JP2009104303A - Job processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a job processing system for confirming that layout intended by a user is achieved in performing printing, and for, when it can not be confirmed, changing it to improve the convenience of the user. <P>SOLUTION: This job processing system is provided with: a plurality of hot folders in which a plurality of types of data files has been stored; a plurality of job execution means for performing preset processing on the host folders; a setting means for setting layout as the processing; and a display means for displaying the data file in the set layout, and the job processing system moves the data files displayed by the set layout, and causes differently set hot folders to process the data files. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for processing a job in a computer system, and more particularly to a technique for executing processing of a file stored in a hot folder as a job.

  Conventionally, as a technique for processing a job in a computer system, a printing process of a data file stored in a hot folder is registered as a job, the registered job is sequentially executed, and a job completed file is transferred from the hot folder. delete.

  A hot folder is provided for each job, and for each file stored in each hot folder, the job execution unit sequentially executes a type of job corresponding to the hot folder in which the file is stored (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

  In the invention described in Patent Document 1, a user himself / herself searches for a hot folder corresponding to a type of job suitable for a file to be processed, and stores the hot folder in the searched hot folder. However, this work is complicated.

  A proposal for facilitating this work by a user is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). By preparing a relation table describing the relationship between the file type and the hot folder, analyzing the input file type, and storing the analyzed file type in the hot folder searched from the relation table, Facilitates user work.

  Conventionally, a large format printer capable of printing on a large sheet, such as the B0 or A0 sheet size, has a function of printing a plurality of small sized documents side by side on a roll sheet.

  This function is mainly called a nesting function. In this function, a small-size document is printed on a large-format printer by a plurality of applications on a plurality of computers, and a plurality of print data that can be stored is stored in a storage device of the printer. . If the storage device cannot be stored due to a shortage of storage capacity, the print data saved up to that point can be changed in layout, such as the print order of the originals, the rotation of the originals, etc. Can print on paper size.

  Further, even if the large-format printer body does not have the above functions, it uses hardware and software called RIP (Raster Image Processor) and has the same functions as described above.

In RIP (Raster Image Processor), data that is described in multiple file types, such as PostScript (registered trademark) and PDF (registered trademark), can be displayed as bitmap data and printable print data. . In particular, RIP performed by software includes a function for automatically laying out a small document size on roll paper and a function for enlarging / rotating as an additional function of the RIP application. Therefore, when roll paper is used, paper is saved by cutting a necessary original after printing with a large paper size.
JP 2000-118095 JP-A-2005-216201

  The prior art described in Patent Document 2 has a problem that even if a plurality of hot folders are created, only processing associated with each file type can be performed.

  For example, a plurality of print settings (particularly layout settings) cannot be set in a hot folder for one file type. In addition, when the layout is set, there is a problem that it cannot be confirmed whether the printing can be actually performed with the layout intended by the user.

  The present invention provides a job processing system that can confirm that the layout intended by the user has been realized at the time of printing, and can improve user convenience by changing the layout if it cannot be confirmed. The purpose is to do.

  Specifically, an object of the present invention is to provide a job processing system that can move and delete data files between hot folders while viewing a laid-out print preview screen during printing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a job processing system capable of changing the layout setting of a hot folder while viewing a print preview screen.

The present invention includes a plurality of hot folders in which a plurality of types of data files are stored, a plurality of job execution units that perform processing set in advance in the hot folders, a setting unit that sets a layout as the processing, A job processing system having display means for displaying in a layout, moving a data file displayed in the set layout and processing in a hot folder with a different setting.

According to the present invention, it is possible to confirm that the layout intended by the user is realized at the time of printing, and if it cannot be confirmed, the user-friendliness can be improved by changing the layout. Play.

  The best mode for carrying out the invention is the following embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a job processing system JS1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The job processing system JS1 includes a host apparatus 100 such as a personal computer and an image forming apparatus (large format printer) PR1 such as a large format ink jet system.

  The host device 100 includes a hot folder creation application 10, a folder monitoring application 20, a file storage space 30, a folder execution application 40, and an operating system 50.

  The hot folder creation application 10 includes a user interface unit 11 and a folder setting / creation unit 12.

  The user interface unit 11 displays a hot folder setting screen and allows the user to input settings. The folder setting / creating unit 12 stores the hot folder information input by the user in the folder setting information file 31 in the file storage space 30, and creates a hot folder 32 in the file storage space 30.

  The folder monitoring application 20 monitors the folder setting information file 31 and the hot folder 32 at regular time intervals, and determines whether to display a layout print preview or to print a layout job.

  The file storage space 30 includes a folder setting information file 31 and a hot folder 32.

  The folder execution application 40 includes a preview control unit 41 that displays a laid out print preview and a job execution unit 42 that prints a laid out job.

  The preview control unit 41 includes a user interface unit 411, a display control unit 412, and a layout processing unit 413, and can change hot folder settings in the same manner as the user interface unit 11. In the layout processing unit 413, the display control unit 412 displays a print preview screen in a state where the data files in the hot folder are laid out.

  The job execution unit 42 includes a layout processing unit 421, a drawing processing unit 422, and a printer command control unit 423. After the data file laid out by the layout processing unit 421 is converted into bitmap data by the drawing processing unit 422, the printer command control unit 423 adds a printer command to create print data. Then, the print data is transmitted to the printer through the operating system 50.

  The hot folder 32 is an example of a plurality of hot folders in which a plurality of types of data files are stored. The job execution unit 42 is an example of a multiple job execution unit that executes a plurality of jobs preset in a hot folder. The hot folder creation application 10 is an example of a layout setting unit that sets a layout as a job. The display control unit 412 is an example of display means for displaying in a set layout. The job execution unit 42 moves the data file displayed in the set layout and processes it in a hot folder set separately.

  When the data file displayed in the layout is subjected to another hot folder process, it is executed for all displayed data files. Further, when the data file displayed in the layout is subjected to another hot folder process, the other hot folder process is executed only on the displayed data file.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hot folder setting screen of the user interface unit 11 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the user interface unit 11 displays a hot folder setting screen and allows the user to input settings. The folder setting / creating unit 12 stores the hot folder information input by the user in the folder setting information file 31 in the file storage space 30, and creates a hot folder 32 in the file storage space 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the setting items include layout setting, layout preview display, and automatic print setting.

  In the layout setting, a nesting function can be used to select roll paper automatic arrangement for arranging a plurality of data files in the hot folder and roll data width enlargement for printing the data file to the roll paper width.

  In the layout preview display, it is possible to select whether to display the layout print preview at the time of printing or to print without displaying the print preview.

  In the automatic printing setup, it is possible to select at what point printing is executed according to the number of input data files and the printing start time.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing information set in the folder setting information file 31.

  Information set in the folder setting information file 31 includes the total number of registered hot folders and items set on the hot folder setting screen of the user interface unit 11. Items set on the hot folder setting screen of the user interface unit 11 are displayed for each hot folder.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a preview display screen displayed by the folder execution application 40.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the preview display screen includes a layout preview area, a hot folder display area, and an operation area.

  The layout preview area includes a roll paper outer size area and a roll paper effective print area, and displays a data file in the roll paper effective print area with a layout set in the hot folder.

  In the hot folder display area, a bar display of the hot folder and a reduced image of the input data file are displayed for each registered hot folder. In the bar display portion, a setting button for changing the setting of the hot folder and a preview button for performing a preview display according to the set layout are displayed.

  In the operation area, a print execution button for printing the hot folder displayed in the preview, a setting save button for saving the hot folder setting change, and a cancel button for ending the preview display are displayed.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the preview display is activated in a state where three data files are loaded into the hot folder 1 and two data files are loaded into the hot folder 2.

  The layout setting of the hot folder 1 is roll paper automatic placement, and a state in which the three data files are automatically placed on the roll paper is displayed as a preview.

  FIG. 5 is a preview display screen of the folder execution application 40 and shows a state where the preview button of the hot folder 2 is pressed.

  The layout setting of the hot folder 2 is roll paper width expansion, and a preview in which two data files are expanded to the roll paper width is displayed on the roll paper.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the folder execution application 40 has moved the data file in the hot folder 1 to the hot folder 2.

  When the data file DATA13 of the hot folder 1 is moved to the hot folder 2, a preview enlarged to the roll paper width is displayed with the DATA13 included.

  Next, the operation at the time of hot folder creation in the hot folder creation application 10 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of hot folder creation in the hot folder creation application 10.

  In S1, the hot folder setting screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed. In S2, the information set in the setting screen in S1 is written in the folder setting information file 31, and in S3, the hot folder is stored in the file storage space 30. Create and exit.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation monitored by the folder monitoring application 20 in the first embodiment.

  The folder monitoring application 20 monitors the folder setting information file 31 and the hot folder 32 at regular time intervals. In S11, the setting information of the folder setting information file 31 is read. In S12, the variable value i is initialized to 1. In S11, the total number of registered hot folders is set to N.

  In S13, it is determined whether or not the automatic print setting is a time setting. If it is time setting, the process proceeds to S14, and if it is input data file setting, the process proceeds to S15. In S14, the current time is acquired, and it is determined whether or not the time set in the automatic print setting of the hot folder i is reached. If the set time is reached, the process proceeds to S16 and is set. If it is not, the process proceeds to S19.

  In S15, the number of input data files of the hot folder i is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the input data file setting of the hot folder i is exceeded. If so, the process proceeds to S16, and if not, the process proceeds to S19. To do. In S16, it is determined whether the layout preview display setting of the hot folder i is at the start of printing. If it is at the start of printing, the process proceeds to S17, and if it is OFF (not at the start of printing). To S18. In S17, the folder execution application 40 is activated, a preview of the hot folder i is displayed, and the process proceeds to S19. The preview display operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  In S18, the folder execution application 40 is activated, the hot folder i is printed, and the process proceeds to S19. The print execution operation will be described with reference to FIG. In S19, it is determined whether or not processing for the total number of hot folders has been performed by comparing N with the number added to the variable i. If processing for the total number of hot folders has not been performed, the process proceeds to S13. If so, exit.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation in which the folder execution application 40 displays a preview.

  In S21, the setting information of the folder setting information file 31 is read. In S22, the layout preview area and hot folder display area of the hot folder designated by the folder monitoring application 20 are displayed, and the process proceeds to S23. In S23, the variable value i is initialized to 1, and the total number of registered hot folders read in S21 is set to N.

  In S24, it is determined whether the layout preview display setting of the hot folder i is at the start of printing. If it is at the start of printing, the process proceeds to S25, and if it is OFF (not at the start of printing), The process proceeds to S26. In S25, the hot folder i bar display and data file display are performed, and the process proceeds to S27. In S26, the hot folder i bar is displayed, and the process proceeds to S27.

  In S27, the number obtained by adding 1 to the variable i is compared with N, thereby determining whether or not processing for the total number of hot folders has been performed. If processing for the total number of hot folders has not been performed, the processing proceeds to S24. If the process has been performed and processing for the total number of hot folders has been performed, the process proceeds to S28.

  In S28, it is determined whether or not a file has been input into the data file display area. If a file has been input, the process proceeds to S29. If no file has been input, the process proceeds to S30. In S29, the display of the layout preview area is updated. In S30, it is determined whether the print execution button has been pressed. If the print execution button has been pressed, the process proceeds to S31, and the print execution button must be pressed. If so, the process proceeds to S28.

  In step S31, the folder execution application 40 is started, the hot folder i is printed, and the process ends.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation in which the folder execution application 40 executes printing.

  In step S41, the setting information of the folder setting information file 31 is read. In step S42, the hot folder data file designated by the folder monitoring application 20 or the preview control unit 41 is subjected to layout processing, and the process proceeds to step S43.

  In S43, the data file laid out by the drawing processing unit 422 is converted into bitmap data. In S44, the printer command control unit 423 adds a printer command. In S45, the print data added with the printer command in S44 is transmitted to the printer via the operating system 50, and the process ends.

The above embodiment can be grasped as a method invention. That is, in the above embodiment, a step of storing a plurality of types of data files in a plurality of hot folders, a step of executing a plurality of jobs preset in the hot folder by a plurality of job execution means, and a layout as the job And a step of setting. In addition, the above-described embodiment includes an example of a job processing method that includes a step of displaying with the set layout, moves the data file displayed with the set layout, and processes the data file in a hot folder with another setting. It is.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a job processing system JS1 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hot folder setting screen of the user interface unit 11 according to the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows the information set to the folder setting information file 31. FIG. It is a figure which shows the preview display screen which the folder execution application 40 is displaying. It is a preview display screen of the folder execution application 40, and shows a state where the preview button of the hot folder 2 is pressed. It is a figure which shows the state which the folder execution application 40 moved the data file of the hot folder 1 to the hot folder 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of hot folder creation in the hot folder creation application 10. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation monitored by a folder monitoring application 20 in the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the folder execution application 40 displays as a preview. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which the folder execution application 40 performs printing.

Explanation of symbols

JS1 ... job processing system,
100 ... host device,
10 ... Hot folder creation application,
11 ... User interface part,
12 ... Folder setting / creating section,
20 ... Folder monitoring application,
30 ... File storage space,
31 ... Folder setting information file,
32 ... Hot folder,
40: Folder execution application,
41 ... Preview control unit,
411 ... User interface part,
412 ... display control unit,
413 ... a layout processing unit,
42 ... job execution unit,
421 ... a layout processing unit,
422 ... a drawing processing unit,
423 ... Printer command control unit,
50 ... operating system,
PR1: Printer.

Claims (4)

Multiple hot folders containing multiple types of data files;
A plurality of job execution means for executing a plurality of jobs preset in the hot folder;
Layout setting means for setting a layout as the job;
Display means for displaying in the set layout;
A job processing system characterized in that a data file displayed in the set layout is moved and processed in a hot folder of another setting. In claim 1,
A job processing system, wherein when a data file displayed in a layout is subjected to another hot folder process, the processing is executed for all the displayed data files. In claim 1,
When a data file displayed in a layout is subjected to another hot folder process, the job processing system is characterized in that the other hot folder process is executed only on the displayed data file. Storing multiple types of data files in multiple hot folders;
A step in which a plurality of job execution means execute a plurality of jobs preset in the hot folder;
Setting a layout as the job;
Displaying with the set layout;
A job processing method, comprising: moving a data file displayed in the set layout and processing the data file in a hot folder with another setting.

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