JP2010026924A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform connection of print jobs that hold a hierarchical structure as XPS in which print setting can be performed to each layer, and to perform printing intended by a user by reducing, when the print jobs are connected, rounding processing of print settings set to the high-order layers of the print jobs. <P>SOLUTION: (1) Print data is spooled from a printer driver to an application holding a job list, a preview and a print setting UI. (2) The job list is displayed, and connecting processing is performed according to the user's instruction. (3) Each job to be connected is formed as a layer of a document. (4) Print settings set to the layers of each job are changed to setting of layers of the document as much as possible, and set to the formed document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention has a hierarchical structure such as a job (Fixed Document Sequence), a document (Fixed Document), and a page (Fixed Page) as in XPS (Xml Paper Specification) as shown in FIG. In particular, the present invention relates to a printing system that performs printing using print data having print settings such as a print ticket, and more particularly to a printing system and a printing process control method that are executed by a printer driver.

  Conventionally, when a single print job generated by an application is printed, a set of print setting attributes including a plurality of print setting items that are normally set in advance by a printer driver for the print job is defined. . In addition, there is software having a “collective printing” function in which document data instructed to be printed by an application is stored in a client without being output to a printer, and a plurality of document data is collectively transmitted to the printer as one job.

A user prints collectively a print job generated by a plurality of applications, for example, application A suitable for creating a document, application B suitable for creating a table, application C suitable for creating a drawing, and the like. However, the “collective printing” function only combines a plurality of print jobs into one print job, and is instructed to perform collective printing. In the order in which the data is spooled for collective printing. Since it is also output during printing, the user has to spool to the output page, and there is a problem in that it is not easy to use. For example, when printing a document, a drawing, a document, a table, and a document consisting of one page each, the application A creates the first page and spools it, the application B creates the second page and spools it, The third page must be created again by application A, spooled, the fourth page created by application C, spooled, and the fifth page created by application A, which had to be spooled. For this reason, when it is desired to print a plurality of application files together as one print job, there is a problem that a preview reflecting the function provided by the printer driver cannot be seen. In order to solve the above problems, a mechanism for further editing / combining print jobs once spooled is provided (for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 03619087

  However, the prior art does not mention the case of print settings having a hierarchical structure such as XPS, and the processing for the print settings held in each hierarchy is insufficient. For this reason, a lot of rounding processing has occurred for the print settings of the job scope, and the print settings of the original print job before the combination are lost, and the print result intended by the user may not be obtained.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention provides:
An information processing apparatus for generating print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus, and means for spooling data to be printed generated by an application;
Display control means for displaying print data spooled by the spool means together with print setting information associated with the print data;
Job combining means for generating one combined print job based on the spooled print data,
The job combination means includes a print job hierarchical structure analyzing means for analyzing a hierarchical structure held by the spooled print data,
Hierarchical print setting acquisition means for acquiring print settings assigned to the hierarchy analyzed by the print job analysis means;
A print setting application range changing unit for converting the application range of the print setting acquired by the hierarchical print setting acquisition unit;
And print setting search means for searching whether the print setting acquired by the hierarchical print setting acquisition means is within a specified range.

  By applying the present invention, it is possible to combine print jobs in which a hierarchical structure such as XPS is maintained and print settings can be set in each hierarchy. Furthermore, the print setting rounding process set in the upper hierarchy of the print job when combined is reduced, and the print result intended by the user becomes possible.

  Next, details of the present invention will be described in accordance with the description of the embodiments.

  Hereinafter, examples suitable for applying the present invention will be described.

<System configuration>
Configuration of Printing System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As long as the function of the present invention is executed, a system in which processing is performed by being connected via a network such as a LAN or WAN, whether it is a single device or a system composed of a plurality of devices. Even so, the present invention can be applied.

  In the figure, a computer 3000 includes a figure, an image, an image, an image, including processing according to each embodiment of the present invention, which will be described later, based on a document processing program stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11. A CPU 1 is provided that controls execution of document processing in which characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) are mixed, and printing processing based on the document processing. The CPU 1 summarizes the control of each device connected to the system bus 4. The ROM 3 program ROM or the external memory 11 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program for the CPU 1. The font ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 stores font data used for the document processing. Further, the data ROM of the ROM 3 or the external memory 11 stores various data used when the document processing is performed. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory and work area for the CPU 1.

  A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown). A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display by a CRT display (CRT) 10 including display of a tint block image. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which is a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, a printer control command generation program (hereinafter referred to as a print control device), a flexible disk (FD). ) And the like are controlled. A printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 1500 via a bidirectional interface (interface) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1500.

  The CPU 1 opens various windows registered in advance based on commands instructed with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT 10 and executes various data processing. When executing printing, the user can open a window relating to print settings, and set the print processing method for the print control apparatus, including printer settings and print mode selection.

  The printer 1500 is controlled by the CPU 12. The printer CPU 12 sends an image signal as print output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external memory 14. Output.

  Further, a control program for the CPU 12 is stored in the program ROM of the ROM 13. The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the print output information. The data ROM of the ROM 13 stores information used on the computer in the case of a printer that does not have the external memory 14 such as a hard disk.

  The CPU 12 can perform communication processing with a computer via the input unit 18. Thus, information in the printer can be notified to the computer 3000. The RAM 19 is a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, or the like for the CPU 12. Further, the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, NVRAM, and the like.

  Access to the above-described external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a memory controller (MC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like. Reference numeral 18 denotes a switch for operating the above-described operation panel, an LED display, and the like.

  The printer 1500 may have an NVRAM (not shown) and store printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501.

  The printing unit 17 is an electrophotographic engine in this embodiment. Of course, the printing method in the present invention is not limited to such an electrophotographic method.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration for print processing in the computer 3000 shown in FIG. The application 201, graphic engine 202, printer driver 203, and system spooler 204 exist as files stored in the external memory 11. These are program modules that are loaded into the RAM 2 and executed by the OS and modules that use the modules.

  Further, the application 201 and the printer driver 203 can be added to the HD of the external memory 11 via the FD of the external memory 11, a CD-ROM (not shown), or a network (not shown). The application 201 stored in the external memory 11 is loaded into the RAM 2 and executed. When printing is performed from the application 201 to the printer 1500, the graphic that is similarly loaded into the RAM 2 and executable. Output (drawing) is performed using the engine 202.

  The graphic engine 202 loads the printer driver 203 prepared for each printing apparatus such as a printer from the external memory 11 to the RAM 2 and sets the output of the application 201 in the print control apparatus 203. The graphic engine 202 receives print settings or print data from the application 201 and outputs the print settings or print data to the printer driver 203. The UI component 205 of the printer driver 203 receives print settings from the graphic engine 202, displays and changes the print settings, and returns them to the application through the graphic engine. The graphic component 206 of the printer driver 203 receives print data from the graphic engine 202 and converts it into a control command that can be recognized by the printer, for example, PDL (Page Description Language). The converted printer control command is output as print data to the printer 1500 via the interface 21 via the system spooler 204 loaded into the RAM 2 by the OS.

<Print setting process>
The print setting process according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data flow of the system in the print setting of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the overall processing relating to the change of print settings in the printer driver of the present invention.

  The data flow of the system in the print setting according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A print setting control unit 301 performs a prohibition process. Reference numeral 302 denotes a UI display unit that displays a printer driver user interface based on the print settings subjected to the prohibition process. A print setting 303 is set by the application and input to the UI component 205 of the printer driver. Reference numeral 304 denotes print settings set by the printer driver. The UI component 205 receives and displays the application print setting 303 and returns it to the application as the processed printer driver print setting 304.

  The overall print setting process will be described with reference to FIGS. In step S401, the UI component 205 receives print settings. In step S402, the received print settings are analyzed. In step S403, a prohibition process is performed to convert the print setting to a state in which no conflict occurs, and in step S404, the printer driver user interface 701 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. Reference numerals 702 to 704 denote a part of print function settings held by the printer driver user interface 701. For example, the output paper size can be changed by 702, the page layout can be changed by 703, and a stamp can be added and edited. In step 705, the print job is previewed, edited, and combined. In step S405, the printer driver user interface 701 detects whether a change in print settings such as 702, 703, 704, and 705 has been instructed by the user. If the change in print settings is instructed, the changed print settings are again displayed. Proceed to step 402. If 706 is pressed, the process advances to step S406 to complete the creation of the print setting.

<Processing when printing>
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow of the print execution process according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the entire print execution process.

  The entire print execution process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In step S <b> 601, the graphic component 205 acquires or receives the print data 501 created by the application through the graphic engine 202. In step S602, print settings are analyzed. In step S603, the graphic component spooler 502 determines whether there is a preview setting based on the analysis result in step S602. If it is determined that there is no preview setting, the process proceeds to step S604, where it is determined that the preview setting exists. If yes, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S604, a function process (for example, layout change or stamp addition) is executed based on the print settings analyzed in step S602. In step S605, the data is converted into a form that can be understood by the printer, such as PDL, and the print data 505 is transmitted to the printer through the system spooler 204, and the process is terminated. In step S606, the graphic component spooler 502 activates the preview / edit module 506. In step S606, information such as a user name may be notified. In step S607, the graphic component spooler 502 spools the print data 501-2 acquired in step S601. In step S608, the graphic component spooler 502 notifies the preview / edit module 506 of the spooled location and ends the process.

<Description of print job preview / edit module user interface>
10 is an example of the user interface of the preview / edit module 506 activated in step S606 in FIG. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a menu capable of performing various operations in this module, and a menu item for instructing combination is held in the menu. Reference numeral 1003 denotes a toolbar capable of performing various operations on the print job by pressing buttons. Reference numeral 1004 denotes a job list area for displaying the contents of a print job currently spooled in this module (hereinafter referred to as a job list). In the job list, job name, number of pages, layout, output method, status, etc. can be displayed as information attached to the print job. Furthermore, a hierarchical structure of documents and the like existing in the print job is displayed. 1005 is a preview area for displaying a page in a job having a focus in the current job list 1004 (hereinafter, a preview area). Reference numeral 1006 denotes a print setting area (hereinafter referred to as a print setting area) for performing print settings for a print job having a focus in the job list 1004. Reference numeral 1007 denotes a spin box for setting the number of print jobs. Reference numeral 1008 denotes a check box for enabling the print job output method to be performed on the print job. When the check box is turned ON, 1009 can be selected. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a combo box for selecting a printing method (for example, single-sided printing, double-sided printing, bookbinding printing, or the like). A check box 1010 enables the output paper size of the print job to be set for the print job. When the check box 1010 is turned ON, 1011 can be selected. Reference numeral 1011 denotes a combo box for selecting an output paper size (for example, A4 or A3). Reference numeral 1012 denotes a check box for enabling the print job layout to be performed on the print job. When the check box is turned ON, 1014 can be selected. 1013 displays the currently selected layout information. Reference numeral 1014 denotes a list box for selecting a layout (for example, 2Up or 4Up). Reference numeral 1015 denotes a check box for enabling selection of what kind of separation is performed for a combined job, which will be described later, and 1016 can be selected by turning it ON. Reference numeral 1016 denotes a combo box for setting a document separation method (for example, none, face change, and paper change) when combining print jobs. Reference numeral 1017 denotes a button that can return the print settings of the print job to the initial state. A button 1018 displays a driver UI 701 and enables detailed print settings. Reference numeral 1019 denotes a button for printing a job in the center. Reference numeral 1020 denotes a button for deleting the selected print job. Reference numeral 1021 denotes a tool bar for operating a print job in focus in the job list 1004 (print job being displayed in the preview area 1005). For example, the display mode is changed to one page display or two page display. The display magnification and display page can be changed.

<Combining print jobs>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the print job combining process according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the print job preview / edit module.

  A print job combining process is started by selecting a plurality of jobs in the job list 1004 and placing and pressing a combining menu item in the menu 1002, a combining button in the toolbar 1003, or a button for starting combining (not shown). As a print job, the present embodiment describes a combination process for an XPS print job shown in FIG. It is also possible to apply to job combination processing having a hierarchical structure other than XPS.

  In step S801, the print job combination execution unit 903 creates a new print job as a combined print job in an empty state. In step S802, one piece of print job data selected by the user in the job list 1005 is acquired. In step S803, print settings assigned to the job hierarchy are acquired. In step S804, it is determined whether the print setting acquired by the print setting analysis unit 902 is a job scope. If the job setting is a job scope, the process proceeds to step S805. If the job setting is not a job scope, the process proceeds to step S809. Here, the scope indicates which range is effective, and the job scope print setting is an effective setting for the entire job. In step S805, the print setting analysis unit 902 determines whether the job scope print setting can be converted to the document scope print setting. If it cannot be changed, the process proceeds to step S806, and if it can be changed, the process proceeds to step S808. In step S806, the print job combination execution unit 903 determines whether the acquired print setting of the job scope exists in the combined new print job being created. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S807, and if it does exist, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S808, the print setting analysis unit 902 changes the job scope print setting to the document scope print setting. For example, conversion of job-scope NUp print settings to document-scope NUp print settings can be considered. In step S809, the print job combination execution unit 903 determines whether the corresponding print setting already exists in the document hierarchy of the combination target job that is currently acquired. If it does not exist, the process proceeds to step S810, and if it exists, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, the print job combination execution unit 903 determines whether all print settings assigned to the job hierarchy have been processed. If all print settings have not been completed, the process advances to step S803. move on. In step S812, the print job combination execution unit 903 adds the document of the combination target job currently acquired to the new combination job. In this process, the print setting of the document hierarchy assigned to the document and the print settings assigned to the page and page hierarchy are also added to the new combined job. In step S813, the print job combination execution unit 903 determines whether all the processes for the combination target print job selected by the user have been completed. If all the processes have been completed, the process proceeds to step S814. The process proceeds to step S802. In step S814, an end process in the combination process is performed. For example, the print job data management unit 904 deletes the combination target job and ends the processing. After the end of this process, the UI control unit 905 displays a UI updated from FIG. 10 as shown in FIG.

  The print setting can be changed in the print setting area 1006 after execution of the combination process. Further, the combined print job can be printed again through the print execution unit 906.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows one structure for the printing process in the computer 3000. The data flow figure of the process regarding print setting. 6 is a flowchart showing an overview of processing related to print settings. The data flow figure at the time of printing execution. The flowchart at the time of printing execution. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer driver user interface according to the present invention. The flowchart of a joint process. The block diagram of a print job preview and edit module. The figure which shows an example of a print job preview and edit module user interface. The figure which shows an example after the print job combination of a print job preview and edit module user interface. The figure which shows the hierarchical structure of XPS.

Claims (2)

An information processing apparatus for generating print data to be transmitted to a printing apparatus, and means for spooling data to be printed generated by an application;
Display control means for displaying a user interface based on the print data spooled by the spool means and print setting information attached to the print data;
Job combining means for generating one combined print job based on the spooled print data,
The job combination means includes a print job hierarchical structure analyzing means for analyzing a hierarchical structure held by the spooled print data,
Hierarchical print setting acquisition means for acquiring print settings assigned to the hierarchy analyzed by the print job analysis means;
A print setting application range changing unit for converting the application range of the print setting acquired by the hierarchical print setting acquisition unit;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a print setting search unit that searches whether the print setting acquired by the hierarchical print setting acquisition unit exists within a specified range. The display control means includes a print job preview display means for displaying the contents of the spooled print data;
The display control means includes a print setting change display means for changing a print setting of the spooled print data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit further includes a print job information display unit that displays job information of the spooled print data.

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