JP2013152674A - Print instruction device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To recognize functions provided in a printer when a print instruction is executed even in a connection environment where information on the functions provided in the printer cannot be acquired.SOLUTION: A determination section 23 refers to function information and determines whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function is given in a print job that an image forming apparatus 30 is instructed to execute by an indication section 22. When the instruction to use the unknown function is given, a reception section 24 receives information showing whether or not the unknown function is executed on a print sheet output by the image forming apparatus 30. When the reception section 24 receives information showing that the unknown function is executed, an information change section 26 changes the function information of the image forming apparatus 30 to information indicating that the image forming apparatus 30 does not have the unknown function.

Description

  The present invention relates to a print instruction apparatus and a program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151867 inquires which function the printer supports when issuing a print instruction from a digital camera to the printer, selects a function to be used from among the functions of the printer, and performs printing. Techniques to perform are disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which functions and performances of a plurality of arithmetic processing devices are registered, and a print job is executed by a plurality of arithmetic processing devices in which the functions and performances are registered.

JP 2005-59305 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258926

  An object of the present invention is to provide a print instruction apparatus capable of grasping the functions of a printing apparatus when a print instruction is executed even in a connection environment in which information on the functions of the printing apparatus cannot be acquired. .

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing function information that is information indicating presence / absence of a function of a printing apparatus;
Instruction means for giving a print instruction to the printing apparatus;
Determination means for determining whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function whose function information is not indicated in the function information in the print instruction made by the instruction means;
When it is determined by the determination means that an instruction to use the unknown function is given in the print instruction, the unknown function is executed on the output result of the printing apparatus for which the print instruction is issued by the instruction means. Receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not,
When the information indicating that the unknown function is being executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus by the receiving means, the function information indicates that the printing apparatus has the unknown function. When the information indicating that the unknown function is not executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to the information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function. Change means to change to information,
Is a printing instruction apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the changing unit changes the function information to information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function, the printing apparatus determines the function information as the unknown. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is changed to information indicating that no function related to a specific function is provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the determination unit determines that an instruction to use the unknown function is given in the print instruction, the output of the printing apparatus in which the print instruction is issued by the instruction unit The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display to the user whether or not the unknown function is executed as a result.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the display means displays a list of functions to be executed by the printing apparatus, and the function information is displayed by the changing means so that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the information is changed, the unknown function is not displayed in the list of functions displayed by the display unit.

The present invention according to claim 5 stores the function information which is information indicating the presence or absence of the function of the printing apparatus;
Providing a printing instruction to the printing apparatus;
Determining whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function whose presence or absence of a function is not indicated in the function information in the print instruction;
Information indicating whether or not the unknown function is executed in the output result of the printing apparatus for which the printing instruction has been issued when it is determined that the instruction to use the unknown function has been performed in the printing instruction A step of accepting,
When information indicating that the unknown function is being executed is received as an output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to information indicating that the printing apparatus has the unknown function. When the information indicating that the unknown function is not executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function. And steps to
Is a program for causing a computer to execute.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print instruction apparatus capable of grasping a function of a printing apparatus when a print instruction is executed even in a connection environment in which information on the function of the printing apparatus cannot be acquired. Can be provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a print instruction apparatus capable of grasping the presence or absence of a function related to an unknown function. it can.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the first or second aspect of the present invention, the user can know that it is necessary to input whether there is an unknown function. An indicating device can be provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect obtained by the third aspect of the invention, printing capable of preventing a print instruction using a function that the printing apparatus does not have can be performed. An indicating device can be provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a program capable of grasping a function of a printing apparatus when a print instruction is executed even in an environment in which information on the function of the printing apparatus cannot be acquired. it can.

1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the printing instruction | indication apparatus 2 in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the printing instruction | indication apparatus 2 in one Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of the overall operation of the print instruction apparatus 2 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for designating an output destination image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the print menu in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the stamp setting in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the post-processing setting in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the hue adjustment in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the change method of the function information in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the function information of each image forming apparatus before the change in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which confirms whether double-sided printing is performed on the output printing paper in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the function information of each image forming apparatus after the change in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the print menu after function information is changed in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which confirms whether the color printing is performed on the output printing paper in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the function information of each image forming apparatus after the change in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen of the print menu after function information is changed in one Embodiment of this invention.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The print instruction apparatus 2 in the present embodiment is connected to the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32 via the network 10.

  The print instruction apparatus 2 uses an information such as an IP (Internet Protocol) address and the like, and an image forming apparatus having a printing function, a facsimile function, a scanner, etc. via a network 10 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). (Printing device) Queries 30-32 about the presence or absence of the function. In the present embodiment, the communication method of the image forming apparatuses 30 and 31 only receives information from the print instruction apparatus 2 and transmits information on the presence / absence of functions in response to an inquiry from the print instruction apparatus 2. One-way communication that cannot be performed. Further, the image forming apparatus 32 has a configuration that transmits information on the presence / absence of the function of the own apparatus to the print instruction apparatus 2 via the network 10 in response to an inquiry from the print instruction apparatus 2.

  The print instruction apparatus 2 instructs the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32 to execute a print job via the network 10. The network 10 may be used for a service such as cloud computing.

  The image forming apparatuses 30 to 32 execute printing based on the print job received from the print instruction apparatus 2.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the print instruction apparatus 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the print instruction apparatus 2 transmits and receives data to and from an external apparatus or the like via a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive (HDD), and a network 10. It has a user interface (UI) device 15 including a communication interface (IF) 14, a touch panel or a liquid crystal display, and a keyboard. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 16.

  The CPU 11 executes a predetermined process based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 to control the operation of the print instruction device 2. In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 has been described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but the program is stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and stored in the CPU 11. It is also possible to provide.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the print instruction apparatus 2 realized by executing the above control program.

  The print instruction apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is a touch panel or the like that displays a setting of a print job (print instruction), designation of an image forming apparatus (printing apparatus) as an output destination, and the like, and receives a user (user) operation. The display operation unit 21, the instruction unit 22, the determination unit 23, the reception unit 24, the storage unit 25, and the information change unit 26 are configured.

  The storage unit 25 stores function information that is information indicating the presence or absence of functions of the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32.

  The instruction unit 22 instructs the output destination image forming apparatus via the network 10 to execute the print job set by the display operation unit 21.

  The determination unit 23 refers to the function information stored in the storage unit 25, and functions of the output image forming apparatus in the print job in which the instruction unit 21 instructs execution to the output destination image forming apparatus. It is determined whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function whose information does not indicate the presence or absence of the function is given. In addition, when the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use an unknown function is given in the print job, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not an unknown function is being executed in the output result for the display operation unit 21. Instructs the display to be confirmed.

  If the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use an unknown function is given in the print job, the reception unit 24 determines whether an unknown function is being executed in the output result of the output destination image forming apparatus. Is received through operation of the display operation unit 21 by the user.

  When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that an unknown function is being executed in the output result of the output destination image forming apparatus, the information changing unit 26 does not know the output destination image forming apparatus. When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that an unknown function is not executed in the output result of the output destination image forming apparatus, the function information is output to the output destination. The information is changed to information indicating that the image forming apparatus does not have an unknown function. In addition, when the information changing unit 26 changes the function information to information indicating that the output destination image forming apparatus does not have an unknown function, the information changing unit 26 changes the information indicating that the function associated with the unknown function is not included. change.

  Next, the operation of the print instruction apparatus 2 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the overall operation of the print instruction apparatus 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the display operation unit 21 designates an output destination image forming apparatus from among the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32 connected to the network 10 by a user operation (step S101). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a screen for designating an output destination image forming apparatus is displayed on the display operation unit 21. Then, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to select an output destination image forming apparatus from among the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32, and operates “OK” displayed on the screen of the display operation unit 21. This completes the designation of the image forming apparatus as the output destination. For example, when the image forming apparatus 30 is designated as the output destination image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus 30 is selected from the pull-down menu displayed on the screen of the display operation unit 21 and “OK” is operated. As a result, the image forming apparatus 30 is designated as the output destination.

  Next, the display operation unit 21 sets a print job to be executed by the output destination image forming apparatus by a user operation (step S102). Here, the display operation unit 21 displays a print menu, which is a list of functions to be executed by the output destination image forming apparatus, on the screen as shown in FIG. Then, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to select a function desired to be used from the print menu and sets a print job. As shown in FIG. 6, the user selects a desired form from the pull-down menu for specifying duplex printing, color mode, and paper size. For example, when not performing double-sided printing, the user operates the double-sided printing item displayed on the screen and selects “No” from the pull-down menu.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when setting an optional function, the display operation unit 21 is operated by operating the stamp setting, post-processing setting, and hue adjustment items displayed on the screen. A setting screen for each function as shown in 7 to 9 is displayed.

  For example, when it is desired to add a stamp such as secret to the output result of the image data, as shown in FIG. 7, the secret is selected on the stamp setting screen displayed on the display operation unit 21 by the user. Thereafter, the setting is completed by operating “OK”.

  Further, when it is desired to execute post-processing functions such as a stapling function and a punching function on the printing paper after outputting the image data, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to set the post-processing as shown in FIG. The desired post-processing method is selected on the screen. For example, when the stapling function is desired to be executed, the setting is completed by operating “OK” after “Yes” is selected from the staple item on the post-processing setting screen.

  Furthermore, when it is desired to adjust the hue of the image output on the printing paper, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to set the desired brightness and saturation on the hue adjustment screen, as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the setting is completed by operating “OK”.

  When these settings are completed, the screen returns to the print menu screen as shown in FIG.

  If the user wants the output destination image forming apparatus to execute the set print job, the instruction unit 22 is set to the output destination image forming apparatus when the user operates “OK” on the print menu screen. Instruct the execution of the print job.

  Then, the information changing unit 26 changes the function information using a method to be described later based on the result of execution of the print job by the output destination image forming apparatus (S103).

  Next, the method for changing the function information in step S103 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 is designated as the output destination image forming apparatus in step S101. In step S102, the duplex printing item is set to “Yes”, the color mode item is set to “Monochrome”, and the paper size is set. A case will be described in which a print job is set such that the item is “A4”, the stamp setting item is “none”, and each post-processing setting item is “no”.

  First, the determination unit 23 refers to the function information stored in the storage unit 25, and in the print job instructed by the instruction unit 22, the function information of the image forming apparatus 30 does not indicate the presence or absence of the function. It is determined whether or not an instruction to use a special function is given (step S201). Here, in the present embodiment, the function information is “color printing”, “double-sided printing”, “staple”, “punch”, “color adjustment”, and the like for each of the image forming apparatuses 30 to 32, as shown in FIG. Information indicating the presence or absence of a function such as “stamp”. Further, the image forming apparatus 30 and the image forming apparatus 31 are one-way communication only for receiving a print job from the print instruction apparatus 2 and cannot transmit the presence / absence of a function in response to an inquiry from the print instruction apparatus 2. Therefore, all functions in the function information of the image forming apparatus 30 and the image forming apparatus 31 are unknown functions. On the other hand, as a result of an inquiry from the print instruction apparatus 2 to the image forming apparatus 32, for example, when there is a communication failure or a function using an external apparatus (not shown), information on the presence or absence of the color printing function and the hue adjustment function is given as a print instruction The color printing function and the hue adjustment function are not obtained in the apparatus 2 and are unknown functions in the function information of the image forming apparatus 32.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the print job instructed by the instructing unit 22, an instruction to use the double-sided printing function, which is an unknown function in the function information of the image forming apparatus 30, is given. It is determined that an instruction to use a special function is given.

  Next, when the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use the double-sided printing function is issued in the print job (yes in step S201), the print job instructed by the instruction unit 22 is executed by the image forming apparatus 30. In step S202, the determination unit 23 displays a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not the double-sided printing function is being performed on the printing paper output by the image forming apparatus 30. To instruct. Then, when a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed by the display operation unit 21 (step S203), the reception unit 24 starts receiving a confirmation result indicating whether or not the double-sided printing function is being executed ( Step S204).

  Next, the receiving unit 24 receives a confirmation result indicating whether or not the double-sided printing function is being executed on the printing paper input by operating the display / operation unit 21 (step S205). At this time, when the user visits the image forming apparatus 30 and confirms that the double-sided printing function is executed on the output printing paper, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to select “Yes” on the confirmation screen. Manipulate. In addition, when the user confirms that the duplex printing function is not executed on the output printing paper, for example, the output printing paper is output by single-sided printing, “No” is displayed on the confirmation screen. ".

  When “No” on the confirmation screen is operated on the display operation unit 21 (no in step S205), the reception unit 24 receives the information input to the display operation unit 21 on both sides of the printed paper. It is accepted as information indicating that the printing function is not executed. When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that the double-sided printing function is not executed on the output printing paper, the information changing unit 26 includes the function information of the image forming apparatus 30 as illustrated in FIG. The duplex printing item is changed from “unknown” to “none” (step S206). Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the display operation unit 21 does not display the duplex printing item in the print menu.

  Further, when “Yes” on the confirmation screen is operated on the display operation unit 21 (Yes in step S205), the reception unit 24 performs double-sided printing on the printing paper on which the information input to the display operation unit 21 is output. Accepted as information indicating that the print function is being executed. When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that the duplex printing function is being executed on the output printing paper, the information changing unit 26 sets the item of double-sided printing in the function information of the image forming apparatus 30 to “Unknown”. To “present” (step S207).

  If the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use the double-sided printing function is not issued in the print job (No in step S201), the print job instructed from the instruction unit 22 by the image forming apparatus 30 is executed. This process is terminated (step S208).

  In step S101, the display operation unit 21 designates the image forming apparatus 32 as an output destination image forming apparatus, and the instruction unit 22 sets the duplex printing item to “no” and the color mode item in step S102. A case will be described in which a print job is instructed such as “color”, a paper size item “A4”, a stamp setting item “none”, and a post-processing setting item “no”.

  First, the determination unit 23 determines whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function is given in the print job instructed to the image forming apparatus 32 (step 201). In this embodiment, since the color printing function is an unknown function in the function information of the image forming apparatus 32, it is determined that an instruction using the unknown function has been issued.

  Next, when the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use the color printing function is issued in the print job (YES in step S201), the print job instructed by the instruction unit 22 is executed by the image forming apparatus 32. In step S202, the determination unit 23 displays a confirmation screen for confirming to the user whether or not the color printing function is being executed on the printing paper output by the image forming apparatus 32. 21 is instructed. Then, when a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed by the display operation unit 21 (step S203), the reception unit 24 starts receiving a confirmation result indicating whether or not the color printing function is being executed ( Step S204).

  Next, the receiving unit 24 receives a confirmation result indicating whether or not the color printing function is being executed on the printing paper input by operating the display operation unit 21 (step S205). Here, when the user visits the image forming apparatus 32 and confirms that the color printing function is being executed on the output printing paper, the user operates the display operation unit 21 to display the confirmation screen shown in FIG. Operate “Yes”. Further, when the user confirms that the color printing function is not executed on the output printing paper, for example, the output printing paper is output in black and white printing, the display operation unit 21 is displayed. The user operates “NO” on the confirmation screen shown in FIG.

  When “No” on the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 15 is operated on the display operation unit 21 (No in step S205), the reception unit 24 outputs the information input to the display operation unit 21. It is received as information indicating that the color printing function is not executed on the printing paper. When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that the color printing function is not executed on the output printing paper, the information changing unit 26 includes the function information of the image forming apparatus 32 as shown in FIG. The item of color printing is changed from “unknown” to “none” (step S206). Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the display operation unit 21 does not display the color mode item in the print menu.

  In addition, when there is a function related to the color printing function in the function information, the information changing unit 26 also changes the item of the function related to the color printing function in the function information of the image forming apparatus 32 to “None”. Here, the related functions include a function for controlling an unknown function, a function executed using the unknown function, a function attached to the unknown function, and the like. In other words, the related function is a function that is clearly not physically or structurally provided when a certain function is not provided in the image forming apparatus. In the present embodiment, since the color adjustment function is a function for controlling the color of the output image when the color printing function is executed, the color adjustment function and the color printing function are related functions. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 17, the display operation unit 21 does not display the function related to the color printing function in the print menu. In the present embodiment, since the hue adjustment function is a function related to the color printing function, the information changing unit 26 changes the item of the hue adjustment function in the function information of the image forming apparatus 32 to “None” and performs the display operation. As shown in FIG. 17, the unit 21 does not display the color adjustment item in the print menu.

  If “Yes” on the confirmation screen is operated (Yes in step S205), the reception unit 24 executes the color printing function on the printing paper on which the information input to the display operation unit 21 is output. It is received as information indicating that When the receiving unit 24 receives information indicating that the color printing function is being executed on the output printing paper, the information changing unit 26 sets the color printing item in the function information of the image forming apparatus 32 to “unknown”. "Is changed from" Yes "to" Yes ", and the process is terminated (step S207).

  If the determination unit 23 determines that an instruction to use the color printing function has not been issued in the print job (No in step S201), the print job instructed from the instruction unit 22 by the image forming apparatus 30 is executed. This process is then terminated (step S208).

  In this embodiment, the function information has been described as information indicating the presence / absence of “color printing”, “double-sided printing”, “staple”, “punch”, “tone adjustment”, and “stamp”. The other functions can be similarly applied.

  In the present embodiment, the color printing function and the hue adjustment function have been described as functions related to the unknown function, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when it is found that the post-processing function cannot be attached to the image forming apparatus, the items of the staple function and the punch function may be changed to “none” in the function information.

2 Print instruction device 10 Network 11 CPU
12 Memory 13 Storage device 14 Communication IF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 UI apparatus 16 Control bus 21 Display operation part 22 Instruction part 23 Determination part 24 Reception part 25 Memory | storage part 26 Information change part 30-32 Image forming apparatus

Claims (5)

Storage means for storing function information which is information indicating the presence or absence of a function of the printing apparatus;
Instruction means for giving a print instruction to the printing apparatus;
Determination means for determining whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function whose function information is not indicated in the function information in the print instruction made by the instruction means;
When it is determined by the determination means that an instruction to use the unknown function is given in the print instruction, the unknown function is executed on the output result of the printing apparatus for which the print instruction is issued by the instruction means. Receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not,
When the information indicating that the unknown function is being executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus by the receiving means, the function information indicates that the printing apparatus has the unknown function. When the information indicating that the unknown function is not executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to the information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function. Change means to change to information,
A printing instruction apparatus.   The changing means also has a function associated with the unknown function of the printing device when the functional information is changed to information indicating that the printing device does not have the unknown function. The printing instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing instruction apparatus is changed to information indicating that the information has not been printed.   When the determination unit determines that an instruction to use the unknown function is given in the print instruction, the unknown function is executed on the output result of the printing apparatus for which the print instruction has been issued by the instruction unit. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for performing a display for confirming to a user whether or not the printer is in a print job.   The display means displays a list of functions to be executed by the printing apparatus, and the function information is changed to information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function by the changing means. 4. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the unknown function is not displayed in the list of functions displayed by the display means. Storing function information which is information indicating the presence or absence of a function of the printing apparatus;
Providing a printing instruction to the printing apparatus;
Determining whether or not an instruction to use an unknown function whose presence or absence of a function is not indicated in the function information in the print instruction;
Information indicating whether or not the unknown function is executed in the output result of the printing apparatus for which the printing instruction has been issued when it is determined that the instruction to use the unknown function has been performed in the printing instruction A step of accepting,
When information indicating that the unknown function is being executed is received as an output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to information indicating that the printing apparatus has the unknown function. When the information indicating that the unknown function is not executed is received in the output result of the printing apparatus, the function information is changed to information indicating that the printing apparatus does not have the unknown function. And steps to
A program that causes a computer to execute.

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