JP2011158946A - Pull print system, data processor, data processing program, and printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pull print system for preventing a print job incompatible with the print function of a printer from being executed. <P>SOLUTION: In the pull print system, a printer is provided with: an input means for enabling a user to input a pull print request; and a print means for executing a print job received from a data processor, and for printing an image on a recorded medium. The data processor is provided with: a determination means for determining whether the print setting of the print job stored in a predetermined job storage means matches the print function of the printer to which the pull print request has been input under such conditions that the pull print request has been input to any printer; and a control means for transmitting the print job to the printer, that is, the control means for, when the result of the determination means is negative, not transmitting the print job or transmitting the print job by correcting the print setting of the print job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pull printing system, a data processing apparatus, a data processing program, and a printing apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing system that includes a print client terminal, a print server, and a pull print printing apparatus, and when a user requests pull printing with the pull print printing apparatus, the pull print printing apparatus acquires a print job from the print server and prints it. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In this printing system, when a print request is sent from the print client terminal to the print server, a print request is transmitted without specifying the print destination print device, and the print server generates a print job from the print request and the print document. Store in the print queue. When the user requests pull printing through the UI operation of the pull print printing apparatus, the pull print printing apparatus acquires a print job from the print server and prints it.

JP 2005-202723 A

When a print request is made, the user generally makes various print settings for the print job within a range consistent with the print function of the printing apparatus.
However, since a conventional printing system does not designate a pull-print printing apparatus as a printing destination when a print request is made, the print setting of the print job and the printing function of the pull-print printing apparatus may be different depending on the pull-print printing apparatus as the printing destination. Inconsistencies can occur.
That is, the conventional printing system is based on the premise that the print settings of the print job generated by the print server and the print function of the pull print printing apparatus are consistent, and the print setting of the print job and the print function of the pull print printing apparatus. The case where is not consistent with was not considered.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and a pull print system, data processing apparatus, and data for reducing the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the printing function of the printing apparatus It is an object to provide a processing program and a printing apparatus.

  A first invention is a pull printing system comprising a data processing device and one or more printing devices connected to the data processing device in a communicable manner, wherein the printing device inputs a pull printing request by a user. Input means for printing, and printing means for executing a print job received from the data processing apparatus and printing an image on a recording medium. The data processing apparatus performs pull printing with any of the printing apparatuses. Whether the print settings of the print job stored in the predetermined job storage means match the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input, on condition that the request is input And a control unit for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus, and whether or not to transmit the print job when the determination unit determines that they do not match It is a control means for transmitting to modify the print settings of the print job.

  If a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus is executed, an error may occur during execution, and the time until that time may be wasted. For example, if the printing device is set to duplex printing but the printer that has entered the pull print request can only perform single-sided printing, an error will occur during execution, and the user will input the pull print request. There is a risk that the time from the start to the error will be wasted.

  According to the present invention, when the print setting of the print job and the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input do not match, the print job is not transmitted or the print setting of the print job is corrected and transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus. As a result, waste of time due to an error occurring during the execution of the print job can be reduced.

  A second invention is the pull printing system according to the first invention, wherein the printing apparatus receives a pull print request from the input means and selects from the print jobs stored in the job storage means. Selecting means for allowing a user to select a print job to be executed, wherein the determining means determines whether or not a print setting of the print job selected by the selecting means is consistent with a printing function of the printing apparatus; The control unit corrects the print setting of the selected print job so as to be consistent with the printing function of the printing apparatus and transmits the result when it is determined that the determination unit does not match.

  According to the present invention, when the print settings of the print job selected by the user and the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input do not match, the print settings of the print job are corrected and executed. It is possible to reduce the execution of a print job that does not match the printing function of the printing apparatus.

A third invention is the pull print system according to the second invention, wherein the control means sets the print setting of the selected print job to the pull print request when the judgment means judges that they do not match. Is generated, and includes alignment information transmission means for transmitting the generated alignment information to the printing apparatus, and the printing apparatus includes: A matching information receiving unit that receives matching information from the data processing device; and a correction information input unit that allows the user to input correction information for correcting the print settings of the print job based on the matching information received by the matching information receiving unit; Correction information transmission means for transmitting the correction information input by the correction information input means to the data processing device, and the control means includes the pull print Having a job correction means for correcting the print settings for the selected print job based on the modified information received from the printing apparatus determined is input.
According to the present invention, when the print setting of a print job whose print setting does not match the print function of the printing apparatus is corrected, the user can correct the print setting.

  A fourth invention is the pull printing system according to the first invention, wherein the determination means receives each print job stored in the job storage means when a pull print request is input to any of the printing apparatuses. Whether the print settings of the print job and the print function of the printing apparatus match, and the printing apparatus executes a print job to be executed from among the print jobs determined to be matched by the determination unit. Selecting means for selecting, and the control means transmits the print job selected by the selecting means.

  According to the present invention, the user can select only a print job whose print setting matches the print function of the printing apparatus, and as a result, a print job whose print setting does not match the print function of the printing apparatus is not executed. As a result, it is possible to reduce the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus.

  A fifth invention is the pull printing system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the determination means includes any one of acquisition means for acquiring function information indicating a printing function of the printing apparatus from the outside. When the pull print request is input to the printing apparatus, the function information of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input is acquired by the acquisition unit, and the print setting of the print job stored in the job storage unit is acquired. And a function information judging means for judging whether or not the printing function of the printing apparatus is matched based on the function information.

  According to the present invention, since function information indicating the printing function of the printing apparatus is acquired from the outside, the administrator of the data processing apparatus does not have to store the function information indicating the printing function of each printing apparatus in the data processing apparatus in advance. Also good. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the trouble for the administrator to store the function information of each printing apparatus in the data processing apparatus.

  A sixth invention is the pull print system according to any one of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the print job is a file of a format independent of any of the printing apparatuses, and the control means Conversion means for converting the job into a print job in a format interpretable by the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input.

  According to the present invention, the interpretable print job format does not have to be unified among the printing apparatuses, and therefore the pull print system can be configured by a plurality of printing apparatuses having different interpretable print job formats. . Therefore, the pull print system can be configured more flexibly.

A seventh invention is the pull print system of the sixth invention, wherein the data processing device includes a driver storage means for storing a printer driver, and a printer driver of the printing device to which a pull print request is input. A driver presence / absence judging means for judging whether or not the data is stored in the driver storage means; and a negative determination by the driver presence / absence judging means, a printer driver of the printing device is downloaded from a predetermined device and the driver storage Download means to be stored in the means, and the conversion means converts the print job using a printer driver stored in the driver storage means.
According to the present invention, even a printing apparatus that does not store a printer driver in the driver storage means can be converted into a print job in a format that can be interpreted by the printing apparatus.

  The eighth invention is the pull print system according to the seventh invention, wherein the data processing device is configured such that the printer driver used for conversion by the conversion means is downloaded by the download means. A driver deletion unit that deletes the printer driver from the driver storage unit after being used for conversion by the conversion unit;

According to the present invention, for example, a printer driver of a printing apparatus that is not frequently pulled-printed is downloaded each time so as not to be stored in the driver storage unit, and after conversion is deleted from the driver storage unit, The storage area can be saved.
On the other hand, by storing the printer driver of the printing apparatus that is frequently pulled printed in the driver storage unit, the time required for downloading the printer driver can be eliminated, and the printing result can be obtained in a shorter time.

  A ninth invention is the pull print system according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the data processing device is configured to delete the transmitted print job when the control means transmits the print job. A print job deletion unit that determines whether the print job has been set and deletes the print job from the job storage unit.

Since the print job stored in the data processing apparatus is not always printed once, it may be inconvenient for the user to delete the print job immediately after sending the print job. is there.
According to the present invention, when it is set not to delete the transmitted print job, the print job is not deleted from the job storage unit, so that convenience for the user is improved.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is a data processing apparatus communicably connected to one or more printing apparatuses having an input means for a user to input a pull print request, wherein the pull print request is made by any one of the printing apparatuses. Is determined as to whether or not the print settings of the print job stored in the predetermined job storage unit match the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input. A determination unit and a control unit for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus; if the determination unit determines that they do not match, do not transmit the print job or modify the print settings of the print job And a control means for transmitting.
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus.

An eleventh invention is a data processing program comprising: a data processing apparatus that is communicably connected to one or more printing apparatuses having input means for a user to input a pull print request; Whether the print setting of the print job stored in the predetermined job storage unit matches the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input, on condition that the pull print request is input by the apparatus A determination unit that determines whether or not and a control unit that transmits the print job to the printing apparatus, and if the determination unit determines that they do not match, does not transmit the print job or prints the print job It is made to function as a control means for correcting and transmitting the setting.
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is a printing apparatus that is communicably connected to a data processing apparatus, wherein an input means for a user to input a pull print request and a print job received from the data processing apparatus are executed. Printing means for printing an image on a recording medium, and matching for correcting the print settings of a print job stored in a predetermined job storage means from the data processing device so as to match the printing function of the printing device Alignment information receiving means for receiving information, correction information input means for allowing a user to input correction information for correcting print settings of a print job based on the alignment information received by the alignment information receiving means, and the correction information input Correction information transmitting means for transmitting the correction information input by the means to the data processing device.
According to the present invention, when the print setting of a print job whose print setting does not match the print function of the printing apparatus is corrected, the user can correct the print setting.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the execution of a print job whose print settings do not match the print function of the printing apparatus.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pull print system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The block diagram which shows the program structure of a pull print system. The sequence chart which shows the flow of an intermediate file storage process. The sequence chart which shows the flow of an intermediate file storage process. The schematic diagram of a job information table. The sequence chart which shows the flow of a pull print process. The sequence chart which shows the flow of a pull print process. The sequence chart which shows the flow of a pull print process. The sequence chart which shows the flow of an intermediate file management process. The sequence chart which shows the flow of an intermediate file management process. A schematic diagram of a job management screen. 10 is a sequence chart showing a flow of pull print processing according to the second embodiment. 10 is a sequence chart showing a flow of pull print processing according to the second embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) Configuration of Pull Print System FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a pull print system 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. When a pull print request is input from any printer 20, the pull print system 1 is a system that transmits a print job stored in the server 10 to the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input and prints it. .

The pull print system 1 includes a server 10 (an example of a data processing apparatus) and one or more printers 20 (an example of a printing apparatus). The one or more printers 20 may be the same model or different models. The PC 30 is a device for storing a print job in the server 10. The server 10, the printer 20, and the PC 30 are communicably connected by a communication network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide area network).
In addition to the printer 20 connected to the LAN and the printing function of which is known to the user in advance, the printing function installed at an external base (such as a store providing a pull print service) is not known in advance. Things are also targeted.

(1-1) Server Electrical Configuration The server 10 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a storage unit 14, and a network interface 15.
The CPU 11 (an example of a determination unit, a control unit, a function information determination unit, a job correction unit, a conversion unit, a driver presence / absence determination unit, a driver deletion unit, and a print job deletion unit) has various types stored in the ROM 12 and the storage unit 14. Each part of the server 10 is controlled by executing the program. The ROM 12 stores various programs and data to be executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 13 is used as a main storage device for the CPU 11 to execute various processes.

The storage unit 14 (an example of a job storage unit and a driver storage unit) is an external storage device that stores various programs and data using a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a flash memory.
The network interface 15 (an example of a matching information transmission unit, an acquisition unit, and a download unit) is connected to an external device such as the printer 20 via the communication network 2.

(1-2) Printer Electrical Configuration The printer 20 includes a control unit 21, a printing unit 22, an operation unit 23, a network interface 24, and the like.
The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The CPU controls each unit of the printer 20 by executing a printer control program stored in the ROM. The ROM stores various programs and data to be executed by the CPU, and also stores function information indicating a printing function provided in the printer 20. The RAM is used as a main storage device for the CPU to execute various controls.

The printing unit 22 (an example of a printing unit) executes a print job and prints an image on a recording medium such as paper by a laser method, an LED method, an ink jet method, or the like.
The operation unit 23 (an example of an input unit, a selection unit, and a correction information input unit) includes various buttons for a user to operate the printer 20 and a display device such as a liquid crystal display.
The network interface 24 (an example of a matching information receiving unit and a correction information transmitting unit) is connected to an external device such as the server 10 via the communication network 2.

(1-3) PC Electrical Configuration The PC 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a storage unit 34, a display unit 35, an operation unit 36, and a network interface 37. The electrical configuration of the PC 30 is substantially the same as that of the server 10 except that the display unit 35 and the operation unit 36 are provided.

(2) Program Configuration of Pull Print System FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a program configuration of the pull print system 1. Here, function information 48 stored in the ROM of the printer 20 is also shown.
First, the program configuration installed in the PC 30 will be described.
The application program 41 (hereinafter referred to as “application”) is a program that requests the printer driver to print a print target page via the OS, and is specifically a word processor or spreadsheet software.
The printer driver 42 for pull printing (hereinafter referred to as “printer driver”) is a program for generating an intermediate file (an example of a print job) that does not depend on the printer 20.

The back end program 43 (hereinafter referred to as “back end”) is a program for transmitting an intermediate file generated by the printer driver 42 to the server 10.
The job management program 44 is a program for managing print jobs stored in the server 10.

Next, the program configuration installed in the server 10 will be described.
The pull print daemon program 45 (an example of a data processing program, hereinafter referred to as “pull print daemon”) is a resident program, and is a program that controls the entire pull print.

  The printer driver 46 for the printer 20 is a program created for each model of the printer 20, and print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 20 of the model corresponding to the printer driver 46 (an example of a print job). ) Is a program for converting. However, the server 10 does not always store the printer driver 46 for all models, and the printer driver 46 may not be stored in the server 10 depending on the model.

Next, the program configuration of the printer 20 will be described.
The printer control program 47 is a program for executing a print job received from the server 10.
The function information 48 is information indicating a printing function provided in the printer 20 as described above. An example of the function information 48 is shown below. However, only some printing functions are shown here for easy understanding.
"Recording medium size" = only A5, A4, B5, and B4 "single-sided / double-sided printing" = only single-sided is possible "color / monochrome" = only monochrome is possible. 48 also varies depending on the model. Note that “the size of the recording medium” changes according to the size of the recording medium set in the printer 20, so this value can be changed even in the same model.

(3) Pull Print System Processing The pull print system 1 includes an intermediate file storage process (FIGS. 3 and 4) executed by the PC 30 and the server 10, and an intermediate file management process (FIG. 3) executed by the PC 30 and the server 10. 9 and FIG. 10) and pull print processing (FIGS. 6 to 8) executed by the server 10 and the printer 20 is executed.

(3-1) Intermediate File Storage Process The intermediate file storage process is a process for causing the server 10 to store an intermediate file (an example of a print job) that is a target of pull printing.

3 and 4 are sequence charts showing the flow of the intermediate file storage process. This process is started when the user selects printing from a menu displayed on the display unit 35 by the CPU 31 that executes the application 41. At this time, the user does not need to decide a printer to print.
In the following description, the application 41 simply refers to the CPU 31 that is executing the application 41. The same applies to other programs.

  In S <b> 101, the application 41 displays a printer selection window (not shown) for selecting the printer 20 on the display unit 35. When the server 10 stores an intermediate file to be subjected to pull printing, the user does not directly select the specific printer 20 but selects a virtual printer for pull printing registered in advance. To do.

  In S102, the application 41 calls the printer driver of the printer selected in the printer selection window. When the above-described virtual printer is selected, the printer driver 42 for pull printing is called.

In S103, the printer driver 42 displays a print setting window (not shown) and allows the user to make print settings.
Here, the print settings are the size of the recording medium, single-sided / double-sided printing, color / monochrome, single-sided multi-page printing (single-sided two-page printing, etc.), vertical / horizontal of the recording medium, number of copies, resolution, image quality, enlarge A combination of setting values of various print setting items such as / reduction ratio, deletion setting, and the like. “Perform print setting” means setting a setting value of each print setting item. At this point, since the printer to be printed has not been determined, the printer driver 42 can set the setting values of the print setting items corresponding to the print function for almost all print functions known as functions provided in the printer.
Of the print setting items, the deletion setting is an item for setting whether or not to delete the intermediate file from the server 10 after transmission of the intermediate file, which will be described later. “Delete all printed intermediate files”, “Printed intermediate file” Setting values of “leave all files” and “leave only the modified intermediate file (see S218 in FIG. 7)” can be set.

In S104, the printer driver 42 ends the print setting. Specifically, when the user presses the [OK] button in the print setting window, the print setting window is closed and control returns to the application 41.
In S105, the application 41 generates page data based on the print target page.

In S106, the application 41 outputs the generated page data and job information described below to the printer driver 42 via a print spooler (not shown).
The job information includes the print instruction date and time, the user information (user name, user ID, etc.) of the user who instructed printing, the address (IP address, domain name, etc.) of the PC 30 instructed to print, the application name instructed to print, and the print The target page name. The application 41 acquires such information from the print target page or the OS. The information included in the job information can be selected as appropriate. For example, the user can input the name of the print job in the above-described print setting window, and the name can be included in the job information.

  In S107, the printer driver 42 uses an intermediate file (print job) in a format independent of a specific printer based on the page data output from the print spooler and the print settings set in the print setting window displayed by the printer driver 42. Example). This intermediate file includes the page data and print settings described above.

In S <b> 108, the printer driver 42 outputs the job information output from the print spooler and the intermediate file generated in S <b> 107 to the back end 43.
In S 109, the back end 43 transmits the job information output from the printer driver 42 to the pull print daemon 45.

In S110, the pull print daemon 45 registers the job information received from the back end 43 in the job information table.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a job information table. One record in the job information table corresponds to one job information. In addition to the job information received from the back end 43, information generated by the pull-pull print daemon 45 is also registered in the job information table. In the illustrated example, the identification information for uniquely identifying the job information, the status, and the file writing path are information generated by the pull-pull print daemon 45. The file writing path is information indicating a directory in which the intermediate file is written (a directory in the storage unit 14 of the server 10) and a file name given to the intermediate file. At this point, the file write path is blank.

In S111, the pull print daemon 45 generates a file write path according to a predetermined rule.
In S112, the pull print daemon 45 registers the generated file write path in the “file write path” field of the record registered in S110.

In S <b> 113, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the generated file write path to the back end 43.
In S114, the back end 43 writes the intermediate file output from the printer driver 42 in S108 to the directory (directory in the storage unit 14 of the server 10) indicated by the file writing path with the file name indicated by the file writing path. . Thereby, the job information and the intermediate file are associated with each other.

(3-2) Pull Print Processing After causing the PC 30 and the server 10 to execute the intermediate file storage processing, the user moves to the position of the printer 20 without carrying the PC 30. For example, the printer 20 is installed in an external base such as a store that provides a pull print service, and the printer 20 may not have a printing function that is assumed by the user. When the user operates the operation unit 23 and inputs a pull print request in any of such printers 20, the intermediate file stored in the server 10 is transmitted to the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input. The pull print process to be executed is started.

6, 7 and 8 are sequence charts showing the flow of pull print processing.
In step S <b> 201, the printer control program 47 (the printer control program 47 executed by the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input) causes the user who has input the pull print request to input user information and the address of the server 10. The reason for inputting the address of the server 10 is that the printer 20 does not necessarily know the address of the server 10.

In S202, the printer control program 47 is stored in the user information input by the user and the ROM of the printer 20 in the pull print daemon 45 executed in the server 10 specified by the address input by the user. The function information 48 is transmitted.
In S203, the pull print daemon 45 searches the job information table for job information having user information that matches the user information received in S202.

  In S204, the pull print daemon 45 generates a list of searched job information. In this embodiment, a job information tree described below is generated as a list of job information.

  The job information tree is information obtained by classifying job information into a tree structure based on print settings included in an intermediate file corresponding to the job information. For example, the job information tree has a configuration in which job information is classified according to a setting value of “monochrome / color” of print settings included in an intermediate file corresponding to the job information. Specifically, for example, “JOB1” of job information is classified below “monochrome”, and “JOB2” and “JOB3” are classified below “color”. By generating the job information tree, the user can easily select the target intermediate file.

In step S <b> 205, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the generated job information tree to the printer control program 47.
In S206, the printer control program 47 displays the received job information tree on the display device of the operation unit 23, and allows the user to select one or more job information. That is, the user selects an intermediate file to be executed.
In step S <b> 207, the printer control program 47 transmits job selection information indicating job information selected by the user to the pull print daemon 45.

In S208, the pull print daemon 45 selects one of the job information indicated by the received job selection information. If the execution of S208 is the second or later, job information that has not yet been selected is selected.
In S209, the pull print daemon 45 acquires a file write path corresponding to the job information selected in S208 from the job information table, and reads the print setting from the intermediate file specified by the acquired file write path.

  In S210, the pull print daemon 45 compares the read print setting with the function information 48 received from the printer control program 47 in S202, and whether the print setting of the intermediate file matches the print function of the printer 20 or not. Judge whether or not.

Specifically, for example, in the example of the function information 48 described above, if the setting value of the print setting read from the intermediate file is “A4, duplex, color”, the function information 48 of the above example indicates Since the printing function corresponds to A4, the setting value for the “recording medium size” matches the printing function of the printer 20, but the printing function indicated by the function information 48 in the above-described example is double-sided, In addition, since it does not support color, “single-sided / double-sided printing” and “color / monochrome” are not matched.
If even one set value does not match, the pull print daemon 45 determines that it does not match and proceeds to S211. If all the set values match, the pull print daemon 45 determines that they match and proceeds to S219.

In step S <b> 211, the pull print daemon 45 generates matching information for correcting the print setting of the intermediate file so as to match the printing function of the printer 20.
Specifically, for example, in the above-described example of “A4, double-sided, color”, the pull print daemon 45 generates information “Double-sided printing is not possible. Color printing is not possible” as matching information. That is, in the present embodiment, the matching information is information indicating a setting value that does not match the print function of the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input, among the setting values included in the print setting.

In S 212, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the generated matching information to the printer control program 47.
In step S <b> 213, the printer control program 47 displays the received matching information on the operation unit 23.

In S <b> 214, the printer control program 47 executes any one of “correction” executed by correcting the print settings, “cancel” for stopping execution of the print job, and “print” executed without correcting the print settings. Let the user select
The printer control program 47 proceeds to S215 when “modify” is selected, and proceeds to S216 when “print” or “cancel” is selected.

In S215, the printer control program 47 causes the user to input correction information.
Specifically, for example, if the matching information “Double-sided printing is not possible. Color printing is not possible” is displayed on the operation unit 23 in S213, the user sets the print settings to match the print function of the printer 20. In addition, “single side” is designated as the setting value of “single side / double side”, and “monochrome” is designated as the setting value of “color / monochrome”. As a result, correction information “single / double-sided = single-sided, color / monochrome = monochrome” is input.

  The above-described example is merely an example. For example, when A3 is set in the print setting and the printing function of the printer 20 does not support A3, the image represented by the page data is reduced to the A4 recording medium. It may be modified to print, or the image represented by the page data may be modified to be printed on two A4 recording media. Further, for example, when single-sided multiple page printing is not supported, the plurality of pages may be corrected to be printed on a single recording medium. Further, when the printer 20 does not support double-sided printing, the double-sided printing may be performed by correcting the intermediate file so that even-numbered pages and odd-numbered pages are printed separately. Specifically, the printer 20 first prints even-numbered pages, then displays the printed recording medium to be reversed and placed on the paper feed tray, and then displays the printed recording medium on the back side of the printed recording medium. Print an odd number of pages.

In step S216, the printer control program 47 transmits the correction information input by the user in step S215 to the pull print daemon 45 if “correction” is selected in step S214, and transmits a print instruction if “print” is selected. If “cancel” is selected, a cancel instruction is transmitted.
In S217, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether correction information, a print instruction, or a cancel instruction has been received from the printer control program 47. If correction information is received, the process proceeds to S218. If a print instruction is received, the pull print daemon 45 proceeds to S219. Proceed to On the other hand, if a stop instruction is received, the process ends.

In step S <b> 218, the pull print daemon 45 corrects the print setting of the intermediate file corresponding to the job information selected in step S <b> 208 according to the correction information received from the printer control program 47.
In S219, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not the printer driver 46 for the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input is stored in the storage unit 14. If not stored, the process proceeds to S220 and is stored. If yes, the process proceeds to S221.

In S <b> 220, the pull print daemon 45 downloads and installs the printer driver 46 for the printer 20 from a predetermined download server (an example of a predetermined device), and stores it in the storage unit 14.
In step S <b> 221, the pull print daemon 45 reads the printer driver 46 for the printer 20 from the storage unit 14 and executes the read printer driver 46, thereby printing data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 20 (printing). To an example of a job.

In S 222, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the converted print data to the printer control program 47.
In S223, the printer control program 47 executes the received print data, prints the image represented by the page data included in the print data on the recording medium, and ends the process.
In S224, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not the deletion setting of the print setting of the transmitted intermediate file is set to delete the intermediate file after transmission. If the setting is set to delete, the pull print daemon 45 determines in S225. If NO in step S226, the flow advances to step S226.

In S225, the pull print daemon 45 deletes the job information selected in S208 from the job information table and deletes the intermediate file corresponding to the job information from the storage unit 14.
In S226, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not selection of all job information selected by the user has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S227. If not completed, the process returns to S208. repeat.

In S227, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not the printer driver 46 used for converting the intermediate file in S221 has been downloaded in S220. If it has been downloaded, the process proceeds to S228, and the downloaded one is downloaded. If not, the process ends.
In S228, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not to delete the downloaded printer driver 46 from the storage unit 14 according to the setting file created in advance in the printer 20. If deletion is set, the process proceeds to S229. If not deleted is set, the process ends. Note that the determination in S228 may be made according to the content set in the process in S103. Specifically, a setting item for determining whether or not to delete the printer driver 46 is provided in the print setting window, and the user is allowed to select it. The selection result may be transmitted to the pull print daemon 45 as part of the job information in S108 and S109.
In S229, the pull print daemon 45 deletes the downloaded printer driver 46 from the storage unit 14 and ends the process.

(3-3) Intermediate File Management Process When the pull print process is not performed after the execution of the intermediate file storage process or when the job is set to remain in S224, the intermediate file is accumulated in the server 10. Therefore, in this process, a job management program 44 for managing the accumulated intermediate files is prepared. The following is a description of the intermediate file management process performed by the job management program 44.

9 and 10 are sequence charts showing the flow of the intermediate file management process. This process is started when the user instructs execution of the job management program 44 on the PC 30.
In S301, the job management program 44 requests the pull print daemon 45 to transmit all job information.

In S <b> 302, the pull print daemon 45 acquires all job information from the job information table and transmits it to the job management program 44.
In S303, the job management program 44 displays the job management screen 50 shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 35, and displays a list of all job information received from the pull print daemon 45.

  In S304, the job management program 44 acquires an event. Specifically, when the user performs an operation of selecting job information or presses any button, an event corresponding to the operation is acquired by the job management program 44 via the OS.

In step S305, the job management program 44 determines whether or not the acquired event is “job selection”. If it is “job selection”, the process proceeds to step S306. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S307.
In S306, the job management program 44 sets the job information selected by the user in the selected state, and returns to S304.

In step S307, the job management program 44 determines whether the acquired event is a “delete button”. If the acquired event is a “delete button”, the process proceeds to step S308; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S310.
In S308, the job management program 44 transmits a request to delete the selected job information to the pull print daemon 45, and returns to S304.

In step S <b> 309, the pull print daemon 45 deletes the job information requested to be deleted from the job information table and deletes an intermediate file corresponding to the job information from the storage unit 14.
In step S310, the job management program 44 determines whether or not the acquired event is a “correction button”. If the event is a “correction button”, the process proceeds to step S311; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S314.

In step S311, the job management program 44 displays a window (not shown) for correcting the job information in the selected state. The user can input correction information of job information in the displayed window. Items that can be corrected here are identification information, authorized users, and the like. The print permitter is user information of a user who is permitted to preprint an intermediate file corresponding to the job information, and is included in the job information.
In step S312, the job management program 44 transmits the correction information to the pull print daemon 45 and returns to step S304.

In step S313, the pull print daemon 45 corrects the selected job information according to the correction information.
In S314, the job management program 44 determines whether or not the acquired event is a “Duplicate button”. If it is “Duplicate button”, the process proceeds to S315. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S317.
In S315, the job management program 44 transmits a duplication request for duplicating the selected job information to the pull print daemon 45, and returns to S304.

In S316, the pull print daemon 45 copies the selected job information and the intermediate file corresponding to the job information.
In step S317, the job management program 44 determines whether or not the acquired event is an “image software start button”. If the acquired event is the “image software start button”, the process proceeds to step S318. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S323. .

In step S <b> 318, the job management program 44 transmits an intermediate file transmission request corresponding to the selected job information to the pull print daemon 45.
In S 319, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the requested intermediate file to the job management program 44.
In S320, the job management program 44 activates the image editing software. The user can edit the image represented by the page data included in the intermediate file with the activated image editing software.

In step S <b> 321, the job management program 44 transmits the edited intermediate file to the pull print daemon 45.
In S322, the pull print daemon 45 updates the intermediate file stored in the storage unit 14 with the intermediate file received from the job management program 44.
In step S323, the job management program 44 determines whether or not the acquired event is an “end button”. If the acquired event is the “end button”, the process ends. If not, the process returns to step S304.
In this process, selectable events may be limited according to the authority of the user. Further, it is more preferable that exclusive control with the job management program 44 started on another PC 30 is performed.

(4) Effects of the Embodiment According to the pull print system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, print settings and pull print requests for intermediate files (an example of a print job) stored in the server 10 are input. It is determined whether or not the print function of the printer 20 matches, and if the print function does not match, the print setting of the intermediate file is corrected and transmitted to the printer 20, so that the print job whose print setting does not match the print function of the printer 20 Can be reduced. As a result, waste of time due to an error occurring during the execution of the print job can be reduced.

  Furthermore, according to the pull print system 1, when the print setting of the intermediate file whose print setting does not match the print function of the printer 20 is corrected, the user can correct the print setting.

  Further, according to the pull print system 1, since the function information 48 indicating the print function of each printer 20 is acquired from the outside (the printer 20 in this embodiment), the administrator of the server 10 stores the function of each printer 20 in the server 10 in advance. The information 48 may not be stored. As a result, it is possible to reduce the trouble for the administrator to store the function information 48 of each printer 20 in the server 10.

  Further, according to the pull print system 1, a print job is generated as an intermediate file in a format that does not depend on a specific printer 20, and the intermediate file is converted into print data in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 20 to which the pull print request is input. Since conversion is performed, the interpretable print job format may not be unified among the printers 20. As a result, the pull print system 1 can be configured by a plurality of printers 20 having different interpretable print job formats. Therefore, the pull print system 1 can be configured more flexibly.

  Further, according to the pull print system 1, when the printer driver 46 for the printer 20 is not stored in the storage unit 14, it is downloaded from a predetermined download server, so that the printer 20 in which the printer driver 46 is not stored in the storage unit 14 is downloaded. However, it can be converted into a print job in a format that can be interpreted by the printer 20.

  Further, according to the pull print system 1, when the printer driver 46 used for conversion is downloaded, the printer driver 46 is deleted from the storage unit 14 after being used for conversion. Accordingly, for example, the printer driver 46 of the printer 20 that is not frequently pulled printed is downloaded each time so as not to be stored in the storage unit 14, and is deleted from the storage unit 14 after conversion, thereby storing the storage unit 14. Save space. On the other hand, by storing the printer driver 46 of the printer 20 that is frequently pulled printed in the storage unit 14, the time required for downloading the printer driver 46 can be eliminated, and the printing result can be obtained in a shorter time. it can.

Further, according to the pull print system 1, since the user can set whether or not to delete the transmitted intermediate file from the server 10, the convenience for the user is improved.
More specifically, since the intermediate file stored in the server 10 is not always printed once, if the intermediate file is deleted immediately after the intermediate file is executed, It may be inconvenient for the user. For example, when the print settings of the intermediate file and the print function of the printer 20 do not match, the user corrects the print settings originally desired by the user in order to obtain an immediate print result, and then performs pull printing. It is also conceivable to perform pull printing again with another printer 20 having a print function that matches the print setting of the intermediate file. In that case, it is inconvenient for the user to delete the intermediate file immediately after executing the intermediate file. On the other hand, if the transmitted intermediate file is stored indefinitely, the storage area of the server 10 is unnecessarily occupied.

  According to the pull print system 1, since the user can set whether or not to delete the transmitted intermediate file from the server 10, the user deletes the transmitted intermediate file if there is a possibility of pull printing again. The convenience is improved by setting “Keep all printed intermediate files”. On the other hand, if the possibility of pull printing again is low, the user can set the “delete all printed intermediate files” to reduce the useless storage area of the server 10 from being occupied. Furthermore, by setting “leave only modified intermediate files”, it is possible to print again only when printing is performed with settings different from the schedule.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the second embodiment, when a pull print request is input to any of the printers 20, whether or not the print settings of the intermediate file and the print function of the printer 20 match for all intermediate files with the same user information. The intermediate file to be executed is selected from the intermediate files determined to be consistent.

12 and 13 are sequence charts showing the flow of pull print processing according to the second embodiment. Here, processes substantially the same as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
In S401, the pull print daemon 45 selects one of the searched job information. When the execution of S401 is the second time or later, job information that has not yet been selected is selected.

In S402, the pull print daemon 45 acquires a file write path corresponding to the job information selected in S401 from the job information table, and reads the print setting from the intermediate file specified by the acquired file write path.
In S403, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not the print setting matches the print function of the printer 20, and proceeds to S404 if determined to match, or to S405 if determined not to match.

In S404, the pull print daemon 45 adds job information to the job information tree.
In S405, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not selection of all searched job information has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S406. If not completed, the process returns to S401 and repeats the process. .

In S <b> 406, the pull print daemon 45 transmits the generated job information tree to the printer control program 47.
In step S407, the printer control program 47 displays the received job information tree on the operation unit 23 and allows the user to select one or more job information. That is, the user selects an intermediate file to be executed.
In step S <b> 408, the printer control program 47 transmits job selection information indicating job information selected by the user to the pull print daemon 45.

  In S409, the pull print daemon 45 selects one of the job information indicated by the job selection information received from the printer control program 47. If the execution of S409 is the second time or later, job information that has not been selected is selected.

In S410, the pull print daemon 45 determines whether or not selection of all selected job information has been completed. If completed, the process proceeds to S227 (not shown), and if not completed, the process proceeds to S409. Return and repeat the process.
Since the processing after S410 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  According to the pull print system according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the user can select only an intermediate file whose print settings match the print function of the printer 20, and as a result, the print settings do not match the print function of the printer 20. Intermediate files are not executed. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the execution of an intermediate file whose print settings do not match the print function of the printer 20.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) Although the case where the server 10 and the PC 30 have different configurations has been described as an example in the above embodiment, the server 10 may also serve as the PC 30.

  (2) In the above embodiment, when the print setting and the print function do not match, the user inputs correction information. However, the pull print daemon 45 automatically corrects the print setting and the print function so that they match. You may do it.

  (3) In the above embodiment, the case where the function information 48 is acquired from the printer 20 has been described as an example. However, the function information 48 may be downloaded from an external server storing the function information 48 of a plurality of models.

  (4) In the above embodiment, the case where the print job is stored in the storage unit 14 of the server 10 has been described as an example. However, the print job may be stored in an external file server.

  (5) In the above embodiment, the case where the job management program is executed by the PC 30 has been described as an example. However, the job management program may be executed by the printer 20.

  (6) In the above embodiment, the deletion setting of the print setting for the intermediate file is selected by the user in S103. However, the user may be selected by the printer 20 during the pull printing process.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pull print system 2 ... Communication network 10 ... Server 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Memory | storage part 15 ... Network interface 20 ... Printer 21 ... Control part 22 ... Printing part 23 ... Operation part 24 ... Network interface 41 ... Application program 42 ... Printer driver 43 for pull printing ... Back-end program 44 ... Pull print daemon program 45 ... Printer driver 46 for printer ... Printer control program 47 ... Job management program 48 ... Function information

Claims (12)

A pull printing system comprising a data processing device and one or more printing devices communicably connected to the data processing device,
The printing apparatus includes:
An input means for a user to input a pull print request;
Printing means for executing a print job received from the data processing apparatus and printing an image on a recording medium;
The data processing device includes:
On the condition that a pull print request is input in any one of the printing apparatuses, print settings of a print job stored in a predetermined job storage unit, and a printing function of the printing apparatus in which the pull print request is input A determination means for determining whether or not and
Control means for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus, and if the determination means determines that the print job does not match, the control means does not transmit the print job or corrects the print settings of the print job and transmits the print job A pull print system. The pull print system according to claim 1,
The printing apparatus includes:
When a pull print request is input by the input unit, the selection unit causes the user to select a print job to be executed from among the print jobs stored in the job storage unit;
The determination unit determines whether the print setting of the print job selected by the selection unit is consistent with the print function of the printing apparatus;
The pull printing system, wherein the control unit corrects and transmits the print setting of the selected print job so as to match the printing function of the printing apparatus when the determination unit determines that the printing unit does not match. The pull print system according to claim 2,
The control means includes
If the determination means determines that the print job does not match, generates the alignment information for correcting the print settings of the selected print job to match the print function of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input And having an alignment information transmitting means for transmitting the generated alignment information to the printing apparatus,
The printing apparatus includes:
Matching information receiving means for receiving matching information from the data processing device;
Correction information input means for allowing the user to input correction information for correcting the print settings of the print job based on the matching information received by the matching information receiving means;
Correction information transmitting means for transmitting the correction information input by the correction information input means to the data processing device,
The control means includes
A pull print system comprising job correction means for correcting print settings of the selected print job based on correction information received from the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input. The pull print system according to claim 1,
When a pull print request is input to any of the printing apparatuses, the determination unit matches the print settings of the print job with the print function of the printing apparatus for each print job stored in the job storage unit. Whether or not
The printing apparatus includes:
Selecting means for allowing the user to select a print job to be executed from among the print jobs determined to be matched by the determining means;
The pull printing system, wherein the control means transmits a print job selected by the selection means. The pull print system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The determination means includes
Acquisition means for acquiring function information indicating a printing function of the printing apparatus from the outside;
When a pull print request is input from any of the printing apparatuses, the function information of the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input is acquired by the acquisition unit, and a print job stored in the job storage unit is acquired. A pull print system comprising: function information determination means for determining whether or not the print setting matches the print function of the printing apparatus based on the function information. The pull print system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The print job is a file that does not depend on any of the printing devices,
The control means includes
A pull print system, comprising: conversion means for converting the print job into a print job in a format interpretable by the printing apparatus to which the pull print request is input. The pull print system according to claim 6,
The data processing device includes:
Driver storage means for storing a printer driver;
Driver presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not a printer driver of the printing apparatus to which a pull print request is input is stored in the driver storage means;
Download means for downloading a printer driver of the printing apparatus from a predetermined apparatus and storing it in the driver storage means when a negative determination is made by the driver presence determination means;
The pull printing system, wherein the conversion unit converts the print job using a printer driver stored in the driver storage unit. The pull print system according to claim 7,
The data processing device includes:
A driver deletion unit that deletes the printer driver from the driver storage unit after being used for conversion by the conversion unit when the printer driver used for conversion by the conversion unit is downloaded by the download unit; A pull print system. The pull print system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The data processing device includes:
When a print job is transmitted by the control unit, it is determined whether or not a print job that has already been transmitted is set to be deleted. If the print job is set to be deleted, the print job is deleted from the job storage unit. A pull print system having job deletion means. A data processing apparatus that is communicably connected to one or more printing apparatuses having input means for a user to input a pull print request,
On the condition that a pull print request is input in any one of the printing apparatuses, print settings of a print job stored in a predetermined job storage unit, and a printing function of the printing apparatus in which the pull print request is input A determination means for determining whether or not and
Control means for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus, and if the determination means determines that the print job does not match, the control means does not transmit the print job or corrects the print settings of the print job and transmits the print job When,
A data processing apparatus. A data processing apparatus connected to be communicable with one or more printing apparatuses having an input means for a user to input a pull print request;
On the condition that a pull print request is input in any one of the printing apparatuses, print settings of a print job stored in a predetermined job storage unit, and a printing function of the printing apparatus in which the pull print request is input A determination means for determining whether or not and
Control means for transmitting the print job to the printing apparatus, and if the determination means determines that the print job does not match, the control means does not transmit the print job or corrects the print settings of the print job and transmits the print job Data processing program to function as A printing device communicatively connected to a data processing device,
An input means for a user to input a pull print request;
Printing means for executing a print job received from the data processing apparatus and printing an image on a recording medium;
Matching information receiving means for receiving, from the data processing apparatus, matching information for correcting the print settings of a print job stored in a predetermined job storage means to match the printing function of the printing apparatus;
Correction information input means for allowing the user to input correction information for correcting the print settings of the print job based on the matching information received by the matching information receiving means;
Correction information transmitting means for transmitting the correction information input by the correction information input means to the data processing device;
A printing apparatus comprising:

Images