JP2015153119A - Data processor, data processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a print job from another user is hindered due to prolonged occupancy time of a print processor because the print processor executes print processing while waiting for the download of image files to be a document in the case of executing the print processing simultaneously with downloading the image files.SOLUTION: A client displays a message suggesting the possibility of occupying a print processor when a trigger button for starting print processing is pushed in the state in which images of pages of a certain threshold or more have not been downloaded. In such a case, since the standby characteristics during job processing is different according to the print processor, the client inquires of the print processor about the characteristics of the print processor as a printing object, and determining the characteristics, and displays a message corresponding to the standby characteristics of the print processor.

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, a data processing method thereof, and a program for converting a document file downloaded from a server computer by a client computer into a print job on the client computer and transmitting the converted file to the print processing apparatus. .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing program for printing a document file stored in a mobile terminal such as a smartphone on a print processing apparatus is known. The print program executes the printing process by converting the document file selected by the user into PDL data (Page Description Language) serving as a print job and transmitting the PDL data to the print processing apparatus.

  In addition, without generating PDL data on a weak mobile terminal, a document file to be printed is converted into PDL data on the server, and the mobile terminal relays the downloaded PDL data to a print processing apparatus, thereby performing print processing. Some are executed (see Patent Document 1).

  In recent years, the basic performance (for example, CPU performance, memory capacity, etc.) of mobile terminals has been improved, and in a file format (for example, PDF file or JPEG image file) that can be interpreted on the mobile terminal from the server. A printing application has appeared that receives a document file, converts it into PDL data on a mobile terminal, and transmits the PDL data to a print processing apparatus as a print job.

JP 2012-239223 A

  If the document file received from the server consists of multiple image files that are premised on printing multiple pages, the downloaded image files are sequentially converted to PDL data without waiting for the download of the image files for all pages. There is a print mode for conversion and transmission to the print processing apparatus as a print job (hereinafter, this print mode is referred to as “byte serving print”). That is, an undownloaded image file that has not been downloaded during byte serving printing is being downloaded in parallel with the printing process.

  However, since byte-serving printing performs print processing while downloading, the print processing device may occupy longer time than when printing processing is started after all the image files for all pages have been downloaded from the server. Arise. The reason is that when the download speed is slow, the printing process is executed while waiting for the download. At this time, since the occupation time of the print processing apparatus becomes long, there is a problem that a print job from another user is hindered.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows:
A system composed of a client, a server, and a print processing apparatus, wherein the client has a means for printing while downloading a plurality of image files from the server, and the client has an undownloaded image of a specific threshold page or more. When the trigger button for starting the printing process is pressed, a selection means that displays a message suggesting the possibility of occupying the printing processing apparatus and can select whether to start the printing process or cancel the printing process start I will provide a. In addition, since the standby characteristics during job processing differ depending on the print processing device, the client inquires the print processing device to determine the characteristics of the print processing device to be printed, and displays a message corresponding to the standby characteristics of the print processing device. A data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a program characterized by having message display means.

  According to the present invention, when it takes a long time to occupy the print processing apparatus by byte-serving printing, the user chooses to start printing as it is or to start printing after downloading is completed in consideration of the characteristics of the printer. can do.

It is a figure which shows the structure of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a data processor. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a print processing apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a server computer. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the software of a data processor. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the software of a server computer. It is a figure which shows an example of UI which can be displayed with a data processor. It is a figure which shows an example of UI which can be displayed with a data processor. It is a figure which shows an example of UI which can be displayed with a data processor. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of a data processor. It is a figure which shows an example of UI which can be displayed with a data processor. It is a figure which shows an example of UI which can be displayed with a data processor. It is a flowchart which shows the processing flow of a data processor.

[Example 1]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a server computer, a mobile data processing apparatus, and a print processing apparatus can communicate with each other via a network.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a mobile data processing apparatus, which is a computer used by a user who instructs the print processing apparatus 104 to send a print job. A print processing apparatus 104 includes a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, a fax transmission function, and the like.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a LAN (Local Area Network) to which the device is connected, and the device performs mutual communication of information via the LAN 103. Reference numeral 102 denotes a wireless LAN terminal. The wireless LAN terminal 102 is a base unit of a wireless LAN having a general network router function, and provides a wireless LAN in a home or office. Further, since the data processing apparatus 101 is a mobile terminal, it can participate in the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102. When the data processing apparatus 101 enters the wireless LAN area provided by the wireless LAN terminal 102, the data processing apparatus 101 can automatically join the network of the LAN 103 using authentication information set in advance.

  A server computer 105 exists on the Internet. The LAN 103 is connected to the Internet, and devices participating in the LAN 103 network can access the server computer 105.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the data processing apparatus 101 in FIG.

  Note that the data processing apparatus 101 is a mobile terminal or a smartphone, and an operating system for a small terminal, a program for controlling a telephone call, and data communication may be running. Alternatively, a personal computer that does not include the voice control unit 206 and the microphone / speaker 213, the position detection control unit 210, the GPS sensor 216, the mobile phone data communication unit 212, and the like described later may be used.

  Each component of the hardware is connected to the system bus 201. The ROM 203 stores an operating system in the data processing apparatus 101 and an application for controlling telephone calls and data communication, and is executed by the CPU 202. Examples of applications that control data communication include a printing application, Mail software, and a Web browser.

  The RAM 204 is a work memory area for executing a program. It is a work memory area where the print application generates a print job, and also a memory for temporarily storing Web page data acquired from the Web server by the Web browser, authentication information for accessing the Web service, and the like. The storage device 209 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores various operation mode settings, operation logs, and the like that need to be retained even after the data processing apparatus 101 is restarted.

  The network controller 205 performs communication control of the wireless LAN communication unit 211 for participating in the network of the LAN 103 via the wireless LAN terminal 102 and the mobile phone data communication unit 212 for participating in the network provided by the mobile carrier. In general, when the network controller 205 can participate in a wireless LAN network, the network controller 205 gives priority to the connection of the wireless LAN. When the data processing apparatus 101 is out of the wireless LAN network area, it participates in the wireless communication network provided by the mobile carrier.

  The voice control unit 206 is mainly used when a call application is activated and a user is making a call. The microphone / speaker 213 inputs / outputs voice data, and the voice control unit 206 mediates the control program.

  The display control unit 207 controls information output on the display 214 of the data processing apparatus 101. The input control unit 208 controls information instructed by the user using the buttons of the data processing apparatus 101 or the touch panel 215. Using these voice control unit 206, display control unit 207, and input control unit 208, the application on the data processing apparatus 101 provides network communication information and various information on the data processing apparatus 101 to the user.

  The position detection control unit 210 acquires position information of the data processing apparatus 101 from the GPS sensor 216 and provides it to the operating system. These controls are controlled by an operating system that runs on the CPU 202.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print processing apparatus 104 in FIG. This example shows an example of a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)) having a scanner function and a printer function.

  In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes an I / O, which is connected to the data processing apparatus 101 via a communication medium such as a network (LAN) 103. A plurality of I / Os 301 may be mounted to support a plurality of connection forms. Through this I / O 301, the print processing apparatus 104 passes the device ID and scan image to the data processing apparatuses 101 and 102. In addition, it receives various control commands from the data processing apparatus 101 and performs processing. The I / F control unit 302 performs control to issue a device ID for a processing system such as a scanner, a printer, or a fax mounted in the print processing apparatus 104. A RAM 303 is a primary storage device and is used to store external data such as a control command acquired by the I / O 301 and an image read by the scanner engine 313. Further, the RAM 303 is used for storing images before being transferred to the printer engine 306 developed by the printer controller 310.

  The RAM control unit 304 performs allocation management of the RAM 303. The image data start-up circuit 305 is a device that outputs an image developed by the RAM controller 304 captured by the printer controller 310 or the scanner engine 313 in accordance with the rotation of the printer engine 306.

  The printer engine 306 is a device that develops an image on an output medium such as paper. The main controller 308 performs various controls of the printer engine 306 by the engine I / F 307.

  The main controller 308 is a module that is important for control, and performs appropriate distribution processing of the control language received from the data processing apparatus 101 via the I / O 301 to the scanner controller 309, the printer controller 310, and the fax controller 311. Further, the main controller 308 controls the printer engine 306 and the scanner engine 313 with support from the respective controllers and the user interface 312.

  By unifying the control interface between the main controller 308 and various controllers, an expansion board capable of processing a plurality of types of control commands can be mounted on one peripheral device. It is also the role of the main controller to acquire and manage the device ID of the currently installed expansion controller from each controller.

  The scanner controller 309 decomposes the scan control command received from the data processing apparatus 101 into an internal execution command that can be interpreted by the main controller 308. Further, the image read by the scanner engine 313 is changed to a scan control command.

  The printer controller 310 decomposes the PDL received as a print job from the data processing apparatus 101 into internal execution instructions including a developed image that can be interpreted by the main controller 308. The unfolded image is conveyed to the printer engine and printed on output media such as paper.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the print processing apparatus 105 in FIG. In the server computer 400, 401 is a CPU that executes processing based on application programs stored in the ROM 403 or the external memory 406. Further, the CPU 401 comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 407. Reference numeral 402 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 401. A ROM 403 is a read-only memory that functions as a storage area for basic I / O programs and the like.

  The ROM 403 or the external memory 406 stores an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) which is a control program for the CPU 401. Further, the ROM 403 or the external memory 406 stores files and other various data used for processing based on the application program and the like. Reference numeral 404 denotes a network I / F, which connects to the network and performs network communication. Reference numeral 405 denotes an external memory I / F that controls access to an external memory 406 such as a hard disk (HD). An external memory 406 stores a boot program, various applications, user files, edit files, and the like.

  The server computer 400 operates in a state where the CPU 401 is executing the basic I / O program and OS written in the ROM 403 and the external memory 106. The basic I / O program is written in the ROM 403, and the OS is written in the ROM 403 or the external memory 406. When the computer is turned on, the OS is written from the ROM 403 or the external memory 406 to the RAM 402 by the initial program load function in the basic I / O program, and the operation of the OS is started. A system bus 107 connects each device.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram for explaining the software configuration of the data processing apparatus 101 shown in FIG. A print control unit 502 is installed in the ROM 203 as an application. The print control unit has a function of generating a print job and transmitting the print job to the communicable print processing apparatus 104. The application 503 includes various user interfaces 501 for executing the functions described above, receives requests from the user on the user interface of the data processing apparatus 101, and manages the execution of each function process.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the software configuration of the server computer 105 shown in FIG. In the server computer 105, the application 205 and each module exist as files stored in the external memory 406. These are program modules that are loaded into the RAM 402 and executed by the OS and modules that use the module during execution. The application 605 can be added to the HD of the external memory 406 via a CD-ROM (not shown) of the external memory 406 or via a network.

  A network module 600 performs network communication with various computers. The network module 600 includes a TCP / IP module 601 and an HTTP module 602. The TCP / IP module 601 performs network communication using the TCP / IP protocol. The HTTP module 602 uses TCP as a transport protocol, and performs network communication using the HTTP protocol. Reference numeral 604 denotes a Web server service module that provides a service that responds to an HTTP response when receiving an HTTP request from the data processing apparatus 101.

  A document file distribution module 605 arranges various data files requested from the data processing apparatus 101 (for example, JPEG format image files) at URLs that can be acquired from the data processing apparatus 101.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a user interface for the data processing apparatus 101 to process reception of various input operations from the user. Reference numeral 701 displays a preview of an image file that is a printed document that has been downloaded from the server computer 105. Reference numeral 702 indicates that an image file is being downloaded from the server computer 105. Reference numeral 703 displays the printer model name of the print processing apparatus to be printed and the IP address of the print processing apparatus. Reference numeral 704 denotes a button for transitioning to a screen for selecting print settings.

  By pressing a button 704, a transition is made to the print setting screen shown in FIG. 8, and various print settings can be selected. Reference numeral 705 denotes a button serving as a trigger for starting the printing process. FIG. 9 shows a user interface before the transition to the state of FIG. This is the state before downloading the image file from the server computer 105, and since there is no image file, the button that triggers the printing process is “Disable” as shown at 904, but when the button 901 is pressed, the server computer 105 Download of the image file from, and transition to the state displayed at 702 in FIG.

  Hereinafter, message display processing and print processing in the data processing apparatus 101 from the timing when the button 901 in FIG. 9 is pressed will be described.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of message display processing and print processing when byte serving printing is started in the data processing apparatus 101. As described above, the trigger for starting this flowchart is pressing the button 901.

  In step S1001, the data processing apparatus 101 determines whether downloading of the first page of the image file to be printed from the server computer 105 has been completed. In addition, the image file per page shall be comprised by one sheet. If download of the first page is completed (step S1001: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1002. When the download of the first page has not been completed (step S1002: No), the download of the first page is awaited (step S1001 is looped).

  In step S1002, the user interface in the data processing apparatus 101 is switched from the state shown in FIG. 9 (the trigger button for starting the printing process is disabled as indicated by 904) to the state shown in FIG. The trigger button for starting the printing process is “Enable” as indicated by reference numeral 705. The image file that has been downloaded is in a previewed state as indicated by reference numeral 701. On the other hand, the image file that has not been downloaded is in a state of being previewed to indicate that it is being downloaded, as indicated at 702.

  In step S <b> 1003, the data processing apparatus 101 determines whether downloading of image files having the number of pages equal to or greater than the specific threshold has been completed at the timing when the print start button 705 is pressed by the user. As for the threshold number of pages, the data processing device 104 may have a default number of pages, or the user may specify an arbitrary number of pages. If downloading of the number of pages equal to or greater than the specific threshold has not been completed (step S1003: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1004. Similarly, if it is less than the specific threshold (step S1003: No), the process proceeds to step S1007.

  In step S <b> 1004, a print job reception type during print processing of the print processing apparatus is acquired from the print processing apparatus 104 specified in 703. The print processing apparatus 104 includes a type that accepts a print job even during print processing and stores it in a queue, and a type that does not accept any print job during print processing. The acquisition of the print job reception type during the printing process of the print processing apparatus 104 is performed based on MIB (Management Information Base) information that the print processing apparatus 104 conforms to. The MIB is information that is disclosed by a network device (print processing apparatus 104 in the present embodiment) managed by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) in order to inform the outside of its own state.

  In step S1005, a message corresponding to the determination result in step S1004 is displayed. For example, if the job acceptance type of the print processing apparatus 104 acquired in step S1004 is a type that accepts a print job and accumulates it in the queue even during print processing, the print job is displayed as indicated by 1101 in FIG. A message indicating that the print processing apparatus is of a type that can be received and stored in the queue is displayed. On the other hand, if the job reception type of the print processing apparatus 104 acquired in step S1004 is a type that does not accept any print job during the printing process, as shown at 1201 in FIG. A message indicating that the print processing apparatus does not accept a print job is displayed.

  In step S1006, it is determined whether the OK button (1102, 1202) displayed in step S1005 has been pressed, or whether the Cancel button (1103, 1203) has been pressed. If the OK button has been pressed (step S1006: OK), the process proceeds to step S1007. If the Cancel button has been pressed (step S1006: Cancel), the process returns to step S1002.

  In step S1007, an image file of a page downloaded from the server computer 105 is sequentially converted into PDL data, and processing for transmitting the PDL data to the print processing apparatus 104 as a print job is executed. As described above, since the downloaded image file is sequentially converted into PDL data and the PDL data is transmitted as a print job, if the printing process catches up with a page that has not been downloaded, the download is completed. Needless to say, there is a waiting time until it is done.

  With the above processing, when it takes a long time to occupy the print processing device due to byte-serving printing, the user starts printing as it is, or waits for completion of download while considering the characteristics of the print processing device. Can be selected.

[Example 2]
The processing in step S1003 in the first embodiment is changed to step S1303 shown in FIG. Since the other steps (S1001, S1002, S1004, S1005, S1006, S1007) in the first embodiment are not changed, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S1303, it is determined whether there is an image file of a page that has not been downloaded, and whether the print processing time per page is faster than the download time per page. If the print processing time per page is faster than the download time per page, there is a possibility that the print process catches up with a page that has not been downloaded and a waiting time is required until the download is completed. Because. Note that the processing time for each first page is used for calculating the download time per page and the print processing time per page.

  The download speed of the image file via the Internet is not constant, and the determination while taking into account the fluctuation in real time becomes complicated, so the comparison is made by comparing the download time and print processing time on the first page. If the print processing time per page is faster than the download time per page (step S1303: Yes), the process proceeds to step S1304. If the print processing time per page is later than the download time per page (step S1303: No), the process proceeds to step S1307.

  With the above processing, a message display that is troublesome for the user can be displayed only when there is a possibility that the printing process may catch up with a page that has not been downloaded.

101 Data Processing Device 102 Wireless LAN Terminal 103 LAN (Local Area Network)
104 Print processing device

Claims (3)

  A system comprising a client, a server, and a print processing apparatus, wherein the client has a means for printing while downloading a plurality of image files from the server (S1007), and the client is not yet more than a specified threshold number of pages. When the trigger button for starting the printing process is pressed in a state where there is a download image (S1003), a message suggesting the possibility of occupying the printing processing apparatus is displayed and the printing process is started, or the printing process is started. A data processing apparatus (101) characterized in that selection means (S1005) capable of selecting whether to cancel is provided to an operator of the data processing apparatus.   Since the standby characteristics during job processing differ depending on the print processing apparatus, the client inquires and determines the characteristics of the print processing apparatus to be printed (S1004), and displays a message corresponding to the standby characteristics of the print processing apparatus. The data processing device (101) according to claim 1, further comprising message display means (S1005) for performing the processing.   Means for determining whether the print processing time per page is faster than the download time per page (S1303), when the print processing time per page is faster than the download time per page The data processing apparatus (101) according to claim 1, further comprising message display means (S1305) for displaying a message according to the standby characteristic of the print processing apparatus.