JP2010061436A - Printing system, print control unit, output instructing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten a period of time from the time when an output instruction is given by an output instruction device to the time when the printed matter is output so far as a document agrees with a certain condition in on-demand printing. <P>SOLUTION: A condition setting part 110 sets automatic preparing conditions for preparing print instruction information and stores them in a condition storage part 120 even if there is no instruction from a user. A condition monitoring part 130 determines whether a document satisfies the automatic preparing conditions AJ or not when storing it. A print instruction information preparing part 140 prepares automatic preparation print instruction information APJ without user's instructions if the document satisfies the conditions AJ. If the pending automatic preparation print instruction information APJ satisfies invalidation conditions, a print server 50 invalidates the information APJ. An on-demand terminal 80 distinguishes between the automatic preparation print instruction information APJ and usual preparation print instruction information UPJ, displays the distinction, and gives the instructions for releasing pending of the print instruction information PJ selected from among them to the print server 50 when the on-demand terminal 80 accepts a demand for displaying list through an acceptance part 210. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, a printing control apparatus, an output instruction apparatus, and a program.

  There are cases where a printing system is constructed so that a plurality of users share one printing apparatus, or a printing system is constructed so that a single user can use a plurality of printing apparatuses separately. When printing a document, when the user issues a print instruction, the device that creates and edits the document generates a print job that describes the print conditions and print data (document contents). Is sent to the printing apparatus to perform the printing process.

  In the case of each of the above printing systems, when a print instruction is issued, the print process is not immediately executed and the printed output is not discharged, but the print process is temporarily suspended even if a print job is generated. In some cases, a system is constructed so that a print process is executed when an output instruction is issued via an output instruction device later (see Patent Documents 1 to 5). In this specification, such a mechanism is referred to as on-demand printing.

Japanese Patent No. 3777882 JP 2006-340398 A JP 2006-255936 A JP 2007-318360 A JP 2008-005069 A

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism for performing on-demand printing based on user ID input. Patent Document 2 discloses a mechanism for performing on-demand printing based on IC card recognition.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a mechanism that eliminates the need to install special application software on the user side, and automatically switches to confidential printing mode even for files in an unknown format. Yes. Format information for confidential printing can be registered, and it is determined based on the file format whether confidential printing should be performed after a printing job is received by the printing apparatus.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a mechanism that can limit the automatic execution of a print job that the user does not want to execute automatically while enjoying the advantages of the “automatic execution mode”. Check the attributes (issuer, file attribute, type, time, storage location, mode, upper limit value and capacity assigned to the user, etc.) of the print job stored after being received by the printing device after user authentication. Judgment is made on whether to print.

  Patent Document 5 discloses a mechanism that shortens the time required for authentication processing by collating input user identification information with registered identification information and improves usability.

  The present invention provides a mechanism capable of shortening the time from when an output instruction is issued by an output instruction device to when a printed matter is output if the document satisfies a certain condition during on-demand printing. With the goal.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a document creation / editing apparatus capable of creating or editing a document, an image forming apparatus for forming an image of the document on an output medium, the document creation / editing apparatus, and the image A print control apparatus capable of holding the print process interposed between the forming apparatus and the execution instruction based on an instruction from a user who desires to execute the print process held by the print control apparatus. An output instruction device, and the print control device sets a condition for setting an automatic generation condition for generating print instruction information for executing a print process without an instruction from a user A condition storage unit that stores automatic generation conditions created by the condition setting unit, and a condition monitoring unit that monitors whether the document matches the automatic generation conditions stored in the condition storage unit , Generating print instruction information based on an instruction from the user, and generating the print instruction information even if there is no instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the condition is met If the print processing is not to be suspended, the print instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the print process, and if the print processing is to be suspended, a release instruction from the output instruction device The print instruction information is stored in the storage medium until it is in a suspended state, and when there is a release instruction, the print instruction information in the suspended state is read from the storage medium and transmitted to the image forming apparatus And a hold control unit that executes the printing process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the output instruction device accepts an instruction from a user who desires to execute a print process held by the print control device. A display control unit that controls display, and an execution instruction unit that instructs execution of print processing. The display control unit displays information about print processing that is suspended by the print control apparatus. When the acceptance unit accepts, the print instruction information that matches the automatic generation condition and the print instruction information generated based on the instruction from the user are distinguished and displayed, and the execution instruction unit is distinguished Instructing the execution of the print processing based on the print instruction information selected by the user who desires to execute the print processing from the displayed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a condition setting unit for setting an automatic generation condition for generating print instruction information for executing print processing of a document without an instruction from a user, and the condition setting unit A condition storage unit that stores the automatic generation condition created by the above, a condition monitoring unit that monitors whether the document matches the automatic generation condition stored in the condition storage unit, and an instruction from the user A print instruction information generating unit configured to generate the print instruction information on the basis of the print instruction information without generating an instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the condition is met. It is a printing control device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, when the print instruction information generation unit generates the print instruction information without an instruction from the user, the generation instruction is displayed. A notification unit is provided for notifying a user who wishes to execute print processing.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction information created when the automatic generation conditions for generating the print instruction information for executing the print processing of the document are met even if there is no instruction from the user. Is disabled according to a predetermined condition, and if the print process is not to be suspended, the print instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the print process. If there is an instruction to hold, the print instruction information is stored in the storage medium until the release instruction is issued from the output instruction device, and the print instruction is put on hold when the release instruction is issued. And a hold control unit that executes print processing by reading information from the storage medium and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the invalidation unit includes a plurality of the print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user for the same document, Necessary items are invalidated based on defined conditions.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the invalidation unit further comprises the newer one of the plurality of print instruction information generated without any instruction from the user. And replace the old one.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the invalidation unit is configured to replace the oldest one of the plurality of print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user. Disable in a state that can be recovered with.

  According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects of the invention, the invalidation unit is configured to print the print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user. If the print process remains on hold even after a predetermined time limit, the print instruction information is deleted to invalidate the print process.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, the invalidating unit is configured to generate the print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user. If the print process remains in the suspended state even after a predetermined time limit, the print instruction information is invalidated so that it can be restored later.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a print process is suspended by interposing between a document creation / editing apparatus capable of creating or editing a document and an image forming apparatus that forms an image of the document on an output medium. An accepting unit that accepts an instruction from a user who wishes to execute a print process that is held by a print control apparatus that is configured to be able to execute; a display control unit that controls display; and an instruction that instructs execution of the print process An instruction unit, and the display control unit, when the reception unit receives a display of print processing information held by the print control apparatus, the print instruction information that matches the automatic generation condition and the use The print instruction information generated based on the instruction from the user is distinguished and displayed, and the execution instruction unit is selected by the user who desires to execute the print processing from the distinguished display The is an output instruction unit for instructing the execution of the print processing based on the print instruction information.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, an automatic generation condition for generating print instruction information for executing a document printing process without setting an instruction from a user is set, and the set automatic generation condition is set in advance. A condition setting unit to be stored in a predetermined condition storage unit, a condition monitoring unit to monitor whether or not the document matches an automatic generation condition stored in the condition storage unit, and an instruction from a user And generating the print instruction information based on the print instruction information generation unit that generates the print instruction information without the instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the condition is met. This is a program for print control to function.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction information generated when the automatic generation conditions for generating the print instruction information for executing the print processing of the document without the instruction from the user are met. Is disabled according to a predetermined condition, and if the print process is not to be suspended, the print instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the print process. If there is an instruction to hold, the print instruction information is stored in the storage medium until the release instruction is issued from the output instruction device, and the print instruction is put on hold when the release instruction is issued. A print control program for causing a computer to function as a hold control unit that executes print processing by reading information from the storage medium and transmitting the information to the image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the invention according to the first aspect is not adopted, the printing operation procedure is simplified, and from when the output instruction is issued by the output instruction device until the print output is obtained. A printing system capable of shortening the time required can be realized.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is distinguished whether the pending print instruction information is based on a document that meets the automatic generation condition or generated based on the user's own instruction. Becomes easier.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, the printing operation procedure is simplified as compared with the case where the invention according to claim 3 is not adopted, and from when the output instruction is issued by the output instruction device until the print output is obtained. Can be realized.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the notified user can grasp and recognize that the print instruction information of the document is generated in advance because the automatic generation condition is met.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the print instruction information based on the document that matches the automatic generation condition is reduced, the print processing is desired as compared with the case where the invention according to claim 5 is not adopted. It is possible to realize a print control apparatus that can make it easy to find things.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the print instruction information generated by matching the automatic generation condition is reduced and presented to the user for the same document, the user desires the printing process. Selection becomes easy.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prepare the print instruction information by giving priority to the newer one that is generally considered to have a higher degree of need for printing than the old one. This makes it easier to find what you want to print. As an additional effect, since the old one is deleted, the storage capacity of the print instruction information can be saved.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain a print result based on the older one of the plurality of print instruction information generated by matching the automatic generation condition for the same document.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the print instruction information generated by meeting the automatic generation condition is reduced based on the elapsed period after generation and presented to the user. It becomes easy to select what is desired to be processed.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, when the print instruction information generated by satisfying the automatic generation condition is suspended beyond the time limit, the print instruction information is based on the print instruction information even if the time limit is exceeded. Printing results can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 11, whether the pending print instruction information is based on a document that matches the automatic generation condition, as compared with the case where the invention according to claim 11 is not adopted. It is possible to realize an output instruction device that can easily distinguish whether the data is generated based on a user's own instruction.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the printing operation procedure is simplified as compared with the case where the invention according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is not adopted, and until the print output is obtained after the output instruction is issued by the output instruction device. It is possible to provide a program that shortens the time.

  According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a program that makes it easier to find what is desired to be printed, compared to the case where the invention according to the thirteenth aspect is not adopted.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When distinguishing each functional element in the embodiment or modification, it is described with an uppercase English reference such as A, B, C,... This reference is omitted. The same applies to the drawings.

<System overview>
In conventional on-demand printing, after receiving the print instruction of the user and generating the print instruction information PJ, the print processing is suspended, and the output instruction device is operated to display the list of print instruction information PJ. The print instruction information PJ for which print processing is desired is selected to cancel the print processing hold state, and the printing apparatus performs print output. In such a conventional processing method, it is indispensable for the user to manually issue a print instruction information PJ generation instruction.

  Incidentally, the print instruction information PJ is instruction information for print processing including image data which is contents to be formed on a paper medium or the like and output settings (also referred to as output conditions, print conditions or print attributes). In general, it corresponds to what is called a print job or an output job. For example, in order to transfer image data between a document creation / editing device, a print control device, and an image forming device (page printer) that forms an image for each page, the image forming device is a page printer. A programming language called a page description language (PDL) is used. In general, the image forming apparatus 7 converts the image data into bitmap image data (image) in units of pages based on the received PDL data, stores the data in a predetermined storage device, and then performs printing. Also, when executing the printing process, it is necessary to specify output settings (the contents of which will be described later). Therefore, print setting information PJ is created by adding output settings to the image data of each page (described in PDL).

  Output condition settings (output settings) related to image output processing are roughly classified into items such as basic settings, layout settings, page decoration settings, and finishing settings, for example. Basic settings include, for example, the number of copies, the number of copies, black and white or color, paper size (A4, A3, B4, B5, etc.), printing direction (vertical / horizontal), paper feed tray (automatic, tray number), printing Items such as quality are included. For example, the print quality is set in stages from “Premium to Fast”, or printing of pre-registered general documents, photos, DTP (Desk Top Publishing), CAD (Computer Aided Design), etc. Select from the type settings. The layout setting includes items such as single-sided or double-sided, presence / absence of scaling (enlargement / reduction) and setting of scaling ratio, presence / absence of layout printing (aggregated printing) and setting of arrangement mode. The page decoration setting includes items such as page printing presence / absence and detailed setting, stamp mark presence / absence / stamp mark setting, header / footer presence / absence and printing information setting, and the like. The finishing setting includes items such as sorting, finisher (terminal device), binding margin, opening direction, and bookbinding setting. The finisher includes items such as setting of presence / absence of punch and number of holes, setting of presence / absence of stapling (processing to bind in one bundle) and setting of binding position.

  On the other hand, in general, in a workflow that handles electronic documents, electronic documents are created or edited on a terminal in a series of processes, and the processed electronic documents are not only stored on a storage medium but also printed on paper. Is done. Here, when printing on paper frequently occurs, it is convenient to generate print instruction information PJ based on the electronic document in advance.

  In the printing system of the present embodiment, when an electronic document is generated / edited, it is determined whether the situation matches the automatic generation condition of the print instruction information PJ, and even if there is no instruction from the user, The print instruction information PJ is created and saved in advance when the automatic generation conditions are met. In this way, when printing a document on demand, if the document meets the automatic generation conditions, the print instruction information PJ is automatically generated even if the user does not manually instruct generation of the print instruction information PJ. Therefore, the processing efficiency is improved as compared with the case where the present embodiment is not applied.

<Overall configuration of printing system: Basic>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing system according to the present embodiment. The printing system 1 includes a plurality of document creation and editing devices 3 that are host devices used by a user, a print control device 5 that controls printing processing, one or more image forming devices 7 that execute printing processing, and an output instruction. The device 8 is connected via a communication network 9 which is an example of a communication unit. The output instruction device 8 may be directly connected to the image forming device 7 without going through the communication network 9 or may be integrated with the image forming device 7.

  The document creation / editing device 3 may be any device as long as it has a function for generating an electronic document and a function for editing an electronic document. For example, it is preferable to use a personal computer (PC) as an information processing device. It is.

  The print control device 5 monitors the generation / editing status of the electronic document in the document creation / editing device 3, and automatically generates print instruction information PJ based on the electronic document when a predetermined condition is met. By saving the print instruction information PJ in the storage medium, the print processing is suspended until an output instruction is issued. Although the basic configuration is shown here, as will be described later, some of the functions of the print control device 5 may be installed in the document creation / editing device 3.

  The image forming apparatus 7 only needs to have a function of forming (printing) an image on printing paper based on at least the print instruction information PJ. A multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a function and a FAX function may be used.

  The output instruction device 8 accepts an output instruction of the print instruction information PJ held by the print control apparatus 5 from the user, and instructs the image forming apparatus 7 to execute the output process.

  The communication network 9 is based on, for example, wired communication or wireless communication of a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

  As a whole, the document creation / editing device 3, the print control device 5, the image forming device 7, and the output instruction device 8 are connected to the communication network 9, and a single image forming device 7 is shared by a plurality of document creation / editing devices 3. Thus, on-demand printing can be performed. The term “on demand” is generally understood as meaning “when necessary, as much as necessary, when necessary”. Therefore, “on-demand printing” means that the document creation / editing apparatus 3 does not immediately cause the image forming apparatus 7 to execute the printing process to discharge the printed output, but the printing process is performed even if the print instruction information PJ is generated. Is temporarily suspended and output processing is executed when an output instruction is issued via the output instruction device 8.

<Overall configuration of printing system: application example>
FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating an application example of the printing system of the present embodiment. The printing system 1 is an example of a plurality of client terminals 30 having the functions of the document creation / editing device 3, a print server 50 that is an example of a print management device, an authentication server 60 that is an example of an authentication management device, and an image forming device 7. A printer 70 and an on-demand terminal 80, which is an example of the output instruction device 8, are connected via the communication network 9. Each functional unit included in the print control device 5 is appropriately arranged in the client terminal 30 and the print server 50 (details will be described later). The authentication server 60 performs processing for specifying whether or not the user is a legitimate person.

  As the print server 50 and the authentication server 60, for example, those using an electronic computer system including a display device, an instruction input device, and the like are used. These may be provided separately, or one electronic computer system may serve these two functions.

  The on-demand terminal 80 is generally a separate one prepared for each printer 70 in the vicinity of the printer 70. For example, the first printer 70_1 receives an output instruction from the on-demand terminal 80 connected to the communication network 9. It may be “every printer 70”, and may be the second printer 70_2 to which the on-demand terminal 80_2 is directly connected without going through the communication network 9, or the on-demand terminal 80_3 may be an integrated third printer 70_3 (multifunction device). Good. In the case of a system configuration in which the print server 50 and the authentication server 60 are provided in the vicinity of the printer 70, the print server 50 and the authentication server 60 may also function as the on-demand terminal 80.

<Print control device: Basic configuration>
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the print control apparatus 5. The print control apparatus 5 includes a hold control unit 100, a storage medium 106, a condition setting unit 110, a condition storage unit 120, a condition monitoring unit 130, a print instruction information generation unit 140, a notification unit 150, a duplicate instruction information invalidation unit 160, a time limit A monitoring invalidation unit 170 is provided.

  If the printing process is not on-demand printing, the hold control unit 100 immediately transmits the print instruction information PJ to the image forming apparatus 7 to execute the printing process. On the other hand, when the printing process is on-demand printing, the hold control unit 100 stores the print instruction information PJ in the storage medium 106 until the release instruction from the output instruction device 8 is in the hold state, and cancels the release. The print instruction information PJ that has been put on hold when instructed is read from the storage medium 106 and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 7 to execute the print processing.

  The hold control unit 100 transmits the held print instruction information PJ to the printer 70 and executes the printing process. Then, the hold control unit 100 deletes the held print instruction information PJ and stores the storage capacity for the print instruction information PJ. To reduce. Alternatively, the holding period is determined and deleted after the holding period elapses. In the latter case, when the printed matter once printed is lost, if it is within the holding period, the printed matter is output again by holding the ID card in front of the on-demand terminal 80 and releasing the holding.

  The condition setting unit 110 is mounted on either the client terminal 30 or the print server 50. The condition setting unit 110 sets a condition (referred to as automatic generation condition AJ) for automatically generating print instruction information PJ (on-demand print job) for on-demand printing. Examples of the automatic generation condition AJ include a storage position where an electronic document is stored, a timing for automatic generation, a keyword, and the like. The condition setting unit 110 also determines output settings for generating automatically generated print instruction information APJ. The output setting at this time may be set individually for each document or for each user who wants to execute the pending print processing.

  The storage position is not limited to a physical address when the electronic document is stored in the storage medium, but is used as a “folder” used as a storage location for classifying and organizing files in a general file management system. "Folder)" or "directory" may be used. The storage medium in which the electronic document is stored may be provided in the document creation / editing apparatus 3 or may be a storage medium connected to the communication network 9.

  The automatic creation timing corresponds to the time of document creation or document editing (update). The keyword corresponds to, for example, a keyword included in a document name that identifies an electronic document, a keyword included in a document creator name, or the like.

  Any one of these automatic generation conditions AJ may be used so that the print instruction information PJ is automatically generated when they are matched, or the print instruction is given when all of them are matched in an arbitrary combination. A mechanism for automatically generating information PJ may be used. For example, the print instruction information PJ is automatically generated when a document created in the corresponding folder is saved or updated. Further, the print instruction information PJ may be automatically generated only when not only the storage folder but also the keyword of the document name or the user name matches.

  Further, as the automatic generation condition AJ, an attribute other than a storage position, an automatic creation timing, a document name or a user name keyword may be used. For example, in the case of editing and saving, if the user ID / file name of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ existing in the list of print instruction information PJ is the same and the print instruction date / time is within 24 hours of the user's print instruction date / time, automatic generation is performed. It may be set so that the print instruction information APJ is not generated.

  Further, even a document stored in a folder corresponding to automatic generation may be configured so that automatic generation can be temporarily and intentionally prohibited. For example, the “Do not automatically generate” option is added to the corresponding folder. For example, you do not want to allow temporary printing to other related members who originally need a printed document (that is, only you want to print secretly), but you do not need to create a print instruction information PJ. It is effective in the scene. In this case, it is better to save the document in the corresponding folder with the “Do not automatically generate” option.

  The condition storage unit 120 is mounted on either the client terminal 30 or the print server 50. The condition storage unit 120 holds each automatic generation condition AJ set by the condition setting unit 110 in a storage medium together with information (user ID) for specifying a user.

  The condition monitoring unit 130 is mounted on either the client terminal 30 or the print server 50 as a monitoring process function unit. The condition monitoring unit 130 is an automatic generation condition AJ in which an electronic document created / edited / saved (newly saved / updated / saved) by the function of the document creation / editing device 3 provided in the client terminal 30 is saved in the condition storage unit 120. To see if it matches.

  The print instruction information generation unit 140 is mounted on either the client terminal 30 or the print server 50 as a monitoring process function unit. When the condition monitoring unit 130 detects an electronic document corresponding to the automatic generation condition AJ, the print instruction information generation unit 140 displays the print instruction information PJ based on the detected electronic document regardless of whether there is an instruction from the user. Automatically generated and automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  Note that the print instruction information generation unit 140 generates the print instruction information PJ when there is an instruction from the user as a normal process. The print instruction information PJ at this time is referred to as normal generation print instruction information UPJ in order to distinguish it from the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  Each print instruction information PJ generated by the print instruction information generation unit 140 may be stored in a storage medium of the print control apparatus 5, or a printing apparatus to be used is determined and provided with a storage medium. Sometimes it may be sent to the printing device.

  It is preferable that the print service can determine that the print instruction information PJ is automatically generated. For example, the print instruction information generation unit 140 preferably has a flag for distinguishing between the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and the normally generated print instruction information UPJ in the list display of the print instruction information PJ in the output instruction device 8. As an attribute of each print instruction information PJ.

  Alternatively, a certain printing device may be set to a dedicated device that is in charge of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. Here, the “certain printing device” is preferably a so-called logical printer LP. The “logical printer” means a virtual printing device including a setting value of a print option and the like, unlike a physical printing device (physical printer). Information on the output conditions for each printing apparatus, such as information for connecting to a physical printer and printer driver information, is registered as a logical printer, and a system that uses the physical printer via this logical printer is constructed. The relationship between the logical printer and the physical printer will be described later.

  The notification unit 150 is mounted on either the client terminal 30 or the print server 50 as a monitoring process function unit. When the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates the print instruction information PJ, the notification unit 150 notifies the user to that effect. For example, if the user who is creating / editing a document is the same as the user who needs the printed matter of the document, it is used for creation / editing when a document save instruction is issued For example, a pop-up window may be displayed on the display screen of the client terminal 30 for notification. If the user who is creating / editing the document is different from the user who needs the printed matter of the document, it is better to notify by e-mail or Web mail.

  In any case, on the notification screen, it is preferable to accept whether the notified print instruction information PJ is held as it is or deleted immediately. Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the setting of the holding period is accepted and deleted after the holding period has elapsed. For example, when a notice to the effect that the automatically generated print instruction information APJ has been generated is sent by e-mail or the like, an instruction to delete the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is accepted by a Web mail or e-mail reply function. That is, if the notified user finds that the printed material based on the automatically generated print instruction information APJ automatically created is clearly unnecessary, it is prevented that the user is printed wastefully.

  For example, in the case where the printer 70 is the third printer 70_3 having the function of the on-demand terminal 80, a single function machine (single function printer: Single) having a poor user interface that cannot display, select or delete the print instruction information PJ. This is effective when printing with a Function Printer), and wasteful printing is suppressed, and wasteful use of paper resources is avoided.

  The duplication instruction information invalidation unit 160 is installed in the print server 50 as a monitoring process function unit. The duplicate instruction information invalidation unit 160, when the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is duplicated and generated for the same electronic document, based on a predetermined condition (duplication invalidation condition) To disable.

  For invalidation, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ may be deleted from the storage medium, or a flag indicating that it has been invalidated may be attached to the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. In any case, since the automatically generated print instruction information APJ to be displayed as a list is reduced, it becomes easy for the user to search for a desired print process.

  The former also contributes to a reduction in storage capacity. In the latter case, since the process returns when the flag is changed, a print result based on the automatically generated print instruction information APJ after the return is obtained. As the duplicate invalidation condition, either new or old (old) is set. For example, when the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is newly created by the print instruction information generation unit 140 in a state where there is automatically generated print instruction information APJ for which print processing has not been executed, the document name and document are stored. If the folder names are compared and it is determined that the versions of the same document are different, the old one is replaced with the new one (the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is updated). At this time, the old automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically deleted.

  For example, each time a document is updated, a plurality of automatically generated print instruction information APJ are generated in the print server 50 in the case of condition setting for generating automatically generated print instruction information APJ. However, in most cases, it is only the latest automatically generated print instruction information APJ that needs to be executed, and the older one automatically saves the capacity of the storage medium. In addition, the user's convenience is improved because the trouble of searching for a desired one out of a large number of automatically generated print instruction information APJ for the same document is saved. Incidentally, by adding a flag indicating that the old one has been invalidated without being deleted, an old document can be printed if the flag is changed, thereby improving the convenience for the user.

  For example, in the case where the printer 70 is the third printer 70_3 having the function of the on-demand terminal 80, a single function machine (single function printer) having a poor user interface that cannot display a list of the print instruction information PJ, and cannot be selected / deleted, etc. Consider the case of printing with In this case, if a plurality of print instruction information PJ exists for the same document, it is highly possible that a plurality of similar printed materials are output and are wasted. On the other hand, by leaving only the newer one that is considered to be highly used, that is, by deleting the old, auto-generated print instruction information APJ that is duplicated, wasteful printing is suppressed and wasteful use of paper resources. Can be avoided.

  The deadline monitoring invalidation unit 170 is installed in the print server 50 as a monitoring process function unit. The deadline monitoring invalidation unit 170 invalidates (cancels) unnecessary items based on a predetermined deadline condition (deadline invalidation condition DJ). A fixed period (that is, a holding period) is set as the term invalidation condition DJ.

  The deadline monitoring invalidation unit 170 automatically invalidates the automatically generated print instruction information APJ in which the printing process is not executed even after a predetermined period. The countermeasure for “invalid” is the same as in the case of the duplication instruction information invalidating unit 160. For example, the deadline monitoring invalidation unit 170 automatically deletes the automatically generated print instruction information APJ when an elapsed period (for example, 3 days) after the generation of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ elapses. By doing so, a large number of automatically generated print instruction information APJ automatically created in a situation not designated by the user is prevented from being stored for a long period of time without being subjected to print processing.

  Further, not only the elapsed period after generation, but also the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically deleted when the elapsed period (for example, the current day) based on the date when the printed matter of the document is required is passed. Good. For example, when a document is a material required for a certain meeting (meeting material document), it may be automatically deleted based on the meeting date and time. For example, a schedule DB (DB: DataBase) is associated with an automatic deletion date. When the meeting date and time is determined, the user who receives the automatically generated print instruction information APJ does not need to consider the deletion instruction for the automatically generated print instruction information APJ even if the user does not print. For example, when “specification aaa” and “conference aaa” are associated with each other and “conference aaa” is up to “2008/03/06, 13: 00-15: 00”, automatically generated print instruction information APJ is If the meeting member does not print and becomes “2008/03/06, 15:00”, it is automatically deleted without intentional deletion.

  For these reasons, it is preferable not to cause the automatic invalidation processing based on the time limit management to function for the normally generated print instruction information UPJ. Of course, the automatic invalidation processing based on the time limit management may be made to function for the normally generated print instruction information UPJ. In this case, for the normally generated print instruction information UPJ, it is preferable to set the expiration date invalidating condition DJ (holding period until automatically disabled) longer than the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  When the print instruction information generation unit 140 generates the print instruction information PJ, the notification unit 150 not only generates the print instruction information PJ but also the expiration date invalidation condition DJ set in the print instruction information PJ. It is good to notify.

  Incidentally, each of these functional units included in the printing control apparatus 5 has no dependency relationship with the existing printing system and can be installed / operated independently.

<Output instruction device: basic configuration>
FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the output instruction device 8. The output instruction device 8 receives an instruction input from a user 210, a display control unit 220 that controls display of a list of print instruction information PJ and other operation menus, and an execution that instructs execution of a printing process An instruction unit 230 and an ID card reader 240 that reads information described in the ID card are provided.

  Preferably, when displaying the list of print instruction information PJ, the display control unit 220 is automatically generated by the normal generation print instruction information UPJ generated based on the manual operation of the user and the print instruction information generation unit 140. Make sure that the automatically generated print instruction information APJ can be distinguished.

  For example, display is performed using a figure (such as an icon) that distinguishes automatically generated print instruction information APJ and normal generated print instruction information UPJ. For example, a graphic (icon or the like) indicating that the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically generated is displayed next to the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. A graphic indicating normal generation print instruction information UPJ is displayed next to the normal generation print instruction information UPJ. These do not need to be executed for both, and can be distinguished from each other by executing only one of them.

  Or you may perform the display using not only the distinction using a figure but a boundary line. For example, a boundary line is displayed on the display screen, the list of normally generated print instruction information UPJ is displayed on one of the upper and lower sides (for example, the upper side) across the boundary line, and the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is displayed on the other (for example, the lower side). Display a list.

  Alternatively, when a list display instruction is issued, only one of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and the normally generated print instruction information UPJ may be extracted and displayed according to the display filter condition.

  For such distinction display, the print instruction information generation unit 140 has also been described. However, information (flag) for distinguishing the two is attached as an attribute of the print instruction information PJ and output from the print control apparatus 5. It is preferable to send the list information of the print instruction information PJ to the instruction device 8. Alternatively, a display condition (filter condition) based on the instruction received by the output instruction device 8 via the reception unit 210 is sent from the output instruction device 8 to the print control device 5, and the print control device 5 matches the display condition. The list information may be sent to the output instruction device 8.

  The execution instruction unit 230 is selected when receiving an instruction to execute printing based on certain print instruction information PJ selected from the print instruction information PJ displayed on the display control unit 220 via the reception unit 210. The print server 50 and the printer 70 are instructed to execute printing based on the print instruction information PJ. For example, the print server 50 that has received this instruction releases the hold of the selected print instruction information PJ and transmits the print instruction information PJ to the printer 70. The printer 70 that has received the print instruction information PJ executes print processing.

  The ID card reader 240 is an example of a user information reading device, and is an ID card that is required to receive use permission through user authentication when the user uses the printing system 1 (on-demand terminal 80). The user identification information stored (registered) is read by, for example, wireless communication. Specifically, when the user holds the ID card close to the reading unit provided in the ID card reader 240, wireless communication is automatically performed between the ID card reader 240 and the ID card, The stored user identification information is read by the ID card reader 240. The user identification information is unique information assigned to each individual user in order to uniquely identify the user. The ID card is a card that incorporates an integrated circuit chip and communicates with the ID card reader 240 in a contactless manner for information exchange.

  The ID card is a means for specifying a user (user specifying means). The user card is not limited to an ID card, and may be a magnetic card with a magnetic stripe. For example, an information storage medium mounted on a mobile phone may be used. When the user specifying means is a magnetic card, the sensor is detected that the magnetic card has been inserted into the card insertion slot of the user information reading apparatus that matches the user specifying means, and the magnetic card is placed in the user information reading apparatus. It is only necessary to read the user identification information recorded in the magnetic stripe in this state.

<Logical printer and physical printer>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the logical printer LP and the physical printer PP. In the figure, an example in which there are three logical printers LP and three physical printers PP is shown. A device that is an actual printer is associated with the physical printer PP on a one-to-one basis. Here, when the logical printer LP and the physical printer PP are associated with each other, they can be roughly classified into the following three associations.

  The first example shown in FIG. 3A is an example in which a plurality of physical printers PP (PP1, PP2, PP3) are associated with one logical printer LP (LP1). As an application example, when a print instruction is issued from the document creation / editing apparatus 3 (client terminal 30), it is preferable to specify a device in charge of output processing. For example, a case where a plurality of actual devices (printers) are installed nearby is assumed. In such a case, if the logical printer LP (LP1) is designated as the output device as the print instruction information PJ, any of a plurality of physical printers PP (actual devices) associated therewith cannot be used. Even in such a state, control is performed so as to perform printing processing using an operable device.

  The second example shown in FIG. 3B is an example in which a plurality of logical printers LP (LP1, LP2) are associated with one physical printer PP (PP1). As an application example, when different output settings are made for each logical printer LP, one shared physical printer PP (PP1) can handle the output settings set for each logical printer LP. This is a suitable example.

  For example, it is assumed that a monochrome output mode is set for LP1, a color output mode is set for LP2, and PP1 can handle both monochrome and color. “Monochrome / color compatible” is not limited to processing using only black toner in monochrome, but uses three color toners (yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C). This also includes the case of performing pseudo monochrome output. In such a case, when monochrome output setting is made as the print instruction information PJ, LP1 is selected as the output device, and when color output setting is made as the print instruction information PJ, LP2 is selected as the output device. However, PP1 is used as a device actually responsible for output regardless of the output setting.

  The third example shown in FIG. 3 (3) is similar to the first example, but one logical printer LP (PP3) is set exclusively for on-demand, and a plurality of physical printers PP (PP1, PP2) are set in this. This is an example of association. The difference from the first example is that PP3 is set only for on-demand. Therefore, even if the print instruction information PJ is received, the print instruction is not immediately executed until the output instruction is issued from the output instruction device. There is to hold. Each print process to be described later performs an on-demand print process, and this third example is applied.

<Printing Process: First Embodiment>
4 to 4A are diagrams for explaining the first embodiment of the automatic on-demand printing process. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the printing system 1A of the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the printing system 1A according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the system configuration of the first embodiment, among the functional units constituting the print control apparatus 5, the condition setting unit 110, the condition storage unit 120, the condition monitoring unit 130, and the print instruction information generation unit. 140 and the notification unit 150 are provided in the client terminal 30. The print server 50 includes a hold control unit 100 and a deadline monitoring invalidation unit 170 among the remaining functional units constituting the print control apparatus 5. In the first embodiment, the duplication instruction information invalidating unit 160 is not necessary.

  As an example of the printer 70, a first printer 70_1 that receives an output instruction from an on-demand terminal 80 connected to the communication network 9 is used. In the example, the print server 50 and the authentication server 60 are provided separately.

  In the automatic on-demand printing process of the first embodiment, as an automatic generation condition AJ, when an electronic document is newly saved in a predetermined folder, the keyword of the electronic document is set in advance. When they match, the print instruction information PJ for the electronic document is automatically generated.

  For the sake of simplicity, in the first (also in the second embodiment), a user who creates or edits a document and a user who wants to execute print processing based on the pending print instruction information PJ Are identical, but in principle it is not necessary for both users to be the same.

  The user operates (starts) the condition setting unit 110 and the condition storage unit 120 by operating the client terminal 30.

  The user first sets an automatic generation condition AJ for determining a document to be printed automatically on demand in the condition setting unit 110 (S110). For example, the time when the electronic document is newly saved (newly created) in the folder “abc” is set as the generation condition of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ (S112). In addition, the user additionally sets in the condition setting unit 110 that the keyword “FX” is included in the document name stored in the folder “abc” as a generation condition of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ (S114). . The condition setting unit 110 stores each set automatic generation condition AJ in the condition storage unit 120 in association with identification information (user ID) that uniquely identifies the user (S118). By setting these automatic generation conditions AJ, in this example, only when a new electronic document is saved in the folder “abc” and the document name includes “FX”, the document for automatic on-demand printing is used. It becomes.

  The condition monitoring unit 130 compares the electronic document with the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the condition storage unit 120 each time an electronic document is created / edited and stored in the storage medium (YES in S120). It is determined whether the document is a target document for automatic on-demand printing (S122). In this example, the condition monitoring unit 130 refers to the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the condition storage unit 120 and monitors a document newly stored in the folder “abc” (S124). The condition monitoring unit 130 determines that a document saved by new / update other than the folder “abc” is not subject to automatic on-demand printing (S124—NO).

  When a new electronic document is saved in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 further checks the file name of the electronic document (S126). If the file name does not include “FX”, the condition monitoring unit 130 determines that it is not subject to automatic on-demand printing (S126—NO), and if included, determines that it is subject to automatic on-demand printing. This is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 (S126-YES, S128).

  For example, when the condition monitoring unit 130 detects that the user has newly saved a document named “FX-File.xdw” in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 automatically stores the document stored in the condition storage unit 120. It is determined that the generation condition AJ is satisfied, and “FX-File.xdw” is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 together with the user ID as an automatic on-demand print target document.

  Upon receiving this notification, the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates print instruction information PJ based on “FX-File.xdw” (S131), and automatically generates print instruction information APJ of the user indicated by the user ID. Then, the data is transmitted to the logical printer dedicated to automatic on-demand printing set in the print server 50 (S132).

  When the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and transmits it to the print server 50, the notification unit 150 displays the information on the display means and voice notification means (speaker, etc.) of the client terminal 30. Is used to notify the user (S136).

  When there is an instruction to create the print instruction information PJ from the user (S140-YES), the print instruction information generation unit 140 generates the normal generation print instruction information UPJ (S142), and the user's normal indicated by the user ID The generated print instruction information UPJ is transmitted to the print server 50 (S144).

  The print server 50 stores the print instruction information PJ (automatically generated print instruction information APJ and normal generation print instruction information UPJ) received from the print instruction information generating unit 140 in a storage state in a storage state (S150). At that time, an identifier for distinguishing each print instruction information PJ is attached, and a user ID and a document name (for example, “FX-File.xdw”) are also recorded.

  The period monitoring invalidation unit 170 monitors whether the storage period of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ stored in the hold state has reached a predetermined period at regular intervals (S166). Then, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ in which the printing process is not executed even after a predetermined period is automatically invalidated (S166-YES, S168).

  The user is given an ID card for using the printing system 1A. The user holds the ID card over the ID card reader in order to operate the on-demand terminal 80 (S170). The on-demand terminal 80 inquires the authentication server 60 based on the information read from the ID card by the ID card reader 240 and identifies the user (S172). When the user ID is not specified or when the user is an unauthorized user, the processing is stopped (S172-NO). When the legitimate user ID is specified (S172-YES), the display control unit 220 displays a list of normally generated print instruction information UPJ created based on the user's voluntary instructions and logic dedicated to automatic on-demand printing. A list of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ transmitted to the printer is inquired of the print server 50 (S174).

  The display control unit 220 displays a list of print instruction information PJ acquired from the print server 50 on the operation screen (S175). At that time, for example, the display control unit 220 displays the normal generation print instruction information UPJ at the top of the list, and displays the list of automatically generated print instruction information APJ at the lower part where the boundary lines are displayed.

  The user selects the desired print process from the displayed print instruction information PJ and instructs the print process (S176). When receiving the instruction input via the reception unit 210, the execution instruction unit 230 transmits a hold release command for the print instruction information PJ selected by the user to the print server 50 (S178).

  For example, the user selects the automatically generated print instruction information APJ of the document name “FX-File.xdw” from the list of each automatically generated print instruction information APJ indicated at the lower part of the boundary line, Issue output instructions. Then, a hold release command for the print instruction information PJ of “FX-File.xdw” selected by the user is transmitted to the print server 50.

  When the print server 50 receives the hold release command for the print instruction information PJ (S180-YES), the print server 50 releases the hold of the print instruction information PJ that has been put on hold, and transmits it to the connected printer 70 (S182). The printer 70 that has received the print instruction information PJ executes print processing (S184).

  According to this procedure, when a user wants to print an electronic document, it matches the automatic generation condition AJ specified in advance (in the previous example, a condition is set for the new save destination and file name). Then, when the electronic document is newly created and saved, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ has been automatically generated. The user can operate the on-demand terminal 80 to obtain a print output simply by releasing the hold state of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. As a result, compared with the case where the present embodiment is not applied, the printing operation procedure is simplified and the time until the print output is obtained is shortened.

  In other words, when a user handling a document creates and saves an arbitrary document file, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ for the document is generated, suspended, and automatically generated according to the automatic generation condition AJ. Is notified, and the printer is ready for printing (on-demand printing is possible). Therefore, the user who receives the notification (if the user who creates the document and the user who wants to execute the printing process is the latter user) can output it by simply holding the ID card over the on-demand terminal 80. It becomes.

  For example, it is effective for a case where a received electronic document is reliably printed in a workflow for handling the electronic document. For example, it is assumed that a document attached to an e-mail is sorted and stored in a folder. If you want to print a document saved in a specific folder, set the automatic generation condition AJ so that the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is generated when the document is newly saved in that folder. Good. When a user wants to print a document, the user can quickly obtain the latest document printout at any time simply by canceling the pending state of the already generated automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  Even if the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is generated and held in the print server 50, since the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is in a hold state, the user associated with the document receives the automatically generated print notification. Whether or not to perform printing based on the print instruction information APJ can be selected. Therefore, useless printing unintended by the user is not performed, and as a result, the optimum number of copies is output.

  On the other hand, from the viewpoint of increasing profits by charging according to the number of print outputs, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically generated, which increases the chances of print output and may increase profits. Be expected. For example, when a user operates the on-demand terminal 80 and print instruction information PJ waiting for output is displayed in a list, not only the normally generated print instruction information UPJ instructed by the user but also the user can print. The automatically generated automatically generated print instruction information APJ which is highly likely to be desired is also listed. As a result, the number of print outputs can be increased, which can increase profits.

<Printing Process: Second Embodiment>
5 to 5A are diagrams for explaining a second embodiment of the automatic on-demand printing process. FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of the printing system 1B according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the printing system 1B of the second embodiment. The processing steps in FIG. 5A are given numbers in the 200s, and the same or similar processes as those in the first embodiment are shown with the numbers in the 10s and 1s in the corresponding first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the system configuration of the second embodiment, among the functional units constituting the print control apparatus 5, the condition setting unit 110, the condition storage unit 120, the condition monitoring unit 130, and the print instruction information generation unit. 140 and the notification unit 150 are provided in the client terminal 30. The remaining hold control unit 100, duplication instruction information invalidation unit 160, and expiration date monitoring invalidation unit 170 of each functional unit constituting the print control apparatus 5 are provided in the print server 50.

  In the automatic on-demand printing process of the second embodiment, as an automatic generation condition AJ, when an electronic document is newly stored in a predetermined specific folder, the electronic document stored there is edited again When stored (updated) there, the print instruction information PJ for these electronic documents is automatically generated. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  First, the user sets an automatic generation condition AJ for determining a document for automatic on-demand printing in the condition setting unit 110 (S210). For example, the time when the electronic document is newly saved (newly created) in the folder “abc” is set as the generation condition of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ (S212). The user also sets the generation condition of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ when the electronic document stored in the folder “abc” is edited and stored in the same folder “abc” (S216). ). The condition setting unit 110 stores each set automatic generation condition AJ in the condition storage unit 120 in association with identification information (user ID) that uniquely identifies the user (S218). According to the setting of these automatic generation conditions AJ, in this example, only when an electronic document is stored in the folder “abc” newly or after being edited, it becomes a document for automatic on-demand printing.

  The condition monitoring unit 130 compares the electronic document with the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the condition storage unit 120 every time an electronic document is created / edited and stored in the storage medium (S220-YES). It is determined whether the document is a target document for automatic on-demand printing (S222). In this example, the condition monitoring unit 130 refers to the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the condition storage unit 120, and monitors a document that is saved in the folder “abc” either newly or after editing (S224). The condition monitoring unit 130 determines that documents other than the folder “abc” that have been saved as new or updated are not subject to automatic on-demand printing (S224—NO).

[Process when saving a new file]
When a new electronic document is stored in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 determines that it is a target for automatic on-demand printing, and notifies the print instruction information generation unit 140 to that effect (S224—YES, S228). . For example, when the condition monitoring unit 130 detects that the user has newly saved a document named “XX-File.xdw” in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 automatically stores the document stored in the condition storage unit 120. It is determined that the generation condition AJ is satisfied, and “XX-File.xdw” is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 together with the user ID as an automatic on-demand print target document.

  Upon receiving this notification, the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates print instruction information PJ based on “XX-File.xdw” (S231), and automatically generates print instruction information APJ of the user indicated by the user ID. Then, the data is transmitted to the logical printer dedicated to automatic on-demand printing set in the print server 50 (S232). At this time, “abc-XX-File.xdw” obtained by concatenating the folder name and the document name is set as the document name of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  When the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and transmits it to the print server 50, the notification unit 150 displays the information on the display means and voice notification means (speaker, etc.) of the client terminal 30. Is used to notify the user (S236).

  The print instruction information generation unit 140 generates normal generation print instruction information UPJ (S242) when there is an instruction to create the print instruction information PJ from the user (S240-YES), and the normal of the user indicated by the user ID is displayed. The generated print instruction information UPJ is transmitted to the print server 50 (S244).

  The print server 50 stores the print instruction information PJ (automatically generated print instruction information APJ and normal generation print instruction information UPJ) received from the print instruction information generating unit 140 in a storage state in a storage state (S250). At that time, for example, an identifier (for example, instruction information ID1) for distinguishing each print instruction information PJ is attached, and for the automatically generated print instruction information APJ, a file name (for example, “abc”) that concatenates the user ID and the document name. -XX-File.xdw ") is recorded as the document name of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

[Process when editing and saving]
When the condition monitoring unit 130 detects that the electronic document stored in the folder “abc” has been edited and is subsequently stored in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 determines that it is a target for automatic on-demand printing, This is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 (S251-YES, S252). For example, when the condition monitoring unit 130 detects that the user has saved a document named “XX-File.xdw” in the folder “abc” in the edited folder “abc”, the document is stored in the condition storage unit 120. It is determined that the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the above is satisfied, and “XX-File.xdw” is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 together with the user ID as an automatic on-demand print target document.

  Upon receiving this notification, the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates print instruction information PJ based on “XX-File.xdw” (S254), and automatically generates print instruction information APJ of the user indicated by the user ID. The data is transmitted to the logical printer dedicated to automatic on-demand printing set in the print server 50 (S256). At this time, for the automatically generated print instruction information APJ, a new file name (for example, “abc-XX-File.xdw”) obtained by concatenating the folder name and the document name is set as the document name of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  When the print instruction information generation unit 140 automatically generates the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and transmits it to the print server 50, the notification unit 150 displays the information on the display means and voice notification means (speaker, etc.) of the client terminal 30. Is used to notify the user (S258).

  The print server 50 stores the print instruction information PJ (automatically generated print instruction information APJ and normal generation print instruction information UPJ) received from the print instruction information generating unit 140 in a storage state in a storage state (S259). At that time, for example, an identifier (for example, instruction information ID2) for distinguishing each print instruction information PJ is attached, and “abc-XX-File.xdw” in which the user ID and the document name are concatenated is automatically generated. Record as APJ document name.

  Here, in the second embodiment, the automatic invalidation unit for the duplicated automatically generated print instruction information APJ is operated. For example, the duplication instruction information invalidating unit 160 monitors whether or not the automatically generated print instruction information APJ has been duplicated for the same electronic document (S262). Then, when the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is newly created by the print instruction information generation unit 140 in a state where there is automatically generated print instruction information APJ for which print processing has not been executed, the old one is replaced with the new one. (The automatically generated print instruction information APJ is updated) (S262-YES, S264).

  For example, when the new automatic generation print instruction information APJ is received by the logical printer dedicated to automatic on-demand printing, the duplicate instruction information invalidating unit 160 automatically stores the user ID and document name of the new automatic generation print instruction information APJ. Compare with generated print instruction information APJ. If the user IDs match and the document name is “abc-XX-File.xdw”, the duplicate instruction information invalidation unit 160 invalidates the saved automatically generated print instruction information APJ. Then, after this invalidation, another new identifier is attached to the newly automatically generated print instruction information APJ and stored in the storage device in a suspended state. A different identifier is attached so that when invalidating the old one, a flag is attached instead of deleting the file, and the old one can be printed by rewriting the flag later. It is. Therefore, the same identifier may be attached in the case of invalidation processing by file deletion.

  Hereinafter, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment. For example, the user holds the ID card over the ID card reader 240 (S270). The on-demand terminal 80 queries the authentication server 60 based on the information read from the ID card by the ID card reader 240 and identifies the user ID (S272). When the regular user ID is specified (S272-YES), the display control unit 220 inquires the print server 50 about the list of normal generation print instruction information UPJ and the list of automatic generation print instruction information APJ (S274).

  The display control unit 220 displays the list of print instruction information PJ acquired from the print server 50 as a list while distinguishing the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and the normal generated print instruction information UPJ (S275). The user selects the desired print process from the displayed print instruction information PJ and instructs the print process (S276). For example, the user selects the automatically generated print instruction information APJ having the document name “aaa-XX-File.xdw” from the list of automatically generated print instruction information APJ, and issues an output instruction from the printer 70. Then, a hold release command for the print instruction information PJ of “aaa-XX-File.xdw” selected by the user is transmitted from the execution instruction unit 230 to the print server 50 (S278). The print server 50 transmits “aaa-XX-File.xdw” to the printer 70 to execute the printing process (S284).

  According to this procedure, when the user wants to print an edited electronic document, it matches the automatic generation condition AJ specified in advance (in the previous example, a new / update storage destination is set). For example, the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically generated when the electronic document is saved after editing. The user can operate the on-demand terminal 80 to release the hold state of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ and obtain a print output for the edited document. As a result, compared with the case where the present embodiment is not applied, the printing operation procedure is simplified and the time until the print output of the edited document is obtained is shortened.

<Print Processing: Third Embodiment>
6 to 6A are diagrams for explaining a third embodiment of the automatic on-demand printing process. FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of the printing system 1C according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the printing system 1C according to the third embodiment. The processing steps in FIG. 6A are numbered in the 300s, and the processes that are the same as or similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the corresponding numbers in the 10s and 1s in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the system configuration may be the same as that of the first embodiment. In FIGS. 6 and 6A, a modification to the first embodiment is shown, but the same applies to the second embodiment.

  In the automatic on-demand printing process of the third embodiment, when the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is generated for an electronic document related to a certain user, any member of the group (affiliation / department) to which the user belongs is automatically generated. It is possible to set whether to generate the print instruction information APJ.

  Here, the condition of the range of members for which the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is automatically created (automatically generated range condition EJ) may be any user who needs the printed material of the document. The automatic generation range condition EJ may be set in advance based on job / age, project, team, individual, etc. Even if the user who created or edited the document does not need the printed matter of the document, the user may be set not to generate the automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

  In addition, when setting the automatic generation range condition EJ, an item that associates the document distributor with the user who needs the printed document (related users) is created, and the document distributor saves it after creating and editing the document. It is possible to adopt a mechanism in which the automatically generated print instruction information APJ for the related user is generated only when As a result, automatically generated print instruction information APJ is not created for a document, even if it is a member related to the document, and a person other than the document distributor saves the document after creating or editing it. It is possible to prevent the automatic generation of the instruction information APJ.

  Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment. First, the group manager sets an automatic generation condition AJ for determining a document to be printed automatically on demand in the condition setting unit 110 (S310). At this time, the storage destination, keywords, and the like may be the same as those in the first embodiment. In addition, in the third embodiment, the group administrator defines the generation range of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ when generating the automatically generated print instruction information APJ for an electronic document related to a user belonging to the group. The automatic generation range condition EJ to be set is also set (S313). For example, a member for generating automatically generated print instruction information APJ is set for each project related to a document. The condition setting unit 110 also stores the set automatic generation range condition EJ in the condition storage unit 120 in association with identification information (user ID) that uniquely identifies the target member and the file name of the document (S319).

  The condition monitoring unit 130 compares the electronic document with the automatic generation condition AJ stored in the condition storage unit 120 every time an electronic document is created / edited and stored in the storage medium (YES in S320). It is determined whether or not the document is a target document for automatic on-demand printing, and if it matches, the print instruction information generation unit 140 is instructed to create the automatically generated print instruction information APJ (S322 to S328). For example, when the condition monitoring unit 130 detects that the user has newly saved a document named “FX-File.xdw” in the folder “abc”, the condition monitoring unit 130 automatically stores the document stored in the condition storage unit 120. It is determined that the generation condition AJ is satisfied, and “FX-File.xdw” is notified to the print instruction information generation unit 140 together with the user ID as an automatic on-demand print target document.

  Upon receiving this notification, the print instruction information generation unit 140 reads the automatically generated range condition EJ corresponding to “FX-File.xdw” from the condition storage unit 120, and is a member of the target range for which the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is to be generated. (Target member) is specified (S330). Then, the print instruction information PJ based on “FX-File.xdw” is automatically generated for all the target category members (S331), and the user's automatically generated print instruction information APJ indicated by each user ID is printed. The data is transmitted to the logical printer dedicated to automatic on-demand printing set in the server 50 (S332). Hereinafter, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment.

  According to this procedure, when a user wants to print an electronic document, the automatic generation condition AJ specified in advance (conditions are set for the new save destination and file name in the previous example) and automatic If the generation range condition EJ (member range is set for each project in the previous example) is met, when an electronic document is newly created and saved, each automatically generated print instruction for the project members related to that document Information APJ has been automatically generated. A member who belongs to a project related to the document can obtain a print output simply by operating the on-demand terminal 80 and releasing the hold state of the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. As a result, compared with the case where the present embodiment is not applied, the printing operation procedure is simplified and the time until the print output is obtained is shortened.

  For example, if a member prints a document created by another member at a high frequency, all project members can be used if the document meets the automatic on-demand printing conditions (in this example, automatic generation condition AJ and automatic generation range condition EJ). Automatically generated print instruction information APJ for the minute. As a result, not only the improvement of the personal printing business process but also the efficiency of the business on a project basis is led. For example, in a project meeting, assume that each member of the project is prompted to participate in the meeting after reading the printed matter. In this case, by setting the project member to the automatic generation range condition EJ, for example, when the meeting representative saves the meeting material document, the automatic generation print instruction information APJ of the meeting material document is generated for each member. Be notified. Each member does not need to instruct the creation of the print instruction information PJ, and can save the trouble of giving the same print instruction as the representative. Based on the notification, print processing and reading are performed before joining the project meeting, and the project meeting proceeds smoothly.

  If applied to the second embodiment, for example, when the same document is edited by a plurality of people, the automatic generation print instruction information APJ is set to be generated for each editing member when the document is updated. It is good to keep. When an editing member wants to print a document, the print output of the latest document can be obtained quickly at any time by canceling the pending state of the already generated automatically generated print instruction information APJ.

<Configuration by electronic computer>
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating another configuration example of the print control device 5 and the output instruction device 8. Here, a more realistic hardware configuration in which the print control device 5 and the output instruction device 8 are constructed from a microprocessor or the like that executes software using an electronic computer such as a personal computer is shown.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the mechanism of the print control device 5 and the image forming device 7 that perform processing related to on-demand printing processing is not limited to being configured by a hardware processing circuit, but based on program code that realizes the function. It is realized by software using an electronic computer (computer). Therefore, a program suitable for realizing the mechanism according to the present embodiment by software using an electronic computer (computer) or a computer-readable storage medium storing this program is extracted as an invention. By adopting a mechanism that is executed by software, the processing procedure and the like can be easily changed without changing hardware.

  A series of on-demand print processing for generating the automatically generated print instruction information APJ is not limited to hardware or software alone, and can be realized by a combined configuration of both. When executing processing by software, a program showing the processing procedure is installed (installed) in a storage medium in a computer embedded in hardware and executed, or a general-purpose electronic computer capable of executing various types of processing is used. Incorporate and execute the program.

  A program for causing a computer to execute an on-demand print processing function for generating automatically generated print instruction information APJ is distributed through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, this program may be stored in the FD instead of the CD-ROM. In addition, an MO drive may be provided to store the program in the MO, or the program may be stored in another recording medium such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card such as a flash memory. Furthermore, the program constituting the software is not limited to being provided via a recording medium, but may be provided via a wired or wireless communication network. For example, the program may be obtained by downloading from another server or the like via a network such as the Internet, or may be updated. Furthermore, the program is provided as a file describing a program code for realizing the function of performing the on-demand printing process for generating the automatically generated print instruction information APJ. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file. The program may be provided as an individual program module according to the hardware configuration of the system configured by the computer.

  For example, the computer system 900 can read and write at any time from a central control unit 910 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor and a ROM (Read Only Memory) that is a read-only storage unit. A storage unit 912 having a random access memory (RAM), an operation unit 914, and other peripheral members not shown.

  The central control unit 910 is similar to the central control unit 910 that forms the center of an electronic computer whose representative example is a CPU in which the functions of computation and control performed by a computer are integrated into an ultra-small integrated circuit. The ROM stores a control program for an on-demand print processing function that generates automatically generated print instruction information APJ. The ROM of the storage unit 612 may have the function. The operation unit 914 is a user interface for accepting an operation by a user.

  The control system of the computer system 900 may be configured such that an external recording medium such as a memory card that is not shown can be inserted and removed, and can be connected to a communication network such as the Internet. For this purpose, the control system includes a memory reading unit 920 that reads information on a portable recording medium and a communication I / F 922 as a communication interface unit with the outside in addition to the central control unit 910 and the storage unit 912. It is good to make it. By providing the memory reading unit 920, a program can be installed or updated from an external recording medium. By providing the communication I / F 922, the program can be installed or updated via the communication network. The basic on-demand print processing mechanism is the same as in the first to third embodiments.

  Here, the print control device 5 and the output instruction device 8 have been described as a configuration example that is realized by software on a computer, but the print control device 5 for realizing the on-demand print processing of the present embodiment Specific means of each part (including functional blocks) of the output instruction device 8 may be hardware, software, communication means, a combination thereof, or other means, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. Moreover, the functional blocks may be combined and integrated into one functional block. Also, software that causes a computer to execute program processing is installed in a distributed manner according to the combination.

1 is a diagram illustrating a basic configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of application of the printing system of this embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print control apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an output instruction | indication apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a logical printer and a physical printer. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the printing system according to the first embodiment. It is a system block diagram of the printing system of 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the printing system according to the second embodiment. It is a system configuration figure of the printing system of a 3rd embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in a printing system according to a third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example when comprising a printing control apparatus and an output instruction | indication apparatus using an electronic computer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing system, 100 ... Hold control part, 106 ... Storage medium, 110 ... Condition setting part, 120 ... Condition storage part, 130 ... Condition monitoring part, 140 ... Print instruction information generation part, 150 ... Notification part, 160 ... Duplication Instruction information invalidation unit, 170 ... deadline monitoring invalidation part, 210 ... reception part, 220 ... display control part, 230 ... execution instruction part, 240 ... ID card reader, 3 ... document creation and editing apparatus, 30 ... client terminal, 5 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Print control apparatus, 50 ... Print server, 60 ... Authentication server, 7 ... Image forming apparatus, 70 ... Printer, 8 ... Output instruction | indication apparatus, 80 ... On-demand terminal, 9 ... Communication network, 910 ... Central control part, 912 ... Storage unit, 914 ... operation unit, 920 ... memory reading unit, 922 ... communication I / F

Claims (13)

A document creation / editing apparatus capable of creating or editing a document, an image forming apparatus for forming an image of the document on an output medium, and the document creation / editing apparatus and the image forming apparatus. A print control device capable of holding a print process; and an output instruction device for instructing the execution of the process based on an instruction from a user who wishes to execute the print process held by the print control device. And
The print control device includes:
A condition setting unit for setting automatic generation conditions for generating print instruction information for executing print processing without an instruction from the user;
A condition storage unit for storing the automatic generation condition created by the condition setting unit;
A condition monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not the document matches an automatic generation condition stored in the condition storage unit;
Print instruction information generation that generates the print instruction information based on an instruction from the user and generates the print instruction information even if there is no instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the condition is met And
If the printing process is not to be suspended, the printing instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the printing process. If the printing process is to be suspended, the output instruction apparatus has a cancellation instruction. The print instruction information is stored in a storage medium and placed in a hold state, and when a release instruction is issued, the print instruction information placed in the hold state is read from the storage medium and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A hold control unit for executing print processing;
Having a printing system. The output instruction device includes:
A receiving unit that receives an instruction from a user who desires to execute a printing process held by the print control apparatus;
A display control unit for controlling the display;
An execution instruction unit for instructing execution of the printing process,
The display control unit, based on the print instruction information that matches the automatic generation condition and the instruction from the user, when the reception unit receives the display of the print processing information held by the print control apparatus. The generated print instruction information is distinguished and displayed.
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the execution instruction unit instructs execution of a print process based on the print instruction information selected by a user who desires to execute a print process from the distinguished display. A condition setting unit for setting automatic generation conditions for generating print instruction information for executing document print processing without an instruction from a user;
A condition storage unit for storing the automatic generation condition created by the condition setting unit;
A condition monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not the document matches an automatic generation condition stored in the condition storage unit;
A print instruction information generating unit that generates the print instruction information based on an instruction from a user and generates the print instruction information even if there is no instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the conditions match When,
A printing control apparatus. When the print instruction information generation unit generates the print instruction information without an instruction from the user, the print instruction information generation unit includes a notification unit that notifies a user who wishes to execute the print processing to the effect of the generation. The printing control apparatus according to claim 3. The print instruction information created when the automatic generation condition for generating the print instruction information for executing the document printing process is met even if there is no instruction from the user, according to the predetermined condition. An invalidation part to be invalidated;
If the printing process is not to be suspended, the printing instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the printing process. If the printing process is to be suspended, the output instruction apparatus has a cancellation instruction. The print instruction information is stored in a storage medium and placed in a hold state, and when a release instruction is issued, the print instruction information placed in the hold state is read from the storage medium and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A hold control unit for executing print processing;
A printing control apparatus. 6. The invalidation unit invalidates unnecessary ones based on a predetermined condition when there are a plurality of pieces of print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user for the same document. The printing control apparatus according to 1. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the invalidation unit replaces the old one with the new one of the plurality of print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user, and deletes the old one. The print control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the invalidation unit invalidates an older one of the plurality of pieces of print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user in a state where it can be restored later. The invalidation unit deletes the print instruction information when the print process for the print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user remains in a suspended state even after a predetermined time limit has been exceeded. The printing control apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the printing control apparatus is invalidated. The invalidation unit, when the print processing for the print instruction information generated without an instruction from the user remains in a suspended state even after a predetermined time limit, The print control apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the print control apparatus is disabled in a state where it can be restored later. A printing control apparatus configured to hold a printing process by interposing between a document creating / editing apparatus capable of creating or editing a document and an image forming apparatus for forming an image of the document on an output medium An accepting unit that accepts an instruction from a user who wishes to execute a printing process suspended by
A display control unit for controlling the display;
An execution instruction unit for instructing execution of the printing process,
The display control unit, based on the print instruction information that matches the automatic generation condition and the instruction from the user, when the reception unit receives the display of the print processing information held by the print control apparatus. The generated print instruction information is distinguished and displayed.
The output instruction device is configured to instruct execution of a print process based on the print instruction information selected by a user who desires to execute a print process from the distinguished display. An automatic generation condition for generating print instruction information for executing document printing processing without an instruction from a user is set, and the set automatic generation condition is stored in a predetermined condition storage unit. A condition setting unit to
A condition monitoring unit for monitoring whether or not the document matches an automatic generation condition stored in the condition storage unit;
A print instruction information generating unit that generates the print instruction information based on an instruction from a user and generates the print instruction information even if there is no instruction from the user when the condition monitoring unit determines that the conditions match When,
Print control program that causes the computer to function. The print instruction information created when the automatic generation condition for generating the print instruction information for executing the document printing process is met even if there is no instruction from the user, according to the predetermined condition. An invalidation part to be invalidated;
If the printing process is not to be suspended, the printing instruction information is immediately transmitted to the image forming apparatus to execute the printing process. If the printing process is to be suspended, the output instruction apparatus has a cancellation instruction. The print instruction information is stored in a storage medium and placed in a hold state, and when a release instruction is issued, the print instruction information placed in the hold state is read from the storage medium and transmitted to the image forming apparatus. A hold control unit for executing print processing;
Print control program that causes the computer to function.

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