JP2008158957A - Printing device, printing method, printing program, printing controller, printing control method, printing control program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To define print job definition data requested by a plurality of users as integrated print job definition data in a batch, and to define those plurality of print jobs as one integrated print job for carrying out printing even when a plurality of preinput print jobs are not determined. <P>SOLUTION: This printing device is provided with: an integrated print job definition data issuing means 12 for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device; a print job definition data analyzing means 13 for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices, and for extracting integrated print job definition data associated with the data; a print job definition data storage means 14 for storing print job definition data by associating the print job definition data by associating the data with the integrated print job definition data until the integrated print job ends on the basis of the analytic result; and a print means 15 for executing the print job when receiving the end request of the integrated print job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, a printing program, a printing control apparatus, a printing control method, a printing control program, and a recording medium that receive printing by receiving print settings based on print job definition data.

Generally, when printing print data in a page description language (PDL), information about the print job is handled as print job definition data (JDF: Job Definition Format), and a print setting request is received by the print job definition data. There is a known method for performing printing after that.
In such a printing method, when the number of a plurality of jobs input in advance is determined, a printing method is performed in which a plurality of jobs are combined to create one printed matter.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a print instruction application provides a print instruction screen to a client PC, and a plurality of documents including documents managed on a network are received and accepted on the print instruction screen in units of pages. A print instruction is issued based on a plurality of pages. As an output processing service, there has been proposed a print control apparatus that performs print control by integrating a plurality of page unit documents based on a print instruction by a print instruction Web application.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 includes a print instruction apparatus that selects one or a plurality of document files to be printed by the document file selection unit, and the job issuing unit performs batch printing when there are a plurality of selected document files. Proposed, Patent Document 3 proposes a technique for specifying or selecting a level of a hyperlink destination page and performing asynchronous printing at once for all the selected pages. Patent Document 4 discloses accumulated printing. An apparatus is proposed in which a distribution destination and an instruction on the type of form group distributed to the distribution destination are given to the data and integrated so that printing is performed for each distribution destination. A system has been proposed in which a master job) integrates a plurality of jobs and describes the association of each job in the master job.
JP-A-2005-202671 JP-A-8-278865 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-237968 JP 2000-29656 A JP 2002-278721 A

However, the above-described conventional technique can cope with a case where a plurality of jobs to be integrated in advance are determined, but it is not possible to create a single printed matter by combining a plurality of jobs that are not determined in advance. There was a problem.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and issues integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client, and an integrated print job definition included in each received print job definition data or content data. A print control apparatus, a printing apparatus, a printing method, and printing that perform printing as a single integrated print job even when a plurality of print jobs that are input in advance are not determined based on information indicating data It is an object to provide a program and a recording medium.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to mode 1 includes:
Integrated print job definition data issuing means for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
Print job definition data analysis means for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
Print job definition data storage means for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis means;
Print control means for extracting print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage means when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from the client device;
Printing means for executing a print job according to an instruction of the print control means;
It is provided with.

  According to this configuration, the integrated print job definition data issuing unit integrates a plurality of print job definition data in response to a request from the client device, and the integrated print job definition data analyzing unit analyzes the print job definition data received from the client device or The content data is analyzed, integrated print job definition data associated with these data is specified, and the integrated print job is terminated by the print job definition data storage unit based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis unit. The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data, and is stored in the print job definition data storage unit when the print control unit receives an end request for the integrated print job from the client device. Extract print job definition data and use it for printing Ri, executes a print job according to an instruction of the print control means. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.

In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.
Further, the client means for requesting the issuance of the integrated print job definition data, the client means for submitting the print job, and the client means for requesting termination can be made different. Even when the user to be input is different or the user is in a remote place, an effect that the integration can be easily performed is obtained.

[Mode 2] The invention of mode 2 relates to the printing apparatus of mode 1,
The image processing apparatus may further include a print job definition data editing unit that performs correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing unit can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Mode 3] The invention of mode 3 relates to a printing apparatus of mode 2,
The print job definition data editing means prioritizes the integrated print job definition data and corrects the print job definition data by overwriting in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Embodiment 4] The invention of embodiment 4 relates to the printing apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 3,
When the print job definition data storage unit receives a reference request for integrated print job definition data from the client device, the print job definition data storage unit transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Embodiment 5] The invention of embodiment 5 relates to the printing apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 4,
The plurality of print job definition data is finally collected and sent to the printing unit.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing unit, it is possible to perform printing by the printing unit collectively.

[Mode 6] The invention of mode 6 relates to the printing apparatus of any one of modes 1 to 4,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing unit for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing unit for each integrated print job definition data, the printing unit converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Form 7] The printing method of form 7
An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing the print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step of extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from the client device;
A print step for executing a print job according to an instruction of the print control step;
It is characterized by including.

According to this configuration, a plurality of print job definition data is integrated according to a request from the client device by the integrated print job definition data issuing step, and a print job received from one or more client devices by the integrated print job definition data analyzing step Analyzing the definition data or content data, specifying the integrated print job definition data associated with these data, and in the print job definition data storage step, based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step, The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end, and stored in the print job definition data storage step when the end request for the integrated print job is received from the client device by the print control step. Print job Extracts definition data, the printing step, executes a print job according to an instruction of the print control step. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

[Embodiment 8] The invention of embodiment 8 relates to the printing method of embodiment 7,
The method further includes a print job definition data editing step for performing correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing step can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Form 9] The invention of form 9 relates to the printing method of form 8,
In the print job definition data editing step, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and corrected by overwriting the print job definition data in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Mode 10] The invention of mode 10 relates to the printing method of any one of modes 7 to 9,
The print job definition data storing step transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device when a reference request for the integrated print job definition data is received from the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Form 11] The invention of form 11 relates to the printing method of any one of forms 7 to 10,
The plurality of print job definition data is finally collected and sent to the printing step.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing step, it is possible to perform printing in the printing step collectively.

[Mode 12] The invention of mode 12 relates to the printing method of any one of modes 7 to 10,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing step for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the print step for each integrated print job definition data, the print step converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Form 13] The print program of form 13 is
An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step for extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when a request for ending the integrated print job is received from the client device; and a print job according to an instruction in the print control step. It is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing realized as a printing step to be executed.

According to this configuration, a plurality of print job definition data is integrated according to a request from the client device by the integrated print job definition data issuing step, and a print job received from one or more client devices by the integrated print job definition data analyzing step Analyzing the definition data or content data, specifying the integrated print job definition data associated with these data, and in the print job definition data storage step, based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step, The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end, and stored in the print job definition data storage step when the end request for the integrated print job is received from the client device by the print control step. Print job Extracts definition data, the printing step, executes a print job according to an instruction of the print control step. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

[Form 14] The invention of form 14 relates to a printing program of form 13,
The method further includes a print job definition data editing step for performing correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing step can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Form 15] The invention of form 15 relates to a printing program of form 14,
In the print job definition data editing step, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and corrected by overwriting the print job definition data in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Mode 16] The invention of mode 16 relates to the printing program of any one of modes 13 to 15,
The print job definition data storing step transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device when a reference request for the integrated print job definition data is received from the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Mode 17] The invention of mode 17 relates to the printing program of any one of modes 13 to 16,
The plurality of print job definition data is finally collected and sent to the printing step.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing step, it is possible to perform printing in the printing step collectively.

[Form 18] The invention of form 18 relates to the printing program of any one of forms 13 to 16,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing step for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the print step for each integrated print job definition data, the print step converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Mode 19] A print control apparatus according to mode 19 includes:
Integrated print job definition data issuing means for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
Print job definition data analysis means for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
Print job definition data storage means for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis means;
Print control means for extracting print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage means when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from the client device;
Transmission means for transmitting a print job to a printing apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the print control means.

According to this configuration, the integrated print job definition data issuing unit integrates a plurality of print job definition data in response to a request from the client, and the integrated print job definition data analyzing unit analyzes the print job definition data received from the client. The integrated print job definition data associated with the print job definition data is identified, and the print job definition data storage means until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis means. The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data, and the print stored in the print job definition data storage unit when the print control unit receives an end request for the integrated print job from the client device. Extract job definition data and follow the instructions of the print control means Ri sends the print job to the printing apparatus. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

[Mode 20] The invention of mode 20 relates to the printing control apparatus of mode 19,
The image processing apparatus may further include a print job definition data editing unit that performs correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing unit can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Form 21] The invention of form 21 relates to the printing control apparatus of form 20,
The print job definition data editing means prioritizes the integrated print job definition data and corrects the print job definition data by overwriting in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Mode 22] The invention of mode 22 relates to the print control apparatus according to any one of modes 19 to 21,
When the print job definition data storage unit receives a reference request for integrated print job definition data from the client device, the print job definition data storage unit transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Mode 23] The invention of mode 23 relates to the print control apparatus according to any one of modes 19 to 22,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus as a final summary.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing apparatus, it is possible to perform printing by the printing apparatus collectively.

[Mode 24] The invention of mode 24 relates to the printing apparatus of any one of modes 19 to 22,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data, the printing apparatus converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Mode 25] The print control method of mode 25 is
An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing the print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step of extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from the client device;
And a transmission step of transmitting a print job to the printing apparatus in accordance with an instruction of the print control step.

According to this configuration, a plurality of print job definition data is integrated according to a request from the client device by the integrated print job definition data issuing step, and a print job received from one or more client devices by the integrated print job definition data analyzing step Analyzing the definition data to identify integrated print job definition data associated with the print job definition data, and in the print job definition data storage step, based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step, the integrated print job The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the print job definition data, and when the completion request for the integrated print job is received from the client device by the print control step, the print job definition data storage step Stored print job definitions Extracts over data, the transmitting step, the instruction of the print control step, sending a print job to the printing apparatus. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

[Mode 26] The invention of mode 26 relates to a printing control method of mode 25,
The method further includes a print job definition data editing step for performing correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing step can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Mode 27] The invention of mode 27 relates to a printing control method of mode 26,
In the print job definition data editing step, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and corrected by overwriting the print job definition data in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Embodiment 28] The invention of embodiment 28 relates to the printing control method of any one of embodiments 25 to 27, and
The print job definition data storing step transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device when a reference request for the integrated print job definition data is received from the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Mode 29] The invention of mode 29 relates to the printing control method of any one of modes 25 to 28, and
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus as a final summary.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing apparatus, it is possible to perform printing by the printing apparatus collectively.

[Mode 30] The invention of mode 30 relates to the printing control method according to any one of modes 25 to 28, and
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data, the printing apparatus converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Mode 31] The print control program of mode 31 is
An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step for extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when a request for ending the integrated print job is received from the client device, and an instruction in the print control step. It is characterized by causing a computer to execute processing realized as a transmission step for transmitting a print job.

According to this configuration, a plurality of print job definition data is integrated according to a request from the client device by the integrated print job definition data issuing step, and a print job received from one or more client devices by the integrated print job definition data analyzing step Analyzing the definition data to identify integrated print job definition data associated with the print job definition data, and in the print job definition data storage step, based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step, the integrated print job The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the print job definition data, and when the completion request for the integrated print job is received from the client device by the print control step, the print job definition data storage step Stored print job definitions Extracts over data, the transmission step, according to an instruction of the print control step, sending a print job to the printing apparatus. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

[Mode 32] The invention of mode 32 relates to a print control program of mode 31,
The method further includes a print job definition data editing step for performing correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, the print job definition data editing step can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. The effect that it can be easily put together is obtained.

[Mode 33] The invention of mode 33 relates to a printing control program of mode 32,
In the print job definition data editing step, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and corrected by overwriting the print job definition data in order to eliminate the contradiction.
According to this configuration, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is prioritized and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. It is possible to easily and accurately collect definition data for each integrated print job definition data.

[Form 34] The invention of form 34 relates to the print control program of any one of forms 31 to 33,
The print job definition data storing step transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device when a reference request for the integrated print job definition data is received from the client device.
According to this configuration, since the user can select desired integrated print job definition data by referring to the list of integrated print job definition data, it is possible to execute printing according to the user's preference and purpose. can get.

[Form 35] The invention of form 35 relates to the print control program of any one of forms 31 to 34,
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus as a final summary.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing apparatus, it is possible to perform printing by the printing apparatus collectively.

[Mode 36] The invention of mode 36 relates to the print control program according to any one of modes 31 to 34, and
The plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data.
According to this configuration, since the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing apparatus for each integrated print job definition data, the printing apparatus converts the plurality of print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data. Thus, it is possible to perform printing sequentially for each of them, thereby obtaining the effect of being able to cope with an increase in the number of users.

[Mode 37] The recording medium of mode 37
A recording medium on which the printing program according to any one of Forms 13 to 18 or the printing control program according to any one of Forms 31 to 36 is recorded.
According to this configuration, a plurality of print job definition data is integrated according to a request from the client device by the integrated print job definition data issuing step, and a print job received from one or more client devices by the integrated print job definition data analyzing step Analyzing the definition data to identify integrated print job definition data associated with the print job definition data, and in the print job definition data storage step, based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step, the integrated print job The print job definition data is stored in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the print job definition data, and when the completion request for the integrated print job is received from the client device by the print control step, the print job definition data storage step Stored print job definitions Extracts over data, the transmitting step transmits the print job to the printing apparatus according to an instruction of the print control step. Alternatively, a print job is executed according to an instruction of the print control step in the print step. Accordingly, even when a plurality of print jobs to be input in advance are not determined, print job definition data requested by a plurality of users can be integrated into integrated print job definition data. The effect is that printing can be performed as one integrated print job.
In addition, when a plurality of users create documents for each presentation, an effect that a uniform printed matter can be created for each distribution destination is obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the following description, a printing apparatus including a printing control unit and a printing unit will be described as an example. This printing apparatus is configured as a printing system by separating the printing control apparatus and the printing apparatus. You can also.

[First Embodiment]
First, a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
The printing apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11, an integrated print job definition data issuing unit 12, a print job definition data analysis unit 13, a print job definition data storage unit 14, a print control unit 15, and a printing unit 16. Prepare.
The communication unit 11 communicates with the client device 20, receives print job definition data from the client device 20, and sends the print job definition data to each unit in the printing device 1.

The integrated print job definition data issuing unit 13 issues integrated print job definition data that combines a plurality of print job definition data sequentially transmitted from the client device 20 to the communication unit.
The print job definition data analysis unit 15 analyzes the print job definition data sent from the communication unit 11 and associates it with the integrated print job definition data.

The print job definition data storage unit 14 stores the print job definition data analyzed by the print job definition data analysis unit 13 in the storage area of the associated integrated print job definition data.
The print control unit 15 extracts the integrated print job definition data as necessary, converts the extracted integrated print job definition data into print setting data that can be printed by the printing unit 16, and sends the print setting data to the print unit 16. .

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the computer system.
Here, the printing apparatus 1 includes a communication unit 11, an integrated print job definition data issuing unit 12, a print job definition data analysis unit 13, a print job definition data storage unit 14, a print control unit 15, a printing unit 16, and the like on software. As shown in FIG. 2, the hardware configuration includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 60, which is a central processing unit responsible for various types of control and arithmetic processing, and a main storage device. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 62 constituting a (Main Storage) and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 64 which is a read-only storage device are connected to a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus or an ISA (I It is connected by various internal / external buses 68 including a standard standard architecture (bus), and an external storage device (secondary storage) 70 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) via an input / output interface (I / F) 66. Or an output device 72 such as a printing means, CRT, LCD monitor, etc., an input device 74 such as an operation panel, mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc., and a network L for communicating with a print instruction device (not shown). .

When the power is turned on, a system program such as BIOS stored in the ROM 64 or the like is stored in various dedicated computer programs stored in the ROM 64 in advance, or in a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), or the like. Various dedicated computer programs installed in the storage device 70 via the medium or the communication network L such as the Internet are similarly loaded into the RAM 62, and the CPU 60 performs various operations according to instructions described in the program loaded in the RAM 62. Each function of each means as described above can be realized on software by performing predetermined control and arithmetic processing by making full use of resources.
Next, integrated print job definition data issue processing, transmission processing, and termination processing will be described.

(Issuance processing of integrated print job definition data)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for issuing integrated print job definition data.
In the issuing process, first, in step S31, when the client device 20 issues a request for issuing the integrated print job definition data to the integrated print job definition data issuing unit 12 of the printing apparatus 1, in step S32, the integrated print job definition data is issued. The definition data issuing unit 12 issues integrated print job definition data. At this time, data received from the client device 20, that is, information such as the finished paper size and both sides is set. Then, after the print job definition data is associated with the integrated print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data is issued, in step S33, the integrated print job definition data storage unit 14 prints the print data for each integrated print job definition data. Reserve a job definition data storage area.
The association can be performed by adding an identifier to the integrated print job definition data.

(Integrated print job definition data transmission process)
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the transmission processing procedure of the integrated print job definition data.
In the transmission process, first, print job definition data or content data is transmitted from the client device 20 in step S41. The client device 20 inquires about reference to the print job definition data storage unit 14 via the communication unit 11 in order to know what integrated print job is designated. Next, in step S <b> 42, the print job definition data storage unit 14 extracts a list of integrated print job definition data, and transmits it to the client apparatus 20 via the communication unit 11 in step S <b> 43. In step S44, the client apparatus selects the target integrated print job definition data from the list sent by the user, and the client apparatus receives the selection. In step S45, the client apparatus receives the integrated print job definition data. The print job definition data is issued as an attachment to the print job definition data or content data. Next, in step S46, the print job definition data analyzing unit 13 analyzes the print job definition data or the content data, and extracts the identifier of the attached integrated print job definition data. In step S47, the print job definition data is extracted. The data storage unit 14 stores the corresponding integrated print job storage area using the identifier.

(Integrated print job end processing)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for ending integrated print job definition data.
When ending the integrated print job, first, in step S51, an integrated print job end request is sent from the client device 20 to the print control means 15, and in step S52, it is stored in the job storage area of the integrated print job definition data. The print job definition data is extracted and transmitted to the printing means 16, and printing is performed by the printing means 16 in step S53.

  As described above, the present invention is applied to a case where documents created by a plurality of users are printed and combined into one printed matter. For example, if multiple users are creating documents for one presentation, it is unknown in advance whether each user needs to distribute documents or how many documents are created. There are cases. Even in such a case, by using the present invention, it becomes possible to create a printed matter for each distribution unit.

Next, the association of the integrated print job will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of associating the integrated print job definition data and the print job definition data, and a storage method in the print job definition data storage unit.
As shown in the figure, the integrated print job definition data X is given an identifier <id> 0001 </ id>, and is associated with the print job definition data using this identifier. That is, a description such as <jid> 001 </ jid> is described in the print job definition data, and is associated with the integrated print job definition data. The print job definition data associated with the integrated print job definition data X is the first print job definition data x (1), the second print job definition data x (2), and the third print job definition data x. Assuming (3), X, x (1), x (2), and x (3) are sequentially linked as “next print job definition data” and are stored in association with each other in this way. Each of the first to third print job definition data x (1) to x (3) has a pointer to content data in addition to the print job definition data, and can be easily accessed. Has been.

  Similarly, the integrated print job definition data Y is given an identifier <id> 0002 </ id> as shown in the figure, and is associated with the print job definition data using this identifier. If the print job definition data associated with the integrated print job definition data Y is the first print job definition data y (1) and the second print job definition data y (2), Y, y (1 ), Y (2) are sequentially linked and stored as “next print job definition data”. The pointer to the content data is the same as that of the integrated print job definition data X described above.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a list when selecting the integrated print job definition data.
In this example, the setter T's integrated print job definition data that “the 10/24 presentation material is used, the finished paper size is A4 portrait, and post-processing such as bookbinding is side stitching”, and the setter S's “ Integrated print job definition data that is used for travel textbooks, finished paper size is B4, post-processing is saddle stitching, and setter A, “Use for presentation panel for company B, finished paper size is A3 landscape, post-processing is Integrated print job definition data “flat stitching” is posted. The user designates desired integrated print job definition data from the list on the client device by inputting with a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The integrated print job definition data actually selected is indicated by a black circle in the figure.
According to this configuration, the user can select desired integrated print job definition data with reference to the list of integrated print job definition data, and therefore can execute printing suited to the user's preference and purpose.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment described above except that the print job definition data editing means 17 is added.
In the first embodiment described above, the print job definition data associated with the integrated print job definition data may conflict.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the print job definition data editing unit 17 is provided, and upon receiving an integrated print job end request, the integrated print job definition data setting is prioritized over the read print job definition data, and the integrated print job In order to correspond to the definition data, the read print job definition data is overwritten and corrected, and the entire inconsistent part is corrected, and after correcting the print job definition data, the corrected print job definition data is The print job definition data is printed by sending it to the printing means 16. This process is repeated for the number of print job definition data stored.
Whether to perform overwriting processing, conflict resolution, or retention of each setting, an editing rule is determined in advance, and if editing is performed based on this editing rule, the processing in the print job definition data editing unit 17 can be automatically performed. it can.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the editing rules described above.
In this example, the double-sided / single-sided item is overwritten with the general print job definition data. In the imposition item, the contradiction is resolved in accordance with the change in the paper size so that the output size does not change. For example, the setting of two imposition in A3 is set to no imposition in A4. The output size before editing the print job can be obtained by dividing the paper size by the number of impositions on one page. Dividing the paper size of the integrated print job by the output size before editing the print job gives the number of impositions per page. In the print job after editing, the paper size is corrected to the paper size of the integrated print job. Correct the number to the number obtained. Both the paper size and paper type items are overwritten with the general print job definition data, the print quality item is to retain each setting, and the number of copies is overwritten with the general print job definition data. I will do it.
As described above, the print job definition data editing unit 17 can edit the print job definition data in principle by overwriting with the integrated print job definition data. However, the print job definition data editing unit 17 is not limited to this, and can be edited flexibly based on various factors. By doing so, the contradiction between the integrated print job definition data and the print job definition data can be resolved.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overwriting process for print job definition data based on the editing rule illustrated in FIG. 9.
FIG. 10A in the upper part shows data before correction, and FIG. 10B in the lower part shows data after correction.
In this example, the content of the integrated print job definition data does not change between FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B, but “two-sided, two-sided, paper: A4, plain paper, print quality: clean, 100 copies. "Is set. On the other hand, the content of the print job definition data is, for example, “one side, no imposition, paper: A4, plain paper, print in the print job definition data (1) of FIG. “Quality: Fast, 110 copies” is set, but in FIG. 10B, that is, the corrected data, it is corrected as “both sides, no imposition, paper: A4, plain paper, print quality: fast, 100 copies”. Has been. The correction locations are “single side → double side” and “110 parts → 100 parts”. This is because, among the editing rules described above, the items of duplex / single-sided and the number of copies are defined as “overwrite with integrated print job definition data”, and “double-sided” and “100 copies” are set in the integrated print job definition data. This is because “single side” and “110 copies” of the print job definition data are corrected to “double side” and “100 copies”.
Similarly, in the print job definition data (2), “120 copies” in the item of the number of copies is corrected to “100 copies”, and in the print job definition data (3), “one side, two pages, paper: A3, “High quality paper, 80 copies” is corrected to “Double-sided, no imposition, paper: A4, plain paper, 100 copies”.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an integrated print job end request. This processing procedure is a method of sending a plurality of print jobs one by one to the printing means.
First, in step S112, when an integrated print job end request is transmitted from the client apparatus 20 to the printing apparatus 1 with an identifier that can identify the integrated print job, in step S113, the print control means 15 of the printing apparatus 1 is notified. One print job definition data stored in the job storage area in association with the integrated print job definition data specified by the received identifier is extracted, and in step S114, whether or not the print job is completed, ie, step In step S113, it is determined whether a print job has been acquired. As a result, if the print job has not ended, the print job is sent to the print job definition data editing means 17, and the print job definition data is overwritten with the integrated print job definition data in step S115. Next, in step S116, the data is corrected so as to eliminate the contradiction in the print job definition data. Strictly speaking, in step S115, a new storage area for print job definition data is secured in the RAM. First, the print job definition data is copied to that area, and the integrated print job definition data is overwritten from there. In step S116, the imposition is changed as described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 10 while comparing the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data. When the correction of one print job definition data is completed, the process returns to step S113 to extract another print job stored in the job storage area in association with the integrated print job definition data. In step S114, the print job is It is determined whether or not all have been completed. If it is determined that all have been completed, the print job definition data is transmitted to the printing unit 16 one by one in step S117. In step S118, the printing unit 16 performs printing.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another processing procedure of the integrated print job end request. This processing procedure is a method of sending a plurality of print jobs together to a printing unit.
First, when an integrated print job end request is transmitted from the client apparatus to the printing apparatus 1 in step S122, the print control unit 15 of the printing apparatus 1 associates the job with the integrated print job definition data in step S123. One next print job stored in the storage area is extracted, and in step S124, it is determined whether or not the print job is completed. As a result, when the print job is finished, the processing is finished as it is. If the print job has not ended, the print job is sent to the print job definition data editing means 17, and the print job definition data is overwritten with the integrated print job definition data in step S125. Next, in step S126, the data is corrected so as to eliminate the contradiction in the print job definition data. When the correction of the print job definition data is completed, the print job definition data is collectively transmitted to the printing unit 16 in step S127. In step S118, the printing unit 16 performs printing. Thereafter, the process returns to step S123, and the next print job is extracted.

  As a result, the print job definition data editing unit 17 can correct any inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, so that the print job definition data can be easily organized for each integrated print job definition data. it can. Also, if there is a conflict between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data, the integrated print job definition data is given priority, and the print job definition data is overwritten and corrected. Can be easily and accurately put together.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
The present embodiment is an example of a case where the printing control apparatus and the printing apparatus are configured as a printing system in which they are separated. The components are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, but the first embodiment is a printing apparatus, whereas the present embodiment is a printing system.
As shown in the figure, the print control apparatus 40 of the printing system 50 includes a communication unit 11, an integrated print job definition data issuing unit 12, a print job definition data analyzing unit 13, and a print job definition data storage unit 14. The printing control unit 15 includes only the printing unit 16.

The communication unit 11 communicates with the client device 20, receives print job definition data from the client device 20, and sends the print job definition data to each unit in the printing device 1.
The integrated print job definition data issuing unit 13 issues integrated print job definition data that combines a plurality of print job definition data sequentially transmitted from the client device 20 to the communication unit.

The print job definition data analysis unit 15 analyzes the print job definition data sent from the communication unit 11 and associates it with the integrated print job definition data.
The print job definition data storage unit 14 stores the print job definition data analyzed by the print job definition data analysis unit 13 in the storage area of the associated integrated print job definition data, and the integrated print job definition data as necessary. To extract.

The print control unit 15 converts the extracted integrated print job definition data into print setting data that can be printed by the printing unit 16 and sends the print setting data to the printing unit 16 of the printing apparatus 30.
The printing unit 16 is the only element provided in the printing apparatus 30 and performs normal printing.
In the above embodiment, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM is executed when executing the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5, 11, and 12 is described. Instead, the program may be incorporated into a RAM and executed from a storage medium on which a program showing these procedures is recorded. Alternatively, the program may be acquired from a network.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, A various change is possible without deviating from the meaning of this invention.
In the present embodiment, the client apparatus 20 and the printing apparatus 1 or the printing system 50, and the print control apparatus 40 and the printing apparatus 30 are described as being directly connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and data transfer is performed. May be via a network, or an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, or USB memory may be used.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows a hardware configuration. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for issuing integrated print job definition data. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission processing procedure of integrated print job definition data. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for ending integrated print job definition data. It is a figure which shows the association method of integrated print job definition data and print job definition data, and the storage method in a print job definition data storage means. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a list when selecting integrated print job definition data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the edit rule in a print job definition data edit means. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process for overwriting print job definition data based on an editing rule. (A) shows a state before correction, and (b) shows a state after correction. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an integrated print job end request. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another processing procedure of an integrated print job end request. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 11 ... Communication means, 12 ... Integrated print job definition data issuing means, 13 ... Print job definition data analysis means, 14 ... Print job definition data storage means, 15 ... Print control means, 16 ... Printing means, 17 ... Print job definition data editing means, 20 ... Client device, 30 ... Print device, 40 ... Print control device, 50 ... Print system

Claims (12)

Integrated print job definition data issuing means for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
Print job definition data analyzing means for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
Print job definition data storage means for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis means;
Print control means for extracting print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage means when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from a client device;
Printing means for executing a print job according to an instruction of the print control means;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a print job definition data editing unit that performs correction for resolving inconsistency between the print job definition data and the integrated print job definition data.   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print job definition data editing unit prioritizes the integrated print job definition data and corrects the print job definition data by overwriting to eliminate the contradiction. .   When the print job definition data storage unit receives an integrated print job definition data reference request from the client device, the print job definition data storage unit transmits a list of integrated print job definition data to the client device via a communication unit. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print job definition data collected at the end are sent to the printing unit. 6.   5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of print job definition data is sent to the printing unit for each integrated print job definition data. 6. An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing the print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step of extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when receiving an end request of the integrated print job from a client device;
A print step for executing a print job according to an instruction of the print control step;
A printing method comprising: An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step that analyzes print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifies integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step for extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when the integrated print job end request is received from the client device; and executing the print job in accordance with an instruction of the print control step A printing program that causes a computer to execute processing realized as a printing step. Integrated print job definition data issuing means for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
Print job definition data analysis means for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
Print job definition data storage means for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis means;
Print control means for extracting print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage means when receiving an end request for the integrated print job from a client device;
A transmission unit that transmits a print job to a printing apparatus according to an instruction from the print control unit;
A printing control apparatus comprising: An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step for analyzing print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifying integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing the print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step of extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when receiving an end request of the integrated print job from a client device;
A transmission step of transmitting a print job to a printing apparatus according to an instruction of the print control step;
A printing control method comprising: An integrated print job definition data issuing step for issuing integrated print job definition data in response to a request from a client device;
A print job definition data analysis step that analyzes print job definition data or content data received from one or more client devices and identifies integrated print job definition data associated with these data;
A print job definition data storage step for storing print job definition data in association with the integrated print job definition data until the end of the integrated print job based on the analysis result of the print job definition data analysis step;
A print control step for extracting the print job definition data stored in the print job definition data storage step when the integrated print job end request is received from the client device; and printing on the printing device according to an instruction of the print control step A print control program that causes a computer to execute processing realized as a transmission step of transmitting a job.   A recording medium on which the printing program according to claim 8 or the printing control program according to claim 11 is recorded.

Images