JP4954164B2 - Output management server and data output system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data output system and an output management server for transferring data from an information processing terminal to an output device via an output management server connected to a network.

  When printing data is sent from an information processing terminal such as a personal computer to the printing device for printing, the printing device may have some abnormalities during printing, and the user is responsible for resending the printing data to deal with it. Various techniques for reducing the above have been proposed.

  For example, if an abnormality occurs during the processing of a print job on the printing device, a copy of the spool temporarily stored on the host computer is created in the nonvolatile memory, and after the printer is restored, the duplicated spool in the nonvolatile memory is created. An image forming system is disclosed that can continuously print a job in which an abnormality has occurred without forcing the user to perform complicated work by re-transferring (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-196916 A

  In the above technique, an abnormal print job can be re-executed in the same printing apparatus. However, if the abnormality of the printing apparatus cannot be recovered immediately, the output destination is set to another printing apparatus. I want to change it. However, since the job has already been sent to the output device and is waiting for output in the output device, the user can delete the job from the previous output device, The same job had to be re-submitted to the output device, which forced complicated operations.

  Also, in an environment where an output device such as a printer or a copier connected to a network such as a local area network (LAN) in an office is shared by many information processing terminals connected to the network, A system may be configured to provide a print server and transfer print data from the information processing terminal to the output device via the print server.

  Normally, such a print server is configured to delete the print data from the server at the same time as the transfer of the print data to the output device. The print job must be input again after specifying the print file and various output settings again, which is troublesome.

  As shown in FIG. 18, when the transfer time tB of the job B (next job) transferred from the server to the output device is much longer than the print processing time tP of the job A (previous job), the job A Even when printing is completed, job B is still being transferred. At this time, for example, even if the user wants to change the print setting (output setting) related to job B or wants to change the output destination to another output device, the print setting or The output destination could not be changed.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 19, when an output device that is processing job A (previous job) during transfer of job B (next job) and an abnormality such as a paper jam occurs, the printing process does not proceed. In some cases, the user may desire to change the output destination or the like, but the server waits for the transfer of job B until the output device is restored, and the print setting for job B can be changed during the standby. Since the output destination cannot be changed, the user is greatly stressed.

  The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problem, and an output management server and data that can change an output destination and an output setting for a job that has already been transferred or a job that has been transferred It aims to provide an output system.

  The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.

[1] In an output management server connected to an information processing terminal and an output device via a network,
Receiving means for receiving job data to be processed by the output device from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
A change instruction receiving means for receiving an output destination change instruction for changing the output destination of the job data held in the holding means from an information processing terminal;
Output destination changing means for changing the output destination of the job data in response to the output destination change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output destination changing means is
When an output destination change instruction for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control means, an output destination change process is performed on the second job data,
When the output destination change process is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the transfer of the second job data to the changed output destination is started. An output management server that generates third job data, which is a copy of the second job data, and stores the third job data in the holding unit before the first job data is stored .

In the above invention, before starting transfer of the original job data, the second job data that is a duplicate of the original job data is created and held. As a result, even after the transfer of the original job data is started and the original job data cannot be changed, the duplicated second job data is used as a substitute for the job data being transferred, and the output destination and output It is possible to respond to changes in settings. When an output destination change instruction is received after the start of job data transfer, the copied second job data is used to respond to output destination change processing, and the transfer of the original job data is stopped.
[2] The output destination changing unit deletes the duplication source job data from the holding unit when the output destination is changed for the second job data. [1] The output management server described in the above.
[3] In an output management server connected to an information processing terminal and an output device via a network,
Receiving means for receiving job data to be processed by the output device from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
A change instruction receiving means for receiving an output setting change instruction for the job data held in the holding means from an information processing terminal;
Output setting change means for performing output setting change processing relating to the job data in response to the change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output setting changing means includes
When an instruction to change the output setting for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control unit, an output setting change process is performed on the second job data.
When output setting change processing is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the second job data is changed to the output device after the output setting is changed. An output management server that generates third job data that is a copy of the second job data and stores the third job data in the holding unit before the transfer of the first job data is started .
[4] When the output setting change unit performs output setting change processing on the second job data, the output setting change unit deletes the duplication source job data from the holding unit. The output management server described in the above.

[5] The transfer control means in response to said timing processing for job data can be performed in the output device, and controls the transfer of the job data to the output device [1] to The output management server according to any one of [4] .

[6] The output management according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the duplication unit creates the second job data when the transfer control unit starts to transfer the job data. server.

  In the above invention, a copy of the job data is created when the transfer is started. By delaying the creation time of the second job data until the required time, the storage area of the holding means is effectively used.

[7] Any one of [1] to [6] , wherein when the transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control unit, the job data and the second job data are deleted from the holding unit. The output management server described.

  In the above invention, when the transfer of the original job data is completed without receiving an instruction to change the output destination or the output setting, the original job data and the duplicated second job data are deleted from the holding means at the time of completion. To do.

[8] When transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control unit, the job data is deleted from the holding unit, and after the transfer of the job data is completed, an output processing completion notification for the job data from the output device The output management server according to any one of [1] to [6] , wherein the second job data held in the holding unit is deleted when the first job data is received.

  In the above invention, when the transfer of the original job data is completed without receiving an instruction to change the output destination or output setting, the original job data is deleted when the transfer is completed, and the second job data is Delete when output processing is complete.

[9] Terminal identification information corresponding to the output device is displayed, and an instruction to output the job data is generated based on a user operation such as dragging and dropping the data identification information corresponding to the job data to the terminal identification information. The output management server according to any one of [1] to [8] , further comprising screen display control means for transmitting display data for displaying an operation screen on the information processing terminal to the information processing terminal. .

  In the above invention, an output instruction, an instruction to change the output destination, and the like can be issued by a user interface such as drag and drop on the operation screen provided from the output management server to the information processing terminal.

[10] the operation screen, the display layout images for representing the arrangement of the output device, the output according to, characterized in that is obtained by an icon displaying the terminal identification information to the layout image [9] Management server.

  In the above-described invention, it is possible to issue an output instruction, an instruction to change the output destination, or the like while confirming the arrangement of each output device on the layout image, thereby improving operability and convenience.

[11] In a data output system in which an information processing terminal, a plurality of output devices, and an output management server are connected via a network,
The information processing terminal includes output instruction transmission means for transmitting job data to be processed by the output device to the output management server;
The output management server
Receiving means for receiving the job data from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
Have
Change in which the information processing terminal transmits an output destination change instruction to the output management server to change the output destination of the job data held in the holding unit from a first output device to a second output device An instruction transmission means;
The output management server
Change instruction receiving means for receiving the output destination change instruction;
Output destination changing means for changing the output destination of the job data in response to the output destination change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output destination changing means is
When an output destination change instruction for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control means, an output destination change process is performed on the second job data,
When the output destination change process is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the transfer of the second job data to the changed output destination is started. Before the data output system , a third job data that is a copy of the second job data is created and held in the holding means .
[12] The output destination changing unit, when performing output destination change processing on the second job data, deletes the duplication source job data from the holding unit. 11. The data output system according to 11.
[13] In a data output system in which an information processing terminal, a plurality of output devices, and an output management server are connected via a network,
The information processing terminal includes output instruction transmission means for transmitting job data to be processed by the output device to the output management server;
The output management server
Receiving means for receiving the job data from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
Have
The information processing terminal further includes a change instruction transmission unit that transmits an output setting change instruction related to the job data held in the holding unit to the output management server,
The output management server
Change instruction receiving means for receiving the change instruction;
Output setting change means for performing output setting change processing relating to the job data in response to the change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output setting changing means includes
When an instruction to change the output setting for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control unit, an output setting change process is performed on the second job data.
When output setting change processing is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the second job data is changed to the output device after the output setting is changed. The data output system is characterized in that before the transfer starts, third job data that is a copy of the second job data is created and held in the holding means .
[14] When the output setting change unit performs the output setting change process on the second job data, the output setting change unit deletes the copy source job data from the holding unit. ] The data output system described in the above.

[15] The transfer control means in response to said timing processing for job data can be performed in the output device, and controls the transfer of the job data to the output device [11] to [14] The data output system according to any one of [14] .

[16] The data output according to any one of [11] to [15], wherein the duplicating unit creates the second job data when the transfer control unit starts to transfer the job data system.

[17] The output management server deletes the job data and the second job data from the holding means when the transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control means. [11] to [11] 16] The data output system according to any one of the above.

[18] The output management server deletes the job data from the holding unit when the transfer control unit completes the transfer of the job data, and after the job data transfer is completed, The data output system according to any one of [11] to [16] , wherein when the output processing completion notification is received, the second output target data held in the holding unit is deleted.

[19] The terminal identification information corresponding to the output device is displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal, and the data identification information corresponding to the output target data is dragged and dropped to the terminal identification information. The data output system according to any one of [11] to [18] , wherein an output instruction for job data is generated.

[20] according to the said information processing terminal on the screen to display the layout image for representing the arrangement of the output device, characterized in that the icon display the terminal identification information to the layout image [19] Data output system.

  According to the output management server and the data output system of the present invention, even when job data is being transferred from the output management server to the output device or after the transfer is completed, the output destination and job output settings related to the job data are changed. can do. As a result, even if the output destination or output setting is changed for a job that has already been transferred or a job that has already been transferred, the user has to make troublesome settings and re-submit the job. In addition, it is possible to instruct change of the output destination and output setting with a simple operation.

  Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a data output system 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The data output system 5 is configured by connecting a plurality of output devices 10, an information processing terminal 20, and an output management server 30 via a network 2 such as a LAN.

  The output device 10 is a device that performs output processing (including box storage) related to image data, such as a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction peripheral. In the example of FIG. 1, a so-called digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function is used as the output device 10. The information processing terminal 20 is configured by a personal computer or the like, and is provided with a function for requesting execution of output processing by transmitting job data for causing the output device 10 to execute a job such as printing or facsimile transmission to an external terminal. It is a processing device. The output management server 30 is a server having a communication function, a storage function, and the like. Although only one information processing terminal 20 is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of information processing terminals 20 may be used. Moreover, although the 1st, 2nd, 3rd output device 10a, 10b, 10c was illustrated as the output device 10, arbitrary multiple units | sets may be sufficient.

  In the data output system 5, the output management server 30 receives job data sent from the information processing terminal 20, and until the job related to the job data can be executed in the output device 10 designated as the output destination. Job data is held in the output management server 30, and control (synchronization such as transfer timing) is performed until the output device 10 specified as the output destination becomes ready to execute the job. In addition, during the transfer of job data from the output management server 30 to the output device 10, and even after the transfer is completed and until the output processing is completed in the output device, an instruction to change the output destination of the job related to the job data, An instruction to change the output setting is accepted.

  FIG. 2 shows a main functional configuration of the data output system 5. The output management server 30 includes a receiving unit 31, a holding unit 32, a reservation unit 33, a duplicating unit 34, a transfer control unit 35, a change instruction receiving unit 36, an output destination changing unit 37, and an output setting changing unit. 38, a completion notification receiving unit 39, a deleting unit 41, a screen display control unit 42, and a function as a layout information storage unit 43. Further, the information processing terminal 20 has functions as an output instruction transmission unit 21 and a change instruction transmission unit 22. The output device 10 functions as a reservation management unit 11 and a completion notification transmission unit 12.

  Although not shown, each device is configured using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and includes a display device, an operation unit, and the like. . The output device 10 further includes a printer unit, a facsimile control unit, a scanner unit, a data storage unit, and the like.

  The output instruction transmission unit 21 of the information processing terminal 20 functions to transmit job data to the output management server 30. Job data includes output target data such as document data and image data, setting data such as job type (print, facsimile transmission, etc.) and setting information related to output, and output destination information (for example, output destination) that specifies an output destination device. Device IP address).

  The receiving unit 31 of the output management server 30 performs a function of receiving job data from the information processing terminal 20, and the holding unit 32 associates the job data received by the receiving unit 31 with the output device 10 designated as the output destination. Fulfill the function of holding. The holding means 32 is composed of, for example, a hard disk device and its control unit.

  FIG. 3 shows a data structure in the holding unit 32 of the output management server 30. An output destination folder 71 that is a folder corresponding to each output device 10 connected to the data output system 5 is generated in the holding unit 32, and the output destination folder 71 includes the output destination folder 71. A job folder 72 is created for each job in which the output device 10 corresponding to 71 is designated as an output destination. The output destination folder 71 is created with the name of the corresponding output device 10 (MFP 1 or MFP 2) or IP (Internet Protocol) address as the folder name. For example, when an output device 10 is first connected to the data output system 5, the output destination folder 71 corresponding to the output device 10 is automatically generated.

  Each job folder 72 stores job data (setting data, output target data, etc.) of the job. By storing the job data in the job folder 72 created in the output destination folder 71 corresponding to the output device 10, the job related to the job data is associated with the output device 10 of the output destination.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. The reservation unit 33 makes a job output reservation based on the job data for the output device 10 designated as the output destination of the job data held in the holding unit 32. The reservation management unit 11 of the output device 10 accepts an output reservation from the output management server 30 and internally registers the job in a reservation queue or the like. Also, when processing for a job reserved for output becomes executable, the output management server 30 is requested to send job data related to the job.

  The transfer control unit 35 of the output management server 30 determines the timing at which processing for the job can be executed by the output device 10 of the output destination for each job for which output data has been reserved and the job data is held in the holding unit 32. Judgment is made, and transfer related to job data of each job in the holding means 32 is controlled according to the executable time.

  Prior to the start of job data transfer, the duplicating unit 34 creates a second job data that is a duplicate of the job data as a file, and saves it in the same output destination folder 71 as the original job data. Fulfill. In the example of FIG. 3, second job data B2 is created as a copy of job data B. Here, the second job data B2 is duplicated in the same job folder as the job data B, but a duplicate of the job folder of job B may be created.

  The change instruction transmission unit 22 of the information processing terminal 20 has a function of transmitting an output destination change instruction and an output setting change instruction for job data held in the holding unit 32 of the output management server 30 to the output management server 30.

  The change instruction receiving unit 36 of the output management server 30 receives an output destination change instruction and an output setting change instruction from the information processing terminal 20. The output destination changing unit 37 performs job data output destination changing processing based on the output destination changing instruction received by the change instruction receiving unit 36. Further, when an output destination change instruction for the job data is received during transfer of the job data, an output destination change process is performed on the second job data that is a copy of the job data. .

  The output setting change unit 38 performs a change process related to the output setting of job data based on the output setting change instruction received by the change instruction receiving unit 36. The output setting includes, for example, double-sided printing / single-sided printing, the number of prints, a paper size at the time of output (printing), a margin, and the like. When an output setting change instruction for the job data is received during transfer of the job data, the output setting change unit 38 performs an output setting change process on the second job data that is a copy of the job data. It is like that.

  The completion notification receiving unit 39 receives an output processing completion notification from the output device 10. The deleting unit 41 has a function of deleting job data (job file) held in the holding unit 32. For example, when the completion notification receiving unit 39 receives a completion notification from the output device 10, the job data (file) corresponding to the completion notification is deleted.

  The screen display control means 42 of the output management server 30 performs control for causing the information processing terminal 20 to display an operation screen for issuing a job output instruction, and the layout information storage unit 43 relates to the installation location of the output device 10. Layout information (like map information) is stored. The screen display control unit 42 generates display data of the operation screen to be displayed on the information processing terminal 20 according to the layout information stored in the layout information storage unit 43 and the job data holding status in the holding unit 32. It has become.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of an output operation screen 50 displayed on the display device of the information processing terminal 20 when the information processing terminal 20 instructs to print a document. The output operation screen 50 displays a web page provided by the screen display control means 42 of the output management server 30 using the browser function of the information processing terminal 20.

  On the output operation screen 50, a layout image 51 for displaying the arrangement of the output devices 10a, 10b, 10c is displayed. In the layout image 51, a target such as a desk 52 installed in the floor is displayed in accordance with the actual arrangement, and the output device 10 is positioned at a position corresponding to the actual installation position of the output devices 10a, 10b, 10c. An icon (device icon) 53 corresponding to is displayed.

  Each device icon 53 is assigned ID information of the corresponding output device 10 (here, the machine number of MFP1, MFP2, etc.). In FIG. 4, the first output device 10a shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the device icon 53a, the second output device 10b corresponds to the device icon 53b, and the third output device 10c corresponds to the device icon 53c.

  The output operation screen 50 further displays a data icon 54 that is an icon corresponding to a data file that can be output. The file name of the data file is additionally displayed on the data icon 54 (such as Doc1 in the figure). Further, the position of the information processing terminal 20 displaying the output operation screen 50 (in the figure, the hatched desk 52a) is also clearly shown.

  When the user clicks the device icon 53 on the layout image 51 or drags any data icon 54 onto the device icon 53, the output device 10 corresponding to the device icon 53 is displayed as shown in FIG. The active job list 60 concerning is popped up. The active job list 60 is a list of information on jobs that have been input with the output device 10 designated as an output destination and have not been output. The job number 61, user name 62, A file name 63, a status (printing, waiting, etc.) 64, a job type 65, and the like are displayed.

  In the information processing terminal 20, when a data icon 54 is dragged and dropped onto the device icon 53 using a mouse (pointing device) not shown, a data file corresponding to the data icon 54 is associated with the device icon 53. A print instruction (output instruction) for printing by the output device 10 is sent from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30. From the viewpoint of the user, it seems that the job is actually transmitted to the output device by the drag and drop operation.

  After the print instruction is output, the active job list 60 is displayed by the above-described operation, and when a job is selected from the active job list 60, a setting screen (not shown) is displayed, and print settings (output settings) for the job are displayed. It can be changed. When the print setting is changed, an output setting change instruction indicating the change content is sent from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30.

  Further, after the print instruction is output, the output destination can be changed by a drag and drop operation as shown in the output operation screen 50b of FIG. That is, when the device icon 53a on the layout image 51 is clicked to display the active job list 60b of the output device 10a, a target job is selected from the list, and dragged and dropped onto another device icon 53b. A change instruction for changing the output destination of the job to the output device 10 b corresponding to the drop-destination device icon 53 b is transmitted to the output management server 30. In the example of FIG. 6, the output job of “Doc1” is moved from the first output device 10a to the second output device 10b by dragging and dropping the data icon 54a onto the device icon 53b.

  Next, internal control when an output instruction (print instruction) is sent from the information processing terminal 20 to the output device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows the transition of data in the internal control using the system configuration diagram, and FIG. 8 similarly shows the transition of data in a sequence. In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the processes denoted by the symbols P1 to P4 correspond in both drawings. Here, it is assumed that the first output device 10a is designated as the output destination.

  First, job data corresponding to an output instruction generated by the operation method as shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30 (P1). The output management server 30 holds the job data received from the information processing terminal 20 as a job file in the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the output device 10a designated as the output destination.

  The output management server 30 further acquires the job type and the IP address of the information processing terminal 20 that is the transmission source from the job data received from the information processing terminal 20, and sends the job information to the first output device 10 a specified as the output destination. Reserved job information (information indicating the IP address and job type) is transmitted to make an output reservation (P2). The first output device 10a that has received the reserved job information registers the job as an active job of a function (print, facsimile transmission, box storage, etc.) corresponding to the job type.

  The information processing terminal 20 assigns a job ID to the job at the time of job registration, and returns the job ID to the output management server 30 (P3). The output management server 30 that has received the job ID registers this job ID in association with the job data of the job that issued the reserved job information (for example, in a file storing the job data).

  When any of the jobs registered as active jobs is newly executable, the first output device 10a transmits a job information sending request including the job ID of the job to the output management server 30. Thereby, the output management server 30 is requested to transmit the job data of the job (P4). For example, when the execution of the previous print job is completed, the next print job with the reservation order becomes executable, and a data transmission request (job information transmission request) related to the print job is transmitted to the output management server 30. .

  When the output management server 30 receives the job information sending request from the first output device 10a, the same job ID as the job ID included in the job information sending request in the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the first output device 10a. The job data associated with the ID is searched, and the job data is transmitted to the first output device 10a (P5).

  The output device 10 that has received the job data transfer from the output management server 30 executes a job such as print processing in accordance with the received job data.

  Next, an operation when a job is moved from the first output device 10a to the second output device 10b before the transfer of job data is started will be described.

  In FIG. 9, after the output instruction specifying the first output device 10 a as the output destination is transmitted from the information processing terminal 20, transfer of job data is started from the output management server 30 to the first output device 10 a. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing data transition when the output destination of the job is changed to the second output device 10b before. The processing indicated by P1 to P3 in the figure is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When an output destination change operation is performed by a drag and drop operation as shown in FIG. 6, an output destination change instruction indicating the change contents is transmitted from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30 (Pd1). The output destination change instruction includes the job ID, the IP address of the output device before and after the change, and the like.

  Upon receiving the output destination change instruction, the output management server 30 newly creates a job folder 72b for the job in the output destination folder 71b corresponding to the changed (move destination) output device 10b, as shown in FIG. The job data B (setting data, output target data, etc.) of the job B to be moved is copied to the job folder 72b. Further, the status information of the job registered in the job folder 72a of the movement source is changed to “Cancel”.

  Thereafter, as in the case of the output instruction, reserved job information (information indicating the IP address and job type) is transmitted to the second output device 10b to make an output reservation (FIG. 9, Pd2), the second The job ID returned from the output device 10b is registered in the corresponding job folder 72b (Pd3).

  When the output management server 30 receives the job information sending request regarding the job B from the second output device 10b (FIG. 9, Pd4), the job data B (setting data and output target data) stored in the corresponding job folder 72b. Is transferred to the second output device 10b (Pd5).

  On the other hand, when the output management server 30 receives a job information transmission request for job B from the first output device 10a which is the output destination before the change (Pd6), the corresponding job folder 72a (see after moving in FIG. 10). Since the job status information is “cancel”, the job data B and the job folder 72a that have been stored in the job folder 72a are deleted from the holding unit 32 and deleted. Further, a job cancel notification is transmitted to the first output device 10a (FIG. 9, Pd7).

  The first output device 10a that has received the cancel notification executes a cancel process for the job corresponding to the previous job information sending request, and proceeds to the next job process. For example, the cancel processing in the first output device 10a includes changing the history of the active job list to cancel.

  In this way, job data (setting data and output target data) is held in the holding unit 32 of the output management server 30 until it can be executed by the output device 10 designated as the output destination. If so, the output destination can be changed by internal data processing for the job data held in the output management server 30. As a result, from the user's point of view, even if a job has already been submitted to the output device, the complicated operation of deleting the job and submitting it to the output device after the change becomes unnecessary. The output destination can be changed by a simple operation such as Therefore, even if the previous job cannot be executed due to a jam or running out of paper on the first specified output device, the job can be easily moved to another output device, and the output destination can be confirmed on the layout image. Therefore, the job can be easily moved to the target output device, and an output environment with high operability and convenience can be provided to the user.

  Next, an operation when the output destination and output setting are changed after starting transfer of job data to the output device will be described.

  FIG. 11 shows the flow of processing performed by the output management server 30. FIG. 12 shows the operations of the output management server 30 and the first output device 10a in the normal operation when printing is completed at the first designated output destination. FIG. 13 shows the job to the first output device 10a. The operation when the operation of changing the output destination of the job B to the second output device 10b is performed during the transfer of the data B is shown. Further, FIG. 14 shows an operation when the user performs a print setting change operation on the job B while the job data B is being transferred to the first output device 10a, and FIG. 15 shows the job B as the first output device 10a. This shows the operation when receiving an instruction to change the output destination from the user after successfully transferring to the output device 10a. 12 and the subsequent drawings, the display of the job folder 72 is omitted, and the job data is displayed in a simplified manner so that the job data exists under the output destination folder 72.

  When the output management server 30 receives the job data B of the job B whose output destination is the first output device 10a from the information processing terminal 20, the output management server 30 stores the job data B as a file in the output destination folder 71a ( Step S101). Next, it is checked whether or not there is a previous job waiting for transfer (waiting) to the first output device 10a (step S102). If there is a previous job waiting, a wait state is entered (step S102; Y). ) When there are no previous jobs waiting (step S102; N), the second job data B2, which is a copy of the job data B, is created in the same output destination folder 71a as the job data B (step S103, FIG. a) P11). Thereafter, it is checked whether or not the previous job A is being processed or is scheduled to be processed (step S104). When the previous job is neither scheduled nor being processed (step S104; N), the job data B to the first output device 10a is determined. Is started (step S105).

  Thereafter, when the user does not perform print setting or output destination change operation for job B during transfer of job data B (steps S106; N and S107; N), as shown in FIG. In addition, the original job data B on the output management server 30 is deleted when the job data B is completely transferred to the first output device 10a (steps S116, S117, FIG. 12 in FIG. 11). b) P12). Also, as shown in FIG. 12C, when the print processing for the job data B is completed in the first output device 10a, a print processing end notification is transmitted from the first output device 10a to the output management server 30 ( In step S118 in FIG. 11 and P13 in FIG. 12C, the output management server 30 that has received the print completion notification deletes the duplicated second job data B2 (step S119 in FIG. 11, FIG. 12C). P14), a series of printing operations for job B is completed (end).

  When job data B is being transferred to the first output device 10a and the user performs an operation to change the output destination of job B to the second output device 10b by a drop and drag operation as shown in FIG. (Step S107 in FIG. 11; Y) The processing relating to the change operation is performed on the second job data B2 created by duplicating the job data B at the start of transfer. Specifically, the file of the second job data B2 is moved from the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the first output device 10a to the output destination folder 71b corresponding to the second output device 10b (step S112 in FIG. 11). FIG. 13 (a) P21).

  Next, the output management server 30 cancels the transfer of the job data B to the first output device 10a (step S113 in FIG. 11 and P22 in FIG. 13B). Thereafter, the original job data B in the output destination folder 71a is deleted (step S114 in FIG. 11, P23 in FIG. 13B). After the deletion process in the output management server 30 is completed, the first output device 10a deletes the job data B that has been transferred to the own device from the own device (step S115 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 13B). P24). After that, the second job data B2 moved to the output destination folder 71b is handled as the job B in the second output device 10b, and the operation is performed such that the second job data B2 is copied when the transfer to the second output device 10b is started. It is.

  If the user performs an operation for changing print settings for job B during transfer of job data B to first output device 10a (step S106; Y), the processing related to this change operation is performed when job data is transferred. This is performed on the second job data B2 created by duplicating B. Specifically, first, the transfer of the job data B to the first output device 10a is canceled (step S108 in FIG. 11, P31 in FIG. 14A). Thereafter, a print setting change operation is performed on the second job data B2 copied at the start of transfer (step S109 in FIG. 11, P32 in FIG. 14A), and the changed second job data B2 is used as the original. The job data B is overwritten and rewritten to job data B ′ (step S110 in FIG. 11 and P33 in FIG. 14B). After the rewriting, the second job data B2 is deleted (P34).

  After the change operation in the output management server 30 is completed, the first output device 10a deletes the job data B that has been transferred to the own device from the own device (step S111 in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14B). P35). Thereafter, the output management server 30 creates the second job data B ′ by duplicating the rewritten job data B ′ (P36 in FIG. 14C), and then sends the job data to the first output device 10a. The transfer of B ′ is started (step S112 in FIG. 11, P37 in FIG. 14C).

  If the user receives an instruction to change the output destination after successfully transferring job B to the first output device 10a, the operation is as shown in FIG. 15 (this operation is illustrated in FIG. 11). (Omitted). When the transfer of the job data B to the first output device 10a is completed, the output management server 30 deletes the original job data B at that time (P41), but the duplicated second job data B2 Even after the transfer of the job data B, the output management server 30 holds it.

  When the user performs an operation to change the output destination to the second output device 10b for the job B during the printing process for the job data B in the first output device 10a, the operation is changed to the second job data B2. It is done against. Specifically, the output management server 30 performs a process of moving the second job data B2 to the output destination folder 71b (P42), and then transmits a print cancellation notification to the first output device 10a ( P43). Receiving this, the first output device 10a stops printing, and then discards the job data B (P44). The output management server 30 treats the second job data B2 moved to the output destination folder 71b as the original data of the job B in the second output device 10b, and stores the second job data B2 to the second output device 10b. Start the transfer. At this time, similarly to FIG. 13B, the operation is performed such that the duplicate is further created.

  In this way, a copy of the job data is created at the start of transfer, the original job data is used for transfer to the output device 10, and the change operation from the user performed after the transfer is started is performed on the copied second job data. As a result, even when the job data is being transferred or when a standby state occurs during transfer due to a failure in the output device, it is possible to change the print settings and the output destination for the job. Further, the duplicated second job data is not deleted even after the transfer of the original job data is completed, and is retained until the print processing is completed. Until is completed, the print settings can be changed and the output destination can be changed.

  FIG. 16 shows a data transfer sequence in the data output system 5 when a job is sent from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30 and then the output destination of the job is changed or the print setting is changed. It represents. First, the information processing terminal 20 transmits job data A (image data, setting information, IP address of the output destination device) related to the print instruction A from the user to the output management server 30 (Q1). The received job data A is stored in the output management server 30.

  The output management server 30 acquires the job type and the IP address of the requesting information processing terminal 20 from the received job data A, and sends the reserved job information (IP address) to the first output device 10a specified as the output destination. And job type) (Q2).

  The first output device 10a that has received the reserved job information registers the job in an active job of a function (print, facsimile transmission, box storage, etc.) corresponding to the job type, and sends the job ID at the time of registration to the output management server 30. Send (Q3).

  Thereafter, the output management server 30 starts transferring the job data A to the first output device 10a according to the time when the job A can be executed by the first output device 10a (Q4). Second job data A, which is a duplicate file of job data A, is created in the same output destination folder 71a as original job data A (Q5).

  Thereafter, for the job B in which the second output device 10b is designated as the output destination, the print instruction B is sent from the information processing terminal 20 to the output management server 30 in the same manner as in the above Q1 to Q3 (Q6), and output The management server 30 sends the reserved job information B to the first output device 10a (Q7), and the job ID at the time of registration is returned from the first output device 10a to the output management server 30 (Q8).

  When an output destination change instruction for changing the output destination of job A to the second output device 10b is sent from the information processing terminal 20 by a user operation during transfer of job data A (Q9), the output management server 30 cancels the transfer of the job data A to the first output device 10a (Q10). Further, the output management server 30 moves the duplicated second job data A2 held in the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the first output device 10a to the output destination folder 71b corresponding to the second output device 10b, Further, the job data A and the second job data A2 in the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the first output device 10a are deleted (Q11).

  The output management server 30 sends the reserved job information to the second output device 10b based on the job data A moved to the output destination folder 71b (Q12), and the job from the second output device 10b accordingly. The ID is received (Q13). In the first output device 10a, the transferred job data A is deleted (Q14).

  When the job B can be executed by the first output device 10a as the job A is deleted, the output management server 30 starts transferring the job data B to the first output device 10a (Q15). At this time, the second job data B, which is a duplicate file of the job data B, is created in the same output destination folder 71a as the original job data B (Q16).

  If an output setting change instruction for changing the output setting (print setting) of job B is sent from the information processing terminal 20 by a user operation during transfer of job data B (Q17), the output management server 30 will The transfer of the job data B to the first output device 10a is stopped (Q18). Further, a print setting change process is performed on the second job data B2, and the original second job data B2 is overwritten and rewritten on the original job data B (Q19).

  A new copy of the rewritten (changed) job data B is newly created (Q16), and the transfer of the changed job data B to the first output device 10a is started (Q20). The output management server 30 deletes the job data B after the transfer of the job data B (Q21). The first output device 10a starts print processing based on the job data B (Q22). When this print processing is completed, a print completion notification is transmitted from the first output device 10a to the output management server 30 (Q23). ). Upon receiving the print completion notification, the output management server 30 deletes the duplicated second job data B2 (Q24).

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment, processing is performed without creating a copy of job data. FIG. 17 shows an operation flow of the output management server 30 in the second embodiment. The basic flow is the same as that shown in FIG.

  First, when the job data B is received from the information processing terminal 20 together with the output instruction specifying the first output device 10a as the output destination, the job data B is filed in the output destination folder 71a corresponding to the first output device 10a. If there is no waiting previous job (step S202; N), and the previous job is neither scheduled nor being processed (step S203; N), the process proceeds to the first output device 10a. Transfer of job data B is started (step S204).

  If the user performs an operation to change print settings for job B while transferring job data B to first output device 10a (step S205; Y), job data B to first output device 10a. (Step S206), the print setting change processing is performed on the job data B (step S207), and the changed job data B is transferred to the first output device 10a (step S208). Then, the transfer to the first output device 10a is completed (step S213), and further, the printing in the first output device 10a is completed (a print completion notification is received from the first output device 10a) (step S214). Then, the job data B held in the output management server 30 is deleted (step S215), and the process is ended (END).

  On the other hand, when an instruction to change the output destination to the second output device 10b is received during transfer of the job data B to the first output device 10a (step S209; Y), the first output of the job data B is performed. The transfer to the device 10a is canceled (step S210), and the job data B is moved to the output destination folder 71b corresponding to the second output device 10b (step S211). At this time, the transferred job data B is deleted in the first output device 10a (step S212). As a result, this processing ends (end), but thereafter, data transfer processing to the second output device 10b is executed based on the job data B moved to the output destination folder 71b corresponding to the second output device 10b. Is done.

  When the job data B is being transferred to the first output device 10a and the user has not received an operation for changing the output destination or print settings for the job B (step S209; N), the process proceeds to the first output device 10a. When the transfer is completed (step S213) and the printing in the first output device 10a is completed (step S214), the job data B held in the output management server 30 is deleted (step S215). End (end).

  As described above, at the stage where the transfer of the job data to the output device 10 is completed, the job data is not deleted from the output management server 30 and the job data is output until the print processing in the output device 10 is completed. Therefore, even after the transfer is completed, the output destination and the output setting can be changed by processing the job data stored in the output management server 30. Therefore, the user can change the output destination with a simple operation such as drag and drop without deleting the already submitted job and sending the print instruction with the changed output destination or output setting. Or change output settings for submitted jobs.

  For example, even if the previous job is not executed due to a jam or running out of paper on the first designated output device, and the data transfer of the next job is in a waiting state, the next job can be easily transferred to another output device. Can be moved. Further, since the output destination can be confirmed on the layout image, the job can be easily moved to the target output device, and an output environment with high operability and convenience can be provided to the user.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to that shown in the embodiment, and there are changes and additions within the scope of the present invention. Are also included in the present invention.

  For example, in the first embodiment, the copy of the job data is created when the transfer is started. However, the copy may be created at an earlier stage before the transfer is started. A configuration may be adopted in which a copy is simultaneously created when job data received from the job 20 is stored.

  In addition, duplication need not be performed on the entire job data, and only the portion necessary for changing the output destination and output settings during transfer may be used. For example, image data or the like may not be duplicated and only job information may be duplicated.

  In the embodiment, the job output instruction and the output destination change instruction are issued by a drag and drop operation on the layout image. However, the operation on the information processing terminal 20 is not limited to this. For example, an operation for selecting an output destination from a list of device names may be used.

  The method for recognizing the completion of processing of the previous job in the output device 10 uses a notification (job information transmission request, etc.) from the output device 10 and outputs the time when the next job can be executed in the output device 10. The management server 30 may make a prediction and control data transfer from the output management server 30 to the output device 10 based on the prediction.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data output system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the main function structures of the data output system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure in the holding means of the output management server concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the output operation screen displayed on the display apparatus of an information processing terminal when instruct | indicating printing from an information processing terminal. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of an active job list. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the output operation screen at the time of changing an output destination. It is explanatory drawing which shows transition of the data concerning an output instruction | indication. It is a sequence diagram which shows transition of the data concerning an output instruction | indication. It is a sequence diagram which shows transition of the data concerning an output change instruction | indication. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the registration data in a holding | maintenance means by contrast before and after a job movement. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the output management server concerning 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the output management server and the 1st output device a in normal operation | movement when printing is completed by the output destination designated initially. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation when an operation for changing an output destination is performed during transfer of job data. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation when an operation for changing output settings (print settings) is performed during transfer of job data. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation when receiving an instruction to change an output destination from a user after successfully transferring job data to an output device. It is a sequence diagram which shows transition of the data when the change of an output destination or output setting is changed. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the output management server concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing data transition as time elapses when data transfer related to the next job B continues even after printing of the previous job A is completed. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing data transition as time elapses when an abnormality occurs during the processing of the previous job A during the transfer of the next job B and the data transfer of the next job B becomes in the middle.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Network 5 ... Data output system 10 ... Output device 10a ... 1st output device (MFP1)
10b ... Second output device (MFP2)
10c ... Third output device (MFP3)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Reservation management part 12 ... Completion notification transmission means 20 ... Information processing terminal 21 ... Output instruction transmission means 22 ... Change instruction transmission means 30 ... Output management server 31 ... Reception means 32 ... Holding means 33 ... Reservation means 34 ... Duplication means 35 Transfer control unit 36 Change instruction receiving unit 37 Output destination changing unit 38 Output setting changing unit 39 Completion notification receiving unit 41 Deleting unit 42 Screen display control unit 43 Layout information storage unit 50 Output operation screen 51 ... layout image 52 ... desk 53 ... device icon 54 ... data icon 60 ... active job list 71 ... output destination folder 72 ... job folder B ... job data for job B B2 ... second job data for job B

Claims (20)

In the output management server connected to the information processing terminal and the output device via the network,
Receiving means for receiving job data to be processed by the output device from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
A change instruction receiving means for receiving an output destination change instruction for changing the output destination of the job data held in the holding means from an information processing terminal;
Output destination changing means for changing the output destination of the job data in response to the output destination change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output destination changing means is
When an output destination change instruction for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control means, an output destination change process is performed on the second job data,
When the output destination change process is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the transfer of the second job data to the changed output destination is started. An output management server that generates third job data, which is a copy of the second job data, and stores the third job data in the holding unit before the first job data is stored . The output destination changing unit, when performing an output destination change process on the second job data, deletes the duplication source job data from the holding unit. Output management server. In the output management server connected to the information processing terminal and the output device via the network,
Receiving means for receiving job data to be processed by the output device from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
A change instruction receiving means for receiving an output setting change instruction for the job data held in the holding means from an information processing terminal;
Output setting change means for performing output setting change processing relating to the job data in response to the change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output setting changing means includes
When an instruction to change the output setting for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control unit, an output setting change process is performed on the second job data.
When output setting change processing is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the second job data is changed to the output device after the output setting is changed. An output management server that generates third job data that is a copy of the second job data and stores the third job data in the holding unit before the transfer of the first job data is started . 4. The output setting change unit, when the output setting change process is performed on the second job data, deletes the copy source job data from the holding unit. Output management server. The transfer control unit controls transfer of the job data to the output device in accordance with a time when processing for the job data can be executed in the output device. Output management server described in Crab. The output management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the duplicating unit creates the second job data when the transfer control unit starts to transfer the job data. 7. The output management server according to claim 1, wherein when the transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control unit, the job data and the second job data are deleted from the holding unit. . When the transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control unit, the job data is deleted from the holding unit, and after completion of the transfer of the job data, an output processing completion notification for the job data is received from the output device The output management server according to claim 1, wherein the second job data held in the holding unit is deleted. An operation screen that displays terminal identification information corresponding to the output device and generates an instruction to output the job data based on a user operation such as dragging and dropping the data identification information corresponding to the job data to the terminal identification information; The output management server according to claim 1, further comprising screen display control means for transmitting display data to be displayed on the information processing terminal to the information processing terminal. The output management server according to claim 9, wherein the operation screen displays a layout image for representing the arrangement of the output devices, and displays the terminal identification information as an icon on the layout image. In a data output system in which an information processing terminal, a plurality of output devices, and an output management server are connected via a network,
The information processing terminal includes output instruction transmission means for transmitting job data to be processed by the output device to the output management server;
The output management server
Receiving means for receiving the job data from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
Have
Change in which the information processing terminal transmits an output destination change instruction to the output management server to change the output destination of the job data held in the holding unit from a first output device to a second output device An instruction transmission means;
The output management server
Change instruction receiving means for receiving the output destination change instruction;
Output destination changing means for changing the output destination of the job data in response to the output destination change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output destination changing means is
When an output destination change instruction for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control means, an output destination change process is performed on the second job data,
When the output destination change process is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the transfer of the second job data to the changed output destination is started. Before the data output system , a third job data that is a copy of the second job data is created and held in the holding means . The output destination changing unit, when performing an output destination change process on the second job data, deletes the duplication source job data from the holding unit. Data output system. In a data output system in which an information processing terminal, a plurality of output devices, and an output management server are connected via a network,
The information processing terminal includes output instruction transmission means for transmitting job data to be processed by the output device to the output management server;
The output management server
Receiving means for receiving the job data from the information processing terminal;
Holding means for holding the job data received by the receiving means;
Transfer control means for transferring the job data held in the holding means to the output device;
Duplication means for creating second job data that is a duplication of the job data and holding it in the holding means before the transfer of the job data is started by the transfer control means;
Have
The information processing terminal further includes a change instruction transmission unit that transmits an output setting change instruction related to the job data held in the holding unit to the output management server,
The output management server
Change instruction receiving means for receiving the change instruction;
Output setting change means for performing output setting change processing relating to the job data in response to the change instruction received by the change instruction receiving means;
With
The output setting changing means includes
When an instruction to change the output setting for the job data is received during the transfer of the job data by the transfer control unit, an output setting change process is performed on the second job data.
When output setting change processing is performed on the second job data, the transfer of the job data of the copy source is stopped, and the second job data is changed to the output device after the output setting is changed. The data output system is characterized in that before the transfer starts, third job data that is a copy of the second job data is created and held in the holding means . The output setting change unit, when performing output setting change processing on the second job data, deletes the job data of the copy source from the holding unit. Data output system. The transfer control unit controls transfer of the job data to the output device in accordance with a time when processing for the job data can be executed in the output device. The data output system described in Crab. The data output system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the duplicating unit creates the second job data when the transfer control unit starts to transfer the job data. The output management server deletes the job data and the second job data from the holding unit when the transfer of the job data is completed by the transfer control unit. The data output system described in 1. The output management server deletes the job data from the holding unit when the transfer control unit completes the transfer of the job data, and outputs the job data from the output device to the job data after the transfer of the job data is completed. The data output system according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein when the completion notification is received, the second output target data held in the holding unit is deleted. The terminal identification information corresponding to the output device is displayed on the screen of the information processing terminal, and the job data based on the user operation such as dragging and dropping the data identification information corresponding to the output target data to the terminal identification information. The data output system according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein an output instruction is generated. The data output system according to claim 19, wherein a layout image for displaying the arrangement of each output device is displayed on a screen of the information processing terminal, and the terminal identification information is displayed as an icon on the layout image. .

Images