from an external device such as the PC 31, or an image of FAX data received by FAX on a recording sheet such as paper or film. The paper feeding device 18 is provided in the lower part of the MFP 100A main body, and is used to supply a recording sheet suitable for an image to be printed to the printer unit 14. The recording sheet on which the image is printed by the printer unit 14 is discharged to the tray 19 (see FIG. 2).

  The communication interface 16 is a device for communicating with an external device such as the PC 31 via the LAN 500 or performing FAX transmission / reception via a telephone line. As the communication interface 16, a NIC (network interface card), a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), or the like is used.

  The ROM 21 stores programs and data for realizing basic functions of the MFP 100A such as image reading (scanning), document copying (copying), FAX data transmission / reception, network printing, and a document server (box function). ing. Some or all of these programs or data may be installed in the hard disk 23. In this case, the program or data installed in the hard disk 23 is loaded into the RAM 22 as necessary.

  The hard disk 23 stores an image data file obtained by reading an original with the scanner unit 13, an image data file transmitted from an external device such as the PC 31, and the like. The clock IC 24 is used for processing performance measurement processing when there is a processing performance measurement request from the PC 32.

(3) Processing of PC32 (processing performance measurement processing)
Next, processing contents of the PC 32 in this embodiment (processing performance measurement processing of each printer) will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of the PC 32.

  When power is supplied to the PC 32, first, general initialization processing such as clearing the memory, setting the standard mode, and starting the operating system (OS) is performed (S101). After initialization, an event from an input device such as a mouse or keyboard is detected (S102). If any event is detected (S102: YES), processing corresponding to the detected event is performed (S103).

  Next, it is determined whether or not it is time to measure the processing performance of the printer connected via the LAN 500 (S104). The processing performance can be set, for example, to be measured at a predetermined interval such as an interval of 24 hours, to be measured every week on a predetermined day of the week, or to be measured every month on a predetermined day.

  If the processing performance measurement timing is not reached (S104: NO), the process returns to step S102 and the above-described processing is repeated. When it is the timing of the processing performance measurement (S104: YES), the processing performance measurement processing is executed (S105). FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of the processing performance measurement process.

  In the processing performance measurement process, first, 1 is set to the variable i (S201). The variable i corresponds to each printer, and the maximum value (imax) of the variable i is the number of printers whose processing performance is to be measured.

  First, the i-th printer (for example, MFP 100A) is requested to transmit firmware version information (S202). After that, it waits for reception of version information from the i-th printer (S203). If there is no reception even after a predetermined timeout period has elapsed (S203: NO, S204: YES), the process proceeds to step S208, and the process proceeds to the next printer.

  By the way, the PC 32 holds information about a printer connected via the LAN 500 in a storage device such as a hard disk. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a table (printer registration table) that holds printer information.

  The contents of the information held in the printer registration table of the present embodiment are the printer IP address, printer name, and firmware version information. The printer connected to the LAN 500 can be searched using, for example, SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), but may be input using an input device such as a mouse or keyboard of the PC 32. Good.

  When firmware version information is received from the i-th printer (S203: YES), it is compared with the firmware version information stored in the printer registration table. If the firmware version has not been changed (S205: NO), the subsequent process is skipped and the process proceeds to step S208, and the process proceeds to the next printer process. This is based on the premise that the processing performance does not change when the firmware version is not changed. Therefore, even when the firmware version has not changed, when the printer status changes, an embodiment in which information indicating that the processing performance has changed is transmitted from the printer side and the processing performance is measured is possible. is there.

  On the other hand, if the firmware version has been changed (S205: YES), the firmware version information held in the printer registration table is updated (S206), and the processing performance of the i-th printer is measured (S207). . FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of processing performance measurement of the i-th printer.

  First, the PC 32 notifies the i-th printer of the start of processing time measurement (S301). Wait for a response from the printer (S302). At this time, after returning the response, the printer that has received the processing time measurement start notification performs control so that processing other than the processing time measurement is not accepted until a processing time measurement end notification to be described later is received.

  If there is no response from the printer even after the predetermined timeout period has elapsed (S302: NO, S303: YES), the PC 32 stops the processing time measurement and transmits a processing time measurement end notification (S312). End processing time measurement.

  When there is a response from the printer (S302: YES), 1 is set in the variable j (S304), and the timer provided in the PC 32 is started (S305). Then, a processing time measurement request using the jth measurement document is transmitted to the printer (S306). The variable j indicates the type of measurement document. In this embodiment, this processing is executed by transmitting a processing performance measurement file of document type j from the PC 32 to the printer. The document can be sent in the page description language (PDL) format, but the document file itself may be sent and used for processing performance measurement. For example, a document is sandwiched between PJL (printer job languages) as described below.

% -12345X @ PJL
@PJL SET MEASURE PROCESSTIME = ON
{documents}
% -12345X

  Note that the PC 32 holds information related to the processing performance measurement file in a storage device such as a hard disk. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a table (processing performance measurement document table) that holds information of processing performance measurement files.

  As shown in the figure, the processing performance measurement document table holds the document format, the document format version, the file name of the measurement document, the threshold A (second) value, and the threshold B (second) value. Is done. The threshold A and the threshold B are thresholds used when determining the processing performance level. For example, when the measured processing time is equal to or less than the threshold A value, the processing performance level A (the highest) is between the threshold A and the threshold B, and when the measured processing time is equal to or greater than the value of the level B and threshold B. In this case, it is used for determination such as level C (longest processing time = lowest performance level).

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 7, after the processing time measurement request to the printer, the PC 32 waits until there is a reply from the printer (notifying the end of processing of the transmitted file) (S307). When there is a reply (S307: YES), the timer in the PC 32 is stopped (S308), and the processing performance information is updated (S309).

  Note that the PC 32 holds information regarding processing performance information in a storage device such as a hard disk. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a table (processing performance information table) that holds processing performance information. In step S309, the processing time field of the table is updated. Depending on the measurement document file, the printer may reply that the document cannot be processed. In this case, the processing time is not recorded.

  Next, the value of the variable j is incremented by 1 (S310), and it is determined whether or not the processing performance measurement for all the documents held in the processing performance measurement document table has been completed (S311). If not completed (S311: NO), the process returns to step S305 to measure the processing performance using the next document. When the processing performance measurement for all the documents is completed (S311: YES), a processing time measurement end notification is transmitted to the printer (S312), and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 208 of the flowchart of FIG. 5, 1 is added to the variable i, and it is determined whether the processing performance measurement of all the printers has been completed (S209). If not completed (S209: NO), the process returns to step S202 to execute the process for the next printer. If all the printers have been processed (S209: YES), the processing performance measurement process is performed. Exit.

(4) Printer processing (processing performance measurement processing)
Here, processing on the printer side such as MFP 100A will be described, including the case where the processing performance measurement request is made as described above. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of specific processing contents of MFP 100A as an example of a printer. The process as shown in FIG. 10 can be similarly executed by the MFP 100B and the printer 110.

  When starting the operation, the CPU 20 of the MFP 100A first performs initialization processing such as clearing the memory and setting the standard mode (S401). When the initialization is completed, it is determined whether or not there has been a processing request (for example, execution instruction for copying, scanning, FAX transmission, setting of various parameters, etc.) from the user via the operation unit 11 (S402). When there is a processing request from the operation unit 11 (S402: YES), the processing is executed according to the request (S403).

  Next, it is determined whether or not a processing request has been received from an external device such as the PC 31 or the PC 32 (S404). If there is no request, the process returns to step S402 (S404: NO). If there is a request (S404: YES), if it is a print request (S405: YES), print processing is executed (S406).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the print processing. When a print request is received from an external device such as the PC 31, first, it is determined whether printing is possible according to the received request (S501). Whether or not printing is possible can be determined based on, for example, whether the MFP 100A can handle the document by referring to the format of the transmitted document, the size of the designated recording sheet, and the like.

  If printing is not possible (S501: NO), the received print job is discarded (S502), and the printing process is terminated. Here, the message may be transmitted to the external apparatus that has transmitted the discarded job.

  If printing is possible (S501: YES), the received print data is expanded into bitmap format image data (S503), and printing is performed based on the generated image data (S504).

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the request from the external apparatus is the above-described processing time measurement request (S407: YES), processing time measurement processing is performed (S408). Whether or not it is a processing time measurement request can be determined by referring to the setting such as “@PJL SET MEASURE PROCESSTIME = ON” in the above PJL, but the determination method is not limited to this.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the processing time measurement process. In the processing time measurement process on the MFP 100A side, first, it is determined whether or not the processing performance measurement document file included in the received measurement request is processable by the MFP 100A (S601). If it is not processable (S601: NO), the fact that it cannot be processed is returned to the measurement request source (PC32 in this embodiment) (S602), and the processing time measurement process is terminated.

  If it is a processable document file (S601: YES), bitmap format image data is generated from the document file (S603). Then, using the clock IC 24, it waits for a time corresponding to the time required for printing (S604). For example, in the case of a printer capable of printing 30 pages per minute, the time required for printing one page is an average of 2 seconds. In this case, the process waits for 2 seconds in step S603.

  When the standby time has elapsed (S604: YES), a reply notifying the end of processing is returned to the measurement request source (PC 32 in the present embodiment) (S605), and the image data generated in step S603 is discarded (S606). ), And finishes the processing time measurement process.

(5) Configuration of Information Processing Device (PC 31) Next, the configuration of the information processing device installed in the PC 31 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the PC 31.

  The PC 31 includes a keyboard 311, a mouse 312 as an example of a pointing device, a display unit 313, and a hard disk 323 as an example of a storage device. The hard disk 323 stores an icon file 3231 for displaying icons on the display unit 313.

  The hard disk 323 stores a print file 3232 to be printed by the MFP 100 or the like. The icon file 3231 is a file for causing the display unit 313 to display icons representing the print files 3232, image forming apparatuses such as the MFPs 100 </ b> A, 100 </ b> B, and the printer 110, or icons representing the image forming apparatuses and print conditions.

  The hard disk 323 stores a hierarchical structure information table 3233. The hierarchical structure information table 3233 is a table that holds information regarding the image forming apparatus or the hierarchical structure of icons representing image forming apparatuses and print conditions. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the hierarchical structure information table 3233. The method of using this table will be described in detail later.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the hard disk 323 is provided with a function information storage area 3234. In the function information storage area, for example, information on the processing performance of each printer measured by the PC 32 as described above, information indicating the function of each printer, and the like are stored.

  The PC 31 includes a communication IF (interface) 316. As the communication IF 316, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Card) can be used.

  The PC 31 includes a keyboard IF (interface) 401, a mouse IF (interface) 402, a display IF (interface) 403, a file input / output IF (interface) 404, and a CPU (central processing unit) 410. The CPU 410 includes a mouse event detection unit 4101, a display content generation unit 4102, a print job generation unit 4103, and a function information reception unit 4104.

  The keyboard IF 401 is a part that sends an input signal from the keyboard 311 to the CPU 410. The mouse IF 402 is a part that sends an input signal from the mouse 312 to the CPU 410. The file input / output IF 404 stores a file in the hard disk 323 and reads a file from the hard disk 323.

  The display content generation unit 4102 generates content to be displayed on the display unit 313. The display IF 403 displays the generated content on the display unit 313. The display content generation unit 4102 according to the present embodiment uses the icon file 3231 read from the hard disk 323, image forming apparatuses such as the MFPs 100A and 100B, the printer 110, and icons representing print conditions set for each icon. Alternatively, information representing display contents is generated so that icons representing the respective print target files indicated as the print file 3232 are displayed on the display unit 313.

  The mouse event detection unit 4101 detects an event that occurs due to the movement of the mouse pointer by the operation of the mouse 312, the operation of a button provided on the mouse 312, or the like. The detected events include selection of an icon by a button operation, dragging and dropping a selected icon, occurrence of overlapping of the dragged icon with another icon, and the like. The mouse event detection unit 4101 can use functions provided in an operating system (OS).

  A print job generation unit 4103 generates a print job in accordance with an input from the mouse 312 or the like. The generated print job is transmitted to the printer selected as the destination printer among the printers such as the MFPs 100A and 100B and the printer 110 via the communication IF 316 and the LAN 500.

  The function information receiving unit 4104 receives processing performance information of each printer from the PC 32 via the LAN 500 and stores it in the hard disk 323. In addition to the processing performance information, information indicating functions provided by each printer (whether double-sided printing is possible, whether post-processing such as punching and stapling is possible) can be received from each printer and stored in the hard disk 323. However, the information indicating the function may be input using an input device such as the keyboard 311.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment drags and drops the print target file icon displayed on the display unit 313 onto the printer icon, or conversely drags the printer icon to display the print target file icon. When a process such as dropping it on is executed by the user, a print job is submitted to the printer represented by the icon. The print job is generated by the print job generation unit 4103.

(6) Processing Contents of PC 31 Hereinafter, processing contents of the PC 31 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing contents of the PC 31 according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, first, initialization such as memory clearing is performed (S701). Thereafter, it is detected whether or not a mouse event has occurred (S702). If a mouse event is detected (S702: YES), the process proceeds to the subsequent processing.

  First, it is determined whether or not one of the icons of the print target file (document) is selected from the icons displayed on the display unit 313 by the mouse 312 (S703). FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents displayed on the display unit 313. Such a screen can be displayed, for example, in a so-called desktop environment (when Windows (registered trademark) is used as the OS), but is not limited thereto.

  Whether or not the document has been selected is determined by, for example, any of the document icons displayed on the display unit 313 (in the example of FIG. 16, the icon 3131 representing the file “document 1”) by the button operation of the mouse 312 (eg, It is possible to detect and determine that the mouse cursor 3121 is placed on the icon and selected by clicking the left button).

  If a document is selected (S703: YES), a document selection process is executed (S704). FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of the document selection process.

  In the document selection process, first, document information of the selected document is acquired (S801). This document information is information such as a document format (PDF, TIFF, etc.), format version, and the like.

  For example, if the file name is “document 1.pdf”, it can be seen from the extension that the file is a PDF file. For example, document property information is written in a predetermined format at the top of the PDF file, and the PDF version can be obtained from the contents.

  After the document information is acquired, the processing performance information is read from the function information storage area 3234 (S802). The processing performance information is the same as that shown in FIG. The processing performance information can be acquired from the PC 32 at the time of initialization, for example, and stored in the function information storage area 3234 of the hard disk 323, or can be acquired from the PC 32 periodically. A configuration may be adopted in which processing performance information is transmitted from the PC 32 to each PC when the processing performance information in the PC 32 is updated.

  When the processing performance information is acquired, the processing described below is performed for all the printer icons displayed on the display unit 313. First, 1 is set to a variable i representing the ID of the printer icon (see FIG. 14) (S803).

  Then, it is determined by referring to the hierarchical structure information table 3233 whether or not the user operating the PC 31 is registered as a printer indicated by the printer icon i and a user who is permitted to use the print condition (S804). In the present embodiment, the user operating the PC 31 is determined by the user name (user identifier) input when logging in to the PC 31.

  If the user is not a user authorized to use the printer and print conditions indicated by the printer icon i (S804: NO), the printer icon i is displayed in gray out (S805). In the example of FIG. 16, the icon 3133 representing the MFP 100B is grayed out. In this state, even if the icon 3131 of the document 1 is dragged and dropped onto the icon 3133, the print process is not executed.

  If the user is a use-permitted user (S804: YES), it is determined whether print conditions are stored in the document file (S806). If the print condition is stored in the file (S806: YES), the print condition is extracted (S807), and the print condition set in the document is indicated by the printer icon i. It is determined whether there is no contradiction with (S808).

  In some cases, such as PDF format, it is possible to set print conditions in a document and store the print conditions in a document file. In this case, the print conditions set in the document, This is because it is preferable to determine whether or not the print conditions usable in the printer are consistent.

  Therefore, this determination is made by comparing the print conditions set for the document with the print conditions available in the printer. If there is a contradiction in the printing conditions (S808: YES), the printer icon i is displayed in gray out (S805).

  On the other hand, when the print condition is not set for the document (S806: NO) and when there is no contradiction in the print condition (S808: NO), the printer represented by the printer icon i processes the selected document. It is determined whether or not it is possible (S809). If processing is not possible (S809: NO), the printer icon i is displayed in gray out (S805).

  If the document can be processed (S809: YES), the printer icon i is changed to a display corresponding to the processing performance (S810). For example, referring to the processing performance information, if the processing time is equal to or less than the threshold A (determined as the most suitable printer to be used), the printer icon i is blue. When the processing time is between the threshold A and the threshold B, the printer icon i is yellow. If the processing time is equal to or greater than the threshold value B (determined as not suitable as a printer to be used), the printer icon i is displayed in yellow to alert the user.

  When the above process is completed for all the printer icons displayed on the display unit 313 (S812: YES), the document selection process is terminated and the process returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  Next, it is determined whether a printer icon has been selected (S705). FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents on the display unit 313 when the printer icon is selected. Whether or not the printer icon has been selected is determined by dragging the icon of the selected document (in the example of FIG. 18, the icon indicating the file name “Document 1”) by operating the mouse 312. (In the example of FIG. 18, it is determined that the printer icon has been selected when dragging to the position where it overlaps with the MFP 100A and the icon 3134 representing the initial print condition).

  When the printer icon is selected (S705: YES), the printer icon selection process is executed (S706). FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of the printer icon selection process.

  In the process of selecting a printer icon, first, the processing performance information of the selected document in the selected printer is acquired (S901). This is a process of acquiring the processing performance information illustrated in FIG. 9 according to the format and version of the selected document.

  If the processing performance information cannot be acquired, that is, if the selected printer cannot process the document (S902: NO), this is notified to the user (S903), and the printer icon selection process ends. In addition to displaying a message on the display unit 313, the user can be notified by sounding a predetermined audio file or vibrating the mouse.

  If the document can be processed (S903: YES), first, it is determined whether or not the value of the processing time (see FIG. 9) held as the processing performance is equal to or less than the threshold A shown in FIG. Determination is made (S904). The processing time equal to or less than the threshold value A means that the processing time is short and the processing performance is optimum (level A). When the processing time is equal to or less than the threshold A (S904: YES), a notification to that effect is given (S905). Specifically, in addition to the display on the display unit 313, it is optimal for the selected document by not sounding an audio file to that effect, playing back an audio file, or vibrating the mouse. Can also be shown.

  If the processing time is not less than or equal to the threshold A (S904: NO), it is determined whether or not the processing time falls below the threshold B (S906). When the processing time is less than the threshold value B (S906: YES), the processing performance is not optimal (level B), and a notification to that effect is given (S907). Specifically, in addition to the display on the display unit 313, an audio file to that effect can be sounded or the mouse can be lightly vibrated for notification.

  When the processing time is equal to or greater than the threshold value B (S906: NO), the processing performance is assumed to be level B or lower (level C), and a notification to that effect is given (S908). Specifically, in addition to the display on the display unit 313, a sound file to that effect can be sounded, or the mouse can be vibrated more vigorously than level B for notification.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the selection of the printer icon has been canceled (S909). For example, if the document file icon once dragged onto the printer icon leaves the printer icon without being dropped, the selection is determined to be canceled. If the selection of the printer is canceled (S909: YES), the printer selection process is terminated.

  If the selection has not been canceled (S909: NO), it is determined whether or not a print request has been made (S910). In the present embodiment, for example, when an icon representing a document is dragged and dropped onto an icon representing any printer in the example of FIG. 18, it is determined that a print request has been made. If a printer request is made (S910: YES), the printer selection process is terminated.

  If neither selection cancellation nor print request is made (S909: NO, S910: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined signal is output from a predetermined input device (the keyboard 311 in this embodiment) (S911). . For example, when any key of the keyboard is pressed at the timing when the document file icon and the printer icon overlap, it can be determined that a predetermined signal is being output. However, the type of the key is limited, and for example, it is possible to determine that a predetermined signal is output when the number “1” key is pressed.

  When a predetermined signal is output from the input device (S911: YES), a lower layer printer icon is displayed on the display unit 313 (S912). Even when the predetermined signal is not output (S911: NO), the same applies to the case where the document icon is dragged and overlaid on the printer icon and the predetermined time has elapsed (S913: YES). In FIG. 18, two lower layer printer icons are displayed.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 15, when a print request is made (S707: YES), a print request processing is executed (S708). If no print request has been made (S707: NO), other processing corresponding to the event that has occurred is performed (S709). FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the contents of the print request processing.

  In the print request process, first, the processing performance information of the selected printer is referred to (S1001). If the selected printer cannot process the selected document (S1002: NO), it notifies that it cannot be processed (S1003), and ends the print request processing. In the determination in step S1002, it can be determined that the processing is not possible, for example, when the processing performance information corresponding to the document format of the selected document file is not stored. The fact that the processing cannot be performed in step S1003 is, for example, a display in which the icon of the dragged document is skipped by the printer icon or a message that the selected printer cannot perform the printing process. Can be notified.

  When processing is possible (S1002: YES), it is determined whether or not the processing time is equal to or less than the threshold A (corresponding to level A) with reference to the processing performance information (S1004). When the processing time exceeds the threshold A (S1004: NO), the user is notified of this (S1005), and the user is prompted to confirm whether or not to actually request printing. Specifically, a message can be notified once and a selection input for whether or not to print can be accepted, but here whether or not a print request is made when the processing time exceeds the threshold A is set in advance. You can also. If no request is made (S1006: NO), the print request processing is terminated.

  When printing is requested (S1006: YES), the print job generation unit 4103 generates a print job according to the print conditions represented by the printer icon (S1007), and transmits the print job to the selected printer (S1008). In the printer to which the print job is input, the selected document is printed under the set print conditions.

(7) Processing contents of information processing apparatus (registration of hierarchical structure information)
Here, the content registration processing of the hierarchical structure information table shown as an example in FIG. 14 will be described. The user selects a printer icon for registering the print condition displayed on the display unit 313, and selects “lower layer icon registration” from a menu displayed by right-clicking the mouse 312, for example. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed when the mouse cursor 3121 is moved over the printer icon and right-clicked. When “lower layer icon registration” displayed in the menu 3138 is selected in the example of FIG. 22, for example, a hierarchical structure information registration screen 3137 as shown in FIG. 22 can be displayed. In the present embodiment, icons of all layers are displayed in a list on this screen (if it cannot be displayed, it can be dealt with by operating the scroll bar). Alternatively, a registration-specific icon such as “register hierarchical structure information” may be arranged on the desktop, and the screen of FIG. 22 may be displayed when the icon is double-clicked.

  A new lower layer printer icon can be registered by designating any of the registered printer icons on the screen of FIG. 22 and pressing the lower layer registration button 31372. When the desktop icon is selected and the lower layer registration button 31372 is pressed, the icon of the uppermost layer displayed on the desktop screen can be newly registered.

  When registering a new lower layer icon, the print conditions set for the parent (one level higher) icon are displayed in the window on the right side of the figure. For example, parameters other than the name and authorized users are displayed. By changing the setting of only one or two or less, it is possible to set the print condition of the lower layer icon.

  After setting a new icon print condition, the user can register the print condition by pressing an OK button 31371. As shown in FIG. 14, the number of copies, single-sided / double-sided, paper feed tray setting, staple, presence / absence of punch (represented by Y or N) are registered as print conditions. At this time, the ID (printer icon identifier) and the parent ID in FIG. 14 are automatically set.

(Modification)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the content of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples described in the above embodiment, and for example, the following modifications may be considered.

  (1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the information processing apparatus (PC 31) that transmits the print instruction is connected to the printer via the LAN 500 has been described. The present invention can also be applied to a wide area network), and a network using a dedicated line as well as a network using a dedicated line may be used. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to a network connection but also to a connection using a dedicated cable or when using infrared communication.

  (2) In the above embodiment, for example, when the state where the document icon and the printer icon overlap each other for a predetermined time, the one lower layer printer icon is displayed. If the document icon is dragged over the printer icon and a predetermined time has elapsed, a lower-layer printer icon can be displayed. Further, it is possible to display the icons of all the layers once.

  (3) In the above embodiment, all layers are displayed as shown in FIG. 22, but when lower layer icon registration is selected in the example of FIG. 21, for example, only the lower layer of the selected icon is displayed. Only the lower layer of the selected icon can be registered.

  (4) Although the case where the PC 31 is used as an example of the information processing apparatus has been described in the above embodiment, the information processing apparatus may be a portable terminal or any other apparatus that transmits a print instruction. It is possible to apply.

  The present invention can be applied to, for example, an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a print system. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of an appearance of an MFP. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the processing content of PC32. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the content of the processing performance measurement process in PC32. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of a printer registration table. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing content of processing performance measurement of the i-th printer in the PC 32; It is a figure which shows an example of the content of a processing performance measurement document table. It is a figure which shows an example of the content of a processing performance information table. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an example of specific processing contents of MFP 100A. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of print processing. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the content of a processing time measurement process on the MFP 100A side or the like. It is a block diagram for demonstrating an example of a functional structure of PC31. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of contents of a hierarchical structure information table 3233. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the processing content of PC31 of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of content displayed on a display unit 313. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the content of the process at the time of document selection. It is a figure which shows an example of the display content of the display part 313 at the time of printer icon selection. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of contents of processing at the time of printer icon selection. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of contents of a print request process. It is a figure which shows an example of the menu displayed when moving a mouse cursor on a printer icon and right-clicking. It is a figure which shows an example of a hierarchical structure information registration screen.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Operation part 12 Display part 13 Scanner part 14 Printer part 16 Communication interface 17 Document feeder 18 Paper feeder 19 Tray 20 CPU
21 RAM
22 ROM
23 Hard disk drive 31, 32 Personal computer (PC)
311 Keyboard 312 Mouse 313 Display unit 3137 Hierarchical structure information registration screen 316 Communication interface 323 Hard disk 3231 Icon file 3232 Print file 3233 Hierarchical structure information table 3234 Function information storage area 401 Keyboard interface (IF)
402 Mouse interface (IF)
403 Display interface (IF)
404 File I / O interface (IF)
410 CPU
4101 Mouse event detection unit 4102 Display content generation unit 4103 Print job generation unit 4104 Function information reception unit 100A, 100B MFP
110 Printer 500 Network (LAN)

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus,
Display means comprising a display screen;
Pointing device output signal receiving means for receiving an output signal from the pointing device;
Icon display means for displaying, on the display screen, the image forming apparatus, or a first icon representing the image forming apparatus and a print condition, and a second icon representing a print target document;
Drop detecting means for detecting that the second icon is dragged on the display screen and dropped on the first icon using the pointing device;
When it is detected by the drop detection means that the document is dropped, the print target document represented by the second icon is displayed on the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. Print instruction means for controlling to transmit a print instruction instructing printing according to an initially set print condition or a print condition represented by the first icon;
A hierarchical structure information holding unit that holds a hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions as the first icon;
The icon display means includes
When the second icon is dragged and the state where it overlaps with one of the first icons has passed for a predetermined time or more, in addition to the first icon displayed on the display screen, the different layers An information processing apparatus, wherein one icon is further displayed on the display screen. An information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus,
Display means comprising a display screen;
Pointing device output signal receiving means for receiving an output signal from the pointing device;
Input device output signal receiving means for receiving an output signal from the second input device;
Icon display means for displaying, on the display screen, the image forming apparatus, or a first icon representing the image forming apparatus and a print condition, and a second icon representing a print target document;
Drop detecting means for detecting that the second icon is dragged on the display screen and dropped on the first icon using the pointing device;
When it is detected by the drop detection means that the document is dropped, the print target document represented by the second icon is displayed on the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. Print instruction means for controlling to transmit a print instruction instructing printing according to an initially set print condition or a print condition represented by the first icon;
A hierarchical structure information holding unit that holds a hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions as the first icon;
The icon display means includes
In a state where the second icon is dragged and overlaps one of the first icons, when the input device output signal receiving unit receives a predetermined signal, the first icon displayed on the display screen is displayed. The information processing apparatus, wherein in addition to the icon, the first icon having a different hierarchy is further displayed on the display screen. The icon display means includes
3. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied, an icon one layer lower than the first icon displayed on the display screen is further displayed on the display screen. apparatus. The icon display means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the second predetermined condition is satisfied, an icon of a lower layer of the displayed lower layer icon is displayed on the display screen. The information processing apparatus further includes:
Print condition storage determination means for determining whether or not a print condition is stored in a file storing a print target document represented by the second icon;
Print condition extraction means for extracting the print condition when the print condition is stored;
The print condition initially set for the first icon, or the print condition for determining whether the print condition represented by the first icon is consistent with the print condition extracted by the print condition extraction unit A contradiction determination means,
The icon display means includes
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first icon is displayed in an identifiable manner between an icon with contradictory print conditions and an icon with no contradiction. The icon display means includes
The display of the first icon is changed when the document to be printed represented by the second icon cannot be processed by the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus includes:
A processing performance information holding unit that holds processing performance information for each type of image forming apparatus and file,
The icon display means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display of the first icon is changed based on the processing performance information. The information processing apparatus further includes:
User authority information holding means for holding available image information for each of the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and print conditions;
An authority presence / absence determining unit that determines whether or not the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon or the image forming apparatus and the print condition can be used by an operator user of the information processing apparatus;
The icon indicating means is
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an available icon and an unavailable icon are displayed so as to be distinguishable. A program installed in an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus holds a hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions in the first icon representing the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and the print conditions. And
The program is
Icon display processing for displaying each of the first icon and the second icon representing the document to be printed on a display screen of a display unit connected to the information processing apparatus;
A drop detection process for detecting that the second icon is dragged on the display screen and dropped on one of the first icons using a pointing device;
When it is detected that the document has been dropped by the drop detection process, the document to be printed represented by the second icon is displayed as the first icon on the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. A print instruction process for controlling to transmit a print instruction instructing printing according to an initially set print condition or a print condition represented by the first icon;
When the second icon is dragged and the state where it overlaps with one of the first icons has passed for a predetermined time or more, in addition to the first icon displayed on the display screen, the different layers A program for causing the information processing apparatus to execute another layer icon display process for further displaying one icon on the display screen. A program installed in an information processing apparatus that transmits a print instruction to an image forming apparatus,
The information processing apparatus holds a hierarchical structure of the plurality of icons when there are a plurality of icons having different print conditions in the first icon representing the image forming apparatus or the image forming apparatus and the print conditions. And
The program is
Icon display processing for displaying each of the first icon and the second icon representing the document to be printed on a display screen of a display unit connected to the information processing apparatus;
A drop detection process for detecting that the second icon is dragged on the display screen and dropped on one of the first icons using a pointing device;
When it is detected that the document has been dropped by the drop detection process, the document to be printed represented by the second icon is displayed as the first icon on the image forming apparatus represented by the first icon. A print instruction process for controlling to transmit a print instruction instructing printing according to an initially set print condition or a print condition represented by the first icon;
When a predetermined output signal is input from the input device in a state where the second icon is dragged and overlaps one of the first icons, the first icon displayed on the display screen is displayed. In addition, the information processing apparatus causes the information processing apparatus to execute another hierarchy icon display processing for further displaying the first icon having a different hierarchy on the display screen.

Images