JP2010044459A - Data output indicating device, data output indicating method, data output system, data output indicating program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain a data output indicating device for preventing a data output indication from being performed in spite of a data output impossible state. <P>SOLUTION: The data output indicating device 10 includes: a communication control part 33 for receiving result information from a data output device 1, which indicates the result of output processing based on an output indication corresponding to an output condition designated by a user; and a storage control part 34 for allowing an error information storage part 54 to store the output condition when the result information shows the occurrence of an error. The communication control part 33 obtains state information from the data output device 1 before transmitting the output indication when the output condition is stored in the error information storage part 54, and transmits the output indication only when the state information shows that the error is eliminated. Thus, it is prevented that the data output indication is performed in spite of the data output impossible state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data output instruction device for instructing a data output device to output data, a data output instruction method, a data output system, a data output instruction program, and a storage medium thereof.

  Conventionally, when a file icon is dragged and dropped onto a print icon on a display screen that displays a print icon with a preset print condition and an icon of a file to be printed, the print icon is set to that print icon. A technique for instructing to print a file based on the printing conditions that have been set is known.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 confirms the status of the printer corresponding to the print icon, and if the print condition corresponding to the print icon cannot be printed, the print icon is not displayed or grayed out. It is described to do.
JP 2001-337765 A (published on December 7, 2001)

  However, the technique of Patent Document 1 has the following problems.

  As a first problem, when a print icon that cannot be printed under the corresponding print condition is not displayed, the user cannot recognize that the print condition is registered in advance, so that the print condition is already registered. In some cases, useless processing such as registration processing for the same print condition may occur.

  As a second problem, when a print icon that cannot be printed under the corresponding print condition is displayed in gray out, when a file icon is dragged and dropped onto the gray out print icon, a print instruction for the file is issued. As a result, there is a waste of being instructed to print even though printing is not possible.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is in spite of a state in which data output cannot be performed in the data output instruction device that instructs the data output device to output data. It is to prevent the data output instruction from being performed.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data output instruction device according to the present invention is a data output instruction device that instructs data output processing to a data output device that performs data output processing, and is designated by a user. A communication control means for transmitting an output instruction corresponding to the output condition to the data output device and receiving result information indicating a result of an output process based on the output instruction from the data output device; and Storage control means for storing the output condition in the storage unit as an error output condition when indicating that it has occurred, and the communication control means includes the output condition specified by the user as the error output condition. When stored in the storage unit, the state information is acquired from the data output device before transmitting the output instruction corresponding to the output condition, and the acquired state is acquired. Information is and transmits an output instruction according to the output conditions only to indicate that it is eliminated the error.

  According to the above configuration, when receiving the result information indicating that an error has occurred in the output process, the data output instruction device stores the output condition corresponding to this information in the storage unit as the error output condition. Further, the data output instruction device displays status information indicating whether or not the error has been solved in the data output device when the output condition instructed by the user is stored in the storage unit as the error output condition. When the status information indicates that the error has been resolved, an output instruction is issued based on the output condition. On the other hand, if the status information indicates that the error has not been resolved, the output condition The output instruction based on is not performed.

  As a result, there is an effect of preventing the data output instruction from being performed even though the data cannot be output.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data output system according to the present invention includes at least one data output device that performs data output processing, and a data output instruction device that instructs the data output device to perform data output processing The data output instruction device transmits an output instruction according to an output condition designated by a user to the data output device and indicates a result of output processing based on the output instruction. First communication control means for receiving result information from the data output device; storage control means for storing the output condition as an error output condition in the storage unit when the result information indicates that an error has occurred; The data output device receives the output instruction from the data output instruction device, and receives the result information from the data output instruction. Second communication control means for transmitting to the device, and determination means for determining whether or not the error has been resolved, wherein the first communication control means has an output condition designated by the user as an error output condition. Is stored in the storage unit, status information is acquired from the data output device before transmitting an output instruction corresponding to the output condition, and the acquired status information indicates that the error has been resolved. An output instruction corresponding to the output condition is transmitted only in the case, and when the second communication control unit determines that the error is resolved, the error is resolved. The status information indicating the above is transmitted to the data output instruction device.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the data output device which concerns on this invention.

  In order to solve the above problems, a data output instruction method according to the present invention is a data output instruction method for instructing data output processing to a data output device that performs data output processing, and is designated by a user. A first communication control step of transmitting an output instruction corresponding to the output condition to the data output device and receiving result information indicating a result of output processing based on the output instruction from the data output device; and an error occurs. When the result information indicates that the output condition is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition, and the output condition specified by the user is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition The status information is acquired from the data output device before the output instruction corresponding to the output condition is transmitted, and the acquired status information resolves the error. It is characterized in that it contains a second communication control step of transmitting an output instruction according to the output conditions only to indicate Rukoto.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect similar to the data output device which concerns on this invention.

  A data output instruction apparatus according to the present invention is a display control means for displaying an image showing each of a plurality of output conditions registered in advance on a display unit, and shows an image showing an error output condition and other output conditions. It is desirable to further include display control means for displaying the image so as to be distinguishable from the image.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect that the output condition in which the error generate | occur | produced in the data output process in the data output device, and the output condition in which the error has not occurred can be identified.

  The display unit may be included in the data output instruction device, or may be connected to the data output instruction device via a display interface.

  The display control means can display an image showing the error output condition in an identifiable manner from an image showing the other output condition by graying out at least a part of the image showing the error output condition.

  In the data output instruction device according to the present invention, when the state information indicates that the error has not been resolved, the display control means displays a message indicating that the error has not been resolved on the display unit. It is desirable to do.

  According to said structure, there exists an effect that a user can grasp | ascertain visually that the cause of the error is not eliminated in the data output device.

  The display control means can display the message as a pop-up message, for example.

  The data output instruction device according to the present invention is a user who designates an output condition of data to be output from the data output device by the communication control means and stored as an error output condition in the storage unit. When an operation is detected, status information is acquired from the data output device, and when the storage control means indicates that the status information acquired by the communication control means indicates that the error has been resolved, the output condition is set to It is desirable to delete from the storage unit.

  According to the above configuration, if the user performs an operation for designating the output condition of data to be output from the data output device and specifying the output condition stored as the error output condition in the storage unit, an output instruction is issued. It is possible to grasp whether or not the cause of the error has been eliminated in the data output device without performing an operation of transmitting to the data output device.

  Examples of the user operation include a drag operation in which an icon indicating a file storing data to be output is superimposed on an image indicating the error output condition.

  In this case, the user can grasp whether or not the cause of the error has been eliminated in the data output device without performing the drop operation. As a result, there is an effect that it is not necessary to drag a file for outputting data again when printing is performed under different output conditions.

  A data output instruction apparatus according to the present invention is a computer that executes a data output instruction program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described means, and the communication control means is in a state immediately after the execution of the data output instruction program is started. The information is acquired from the data output device, and the storage control unit may delete the output condition from the storage unit when the status information acquired by the communication control unit indicates that the error has been resolved. desirable.

  The data output instruction device may be realized by a computer. In this case, a data output instruction program for realizing the data output instruction device in the computer by operating the computer as each of the above means falls within the scope of the present invention.

  Furthermore, a computer-readable recording medium that records the data output instruction program as described above also falls within the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the data output instruction device according to the present invention transmits an output instruction according to the output condition specified by the user to the data output apparatus, and also includes result information indicating the result of the output processing based on the output instruction. Receive from the data output device. Next, when the result information indicates that an error has occurred, the output condition is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition. The data output instruction device according to the present invention acquires status information from the data output device before transmitting an output instruction according to the output condition when the output condition is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition. Only when the acquired status information indicates that the error has been resolved, an output instruction corresponding to the output condition is transmitted.

  As a result, there is an effect of preventing the data output instruction from being performed even though the data cannot be output.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(1. Configuration of data output instruction device 10 and data output instruction system 100)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data output instruction system (data output system) 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the data output instruction system 100 has a configuration in which one or more data output instruction devices 10 and one or more data output devices 1 are communicably connected via a communication network.

  The data output device 1 is, for example, a predetermined output process for data such as a printing apparatus, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a multifunction machine (for example, a printing process, a copying process, a transmission process, an editing process, a filing process, etc.) An apparatus for performing the above can be used. In the present embodiment, a case where a printing apparatus is used as the data output apparatus 1 will be mainly described.

  The data output instruction device 10 instructs the data output device 1 to output data and output conditions (combination of functions used at the time of output) relating to this data. As the data output instruction device 10, for example, a personal computer, a workstation or the like can be used.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the data output instruction device 10. As shown in this figure, a data output instruction device 10 includes a display 11, a display I / F (interface) 12, a keyboard (key input device) 13, a mouse (pointing device) 14, an instruction input I / F 15, a communication I / F. F16, the control part 20, and the data storage part 50 are provided.

  The display 11 is a display device that displays image data sent from the control unit 20 via the display I / F 12 and an image corresponding to the control signal. The configuration of the display 11 is not particularly limited as long as it can display an image according to image data. For example, a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, a CRT display, or the like can be used. The display I / F 12 is an interface for transmitting image data and control signals output from the control unit 20 to the display 11.

  The keyboard 13 and the mouse 14 are instruction input devices for the user to input instructions, and the user's operation content on these instruction input devices is transmitted to the control unit 20 via the instruction input I / F 15. In this embodiment, a mouse is used as a pointing device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a trackball, a trackpad, a pointing stick, a joystick, a pen input device, or the like may be used.

  The communication I / F 16 is a communication unit for performing communication with other devices such as the data output device 1 via a communication network. As the above communication network, for example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, etc. are used. it can.

  The control unit 20 includes an output instruction control unit 30 and an application processing unit 40.

  The application processing unit 40 is a processing unit that executes various application software. Examples of the application software include word processing software, spreadsheet software, image processing software, and image browsing software.

  The output instruction control unit 30 is a processing unit that executes output instruction software that performs processing for causing the data output apparatus 1 to output data under an output condition according to a user instruction. Unit 32, communication control unit 33, storage control unit 34, output data generation unit 35, and output instruction unit 36.

  The display control unit 31 controls display contents to be displayed on the display 11 via the display I / F 12.

  The instruction detection unit 32 detects user operation details (for example, key operation, drag operation, drop operation, click operation, etc.) on the keyboard 13 and the mouse 14.

  The communication control unit 33 controls communication with other devices such as the data output device 1 via the communication I / F 16 and the communication network.

  The storage control unit 34 controls writing of information to the data storage unit 50 and reading of information from the data storage unit 50.

  The output data generation unit 35 generates output data to be transmitted to the data output device 1.

  The output instruction unit 36 determines a data output condition, that is, a combination of the data output device 1 that performs data output processing and an output processing function used in the data output device 1, and issues an output instruction to the data output device 1. Do.

  The data storage unit 50 is a storage unit that stores various data used in the processing of the control unit 20, and includes a registration list storage unit 51, a history list storage unit 52, a setting storage unit 53, and an error information storage unit 54. .

  The registration list storage unit 51 and the history list storage unit 52 store a list (list) of data output conditions (the data output device 1 that performs output processing and the output processing function used during the output processing in the data output device 1). Part. The registration list storage unit 51 stores a registration list that is a list of output conditions instructed by the user, and the history list storage unit 52 stores a history list that is a list of output conditions executed in the data output device 1. To do.

  The setting storage unit 53 includes the setting contents of the display screen (user interface screen) to be displayed on the display 11, the functions of each data output device 1 connected to the data output instruction device 10 through the communication network so as to be communicable. Remember. In addition, the setting storage unit 53 temporarily stores the contents of instruction input from the user, data to be written in the registration list or history list, and the like.

  The error information storage unit 54 stores error information received from the data output device 1. In the present embodiment, after the data output instruction device 10 issues an output instruction to the data output device 1, the data output device 1 receives data when an error occurs during output based on the output instruction in the data output device 1. Error information indicating the content of the error is transmitted to the output instruction device 10. When the data output instruction device 10 receives the error information from the data output device 1, the error information storage unit 54 stores the error information in association with the output condition corresponding to the error information. . Details of these processes will be described later.

(2. Operation of data output instruction device 10)
(2-1. User interface display start processing)
Next, the operation of the data output instruction device 10 will be described. First, the display method of the user interface of the output instruction software will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of display processing of the user interface in the data output instruction device 10.

  First, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the instruction detection unit 32 performs output processing of print files (various data files; for example, document files, image files, chart files, etc.) displayed on the display screen (desktop screen) of the display 11. It is determined whether any of the icons of the data file that can be the target of the drag operation has been dragged (S1).

  If it is determined in S1 that a drag operation has been performed, the display control unit 31 controls the display I / F 12 to display a user interface (user interface screen) IF1 shown in FIG. 4 described later (S2), which will be described later. The process shown in FIG. 8 is performed.

  That is, in the initial state, the output instruction software operates in the background, and the user interface of the output instruction software is not displayed on the display screen (desktop screen) of the display 11, but the data file icon ic1 is dragged. As a result, the user interface IF1 is displayed. The instruction detection unit 32, for example, moves the cursor cu1 over a predetermined distance on the display screen while pressing the mouse button while the cursor cu1 is on the icon ic1, or the cursor cu1 is on the icon ic1. When the cursor cu1 is moved to a predetermined display area with the mouse button held down, it is determined that a drag operation has been performed.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1 that the drag operation has not been performed, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether the application software has been activated (S3). This determination may be made based on whether or not an application software activation instruction has been given by the user via the keyboard 13 or the mouse 14, for example, or may be made by detecting the processing state of the application processing unit 40. .

  If it is determined in S3 that the application software has not been activated, the instruction detection unit 32 returns to the process of S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in S3 that the application software has been activated, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether a print menu (output processing menu) has been selected on the display screen of the application software (S4). For example, the user can select the print menu by clicking a button corresponding to the print menu displayed on the display screen of the application software or by selecting and operating the print menu from the toolbar.

  If it is determined in S4 that the print menu is not selected, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether or not the application software has been terminated (S5). If it is determined that the process has not been completed, the process returns to S4. If it is determined that the process has been completed, the process returns to S1.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S4 that the print menu has been selected, the display control unit 31 controls the display I / F 12 to display a user interface (user interface screen) IF2 shown in FIG. 10 described later (S6), which will be described later. The processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

(2-2. User interface when displayed by drag operation)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the user interface IF1 displayed when the data file icon is dragged. As shown in this figure, in the user interface IF1, an icon group display area A1 indicating each data output device 1 communicably connected to the data output instruction device 10, the currently selected data output device When the printing function (output processing function) in 1 is classified into a plurality of categories, a button group display area A2 indicating each category, and a button group display area indicating each printing function included in the currently selected category A3, and a list (a registration list and a list of output conditions) of a combination of a print condition (a data output apparatus 1 that performs a print process (output process) and one or more print functions (output process functions) to be executed by the data output apparatus 1) A display area A4 of at least one of the history lists).

  In the display area A1, icons indicating the data output devices 1 that are communicably connected to the data output instruction device 10 are displayed. The user can select a data output device 1 that performs output processing by selecting an arbitrary icon from these icons. The above selection operation is performed, for example, by clicking on the icon of the desired data output device 1 or by superimposing the mouse cursor on the desired icon of the data output device 1 while dragging the data file icon. . However, the configuration is not limited to the above, and a specific data output device 1 may be selected by default in the initial state. The data output device 1 displayed in the display area A1 is not limited to a printing device, and may be a FAX device or an image processing device, and a plurality of types of data output devices 1 may be displayed.

  In the display area A2, a button group indicating a category of printing functions (output processing functions) that can be used in the data output device 1 currently selected in the display area A1 is displayed. By selecting the button, the category of the button group to be displayed in the display area A3 can be selected. Note that the above selection operation is performed, for example, by clicking a button of a desired category or by overlaying a mouse cursor on a button of a desired category while dragging an icon of a data file. In addition, a specific category may be selected by default in the initial state.

  In the display area A3, buttons for each print function belonging to the category currently selected in the display area A2 are displayed.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the display area A <b> 2 includes a “Home” button that summarizes frequently used functions, a “Paper” button that summarizes functions for selecting print paper, and print final processing functions such as staple and punch. "Finishing" button that summarizes the "Image Quality" button that summarizes the function to adjust the quality of the print image, "Job Handling" button that summarizes the function to save the print data in the MFP and the function to select the storage location It is displayed.

  For example, when the user selects the category “Home”, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of print pages are displayed on one print sheet as buttons for the print functions belonging to the category “Home” in the display area A3. “N-Up Printing” button for printing all together, “Zoom” button for enlarging / reducing an image included in print data, “Orientation” button for designating the printing direction of paper, single-sided printing or double-sided printing A “Document Style” button for designating “Color”, a “Copy” button for designating the number of copies, and a “Color Mode” button for designating whether to perform color printing or monochrome printing are displayed.

  A list (registration list and / or history list) of printing conditions (output processing conditions) is displayed in the display area A4. Each printing condition includes a data output device 1 that performs a printing process and one or more printing functions that are used at the time of output in the data output device 1.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a registration list displayed in the display area A4. As shown in this figure, in the present embodiment, the items in the list corresponding to the printing conditions in which an error has occurred when the previous output instruction was performed are displayed in gray out (see Setting 2 in FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, an item in which an error has occurred when a previous output instruction is given is displayed in gray. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be displayed so as to be distinguishable from an item in which no error has occurred. For example, a specific color may be displayed instead of the gray-out display.

  In the present embodiment, when the number of printing conditions included in the list is large and it is difficult to display at a time, a scroll bar is displayed at the end of the display area A4, and the scroll bar is operated by the mouse. Thus, the printing conditions to be displayed are scrolled up and down to display each printing condition sequentially.

  In addition, a “registration” button and a “history” button are displayed below the display area A4, and which of the registration list and the history list is displayed in the display area A4 by operating these buttons. Is to be switched. Specifically, when the “registration” button is clicked when the history list is displayed in the display area A4, the registration list stored in the registration list storage unit 51 is displayed in the display area as shown in FIG. A4 is displayed. When the “history” button is clicked when the registration list is displayed in the display area A4, the history list stored in the history list storage unit 52 is displayed in the display area A4.

  The example of FIG. 4 shows a case where a registration list is displayed in the display area A4. In the initial state, both the registration list and the history list may be displayed, or one of them may be selected and displayed by default. Further, a button for simultaneously displaying both the registration list and the history list may be provided. When the data output device 1 is selected in the display area A1, only the registration list and / or history list corresponding to the selected data output apparatus 1 may be displayed in the display area A4.

  In addition, when the registration list is displayed in the display area A4 and the user clicks the “Register” button in a state where any one or more of the print functions displayed in the display area A3 are selected. The printing conditions (data output device 1 and one or more printing functions) selected at that time are added to the registration list of the registration list storage unit 51, and the registration list displayed in the display area A4 is updated. .

  In the example of FIG. 4, an icon ic1 of the document data file “Print.dot” and a mouse cursor cu1 are displayed below the user interface IF1.

  In the present embodiment, when the user operates the mouse 14 to drag the icon ic1, and the cursor cu1 is dropped on any item that is not grayed out in the list displayed in the display area A4, A print instruction (output instruction) based on the print condition (output processing condition) corresponding to this item is transmitted to the data output apparatus 1 corresponding to this item.

  On the other hand, when the icon ic1 is dropped on any item that is grayed out in the list displayed in the display area A4, the data output instruction device 10 gives an error to the data output device 1 corresponding to the item. Inquire whether the cause of the problem has been resolved. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the icon ic1 is dragged and a drop operation is performed on the grayed-out item “Setting2” in the list displayed in the display area A4, the icon is associated with “Setting2”. Data for inquiring whether or not the cause of the error has been resolved is transmitted to the data output apparatus 1. When receiving a notification from the data output device 1 that the cause of the error has been resolved, the data output instruction device 10 gives a print instruction (output instruction) based on the print condition (output processing condition) corresponding to this item. While transmitting to the data output device 1 corresponding to this item, the gray-out display of this item is canceled.

  On the other hand, when the notification that the cause of the error has not been resolved is received from the data output device 1, the data output instruction device 10 issues a print instruction (output instruction) based on the print condition (output processing condition) corresponding to the above item. A message indicating the cause of the error is displayed on the display 11 without performing. As shown in FIG. 7A, the message indicating the cause of the error may be displayed in the display area of the item in which the error has occurred in the print condition list, or as shown in FIG. 7B. As such, it may be displayed on the message dialog as a pop-up message.

  In addition, when a user operation specifying an output condition stored as an error output condition in the error information storage unit 54 is detected, the state information is acquired from the data output device 1 and the error has been resolved. In this case, the output condition, the error information associated with the output condition, and the data output device are deleted from the error information storage unit 54. For example, when a drag operation is performed to superimpose an icon indicating a file storing data to be output on a grayed-out item, status information is acquired from the data output device 1 and the error is resolved. When the acquired status information indicates, the output condition, the error information associated with the output condition, and the data output device are deleted from the error information storage unit 54, and the gray-out display of the item corresponding to the output condition is canceled To do.

  Further, when the icon ic1 is dropped on the button displayed in the display area A3, an instruction is given to the data output device 1 selected at that time to execute the output process using the function corresponding to the button. Is done. For example, when a drop operation is performed on the “N-Up Printing” button, an output instruction is transmitted to execute printing using only the N-Up function. When the icon ic1 is dropped on the icon of the data output device 1 displayed in the display area A1, the output processing function selected at that time is used for the data output device 1 corresponding to the icon. The specified output process is instructed.

  The user interface IF1 issues an output instruction to the data output device 1 and then the “x” button at the upper left of the user interface IF1 is clicked, or the user interface is displayed and a specific time has elapsed. In this case, an erased state that is not displayed on the display screen is entered.

(2-3. Operation when interface is displayed by drag operation)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data output instruction device 10 after the icon of the data file to be printed is dragged and the user interface IF1 is displayed.

  First, the storage control unit 34 reads a setting file (a registration list file stored in the registration list storage unit 51 and an error information file stored in the error information storage unit 54) (S10). Next, the display control unit 31 displays a registration list based on the read registration list file. At this time, among the items (printing conditions) included in the registration list, the display control unit 31 displays the items on the registration list that are recorded in the error information file in association with the error information in gray-out display (S11). ).

  Next, the instruction detection unit 32 detects the position of the mouse cursor (S12), and determines whether or not the data file icon has been dragged over the display format change position (S13). If it is determined that the icon of the data file has been dragged onto the display format change position (YES in S13), the display control unit 31 changes the registration list to a display format set in advance according to the display format change position. Switch (S14).

  Here, the display format change position is an area that is set to change the display to a display format corresponding to the position when the mouse cursor is overlaid with the icon of the data file being dragged to the position.

  For example, in the registration list displayed in the display area A4, when the mouse cursor is overlaid with the icon of the data file being dragged over any item, the display state of the item is inverted. The display method is not limited to the reverse display, and the display method may be different from other items by, for example, highlighting, changing the display color, changing the size of the display area, or the like.

  In this embodiment, when the mouse cursor is over the button of the desired category in the display area A2 while the icon of the data file is being dragged, the buttons of the print functions displayed in the display area A3 move the mouse cursor. It is changed to the button of each print function corresponding to the overlapped category. When the mouse cursor is overlaid on the “registration” button while the data file icon is being dragged, a registration list is displayed in the display area A4, and the mouse cursor is overlaid on the “history” button. In this case, a history list is displayed in the display area A4.

  That is, in this embodiment, when the mouse cursor is overlaid on a predetermined display format change position while the data file icon is dragged on the user interface IF1, a part of the display format of the user interface IF1 is superimposed on the mouse cursor. The display format is changed to a preset display format in accordance with the displayed display format change position.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S13 that the data file icon is not dragged on the display format change position (NO in S13), the instruction detection unit 32 determines that the data file icon is the print condition selection position (output condition selection position). ) Is determined whether or not a drop operation has been performed (S15).

  Here, the printing condition selection position (output condition selection position) is a position that is set so that when a data file icon is dropped at the position, the printing condition (output processing condition) corresponding to the position is selected. In this embodiment, the buttons for the printing functions in the display area A3 and the buttons for the items in the display area A4 correspond to this. That is, in this embodiment, the user performs a drop operation on the button of the desired print function in the display area A3 or a drop operation on the item of the desired print condition in the display area A4. The print condition of the data file is designated, and the instruction detection unit 32 determines the print condition for the data file based on the print condition corresponding to the position where the icon of the data file is dropped.

  If it is determined in S15 that the data file icon has not been dropped at the print condition selection position, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether the data file icon has been dropped at a position other than the print condition selection position. (S16). If it is determined that the drop operation has been performed at a position other than the print condition selection position (YES in S16), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S16 that the drop operation has not been performed at a position other than the print condition selection position (NO in S16), the process returns to S13.

  If it is determined in S15 that the icon of the data file has been dropped at the print condition selection position, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether the position at which the drop operation has been performed is an item on the registration list in the display area A4. (S17). If it is an item on the registration list (YES in S17), the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether or not the position where the drop operation has been performed is on an item displayed in grayout (S18).

  If the dropped position is an item that is not grayed out, the instruction detection unit 32 detects a printing condition corresponding to the position where the drop operation was performed (S23), and the output data generation unit 35 is based on the detected printing condition. Then, the print data of the data file is generated (S24), and the communication control unit 33 transmits the generated print data (output instruction) to the data output device 1 corresponding to the item for which the drop operation is performed (S25). Next, the storage control unit 34 registers the detected printing condition in the history list stored in the history list storage unit 52 (updates the history list) (S26). Further, the communication control unit 33 receives result information indicating a print processing result (information indicating that printing has been successful or error information) from the data output device 1 (S27), and the output instruction unit 36 receives the received print information. Based on the processing result, it is determined whether printing has succeeded or failed (S28).

  If it is determined that printing has succeeded (YES in S28), the process ends. If it is determined that printing has failed (NO in S28), the storage control unit 34 associates the printing conditions, error information, and device information related to the data output device 1 and records them in the error information file of the error information storage unit 54 ( S29), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if the print condition selection position is an item that is grayed out, the communication control unit 33 determines whether the cause of the error has been solved for the data output device 1 corresponding to the item that has been dropped. Request information for requesting transmission of status information, which is information to be transmitted, is transmitted (S19). The request information indicates the cause of the error that occurred during the previous output instruction. When the data output apparatus 1 receives the request information from the data output instruction apparatus 10, the previous request information indicated in the request information is displayed. It is detected whether or not the cause of the error that occurred at the time of the output instruction has been eliminated, and the detection result is returned as the state information. The data output instruction device 10 transmits to the data output device 1 a print condition (output condition) corresponding to the item subjected to the drop operation together with the request information, and the data output device 1 can output data based on the print condition. It is possible to detect whether or not and return the detection result as the state information.

  Thereafter, when the communication control unit 33 receives the status information returned from the data output device 1 as a response to the request information (S20), the output instruction unit 36 causes the error in the data output device 1 based on the received status information. It is determined whether or not has been eliminated (S21).

  If it is determined that the cause of the error has been resolved (YES in S21), the instruction detection unit 32 detects a printing condition corresponding to the position where the drop operation has been performed (S23), and the output data generation unit 35 detects the printing. Based on the conditions, print data of the data file is generated (S24), and the communication control unit 33 transmits the generated print data (output instruction) to the data output device 1 corresponding to the drop-operated item (S25). ). Next, the storage control unit 34 registers the detected printing conditions in the history list stored in the history list storage unit 52 (updates the history list) (S26). Further, the communication control unit 33 receives a print processing result (information indicating that printing was successful or error information) from the data output device 1 (S27), and the output instruction unit 36 is based on the received print processing result. Then, it is determined whether printing has succeeded or failed (S28).

  If it is determined that printing has succeeded (YES in S28), the process ends. If it is determined that printing has failed (NO in S28), the storage control unit 34 associates the printing conditions, error information, and device information related to the data output device 1 and records them in the error information file of the error information storage unit 54 ( S29), the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S21 that the cause of the error has not been resolved (NO in S21), the display control unit 31 indicates that the error shown in FIG. 7A or 7B has not been resolved. Error information is displayed (S22), and the process is terminated.

  In addition, when the item for which the drop operation has been performed is for instructing data output to a plurality of data output devices 1, among these data output devices 1, an error occurs with respect to the data output device 1 that failed to output data. Is requested to return information indicating whether or not the cause of the error has been released, and an operation (S19 to S29) for instructing printing is performed only when the cause of the error has been released, and the other data output device 1 is instructed. Therefore, the data output instruction may be issued without performing the operation.

(2-4. User interface when displayed through application print menu)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface IF2 displayed when a print menu (output processing menu) is selected from the application software display screen.

  As shown in this figure, in the user interface IF2, “OK”, “Cancel”, and “Apply” buttons are displayed in a display area A5 provided below the display area A3. The “OK” button is a button for executing an output instruction, “Cancel” is a button for canceling the selection of the print conditions so far, and the “Apply” button is the print currently selected. This is a button for saving a condition as a subsequent initial setting condition.

  For example, when an “OK” button is clicked in a state where one or more print functions in the display area A3 are selected, a print instruction based on each selected print function is transmitted to the data output apparatus 1.

  When an “OK” button is clicked in a state where one item of printing conditions in the display area A4 that is not grayed out is selected, a printing instruction based on this printing condition is transmitted to the data output apparatus 1. .

  When the “OK” button is clicked in a state where one of the printing condition items in the display area A4 and grayed out is selected, the same processing as S19 and after in FIG. 8A is performed. That is, the communication control unit 33 inquires of the data output apparatus 1 that has failed to print according to the print setting corresponding to the item whether or not the cause of the error has been resolved. When the notification indicating that the cause of the error has been resolved is received from the data output device 1, the communication control unit 33 receives a print instruction (output instruction) based on the print condition (output processing condition) corresponding to this item as data. It transmits to the output device 1. On the other hand, when the notification indicating that the cause of the error has not been resolved is received from the data output device 1, the display control unit 31 displays a message indicating the cause of the error on the display 11.

  In the present embodiment, each application software is associated with a specific data output device 1 in advance, and this correspondence information is stored in the setting storage unit 53. Therefore, when the print menu is selected from the display screen of the application software, unlike the user interface IF1, the display control unit 31 does not display the icon group for selecting the data output device 1 in the display area A1. It has become. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 4, an icon group of the data output device 1 is displayed in the display area A1, and the user selects the desired data output device 1 from these icons, thereby enabling application software. You may enable it to change the data output device 1 matched with this.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, the “Register” button and the “History” button are not displayed below the display area A4. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and these buttons are displayed as in the case of the user interface IF1. You may make it make it.

(2-5. Operation when the interface is displayed through the application print menu)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when the print menu is selected from the display screen of the application software and the user interface IF2 is displayed.

  First, the storage control unit 34 reads a setting file (a registration list file stored in the registration list storage unit 51 and an error information file stored in the error information storage unit 54) (S40). Next, the display control unit 31 displays a registration list based on the read registration list file. At this time, the display control unit 31 displays the items on the registration list recorded in association with the error information in the error information file in gray out (S41).

  Next, the instruction detection unit 32 receives an instruction input from the user regarding the printing conditions (S43). This instruction is input, for example, when the user appropriately clicks a desired item from the category, print function, registration list, or history list items displayed on the user interface IF2.

  Then, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether or not a print execution instruction has been made (S43). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not the “OK” button is clicked.

  Further, the instruction detection unit 32 determines whether or not an instruction input from the user regarding the printing conditions has been input by clicking an item on the registration list in the display area A4 (S44). When input is made by clicking on an item on the registration list (YES in S44), the instruction detection unit 32 receives an instruction input from the user regarding the printing conditions by clicking on a grayout item on the registration list in the display area A4. It is determined whether or not an input has been made (S45). When input by clicking on the grayout item, the communication control unit 33 sends request information requesting the data output apparatus 1 to transmit status information that is information indicating whether or not the cause of the error has been resolved. Transmit (S46). Thereafter, when the communication control unit 33 receives status notification information returned from the data output device 1 as a response to the request information (S47), the output instruction unit 36 generates an error based on the status information returned from the data output device 1. It is determined whether or not the cause of the problem has been eliminated (S48).

  If it is determined in S48 that the cause of the error has been resolved (YES in S48), if an item other than the grayout item on the registration list in the display area A4 is clicked in S45 (NO in S45), and displayed in S44 When an item other than the registered item in area A4 is clicked (NO in S44), the instruction detection unit 32 determines a printing condition to be used for output processing based on the selected printing function or printing condition (S50), and the output data Print data is generated based on the printing conditions determined by the generation unit 35 (S51), and the communication control unit 33 transmits the print data and the printing conditions to the data output device 1 via the communication I / F 16 (S52). Next, the storage control unit 34 registers the detected printing condition in the history list stored in the history list storage unit 52 (updates the history list) (S53). Further, the communication control unit 33 receives the print processing result (information indicating that printing has been successful or error information) from the data output device 1 (S54), and the output instruction unit 36 is based on the received print processing result. Then, it is determined whether printing has succeeded or failed (S55).

  If it is determined that printing has succeeded (YES in S55), the process ends. When it is determined that the printing has failed (NO in S55), the storage control unit 34 associates the device information related to the data output device 1 with the error information and records it in the error information file of the error information storage unit 54 (S56). The process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S48 that the cause of the error has not been resolved (NO in S48), the display control unit 31 displays the error information shown in FIG. 7A or 7B (S49). The process is terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the registration to the registration list is not performed from the user interface IF2, but this is not a limitation. For example, as with the user interface IF1, a “registration” button and a “history” button may be displayed so that registration in the registration list can be performed by substantially the same processing of the user interface IF1.

  In the present embodiment, the registration list and the history list are stored in the data storage unit 50 provided in the data output instruction device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, these lists may be stored in a portable recording medium, or transferred or copied from the data storage unit 50 to the portable recording medium as necessary. In this case, by downloading the list stored in the portable recording medium to the data output instruction device 10, it is possible to easily restore the setting contents of the printing conditions that the user likes. Examples of the portable recording medium include a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. A disk system including the above optical disk, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, a USB memory, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM can be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the control part 20 with which the data output instruction | indication apparatus 10 is provided may be implement | achieved by software using processors, such as CPU and MPU. That is, the data output instruction device 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions of a control program that implements each function, a read only memory (ROM) that stores the program, and a random access memory (RAM) that expands the program. ), A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. An object of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the data output instruction device 10 which is software for realizing the above-described functions is recorded in a computer-readable manner To the data output instruction device 10, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium.

  Examples of the recording medium include tapes such as magnetic tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks / hard disks, and disks including optical disks such as CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. Card system such as IC card, IC card (including memory card) / optical card, or semiconductor memory system such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Alternatively, the data output instruction device 10 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication. A net or the like is available. Also, the transmission medium constituting the communication network is not particularly limited. For example, even in the case of wired such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL line, etc., infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth ( (Registered trademark), 802.11 wireless, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network, and the like can also be used. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The data output instruction apparatus 10 according to the present invention is realized by a software program (data output instruction program) using a processor such as a CPU or MPU, and the control unit 20 immediately after the execution of the software program is started. In addition, status information is acquired from the data output device 1 for each of the data output devices 1 indicated by the device information recorded in association with the output conditions recorded as error output conditions in the error information storage unit 54, and an error is detected. When the acquired status information indicates that it has been resolved, the output condition, the error information associated with the output condition, and the device information indicating the data output device 1 may be deleted from the error information storage unit 54. . Further, the grayout display of the item corresponding to the output condition may be canceled simultaneously with the deletion.

  In addition, each block of the control unit 20 is not limited to that realized using software, and may be configured by hardware logic. Hardware that performs a part of processing and control of the hardware Or a calculation unit that executes software for performing the remaining processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to a data output instruction device that instructs data output to a data output device such as an image forming apparatus or a facsimile.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the data output instruction | indication apparatus with which the data output system concerning one Embodiment of this invention is equipped. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data output system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a display start process of the user interface in the data output instruction | indication apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed when a data file is dragged in the data output instruction device illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for adding a registration item to a registration list in the user interface shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure for demonstrating the gray-out item of a registration list, and the item which is not gray-out. (A) and (b) show that when a print instruction is sent to the data output apparatus but an error occurs when the print instruction is processed in the data output apparatus, or in the data output apparatus corresponding to the gray-out item of the registration list It is a figure which shows the error message displayed in a data output instruction | indication apparatus, when it was confirmed whether the error was eliminated, but it was not eliminated. (A) And (b) is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of giving a data output instruction using the user interface shown in FIG. (A) And (b) is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the case of giving a data output instruction using the user interface shown in FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a user interface displayed when an output processing menu is selected from a display screen of application software in the data output instruction apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1 Data Output Device 10 Data Output Instruction Device 11 Display (Display Unit)
13 Keyboard 14 Mouse 20 Control unit 30 Output instruction control unit 31 Display control unit (display control means)
32 instruction detection unit 33 communication control unit (communication control unit, first communication control unit)
34 Storage control unit (recording control means)
35 output data generation unit 36 output instruction unit 40 application processing unit 50 data storage unit 51 registration list storage unit 52 history list storage unit 53 setting storage unit 54 error information storage unit 100 data output instruction system (data output system)

Claims (12)

A data output instruction device that instructs data output processing to a data output device that performs data output processing,
A communication control means for transmitting an output instruction corresponding to an output condition specified by a user to the data output apparatus, and receiving result information indicating a result of an output process based on the output instruction from the data output apparatus;
Storage control means for storing the output condition as an error output condition in the storage unit when the result information indicates that an error has occurred; and
When the output condition specified by the user is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition, the communication control means acquires status information from the data output device before transmitting an output instruction corresponding to the output condition. And a data output instruction device that transmits an output instruction according to the output condition only when the acquired status information indicates that the error has been resolved.   Display control means for displaying an image showing each of a plurality of output conditions registered in advance on a display unit, and displaying an image showing an error output condition so as to be distinguishable from an image showing another output condition The data output instruction device according to claim 1, further comprising:   3. The data output instruction apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display control means displays at least a part of an image indicating an error output condition in gray out.   The display control means, when the status information indicates that the error has not been resolved, displays a message to the effect that the error has not been resolved on the display section. 4. The data output instruction device according to 3.   5. The data output instruction device according to claim 4, wherein the display control means displays the message as a pop-up message on the display unit. When the communication control unit detects a user operation that specifies an output condition of data to be output from the data output device and specifies an output condition stored as an error output condition in the storage unit, the communication control unit detects the status information. Obtained from the data output device,
6. The storage control unit according to claim 1, wherein the output condition is deleted from the storage unit when the status information acquired by the communication control unit indicates that the error has been resolved. The data output instruction device according to any one of the preceding claims.   7. The data output instruction apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the user operation is a drag operation for superimposing an icon indicating a file storing data to be output on an image indicating the error output condition. . The data output instruction device is a computer that executes a data output instruction program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described means.
The communication control means acquires status information from the data output device immediately after the execution of the data output instruction program is started,
The storage control means deletes the output condition from the storage section when the status information acquired by the communication control means indicates that the error has been resolved. The data output instruction device according to any one of the preceding claims. A data output system including at least one data output device that performs data output processing and a data output instruction device that instructs the data output device to perform data output processing,
The data output instruction device
First communication control means for transmitting an output instruction corresponding to an output condition designated by a user to the data output apparatus and receiving result information indicating a result of an output process based on the output instruction from the data output apparatus; ,
Storage control means for storing the output condition as an error output condition in the storage unit when the result information indicates that an error has occurred, and
The data output device is
Second communication control means for transmitting the result information to the data output instruction device when receiving the output instruction from the data output instruction device;
Determination means for determining whether or not the error has been resolved,
When the output condition designated by the user is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition, the first communication control means outputs the status information to the data output before sending an output instruction corresponding to the output condition. Only when the acquired status information indicates that the error has been resolved, an output instruction corresponding to the output condition is transmitted,
When the determination means determines that the error has been resolved, the second communication control means transmits the status information indicating that the error has been resolved to the data output instruction device. Characteristic data output system. A data output instruction method for instructing data output processing to a data output device that performs data output processing,
A first communication control step of transmitting an output instruction corresponding to an output condition designated by a user to the data output apparatus and receiving result information indicating a result of an output process based on the output instruction from the data output apparatus; ,
When the result information indicates that an error has occurred, a storage control step of storing the output condition as an error output condition in the storage unit;
When the output condition specified by the user is stored in the storage unit as an error output condition, the status information is acquired from the data output device before transmitting the output instruction corresponding to the output condition, and the acquired status information And a second communication control step of transmitting an output instruction according to the output condition only when the error indicates that the error has been resolved.   A program for operating the data output instruction device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the data output instruction program causes a computer to function as each of the above means.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the data output instruction program according to claim 11 is recorded.

Images