JP2017084027A - Printing system, print control device, printing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print control device which allows a user to designate a condition of printing or the like more easily than the prior arts in an environment using a user interface like a hot folder.SOLUTION: The print control device including a function that causes a printer to print a document comprises: display means for displaying a plurality of icons 62 corresponding to a plurality of conditions relating to printing or finish side by side; generation means by which in the state where a plurality of icons is selected from among these icons 62, if an icon 63 corresponding to the document is dragged and dropped onto any one of the selected icons 62, print data for printing the document by applying a condition corresponding to each of the selected icons 62 is generated, and imparting means for giving the generated print data to the printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for giving conditions such as printing to a printer.

  Conventionally, hot folders have been proposed. The hot folder is displayed as an icon on a computer such as a personal computer or a tablet computer, and is arranged and displayed in a window or the like. The hot folder is associated with a printing condition or a finishing condition for a printed material in advance.

  When the user drags and drops an icon indicating a processing target (for example, an icon of a document file to be printed) onto the hot folder, the condition associated with the hot folder is applied, Processing for the object is executed.

  The following technologies have been proposed as hot folder technologies. Monitors that job data composed of print setting information data and content data and a difference file for temporarily changing the print setting information of the print setting information data to different print setting information are placed in the hot folder. When the monitoring unit, the job data, and the difference file are placed in the hot folder, the print setting information data included in the job data is corrected based on the difference file (Patent Document 1).

  If the image processing apparatus designated as the hot folder registration destination by the user cannot execute the job flow, a search for another image processing apparatus for realizing the job flow of the hot folder in cooperation with the image processing apparatus is performed. Done. Then, instead of the hot folder, a first hot folder for causing the image processing apparatus to execute a first job flow that can be executed by the image processing apparatus is created. In addition, a second hot folder for causing the other image processing apparatus to execute a second job flow that can be executed by another image processing apparatus is created (Patent Document 2).

  In order to realize a function equivalent to a hot folder with a single image forming apparatus, the following techniques have been proposed. In an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network, the image forming apparatus has a function as a web server, and has an interface function that can be accessed from a client computer via a web browser. And a function of receiving setting information data necessary for image formation from the web browser, a function of receiving various control commands for controlling the image forming apparatus from the web browser, and indicating the status of the image forming apparatus to the web It has a function of displaying on a browser (Patent Document 3).

  In addition, the following techniques have been proposed as techniques for setting a workflow. In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of data boxes and capable of storing data in the data box and retrieving the stored data from the data box, an arbitrary function is provided for the data box. A function processing associating means for associating and processing, and a data box combining means for combining several data boxes associated with the function and processing, and by throwing data into the combined data box, the associated function It implement | achieves combining and a process (patent document 4).

  Process management for managing processes, including workflow display means 11 for displaying on a screen a workflow that expresses a plurality of processes constituting a work consisting of a plurality of processes as a figure formed by connecting the processes in the order of each other. In the system 10, the order in which a process display unit represented by a graphic composed of a process area representing a process, an input area representing a process target in the process, and an output area representing a process result in the process constitutes a work A workflow display means 11 for displaying a plurality of connected workflows on the screen is provided (Patent Document 5).

  In recent years, for an image forming apparatus (a so-called business machine) installed in an office, a user can specify in detail conditions regarding printing or finishing using a terminal device.

  In recent years, on-demand printing (POD (Print On Demand)) has begun to spread. When the printer receives an order from the customer, it prints the document by a production printer to finish the printed matter, and delivers the printed matter to the customer. At this time, it is possible to respond to individual orders of customers more flexibly than retail books. In other words, various forms of printed matter can be generated and provided according to conditions relating to printing or finishing.

JP 2013-257758 A JP 2009-31850 A JP 2009-18543 A JP 2006-253988 A JP 2002-41115 A

  By combining the conditions for various items relating to printing or finishing in advance as a hot folder, the user or printer can more easily specify the conditions for printing.

  However, in order to obtain various forms of printed matter, the user or the printer needs to prepare hot folders according to the number of these forms.

  When the number of hot folders increases, it becomes difficult for a user or a printer to find a desired hot folder.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to make it easier for a user to specify conditions such as printing than ever in an environment using a user interface such as a hot folder.

  A printing system according to an aspect of the present invention is a printing system including a printer and a print control apparatus that causes the printer to print a document, and each of the print control apparatus includes a plurality of conditions relating to printing or finishing. Display means for arranging and displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the first images are selected as selected images. When a predetermined operation is performed, a generation unit that generates print data for printing the document by applying a condition corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images, and gives the generated print data to the printer Providing means, and the document is sent to the printer based on the print data transmitted from the print control apparatus. Printing means for printing cement, is provided.

  A print control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a print control apparatus that causes a printer to print a document, and includes a display unit that displays a plurality of first images corresponding to a plurality of conditions related to printing or finishing, Corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images when a predetermined operation is performed on the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the plurality of first images are selected as the selected images. Generating means for generating print data for printing the document by applying a condition to apply, and giving means for giving the generated print data to the printer.

  Preferably, the display means displays the second image together with the plurality of first images, and the predetermined operation is performed by the second image on any one of the plurality of selected images. Is an operation of dragging and dropping.

  According to the present invention, in an environment using a user interface such as a hot folder, it is possible to make it easier for a user to specify conditions such as printing than before.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an overall configuration of a print system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of default condition data. It is a figure which shows the example of the condition data classified by item. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing window. It is a figure which shows the example of drag and drop. It is a figure which shows the example of drag and drop. It is a figure which shows the example of a dialog box. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an overall flow of processing for giving a print job to an image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the print system 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 4 includes an image forming apparatus 1, one or a plurality of terminal apparatuses 2, a communication line 3, and the like.

  According to the printing system 4, the user can generate a printed matter by printing a document whose data is prepared in the terminal device 2 on a sheet by the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 and each terminal device 2 are connected to each other via a communication line 3. As the communication line 3, a LAN (Local Area Network) line, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 prints a document on a sheet based on the data transmitted from the terminal device 2. As the image forming apparatus 1, an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals) may be used, or a production printer may be used. Hereinafter, a case where an MFP is used as the image forming apparatus 1 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, an auxiliary storage device 10d, a touch panel display 10e, and an operation key panel 10f. , NIC (Network Interface Card) 10g, modem 10h, scan unit 10i, print unit 10j, finisher 10k, and the like.

  The touch panel display 10e displays a screen showing a message for the user, a screen for the user to input a command or information, a screen showing a result of processing executed by the CPU 10a, and the like. Further, the touch panel display 10e sends a signal indicating the touched position to the CPU 10a.

  The operation key panel 10f is a so-called hardware keyboard, and includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a function key, and the like.

  The NIC 10g communicates with the terminal device 2 by a protocol such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The modem 10h exchanges image data with a fax terminal using a protocol such as G3.

  The scan unit 10i reads an image written on a sheet set on the platen glass and generates image data.

  The print unit 10j prints the image read by the scan unit 10i. Furthermore, an image is printed on paper based on the data received by the NIC 10g from the terminal device 2. In addition, an image is printed on a sheet based on data received by the modem 10h from the fax terminal.

  The finisher 10k performs a finishing process on the paper on which the document is printed by the print unit 10j, that is, the printed matter.

  Specifically, the finisher 10k includes a stapling device, a punching device, a paper folding device, and the like. Then, as the finishing process, any one or more of a process of binding the printed matter with the stapling apparatus, a process of punching a sheet of paper, and a process of bending the sheet are performed.

  The terminal device 2 is a client for the user to receive a service for printing a document from the image forming apparatus 1. As the terminal device 2, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or the like is used. Hereinafter, a case where a personal computer is used as the terminal device 2 will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, an auxiliary storage device 20d, a liquid crystal display 20e, a NIC 20f, a keyboard 20g, a pointing device 20h, and the like.

  The liquid crystal display 20e displays a document to be printed, a screen for printing instructions, and the like.

  The NIC 20f communicates with the image forming apparatus 1 and the like using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The keyboard 20g and the pointing device 20h are used for a user to input information and commands.

  In addition to the operating system and various applications, the client program 20P is stored in the ROM 20c or the auxiliary storage device 20d. The client program 20P is a program for causing the image forming apparatus 1 to execute processing such as printing, and includes a printer driver.

  Further, according to the client program 20P, the user simply drags and drops the document file icon on the icon of the condition relating to printing or finishing (a so-called hot folder icon) with the pointing device 20h. Can be commanded. Hereinafter, this mechanism will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the terminal device 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the default condition data 51. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the item-specific condition data 52. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the print window 601. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating examples of drag and drop. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the dialog box 602.

  According to the client program 20P, functions such as the condition data storage unit 201, the print window display unit 202, the print job reception unit 203, the prohibition presence / absence determination unit 204, the print job generation unit 205, and the print job transmission unit 206 illustrated in FIG. This is realized in the terminal device 2.

  The condition data storage unit 201 stores default condition data 51 and a plurality of item-specific condition data 52.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the default condition data 51 indicates default conditions for all items when a document is printed.

  On the other hand, the item-specific condition data 52 indicates the condition for one item, as shown in FIGS.

  For example, the item-specific condition data 52A in FIG. 6A indicates that stapling is performed as a condition for a process of binding a printed material with staples (hereinafter referred to as “staple binding”) by the finisher 10k. Alternatively, the item-specific condition data 52B in FIG. 6B indicates that monochrome printing is performed as the color condition.

  The condition data storage unit 201 stores a large number of item-specific condition data 52 other than those shown in FIGS. A plurality of item-specific condition data 52 with different conditions may be stored for one item. The item-specific condition data 52 may indicate a default condition.

  The default condition data 51 and the item-specific condition data 52 are created in advance by the administrator and stored in the condition data storage unit 201. These data may be created by a text editor, or a dedicated tool may be prepared and created.

  The print window display unit 202 displays a print window 601 as shown in FIG. 7 on the liquid crystal display 20e.

  In the print window 601, icons 62 corresponding to the item-specific condition data 52 stored in the condition data storage unit 201 are arranged in the horizontal direction for items related to the same item. The name of the icon 62 can be arbitrarily given by the administrator so as to be easily understood by the user. For example, “staple” can be added as the name of the icon 62A of the item-specific condition data 52A in FIG.

  By the way, the user stores a document file 53 to be printed by the image forming apparatus 1 in advance on the desktop.

  For example, a document is created by an application such as word processing software or drawing software installed in the terminal device 2, and the data is stored as a file 53 on the desktop. Alternatively, a document file is downloaded from a website on the Internet and saved as a file 53 on the desktop. Documents can include images such as charts, illustrations, or photographs as well as text.

  When the file 53 is saved on the desktop, the icon 63 of the file 53 is placed on the desktop.

  The user selects an icon 62 corresponding to a condition for printing this document from the print window 601. When specifying conditions for a plurality of items, the icon 62 corresponding to each is selected.

  For example, when designating as a condition that stapling is performed, printing in monochrome, and printing in 2in1 are performed, three icons 62A, 62B, and 62C are selected as shown in FIG. Note that the icon 62 changes the display form when selected. For example, the color becomes darker.

  Then, the user drags and drops the icon 63 onto any one of the selected icons 62 with the pointing device 20h.

  Then, the print job reception unit 203 receives a command for a job for printing a document (hereinafter referred to as “print job”). Specifically, a condition corresponding to the selected icon 62 is accepted as a print job condition. Further, the file 53 corresponding to the dragged and dropped icon 63 is received as data of the document to be printed.

  The prohibition presence / absence determining unit 204 determines whether or not all of these conditions can be applied when a plurality of conditions are received by the print job receiving unit 203. That is, it is determined whether some or all of these conditions do not meet so-called prohibition conditions.

  For example, assume that the user selects icons 62A, 62D, and 62E as shown in FIG. Then, the print job reception unit 203 receives three conditions: (1) stapling, (2) printing on A4 size paper, and (3) printing on A3 size paper. However, the conditions (2) and (3) cannot be applied simultaneously. That is, both conditions correspond to prohibition conditions. In such a case, the prohibition presence / absence determination unit 204 determines that the condition received by the print job reception unit 203 corresponds to the prohibition condition.

  In addition, what kind of combination of conditions corresponds to a prohibition condition (whether it can be applied) may be defined in the database in advance. The prohibition presence / absence determining unit 204 may determine based on this database.

  If it is determined that the prohibition condition is satisfied, the prohibition presence / absence determination unit 204 displays a dialog box 602 on the liquid crystal display 20e informing that the application of the condition specified by the user is impossible as shown in FIG. In addition, the print job reception unit 203 discards the received conditions.

  On the other hand, if the prohibition presence / absence determination unit 204 determines that the prohibition condition is not satisfied, the print job generation unit 205 generates data for executing the print job as follows.

  The print job generation unit 205 determines the conditions for all items regarding the print job as follows. Items whose conditions are not accepted by the print job accepting unit 203 are determined as default conditions indicated in the default condition data 51. For other items, the conditions accepted by the print job accepting unit 203 are determined.

  Then, the print job generation unit 205 converts the document data (file 53) to be printed, received by the print job reception unit 203, into print data 54 for printing the document based on the determined condition. To do. The print data 54 is described in PDL (Page Description Language) or PJL (Printer Job Language) corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1.

  When the print data 54 is generated by the print job generation unit 205, the print job transmission unit 206 transmits the print data 54 to the image forming apparatus 1 together with a print command.

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 prints a document on a sheet based on the print data 54. Further, a finishing process is executed as necessary.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall flow of processing for giving a print job to the image forming apparatus 1.

  Next, an overall processing flow of the terminal device 2 will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like.

  The terminal device 2 executes processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 11 based on the client program 20P.

  When the user inputs a predetermined command, the terminal device 2 displays a print window 601 (see FIG. 7) (# 11 in FIG. 11).

  Each time the user selects the icon 62 (Yes in # 12), the terminal device 2 changes the display form of the selected icon 62 by changing the color (# 13). The user can select one or more icons 62.

  When the user drags and drops the icon 63 onto any one of the selected icons 62 (Yes in # 14), the terminal device 2 accepts a condition corresponding to the selected icon 62 as a print job condition. At the same time, the file 53 corresponding to the dragged and dropped icon 63 is accepted as data of the document that is the target of the print job (# 15).

  The terminal device 2 determines whether or not the accepted condition can be applied, that is, whether or not the prohibited condition is not satisfied (# 16).

  If it can be applied (Yes in # 17), the terminal device 2 applies the accepted condition and applies a default condition to the file 53 for an item for which the user has not designated the condition. Based on this, print data 54 is generated (# 18). Then, the print data 54 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 together with the print job command (# 19). Thereafter, the image forming apparatus 1 executes a print job based on the print data 54 and generates a printed matter.

  If it cannot be applied (No in # 17), the terminal device 2 displays a dialog box 602 (see FIG. 10) (# 20). The print job is not executed.

  According to this embodiment, in order to generate a desired printed matter, the user selects a plurality of icons 63 corresponding to conditions to be applied, and drags an icon 62 corresponding to a document to be printed onto any of the icons 63. All you need to do is drop it.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make it easier for the user to specify conditions such as printing than in the past in an environment using a user interface such as a hot folder.

  In the present embodiment, the user selects a plurality of icons 62 and then gives a print job to the terminal device 2 by dragging and dropping the icon 63 onto any one of them. A print job may be given by displaying a menu and clicking a predetermined command from the menu.

  Although the print job items are illustrated in FIG. 5, in addition to these items, the item-specific condition data 52 (see FIG. 6) and the icon 63 (see FIG. 7) are also available for items such as punch holes, folding finish, and resolution. May be prepared.

  In this embodiment, one item-specific condition data 52 indicates a condition for one item, but conditions may be indicated for a plurality of items.

  In the present embodiment, the icon 62 and the icon 63 are displayed on the terminal device 2 and operated by the user. However, these may be displayed on the image forming apparatus 1 and operated by the user.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire print system 4, the image forming apparatus 1, the terminal device 2, each unit, the processing content, the processing order, the data configuration, the screen configuration, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. .

4. Printing system (printing system)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10j Print unit 2 Terminal device (printing control apparatus)
202 Print window display (display means)
204 Forbidden presence / absence discriminating section (discriminating means, output means)
205 Print job generation unit (generation means)
206 Print job transmission unit (applying means)
20e Liquid crystal display (display means, output means)
54 Print Data 601 Print Window 602 Dialog Box (Message)
62 icon (first image)
63 icon (second image)

Claims (8)

A printing system comprising: a printer; and a print control device that causes the printer to print a document.
In the printing control device,
Display means for displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to each of a plurality of conditions relating to printing or finishing;
Corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images when a predetermined operation is performed on the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the plurality of first images are selected as the selected images. Generating means for generating print data for printing the document by applying a condition to
Giving means for giving the generated print data to the printer;
Is provided,
In the printer,
Printing means for printing the document based on the print data transmitted from the print control device;
Is provided,
A printing system characterized by that. A print control device for causing a printer to print a document,
Display means for displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to each of a plurality of conditions relating to printing or finishing;
Corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images when a predetermined operation is performed on the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the plurality of first images are selected as the selected images. Generating means for generating print data for printing the document by applying a condition to
Giving means for giving the generated print data to the printer;
A printing control apparatus comprising: The display means displays the second image together with the plurality of first images,
The predetermined operation is an operation of dragging and dropping the second image onto any one of the plurality of selected images.
The printing control apparatus according to claim 2. The generation unit generates the print data by applying a default condition as a condition of an item other than a condition corresponding to each of a plurality of selected images.
The printing control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. Determining means for determining whether or not all the conditions corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images can be applied;
The generation unit generates the print data when the determination unit determines that the generation unit can be applied.
The print control apparatus according to claim 2. An output means for outputting a message to that effect when it is determined by the determination means that it cannot be applied,
The printing control apparatus according to claim 5. A printing method for causing a printer to print a document using a print control apparatus,
Causing the print control apparatus to execute a process of displaying a plurality of first images corresponding to a plurality of conditions related to printing or finishing,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images when a predetermined operation is performed on the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the plurality of first images are selected as the selected images. Causing the print control apparatus to execute a process of generating print data for printing the document by applying a condition to
Causing the print control apparatus to execute a process of giving the generated print data to the printer;
A printing method characterized by the above. A computer program used in a computer that causes a printer to print a document,
In the computer,
Execute a process to display a plurality of first images corresponding to each of a plurality of conditions related to printing or finishing,
Corresponding to each of the plurality of selected images when a predetermined operation is performed on the second image corresponding to the document in a state where a plurality of the plurality of first images are selected as the selected images. Applying a condition to generate print data for printing the document,
A process of giving the generated print data to the printer is executed;
A computer program characterized by the above.

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