JP2011062929A - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save time and load for a repeated registeration of paper attribute information once stored. <P>SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus includes: a storing part 11 for storing a first paper attribute information defining the attribute of a paper to a tray for storing the paper and a second paper attribute information defining the attribute of the paper to the tray for storing the paper and effective only for a specified period; a paper attribute setting part 10B for selecting the paper attribute information indicated by a user among the first and second paper attribute information; and a printing job monitoring part 10C for performing a control for forming an image according to the selected paper attribute information. When the number of usage of the second paper attribute information reaches a specified number, the paper attribute setting part 10B performs such a control as to store the second paper attribute information in the storing part 11 as the first paper attribute information, and to erase the second paper attribute information from the storing part 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an information processing apparatus that selects a tray having a sheet that conforms to the designation as much as possible based on the attribute of the sheet designated by a user (see Patent Document 1).

The information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 stores the attributes of each sheet corresponding to a plurality of trays in which different sheets are prepared. In this information processing apparatus, when the user sets, for example, a tray, a paper name, a paper size, a paper type, and the like as paper attributes, each item of the paper attributes is prepared in the tray based on a predetermined priority order. The paper is checked against the attribute of the selected paper, and the paper of the tray having the matching attribute is selected. Further, when the attributes do not match, a tray paper having a large number of matching attributes is selected based on the priority order. Therefore, the paper according to the designation of the paper designated by the user is selected as much as possible.

JP 11-48580 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and program that can save the trouble of registering temporarily stored paper attribute information many times.

  The information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention defines the first sheet attribute information that defines the attribute of the sheet for the tray that stores the sheet and the attribute of the sheet for the tray that stores the sheet. Storage means for storing second paper attribute information valid for a predetermined period, and selection for selecting paper attribute information instructed by the user from the first and second paper attribute information stored in the storage means Means, image forming control means for performing control to form an image according to the paper attribute information selected by the selecting means, and the number of times the second paper attribute information is used by the image forming control means reaches a predetermined number of times. Storage control means for controlling the second paper attribute information to be stored in the storage means as the first paper attribute information and to delete the second paper attribute information from the storage means. Eteiru.

  An information processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the storage control means is a second sheet that has passed the predetermined period of the second sheet attribute information. Control to delete the attribute information from the storage means is performed.

  An information processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the number of times used by the image formation control means reaches the predetermined number of times. Display means for displaying attribute information is further provided.

  An information processing program according to a fourth aspect of the invention is for causing a computer to function as each unit of the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to the first and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to save the trouble of registering the temporarily stored paper attribute information many times.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the capacity of the storage means can be ensured.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to visually check the paper attribute information temporarily stored when the number of times of use exceeds the predetermined number.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of information processing apparatus. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of stock information and temporary stock information. It is a figure which shows the structure of management information. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing routine of the image forming system. It is the schematic which shows an administrator authentication window. It is a figure which shows a tray selection window and a paper attribute setting window. It is a figure which shows a paper attribute window when a paper attribute selection menu is selected. It is a flowchart which shows the temporary stock input routine. It is a figure which shows a temporary stock window. It is a figure which shows a property window. It is a figure which shows the window to the effect of having registered temporary stock information as stock information already promoted.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 2 that executes printing on paper, and an information processing apparatus 1 that is connected to the image forming apparatus 2 via the network 3 and controls the image forming apparatus 2. .

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an arithmetic device 1A that processes information for forming an image, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and the like. And a display unit 1B configured to display an image.

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a plurality of trays 20 </ b> A to 20 </ b> D that supply different sheets into the apparatus, and performs printing by using a printing mechanism in the apparatus to output a printed matter 200. The information processing apparatus 1 may be configured to be built in the image forming apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 configured by a CPU and the like to control each unit and executing various programs, a storage unit 11 configured by a storage device such as an HDD and a flash memory, and a network 3. And a communication unit 12 that communicates with the outside. In addition, the information processing apparatus 1 is connected to the display unit 1B, and displays various windows on the display unit 1B.

  The control unit 10 executes the paper attribute setting program stored in the storage unit 11 to thereby execute an administrator authentication unit 10A, a paper attribute setting unit 10B, a print job monitoring unit 10C, and a temporary paper attribute deletion unit 10D. And the display control unit 10E is operated.

  The administrator authentication unit 10A authenticates whether the user of the information processing apparatus 1 is an administrator or a non-administrator (guest). The paper attribute setting unit 10B sets a user-instructed tray from various stock information or temporary stock information stored in the storage unit 11 to the designated tray, or a user instruction According to the above, new stock information or temporary stock information is additionally created and stored in the storage unit 11.

  Here, the stock information is associated with each of the trays 20A to 20D of the image forming control 2 and attribute information (for example, paper size, paper color, basis weight, coating type, etc.) of the paper stored in the corresponding tray. ). The stock information is stored in the storage unit 11 unless deleted by the administrator. Also, only the administrator can set stock information in the tray, or can newly create new stock information.

  The temporary stock information is configured in the same manner as the stock information. However, the period in which the temporary stock information is stored in the storage unit 11 is limited, and is automatically deleted when the valid period (history management period) elapses. Even a guest who is not an administrator can set temporary stock information in the tray, or can create new temporary stock information.

  On the other hand, the print job monitoring unit 10 </ b> C illustrated in FIG. 2 monitors the progress of the print job processed in the image forming apparatus 2. The temporary paper attribute deleting unit 10D deletes the temporary stock information when the temporary stock information whose valid period has expired exists. The display control unit 10E performs control to display an image on the display unit 1B according to the operation of each unit.

  The storage unit 11 manages a sheet attribute setting program that causes the control unit 10 to operate as each unit described above, stock information and temporary stock information, and temporary stock information respectively associated with the sheets stored in the trays 20A to 20D. Management information.

  The communication unit 12 communicates with the image forming apparatus 2 and also communicates with other information processing apparatuses (not shown) to receive a print job.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of stock information and temporary stock information stored in the storage unit 11. The stock information and the temporary stock information include a “tray” that identifies one of the trays 20A to 20D, and a “paper attribute name” that is an attribute name of the paper that is supposed to be stored in each tray. And “paper attribute” indicating a specific attribute of the paper set for each attribute name. In this embodiment, “paper attribute” is, for example, paper size (A4, A3, B5, etc.), paper color (off-white, white, etc.), basis weight (70, 75, 90, 95, 135 [g / m ^2]. ]) And coating types (coat, matte coat, etc.), but are not limited thereto.

  For example, for tray A, stock information whose paper attribute names are “Stock A1”, “Stock A2”, and “Stock A3” are associated with temporary stock information whose paper attribute name is “Temp-01”. It has been.

  The stock information Stock A1, Stock A2, and Stock A3 are set only by the administrator of the image forming system 100 and are always stored. Of the three pieces of stock information, only one piece of stock information Stock A1 is set in the tray A, and the other stock information Stock A2 and Stock A3 are stored as candidates that can be set in the tray A.

  Temporary stock information Temp-01 is temporarily stored information that can be set even by a user other than the administrator. Only one temporary stock information is set for one tray and can be edited by the user. A plurality of stock information may be prepared for one tray. Temporary stock information is managed by management information.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of management information. The management information indicates “number of times until upgrade”, “number of times used up to now”, “validity period from registration”, and “period until now” for each temporary stock information.

  “Number of times until upgrade” refers to the number of times the temporary stock information is used at the time of printing, which is necessary for the temporary stock information to be upgraded and registered as stock information. “The number of times of use up to now” means the number of times that the temporary stock information has been used at the time of printing, and is updated (incremented) every time it is used at the time of printing. “Effective period from registration” refers to a usable period from the time when the temporary stock information is registered by the user until it is deleted. “Period to present” refers to the period from the time of registration to the present. Note that “the number of times of use up to now” is incremented each time the temporary stock information is used during job execution. Further, the “period until now” is automatically updated as time passes.

  For example, the temporary stock information Temp-01 has been registered for one month, and the remaining five months (six months since registration) are stored. Further, since the temporary stock information Temp-01 is already used twice at the time of printing, if it is used three times in the remaining five months, it is stored as stock information.

  In the image forming system configured as described above, when a user instructs printing processing of a desired document, an external personal computer that has received the instruction transmits a print job of the document to the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 sets stock information (temporary stock information) for each of the trays 20A to 20D of the image forming apparatus 2 or corrects stock information (temporary stock information) that has already been set. When the information processing apparatus 1 receives a print job from an external personal computer, the information processing apparatus 1 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 2. Then, the image forming apparatus 2 processes the print job and discharges the printed matter 200 from a predetermined tray.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing routine of the image forming system. When the user operates an operation unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 1 to request setting of stock information or temporary stock information, the process proceeds to step S1.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the administrator authentication window 30. In step S1, the administrator authentication unit 10A displays an administrator authentication window 30 on the display unit 1B in order to perform user authentication processing. The administrator authentication window 30 is the first screen displayed on the display unit 1 </ b> B when setting paper attributes for the image forming apparatus 2 via the information processing apparatus 1.

The administrator authentication window 30 includes a password input frame 30D for inputting a password used for authentication of the administrator, an OK button 30A for requesting the start of authentication with the contents input in the password input frame 30D, and a cancel button for canceling the authentication. 30B.

  The administrator authenticating unit 10A authenticates that the user is an administrator when the correct password is input to the password input frame 30D by the user and the OK button 30A is selected. If the user is authenticated as an administrator, the process proceeds to step S2.

  FIG. 7 is a view showing a tray selection window 31 and a paper attribute setting window 32. In step S2, the paper attribute setting unit 10B displays the tray selection window 31 on the display unit 1B. The tray selection window 31 is displayed after the administrator or guest is authenticated, and includes tray selection buttons 31A to 31D for selecting a tray for setting the paper attribute.

  When any one of the tray selection buttons 31A to 31D is selected, the paper attribute setting unit 10B, as shown in FIG. 7, stores the stock information (paper attribute) of the tray selected corresponding to the tray selection button. ) Is displayed on the display unit 1B. Then, the process proceeds to step S3.

The paper attribute setting window 32 shown in FIG. 7 displays stock information (A4, off-white, 75 g / m ² , coat) set for the tray A, and new stock information (paper) for the selected tray A. A new paper attribute setting button 32A for requesting the setting of (attribute), and a paper attribute selection menu 32B for selecting a paper attribute registered in advance for the selected tray.

  In step S3, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether there is a display request for other stock information (other paper attributes). Specifically, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines that there is a request to display another paper attribute when the paper attribute selection menu 32B is selected to select another paper attribute that has already been set by the user. If the paper attribute selection menu 32B is not selected, it is determined that there is no other paper attribute display request, and the process proceeds to step S6.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the paper attribute window 32 when the paper attribute selection menu 32B is selected. In step S4, the sheet attribute setting unit 10B displays other sheet attributes (stock information) 32a to 32c that can be set for the tray A, as shown in FIG. When any one of the other paper attributes 32a to 32c is selected, the process proceeds to step S5.

  In step S5, the paper attribute setting unit 10B sets the paper attribute selected from the paper attribute candidates 32a to 32c as the paper attribute (stock information) of the tray A. Then, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S <b> 6, the paper attribute setting unit 10 </ b> B determines whether there is a request for setting new stock information that is not stored in the storage unit 11. Specifically, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether the new paper attribute setting button 32A of the paper attribute setting window 32 is selected. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S7. If the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S12. move on.

  In step S7, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether the user authenticated in step S1 is an administrator. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S10. If the determination is negative (if the user is a guest). Proceed to step S8.

  In step S8, the paper attribute setting unit 10B executes the following temporary dock input routine to allow the guest to input details of the temporary dock information.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a temporary stock input routine. In this routine, the following steps S21 to S25 are executed.

  In step S21, the paper attribute setting unit 10B displays a temporary stock window 33 shown in FIG. 10 in order to display the current status for guests who are not managers.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the temporary stock window 33. The temporary stock window 33 displays a temporary paper attribute of the tray. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the paper attribute indicating a paper attribute item for setting “Temp-01” for the tray A. Item menus 33 </ b> A to 33 </ b> D and a property button 33 </ b> E for setting the upgrade of the temporary stock information.

  When the paper attribute item menus 33A to 33D are selected, each pull-down menu appears, and detailed paper attributes can be selected from the pull-down menu. Then, after a detailed paper attribute is selected from each pull-down menu, the process proceeds to step S22.

  In step S22, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether or not to perform the setting for upgrading the displayed temporary stock information, specifically, whether or not the property button 33E has been selected. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S23. If the determination is negative, this routine is terminated.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the property window 40. In step S23, the paper attribute setting unit 10B displays a property window 40 for upgrading and setting the temporary stock information. Note that the setting shown in FIG. 11 is set individually for each temporary stock information, but may be set once for all temporary stock information.

  The property window 40 includes an upgrade number input box 41, a valid period setting menu 42, a help button 43, an OK button 44, and a cancel button 45. If the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines that the number of times has been input to the upgrade number input box 41 by the user, the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, when the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines that the effective period (history management period) is input to the effective period setting menu 42 by the user, the process proceeds to step S25.

  In step S25, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether the setting input has been completed, specifically, whether the OK button 44 has been selected. If the determination is affirmative, this routine ends, and if the determination is negative. Returns to step S23. Therefore, steps S23 to S25 are repeatedly executed until the number of upgrades and the history management period are input for all temporary stock information to be upgraded. When this routine ends, the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG.

  In step S9, the paper attribute setting unit 10B stores the items set in the temporary stock input routine of FIG. 9 in the storage unit 11 as temporary stock information, and proceeds to step S12. If the items set in the temporary stock input routine have already been stored in the storage unit 11 as stock information, the paper attribute setting unit 10B has already been registered as already-upgraded stock information, for example, as shown in FIG. You may display the window to the effect.

  On the other hand, in step S10, the paper attribute setting unit 10B displays a stock window (not shown) having the same contents as the temporary stock window 33 shown in FIG. 10, and proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the paper attribute setting unit 10B additionally saves the paper attribute input to the stock window in the storage unit 11 as new stock information. Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, the print job monitoring unit 10C monitors the progress of the print job in the image forming apparatus 2 until the print job is executed. When the print job is executed, the process proceeds to step S13. At this time, if the temporary job information is used in the execution of the print job, the print job monitoring unit 10C updates the management information shown in FIG. 4 so as to increment the “number of times used so far” of the temporary job information. To do.

  In step S13, the paper attribute setting unit 10B refers to the management information shown in FIG. 4 and determines whether there is temporary stock information in which the “number of times used up to now” has reached the “number of times until upgrade”. If the corresponding temporary stock information exists, the paper attribute setting unit 10B displays the temporary stock information on the display unit 1B shown in FIG. 1, promotes it as stock information, and stores it in the storage unit 11. Then, the temporary store information is deleted.

  Further, the paper attribute setting unit 10B determines whether there is temporary stock information whose valid period has expired. If there is temporary stock information whose valid period has expired, the temporary attribute information is deleted from the storage unit 11. This routine is terminated.

[Other embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, not only the guest but also the administrator may set the temporary stock information.

  In addition, the administrator authentication unit 10A, the paper attribute setting unit 10B, the print job monitoring unit 10C, the temporary paper attribute deletion unit 10D, and the display control unit 10E used in the above embodiment are a CD-ROM or the like. May be read from the storage medium into the storage unit 11 in the apparatus, or may be downloaded to the storage unit 11 in the apparatus from a server device connected to a network such as the Internet. Moreover, you may implement | achieve part or all of each part of the control part 10 of the said embodiment with hardware, such as ASIC.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 1B Display part 2 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 11 Storage part 12 Communication part

Claims (4)

First sheet attribute information that defines the attribute of the sheet for the tray that stores the sheet, and second sheet attribute information that is valid for a predetermined period of time and defines the attribute of the sheet for the tray that stores the sheet. Storage means for storing;
Selecting means for selecting paper attribute information instructed by the user from the first and second paper attribute information stored in the storage means;
Image formation control means for performing control to form an image according to the paper attribute information selected by the selection means;
When the number of times the second sheet attribute information is used by the image formation control unit reaches a predetermined number, the second sheet attribute information is stored in the storage unit as the first sheet attribute information, and Storage control means for performing control to erase the second sheet attribute information from the storage means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit performs control to delete, from the storage unit, second sheet attribute information that has passed the predetermined period of time among the second sheet attribute information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display second sheet attribute information that has been used by the image formation control unit the predetermined number of times.   An information processing program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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