JP2008040573A - Print control unit, print control program, and print control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of paper type mismatch even if recording paper type in a printer is changed, when the recording paper type is specified and printout instruction is performed. <P>SOLUTION: This print control unit 1 connected to the printer 3 comprises; a job receiving means 11 for receiving input of an instruction of printout to the printer 3 and specification of the recording paper type at printout; a job issuing means 12 for issuing a print job of the received content to the printer 3, an information acquisition means 13 for acquiring information on the recording paper type corresponding to the printer 3; a matching determination means 14 for determining the matching between the recording paper type specified with the job receiving means 11 and the recording paper type acquired by the information acquisition means 13; and a processing control means 15 for controlling, based on the determination result, the receiving propriety of type specification by the job receiving means 11 or the issuing propriety of the print job by the job issuing means 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing control program, and a printing control method for causing a printing apparatus to perform printing output.

  Generally, a printing device such as a printer device or a multifunction device having a printing function is used by connecting to a higher-level device (printing control device) such as a personal computer. When a print job is issued from the higher-level device, printing is performed. Print output processing is performed according to the job. In recent years, there is a printer that can perform print output processing according to the type of recording paper loaded in the printing apparatus (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). In other words, if a printing device that performs print output processing according to the type of recording paper is used, the host device designates the type of recording paper used for printing output by the printing device and print jobs for that printing device. Can be issued. Here, the type of the recording paper includes the recording paper size such as A4 size or A3 size, paper quality such as plain paper, recycled paper, fine paper or cardboard, paper color such as white, pink or yellow, punch hole It includes paper attributes such as none or punched holes.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-154735 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-292974 JP 2003-330656 A

  By the way, when using a printing apparatus that performs a print output process according to the type of recording paper, it should be avoided that a paper type mismatch occurs. “Paper type mismatch” means that the type of recording paper specified in the print job and the type of recording paper in the printing apparatus are such that the type of recording paper specified in the print job is not loaded in the printing apparatus. It means not matching. If such a paper type mismatch occurs, the significance of issuing a print job to the printing apparatus while designating the type of recording paper is lost.

  On the other hand, the user may frequently change the recording paper in the paper feed tray. In particular, in a network environment, it is common for a printing apparatus to be shared by a plurality of users. Therefore, when a recording paper type is changed by a certain user, a job is issued without other users knowing that. Such a situation is also considered sufficiently, and it is a potential factor causing a paper type mismatch.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a print control apparatus, a print control program, and a print that can avoid the occurrence of a paper type mismatch even when the type of recording paper in the paper feed tray may be changed. An object is to provide a control method.

  The present invention is a print control apparatus devised to achieve the above object, and a job receiving means for receiving an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus to perform print output and a designation of the type of recording paper used for the print output. And a job issuing unit that issues a print job having the contents received by the job receiving unit to the printing apparatus, and inquires the printing apparatus for information on the recording paper type corresponding to the printing apparatus and acquires the information from the printing apparatus. Information matching means, a matching judgment means for judging matching of a recording paper type related to the type designation in the job receiving means and a recording paper type related to the information obtained in the information acquisition means, and a matching judgment means Whether the job accepting unit accepts type designation based on the determination result or whether the job issuing unit accepts a print job Characterized in that it comprises a process control means for controlling at least one.

  Further, the present invention is a print control program devised to achieve the above-described object, and an instruction input for causing a printing apparatus to perform print output by a computer and specification of a type of recording paper used for the print output A job accepting unit that accepts the job, a job issuing unit that issues a print job with the content accepted by the job accepting unit to the printing apparatus, and inquires the printing apparatus for information on the recording paper type that the printing apparatus supports. An information acquisition unit that acquires from the printing apparatus, a matching determination unit that determines matching between a recording paper type according to the type designation in the job reception unit and a recording paper type according to the acquisition information in the information acquisition unit, Whether the job accepting means accepts the type designation based on the determination result in the matching judging means or the job issuing means Wherein the function as the processing control means for controlling at least one of issues whether definitive print job.

  The present invention also relates to a print control method devised to achieve the above object, a job for receiving an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus to perform print output and a designation of the type of recording paper used for the print output. A receiving step; a job issuing step for issuing a print job having the contents received in the job receiving step to the printing device; and inquiring the printing device for information on a recording paper type corresponding to the printing device. An information acquisition step acquired from the above, a matching determination step for determining matching between the recording paper type related to the type designation in the job reception step and the recording paper type related to the acquisition information in the information acquisition step, and the matching determination step Based on the determination result in the above, whether to accept the designation of the type in the job acceptance step or Characterized in that it comprises a process control step for controlling at least one of issues whether a print job in job issuing step.

  In the print control device, the print control program, and the print control method according to the above procedure, the matching between the recording paper type related to the job designation and the recording paper type corresponding to the printing device is determined, and the job reception is performed based on the determination result. At least one of acceptance / rejection of the type designation at the time of issue and issue / disapproval at the time of job issuance is controlled. Therefore, for example, if the recording paper type related to the job designation and the recording paper type corresponding to the printing apparatus do not match, it is possible to refuse acceptance of the job designation, or refuse job issuance, As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of mismatch between the recording paper types, that is, the paper type mismatch.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid occurrence of a paper type mismatch that is not intended by the user even when the recording paper type in the paper feed tray may be changed. .

  Hereinafter, a print control apparatus, a print control program, and a print control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a schematic configuration of the print control apparatus will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a print control apparatus according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the print control apparatus 1 is composed of a personal computer, for example, and has a computer function realized by a combination of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Information processing unit 1a, an information input unit 1b including a communication interface with an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting information to the information processing unit 1a or other devices, and an information processing result in the information processing unit 1a An information output unit 1c composed of a display device for outputting the information to a user (user) and an information storage unit 1d composed of a storage device for storing and storing information as required It is configured.

  The print control apparatus 1 described here is used by being connected to a printing apparatus 3 including a printer apparatus or a multifunction peripheral having a printing function via a network line 2. Print jobs can be issued. A plurality of print control apparatuses 1 may exist on the network line 2. Although not shown, the same applies to the printing apparatus 3.

  In order to issue a print job to the printing apparatus 3, the print control apparatus 1 has a function as a so-called printer driver. More specifically, by having a function as a printer driver, the information processing unit 1a in the print control apparatus 1 can receive a job accepting unit 11, a job issuing unit 12, an information obtaining unit 13, as shown in FIG. It functions as the matching determination means 14 and the process control means 15.

  The job accepting unit 11 accepts an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus 3 to perform print output and designation of the type of recording paper used for the print output. The instruction input and type designation accepted by the job accepting unit 11 are made to the user of the print control apparatus that operates the information input unit 1b and the information output unit 1c while the job accepting unit 11 uses a known GUI (Graphical User Interface) technique. You can do it. As typical types of recording paper, there are recording paper sizes (A4 size, A3 size, etc.), but paper quality (plain paper, recycled paper, high-quality paper, cardboard, etc.), paper Color (white, pink, yellow, etc.), paper attributes (no punch holes, punch holes, etc.), paper usage (letterhead, play paper, cover paper, recycled backing paper, special forms, etc.) The thing which combined several appropriately is mentioned. As described above, the type of recording paper is not particularly limited, but in the following description, the case where the type of recording paper is paper quality such as plain paper, recycled paper, fine paper, or cardboard is taken as an example. I will give you.

  The job issuing unit 12 issues a print job having the contents received by the job receiving unit 11 to the printing apparatus 3. Note that job scheduling, job issuance format (for example, image data format), and the like may be realized by using a known technique, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  The information acquisition unit 13 inquires of the printing apparatus 3 about the recording paper type corresponding to the printing apparatus 3 and acquires the information from the printing apparatus 3. Details of the timing of information inquiry and information acquisition performed by the information acquisition unit 13 with respect to the printing apparatus 3 will be described later.

  The matching determination unit 14 compares the recording paper type related to the type designation received by the job receiving unit 11 and the recording paper type related to the information acquired from the printing apparatus 3 by the information acquisition unit 13, and performs matching between them. Judgment. That is, it is determined whether or not the recording paper type related to the type designation matches the recording paper type related to the acquired information.

  The process control unit 15 performs operation control on each of the above-described units 11 to 14, particularly at least one of the job receiving unit 11 and the job issuing unit 12. However, the processing control unit 15 performs the operation control based on the determination result in the matching determination unit 14. That is, the processing control unit 15 controls whether or not the job designation unit 11 can accept the type designation based on the determination result of the matching determination unit 14, or controls whether or not the job issue unit 12 can issue the print job. To do.

  Each of these means 11 to 15 may be realized by causing a function as a computer in the information processing unit 1a to execute a predetermined program. However, in this case, the predetermined program for realizing each means 11-15 is not installed in advance in the information processing unit 1a or the information storage unit 1d, but is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. It may be provided or distributed via wired or wireless communication means. That is, the print control apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration can also be realized by a print control program that causes the information processing unit 1 a to function as the print control apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, when a print job is issued from the print control apparatus 1, the print apparatus 3 used in connection with the print control apparatus 1 performs print output processing according to the print job. The print output process may be performed using a known image forming technique such as an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. However, the printing apparatus 3 can perform print output processing corresponding to the type of recording paper loaded in the printing apparatus 3.

  Therefore, in the printing apparatus 3, information for specifying the type of recording paper loaded in the paper feed tray is set in advance, and based on the setting information, the recording paper in the paper feed tray used for print output processing is set. It is configured to be able to grasp what kind of thing it is. Therefore, when a plurality of paper feed trays are provided, it is assumed that information is individually set for each paper feed tray. Regarding the setting of information for specifying the type of recording paper, an instruction from a user who operates the information input unit 1b automatically or based on a sensor detection result when the recording paper is loaded into the paper feed tray It shall be done manually while following.

  Next, an example of processing operation in the print control apparatus (including the case where the print control program is also realized) 1 configured as described above, that is, a print control method according to the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a GUI screen when a print job is issued. In the print control apparatus 1, when a print job is issued to the printing apparatus 3, first, the job reception unit 11 first displays a window screen 20 as shown in the figure in response to a predetermined operation by the user at the information input unit 1 b. Is displayed on the information output unit 1c. When the print tab 21 on the window screen 20 is clicked by the user who operates the information input unit 1b, the job accepting unit 11 inputs an instruction for the print job on the display on the window screen 20. And a command input for the print job is started.

  After the start of accepting the instruction input, the cursor operated by the user moves to the column 22 for designating the type of recording paper used for the print output on the GUI screen for inputting the instruction for the print job. Then, the job accepting unit 11 starts accepting recording sheet type designation from that point. When any value is entered and confirmed in the column 22 for specifying the type, the job receiving unit 11 completes the reception of the recording sheet type specification.

  Thereafter, when the print execution button (OK button) 23 is clicked by the user operating the information input unit 1b on the GUI screen for inputting an instruction for the print job, the job receiving unit 11 displays the print job. Is completed, and an instruction is given to the job issuing means 12 so as to issue a print job having the received contents to the printing apparatus 3.

  By the way, while the job accepting unit 11 and the job issuing unit 12 perform the above-described series of processing, the information acquiring unit 13 is information on the recording paper type supported by the printing apparatus 3 that is a print job issue target. Is obtained from the printing apparatus 3. This information inquiry and information acquisition can be performed at the timing described below.

  For example, the information acquisition unit 13 starts an information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus 3 by using an instruction input reception start (click on the print tab 21) in the job reception unit 11 as a trigger (hereinafter referred to as “first start”). Timing)). After the start of information inquiry and information acquisition, it may be possible to repeat information inquiry and information acquisition periodically at predetermined intervals.

  Further, for example, the information acquisition unit 13 starts an information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus 3 triggered by the start of reception of type designation in the job reception unit 11 (cursor movement to the column 22 for performing type designation). (Hereinafter referred to as “second start timing”). Also in this case, after the start of the information inquiry and information acquisition, it is conceivable that the information inquiry and information acquisition are repeated periodically at a predetermined interval.

  Further, for example, the information acquisition unit 13 triggers an information inquiry and information acquisition to the printing apparatus 3 triggered by completion of reception of the type designation in the job reception unit 11 (value input confirmation to the column 22 for performing type designation). Start (hereinafter referred to as “third start timing”). Also in this case, after the start of the information inquiry and information acquisition, it is conceivable that the information inquiry and information acquisition are repeated periodically at a predetermined interval.

  Also, for example, the information acquisition unit 13 starts an information inquiry and information acquisition to the printing apparatus 3 triggered by the completion of reception of an instruction input in the job reception unit 11 (clicking on the print execution button 23) (hereinafter referred to as “No. The fourth start timing "). Also in this case, after the start of the information inquiry and information acquisition, it is conceivable that the information inquiry and information acquisition are repeated periodically at a predetermined interval.

  As described above, the information acquisition unit 13 appropriately combines the first to fourth start timings at any one of the first to fourth start timings or in consideration of the response delay for information acquisition and user operability. The information inquiry to the printing apparatus 3 is performed, and information acquisition from the printing apparatus 3 is performed. Information inquiry and information acquisition may be performed using a known technique such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), which is known as a protocol for managing (monitoring) network devices. Detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In addition, when information inquiry and information acquisition are repeated regularly at a predetermined interval, the information inquiry and information acquisition are terminated at a predetermined time point set in advance. Examples of the predetermined time point include the time point when the print job is issued by the job issuing unit 12. In addition, when information acquisition is repeated, it may be possible to newly acquire information different from information that has already been acquired. In this case, the acquired information is updated. This is because if the information is not updated, the significance of repeating the information acquisition is offset.

  When the information acquisition unit 13 acquires information from the printing apparatus 3, thereafter, the matching determination unit 14 acquires the recording paper type related to the type designation received by the job reception unit 11 and the information acquisition unit 13 acquires from the printing apparatus 3. The recording paper type related to the information is compared to determine whether or not they match. As a result of this determination, if the two match, there is no occurrence of a paper type mismatch that is not intended by the user. Therefore, the job issuing unit 12 executes the print job for the printing apparatus 3 as instructed by the job receiving unit 11. Issue.

  However, if the result of determination by the matching determination unit 14 is that they do not match, it is considered that a paper type mismatch unintended by the user has occurred. Operation control as described below is performed on at least one of the issuing means 12.

  For example, if the information inquiry to the printing apparatus 3 and the information acquisition are performed at the first or second start timing, the process control unit 15 receives the type designation in the job reception unit 11 from the job reception unit 11. Control availability. Specifically, the type of recording paper related to the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13 from the printing apparatus 3 can be selected from the pull-down menu in the type specification that can be received by the job reception unit 11 (in the column 22 for performing type specification). Compared to the recording type specified by the printing apparatus 3, the job receiving unit 11 does not accept a recording paper type that does not match the recording paper type related to the information acquired from the printing apparatus 3 (a state in which selection from the pull-down menu cannot be performed). The process control unit 15 gives a control instruction to the job reception unit 11. That is, for the recording paper type that the printing apparatus 3 does not support, prohibition processing is performed and selection is impossible. Alternatively, if the prohibition process is not performed and selection is possible, a warning message such as “The specified paper quality is not currently set in the printing apparatus” is output through the information output unit 1c, and the user selects the appropriate one. Notify that.

  Further, for example, when the information inquiry to the printing apparatus 3 and the information acquisition are performed at any one of the first to fourth start timings, the processing control unit 15 causes the job reception unit 11 to communicate with the job issue unit 12. Controls whether the accepted print job can be issued. Specifically, the type of recording paper related to the information acquired by the information acquisition unit 13 from the printing apparatus 3 is compared with the type designation received by the job reception unit 11, and if they do not match, the job reception unit 11 The processing control means 15 gives a control instruction to the job issuing means 12 so as not to issue the print job accepted by the job issuing means 12. At this time, the processing control unit 15 outputs a warning message that the print job is not issued through the information output unit 1c, and notifies the user to that effect.

  The processing control means 15 performs at least one of such operation controls. Therefore, only the operation control for the job receiving unit 11 may be performed, only the operation control for the job issuing unit 12 may be performed, or the operation control for both of them may be performed together.

  As described above, the print control apparatus (including the case realized by the print control program) 1 having the configuration described in the present embodiment and the print control method according to the procedure described in the present embodiment are related to job designation. The matching between the recording paper type and the recording paper type corresponding to the printing apparatus 3 is determined, and based on the determination result, at least one of whether to accept the type designation at the time of job reception or whether to issue at the time of job issuance is controlled. It is like that. Therefore, for example, if the recording paper type related to the job designation and the recording paper type corresponding to the printing apparatus 3 do not match, it is possible to refuse acceptance of the job designation or refuse job issuance. As a result, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of mismatch between the recording paper types, that is, the paper type mismatch.

  In particular, when a plurality of users share the printing apparatus 3 in a network environment, the paper quality set in the printing apparatus 3 is changed when a certain user designates various printings. It can happen. Since there is a time lag between when the user starts various print designations in the print control apparatus 1 and when a print job is actually issued to the printing apparatus 3, it is fundamental to avoid paper type mismatch completely. However, if the print control apparatus 1 acquires information from the printing apparatus 3 as described in the present embodiment, a print job for the printing apparatus 3 can be obtained while grasping the latest state of the printing apparatus 3. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the danger that a paper type mismatch occurs as much as possible.

  That is, according to the print control device 1, the print control program, and the print control method described in the present embodiment, even if the recording paper type in the paper feed tray in the printing device 3 may be changed, When a job is issued to the printing apparatus 3, the latest state is acquired for the recording paper type supported by the printing apparatus 3, and the type designation prohibition process, notification process to the user, and the like are performed. Thus, the latest print designation can be recognized and combined and selected and designated. As a result, it is very effective in preventing the occurrence of a paper type mismatch unintended by the user.

  Further, as described in the present embodiment, the print control apparatus 1 follows the dynamic setting change on the printing apparatus 3 side by actively acquiring information, and generates a job on the print control apparatus 1 side. In addition to controlling job transmission, if the print control device 1 outputs a caution message, it is appropriate for the user's intention while using soft validation (inspection to ensure consistency) It is possible to make a job setting.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, first to fourth start timings are exemplified as timings for acquiring information on the latest state in the printing apparatus 3. These start timings are the first start timing and the fourth start timing the latest on the time series of the series of processes described in the present embodiment. Information acquisition from the printing apparatus 3 may be performed at any timing or a combination of timings as appropriate. For example, if the timing is early such as the first start timing, the print job is issued. Since a lot of time can be secured, even if the information processing unit 1a does not have high processing capability (high-speed processing capability), job issue control can be performed according to the acquired information from the printing apparatus 3 as described above. It becomes like this. On the other hand, if it is performed at a late timing such as the fourth start timing, the time until the print job is issued is shortened. Therefore, the information processing section 1a is required to have a high processing capability (high-speed processing capability). However, since the time lag from the confirmation of the state of the printing apparatus 3 to the issuance of the print job is reduced, the occurrence of paper type mismatch can be avoided with high accuracy.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the suitable Example of this invention, this invention is not limited to the content, It can change suitably in the range which does not deviate from the summary. For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the type of recording paper is a paper quality such as plain paper, recycled paper, high-quality paper, or thick paper is taken as an example, but it goes without saying that the type of recording paper is not limited to this.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a print control apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a specific example of a GUI screen when issuing a print job.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Print control apparatus, 1a ... Information processing part, 1b ... Information input part, 1c ... Information output part, 1d ... Information storage part, 2 ... Network line, 3 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Job reception means, 12 ... Job issue Means, 13 ... Information acquisition means, 14 ... Matching judgment means, 15 ... Processing control means, 20 ... Window screen, 21 ... Print tab, 22 ... Column for specifying type, 23 ... Print execution button (OK button)

Claims (7)

A job receiving means for receiving an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus to perform a print output and a recording paper type designation used for the print output;
Job issuing means for issuing a print job having the contents received by the job receiving means to the printing apparatus;
Information acquisition means for inquiring of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus for information on the recording paper type supported by the printing apparatus;
A matching determination unit that determines matching between a recording sheet type related to the type designation in the job reception unit and a recording sheet type related to the acquisition information in the information acquisition unit;
And a processing control unit that controls at least one of whether or not the type designation is accepted by the job accepting unit and whether or not the print job is issued by the job issuing unit based on a determination result by the matching determination unit. Control device.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit starts an information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus with a start of reception of an instruction input by the job reception unit as a trigger.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit starts an information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus with a start of reception of a type designation by the job reception unit as a trigger.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit starts information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus, triggered by completion of reception of the type designation by the job reception unit.   The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit starts information inquiry and information acquisition with respect to the printing apparatus, triggered by completion of reception of an instruction input by the job reception unit. Computer
A job receiving means for receiving an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus to perform a print output and a recording paper type designation used for the print output;
Job issuing means for issuing a print job having the contents received by the job receiving means to the printing apparatus;
Information acquisition means for inquiring of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus for information on the recording paper type supported by the printing apparatus;
A matching determination unit that determines matching between a recording sheet type related to the type designation in the job reception unit and a recording sheet type related to the acquisition information in the information acquisition unit;
The printing is characterized by functioning as a processing control unit that controls at least one of acceptability of type designation in the job accepting unit and whether or not print job is issued in the job issuing unit based on a determination result in the matching determining unit. Control program. A job receiving step for receiving an instruction input for causing the printing apparatus to perform print output and a designation of the type of recording paper used for the print output;
A job issuing step for issuing a print job having the contents received in the job receiving step to the printing apparatus;
An information acquisition step for inquiring of the printing apparatus from the printing apparatus for information on the recording paper type supported by the printing apparatus;
A matching determination step for determining matching between the recording paper type related to the type designation in the job reception step and the recording paper type related to the acquisition information in the information acquisition step;
And a process control step for controlling at least one of acceptability of type designation in the job accepting step and acceptability of print job in the job issuance step based on a determination result in the matching determination step. Control method.

Images