JP3385836B2 - Print control device and print control method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print control device and a stamp.
Regarding the printing control method , especially when converting print information sent from a workstation etc. into printable data and printing it, save the converted print data in a storage device so that it can be reprinted. Print control device that can be placed
And a print control method .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, bitmap data and intermediate files in which print information transmitted from external devices such as workstations and personal computers are expanded are stored in a secondary storage device for printing or saving. There are some known printing devices that can reprint such data. When a failure occurs during printing, these printing devices can use a secondary storage device that is cheaper than the main storage device as a storage device, and save bitmap data for the entire print job. Alternatively, even if an interrupt print request is generated, it is not necessary to recreate the bitmap data (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 6-106813 and 6-19110).
0). There is also a device such as the device described in JP-A-5-224846, which saves bitmap data and reuses it as it is.

[0003]

However, in the conventional printing apparatus as described above, the temporary data is saved or saved for a short time, or the saved data is reprinted as it is. Therefore, for example, when the configuration of the printing device body when the bitmap data or the intermediate file is saved in the secondary storage device is different from the configuration of the printing device body when the data is reused. In some cases, the printing result may be incorrect, or printing may not be executed. Specifically, the A4 size print information is expanded into bitmap data or an intermediate file and stored in a secondary storage device, and when the data is printed thereafter, the A4 size print information is printed in the A4 size in the printing device main body. If the paper tray of the size is not set, if it is printed as it is, it will be printed on the paper of a different paper size, and the user will get an incorrect print result.

As another example, as a print attribute,
If a post-processing method such as simple binding and output is specified, but the simple binding machine is not connected to the system at the time of reprinting, printing resumes as it is due to changes or differences in the system configuration. There are things you can't do.

Furthermore, when the bitmap data and the intermediate file are stored in a removable secondary storage device and the data is read by another system having the same function and reprinted, the system configuration is different. However, the print result may be different or reprinting may not be possible.

Further, when printing is performed using the same stored data, there is a demand for single-sided printing, double-sided printing, or finishing of stapling instead of simple bookbinding. There is a problem that it is not possible to change the print attribute and print again.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and bitmap data obtained by expanding print information sent from an external device and print data of an intermediate file are
A print control device that controls to save the print data together with the print attribute in a secondary storage unit such as a disk so that the print data can be reused. If it is not possible to print, it is notified based on the configuration information of the print means and the configuration information of the printing means. Even when possible
Print control device capable of changing print attributes and printing
And a print control method .

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle configuration of a print control apparatus according to the present invention. In this figure,
The print control device of the present invention interprets print information from an external device by the print data creating means 1, develops and prints it.
It is stored in the secondary storage means 2 together with the necessary print attributes, and the stored print data is read again so that the printing means 3 performs printing in accordance with the print attributes. Configuration information acquisition means 4 for acquiring configuration information; print permission / inhibition determination means 5 for comparing the configuration information acquired by the configuration information acquisition means 4 with print attributes to determine whether or not printing with print data is possible. the print attribute changing means 6 to change the print attributes, equipped with a
It In addition, a list of print data stored in the secondary storage unit 2, a warning when the print data cannot be printed, and a coping method are displayed, and an instruction of print data to be printed from the list and an instruction of changing print attributes are displayed. The display / instruction means 7 for performing the above is provided.

According to the above-mentioned means, when the print data stored in the secondary storage means 2 is read again and printing is to be performed, the printability determination means 5 can print from the configuration information and print attributes of the printing means 3. If it is impossible to print, it is notified to the operator through the display / instruction means 7 and the operator is instructed on the coping method. As a coping method, there is a method of stopping the printing, suspending the printing, or changing the printing attribute by the printing attribute changing unit 6 and printing when the alternative processing is possible. Even when the printability determination unit 5 determines that printing is possible, the print attribute can be changed by the print attribute changing unit 6 and printing can be executed.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the print control apparatus of the present invention.

The printing control device 10 can be connected with a display device 21 for displaying a warning to an operator, an instruction device 22 for instructing selection of displayed information, a stapler, etc. The device 23 is connected. The print control device 10 develops a print request reception unit 11 that receives print information transmitted as a print job directly from an external device such as a workstation or a personal computer or through a network, and prints print bitmap data from the print information. A print data creating unit 12, an internal storage device 13 for storing the expanded print data, a secondary storage device 14 for storing the print data together with print attributes required for printing, and a single page of the expanded print data. A page buffer 15 for fetching, a data transmission unit 16 for transmitting the print data of the page buffer 15 to the printing device 23, and a job control unit 17 for discriminating the type of print request and instructing the creation of print data.
And an attribute changing unit 18 that changes the print attribute, a print permission / inhibition determination unit 19 that determines whether or not the print-requested job is printable, and a printing device management unit 20 that manages the configuration information of the printing device 23. Has been done. Here, the print data creation unit 12 is the print data creation unit 1 in FIG.
The secondary storage unit 14 is the secondary storage unit 2, the printability determination unit 19 is the printability determination unit 5, the attribute change unit 18 is the print attribute change unit 6, and the printing device management unit 20 is the configuration information acquisition unit. 4 is displayed on the display device 21 and the indicating device 22.
The instructing means 7 and the printing device 23 constitute the printing means 3, respectively.

When the print request receiving unit 11 receives the print request, the job control unit 17 determines the type of the print request, that is, the normal printing or the reprinting. If the print request is the normal printing request, the print request job is queued. Print data creation unit 12
Is instructed to create print data. The print data creation unit 12 creates print data from the print information and stores it in the internal storage device 13. In the case of reprinting, the secondary storage device 1
A list of jobs stored in No. 4 is displayed on the display device 21, and when a job to be reprinted is designated by the instruction device 22, the corresponding print data is transferred from the secondary storage device 14 to the internal storage device 13. At this time, if there is an instruction to change the print attribute, the attribute changing unit 18 changes the print attribute.

Whether or not the print data in the internal storage device 13 is printable data is determined by the printability determination unit 19, and if printable, the print data in the internal storage device 13 is transferred to the page buffer 15. It is transferred to the printing device 23 via the data transmission unit 16. If the print permission / inhibition determination unit 19 determines that the print data in the internal storage device 13 cannot be printed with the print attribute set for the job by comparing with the configuration information of the printing device in the printing device management unit 20, the display is performed. The device 21 is notified of that fact, and the operator waits for an attribute change, print cancel, or hold instruction. When an instruction to change the attribute is given by the instruction device 22, the print attribute is changed by the attribute changing unit 18. If the instruction is to cancel the printing, the execution of this print job is stopped. Printing is executed by changing the device configuration.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print control device. First, when a print request is accepted, the print request determines the type of normal printing or reprinting (step S1). When the type is a normal print request, the print request job is received (step S2), print data is created from the print information (step S3), and the created print data is stored in the internal storage device 13 (step S3). S4). If it is determined in step S1 that the type is reprint, a list of jobs stored in the secondary storage device 14 is displayed (step S5), and a job to be reprinted is designated from the list ( Then, the corresponding data is transferred from the secondary storage device 14 to the internal storage device 13 (step S6) (step S7). Next, it is determined whether or not the print attribute is changed (step S8), and if it is changed, the print attribute is changed (step S9).

After the print data is stored in the internal storage device in step S4, if the print attribute is not changed in the determination in step S8, and after the print attribute is changed in step S8, the printability determination unit 19 prints. It is determined whether data can be printed (step S1).
0). If printing is possible, printing is executed (step S1
1) If not possible, it is determined whether to change the print attribute and continue printing (step S12). When printing according to the current configuration of the printing apparatus, step S
In step 9, the print attribute is changed, and if not, it is determined whether or not to stop printing (step S13).
If the printing is not stopped, the current configuration of the printing apparatus is changed to determine whether or not the printing is ready (step S14). When the printing preparation is completed, the step S1 is performed.
In step 0, it is judged whether printing is possible. If the printing is stopped in the determination in step S13, or after the printing is already executed in step S11, it is determined whether or not to save the print data in the internal storage device 13 (step S15), and it is necessary to save it. If
When the process is terminated and stored as it is, the print bitmap data and the print attribute data are transferred from the internal storage device 13 to the secondary storage device 14 and terminated.

The schematic configuration and operation of the print control apparatus 10 have been described above. Next, the details thereof will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of print data.

The print data is composed of print attribute data 31 and print bitmap data 32. The print attribute data 31 includes information such as a job name, the number of prints, and a paper size, and is created from the contents described in the job. If there is no description in the job, the system default value is entered. Further, by designating one of the jobs from the list of jobs displayed on the display device 21 by the instruction device 22, the attribute change unit 18 is used via the job control unit 17 to print the print attributes before printing. It can be changed. The print bitmap data 32 is stored by the number of pages of the job.

For the print data stored in the internal storage device 13, the print permission / inhibition determination unit 19 compares the print attribute data of the job with the contents of the table storing the configuration information of the print device 23 and sets the print data in the job. It is determined by the print attribute whether printing is possible. Here, the configuration information of the printing apparatus 23 is information indicating the function and configuration of the printing apparatus 23 connected to the print control apparatus 10, and the printing apparatus management unit 2
0 from the printing device 23.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a table of configuration information of the printing apparatus. According to the example of the illustrated table 40,
The printing device 23 has trays of three types of paper sizes,
Double-sided printing and color printing are possible, a top tray and a large-capacity stacker are provided as output destinations for printed paper, and stapling and saddle stitch bookbinding are possible as finishing post-processing methods after printing. There is.

When the print permission / inhibition determination unit 19 determines that the job can be printed, the print bitmap data stored in the internal storage device 13 is sent to the page buffer 15 page by page, and the data transmission unit is further provided. It is transmitted to the printing device 23 via 16 and printed. In addition, single-sided / double-sided printing designation, post-processing method designation, and the like are transmitted from the internal storage device 13 to the printing device 23 via the printing device management unit 20 by the job control unit 17 prior to transmission of the print bitmap data. To be

Upon completion of printing, the job control unit 17 determines whether to save the print data in the secondary storage device 14 based on the designation of "data save" in the print attribute. When it is designated to save the data, the print data is transferred from the internal storage device 13 to the secondary storage device 14 and saved in units of jobs.

On the other hand, a case of reprinting using print data stored in the secondary storage device 14 will be described. When performing reprinting, first, the instruction device 22 requests the display of a list of stored jobs via the job control unit 17, and the result is displayed on the display device 21.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list display of saved jobs. According to the illustrated window 50 of the stored job list displayed on the screen of the display device 21, for example, a list of the job name, the number of pages, and the creation date is displayed, and the reprinting and the cancellation are performed. Buttons are provided to give commands.

The operator uses the pointing device such as a mouse to select a job to be reprinted from the displayed list of saved jobs, and clicks the "reprint" command at the top of the window 50. Job control unit 17
Receives the reprint command and prints the print data of the specified job stored in the secondary storage device 14 to the internal storage device 1.
Transfer to 3. Then, the job control unit 17 receives the print attribute data designated for the job and displays the list on the display device 21.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print attribute list display. In the print attribute list window 60 displayed on the display device 21, the print attribute data 3 in the print data 30 is displayed.
Information that is useful to the operator is displayed. In the example shown in the figure, "Job name", "Number of copies", "Paper size", "Simplex / duplex", "Collation", "Output destination", "Post-processing method", "Monochrome / color", "Print" “Type”, “data storage” and “comment” are displayed.

If the information displayed in the print attribute list remains the same, the "print start" command at the top of the window 60 may be clicked. Subsequent processing is the same as in the case of printing a normal job described above. When "Cancel" at the top of the window 60 is selected, the list of saved jobs is displayed again. Further, here, details of the case of changing the print attribute and printing will be described later, and the details of the processing in the printability determination unit 19 will be described first.

It is assumed that the job "plan" is selected from the list of stored jobs displayed in FIG. 6 and reprinting is executed. At this time, if the print attributes as shown in FIG. 7 are set as the print attributes of this job, and the configuration information of the printing device 23 is as shown in FIG. 5, (1) designation by “paper size” of the print attributes Whether there is a tray of the specified size in the printing device 23, (2) Print attribute “single side /
Printing device 23 when “duplex” is specified in “duplex”
Whether or not double-sided printing is possible, (3) Print attribute "black and white /
Whether the printing device 23 is capable of color printing when the "color" has the "color" attribute, and (4) when the printing destination "output destination" is designated, the printing device 23 outputs such a color. If you have a destination, at this time if "post-processing machine" is specified as the output destination,
(5) Whether or not the post-processing specified by the “post-processing method” of the print attribute is possible in the printing device 23 is determined from the print attribute of the job and the configuration information of the printing device 23. In the case of this example, the conditions (1) to (4) are satisfied, but the item of the post-processing method (5) does not satisfy the conditions, so the printability determination unit 19 determines that printing is impossible.

When the printability determination unit 19 determines that printing is impossible, a warning window is displayed on the display device 21 via the job control unit 17, and the operator is notified of the content that cannot be printed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of the warning window. According to the illustrated example, the warning window 70 displays a warning message that printing cannot be performed, a reason why the printing is not possible, and a post-processing method that is currently selectable.
Then, the operator can select whether to change the attribute and re-execute printing, cancel printing, or suspend printing. To cancel printing, click the "cancel printing" command in the upper right of the warning window 70. In this case, the process proceeds to the determination of whether to save the print data. When the print attribute "print type" is "reprint", even if the print attribute "data save" is set to "yes", it is ignored.

In the above example, when the "change attribute" command of the warning window 70 is clicked, the window 60 of the print attribute list as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. From this, the operator can change the attribute that causes printing to become impossible. FIG. 9 shows the state of the change.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example of attribute change. In the print attribute list window 60, when a box indicating an attribute, for example, a “post-processing method” box is clicked, options are displayed in a pop-up menu 61, and an alternative means can be selected from the options. The illustrated example shows a case where the "simple binding" is changed to the "stapling". The attributes can be changed not only in the attribute that made printing impossible, but also in other attributes. However, the "job name" and "print type" cannot be changed. Further, it is usually meaningless to change the "paper size". When the necessary changes are completed, by clicking the "start printing" command in the upper right of the window 60, the process moves to the determination of printability again. If it is determined that printing is possible, reprinting is executed. If the "Cancel" command in the upper right corner of the window 60 is clicked, the warning window 7 shown in FIG.
You can go back to 0 and start over.

Similarly, the change of the print attribute is performed by the secondary storage device 1.
This is also possible in the first step when reprinting is performed by selecting a job from the list of print data stored in No. 4. When the print attribute list window 60 is displayed, you can change the number of copies, specify single-sided / double-sided, change the post-processing method, and click the "Start print" command to print different data from the same print data. The result can be obtained.

Another example of processing when it is determined that printing is impossible will be described. Although the "paper size" specified by the print attribute in the print permission / inhibition determination unit is A3, even if the A3 tray is not set in the printing apparatus, a correct print result cannot be obtained, so it is determined that printing is not possible. The display example of the warning window at that time is shown below.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of the warning window. If the specified paper tray is not set, the reason field of the display of the warning window 70 is changed as shown. At this time, the operator can hold the printing and change the configuration of the tray of the printing apparatus before executing the printing by selecting the "hold" command at the top of the warning window 70.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a print pending window. When the "hold" command of the warning window 70 is selected, the print pending window 80 is displayed. In this state, one of the trays is changed to the A3 tray, and when the change of the tray configuration is completed, if the “print start” command in the upper right of the print pending window 70 is clicked, the print permission / inhibition is again accepted. The process moves to judgment. The advantage of selecting "Hold" is that when "Hold" is selected, another job can be processed, so if there is a job waiting to be processed, it will be processed first. During that time, it is not necessary to stop the entire processing by changing the configuration of the printing apparatus.

In the above example, when the printing apparatus does not have a tray of the paper size set in the print data, the printing is stopped, or the printing is suspended and the necessary tray is set in the printing apparatus. Although an example is shown, a data size conversion unit is further provided, and when the paper size attribute is changed by changing the print attribute, the print bitmap data is the ratio of the changed paper size to the original paper size. It is also possible to perform printing by enlarging or reducing according to the above. Accordingly, even if the paper size is different, the printing can be executed without stopping the printing.

Further, as a secondary storage device, MO (magneto-optical) is used.
It is also possible to use a portable medium such as a disk device. As a result, it is possible to carry the print data to a system other than the system that created / stored the print data and perform printing.

Further, a data transfer unit capable of transferring print data to another printing system via a network connected to the print control device is provided, and the data is transferred to the secondary storage device by a command from the job control device. The stored print data can be read and transferred to another printing system. Further, in the embodiment, the internal storage device and the secondary storage device are separated, but one storage device may be used.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, reprinting is performed.
In this case, the print attribute of the job and the configuration information of the printing apparatus are compared to determine whether or not the job can be printed immediately before the printing is executed, so that the printing failure can be prevented. Also,
If printing is not possible, a warning message is displayed to the operator and the reason is displayed, so that the coping method can be immediately understood. Furthermore, as a method for the operator to handle when printing is impossible, there are three methods of canceling printing, suspending printing, and changing print attributes.
Since you can choose the coping method from the three, you can deal with it according to the situation. Even when printing is possible, you can change the processing attributes for one side / both sides by changing the print attributes.
Different output results can be obtained from the same print data by changing the post-processing method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a principle configuration of a print control apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a print control apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print control apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a data structure of print data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table of configuration information of a printing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a list display of stored jobs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a list of print attributes.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display example of a warning window.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen display example of attribute change.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another display example of a warning window.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print pending window.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Print control device 11 Print request reception section 12 Print data creation section 13 Internal storage 14 Secondary storage 15 page buffer 16 Data transmitter 17 Job control section 18 Attribute change part 19 Printability judgment unit 20 Printing device management section 21 Display 22 Pointing device 23 Printer

Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-5-270097 (JP, A) JP-A-6-202827 (JP, A) JP-A-5-309903 (JP, A) JP-A-7-230372 (JP , A) JP-A-7-72993 (JP, A) JP-A-5-221094 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12 B41J 5/30

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print data creation unit interprets print information from an external device, expands and prints the print information, stores the print information together with print attributes required for printing in a secondary storage unit, and reads the stored print data again. A print control device that controls the printing unit to perform printing in accordance with the print attribute, the configuration information acquiring unit acquiring the configuration information from the printing unit, and the printing using the print data from the acquired configuration information. A print permission / inhibition determining unit for determining whether or not the print attribute is read when the print data is read again for printing, or when the read read print data is determined not to be printable by the print enable / disable determination unit. A print control apparatus comprising: a print attribute changing unit that is changeable. 2. A print data creation unit interprets print information from an external device, expands and prints the print information, stores the print information together with print attributes required for printing in a secondary storage unit, and reads the stored print data again. A print control device that controls the printing unit to perform printing in accordance with the print attribute, the configuration information acquiring unit acquiring the configuration information from the printing unit, and the printing using the print data from the acquired configuration information. A print availability determination unit that determines whether the print data is reproducible, and when the re-read print data is determined not to be printable by the print availability determination unit, an instruction to change the print attribute, cancel the printing, or hold the printing is issued. A print control device, to which an instruction means for performing is connected. 3. The print information from the external device is interpreted by the print data creating means, developed, printed, and stored in the secondary storage means together with the print attributes required for printing, and the stored print data is read again. A print control device that controls the printing unit to perform printing in accordance with the print attribute, the configuration information acquiring unit acquiring the configuration information from the printing unit, and the printing using the print data from the acquired configuration information. A printability determining means for determining whether the printability is possible, and a display means for displaying a warning message is connected when the read-out print data is determined not to be printable by the printability determining means. A print control device. 4. The print information from the external device is interpreted by the print data creating means, expanded, printed, and stored in the secondary storage means together with the print attributes necessary for printing, and the stored print data is read again. A print control device that controls the printing unit to perform printing in accordance with the print attribute, the configuration information acquiring unit acquiring the configuration information from the printing unit, and the printing using the print data from the acquired configuration information. A printability determining means for determining whether or not it is possible, and a display means for displaying a coping method when the read-out print data is determined not to be printable by the printability determining means is connected. A print control device. 5. A print data conversion means for reducing or enlarging the print data according to the ratio of the paper size before and after the change when the paper size is changed in the print attributes. The print control device according to claim 1. 6. A data transfer unit capable of reading print data stored in the secondary storage unit and transferring the print data to another printing system via a connected network. The print control device according to claim 1. 7. A print data is created from print information from an external device.
It is necessary for printing as well as interpreting and expanding by means of composition means and printing.
It is stored in the secondary storage means together with the necessary print attributes and
The stored print data is read again and printed by the printing means.
Of the print control device that controls the printing according to the printing attributes
A print control method, wherein configuration information of a printing unit is acquired, and printing with the print data is possible from the acquired configuration information.
It is determined whether or not it is possible, and when reading the print data again and printing,
Is determined that the read print data cannot be printed again.
A print control method , wherein the print attribute can be changed when the print control is performed. 8. A print data is created from print information from an external device.
It is necessary for printing as well as interpreting and expanding by means of composition means and printing.
It is stored in the secondary storage means together with the necessary print attributes and
The stored print data is read again and printed by the printing means.
Of the print control device that controls the printing according to the printing attributes
A print control method, wherein configuration information of a printing unit is acquired, and printing with the print data is possible from the acquired configuration information.
It is determined that the print data read again cannot be printed.
The print attributes are changed, printing is canceled or
Print control characterized by enabling instructions
apparatus. 9. A print data is created from print information from an external device.
It is necessary for printing as well as interpreting and expanding by means of composition means and printing.
It is stored in the secondary storage means together with the necessary print attributes and
The stored print data is read again and printed by the printing means.
Of the print control device that controls the printing according to the printing attributes
A print control method, wherein configuration information of a printing unit is acquired, and printing with the print data is possible from the acquired configuration information.
It is determined that the print data read again cannot be printed.
It is characterized by displaying a warning message when
Print control method. 10. The print information is print data from an external device.
Interpreted by the creating means, expanded, printed and printed
It is stored in the secondary storage means together with the necessary print attributes,
By reading the stored print data again and using the printing means
A print control device for controlling printing according to print attributes
The print control method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration information of the printing unit is acquired, and printing with the print data is possible from the acquired configuration information.
It is determined whether or not the print data is read again.
When it is determined that printing cannot be performed, a coping method is displayed.
A printing control method characterized by the above.