JP2011016335A - Printing system and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system and a printer, capable of eliminating labors and times for moving by a user, and capable of carrying out efficiently printing.SOLUTION: This printing system is constituted to connect a computer device for transmitting a job, to the first printer and the second printer for executing the printing based on the job, via a communication network, wherein the computer device transmits a test-printing job for indicating test printing for confirming aimed printing and an aimed printing job for indicating the aimed printing, while correlated each other, to the first printer, and the first printer transmits the received aimed printing job to the second printer, after outputting the test printing, based on the received test-printing job.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system and a printing apparatus, and more particularly, to a printing system and a printing apparatus that perform test printing and production printing using separate apparatuses.

  A plurality of printing apparatuses are connected to a company or the like through a communication network, and printing can be executed by a desired printing apparatus by selecting an output destination by each user's computer apparatus and transmitting a print job. it can.

  Here, the performance of printing devices (print speed, print definition, color / monochrome, etc.) varies, and high-performance printing devices are expensive and expensive to print. A high-performance printing device is used, and test printing (called test printing) is performed on a normal-performance printing device that is inferior in performance. Is used).

  With regard to such a test print, for example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a data output device that calls and prints out data stored in a device connected to a computer network, and receives the data. A printing means for performing printing based on the print data received by the data receiving means; and a data transmission instruction means for outputting a transmission instruction signal for instructing the device to transmit data. A technique in which the device outputs data in response to a signal is disclosed.

JP 2001-51818 A

  When performing the test print, the user creates document data with a computer device, performs print settings using a printer driver, and has a normal performance printing device near the user's seat (hereinafter referred to as a test print printing device). Send a print job to the printer, run a test print, go to the test printing device to check the print result, return to your seat again if you are satisfied with the print result, set the print settings using the printer driver, The print job is transmitted to the printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a production printing apparatus).

  In this way, even if the user is satisfied with the print result of the test print, he / she must return to his / her seat again and perform print settings for the actual print from the printer driver again. And the trouble of resetting the printing conditions in the printer driver occurs.

  In order to solve this problem, in Patent Document 1 described above, a print job transmitted from a computer device is held in a test print printing device, and a user remotely connects the production print printing device to the test print printing device. A method for acquiring a print job is proposed.

  However, in this method, the time during which the user moves from the test print printing apparatus to the production print printing apparatus is a wasteful time for performing the printing operation. In particular, the production print printing apparatus is installed in a remote place. In such a case, it takes time to output the actual print, and the print cannot be executed efficiently.

  In addition, for example, when a printing device for production printing is installed in a remote place, and a user of a department where the printing device for production printing uses the production printing, the production printing is output by telephone or the like. However, in the above method, the user who has instructed printing must go to the printing apparatus for actual printing, and cannot perform printing efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a printing system and a printing apparatus that can efficiently perform printing while saving the trouble of movement of the user. It is in.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network. The computer device associates a test print job for instructing a test print for confirming the actual print and a production print job for instructing the actual print, and transmits them to the first printing device. The first printing apparatus outputs a test print based on the received test print job, and then transmits the received actual print job to the second printing apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network. Adds the instruction information for instructing the test print for confirming the production print to the production print job for instructing the production print, and transmits the instruction information to the first printing apparatus. After outputting a test print based on the received instruction information, the instruction information is deleted from the received actual print job and transmitted to the second printing apparatus.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network. Stores a print job for instructing a real print and transmits a test print job for instructing a test print for confirming the real print to the first printing apparatus. After outputting a test print based on the received test print job, the production print job is acquired from the computer device and transferred to the second printing device.

  According to the printing system and the printing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently perform printing while saving the user's trouble of movement.

  The reason for this is that the computer device sends a test print job in association with the production print job to the test print printer, and the test print printer executes the test print based on the test print job. This is because control is performed to transmit only the production print job to the production printing apparatus.

  In addition, the production print job with the test print instruction information added is transmitted from the computer device to the test print printing apparatus, and the test print printing apparatus executes the test print based on the test print instruction information, and then performs the production print job. This is because control is performed to transmit the actual print job from which the test print instruction information has been deleted to the printing apparatus.

  Also, a test print job is transmitted from the computer device to the test print printing device, and the test print printing device executes the test print based on the test print job, and then obtains the actual print job from the computer device. This is because control is performed to transfer the actual print job acquired to the actual print printing apparatus.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a configuration and processing of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the computer apparatus which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus for test printing which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, and the function of a control part. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus for production printing which concerns on 1st Example of this invention, and the function of a control part. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of the printing apparatus for test printing which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer apparatus (printer driver) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the printing apparatus for test prints concerning 1st Example of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (job registration) of the production printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation (print execution) of the production printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the printing system which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention, and the outline | summary of a process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer device (printer driver) according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the printing apparatus for test prints concerning the 2nd Example of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement (print execution) of the printing apparatus for production printing which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the printing system which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention, and the outline | summary of a process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer device (printer driver) according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the printing apparatus for test prints concerning the 3rd Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the printing system which concerns on the 4th Example of this invention, and the outline | summary of a process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer device (printer driver) according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows operation | movement of the printing apparatus for test prints concerning the 4th Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, when the performance of a printing device connected to a communication network differs, a method of performing a test print with a test print printing device and confirming the print result, and then performing a real print with the production print printing device Has been done.

  However, in this case, the user must set the printing conditions by operating the computer device, go to the test printing printer to check the test print, and return to the computer device again to set the printing conditions. In other words, it takes time to move between the computer device and the printing device for test printing and to reset the printing conditions, and printing cannot be executed efficiently.

  Further, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a method of holding a print job in a test print printing apparatus and operating the production print printing apparatus to take out the print job from the test print printing apparatus. Printing cannot be executed until the printer moves from the test print printing device to the production print printing device, and even if another user uses the production print, the user himself / herself does not perform the production. It is necessary to go to a printing apparatus for printing, and printing cannot be executed efficiently.

  Therefore, in one embodiment of the present invention, a function of transmitting a production print job to a test print printing apparatus to a production print printing apparatus in order to reduce the number of times a user moves between apparatuses. To have.

  Specifically, after the computer device transmits the print job for production and the test print job in association with the test print printer, the test print printer executes the test print based on the test print job. Send only the production print job to the production printing device, or send the production print job with the test print instruction information from the computer device to the test printing printing device. After performing a test print based on the print instruction information, a print job for which the test print instruction information has been deleted is sent to the production print printer, or a test print is sent from the computer to the test print printer. Submit a job for test printing After running the test print based on the job for test printing in the printing apparatus acquires the production print job from the computer device, performs control to transfer the production print job acquired in the production printing for the printing apparatus.

  Thus, the user can output the production print from the production printing device only by moving once from the computer device to the test printing printing device, and can efficiently execute printing.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, a printing system and a printing apparatus according to a first example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration and schematic processing of a printing system according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer device, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of a printing device for test printing. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the production printing apparatus and the function of the control unit. FIG. 5 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the test print printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 6 to 9 are flowcharts illustrating a printing procedure using the printing system according to the present embodiment. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a computer apparatus 10 that transmits a print job and instructs printing, a test print printing apparatus 20 that performs a test print based on the print job, and a print job. The printing apparatus 30 for production printing that performs production printing based on this, and these include LAN (Local Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface) They are connected by a communication network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network). Hereinafter, each device will be described in detail.

[Computer device]
As shown in FIG. 2, the computer device 10 includes a control unit 11, a display unit 12, an operation unit 13, and the like.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a, a memory 11b such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 11c, a communication I / F unit 11d, and the like. Are connected via a bus. The CPU 11a controls each part. The memory 11b is a part that temporarily stores various data read from the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d, and the stored data is processed by the CPU 11a, and the HDD 11c and the communication I / F unit 11d as necessary. Forwarded to The HDD 11c stores a program for the CPU 11a to control each unit, information on the processing function of the own device, and the like are read by the CPU 11a as needed and executed on the memory 11b. The communication I / F unit 11d establishes a connection with a device connected via a communication network, and executes data transmission / reception.

  Further, the control unit 11 has a function as an application for creating a document and a printer driver for instructing printing of the document. Document data created by the application is printed by a printer driver using PCL (Printer Control Language) or It is converted into a page description language (PDL) print job (production print job and test print job) such as PS (Post Script), and the test print printer 20 via the communication I / F unit 11d. Sent to.

  The display unit 12 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, and the like, and displays various screens. The operation unit 13 includes buttons and switches, and performs various settings and instructions.

[Printer for test printing]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the test print printing apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, a display unit 22, an operation unit 23, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 24, an image reading unit 25, and a paper feed. A unit 26, a printing unit 27, a post-processing unit 28, and the like.

  The control unit 21 includes a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and controls the entire operation of the test print printing apparatus 20. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 21 interprets the print job described in PDL and generates image data in bitmap format, determines the received job, and performs the test print A job processing function for outputting a test print based on a job, a job for transmitting a reserved job, which will be described later, to the printing apparatus for actual printing 30 and a job for transmitting the printing job for actual printing to the printing apparatus for actual printing 30 according to a user instruction It has a transmission function.

  The display unit 22 includes a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, and the like, and displays a print setting screen described later. The operation unit 23 includes buttons, switches, and the like, and performs print settings, a transmission instruction for a production print job, and the like. The display unit 22 and the operation unit 23 may be separate devices, or may be an integrated device provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch panel) 23 in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit 22. Good.

  The ADF 24 is a part that automatically conveys one or more documents to the image reading unit 25.

  The image reading unit 25 is a part that optically reads an image of a document placed on a platen. A light source that scans the document and a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) that converts light reflected from the document into an electrical signal. And an image sensor such as A / D converter for A / D converting an electric signal.

  The paper feed unit 26 includes a paper tray for storing various sizes of paper. In addition, it includes a part that sends out the stored paper to the printing unit 27.

  The printing unit 27 includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method, and reads from image data generated based on a test print job or the image reading unit 25. Based on the image data, an image is formed on the designated sheet and sent to the post-processing unit 28.

  The post-processing unit 28 outputs the sheet conveyed from the printing unit 27 after finishing processing desired by the user, such as punching, stapling, and bookbinding, according to an instruction from the control unit 21.

  In FIG. 3, the configuration of the apparatus having the scanner function, the print function, and the post-processing function is described. However, the test print printing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment performs a test based on a print job (test print job). Since it is sufficient that the print can be printed, the ADF 24, the image reading unit 25, the post-processing unit 28, and the like can be omitted.

[Printer for production printing]
As shown in FIG. 4A, the production printing apparatus 30 includes a control unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, an ADF 34, an image reading unit 35, a paper feeding unit 36, and a printing unit. 37, a post-processing unit 38, and the like.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and controls the operation of the production printing apparatus 30 as a whole. Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit 21 secures the printing order based on the reserved job, an image processing function that translates the print job described in PDL and generates bitmap format image data. And a job processing function for outputting a production print based on a production print job.

  The functions of the ADF 34, the image reading unit 35, the paper feeding unit 36, the printing unit 37, and the post-processing unit 38 are the same as those of the test print printing apparatus 20, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 4, the configuration of the apparatus having the scanner function, the print function, and the post-processing function is described. However, the production print printing apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment performs the actual production based on the print job (production print job). Since it is sufficient if the print can be printed, the ADF 34, the image reading unit 35, the post-processing unit 38, and the like can be omitted.

  The test print printing device 20 and the production print printing device 30 may be different devices, and the performance of these devices may be the same or different.

  The operation of the printing system having the above configuration will be described below.

[Operation of Printer Driver of Computer Device 10: See FIG. 6]
When a user creates document data to be printed using an application and instructs printing on the screen of the application, the control unit 11 (printer driver) causes the display unit 12 to display a print setting screen. The user performs setting operations for actual printing on this print setting screen (setting of printing conditions such as the number of copies, paper, magnification, single-sided / double-sided, color / monochrome, post-processing, and selection of the printing device 30 for actual printing) (S101), and a printing device for test printing is selected (S102).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates test print settings based on the actual print settings set on the print setting screen (S103). The test print setting is a setting that allows the print status of the actual print to be confirmed. For example, when the print setting is set for the real print and the number of print copies is plural, the test print setting is set to 1 for the number of print copies. Part. When a large number of pages are printed by the actual print, only the pages selected from the pages are printed by the test print. In addition, when printing on special paper (paper other than plain paper or paper other than general-purpose size) in actual printing, the test print is printed on plain paper of general-purpose size. In addition, when post-processing such as staple or punch is specified in the actual print settings, the post-processing is not specified in the test print settings, or staples and punch holes are not Print an image so that you can check the staple and punch positions.

  Next, the user sets a reservation job (S104). This reserved job is a dummy job that is transmitted in advance to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing in order to ensure the printing order, and there are two types of reserved jobs: a normal reserved job and a time designation reserved job.

  The normal reserved job is to secure only the printing order. The normal reserved job becomes a dummy job when the actual print job is transferred from the test print printer 20, and printing is executed when the printing order comes. If the printing order comes before the actual print job is transferred, the next job is executed by skipping the dummy job.

  The time designation reservation job is a reservation job in which a printing time is set in advance. A dummy job designating the printing time is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30 for production printing, and if the production printing job arrives by the designated time, the dummy job becomes time designation, and printing is executed at an interruption at the designated time. The If the actual print job does not arrive by the designated time, it is changed to a normal reserved job.

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) performs a production print job describing the setting for production printing set in step S101 and a test printing job describing the setting for test printing created in step S103. The actual print job, the test print job, and the reserved job are associated with each other by an ID or the like and transmitted to the test print printing apparatus 20 (S105). Thereafter, the user moves to the test print printing apparatus 20.

[Operation of Test Printing Printer 20: See FIG. 7]
The control unit 21 of the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the job (S201), and determines whether the job includes a test print job (S202). If the test print job is not included, normal print processing is executed (S203), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a test print job is included, the setting of the reserved job associated with the test print job is confirmed. If it is a normal reservation, a dummy job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing to specify the time. If it is a reservation, the designation of time is added to the dummy job and transmitted (S204).

  Next, after outputting a test print based on the test print job (S205), the control unit 21 displays a message for prompting input of the print result of the test print on the display unit 22 (S206), and performs the actual print. Is confirmed with the user (S207).

  When the actual printing is not performed, the control unit 21 requests the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing to cancel the reserved job (S208), and ends a series of processing. On the other hand, when performing actual printing, the control unit 21 confirms with the user whether to change the setting of the job for actual printing (S209). When the setting is changed, a print setting screen 40 as shown in FIG. The print setting screen 40 includes columns for setting basic settings (print density, single-sided / double-sided, paper size, magnification), finish settings (punch / staple / bookbinding), and the like. The setting is changed from the screen 40 (S210).

  Next, the control unit 21 analyzes the production print job to identify the production print printing device 30, and the production print job 30 is notified to the production print job (when the setting change is instructed in S210). , The actual print job whose settings are changed in accordance with the instruction) is transmitted (S211). Thereafter, if necessary, the user moves to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing and waits for output of the actual printing.

[Operation of Printing Device 30 for Real Print (Job Registration): See FIG. 8]
First, when receiving a job (S301), the control unit 31 of the production printing apparatus 30 determines whether the job is a reserved job (dummy) (that is, whether the received job ID is registered in the job list). Is determined (S302).

  When the ID of the received job does not match that registered in the job list (that is, in the case of a reserved job), the control unit 31 registers the reserved job in the job list (S303). On the other hand, when the ID of the received job matches the ID of the reserved job registered in the job list (that is, in the case of a production print job), the control unit 31 and the received actual job are received. The print job is rewritten (S304).

  Next, the control unit 31 determines whether or not the print time is specified for the job (S305). If the print time is specified, a message that the print operation is started by interruption when the specified time comes is displayed. The information is displayed on the display unit 32 and is made known to the user (S306).

[Operation of the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing (print execution: see FIG. 9)
The control unit 31 of the production printing apparatus 30 determines whether the job to be processed is a reserved job (dummy) (S401), and if it is a reserved job (dummy), checks the next job (S402). .

  If it is not a reserved job (dummy), the control unit 31 determines whether a printing time is specified (S403), and if a printing time is specified, determines whether the current time is the specified time. If it is not the designated time (S404), the next job is checked (S402), and the same processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, if the print time is not specified (No in S403), or if the current time is the specified time (Yes in S404), the production print is output based on the production print job (S405). .

  As described above, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the test print job, the production print job, and the reservation job from the computer apparatus 10 and transmits the reservation job to the production print printing apparatus 30 and also the test print job. The test print is output on the basis of the control, and in accordance with the instruction from the user, the control for transmitting the production print job to the production print printing apparatus 30 is performed. Therefore, the user can print the production print without going back and forth between the apparatuses. Can be output.

  Next, a printing system and a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and schematic processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts illustrating a printing procedure using the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, the reservation job is transmitted and the print order is secured, and then the actual print job is transmitted. However, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to send a production print job after the test print is output and confirmed by the test print printer 20. The operation of the printing system in that case will be described.

[Operation of Printer Driver of Computer Device 10: See FIG. 11]
As in the first embodiment, when the user creates document data to be printed using an application and instructs printing on the screen of the application, the control unit 11 (printer driver) displays the display unit 12. Display the print setting screen. The user performs a setting operation for actual printing on this print setting screen (S501), and selects a test print printing apparatus (S502).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates test print settings based on the actual print settings set on the print setting screen (S503), and performs the real print job and the test print job. Are transmitted to the test print printing apparatus 20 (S504). Thereafter, the user moves to the test print printing apparatus 20.

[Operation of Test Printing Printer 20: See FIG. 12]
The control unit 21 of the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the job (S601), and determines whether the job includes the test print job (S602). If the test print job is not included, normal printing processing is executed (S603), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a test print job is included, a test print is output based on the test print job (S604), and then a message prompting input of the print result of the test print is displayed on the display unit 22 (S605). ) Confirms with the user whether to perform the actual print (S606).

  When the actual print is not performed, the series of processes is terminated, and when the actual print is performed, the control unit 21 confirms with the user whether to change the setting of the job for the actual print (S607). When the setting is changed, a print setting screen 40 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 22, and the user changes the setting from the print setting screen 40 (S608).

  Next, the control unit 21 transmits the production print job (the production print job whose setting has been changed in accordance with the instruction when the setting change is instructed in S607) to the production printing apparatus 30 (S609). . Thereafter, if necessary, the user moves to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing and waits for output of the actual printing.

[Operation of the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing (print execution: see FIG. 13)
The control unit 31 of the production printing apparatus 30 receives the production print job (S701), and outputs the production print based on the production print job (S702).

  As described above, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the test print job and the production print job from the computer apparatus 10, outputs the test print based on the test print job, and performs the production according to the instruction from the user. Since the control for transmitting the print job to the production print printer 30 is performed, the user can output the production print without going back and forth between the apparatuses.

  Next, a printing system and a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and schematic processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 15 and 16 are flowcharts illustrating a printing procedure using the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives a test print job and a production print job from the computer apparatus 10 and transmits the production print job to the production print printing apparatus 30. However, it is not necessary to configure the test print job and the production print job as separate jobs. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives a production print job to which instruction information for instructing a test print is added from the computer apparatus 10, and performs a test print based on the instruction information. After that, the instruction information can be deleted from the production print job and transmitted to the production printing apparatus 30.

  The operation of the printing system in that case will be described. The operation of the production printing apparatus 30 is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[Operation of Printer Driver of Computer Device 10: See FIG. 15]
As in the first embodiment, when the user creates document data to be printed using an application and instructs printing on the screen of the application, the control unit 11 (printer driver) displays the display unit 12. Display the print setting screen. The user performs a setting operation for actual printing on this print setting screen (S801), and selects a test print printing apparatus (S802).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates test print settings based on the actual print settings set on the print setting screen (S803).

  Next, the user sets a reservation job (S804).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates a production print job that describes the production print settings set in step S801, and sets the test print settings created in step S803 to the production print job. Is added, and the production print job to which the test print instruction information is added is associated with the reserved job and transmitted to the test print printing apparatus 20 (S805). Thereafter, the user moves to the test print printing apparatus 20.

[Operation of Test Printing Printer: See FIG. 16]
The control unit 21 of the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the job (S901), and determines whether or not the test print instruction information is included in the job (S902). If test print instruction information is not included, normal printing processing is executed (S903), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if test print instruction information is included, the reservation job setting is confirmed. If it is a normal reservation, a dummy job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing. The time designation is added and transmitted (S904).

  Next, after outputting a test print based on the test print job (S905), the control unit 21 displays a message for prompting the input of the print result of the test print on the display unit 22 (S906), and performs the actual print. Is confirmed with the user (S907).

  When the actual printing is not performed, the control unit 21 requests the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing to cancel the reserved job (S908), and the series of processes is ended. On the other hand, when performing actual printing, the control unit 21 confirms with the user whether to change the setting of the job for actual printing (S909). In the case of changing the setting, a print setting screen 40 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 22, and the user changes the setting from the print setting screen 40 (S910).

  Next, the control unit 21 deletes the test print instruction information from the production print job, and the production print job (when the setting change is instructed in S910, the production print job whose setting is changed in accordance with the instruction) ) Is transmitted to the production printing apparatus 30 (S911). Thereafter, if necessary, the user moves to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing and waits for output of the actual printing.

  As described above, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the production print job and the reservation job to which the test print instruction information is added from the computer apparatus 10 and transmits the reservation job to the production print printing apparatus 30. The user performs control to output a test print based on the test print instruction information, and to transmit the production print job from which the test print instruction information has been deleted to the production print printer 30 according to the instruction from the user. Can output a production print without going back and forth between apparatuses.

  In this embodiment, the reservation job is not essential, and the reservation job can be omitted as in the second embodiment.

  Next, a printing system and printing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 17 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and schematic processing of the printing system according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 18 and 19 are flowcharts illustrating a printing procedure using the printing system according to the present embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the configuration is such that the production print job is transmitted from the computer 10 to the test print printer 20 before the test print. However, after the test print, the test print printer 20 is used. Can also acquire a production print job from the computer apparatus 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives a test print job from the computer apparatus 10 and executes the test print, and then accesses the computer apparatus 10 to acquire a production print job. It is also possible to adopt a configuration for transferring to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing.

  The operation of the printing system in that case will be described. The operation of the production printing apparatus 30 is the same as that in the first and third embodiments, and the description thereof is omitted.

[Operation of Printer Driver of Computer Device 10: See FIG. 18]
When the user creates document data to be printed using an application and instructs printing on the screen of the application, the control unit 11 (printer driver) causes the display unit 12 to display a print setting screen. The user performs a setting operation for actual printing on this print setting screen (S1001), and selects a test print printing apparatus (S1002).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates test print settings based on the actual print settings set on the print setting screen (S1003).

  Next, the user sets a reservation job (S1004).

  Next, the control unit 11 (printer driver) creates a production print job in which the production print settings set in step S1001 are described and stores them in the memory 11b and the HDD 11c, and for the test print created in step S1003. The test print job in which the setting of the print print is described is created, and the test print job to which the storage location information of the production print job is added is associated with the reserved job and transmitted to the test print printer 20 (S105). Thereafter, the user moves to the test print printing apparatus 20.

[Operation of Test Printing Printer 20: See FIG. 19]
The control unit 21 of the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the job (S1101), and determines whether the job includes a test print job (or test print instruction information) (S1102). If a test print job (or test print instruction information) is not included, normal print processing is executed (S1103), and the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if a test print job (or test print instruction information) is included, the setting of the reserved job is confirmed, and if it is a normal reservation, a dummy job is transmitted to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing, and the time is specified. If it is a reservation, a time specification is added to the dummy job and transmitted (S1104).

  Next, the control unit 21 outputs a test print based on the test print job (or test print instruction information) (S1105), and then displays a message prompting the display unit 22 to input the print result of the test print. (S1106) The user is confirmed whether to perform the actual print (S1107).

  When the actual printing is not performed, the control unit 21 requests the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing to cancel the reserved job (S1108), and the series of processes is terminated. On the other hand, when performing actual printing, the control unit 21 confirms with the user whether to change the setting of the job for actual printing (S1109). When the setting is changed, a print setting screen 40 as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the display unit 22, and the user changes the setting from the print setting screen 40 (S1110).

  Next, the control unit 21 accesses the computer device 10, refers to the storage location information added to the test print job, and acquires the actual print job from the memory 11b or the HDD 11c (S1111).

  Next, when the user changes the setting of the production print in step S1110, the control unit 21 changes the setting of the acquired production print job and uses the obtained production print job or the changed production print job. The job is transferred to the production printing apparatus 30 (S1112). Thereafter, if necessary, the user moves to the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing and waits for output of the actual printing.

  As described above, the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the test print job and the reservation job from the computer apparatus 10, transmits the reservation job to the production print printing apparatus 30, and also performs the test print based on the test print job. , And in accordance with an instruction from the user, a control for acquiring a production print job from the computer apparatus 10 and transferring it to the production print printing apparatus 30 is performed, so that the user does not go back and forth between the apparatuses. Prints can be output.

  In this embodiment, the reservation job is not essential, and the reservation job can be omitted as in the second embodiment.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the description of each of the above embodiments, and the configuration and control method can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration is such that the selection of the printing apparatus 30 for actual printing is performed by the computer apparatus 10, but it can also be performed by the printing apparatus 20 for test printing. In this case, when the test print printing apparatus 20 receives the test print job, the test print printing apparatus 20 displays a screen for selecting the production print printing apparatus 30 on the display unit 22. A production print job may be transmitted.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the reservation job is set by the computer device 10, but it can also be performed by the test print printer 20. In this case, when receiving the test print job, the test print printing apparatus 20 may display the reserved job setting screen on the display unit 22 and transmit the reserved job to the actual print printing apparatus 30 according to the setting.
In the first, third, and fourth embodiments, the test print is output after the reserved job is transmitted. However, the transmission timing of the reserved job can be changed. For example, the reservation can be made during or after the test print is output. A job may be sent.

  The present invention is applicable to a printing apparatus that performs a test print and a printing system including the printing apparatus.

10 Computer Device 11 Control Unit 11a CPU
11b Memory 11c HDD
11d Communication I / F part 12 Display part 13 Operation part 20 Test printing printer 21 Control part 21a CPU
21b Memory 21c HDD
21d Communication I / F part 22 Display part 23 Operation part 24 ADF
25 Image Reading Unit 26 Paper Feeding Unit 27 Printing Unit 28 Post-Processing Unit 30 Production Printing Printer 31 Control Unit 31a CPU
31b Memory 31c HDD
31d Communication I / F unit 32 Display unit 33 Operation unit 34 ADF
35 Image Reading Unit 36 Paper Feeding Unit 37 Printing Unit 38 Post-Processing Unit 40 Print Setting Screen

Claims (8)

In a printing device that performs printing based on a job,
After receiving a test print job for instructing a test print for confirming a real print and a real print job for instructing the real print, and outputting the test print based on the test print job, the real print A printing apparatus characterized by transmitting a job for printing to another printing apparatus. In a printing device that performs printing based on a job,
After receiving the production print job instructing the production print to which the instruction information for instructing the test print for confirming the production print is received, and outputting the test print based on the instruction information, the production print A printing apparatus, wherein the instruction information is deleted from a job and transmitted to another printing apparatus.   After the test print is output, the printing apparatus displays a screen for inputting a print result of the test print on the display unit, and when OK is input to the print result, the production print job is transferred to the print device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus transmits to another printing apparatus. In a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network,
The computer device associates a test print job for instructing a test print for confirming a real print and a real print job for instructing the real print, and transmits the job to the first printing device,
The first printing apparatus outputs a test print based on the received test print job, and then transmits the received actual print job to the second printing apparatus. . In a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network,
The computer device adds instruction information for instructing a test print for confirming the production print to the production print job for instructing the production print, and transmits the instruction information to the first printing device,
The first printing apparatus outputs a test print based on the received instruction information, and then deletes the instruction information from the received production print job and transmits the print information to the second printing apparatus. Characteristic printing system. In a printing system in which a computer device that transmits a job, and a first printing device and a second printing device that execute printing based on the job are connected via a communication network,
The computer device stores a production print job instructing production printing, and transmits a test printing job instructing test printing for confirmation of the production printing to the first printing device,
The first printing device outputs a test print based on the received test print job, obtains the production print job from the computer device, and transfers the print job to the second printing device. Characteristic printing system. The computer device further transmits a reservation job for securing a printing order to the first printing device,
The first printing device transmits the reserved job to the second printing device before outputting the test print,
The second printing apparatus secures a printing order upon receipt of the reserved job, and then rewrites the reserved job with the production print job upon receipt of the production print job. Item 7. The printing system according to any one of Items 4 to 6.   After the test print is output, the first printing apparatus displays a screen for inputting a print result of the test print on the display unit, and when OK is input to the print result, the first print device The printing system according to claim 4, wherein the job is transmitted to the second printing apparatus.

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