JP2009086873A - Printing control device, printing system, printing control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output printing jobs by group when a plurality of jobs are requested to be printed by a single client device or a plurality of client devices. <P>SOLUTION: In a printing system, a print server 20 includes: job acquisition means for acquiring printing jobs including group identification information, group information storage means for storing group information by group in which group identification information is associated with printing job identification information, group information updating means for updating the content of storage of the group information storage means every time a printing job is acquired; printing information storage means for storing printing information in which group identification information of the group that a printing job of which printing is to be output belongs to, printing job identification information of printing jobs, and the printing order of printing jobs are associated; and control means for changing the printing order of printing jobs stored in the printing information storage means so that printing jobs can be output group by group based on the predetermined grouping conditions and the storage content of the group information storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print system, and a print control program.

  When a plurality of documents are to be handled as one job, one client device selects a plurality of documents, and requests the printer or print server to print these selected documents (grouped documents). It is carried out. As devices (systems) for printing a plurality of documents (print jobs) as one job in this way, for example, those described in Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 4 are known.

  By the way, in recent years, when a print request for a new document is additionally made after a print request for the first document is made by a single client device, the plurality of documents are converted into one job (a grouped job). There is a request from the print server to obtain the print processing result for this one job.

Also, when a print request for a document is made from each of a plurality of client devices, a plurality of documents corresponding to the plurality of client devices are handled as one job (one job grouped), and the print server There is also a desire to obtain a print processing result for this one job.
JP 61-151734 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-058179 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-164638 JP 2006-004077 A

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print system, and a print system capable of performing print control so that a print job is printed out for each group when a plurality of print jobs are requested by a single or a plurality of client apparatuses. An object is to provide a control program.

  In order to solve the above problem, the print control apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a job acquisition unit that acquires a print job that includes group identification information that is transmitted from a client apparatus that issues a print request and identifies a group; Group information storage means for storing group information for each group in which group identification information included in the print job acquired by the job acquisition means is associated with print job identification information for identifying the print job; and the job acquisition means A group information updating unit that updates the storage contents of the group information storage unit every time a print job is acquired by the group, the group identification information related to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, and the print job related to the print job Print information in which identification information is associated with the print order of the print job Print information stored in the print information storage means so that a print job is printed out for each group based on the print information storage means to be stored, a predetermined grouping condition, and the stored contents of the group information storage means Control means for changing the print order of jobs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the predetermined grouping condition is that the new print job is printed when the new print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit. The print job stored in the print information storage means so that the order is the last print order among all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed. This is a first priority mode in which the printing order is changed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the predetermined grouping condition is that the new print job is printed when the new print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit. The order is a print order based on the acquisition order in which the job acquisition unit has acquired the new print job, and all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed are A second priority mode in which the print order of the print jobs stored in the print information storage means is changed so that the print information is continuously printed based on the print order of new print jobs. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, when some of the plurality of print jobs belonging to the predetermined group have already been printed out, Relevance information creating means for creating information indicating the relevance between an unprinted print job related to the predetermined group and the printed print job, and created by the relevance information creating means The information indicating the relevance is printed after an unprinted print job belonging to the predetermined group is printed out or after all print jobs to be printed related to all groups are printed out. It is characterized by that.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a client device that issues a print request, and a print control device that performs print control for a print job requested by the client device. The client device includes a group identification information setting unit that sets group identification information for identifying a group to which a print job to be printed belongs, and a print job that includes the group identification information set by the group identification information setting unit. Transmitting means for transmitting to a print control apparatus, wherein the print control apparatus acquires a print job including group identification information for identifying a group transmitted from the transmission means, and the job acquisition means Identifies the group identification information contained in the print job acquired by Group information storage means for storing group information for each group associated with print job identification information, and group information for updating storage contents of the group information storage means each time a print job is acquired by the job acquisition means Print information for storing update information, print information in which the group identification information related to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, the print job identification information related to the print job, and the print order of the print job are associated with each other The print order of the print jobs stored in the print information storage unit so that the print job is printed out for each group based on the storage unit, the predetermined grouping condition, and the stored contents of the group information storage unit And a control means for changing.

  In order to solve the above problem, a print control program according to the present invention described in claim 6 is a job acquisition process for acquiring a print job transmitted from a client device and including group identification information for identifying a group, and the job acquisition process. A group information storage process for storing group information for each group in which group identification information included in the print job acquired by the process and print job identification information for identifying the print job are associated with each other; and the job acquisition process The group information update process for updating the stored contents stored in the group information storage process every time a print job is acquired by the group, the group identification information related to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, and the print The print job identification information related to the job and the print of the print job A print job is printed for each group based on the print information storage process for storing the print information associated with the number, the predetermined grouping condition, and the stored contents stored in the group information storage process. A control processing step for changing the printing order of the print jobs stored in the printing information storage processing step so as to be output is executed by a computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of print jobs are requested to be printed by a single or a plurality of client apparatuses, print control can be performed so that the print jobs are printed out for each group.

  According to the invention of claim 2, when a new print job is acquired, the print order of the new print job is the last print order among all the print jobs belonging to the group. The print order of the print jobs can be changed by the control means, and print control can be performed so that the print jobs are printed for each group.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a new print job is acquired, all the print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job have a print order based on the acquisition order of the new print job. The control unit can change the printing order of the print jobs so that the print jobs are printed on a group basis so that the print jobs can be continuously printed with reference.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a part of a plurality of print jobs belonging to a predetermined group has already been printed out, the relationship between the print job that has not been printed and the print job that has already been printed out The print information corresponding to the print job that has been printed out after the print job of the unprinted output has been printed out or after all the print jobs to be printed out have been printed out. It is possible for the user to easily grasp the relevance with the printed matter corresponding to the unprinted print job.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of print jobs are requested to be printed by a single or a plurality of client apparatuses, print control can be performed so that the print jobs are printed out for each group.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, when a plurality of print jobs are requested to be printed by a single or a plurality of client apparatuses, software for controlling printing so that the print jobs are printed out for each group is provided. Can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printing system according to the embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a plurality (n) of client apparatuses 10-1 to 10-n, a print server 20, and a printer 30, and these components are connected to a communication line 40. Yes. Note that the client devices 10-1 to 10-n are collectively referred to as the client device 10 or the client device 10 (10-1 to 10-n) except when individual client devices are described.

  The client device 10 (10-1 to 10-n) is a computer handled by the user, and can request the printer 30 to perform printing by performing a predetermined operation. In this printing system, when printing is performed from the client device 10, a print job in which output destination information (information specifying the output destination printer 30) is set is sent to the print server 20.

  The printer 30 performs a printing process based on the print job sent from the print server 20. In the present embodiment, one printer 30 is connected to the communication line 40, but a plurality of printers may be connected to the communication line 40.

  The print server 20 receives a print job from the client apparatus 10 that has requested printing, temporarily stores it in the storage device, manages it, and transfers the managed print job to the printer 30 managed by the print server. To do. When a plurality of printers 30 are connected to the communication line 40, the print server 20 basically transfers the print job to the printer 30 indicated by the output destination information set in the print job.

  Examples of the communication line 40 include a wired communication line such as a local area network (LAN), a wireless communication line such as a wireless LAN, and a combination of these communication lines.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the client device 10 (10-1 to 10-n) includes an input unit 11, a display unit 12, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “user I / F”) 13, a storage unit 14, and a printer driver 15. , A network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 16 and a control unit 17.

  The input unit 11 performs operations such as creation and editing of a document under an application (not shown), an instruction for a print request, and the like.

  The display unit 12 displays the document content being created, the print setting screen provided by the printer driver 15 when setting various print functions corresponding to the print processing by the printer 30 (print setting), and the printer when requesting printing. Predetermined display information such as a print request setting screen (which will be described later) provided by the driver 15 is displayed.

  The user I / F 13 outputs input information based on the operation of the input unit 11 to the control unit 17 and causes the display unit 12 to display predetermined display information according to control from the control unit 17.

  The storage unit 14 stores the created image data file and document data file, and stores setting information input to the print request setting screen and the print setting screen, a print job to be printed, and the like. The storage unit 14 stores application software (not shown) and a printer driver (software).

  The printer driver 15 has a function of converting document data (print data) into a printer language corresponding to the printer, and uses document data (print data) created under an application (not shown) as a print job. The data is transmitted to the print server 20 via the network I / F 16.

  The network I / F 16 transmits / receives data to / from an external device such as the print server 20 or another client device. For example, the network I / F 16 transmits a print job to be printed to the print server 20.

  The control unit 16 controls the entire client device and reads and executes application software from the storage unit 14 to execute document processing such as document creation and editing under the application, and from the storage unit 14. The function of the printer driver 15 is realized by reading out and executing the printer driver (software).

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the print request setting screen. The print request setting screen 50 includes a group ID setting field 51 for setting (filling in) unique group identification information (group ID) for performing group processing corresponding to the group ID item, and a job name item. Correspondingly, a job name setting field 52 for setting (filling in) a job name (document name, file name, etc.) and a printing order corresponding to the item of printing order and setting (filling in) the printing order of the print job to be printed Corresponding to the item of the setting field 53 and the priority mode, priority mode selection fields 54a and 54b for setting (selecting) one of the speed priority mode and the group priority mode are provided.

  When the user who operates the client apparatus 10 performs grouping processing on the print job to be printed, at least the group ID setting field 51 and the job name setting as essential setting fields are displayed on the print request setting screen 50. A group ID and job name are set (entered) in the column 52, respectively.

  Note that the entry of the print order in the print order setting field 53 and the selection (checking) of the priority mode selection field 54a or the priority mode selection field 54b are arbitrary, so that they may or may not be set.

  Incidentally, when a print request for a print job to be printed that is not subjected to grouping processing is performed, the user of the client device 10 does not need to input predetermined information on the print request setting screen 50. A job name such as a file name is specified.

  In the present embodiment, the print request setting screen 50 and the input unit 11 displayed on the display unit 12 serve as a group identification information setting unit that sets group identification information for identifying a group to which a print job to be printed belongs. Is.

  In the present embodiment, the network I / F 16 transmits a print job including group identification information set by the print request setting screen 50 and the input unit 11 (group identification information setting unit) to the print control apparatus. It fulfills the functions of

  By the way, in this embodiment, the group identification information (group ID) is a group name such as a department name to which a user belongs, a document name common to the group, an update information of a document common to the group, a keyword, etc. Means information.

  For example, group IDs are “Manufacturing Department XX Parts 1-001 (20060601)” and “Design Department XX Specification Rev2 (20060602). Incidentally,“ Manufacturing Department ”and“ Design Department ”are group names,“ “XX part 1” and “specifications” mean document names, and “001 (20060601)” and “Rev2 (20060602)” mean document update information. The four digits before "20060901" and "20060602" are the year of the west, and the last four digits are "month and day".

  Details of the speed priority mode and the group priority mode will be described later.

  By the way, the printer driver 15 prints the print setting contents set on the print setting screen, the print request setting contents set on the print request setting screen 50, and the printer language corresponding to the printer. A print job is created according to the format shown in FIG.

  The print job data format 60 shown in FIG. 4 includes attribute information 61 having four attribute items, a group ID, a job name, a print order, and a priority mode, print setting information 62, and print data 63. The attribute information 61 is included in the header information.

  Setting (input) to the two attribute items of the group ID and the job name in the attribute information 61 is indispensable, while setting (input) to the two attribute items of the printing order and priority mode is arbitrary. Therefore, if the print order and priority mode are not set by the user, the printer driver 15 describes that there is no setting in each attribute item of the print order and priority mode.

  In the present embodiment, the attribute information 61 is set by predetermined setting information among the group ID setting field 51, the job name setting field 52, the print order setting field 53, and the priority mode selection fields 54a and 54b of the print request setting screen 50. It may be attribute information having an attribute item corresponding to the marked field.

  That is, when only the group ID and job name are set, and the printing order and priority mode are not set, the attribute information 61 may be attribute information having attribute items of group ID and job name.

  Incidentally, a print job data format related to a print job to be printed that is not subjected to grouping processing includes, for example, a job name, print settings, and print data.

  FIG. 5 shows a functional configuration of the print server 20.

  The print server 20 includes a database storage unit 200, a priority mode setting unit 210, a job reception unit 220, a group ID management unit 230, a group search unit 240, a print order changing unit 250, a related sheet creation unit 260, a print control unit 270, and a communication. Part 280.

  The database storage unit 200 includes a group information storage area 201, a print information storage area 202, and a print job storage area 203.

  The group information storage area 201 stores group information for each group in which a group ID included in a print job received by the job reception unit (job acquisition unit) 220 is associated with a print job ID for identifying the print job. It fulfills the function of the group information storage means.

  In this embodiment, group information (group information for each group) is defined as a group information table.

  An example of this group information table is shown in FIG. In this group information table 201A, print job IDs for all print jobs received by the job receiving unit 220 and including group IDs are stored corresponding to any group ID.

  In FIG. 6, “Manufacturing Department XX Parts 1-001 (200601)” and “Design Department XXXXX Specification Rev2 (20060602) described between <group id> and </ group id>. ) "Indicates a group ID (GroupID). Here, for convenience of explanation, the former group ID is “001” and the latter group ID is “002”.

  Also, “10001” to “10008” described between <job id> and </ job id> indicate print job IDs (JobID). These print job IDs are described in the order in which print jobs are received by the job receiving unit 220 for each group ID (for each group), unless a print order is specified.

  Further, the description order of print job IDs (or print jobs) described for each group ID (for each group) in the group information table 201A means the print order of print jobs in the corresponding group. For example, in the group ID “001”, the print job ID “10005” is described in the fifth line, so the print job with the print job ID “10005” is the print job belonging to the group with the group ID “001”. Among them, the printing order is No. 5.

  By the way, when eight client apparatuses 10 (10-1 to 10-8) are connected to the communication line 40, each of the print jobs with the print job IDs “10001” to “10008” has eight client apparatuses. 10-1 to 10-7, a print job requested from the client apparatus 10-8, a print job requested from one client apparatus 10-1, for example, and a plurality of client apparatuses between two to seven One of the print jobs requested to be printed from.

  The print information storage area 202 stores print information in which a group ID related to a group to which a print job to be printed belongs, a print job ID related to the print job, and a print order of the print job are associated with each other. It fulfills the function of the means.

  An example of this print information is shown in FIG. This print information 202A corresponds to the contents of the group information table 201A shown in FIG. 6 and shows an example where there is no print job that has been printed out.

  Incidentally, in the print information 202A, when a print job that has been printed out occurs, information (group ID, print job ID, print order) related to the print job that has been printed out is deleted, and unprinted output is accompanied accordingly. The print order related to the print job is changed (the print order is advanced).

  In the print job storage area 203, the print job (print job to be printed) accepted by the job accepting unit 220 is spooled.

  The priority mode setting unit 210 is for the administrator of the print server 20 to set a speed priority mode or a group priority mode as a default priority mode.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of the priority mode setting screen. The priority mode setting screen 211 includes priority mode selection fields 211A and 211B for setting (selecting) one of the speed priority mode and the group priority mode corresponding to the default priority mode item. ing. Then, the administrator sets (selects) the priority mode selection field 211A or the priority mode selection field 211B on the priority mode setting screen 211, thereby confirming the selected priority mode as the default priority mode.

  The priority mode information set on the priority mode setting screen 211 is input to the print order changing unit 250 by the operation of the priority mode setting unit 210 by the administrator.

  In the present embodiment, when the default priority mode setting (selection) operation on the priority mode setting screen 211 is not performed by the administrator, the speed priority mode or group priority set in advance is set. The mode is adopted as the default.

  In the present embodiment, the speed priority mode means that when a new print job is acquired by the job reception unit (job acquisition unit) 220, the print order of the new print job is all prints to be printed. The print stored in the print information storage area (print information storage means) 202 of the database storage unit 200 so that the print order is the last of all the print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in the job. It means a priority mode (first priority mode) in which the printing order of the print job in the information 202A is changed.

  That is, in the speed priority mode, a print job newly requested to be printed without changing the print order of the print job at the head of the same group for the print job spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200. This is a mode for rearranging jobs (newly accepted print jobs).

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the group priority mode refers to the print order of the new print job when the job reception unit (job acquisition unit) 220 acquires a new print job. The print order is based on the acquisition order from which the print job was acquired, and all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed are based on the print order of the new print job. Priority mode (first mode) in which the print order of the print jobs in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area (print information storage means) 202 of the database storage unit 200 is changed so that the print output is continuously performed. 2 priority mode).

  That is, the group priority mode relates to a print job spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200 without changing the print order of a newly requested print job (newly accepted print job). This is a mode for rearranging the print jobs of the same group as the group related to the print job requested to be newly printed.

  A specific example of the process for changing the print order of the print job in the print information 202A according to the speed priority mode (first priority mode) or the group priority mode (second priority mode) will be described later.

  When the job reception unit 220 receives a print job from the client apparatus 10 received via the communication unit 280, the job reception unit 220 gives print job identification information (print job ID) for identifying the print job to the received print job.

  The print job ID is assigned information indicating the order of acceptance of the print jobs, for example, a serial number, and is added to the attribute information 61 of the accepted print job.

  Further, the job reception unit 220 checks whether or not the group information is included in the attribute information 61 of the received print job, and performs processing according to the checked result.

  That is, when the print job attribute information 61 does not include a group ID, the job reception unit 220 spools the print job in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200.

  On the other hand, when the print job attribute information 61 includes a group ID, the job reception unit 220 determines whether or not the group ID exists in the group information storage area 201 of the database storage unit 200. To inquire.

  When the result from the group ID management unit 230 in response to the inquiry indicates that the group ID does not exist, the job reception unit 220 includes the group ID and the print job ID included in the received print job attribute information. Is sent to the group ID management unit 230 and the received print job is spooled in the print job storage area 203. On the other hand, when the result from the group ID management unit 230 in response to the inquiry indicates that the group ID exists, the job reception unit 220 passes the received print job to the group search unit 240.

  By the way, since the print job from the client device 10 is a print job including the group ID and job name as essential attributes as described above, the job reception unit 220 is transmitted from the client device 10 that makes a print request. It functions as job acquisition means for acquiring a print job including a group ID.

  The group ID management unit 230 checks whether the group ID inquired from the job reception unit 230 exists in the group information storage area 201, and outputs the check result to the job reception unit 220.

  Further, the group ID management unit 230 associates the group ID with the print job ID based on the group ID and the print job ID passed from the job reception unit 220 when the check result indicates that the group ID does not exist. The attached group information (group information table) is created, and the created group information table is stored in the group information storage area 201 of the database storage unit 200.

  That is, when the group ID included in the attribute information 61 of the print job is a group ID different from the group ID related to the group information stored in the group information storage area 201 (group ID related to the first group), the group ID And group information in which the print job IDs of the print jobs belonging to the group are associated with each other are created.

  The group search unit 240 receives the print job attribute information 61 passed from the job reception unit 220 because the group ID included in the acquired print job attribute information 61 exists in the group information storage area 201. The group information updating means functions to update the contents of the group information in the group information storage area 201 based on the group ID included in the ID and the print job ID of the print job.

  That is, the group search unit 240 does not include the print order in the attribute information 61 of the new print job in the grouping process related to the second and subsequent new print jobs belonging to the group having the same group ID. In this case, the print job ID of the new print job is added to the last line of the group information table corresponding to the group ID.

  On the other hand, when the print information is included in the attribute information 61 of the new print job, the group search unit 240 sets the new print job at the position of the corresponding print order in the group information table corresponding to the group ID. The print job ID of the print job is added, and the order of the print job ID related to the group information table corresponding to the group ID is changed accordingly.

  For example, in FIG. 6, a print job with a print job ID “10008” that is received later by the job receiving unit 220 than the print jobs with the print job IDs “10006” and “10007” has a print job ID “10006”, “ “10007” is described before each print job, that is, described in the first row (first position) corresponding to the group ID “002”. This is the print job ID “10008”. The print attribute 61 of the print job “” includes the print order that means “No. 1”, which means that the print order (description order) has been changed by the group search unit 240.

  In addition, the group search unit 240 sends the print job passed from the job receiving unit 220 to the print order changing unit 250 and inquires whether there is a print job that has been printed out.

  Further, when the group search unit 240 receives a print job ID of a print job that has already been printed out as a result from the print order changing unit 250 corresponding to the inquiry, the group search unit 240 outputs the print job ID to the related sheet creation unit 260. The print job ID of the print job, the job name, and the group ID of the group to which the print job belongs are output, and a print output timing instruction to be described later is notified.

  Here, the print output timing belongs to a predetermined group to which a print job that has been printed out belongs to a later-described related sheet (information indicating relevance) created by the related sheet creation unit (relevance information creation means) 260. This is a first timing for printing out after a print job of unprinted output has been printed out, or a second timing for printing out after printing all print jobs to be printed related to all groups. Note that which timing is used is preset in the group search unit 240.

  In the present exemplary embodiment, the group information storage area 201, the group ID management unit 230, and the group search unit 240 cooperate with each other so that the group ID included in the print job acquired by the job reception unit (job acquisition unit) 220 Based on the print job ID for identifying the print job, the print job to be printed is grouped as a grouping processing unit.

  The print order changing unit 250 is a speed priority mode or a group priority mode set by the priority mode setting unit 210, or a priority mode (speed priority set in advance) when the priority mode is not set by the priority mode setting unit 210. A priority mode storage unit (not shown) for storing either the mode or the group priority mode.

  The print order changing unit 250 spools the print job passed from the group search unit 240 in the print job storage area 203.

  The print order changing unit 250 is stored in the print information storage area 202 based on the group information table stored in the group information storage area 201 and the priority mode read from the priority mode storage section (not shown). Change the print order of the print jobs in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area 202 so that the print jobs are printed out for each group. .

  Further, the print order changing unit 250 replaces the print jobs spooled in the print job storage area 203 so that the grouped print jobs are linked and printed out for each group based on the print information. Do.

  In this embodiment, the print order of the print jobs in the print information is changed, for example, the first print job, the second print job, and the third print job belonging to the first group. If there is a print request at an arbitrary timing for the three print jobs (related three print jobs), the second print job and the third print job Even when there is a print request for the fourth print job belonging to the second group, the first print job, the second print job, and the third print job belonging to the first group are continuously printed out. This is to make it happen.

  Furthermore, when the print order changing unit 250 receives an inquiry from the group search unit 240 regarding whether or not there is a print job that has been printed out, the contents of the group information table stored in the group information storage area 201 and the print information are displayed. The contents of the print information stored in the storage area 202 are collated to check whether there is a print job that has been printed out.

  If there is a print job ID that exists in the group information table but does not exist in the print information, it is determined that the print job with the print job ID has already been printed out.

  When the print order changing unit 250 determines that there is a print job that has been printed out, the print order changing unit 250 determines that there is a print job that has already been printed as a result of the inquiry from the group search unit 240 and is concerned with the print job. The print job ID is output to the group search unit 240.

  In the present embodiment, the print order changing unit 250 controls the print jobs grouped by the cooperation of the group information storage area 201, the group ID management unit 230, and the group search unit 240 to be printed out for each group. The function of the control means to perform is performed.

  Specifically, the printing order changing unit (control unit) 250 prints out a print job for each group based on the storage contents (group information table 201A) of the group information storage area 201 as described above. The print order of the print job in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area 202 is changed.

  In this case, the print order changing unit (control unit) 250 is not restricted by the print order based on the print job acquisition order acquired by the job acquisition unit 220, and is not limited to a predetermined grouping condition, that is, the speed priority mode (first mode). The print order of the print jobs in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area 202 is changed according to the group priority mode or the group priority mode (second priority mode).

  When a part of print jobs among a plurality of print jobs belonging to a predetermined group has already been printed out, the related sheet creating unit 260 prints the unprinted print job related to the predetermined group and the printed out print It functions as a relevance information creating means for creating information indicating relevance with a job.

  In other words, the related sheet creation unit 260 prints a print job (print output) of the print job ID based on the group ID, job name, and print job ID passed from the group search unit 240 as a print job that has been printed out. Information indicating the relationship between a print job that has already been printed) and an unprinted print job that belongs to the group to which the print job that has been printed, for example, a related sheet is created, and the print output timing notified from the group search unit 240 In accordance with the instruction (the first timing or the second timing), the created related sheet is output to the print control unit 270.

  In this related sheet, information in which a group ID of a group to which a print job that has already been printed belongs, print job IDs of all print jobs that have been printed, and job names are associated with each other is described.

  Such a related sheet is output from the related sheet creation unit 260 to the print control unit 270 in synchronization with the first timing or the second timing described above. That is, the related sheet is printed out after an unprinted output print job belonging to a predetermined group is printed out or after all print output target print jobs related to all groups are printed out.

  When the print control unit 270 receives notification from the printer 30 that the print processing for the print job has been completed, the print job spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200 is transferred to the printer via the communication unit 280. Output to 30.

  In addition, the print control unit 270 outputs the related sheet from the related sheet creation unit 260 to the printer 30 via the communication unit 280.

  The communication unit 280 communicates with the plurality of client devices 10 (10-1 to 10-n) and the printer 30 via the communication line 40.

  Next, print control processing by the print server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the print control processing.

  When the job reception unit 220 receives a print job from the client device 10 received via the communication unit 280, the job reception unit 220 adds a print job ID to the attribute information 61 of the print job and groups the attribute information 61 of the print job. It is determined whether or not to perform group processing based on whether or not an ID is included (step S101).

  Here, when the group information is included in the attribute information 61, it is determined that the group processing is performed. On the other hand, when the group information is not included in the attribute information 61, it is determined that the group processing is not performed.

  The job reception unit 220 that has determined that the group processing is to be performed in step S101 inquires of the group ID management unit 230 whether the group ID exists in the group information storage area 201 of the database storage unit 200, and the result of the inquiry is obtained. Based on this, it is determined whether the received print job is the first print job of the group (step S102).

  The group ID management unit 230 checks whether or not the group ID inquired from the job reception unit 230 exists in the group information storage unit 201, and outputs the result of the check to the job reception unit 220 as a result of the inquiry. To do.

  In step 102, the result from the group ID management unit 230 in response to the inquiry as to whether or not the group ID already exists indicates that the requested group ID does not exist in the group information storage area 201. The job reception unit 220 that has determined that is the first print job of the group passes the group ID and print job ID included in the attribute information 61 of the received print job to the group ID management unit 230.

  For example, the first print job as a print job belonging to the group with the group ID “001” from the client device 10 (this is the print job “10001” given by the job reception unit 220) is the print server 20. This corresponds to the processing of the job reception unit 220 when a print request is made.

  When the group ID inquired from the job reception unit 220 does not exist in the group information storage area 201, the group ID management unit 230 receives the group ID ("001" in this example) passed from the job reception unit 220 and Based on the print job ID (“10001” in this example), group information (group information table 202A) in which the group ID and the print job ID are associated with each other is created (step S103), and the created group information table 202A is created. Is stored in the group information storage area 201 of the database storage unit 200.

  As a result of the inquiry from the group ID management unit 230 regarding whether or not the above group ID already exists, a job that has received that the group ID does not exist and passed the group ID and print job ID to the group ID management unit 230 The accepting unit 220 spools the accepted print job in the print job storage area 203 (step S104). This process is performed on, for example, the print job with the group ID “001” and the print job ID “10001”.

  In step 102, the result from the group ID management unit 230 in response to the inquiry as to whether or not the group ID already exists indicates that the requested group ID exists in the group information storage area 201. The job reception unit 220 that has determined that the print job is not the first print job passes the received print job to the group search unit 240.

  This is because, for example, after a print job belonging to the group with the group ID “001” (a print job with the print job “10001”) is requested from the client apparatus 10-1, for example, the other belonging to the group with the group ID “001”. Print job (this is a print job such as print job “10002” or print job “10003” given by the job receiving unit 220) is requested by the print server 20 to be received by the job receiving unit 220. It corresponds to processing.

  The group search unit 240 that has received the print job passes the print job passed from the job reception unit 220 to the print order changing unit 250 and inquires whether there is a print job that has been printed out. Based on the result from the print order changing unit 250 in response to the inquiry, it is determined whether or not there is a print job that has already been printed and belongs to the group having the same group ID (step S105).

  In response to an inquiry from the group search unit 240 regarding whether or not there is a print job that has been printed out, the print order changing unit 250 and the contents of the group information table 201A stored in the group information storage area 201 and the print information storage area The contents of the print information 202A stored in 202 are collated, and it is checked whether there is a print job that has been printed out.

  Here, if there is a print job ID that exists in the group information table 201A but does not exist in the print information 202A, it is determined that the print job with that print job ID has already been printed out.

  When the print order changing unit 250 determines that there is a print job that has been printed out, the print order changing unit 250 determines that there is a print job that has already been printed as a result of the inquiry from the group search unit 240 and is concerned with the print job. The print job ID is output to the group search unit 240.

  In step S105, the group search unit 240 receives the print job ID of the print job that has been printed out as a result from the print order changing unit 250 corresponding to the inquiry about whether or not there is a print job that has been printed out. If it is determined that there is a print job that has been printed out, the print job ID of the print job that has been printed out, the job name, and the group ID of the group to which the print job belongs are output to the related sheet creation unit 260. At the same time, a print output timing instruction to be described later is notified.

  Based on the group ID, job name, and print job ID passed from the group search unit 240 that there is a print job that has been printed out, the related sheet creation unit 260 prints the print job with the print job ID (printed out). Information indicating the relationship between the print job) and an unprinted print job belonging to the group to which the print job that has been printed, for example, a related sheet is created (step S106).

  Note that when print jobs belonging to the same group are printed out as time passes, information (print job ID, job name) related to the printed print job that has been printed out corresponds to the corresponding group ID. A related sheet added corresponding to is created.

  The related sheet created in this way is directed to the print control unit 270 in accordance with the print output timing (first timing or second timing) notified from the group search unit 240 by the related sheet creation unit 260. Is output.

  When step S106 is completed, the group search unit 240 that has output the print job ID, job name, and group ID of the print job that has been printed out to the related sheet creation unit 260 is passed from the job reception unit 220 in step S102. Based on the group ID and the print job ID included in the print job attribute information 61, the contents of the group information table 201A in the group information storage area 201 are updated (step S107), and the contents of the group information table 201A are updated. Is notified to the printing order changing unit 250.

  In step S105, the result from the print order changing unit 250 in response to the inquiry as to whether or not there is a print output already printed is that there is no print job already printed, so there is no print job already printed. The group search unit 240 that has determined that proceeds to step S107.

  The print order changing unit 250 that has received the notification that the content of the group information table 201A has been updated from the group search unit 240 has received a priority mode (degree priority mode or group priority mode) from its own priority mode storage unit (not shown). ) (Step S108), the print job delivered from the group search unit 240 in step S105 is spooled in the print job storage area 203 (step S109), and whether the read priority mode is the speed priority mode. It is determined whether or not (step S110).

  Next, when the print order changing unit 250 determines that the speed priority mode is set in step S110, the print order of the new print job is related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed. The print order of the print jobs in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area 202 of the database storage unit 200 is changed so as to be the last print order among all the print jobs belonging to the group (step S111). ).

  That is, the print order changing unit 250 performs the print job spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200 according to the speed priority mode without changing the print order of the print jobs at the head of the same group. Rearrange print jobs newly requested for printing.

  If the print order changing unit 250 determines that the group priority mode is set in step S110, the print order of the new print job is based on the acquisition order in which the job receiving unit 220 has acquired the new print job. And so that all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed are continuously printed out based on the print order of the new print job. The print order of the print jobs in the print information 202A stored in the print information storage area 202 of the database storage unit 200 is changed (step S112).

  That is, the print order changing unit 250 relates to the print jobs spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200 without changing the print order of the newly requested print job according to the group priority mode. The print jobs in the same group as the group related to the newly requested print job are rearranged.

  Note that, in step S101, since the group ID is not included in the received print job attribute information 61, the job reception unit 220 that has determined not to perform group processing stores the print job in the print job storage unit 200 of the database storage unit 200. Spooling is performed in the area 203 (step S113).

  When the print control unit 270 receives a notification from the printer 30 that the print processing for the print job has been completed, the print control unit 270 communicates the first print job spooled in the print job storage area 203 of the database storage unit 200 with the communication. The data is output to the printer 30 via the unit 280 (step S114).

  The print control unit 270 also directs the related sheet from the related sheet creation unit 260 to the printer 30 via the communication unit 280 in synchronization with the print output timing (the first timing or the second timing). Output.

  Next, a specific example of the print control process by the print server 20 described above will be described.

  Here, eight client apparatuses 10 (10-1 to 10-8) are connected to the communication line 40, and each of these client apparatuses 10-1 to 10-8 has already made a print job print request. Suppose that it is done.

  In this case, it is assumed that the group information storage area 201 stores the group information table 201A shown in FIG. 6, and the print information storage area 202 stores the print information 202A shown in FIG.

  That is, the print job with the print job ID “10001” is a print request from the client apparatus 10-1, and the print job with the print job ID “10002” is a print request from the client apparatus 10-2. Each print job with the print job ID “10003” to the print job D “10008” is a print request from the client device 10-3 to the client device 10-8.

  Assume that the print jobs with the print job IDs “10001” to D ”10008 are received by the job receiving unit 220 from time t1 to time t8 as shown in FIG.

  In the state described above, the client apparatus 10-1 prints a new print job including the attribute information 61 in which the group ID “001” and the job name are set but the print order and the priority mode are not set. Is received, for example, at time t9 shown in FIG. 10, the job receiving unit 220 receives a new print job to be given the group ID “001” and the print job ID “10009” from the client device 10-1. .

  In the group information table 202A, as shown in FIG. 6, since the same group ID as the group ID “001” of the group to which the new print job belongs exists, the group search unit 240, as shown in FIG. The print job ID “10009” of the new print job is added to the last line in the group information related to the group ID “001” of the group information table 202A.

  Next, when the print order changing unit 250 updates the contents of the print information 202A shown in FIG. 7 according to the group information table 201A and the speed priority mode shown in FIG. 11, the contents of the print information 202A shown in FIG. Transition to the content of the print information 202A shown.

  That is, by performing the print order change processing of the print jobs by the print order changing unit 250, the print jobs are continuously printed out for each group.

  This is because when a plurality of related print jobs (objects) are requested from a plurality of client devices (when a plurality of print jobs belonging to the same group are requested to be printed), these print jobs (documents) are continuously executed. This means that it can be printed out as a print job (document).

  Even when a print request for a print job (document) is made from the same client device, a print request for another print job (document) belonging to the group to which the print job belongs is made first. This means that a print job requested for printing and a print job newly requested for printing can be grouped, and these print jobs (documents) can be printed and output as continuous print jobs (documents).

  In other words, from one or more client devices, for example, a first print job belonging to the first group, a first print job belonging to the second group, and a second print belonging to the first group. Even when a job and a second print job belonging to the second group are requested to be printed at an arbitrary timing, two print jobs belonging to the first group also belong to the second group 2 Each print job is printed out continuously.

  For this reason, a worker who collects printed output and performs a predetermined operation (such as sorting of printed materials) has a load of a predetermined operation for the printed output, for example, a sorting operation for sorting printed materials for each group. It is reduced.

  On the other hand, when the print order changing unit 250 updates the contents of the print information 202A shown in FIG. 7 according to the group information table 201A and the group priority mode shown in FIG. 11, the contents of the print information 202A shown in FIG. Transition to the contents of the print information 202A. Also in this case, as in the case of the print order change process in the speed priority mode, the print order change process by the print order change unit 250 is performed, so that the print jobs are continuously provided for each group. It will be printed out.

  Further, when the print jobs with the print job IDs “10001”, “10002”, and “10003” are printed out, the print order changing unit 250 performs the print job according to the group information table 201A and the speed priority mode shown in FIG. When the printing order change process is performed, the contents of the print information 202A become the contents of the print information 202A shown in FIG.

  In other words, by performing the print order switching process of the print jobs, the print jobs are continuously printed out for each group.

  In addition, when a part of the print jobs belonging to the same group has been printed out, the relationship between the print job that has been printed out and the print job to be printed out (print job that has not been printed) is shown. Since the related sheet 260 is created and printed out, the worker who collects the printed material and performs a predetermined work (for example, sorting of printed materials) can print the printed material of the printed job and the unprinted output. It is possible to easily grasp the relationship with the printed matter when the print job is printed out, and to quickly perform a predetermined operation, for example, a sorting operation for the printed matter.

  If there is a print job that has already been printed out, the print job IDs “10001”, “10002”, “10003”, the job name corresponding to these, and the group ID “001” have been printed out. Is notified from the printing order changing unit 260 to the group searching unit 240 and further to the related sheet creating unit 260.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 15, the related sheet creation unit 260 associates the group ID “001”, the print job IDs “10001”, “10002”, “10003”, and the job names corresponding to them. A sheet 260A is created. The related sheet 260A is transmitted from the related sheet creation unit 260 to the printer 30 via the print control unit 270 and the communication unit 280, and is printed out by the printer 30.

  As described above, if the print order changing process by the print order changing unit 250 is not performed, five print jobs belonging to the group ID “001” are printed out, and then 3 belonging to the group ID “002”. When one print job is printed out and a new print job belonging to the group ID “001” is printed out, as is clear from the contents of FIG. 12 to FIG. By performing the printing order switching process, print jobs are continuously printed out for each group.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the printing system 1 described above will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the printing system 1, the client device 10, the print server 20, and the printer 30 are connected via a communication line 40.

  The client device 10 is a computer such as a personal computer, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111, a storage device 112 such as a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 113, an input device 114. And a display interface 115 and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 116.

  The storage device 112 performs the function of the storage unit 14 in FIG. 2. For example, the created image data file and document data file, print request setting information corresponding to the print request setting screen, print job to be printed, and the like. Remember. The storage device 112 stores a printer driver 15 as software in FIG.

  The RAM 113 stores programs and data read from the storage device 112, setting information input to the print request setting screen, transmission data, reception data, and the like.

  The input device 114 performs the function of the input unit 11 in FIG. 2. For example, the input device 114 inputs print data to be printed and inputs predetermined input information to a print request setting screen.

  The display device 115 fulfills the function of the display unit 12 in FIG. 2, and displays predetermined display information such as a print request setting screen in FIG.

  The communication I / F 116 fulfills the function of the network I / F 16 in FIG. 2, and is an interface that transmits and receives data to and from an external device such as the print server 20 via the communication line 40.

  The CPU 111 fulfills the function of the control unit 17 in FIG. 2 and controls the entire post-cleaning apparatus 10. For example, the CPU 111 reads and executes the printer driver 15 from the storage device 112 to the RAM 113 and reads the print request setting information from the storage device 112 to the RAM 113 to display the print request setting screen on the display device 115.

  When the user specifies the print data to be printed and the group ID and job name for the print request setting screen displayed on the display device 115 are set by a predetermined operation of the input device 114 by the user, the CPU 111 The printer driver 15 that functions by execution transmits a print job including attribute information in which a group ID, a job name, and the like are set, to the print server 20.

  The print server 20 includes a CPU 121, a storage device 122 such as a hard disk, a RAM 123, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 124, an input device 125, a display device 126, and a communication I / F 127.

  The storage device 122 fulfills the function of the database storage unit 200 of FIG. The storage device 122 also includes a program for realizing the functions of the job reception unit 220, the group ID management unit 230, the group search unit 240, the print order change unit 250, and the related sheet creation unit 260 in FIG. A predetermined program (printing control program) 122A including a program corresponding to the control processing procedure (see FIG. 9) is stored.

  The print control program 122A includes at least the following processes (1) to (5).

  (1) A job acquisition process for acquiring a print job transmitted from a client device and including group identification information for identifying a group.

  (2) Group information storage process for storing group information for each group in which the group identification information included in the print job acquired in the job acquisition process is associated with the print job identification information for identifying the print job .

  (3) A group information update process for updating the stored contents stored in the group information storage process every time a print job is acquired in the job acquisition process.

  (4) Print information storage for storing print information in which the group identification information related to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, the print job identification information related to the print job, and the print order of the print job are associated with each other Processing process.

  (5) Based on a predetermined grouping condition and the stored contents stored in the group information storage process, the print job is stored in the print information storage process so that a print job is printed out for each group. A control process that changes the print order of a print job.

  The ROM 124 stores priority mode setting information corresponding to the priority mode setting screen of FIG. 8, data indicating a priority mode of a speed priority mode or a group priority mode as a default, and the like.

  The RAM 123 stores a print control program 122A read from the storage device 122, data read from the ROM 123, data (print job) received via the communication I / F 127, and the like.

  The input device 125 fulfills the function of the priority mode setting unit 210 in FIG.

  The display device 126 displays predetermined display information such as the priority mode setting screen of FIG.

  The CPU 121 controls the print server 20 as a whole. For example, the print control program 122A is read from the storage device 122 into the RAM 123 and executed, thereby realizing the functions of the above-described constituent elements. Perform printing control such as changing the printing order.

  The communication I / F 27 fulfills the function of the communication unit 280 of FIG. 5, and is an interface that transmits / receives data to / from the client apparatus 10 or the printer 30 via the communication line 40.

  In the present specification, the description has been given as an embodiment in which a predetermined program (printing control program) including a program for realizing each function of the print server is recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium. It is also possible to provide a program as follows.

  That is, the predetermined program may be stored in a ROM, and the CPU may load the program from the ROM to a main storage device (such as a RAM) and execute the program.

  The predetermined program may be stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, MO (magneto-optical disk), flexible disk, or the like. In this case, after the print server installs the program recorded on the recording medium, the CPU executes the program. As an installation destination of this program, there is a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk. The print server loads a program stored in the storage device into a main storage device (such as a RAM) and executes it as necessary.

  Further, the print server is connected to a computer such as a file server device or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the print server downloads the predetermined program from the file server device or the computer, This program may be executed. In this case, the download destination of the program is a storage device such as a RAM or a hard disk. Then, the print server loads the program stored in the storage device into a main storage device (such as a RAM) and executes it as necessary.

  The present invention can be applied to a printing system in which a device in which a printing control device and a printing device such as a printer are integrated and a client device are connected via a communication line.

  The present invention can also be applied to a print control device such as a print server to which a printing device such as a printer is locally connected, and a printing system in which the print control device and a client device are globally connected.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the client apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the print request setting screen which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of a print job according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the print server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the group information table memorize | stored in the group information storage area which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing information memorize | stored in the printing information storage area which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the priority mode setting screen which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of print control processing by the print server according to the embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating print requests for a plurality of print jobs according to the embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the content of the group information table in the group information storage area was updated when the new print job was acquired by the job acquisition part which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode that the printing information in a printing information storage area was updated based on the group information table after update memorize | stored in the group information storage area which concerns on embodiment, and speed priority mode. It is a figure which shows a mode that the printing information in a printing information storage area was updated based on the group information table after update memorize | stored in the group information storage area which concerns on embodiment, and group priority mode. The print information in the print information storage area (when some print jobs are printed out) is updated based on the group information table and the speed priority mode stored in the group information storage area according to the embodiment. It is a figure which shows a mode. It is a figure which shows an example of the related sheet produced by the related sheet production part which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10-1, 10-2, 10-n Client device 11 Input unit 12 Display unit 15 Printer driver 16 Network I / F
20 Print server 30 Printer 40 Communication line 50 Print request setting screen 111, 121 CPU
112, 122 Storage device 122A Print control program 113, 123 RAM
114, 125 Input device 115, 126 Display device 116, 127 Communication I / F
200 Database storage section 201 Group information storage area 201A Group information table 202 Print information storage area 202A Print information 203 Print job storage area 210 Priority mode setting section 220 Job reception section 230 Group ID management section 240 Group search section 250 Print order change section 260 Related sheet creation unit 270 Print control unit 280 Communication unit

Claims (6)

Job acquisition means for acquiring a print job that is transmitted from a client device that makes a print request and includes group identification information for identifying a group;
Group information storage means for storing group information for each group in which group identification information included in the print job acquired by the job acquisition means is associated with print job identification information for identifying the print job;
A group information update unit that updates the storage contents of the group information storage unit each time a print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit;
Print information storage means for storing print information in which the group identification information relating to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, the print job identification information relating to the print job, and the print order of the print job are associated with each other;
Control for changing the print order of the print jobs stored in the print information storage unit so that the print job is printed out for each group based on a predetermined grouping condition and the stored contents of the group information storage unit Means,
A printing control apparatus comprising: The predetermined grouping condition is:
When a new print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit, the print order of the new print job is that of all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all print jobs to be printed. In the first priority mode, the print order of the print job stored in the print information storage unit is changed so as to be the last print order.
The print control apparatus according to claim 1. The predetermined grouping condition is:
When a new print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit, the print order of the new print job is set to a print order based on the acquisition order in which the job acquisition unit acquires the new print job, and print output In the print information storage unit, all print jobs belonging to the group related to the new print job in all target print jobs are continuously printed out based on the print order of the new print job. A second priority mode in which the printing order of stored print jobs is changed;
The print control apparatus according to claim 1. When a part of print jobs among a plurality of print jobs belonging to a predetermined group has been printed out, the relationship between the unprinted print job related to the predetermined group and the printed output print job is indicated. Relevance information creating means for creating information,
The relevance information created by the relevance information creating means is used to print all the print output targets related to all groups after a print job of unprinted output belonging to the predetermined group is printed out. After the job is printed out, it is printed out.
The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing control apparatus is a printing control apparatus. A client device making a print request;
A print control device that performs print control for a print job requested to be printed from the client device;
Have
The client device is
Group identification information setting means for setting group identification information for identifying a group to which a print job to be printed belongs;
Transmitting means for transmitting a print job including group identification information set by the group identification information setting means to the print control apparatus;
With
The print control device includes:
Job acquisition means for acquiring a print job transmitted from the transmission means and including group identification information for identifying a group;
Group information storage means for storing group information for each group in which group identification information included in the print job acquired by the job acquisition means is associated with print job identification information for identifying the print job;
A group information update unit that updates the storage contents of the group information storage unit each time a print job is acquired by the job acquisition unit;
Print information storage means for storing print information in which the group identification information relating to the group to which the print job to be printed belongs, the print job identification information relating to the print job, and the print order of the print job are associated with each other;
Control for changing the print order of the print jobs stored in the print information storage unit so that the print job is printed out for each group based on a predetermined grouping condition and the stored contents of the group information storage unit Means,
Comprising
A printing system characterized by that. A job acquisition process for acquiring a print job transmitted from the client device and including group identification information for identifying the group;
A group information storage process for storing group information for each group in which the group identification information included in the print job acquired by the job acquisition process is associated with the print job identification information for identifying the print job;
A group information update process for updating the stored contents stored in the group information storage process every time a print job is acquired in the job acquisition process;
A print information storage process for storing print information in which the group identification information relating to a group to which a print job to be printed belongs, the print job identification information relating to the print job, and the print order of the print job are associated with each other; ,
Based on the predetermined grouping condition and the stored contents stored in the group information storage process, the print job stored in the print information storage process is printed out for each group. A control process for changing the printing order; and
A print control program for causing a computer to execute the process.

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