JP3644400B2 - Job management device, job input device, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Description

【００４５】
印刷ジョブ制御情報は、ジョブを識別するために付されるジョブ識別子、クライアントが登録してジョブを識別するためのジョブ名、プリンタトラブル等を通知するときの通知先として設定するためのクライアント２０のＥ−Ｍａｉｌアドレスであるジョブ送信者名、ジョブのコピー部数、サーバ４０において複数クライアントからの複数ジョブを合成するジョブ処理モードであることを示すジョブ処理モード１、サーバ４０において合成したジョブをクライアント側のプリンタに転送するかを示すジョブ処理モード２、ジョブを合成する合成先、ジョブを実行する第１出力先および第２出力先、サーバ側のプリンタ４１において印刷するタイミングを規定する第１出力先出力タイミング、クライアント側のプリンタにおいて印刷するタイミングを規定する第２出力先出力タイミング、クライアントで設定したページ制御情報を第２出力先で実行するか否かを設定するための第２出力先のページ制御情報の実行その他の各入力項目からなっている。この印刷ジョブ制御情報は、クライアントにおいて印刷ジョブを外部に送るときのプリンタドライバ起動中に、例えば図６に示すディスプレイに表示されるウィンドウ画面Ｗ１を利用し、キーボード２０ｂやマウス２０ｃをユーザが操作することにより入力される。
【００４６】
また、ページ制御情報は、出力装置の出力制御情報に対応し、ドキュメントを識別するためのドキュメント識別子、クライアントが登録してドキュメントを識別するためのドキュメント名、両面印刷するか片面印刷するか設定するための両面/片面、印刷する用紙サイズを設定するための用紙サイズ、プリンタが給紙する給紙口を指定するための給紙口、ステープルするか否かを設定する排紙モードの各入力項目からなっている。このページ制御情報は、クライアントにおいて印刷ジョブを外部に送るときのプリンタドライバ起動中に、例えば図７に示すディスプレイに表示されるウィンドウ画面Ｗ２を利用し、キーボード２０ｂやマウス２０ｃをユーザが操作することにより入力される。
【００４７】
図５に戻ってフローチャートを説明する。
【００４８】
ステップＳ１では、クライアント側での印刷要求があるがあるかを判定する。ここで、印刷要求がある場合には、ステップＳ２に進む。
【００４９】
ステップＳ２では、他のクライアントから発行される印刷ジョブと合成する旨の設定入力を行うかを判定する。ここで、ジョブ合成の設定入力を行う場合には、ステップＳ３に進み、設定入力を行わない場合には、ステップＳ４に進む。
【００５０】
ステップＳ３では、ユーザが、ウィンドウ画面Ｗ１(図６)においてジョブ管理モード１を合成するを選択する。
【００５１】
ステップＳ４では、ジョブを合成する合成先を設定するかを判定する。ここで、合成先を設定する場合には、ステップＳ５に進み、合成先を設定しない場合には、ステップＳ６に進む。
【００５２】
ステップＳ５では、ユーザが、ウィンドウ画面Ｗ１(図６)において、ジョブの合成先としてサーバのメールアドレスを入力する。
【００５３】
ステップＳ６では、第１出力先を指定する要求があるかを判定する。ここで、第１出力先を指定する場合には、ステップＳ７に進み、第１出力先を指定しない場合には、ステップＳ８に進む。
【００５４】
ステップＳ７では、ユーザが、ウィンドウ画面Ｗ１(図６)において第１出力先として指定するプリンタのメールアドレスを入力する。ここで、サーバのＬＡＮ４に接続されるプリンタ４１を第１出力先として指定する場合は、プリンタ４１のメールアドレスを設定する。なお、サーバ側の出力先は、サーバのプリンタドライバにおいて書換え可能となっている。
【００５５】
また、合成ジョブを実行しないでクライント側のプリンタに直接印刷ジョブを実行したい場合には、例えばプリンタ２１のメールアドレスを設定することとなる。
【００５６】
ステップＳ８では、ユーザによる転送要求、すなわちサーバ４０で合成したジョブをクライアントのＬＡＮ２のプリンタに転送する要求があるかを判定する。ここで、転送要求がある場合には、ステップＳ９に進み、転送要求がない場合には、ステップＳ１０に進む。
【００５７】
ステップＳ９では、図６に示すウィンドウ画面Ｗ１(図６)において第２出力先の通信先情報、すなわち指定のクライアント側のプリンタ２１のメールアドレスを設定する。また、ユーザが指定する第２出力先印刷タイミングを設定するとともに、ユーザが意図するドキュメントのページ制御を行わせるために指定のページ制御情報を設定する。
【００５８】
ステップＳ１０では、Ｅ−Ｍａｉｌに添付する添付データを作成し、ジョブ合成先であるサーバ４０にＥ−Ｍａｉｌを発信する。すなわち、図６および図７に示すウィンドウ画面Ｗ１、Ｗ２において入力されたデータと、アプリケーションソフトウェア等で作成された文書データを変換したＰＤＬデータとに基づき添付データを作成するとともに、この添付データをＥ−Ｍａｉｌに付して合成ジョブ先のＥ−Ｍａｉｌアドレスに発信する。
【００５９】
図８は、サーバ４０の基本的な動作を示すフローチャートである。この動作は、プリンタドライバに従って、ＣＰＵ４０１で実行される。
【００６０】
ステップＳ１１では、クライアント２０から送信されたジョブ、すなわち上記のＥ−Ｍａｉｌの受信があるかを判定する。ここで、ジョブの受信がある場合には、ステップＳ１２に進む。
【００６１】
ステップＳ１２では、ジョブ合成の要求があるかを判定する。ここでは、上記のステップＳ３でジョブ管理モード１が合成するに選択された場合には、ジョブ合成の要求有りと判断される。ここで、ジョブ合成の要求がある場合には、ステップＳ１３に進み、ジョブ合成の要求がない場合には、ステップＳ１７に進む。
【００６２】
ステップＳ１３では、新規なジョブ識別子か否かを判定する。ここで、新規なジョブ識別子である場合には、ステップＳ１４に進み、新規でない場合には、ステップＳ１５に進む。
【００６３】
ステップＳ１４では、未だ他のクライアントからのジョブの受信がなく、ジョブの合成ができないため、受信したジョブをサーバの固定記憶部４０４で保持する。
【００６４】
ステップＳ１５では、既に他のクライアントからのジョブを受信しているため、受信したジョブのＰＤＬデータと、サーバの固定記憶部４０４で保持されている同一のジョブ識別子を有するジョブのＰＤＬデータとを合成する。
【００６５】
ステップＳ１６では、第１出力先、すなわちサーバ側のプリンタ４１への出力タイミングである第１出力先印刷タイミングとなったかを判定する。ここで、第１出力先印刷タイミングとなった場合には、ステップＳ１７に進み、第１出力先印刷タイミングに至っていない場合には、ステップＳ１８に進む。
【００６６】
ステップＳ１７では、第１出力先、すなわちサーバ側のプリンタ４１に、印刷ジョブ制御情報、ページ制御情報、ＰＤＬデータを出力し、印刷ジョブの発行をする。なお、サーバ４０においてページ制御情報の設定入力がある場合には、サーバ４０で入力されたページ制御情報に更新されページ制御が行われることとなる。
【００６７】
ステップＳ１８では、第２出力先、すなわちクライアント側のプリンタ２１への出力タイミングである第２出力先印刷タイミングとなった場合には、ステップＳ１９に進む。この第２出力先印刷タイミング情報は、受信したＥ−Ｍａｉｌの添付データに含まれており、この添付データから取得することとなる。
【００６８】
ステップＳ１９では、クライアント２０で設定した第２出力先のページ制御を実行するかを判定する。この第２出力先およびページ制御の情報は、受信したＥ−Ｍａｉｌの添付データに含まれており、この添付データから取得する。ここで、第２出力先制御を実行する場合にはステップＳ２０に進み、実行しない場合にはステップＳ２１に進む。
【００６９】
ステップＳ２０では、クライアント２０で設定したページ制御情報と、合成された印刷ジョブとを第２出力先のプリンタ２１に送信する。これらを受信した第２出力先では、クライアント２０で設定されたページ制御情報に基づき、合成された印刷ジョブが実行されることとなる。
【００７０】
ステップＳ２１では、サーバ４０で設定されているデフォルトのページ制御情報と、合成された印刷ジョブとを第２出力先のプリンタ２１に送信する。これらを受信した第２出力先では、サーバ４０で設定されているページ制御情報に基づき、合成された印刷ジョブが実行されることとなる。
【００７１】
以上のジョブ管理システム１の動作により、複数クライアントから送られるジョブを一旦サーバで収集し、サーバで複数のジョブを合成する。そして、サーバのＬＡＮのプリンタで印刷するときは、サーバのプリンタドライバで設定されるページ制御情報に従ってサーバのＬＡＮのプリンタで印刷される。一方、クライアントからサーバへのジョブ送信時に印刷ジョブ制御情報にクライアントのＬＡＮのプリンタに転送する要求が設定されいるた場合は、サーバで合成したジョブを、クライアントが指定したタイミングで、かつクライアントのプリンタドライバで設定されるページ制御情報に従ってクライアント側のプリンタで印刷されることとなる。その結果、ジョブ入力側であるクライアント側の利便性を向上できる。
【００７２】
＜変形例＞
◎上記の実施形態のジョブ管理システムにおいては、インターネットを介してサーバと複数クライアントと接続するシステムに限らず、複数のＬＡＮを接続したイントラネットにおいて各ＬＡＮにクライアント、サーバが設けられるシステムにも、同一ＬＡＮ内に複数のクライアントとサーバが設けられるシステムにも適用できる。
【００７３】
◎上記の実施形態におけるクライアントとプリンタとの関係は、ＬＡＮを介して通信可能となっているのは必須でなく、ケーブルなどで直接接続されるものでも良い。この場合には、ジョブ入力装置と出力装置とが一体化されたものとして機能することとなる。
【００７４】
◎ジョブ入力装置においては、Ｅ−Ｍａｉｌを利用してジョブを入力するのは必須でなく、スキャナで読込んだ画像データを入力するようにしても良い。この場合には、複数の画像データが合成されてプリンタに出力されることとなる。
【００７５】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、請求項１および請求項１０の発明によれば、ジョブを受理する際に通信先情報を取得し、ジョブ入力装置で設定された複数の出力装置に合成ジョブを複数の出力装置それぞれで規定されるタイミングで送信する。その結果、複数ジョブを合成する場合にジョブ入力側の利便性を向上できる。
【００７６】
特に、請求項２の発明においては、ジョブ入力装置で設定された出力タイミング情報に基づき、複数の出力装置それぞれに規定されるタイミングで合成ジョブを送信するため、ジョブ入力側で要求されるタイミングで出力が行える。
【００７７】
また、請求項３の発明においては、ジョブ入力装置で入力された複数の出力装置それぞれに係る出力制御情報と合成ジョブとを送信するため、ジョブ入力側で要求される出力制御が行える。
【００７８】
また、請求項４の発明においては、所定の操作入力に基づき複数の出力装置に係る情報を設定するため、ジョブ入力側で出力装置に係る情報を容易に設定できる。
【００７９】
また、請求項５の発明においては、所定の操作入力に基づき複数の出力装置に係る出力タイミング情報を設定するため、ジョブ入力側で出力タイミング情報を容易に設定できる。
【００８０】
また、請求項６の発明においては、所定の操作入力に基づき複数の出力装置それぞれに係る出力形式情報を設定するため、ジョブ入力側で出力形式情報を容易に設定できる。
【００８１】
また、請求項６の発明においては、所定の操作入力に基づき出力形式情報を設定するため、ジョブ入力側で出力形式情報を容易に設定できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施形態に係るジョブ管理システム１の要部構成を示す図である。
【図２】クライアントのＬＡＮ２に設けられるプリンタ２１の回路構成を示すブロック図である。
【図３】クライアント２０の回路構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】サーバ４０の回路構成を示すブロック図である。
【図５】クライアント２０の基本的な動作を示すフローチャートである。
【図６】ウィンドウ画面Ｗ１を示す図である。
【図７】ウィンドウ画面Ｗ２を示す図である。
【図８】サーバ４０の基本的な動作を示すフローチャートである。
【符号の説明】
１ ジョブ管理システム
２０、３０ クライアント
２１、３１、４１ プリンタ
４０ サーバ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a job management technique for combining and processing a plurality of jobs using, for example, a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a print job is issued from a client to a printer and a document is printed, print job data including print job control information, page control information, and print data described in a page description language is sent.
[0003]
Print job control information consists of job identifier, job name, job sender name, number of copies of the job, job management mode (priority job, non-priority job, job composition such as job composition, job division, etc.) Management information for each job to be executed.
[0004]
The page control information is control information that defines printing conditions for printing print data such as a document identifier, a document name, double-sided printing, a paper size, a paper feed port to be selected, and a paper discharge mode on paper.
[0005]
The printer executes print control according to the print job control information and page control information, and print data is printed.
[0006]
As an application of the above technique, a printing system is also known in which a plurality of jobs input from each client are combined and printed as one job by a printer. For example, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-212741, print jobs from a plurality of clients connected to the network are accepted by the server, and the job management mode in the print job control information is combined into a single job. If the job mode is set, the accepted jobs are stocked sequentially on the server, and if the number of stocked jobs exceeds the specified number, a print request for the composite job is issued from the server to the printer and batch printing is performed on the printer. The system is described.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described printing system, the server simply combines a plurality of jobs into one job, and outputs the data to a single printer designated by the server. In order to acquire, each client must access the server again, which is inconvenient. When accessing after printing from the server, the combined print job data may be discarded.
[0008]
Furthermore, since the printing timing and page control information are also set by the server, printing at the timing requested by the client and page control requested by the client cannot be executed, which is inconvenient.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a job management technique capable of improving convenience on the job input side when combining a plurality of input jobs.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention of claim 1 is a job management apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of job input devices and an output device for outputting based on a job, and (a) the plurality of job input devices Receiving means capable of receiving a job sent from the apparatus; (b) combining means for generating a combined job by combining a plurality of jobs received by the receiving means; and (c) receiving the job by the receiving means. An acquisition means for acquiring communication destination information relating to a plurality of output devices designated by the job input device, and (d) the composite job is defined by each of the plurality of output devices based on the communication destination information. TIAnd transmitting means for transmitting to the plurality of output devices by means of timing.
[0011]
  Further, the invention of claim 2 is the job management apparatus according to the invention of claim 1, wherein the acquisition means is (c-1) the job input device specified by the job input device.pluralMeans for acquiring output timing information related to the output device,Sending the composite jobThe timing is based on the output timing information.Each of the plurality of output devices is defined.
[0012]
The invention according to claim 3 is the job management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acquisition means is (c-2) the job input device specified by the job input device.pluralOutput deviceRespectivelyMeans for acquiring output control information according to (1), (d-1)pluralOutput deviceRespectivelyMeans for transmitting the output control information.
[0013]
  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, comprising: an input unit that receives a predetermined operation input; Based on operation input,According to the plurality of output devicesDesignating means for designating communication destination information.
[0014]
  Further, the invention of claim 5 is a job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to claim 2 of the present invention, based on input means for receiving a predetermined operation input, and the predetermined operation input,According to the plurality of output devicesDesignating means for designating output timing information.
[0015]
  Further, the invention of claim 6 is a job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to the invention of claim 3, and based on the input means for receiving a predetermined operation input, and the predetermined operation input,According to each of the plurality of output devicesDesignating means for designating output control information.
[0016]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a job management apparatus to function as the job management apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects by being installed in a computer built in the job management apparatus. It is a recording medium that is recording.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 8 is a program that, when installed in a computer built in the job management apparatus, causes the job management apparatus to function as the job management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a job input device to function as the job input device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects by being installed in a computer incorporated in the job input device. It is a recording medium that is recording.
[0019]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a job input device to function as the job input device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects by being installed in a computer built in the job input device.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Main components of the job management system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a job management system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
The job management system 1 includes client LANs 2 and 3 and a server LAN 4 connected to the client LANs 2 and 3 via the Internet 9. In this job management system 1, a large number of clients can generally be connected to one server. However, for convenience of illustration, in this embodiment, the LANs 2 and 3 of two clients are connected to the LAN 4 of one server. Let's take an example of a system to be used.
[0022]
The client LAN 2 is provided with a client computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “client”) 20 for inputting a print job, and two printers 21 for receiving the print job. The client LAN 2 is provided with a router 24 connected to the Internet 9, a firewall 25, and a mail server 26 that provides e-mail collection and distribution services.
[0023]
Similar to the client LAN 2, the client LAN 3 is provided with a client 30, two printers 31 including a printer main body 32 and a printer controller 33, a router 34, a firewall 35, a mail server 36, and the like. Is provided.
[0024]
The server LAN 4 is provided with a server computer (hereinafter referred to as a “server”) 40 that combines a plurality of print jobs received from each client, and a printer 41 that receives the print jobs. The server LAN 4 is provided with a router 44 connected to the Internet 9, a firewall 45, and a mail server 46 for collecting and distributing electronic mail.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the printer 21 provided in the LAN 2 of the client. The printer 31 provided in the client LAN 3 and the printer 41 provided in the server LAN 4 have the same configuration as the printer 21.
[0026]
The printer 21 functions as an output device, and includes the printer controller 23 illustrated in FIG. 1 and a print engine 220 provided in the printer main body 22.
[0027]
The printer controller 23 includes a LAN interface (I / F) 231 connected to the LAN 2 of the client, an image development unit 232 connected to the LAN I / F 231 so as to be able to transmit, a RAM 233, a ROM 234, a CPU 235, an NV-RAM 236 that is a nonvolatile memory, and And an image output I / F 237.
[0028]
The image development unit 232 includes an interpreter that converts print data described in PDL into an intermediate code, a font storage unit that stores font information and font data for analyzing the intermediate code, and bitmap data from the intermediate code. And a drawing processing unit for developing in the RAM 233.
[0029]
The RAM 233 is used as an intermediate code buffer or page memory.
[0030]
The ROM 234 analyzes a print job control information / page control information, and executes a print job, and a program that receives and analyzes an E-Mail attached with print job control information / page control information / page description language (PDL) data. Is stored.
[0031]
The CPU 235 executes the above program stored in the ROM 234.
[0032]
The image output I / F 237 is a part that transfers the developed bitmap data to the printer engine 220.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the client 20. The circuit configuration of the client 30 is the same as that of the client 20.
[0034]
The client 20 is configured as a personal computer, for example, and functions as a job input device. The client 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, and a fixed storage unit 204. The display 20a shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the display control unit 205, and the keyboard 20b and the mouse 20c shown in FIG. Are connected to each other. The client 20 also has a LAN interface (I / F) 207 for transmitting and receiving various data via the LAN and an input / output interface (I / F) for inputting / outputting data to / from the recording medium 8 such as an optical disk. F) 208.
[0035]
As will be described later, the CPU 201 accepts user input related to the server E-Mail address and the printer E-Mail address, creates print job control information, page description information, and page description language (PDL) data, and performs print job control. An E-Mail attached with information, page control information, and page description language (PDL) data is created, and an operation of transmitting the E-Mail to the input E-Mail address is executed. A printer driver including a program for causing the CPU 201 to execute this operation is stored in the fixed storage unit 204.
[0036]
The program data recorded in the recording medium 8 is installed via the input / output I / F 208, that is, stored in the RAM 203 and executed by the CPU 201, so that the program can be reflected in the operation of the client 20. ing.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the server 40.
[0038]
The server 40 is configured as a personal computer, for example, and functions as a job management apparatus. The server 40 includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, and a fixed storage unit 404. The display 40a shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the display control unit 405, and the keyboard 40b and the mouse 40c shown in FIG. Are connected to each other. The client 40 inputs and outputs data to and from a LAN interface (I / F) 407 for transmitting and receiving various data such as jobs sent from the client via the LAN, and the recording medium 8 such as an optical disk. Input / output interface (I / F) 408.
[0039]
As will be described later, the CPU 401 receives a job from a client, combines a plurality of jobs, and executes an operation of transferring the combined job to a designated printer. A printer driver including a program for causing the CPU 401 to execute this operation is stored in the fixed storage unit 404.
[0040]
Further, the above-mentioned program recorded on the recording medium 8 is installed via the input / output I / F 408, that is, stored in the RAM 403 and executed by the CPU 401, so that this program can be reflected in the operation of the server 40. Yes.
[0041]
Hereinafter, operations executed in the job management system 1 will be described with reference to flowcharts.
[0042]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the client 20. This operation is executed by the CPU 201 in accordance with the printer driver.
[0043]
When a print job is issued from a client to a printer and a created document is printed, print job data including print job control information, page control information, and print data described in a page description language is transmitted. The configuration of this print job data is shown in Table 1 below.
[0044]
[Table 1]

[0045]
The print job control information includes a job identifier assigned to identify the job, a job name registered by the client to identify the job, a notification destination of the client 20 for setting a printer trouble, etc. The job sender name, which is an E-Mail address, the number of copies of the job, the job processing mode 1 indicating that the server 40 is a job processing mode for combining a plurality of jobs from a plurality of clients, and the job combined on the server 40 on the client side Job processing mode 2 indicating whether to transfer to the printer, composition destination for composing the job, first output destination and second output destination for executing the job, and first output destination for defining printing timing in the printer 41 on the server side Output timing, printing timing on client side printer From the second output destination output timing for defining the output, execution of page control information set by the client, whether to execute the second output destination page control information, and other input items It has become. This print job control information is used by the user to operate the keyboard 20b and the mouse 20c, for example, using the window screen W1 displayed on the display shown in FIG. Is input.
[0046]
The page control information corresponds to the output control information of the output device, and sets a document identifier for identifying the document, a document name registered by the client to identify the document, and duplex printing or single-sided printing. Double-sided / single-sided for printing, paper size for setting the paper size for printing, paper feeding port for specifying the paper feeding port to be fed by the printer, and output items for setting whether to staple or not It is made up of. This page control information is obtained when the user operates the keyboard 20b and the mouse 20c using the window screen W2 displayed on the display shown in FIG. 7, for example, while the printer driver is activated when the client sends a print job to the outside. Is input.
[0047]
Returning to FIG. 5, the flowchart will be described.
[0048]
In step S1, it is determined whether there is a print request on the client side. If there is a print request, the process proceeds to step S2.
[0049]
In step S2, it is determined whether or not a setting input for combining with a print job issued from another client is to be performed. If the job composition setting input is performed, the process proceeds to step S3. If the setting input is not performed, the process proceeds to step S4.
[0050]
In step S3, the user selects to combine job management mode 1 on the window screen W1 (FIG. 6).
[0051]
In step S4, it is determined whether or not a combination destination for combining jobs is set. If the composition destination is set, the process proceeds to step S5. If the composition destination is not set, the process proceeds to step S6.
[0052]
In step S5, the user inputs the mail address of the server as a job composition destination on the window screen W1 (FIG. 6).
[0053]
In step S6, it is determined whether there is a request for designating the first output destination. If the first output destination is designated, the process proceeds to step S7. If the first output destination is not designated, the process proceeds to step S8.
[0054]
In step S7, the user inputs the mail address of the printer designated as the first output destination on the window screen W1 (FIG. 6). Here, when the printer 41 connected to the LAN 4 of the server is designated as the first output destination, the mail address of the printer 41 is set. The output destination on the server side can be rewritten by the printer driver of the server.
[0055]
Further, when it is desired to execute a print job directly on the client side printer without executing a composite job, for example, the mail address of the printer 21 is set.
[0056]
In step S8, it is determined whether there is a transfer request by the user, that is, a request to transfer the job synthesized by the server 40 to the printer of the client LAN2. If there is a transfer request, the process proceeds to step S9. If there is no transfer request, the process proceeds to step S10.
[0057]
In step S9, the second output destination communication destination information, that is, the mail address of the designated client-side printer 21 is set on the window screen W1 (FIG. 6) shown in FIG. In addition, a second output destination printing timing designated by the user is set, and designated page control information is set in order to perform page control of the document intended by the user.
[0058]
In step S10, attached data to be attached to the E-Mail is created, and the E-Mail is transmitted to the server 40 that is the job composition destination. That is, the attached data is created based on the data input on the window screens W1 and W2 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the PDL data obtained by converting the document data created by the application software or the like. -Attaches to Mail and sends to the E-Mail address of the composite job destination.
[0059]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the server 40. This operation is executed by the CPU 401 in accordance with the printer driver.
[0060]
In step S11, it is determined whether there is a job transmitted from the client 20, that is, reception of the above-described E-Mail. If there is a job received, the process proceeds to step S12.
[0061]
In step S12, it is determined whether there is a job composition request. Here, if the job management mode 1 is selected to be combined in step S3, it is determined that there is a request for job combination. If there is a job composition request, the process proceeds to step S13. If there is no job composition request, the process proceeds to step S17.
[0062]
In step S13, it is determined whether it is a new job identifier. If it is a new job identifier, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is not new, the process proceeds to step S15.
[0063]
In step S14, the job is not yet received from another client and cannot be combined, so the received job is held in the fixed storage unit 404 of the server.
[0064]
In step S15, since a job from another client has already been received, the PDL data of the received job and the PDL data of the job having the same job identifier held in the fixed storage unit 404 of the server are combined. To do.
[0065]
In step S16, it is determined whether the first output destination, that is, the first output destination printing timing, which is the output timing to the server-side printer 41, has been reached. If the first output destination printing timing is reached, the process proceeds to step S17. If the first output destination printing timing is not reached, the process proceeds to step S18.
[0066]
In step S17, print job control information, page control information, and PDL data are output to the first output destination, that is, the server-side printer 41, and a print job is issued. In addition, when there is a setting input of page control information in the server 40, the page control is updated to the page control information input in the server 40.
[0067]
If it is determined in step S18 that the second output destination, that is, the second output destination printing timing, which is the output timing to the printer 21 on the client side, is reached, the process proceeds to step S19. This second output destination print timing information is included in the received E-Mail attachment data, and is acquired from this attachment data.
[0068]
In step S19, it is determined whether to execute page control of the second output destination set in the client 20. This second output destination and page control information is included in the received E-Mail attachment data, and is acquired from this attachment data. If the second output destination control is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S20. If not, the process proceeds to step S21.
[0069]
In step S20, the page control information set by the client 20 and the combined print job are transmitted to the second output destination printer 21. At the second output destination that has received these, the combined print job is executed based on the page control information set by the client 20.
[0070]
In step S21, the default page control information set in the server 40 and the synthesized print job are transmitted to the second output destination printer 21. At the second output destination that has received these, the combined print job is executed based on the page control information set in the server 40.
[0071]
Through the operation of the job management system 1 described above, jobs sent from a plurality of clients are once collected by a server, and a plurality of jobs are synthesized by the server. When printing is performed by the server LAN printer, printing is performed by the server LAN printer according to the page control information set by the server printer driver. On the other hand, if a request to transfer to the client LAN printer is set in the print job control information when the job is sent from the client to the server, the job synthesized by the server is sent to the client printer at the timing specified by the client. Printing is performed by the printer on the client side in accordance with the page control information set by the driver. As a result, the convenience on the client side which is the job input side can be improved.
[0072]
<Modification>
The job management system of the above embodiment is not limited to a system in which a server and a plurality of clients are connected via the Internet, but is the same in a system in which a client and a server are provided in each LAN in an intranet connected to a plurality of LANs. The present invention can also be applied to a system in which a plurality of clients and servers are provided in a LAN.
[0073]
The relationship between the client and the printer in the above embodiment is not essential to be able to communicate via the LAN, and may be directly connected by a cable or the like. In this case, the job input device and the output device function as an integrated unit.
[0074]
In the job input device, it is not essential to input a job using E-Mail, and image data read by a scanner may be input. In this case, a plurality of image data are combined and output to the printer.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 10, communication destination information is acquired when a job is received, and a plurality of composite jobs are output to a plurality of output devices set by the job input device. The device specified for each deviceISend it in As a result, it is possible to improve convenience on the job input side when combining a plurality of jobs.
[0076]
  In particular, in the invention of claim 2, based on the output timing information set in the job input device,At the timing specified for each output deviceSince the composite job is transmitted, it can be output at the timing required on the job input side.
[0077]
  Further, in the invention of claim 3, it is inputted by the job input device.pluralOutput deviceRespectivelySince the output control information and the composite job are transmitted, the output control required on the job input side can be performed.
[0078]
  In the invention of claim 4, based on a predetermined operation inputpluralSince the information related to the output device is set, the information related to the output device can be easily set on the job input side.
[0079]
  In the invention of claim 5, based on a predetermined operation inputRelated to multiple output devicesSince the output timing information is set, the output timing information can be easily set on the job input side.
[0080]
  Further, in the invention of claim 6, based on a predetermined operation input.Each of multiple output devicesSince the output format information is set, the output format information can be easily set on the job input side.
[0081]
In the invention of claim 6, since the output format information is set based on a predetermined operation input, the output format information can be easily set on the job input side.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main configuration of a job management system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a printer 21 provided in a LAN 2 of a client.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a client 20;
4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a server 40. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the client 20;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a window screen W1.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a window screen W2.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the server 40;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Job management system
20, 30 clients
21, 31, 41 Printer
40 servers

Claims (10)

A job management device capable of communicating with a plurality of job input devices and an output device that outputs based on a job,
(a) receiving means capable of receiving a job sent from the plurality of job input devices;
(b) combining a plurality of jobs received by the receiving unit and generating a combined job;
(c) an acquisition unit that acquires communication destination information related to a plurality of output devices specified by the job input device when the job is received by the reception unit;
(d) based on the communication destination information, transmitting means for transmitting the composite job to the plurality of output devices at a timing specified by each of the plurality of output devices;
A job management apparatus comprising: The job management apparatus according to claim 1,
The acquisition means includes
(c-1) means for acquiring output timing information relating to the plurality of output devices designated by the job input device;
Have
The job management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing of transmitting the composite job is defined for each of the plurality of output devices based on the output timing information. The job management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The acquisition means includes
(c-2) means for acquiring output control information relating to each of the plurality of output devices designated by the job input device;
Have
The transmission means includes
(d-1) means for transmitting the output control information to each of the plurality of output devices;
A job management apparatus comprising: A job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to claim 1,
An input means for receiving a predetermined operation input;
Designation means for designating communication destination information related to the plurality of output devices based on the predetermined operation input;
A job input device comprising: A job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to claim 2,
An input means for receiving a predetermined operation input;
Designating means for designating output timing information related to the plurality of output devices based on the predetermined operation input;
A job management apparatus comprising: A job input device capable of communicating with the job management device according to claim 3,
An input means for receiving a predetermined operation input;
Designation means for designating output control information related to each of the plurality of output devices based on a predetermined operation input;
A job input device comprising:   A program for causing the job management apparatus to function as the job management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 by being installed in a computer built in the job management apparatus is recorded. A computer-readable recording medium.   A program for causing a job management apparatus to function as the job management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 by being installed in a computer built in the job management apparatus.   A program for causing the job input device to function as the job input device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 is recorded by being installed in a computer incorporated in the job input device. A computer-readable recording medium.   A program for causing a job input device to function as the job input device according to any one of claims 4 to 6 by being installed in a computer incorporated in the job input device.

Images