JP6369248B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 provides a printing system that can add a new print job without changing the schedule of an existing print job and can process all print jobs before the deadline. A print schedule table that stores a print schedule, a print time calculation unit that calculates a print time required for processing a new print job, a print time limit calculation unit that calculates a print time limit for processing the job, and a print time And a free time search unit that searches the print schedule table for a free time that can be processed by the print deadline based on the print deadline, and a print job schedule registration unit that registers the job in the searched free time Is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 provides a print control apparatus, a print control method, a print control program, and a recording medium that create print data more effectively by managing mixed print data and document data in a mixed manner. A print control apparatus that includes a data management module for managing document data and generates print data corresponding to the print apparatus from the document data and transmits the print data to the print apparatus when the document data is printed on the print apparatus. The data management module further manages the print intermediate data generated in the process of generating the print data from the document data, and the print control device includes the already generated print intermediate data and the data management The print intermediate data newly generated from the document data managed by the means is collected to generate one print data and the print It is disclosed to be sent to the location.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 has an object to enable scheduling of electronic document printing by a technique for printing an electronic document, and the printing apparatus is based on schedule data indicating a time point for printing the electronic document. The schedule data may be specific to a particular electronic document, may apply to multiple electronic documents, and the schedule data is generated on the client device. However, it is disclosed that the data may be supplied to the printing apparatus and may be generated and / or managed by the printing apparatus.

JP 2001-306655 A JP 2008-234221 A JP 2006-285986 A

  If the document is a printable document and the document is not a complete version and the contents are not likely to be changed, information regarding the schedule has already been used to convert the document into intermediate information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing program that are configured to notify information related to processing.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first conversion means for converting a document that can be printed into intermediate information for printing, and a second conversion means for converting the intermediate information into information that can be printed by a printing apparatus. If the document that may be printed is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed, and the processing by the second conversion unit is performed. Control means for controlling to prevent the control from being performed, information relating to a schedule of control by the control means, and information relating to processing that has already been performed to the administrator or the operator who has instructed printing of the document, A notification means for notifying a terminal operated by the operator; and when the first conversion means is processing, the notification means replaces a page that has not been processed at that time. place It indicates that it is possible, an information processing apparatus characterized by indicating that the processed page is capable of displaying intermediate information to the display device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the notification means notifies the terminal operated by the operator, as a form of an icon of the print job, a form indicating that it can move, a form indicating that it cannot move The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is any one of forms that can be moved by moving another print job.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the notification means notifies the prediction result of the state change when notifying the terminal operated by the administrator.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first conversion means for converting a computer into intermediate information for printing a document that may be printed, and a second for converting the intermediate information into information that can be printed by a printing apparatus. If the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing its contents, the second conversion process is executed by the first conversion means. The control means for controlling the processing by the means not to be performed, the information relating to the control schedule by the control means and the information relating to the processing already performed, to the administrator or the operator who has instructed the printing of the document, administrator or to function as a notification means該操author notifies the terminal to operate, the notification unit, the case first conversion means is being processed, at which point the page that has not yet been processed For indicates that it is possible to replace the processing, an information processing program indicating that the processed page is capable of displaying intermediate information to the display device.

  According to the information processing apparatus of claim 1, when a document that may be printed is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the document is converted into intermediate information. , Information on the schedule and information on the processing already performed can be notified.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the second aspect, when the notification is made to the terminal operated by the operator, the recommended schedule can be notified.

  According to the information processing apparatus of the third aspect, when the notification is made to the terminal operated by the administrator, the prediction result of the state change can be notified.

According to the information processing program of claim 4 , when a document that can be printed is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the document is converted into intermediate information. , Information on the schedule and information on the processing already performed can be notified.

It is a conceptual module block diagram about the structural example of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the system configuration example at the time of implement | achieving this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure example of an attribute table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a data structure of job ID-intermediate data or a raster image conversion table. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 3rd Embodiment. It is a notional module block diagram about the structural example of 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process example by 4th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

First, before describing the present embodiment, a premise thereof or a print service using the present embodiment will be described. This description is intended to facilitate understanding of the present embodiment.
As a print job from a customer, there is a commercial print in which a PDL (Page Description Language) file such as PS (PostScript) or PDF (Portable Document Format) or a file of various formats is stored and a print service is performed to print by a due date.
In addition, inside a company or the like, there is a department that prints by the due date, and prints from a small number of copies to a large number of copies such as manuals.
In these print service operations, it is important that a specified amount of printed matter is delivered at a specified delivery date, and it is natural to print before the due date.
However, there are disadvantages associated with processing before delivery. That is, someone incurs costs and maintenance responsibilities for storage until the customer who requested the printing further distributes to the customer. When delivering to a customer earlier than the specified delivery date, a large amount of printed matter must be stored by the customer for a period until the distribution time, resulting in a problem of securing the location. There is a possibility that the output company stores it, but there is a similar problem in securing the storage location.
Therefore, from this point of view, the optimal timing for outputting a job is to terminate the output in a form that is just in time for delivery, but in commercial printing and in-house printing, required dates often overlap, In particular, there are many cases where print requests are concentrated at the end of the month due to invoice delivery.
Depending on the content of the print job, the manuscript from the requester can be submitted between submission (reception of a document that may be printed and not necessarily a completed document) and delivery (delivery of printed matter). The following points need to be considered depending on the document.
-Contents may be corrected until just before the printing deadline.
・ Replacement in units of pages may be requested until just before the printing deadline.
-Until just before the printing deadline, regardless of the content of the document, such as hue, there is a possibility of changing the factors that affect the finish of the document.

Hereinafter, examples of various preferred embodiments for realizing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the first embodiment.
The module generally refers to components such as software (computer program) and hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a computer program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment is a computer program for causing these modules to function (a program for causing a computer to execute each procedure, a program for causing a computer to function as each means, and a function for each computer. This also serves as an explanation of the program and system and method for realizing the above. However, for the sake of explanation, the words “store”, “store”, and equivalents thereof are used. However, when the embodiment is a computer program, these words are stored in a storage device or stored in memory. It is the control to be stored in the device. Modules may correspond to functions one-to-one, but in mounting, one module may be configured by one program, or a plurality of modules may be configured by one program, and conversely, one module May be composed of a plurality of programs. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Note that one module may include other modules. Hereinafter, “connection” is used not only for physical connection but also for logical connection (data exchange, instruction, reference relationship between data, etc.). “Predetermined” means that the process is determined before the target process, and not only before the process according to this embodiment starts but also after the process according to this embodiment starts. In addition, if it is before the target processing, it is used in accordance with the situation / state at that time or with the intention to be decided according to the situation / state up to that point. When there are a plurality of “predetermined values”, the values may be different from each other, or two or more values (of course, including all values) may be the same. In addition, the description having the meaning of “do B when it is A” is used in the meaning of “determine whether or not it is A and do B when it is judged as A”. However, the case where it is not necessary to determine whether or not A is excluded.
In addition, the system or device is configured by connecting a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like by communication means such as a network (including one-to-one correspondence communication connection), etc., and one computer, hardware, device. The case where it implement | achieves by etc. is included. “Apparatus” and “system” are used as synonymous terms. Of course, the “system” does not include a social “mechanism” (social system) that is an artificial arrangement.
In addition, when performing a plurality of processes in each module or in each module, the target information is read from the storage device for each process, and the processing result is written to the storage device after performing the processing. is there. Therefore, description of reading from the storage device before processing and writing to the storage device after processing may be omitted. Here, the storage device may include a hard disk, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an external storage medium, a storage device via a communication line, a register in a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the like.

The system configuration of the document management apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 150, and the printing apparatus 195 according to the present embodiment causes the printing apparatus 195 to print the document 102 or the document 104. As shown in the example of FIG. The document management apparatus 100 includes a document reception module 105, a document management module 110, a storage module 115, a document holding module 120, and an input module 125. The image forming apparatus 150 includes a job reception module 155, a job holding module 160, The determination module 165, the job management module 170, the intermediate data creation module 175, the raster image creation module 180, the data storage module 185, and the return module 190 are included. The document management apparatus 100 only needs to perform a print job (a document submission process including a delivery date of a printed matter or a print instruction) to the image forming apparatus 150.
Note that the module configuration in the embodiment described later is equivalent to the module configuration shown in the example of FIG. A process for holding a document in this configuration will be described using the example of the first embodiment. Processing for editing a document in this configuration will be described using an example of the second embodiment. A process for printing a document in this configuration will be described using an example of the third embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 150 analyzes the structure of the document regarding the print job, creates data decomposed into objects constituting the page, and holds the data as intermediate data. That is, until the delivery date (for example, when the image forming apparatus 150 has sufficient processing performance), all of the image generation processing (generation of a raster image described later) or part (generation of intermediate data) is performed in advance. It is something to be implemented.
The form of the print job held in the image forming apparatus 150 is one of the following.
-Hold the print job as it is delivered. In this case, when the printing process is subsequently performed according to the delivery date, an intermediate data generation process from the document to be printed and a raster image generation process from the intermediate data are required.
・ Create and maintain a raster image of the printed material. In this case, when the printing process is subsequently performed according to the delivery date, printing can be started immediately using the raster image. However, the holding area for holding the raster image often becomes large. Further, when the capacity is large, the transfer cost also increases when transferring to the document management apparatus 100.
-Analyzing the print job and creating and holding up to intermediate data composed of objects before making a raster image. In this case, when the printing process is subsequently performed according to the delivery date, a process of generating a raster image from the intermediate data is necessary for printing, but generally the time required for the process is short. Further, since the intermediate data is an object, its capacity is small, and the cost of storing it (including the transfer cost described above) is lower than that of a raster image.
A comparison between a raster image and intermediate data will be described.
Since the raster image has a large amount of data, the cost for holding it is high. On the other hand, since the data is simply transferred to the printing apparatus 195 at the time of printing, the held data (raster image) is read out until the print output. Processing time is short.
The intermediate data is low in cost because it has a small amount of data, but it is necessary to transfer the rasterized data (raster image) to the printing apparatus 195 after performing heavy rasterization processing that takes time during printing. Therefore, the processing time until the stored data (intermediate data) is read and printed out is long (more precisely, it is longer than when a raster image is created in the same print job).

  The document acceptance module 105 is connected to the document management module 110 and the return module 190 of the image forming apparatus 150, and accepts the document 102a, the document 102b, and the like. The document acceptance module 105 accepts a document 102 (document data) submitted from the outside (such as a user terminal 210 described later in FIG. 2) and registers it in the storage module 115 of the document management apparatus 100. The document receiving module 105 receives document data (intermediate data or raster image described later) processed by the image forming apparatus 150 and information related to the document data, which are passed from the return module 190 of the image forming apparatus 150, and manages the document. Pass to module 110.

  The document management module 110 is connected to the document receiving module 105, the storage module 115, and the document holding module 120. The document management module 110 holds the document data received by the document reception module 105 in the storage module 115 together with attribute data related to the document. In addition, the document management module 110 passes the document held in the storage module 115 to the document holding module 120. Then, the processed document data passed from the return module 190 of the image forming apparatus 150 via the document receiving module 105 and information related to the document data are stored in the storage module 115 in the storage module 115 in association with the original document data.

The storage module 115 is connected to the document management module 110. The storage module 115 holds document data and attribute data related to the document data. The attribute data includes, for example, print delivery date, print specifications, image generation processed data, and the like.
The document holding module 120 is connected to the document management module 110 and the input module 125. The document holding module 120 temporarily holds the data passed from the document management module 110 and monitors whether the input module 125 has a vacancy (substantially the job reception module 155 of the image forming apparatus 150). When the space is available, the document data is transferred to the input module 125.
The input module 125 is connected to the document holding module 120 and the job reception module 155 of the image forming apparatus 150. The input module 125 inputs document data to the job reception module 155 of the image forming apparatus 150.

The job reception module 155 is connected to the job holding module 160 and the input module 125 of the document management apparatus 100. The job reception module 155 receives document data from the input module 125 of the document management apparatus 100 or a document 104 (PDL data or the like) from the outside (such as a user terminal 210 described later with reference to FIG. 2), and forms an image forming apparatus as a print job. Register to 150. When the document 104 is accepted from the outside, it is a print job that prints immediately (may be designated with no print delivery date).
The job holding module 160 is connected to the job receiving module 155, the job management module 170, and the intermediate data creation module 175. The job holding module 160 holds registered print jobs. Note that the print job includes document data (in this case, the input document 102, the document 104 itself, intermediate data described later, and a raster image).

The determination module 165 is connected to the job management module 170. The determination module 165 analyzes the document data input from the document management apparatus 100 and stored in the job storage module 160 via the job reception module 155, and determines processing to be performed according to the property.
The determination module 165 determines the holding state of each print job according to the attribute of the print job. The attributes used for the determination are as follows. This attribute indicates the possibility of change that is performed from the time of submission (when a print job is submitted) to the time of delivery.
Completed version (may be “Read Only” as an access right)
Since the document data is not edited, a raster image may be generated.
-Replaceable in units of pages You may generate up to raster images. When replacing pages, it is only necessary to process the page again and update the raster image only for the pages to be replaced.
-Content (document content) can be changed Since re-processing is required due to content change, the print job can be directly used without pre-processing (without processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module 180). Hold.
-Configuration change is possible This means that the in-position (imposition) and page assignment may be changed. You may create even intermediate data.
・ Settings can be adjusted There is no change in the content and structure of the print job, but it is possible to change the color processing (for example, setting of hue (for example, enhancing redness, changing to sepia), binarization, etc.) It means that there is sex. You may create even intermediate data.
It should be noted that information about these attributes needs to be added when the document is submitted by the operation of the person who has instructed the input of the document 102 and the document 104.
Also, the attribute “per page replacement” is not used as a determination target in the first embodiment, but is used in the second embodiment and the 2-2 embodiment.

The job management module 170 is connected to the job holding module 160, the determination module 165, and the data storage module 185. The job management module 170 causes the intermediate image creation module 175 to perform processing for the raster image creation module 180 when there is a possibility that the content of the document that may be printed is not a completed version and the content is not changed. Control so that the processing by is not performed. For example, there is a possibility that the content of the document (hereinafter also referred to as content) may be changed to a document that may be printed. There is a case where information (also referred to as an attribute, a flag, etc.) indicating that there is no correspondence is associated.
The job management module 170 controls the intermediate data creation module 175 to perform processing and the raster image creation module 180 to perform processing when a document that can be printed is a completed version. May be.
In addition, the job management module 170 causes the intermediate data creation module 175 to perform processing on a document that may be printed if the document is not a completed version and there is a possibility of imposition or page allocation change. Alternatively, control may be performed so that the processing by the raster image creation module 180 is not performed.
Also, the job management module 170 causes the intermediate data creation module 175 to perform processing for a raster that may be printed if there is a possibility that the document is not a completed version and the processing related to color may be changed. You may make it control so that the process by the image creation module 180 is not performed.
Specifically, the job management module 170 gives the determination result of the determination module 165 to the attribute of the print job, and starts processing the print job. The job management module 170 takes out the print job processed based on the determination result from the data storage module 185 and passes it to the return module 190.

  The intermediate data creation module 175 is connected to the job holding module 160, the raster image creation module 180, and the data storage module 185. The intermediate data creation module 175 converts a document that may be printed into intermediate information for printing. Specifically, the structure analysis of the document is performed, and intermediate data decomposed into objects constituting the page is created. Intermediate information (hereinafter also referred to as intermediate data) is data obtained by converting a document, and is data for generating data (hereinafter also referred to as a raster image) that can be directly interpreted and printed by the printing apparatus 195. Yes (and therefore not the raster image itself), and the data capacity is less than the size of the raster image. For example, for the intermediate data, the techniques described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-200904, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-200955, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-200756 may be used. It may be run length data of a raster image or the like. In general, in the processing related to the print job, the processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 often takes time. Therefore, in order to increase the degree of freedom of the schedule, it is preferable to perform the processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 in advance before the printing processing by the printing apparatus 195 (this printing processing is preferably immediately before the delivery date).

The raster image creation module 180 is connected to the intermediate data creation module 175, the data storage module 185, and the printing device 195. The raster image creation module 180 converts the intermediate information into a raster image that is information that can be printed by the printing apparatus 195. Specifically, a raster image of a page sent to the printing apparatus 195 is created. The intermediate information is generated by the intermediate data creation module 175. However, the intermediate information may be passed from the intermediate data creation module 175, or the intermediate information stored in the data storage module 185 and the storage module 115 is targeted. It is good.
Information converted by the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module 180 is stored until printing is performed. In the case of the first embodiment, it is stored in the storage module 115, and in the case of the first to second embodiments, it is stored in the data storage module 185. The stored state is maintained at least when the document is changed or until the document is printed. After printing, the data may be deleted from the storage module 115 or the data storage module 185.

The data storage module 185 is connected to the job management module 170, the intermediate data creation module 175, the raster image creation module 180, and the return module 190. The data storage module 185 holds the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation module 175 or the raster image generated by the raster image generation module 180.
The return module 190 is connected to the data storage module 185 and the document receiving module 105 of the document management apparatus 100. The return module 190 returns document data (intermediate data or raster image) processed by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 and information related to the document data to the document management apparatus 100. Further, the information regarding the document data may include a re-input time.
The printing apparatus 195 is connected to the raster image creation module 180 of the image forming apparatus 150. The printing device 195 prints a raster image. It may be a printer, particularly a production printer.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a system configuration when the present embodiment is realized.
The document management apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 150, the user terminal 210a, the user terminal 210b, and the user terminal 210c are connected via a communication line 290, and the image forming apparatus 150 and the printing apparatus 195 are connected. The communication line 290 may be wireless, wired, or a combination thereof, for example, the Internet as a communication infrastructure. The user terminal 210a, the user terminal 210b, and the user terminal 210c submit the document 102 and the document 104 to be printed to the document management apparatus 100 or the image forming apparatus 150.

3 and 4 are flowcharts showing an example of processing according to the first embodiment.
In step S <b> 302, the document reception module 105 receives the document 102.
In step S304, the document management module 110 stores the document 102 received in step S302 in the storage module 115 together with the attribute data.
In step S <b> 306, the document management module 110 passes the document 102 and its attribute data stored in the storage module 115 to the document holding module 120.
In step S308, the document holding module 120 temporarily stores the document 102 and its attribute data.
In step S <b> 310, the input module 125 inputs the document 102 and its attribute data to the image forming apparatus 150.

In step S <b> 312, the job reception module 155 receives the document 102 and its attribute data from the document management apparatus 100.
In step S314, the job holding module 160 stores the attribute data received in step S312 as a print job.
In step S316, the determination module 165 analyzes the attribute data and determines a process to be performed. Details of the processing in step S316 will be described later using the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S318, the job management module 170 gives the determination result in step S316 as an attribute of the print job.
In step S320, the job management module 170 determines the attribute (determination result) of the print job. If “no pre-processing”, the process proceeds to step S322. If “intermediate data creation”, the process proceeds to step S324. If it is “image creation”, the process proceeds to step S328.

In step S322, the data storage module 185 stores the print job itself.
In step S324, the intermediate data creation module 175 creates intermediate data.
In step S326, the data storage module 185 stores the intermediate data.
In step S328, the intermediate data creation module 175 creates intermediate data.
In step S330, the raster image creation module 180 creates a raster image.

In step S332, the data storage module 185 stores the raster image.
In step S 334, the job management module 170 retrieves data corresponding to the target print job from the data storage module 185 and passes it to the return module 190.
In step S336, the return module 190 returns data corresponding to the target print job to the document management apparatus 100.
In step S338, the document reception module 105 receives data corresponding to the target print job.
In step S340, the document management module 110 associates the data corresponding to the target print job with the document 102 corresponding to the print job and stores the data in the storage module 115.
Thereafter, the document management module 110 issues a print instruction to the image forming apparatus 150 in time for the document delivery date. If there is intermediate data or a raster image associated with the document, the intermediate data or raster image is added to the print instruction.
If neither the intermediate data nor the raster image is related (when the determination result is “no preprocessing” in step S316), the document is added to the print instruction and passed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the attribute table 500. An attribute table 500 is added as an attribute of the print job.
The attribute table 500 includes, for example, a document ID column 510, a document name column 512, a print delivery date column 514, a print specification column 516, a plate column 518, a read-only flag column 520, a content changeable flag column 522, and a configuration changeable flag column 524. , A setting adjustment enable flag column 526 and a page replacement enable flag column 528 are provided.
The document ID column 510 stores information (document ID: IDentification) for uniquely identifying a document in the present embodiment. The document name column 512 stores the document name of the document. The print delivery date column 514 stores the print delivery date of the document. In order to meet this printing deadline (for example, to ensure that the print storage period is shortened so that the printing process is completed immediately before the printing deadline, and that the editable period from the submission is kept long), The document management apparatus 100 performs a schedule process for starting. The print specification column 516 stores the print specification of the document. Examples of print specifications include a print configuration (in-position, page allocation, etc.), print settings (color-related processing, etc.), and the like. The version column 518 stores the version of the document. The read-only flag column 520 stores a flag indicating whether or not the document is read-only. The read-only flag column 520 may store a flag indicating whether or not it is the final version (completed version). This is because the final version means that no editing is performed after that. Further, the read-only flag column 520 may store information indicating the access right to the document. This is because when the access right is “read only”, it means that editing is not performed thereafter. The content changeable flag column 522 stores a flag indicating whether or not the content of the document can be changed. The configuration changeable flag column 524 stores a flag indicating whether or not the document can be changed in configuration. The setting adjustment enable flag column 526 stores a flag indicating whether or not the document can be set and adjusted. The page replaceable flag column 528 stores a flag indicating whether or not the document is page replaceable.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the first exemplary embodiment. The example of a process of step S316 in the flowchart shown in the example of FIG. 3 is shown.
In step S600, determination is started.
In step S602, it is determined whether printing is to be performed immediately. If printing is to be performed immediately, the process proceeds to step S604, and otherwise, the process proceeds to step S606. As a case where printing must be performed immediately, when it is immediately before the delivery date (a predetermined period from the delivery date), or when it is a print job for which printing is performed immediately without specifying a delivery date (for example, the image forming apparatus 150 manages the document) For example, when the document 104 is received instead of the device 100).
In step S604, a printing process is performed. The processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module 180 is performed, and the printing processing by the printing apparatus 195 is performed.

In step S606, it is determined whether or not the attribute of the document is read-only. If it is read-only, the process proceeds to step S616. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S608.
In step S608, it is determined whether or not the content of the attribute of the document can be changed. If the content can be changed, the process proceeds to step S614. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S610.
In step S610, it is determined whether the attribute of the document is configurable or configurable. If the attribute is configurable or configurable, the process proceeds to step S612. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S614. move on.
In step S612, it is determined that “create intermediate data”. The processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 is performed.
In step S614, it is determined that “no preprocessing”. Processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module 180 is not performed.
In step S616, “raster image creation” is determined. The raster image creation module 180 performs processing.

In the case of step S612, step S614, or step S616, printing is waited until the print processing time. This determination result is given to the print job by the job management module 170.
The job management module 170 performs processing preferentially from print jobs for which print processing is designated.
The job management module 170 monitors the state of the image forming apparatus 150. If the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is not processing, the job management module 170 determines whether to create the intermediate data or the raster image. Process a given print job.
The job management module 170 preferentially processes a job to which the determination of raster image creation is given rather than the determination of intermediate data creation.
Data created by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is temporarily stored in the data storage module 185.
If the created document data (intermediate data or raster image) is added with determination information (including whether it has already been determined) and processing date / time information, and document data is not to be created, determination information (including whether it has been determined) and The processing date information is returned from the return module 190 to the document receiving module 105.
The document acceptance module 105 receives document data and determination information and passes them to the document management module 110. The document management module 110 determines whether or not the document is a new document from the added determination information. If the document management module 110 determines that the document data has been preprocessed, the document management module 110 assigns the document data and the determination information to the document data in the storage module 115. Add as At this time, the created intermediate data or raster image is also added as one of the attributes.
Then, the document management apparatus 100 may pass the intermediate data or the raster image to the image forming apparatus 150 as a print job when the print delivery date is near.

<1-2 embodiment>
As a different realization method of the first embodiment, the created document data may be handled as follows.
Data (intermediate data or raster image) created by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is stored in the data storage module 185, and the document management apparatus 100 stores the judgment information (whether the judgment has been done). The processing date and time information and the job ID are returned from the return module 190 to the document receiving module 105. The data storage module 185 stores, for example, a job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700. The job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700 has, for example, a job ID column 710 and an intermediate data or raster image column 720. In the present embodiment, the job ID column 710 stores information (job ID) for uniquely identifying a print job. The intermediate data or raster image column 720 stores intermediate data or a raster image corresponding to the print job. The intermediate data or the raster image itself may be used, or the location where the intermediate data or the raster image is stored (file name, URL (Uniform Resource Locator), etc.).
The document acceptance module 105 receives information and passes it to the document management module 110 to add each information as an attribute to the related document in the storage module 115.
When the print delivery date approaches, a job ID for which preprocessing has been performed is added, and a print job is submitted from the document management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 150. The image forming apparatus 150 uses the job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700 to extract intermediate data or a raster image from the job ID added to the print job, and performs a printing process.

<Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment has the module configuration shown in the example of FIG. A process for editing a document with the configuration of the first embodiment will be described.
The job management module 170 is a case where the document has been changed after the processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180, and the intermediate data creation module for the document before the change. When the process by the 175 or the raster image creation module 180 has been performed, control is performed so that the process by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is performed.

For the intermediate data or the document data on which the raster image is created, a print image is presented by preview according to the user's operation.
Then, in accordance with a user operation, it is possible to change a document for which document data creation has already been completed (a document that has been submitted, a document that has been preprocessed).
In this case, a change that does not require reprocessing in the image forming apparatus 150 can be performed unconditionally.
For example, regarding a document whose configuration changeable attribute value is “True” and intermediate data creation has been completed, changing the document configuration, such as changing the imposition setting or inserting a blank page, Unconditionally possible.
In addition, regarding a document whose setting changeable attribute value is “True” and intermediate data creation has been completed, it is possible to unconditionally change the hue setting and the like.
However, when the content of a document for which intermediate data is created is to be changed, it is necessary to recreate the intermediate data. Since the processing time for the re-creation is required, the schedule needs to be adjusted, and the date may need to be changed.
When there is a change in the content or attribute of the document data, the document management module 110 of the document management apparatus 100 sends the determination result attribute and change contents of the document to the determination module 165 of the image forming apparatus 150, and the image forming apparatus It is determined whether reprocessing at 150 is necessary.
When the determination module 165 of the image forming apparatus 150 determines that reprocessing is necessary, the document management apparatus 100 deletes the already determined information and executes the document registration flow according to the first embodiment described above again.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment.
In step S802, the job reception module 155 accepts editing for a document.
In step S804, the determination module 165 determines whether it is necessary to reprocess intermediate data or raster image creation in order to perform the editing. Details of the processing in step S804 will be described later using the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S806, it is determined whether or not reprocessing is necessary. If necessary, the process proceeds to step S808. Otherwise, the process ends (step S899).
In step S808, processing (preprocessing) according to the flowchart shown in the example of FIGS. 3 and 4 is performed on the document that has undergone editing processing.
In step S810, it is determined whether or not the process can be performed according to the schedule before editing. If it is possible, the process ends (step S899). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S812.
In step S812, the schedule is adjusted.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the second exemplary embodiment. 9 shows an example of processing in step S804 in the flowchart shown in the example of FIG.
In step S900, determination is started.
In step S902, it is determined whether or not the content is to be changed. If so, the process proceeds to step S904. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S906.
In step S904, it is determined whether or not a raster image or intermediate data has been created. If it has been created, the process proceeds to step S916; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S918.
In step S906, it is determined whether to change the configuration or adjust the setting. If the configuration is changed or the setting is adjusted, the process proceeds to step S908. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S910.

In step S908, it is determined whether a raster image has been created. If it has been created, the process proceeds to step S920. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S918.
In step S910, it is determined whether or not page-by-page replacement is to be performed. If so, the process proceeds to step S912. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S918.
In step S912, it is determined whether or not intermediate data has been created. If it has been created, the process proceeds to step S918; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S914.
In step S914, it is determined whether a raster image has been created. If it has been created, the process proceeds to step S920. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S918.
In step S916, it is determined that reprocessing is necessary.
In step S918, it is determined that reprocessing is not necessary.
In step S920, it is determined that reprocessing is necessary.

In the case of “True” in step S912, reprocessing is not necessary, and it is only necessary to replace the page unit for the intermediate data.
In the case of “False” in step S914, reprocessing is not necessary. Replacement of page units may be performed on the original data.
If “True” in step S914, reprocessing is required. After replacing the page unit for the original data, reprocessing for creating a raster image is performed.

<Second Embodiment>
As a different realization method of the second embodiment, the created document data may be handled as follows.
Data (intermediate data or raster image) created by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is stored in the data storage module 185, and the document management apparatus 100 stores the judgment information (whether the judgment has been done). The processing date and time information and the job ID are returned from the return module 190 to the document receiving module 105. The data storage module 185 stores, for example, a job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700.
The document acceptance module 105 receives information and passes it to the document management module 110 to add each information as an attribute to the related document in the storage module 115.
When the print delivery date approaches, a job ID for which preprocessing has been performed is added, and a print job is submitted from the document management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 150. The image forming apparatus 150 uses the job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700 to extract intermediate data or a raster image from the job ID added to the print job, and performs a printing process.
When the determination module 165 of the image forming apparatus 150 determines that reprocessing is necessary, the document management apparatus 100 deletes the already determined information and reprocesses the job with the job ID associated with the document. Request device 150.

<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment has the module configuration shown in the example of FIG. A process for printing a document having data created in advance with the configuration of the above-described embodiment will be described.
When the job management module 170 accepts the document printing process, if the process by the intermediate data creation module 175 has been performed, the job management module 170 performs the process by the raster image creation module 180 and the process by the raster image creation module 180. The result is controlled to be printed by the printing device 195. When the processing by the raster image creation module 180 is being performed, the processing result by the raster image creation module 180 is controlled to be printed by the printing device 195. . “When a document print process is accepted” means that it is before the designated print delivery date and is set in advance (set to secure the processing time calculated according to the contents to be printed) This is a print instruction that occurs at the scheduled time.

The document management apparatus 100 inputs a print job corresponding to the print job scheduling to the image forming apparatus 150.
In the document management apparatus 100, the document management module 110 extracts document data from the storage module 115 according to the schedule, and inputs the document data from the input module 125 to the image forming apparatus 150 via the document holding module 120.
At this time, if there is processed data (intermediate data or raster image) together with the determination information, the document data is added to the document data and is input to the image forming apparatus 150.
In the image forming apparatus 150, further processing is performed from the determination information and the processing data, and printing is executed.
If the determination information is not preprocessed, intermediate data is created and a raster image is created, and printing processing is performed.
If the determination information is intermediate data creation, a raster image is created and printing processing is performed.
If the determination information is a raster image creation, it is used to immediately perform a printing process.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the third exemplary embodiment.
In step S1002, the job reception module 155 receives a document print instruction.
In step S1004, determination information related to the document is determined. If “no pre-processing”, the process proceeds to step S1006. If “intermediate data has been created”, the process proceeds to step S1010, and “raster image has been created”. If so, the process proceeds to step S1012.
In step S1006, the intermediate data creation module 175 creates intermediate data.
In step S1008, the raster image creation module 180 creates a raster image.
In step S1010, the raster image creation module 180 creates a raster image.
In step S1012, the printing apparatus 195 performs a printing process.

<Third Embodiment>
Data (intermediate data or raster image) created by the intermediate data creation module 175 or the raster image creation module 180 is stored in the data storage module 185, and the document management apparatus 100 stores the judgment information (whether the judgment has been done). The processing date and time information and the job ID are returned from the return module 190 to the document receiving module 105. The data storage module 185 stores, for example, a job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700.
The document acceptance module 105 receives information and passes it to the document management module 110 to add each information as an attribute to the related document in the storage module 115.
When the print delivery date approaches, a job ID for which preprocessing has been performed is added, and a print job is submitted from the document management apparatus 100 to the image forming apparatus 150. The image forming apparatus 150 uses the job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700 to extract intermediate data or a raster image from the job ID added to the print job, and performs a printing process.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a configuration example according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part of the same kind as above-mentioned embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
In the fourth embodiment, a resource state management module 1155 and a state detection module 1160 are added to the image forming apparatus 150, and the management UI terminal performs communication between the document management apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus 150 as a system. 1100 is added. The management UI terminal 1100 is used by an administrator of the image forming apparatus 150 (which may include the document management apparatus 100) or an operator (also referred to as an orderer) who gives an instruction to print a document. Note that which one is used may be determined as an administrator or a simple operator using information at the time of login for using the image forming apparatus 150. For example, by using a table that stores information indicating whether a user ID and a user of the user ID are an administrator or an operator, the user ID of the user ID acquired at the time of login is any. What is necessary is just to discriminate | determine. Note that the user interface in the management UI terminal 1100 is the same between the administrator and the operator, and information suitable for the person may be presented.

The image forming apparatus 150 includes a job acceptance module 155, a job holding module 160, a determination module 165, a job management module 170, an intermediate data creation module 175, a raster image creation module 180, a data storage module 185, a return module 190, and a resource state management module. 1155 and a state detection module 1160.
The resource status management module 1155 is connected to the status detection module 1160 and the printing apparatus 195. The resource status management module 1155 manages the status of the printing apparatus 195 (the operating status of the printing apparatus 195, the usage status of consumables, etc.), and passes information related to the status to the status detection module 1160. For example, a situation that occurs in the printing apparatus 195 (for example, paper runs out, toner runs out, etc.) is predicted from the operating status of the printing apparatus 195, the usage status of consumables, and the like.
The status detection module 1160 is connected to the job management module 170, the intermediate data creation module 175, the raster image creation module 180, the resource status management module 1155, and the management module 1130 of the management UI terminal 1100. The status detection module 1160 operates the manager or the operator according to the manager or the operator who has instructed the printing of the document, with respect to the control schedule by the job management module 170 and the information about the processing already performed. The management UI terminal 1100 is notified.
In addition, when notifying the management UI terminal 1100 operated by the operator, the state detection module 1160 notifies a recommended schedule.
Further, when notifying the management UI terminal 1100 operated by the administrator, the state detection module 1160 notifies the prediction result of the state change.
Also, the state detection module 1160 notifies the management UI terminal 1100 of the progress of processing by the intermediate data creation module 175 and possible changes.

The management UI terminal 1100 includes a job input module 1115, an operation module 1120, a display module 1125, a management module 1130, and a user information management module 1135.
The display module 1125 is connected to the operation module 1120 and the management module 1130. The display module 1125 displays the information received from the management module 1130 on a display device such as a liquid crystal display in a form suitable for the user (administrator or operator). Details will be described later.
The operation module 1120 is connected to the display module 1125 and the management module 1130. The operation module 1120 receives the operation contents for the list display of the display module 1125 by the user's operation on the keyboard, mouse, touch panel, etc., and registers the document, adds attributes, edits the document with an editor (external tool), and viewer (external tool). The print preview can be referred to.
The management module 1130 is connected to the job input module 1115, the operation module 1120, the display module 1125, the user information management module 1135, the document management module 110 of the document management apparatus 100, and the status detection module 1160 of the image forming apparatus 150. The management module 1130 receives document information, schedule information, the progress of intermediate information generation processing, resource information, and the like, and reflects them on the display module 1125. For example, document information, schedule information, and the like are received from the document management apparatus 100, and the progress of intermediate information generation processing, resource information, and the like are received from the image forming apparatus 150.
The job input module 1115 is connected to the management module 1130 and the document reception module 105 of the document management apparatus 100. The job input module 1115 accepts a document (document 102a, document 102b, etc.) submitted from the outside and passes it to the document acceptance module 105 of the document management apparatus 100.
The user information management module 1135 is connected to the management module 1130. The user information management module 1135 manages user data (including authority and the like) registered in the present system (a system configured by the document management apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 150, or a combination thereof). For example, it has authority (general user, administrator) as user data.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. An outline of a display configuration of a user interface is shown.
As shown in the example of FIG. 12, the display module 1125 of the management UI terminal 1100 provides a list display area 1210 for displaying a list and a graphical display area 1250 for displaying a graphical schedule using a time axis. Note that the print status presentation screen 1200 illustrated in the example of FIG. 12 is displayed on the management UI terminal 1100 for the administrator.
The list display area 1210 has a reception ID column 1212, a required printing time column 1214, an orderer ID column 1216, a scheduled printing start date / time column 1218, a scheduled printing completion date / time column 1220, a pre-date possible column 1222, and a post-date allowed column 1224. doing. A list of document data is displayed. Each column (column) displays document attributes.
In the present embodiment, the reception ID column 1212 displays information (reception ID) for uniquely identifying reception of a print job. The required print time column 1214 displays the required print time of the print job with the reception ID. In this embodiment, the orderer ID column 1216 displays information (orderer ID) for uniquely identifying the orderer of the print job. The scheduled printing start date / time column 1218 displays the scheduled printing start date / time of the print job. The scheduled print completion date / time column 1220 displays the scheduled print completion date / time of the print job. The possible date column 1222 displays whether or not the due date is possible (whether or not the printed matter may be delivered before the desired delivery date). The after date due column 1224 displays whether or not the due date is possible (whether or not the printed matter may be delivered after the desired delivery date). The before due date column 1222 and the after due date column 1224 are attributes necessary for changing the print schedule.

Editing in the list display area 1210 is enabled. The editor is started for editing by selecting from a drop-down menu by right-clicking the mouse after selecting a job to select a row in the list display area 1210.
The contents that can be edited by the editor are limited by attributes set to the print job, user authority, intermediate information of the print job, and its progress.
For example, it is not possible to edit a print job to which an attribute of “Read Only” is added.
When the user authority is “administrator”, all print jobs that are not ReadOnly can be edited. When the user authority is “general user”, only print jobs registered by the user can be edited.
For print jobs with intermediate information or raster images, their print previews can also be displayed. The viewer is launched in the same way as the editor. When the user authority is “administrator”, all print jobs can be browsed. When the user authority is “general user”, only print jobs registered by the user can be browsed.
Also, a print job can be registered in the list display area 1210, and is performed in response to an operation on the list display area 1210 (read from a menu, drag and drop, etc.). For the registered print job, as described above, an empty processing time of the intermediate data creation module 175 of the image forming apparatus 150 is detected, and intermediate information generation processing is performed according to the job attribute.

  In a graphical display area 1250 displayed at the bottom of the print status presentation screen 1200, a print schedule of a document registered in the list display area 1210 is represented by an icon with time (time) on the axis. The time axis 1252 to be displayed is set by a user operation on the entire display area 1260. The print job icon is represented by a square rectangle with an arrow shape on the right side like a print job schedule 1272, and the scheduled print time of the job is indicated by a horizontal width. In addition, the displayed icon changes according to the user authority. Details will be described later.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
The print status presentation screen 1300 has a list display area 1310 and a graphical display area 1350. A print status presentation screen 1300 shown in the example of FIG. 13 is displayed on the management UI terminal 1100 for the orderer.
The list display area 1310 includes a reception ID column 1312, a required printing time column 1314, an orderer ID column 1316, a scheduled printing start date / time column 1318, a scheduled printing completion date / time column 1320, a possible due date column 1322, and a permitted due date column 1324. doing. The list display area 1210 shown in the example of FIG. 12 is displayed. However, only print jobs registered by the user are displayed. In the example of FIG. 13, only the print job whose orderer ID is “003” is displayed. As described above with reference to the example of FIG. 12, editing, reference to a print preview, and the like can be performed for these print jobs.
Note that all the registered print jobs are displayed in the graphical display area 1350. However, the print job registered by the user himself / herself is another print job schedule icon (print job schedule 1374, etc.) like the print job schedule 1372. ) (Including shape, pattern, color, etc.). For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 13, the print job other than the print job registered by the user himself / herself is displayed only as a frame, and the print job (print job schedule 1372) registered by the user himself / herself displays a reception ID and has a height. Is changed to a display form such as making the color blue.

Next, an example of registration of a print schedule will be shown using the example of FIG. This example shows an operation in the graphical display area 1350 by the orderer, but the same operation is performed in the graphical display area 1250 for the administrator.
There are two registration methods.
The first method is to extract print job attributes and register them by the job management module 170 in the image forming apparatus 150. By setting a desired delivery date at the time of submission of the document 102a or the like to the document management apparatus 100 or at an arbitrary timing after the submission, the job management module 170 requires the time required for printing the print job within the period until the desired delivery date. (Time required for intermediate information generation processing, time required for raster image generation processing) The above-described intermediate data creation module 175 and raster image creation module 180 are not performing processing, and are closest to the desired delivery date. A band is calculated and set as a print schedule.

The second is a method in which the user manually registers the print schedule.
As shown in the graphical display area 1350 shown in the example of FIG. 14, the print job icon can be set graphically by moving on the time axis 1352. For example, the print job schedule 1476 is selected by the cursor 1490 and moved to the print job schedule 1478 in accordance with the movement to the position of the cursor 1492. By performing predetermined operations (for example, menu operation from right click, operation from file menu after selection, drag and drop, etc.) on a print job registered in list display area 1310, graphical A job icon is displayed in the display area 1350 and registered in an arbitrary place. It is also possible to move a print job registered in the schedule.

Further, during the movement operation, the print job icon may be changed depending on whether or not the target print job can be moved. If another print job already exists, the target print job cannot be moved to that position. For example, if it is in a place where it cannot be moved, the form of the print job icon (particularly, the height (note that the horizontal width corresponds to the processing time remains fixed), the color, etc.) is changed. .
Further, when another print job can be changed (when the pre-date possible column 1322 or the post-date allowed column 1324 is “permitted”), the print job icon form is further different. (In particular, height, color, etc.) may be changed. In this case, there are three forms (a form indicating that it can be moved, a form indicating that it cannot be moved, and a form indicating that it can be moved by moving another print job).
The calculation method of the width of the rectangle of the job icon (predicted printing time) is changed depending on whether intermediate information or a raster image is generated for the print job. If no intermediate information has been generated for the print job (of course, no raster image has been generated), the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module are selected from the “print job attributes (size, etc.)”. A processing time of 180 is predicted and calculated from the printing speed (sheets / minute) of the image forming apparatus 150. If intermediate information has been generated for the print job but no raster image has been generated, the processing time of the raster image creation module 180 is predicted from the “print job attributes (size, etc.)”, and the image forming apparatus 150. Is calculated from the printing speed (sheets / minute). When a raster image is generated for the print job, the calculation is performed only from the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 150.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment (job management module 170 or management module 1130).
In step S1500, registration / change of the print schedule for the job is started.
In step S1502, it is determined whether or not the registration is the first time. If the registration is the first time, the process proceeds to step S1504. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1510.
In step S1504, it is determined whether intermediate data or raster data has already been generated for the target print job. If intermediate data or raster data has been generated, the process advances to step S1506; Advances to step S1508.
In step S1506, the width of the rectangle is determined based on the printing speed, the width of the rectangle is determined, and the process proceeds to step S1512 (FIG. 16).
In step S1508, the rectangle width of the icon of the print job to be displayed is determined based on the estimated processing time of the intermediate data creation module 175 and the raster image creation module 180 + the printing speed of the printing apparatus 195, and the rectangle width is determined. The process proceeds to step S1512 (FIG. 16). As described above, the processing from step S1504 to step S1508 includes three types of calculation methods when intermediate information is not generated, when intermediate information is generated, and when a raster image is generated. Also good.
In step S1510, the current width of the rectangle is used as it is, the width of the rectangle is determined, and the process proceeds to step S1512 (FIG. 16).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.
In step S1512, it is determined whether or not the user has determined the position. If determined, the process proceeds to step S1514. Otherwise (if the user is not satisfied with the position, specifically, the mouse is moving). If there is, the process proceeds to step S1516.
In step S1514, it is determined whether or not the moved position is a vacant time of the schedule. If it is a vacant time, the position is moved to that position and the process is terminated (step S1599). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1520. move on.
In step S1520, it is determined whether or not the change can be accommodated according to the schedule. If the accommodation is accommodated, the process is moved and terminated (step S1599). Otherwise, the process returns to step S1512. Here, “when flexibility is available” is a case where the pre-date possible column 1322 or the post-date allowed column 1324 of the existing print job is “permitted”.
In step S1516, it is determined whether or not the position requires a schedule change. If the position requires a schedule change, the process proceeds to step S1518; otherwise, the process returns to step S1512.
In step S1518, the rectangle is changed according to the fluctuation (positive direction / negative direction), and the process returns to step S1512. Specifically, the icon is changed to a form indicating that the position is in a position where the change is necessary.
In step S1599, the print schedule registration is completed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. This is an example in the case of use by a user with administrator authority.
In FIG. 17, information from the resource state management module 1155 (notification information (including warning and error information) and situation predicted from state information of the printing apparatus 195) is displayed on the time axis 1252 of the graphical display area 1250. Is. Specifically, after 10:30, “paper feeding means 1 out of paper” 1710 occurs, “cyan toner warning” 1712 occurs, and “please replenish paper in paper feeding means 2. Stacker ( Take out the printed matter of paper discharge means) 1. "1714 occurs," paper feed means 2 out of paper "1716 occurs, and" Stacker1 Full (paper discharge means is full) "1718 occurs after 11:00 It shows that it is expected to do. In the case where the administrator's intervention is indispensable, the print job icon (print job schedule 1276 in the example of FIG. 17) is displayed in a form different from other icons (for example, red, blinking, etc.). You may make it do.
The status notification module 1160 of the image forming apparatus 150 acquires information from the resource status management module 1155 and the job holding module 160, and the management module 1130 of the management UI terminal 1100 extracts information that needs to be displayed such as an icon.
For example, paper source information, paper information, toner remaining amount, finisher information, stacker information, and the like are acquired from the resource status management module 1155, and print schedule information, the number of output sheets, intermediate information, and the like are used from the job holding module 160. Get the estimated toner consumption.
The administrator of the image forming apparatus 150 can take measures so that printing is performed according to the schedule by confirming the display in the graphical display area 1250 (a situation in which intervention by the administrator (operation) is necessary). It is.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a processing example according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. The example of FIG. 18 shows that the generation status of intermediate information or the like is displayed in real time, and an editing form and a preview reference form corresponding to it are provided.
It is possible to confirm how much intermediate information or a raster image of the print job is generated by expressing it by icons (height changes, colors change, shapes change, etc.). In the example shown in FIG. 18, a raster image created up to a raster image like a job schedule 1872 is displayed in orange, and a job created up to intermediate data like a job schedule 1876 is expressed in yellow.
Further, the progress status may be displayed like a progress bar in the icon. This is done to check the progress of intermediate information or raster image. For example, like the job schedule 1876, the number of intermediate information generated / total number of pages may be displayed in an icon indicating a print job.
If the print job held in the document management apparatus 100 has an attribute indicating that the intermediate data has been generated and the raster image has been generated, a display reflecting that information is performed. For a print job during intermediate information generation processing by the intermediate data creation module 175, the status notification module 1160 may notify the progress of the intermediate information generation processing in real time and reflect the information.
The editable part or the referenceable part of the print job may be changed according to the progress status. Specifically, when the intermediate data creation module 175 is processing, it indicates that replacement processing is possible for pages that have not yet been processed, and printing is performed for pages that have already been processed. This indicates that preview (processing for simulating the printing result by displaying intermediate information on the display device and confirming it on the screen) is possible. For example, if intermediate information for up to 5 pages has been created in a print job for a 10-page document, it is possible to replace the 6th page and thereafter, and to view a print preview for up to 5 pages.

  A hardware configuration example of the document management apparatus 100, the image forming apparatus 150, and the management UI terminal 1100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration illustrated in FIG. 19 is configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or the like, and illustrates a hardware configuration example including a data reading unit 1917 such as a scanner and a data output unit 1918 such as a printer.

  A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1901 includes various modules described in the above-described embodiments, that is, the document receiving module 105, the document management module 110, the document holding module 120, the input module 125, the job receiving module 155, and the job holding module. 160, determination module 165, job management module 170, intermediate data creation module 175, raster image creation module 180, return module 190, job input module 1115, operation module 1120, display module 1125, management module 1130, etc. It is a control part which performs processing according to a computer program which described.

  A ROM (Read Only Memory) 1902 stores programs, calculation parameters, and the like used by the CPU 1901. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 1903 stores programs used in the execution of the CPU 1901, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. These are connected to each other by a host bus 1904 including a CPU bus or the like.

  The host bus 1904 is connected to an external bus 1906 such as a peripheral component interconnect / interface (PCI) bus via a bridge 1905.

  A keyboard 1908 and a pointing device 1909 such as a mouse are input devices operated by an operator. The display 1910 includes a liquid crystal display device or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), and displays various types of information as text or image information.

  An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1911 includes a hard disk, drives the hard disk, and records or reproduces a program executed by the CPU 1901 and information. The hard disk stores the document 102, the document 104, the attribute table 500, job ID-intermediate data or raster image correspondence table 700 intermediate data, raster image, user information, and the like. Further, various computer programs such as various other data processing programs are stored.

  The drive 1912 reads data or a program recorded on a removable recording medium 1913 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, and reads the data or program into an interface 1907 and an external bus 1906. , A bridge 1905, and a RAM 1903 connected via the host bus 1904. The removable recording medium 1913 can also be used as a data recording area similar to the hard disk.

  The connection port 1914 is a port for connecting the external connection device 1915 and has a connection unit such as USB or IEEE1394. The connection port 1914 is connected to the CPU 1901 and the like via the interface 1907, the external bus 1906, the bridge 1905, the host bus 1904, and the like. A communication unit 1916 is connected to a communication line and executes data communication processing with the outside. The data reading unit 1917 is a scanner, for example, and executes document reading processing. The data output unit 1918 is, for example, a printer, and executes document data output processing.

  The hardware configuration of the document management apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the management UI terminal shown in FIG. 19 shows one configuration example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. Any configuration capable of executing the module described in the embodiment may be used. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc.), and some modules are in an external system and connected via a communication line In addition, a plurality of systems shown in FIG. 19 may be connected to each other through communication lines so as to cooperate with each other. Further, it may be incorporated in a copying machine, a fax machine, a scanner, a printer, a multifunction machine (an image processing apparatus having any two or more functions such as a scanner, a printer, a copying machine, and a fax machine).

  Further, in the description of the above-described embodiment, “more than”, “less than”, “greater than”, and “less than (less than)” in a comparison with a predetermined value contradicts the combination. As long as the above does not occur, “larger”, “smaller (less than)”, “more than”, and “less than” may be used.

The program described above may be provided by being stored in a recording medium, or the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.
The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standard “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact disc (CD), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), Blu-ray disc ( Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), magneto-optical disk (MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read-only memory (EEPROM (registered trademark)) )), Flash memory, Random access memory (RAM) SD (Secure Digital) memory card and the like.
The program or a part of the program may be recorded on the recording medium for storage or distribution. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, or a wireless communication It may be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination of these, or may be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program. Moreover, it may be divided and recorded on a plurality of recording media. Further, it may be recorded in any manner as long as it can be restored, such as compression or encryption.

You may grasp | ascertain the 3rd-2 embodiment from 1st Embodiment as follows. These may be combined with the fourth embodiment.
<A1>
First conversion means for converting a document that may be printed into intermediate information for printing;
Second conversion means for converting the intermediate information into information printable by the printing apparatus;
For a document that may be printed, if the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed, and the processing by the second conversion unit is performed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs control so as not to allow the
<A2>
The control means performs control so that processing by the first conversion means is performed and processing by the second conversion means is performed when a document that may be printed is a completed version. The image processing apparatus according to <A1>.
<A3>
The control unit causes the first conversion unit to perform processing on a document that may be printed if the document is not a finished version and there is a possibility of imposition or pagination change. The image processing apparatus according to <A1> or <A2>, wherein control is performed so that processing by the second conversion unit is not performed.
<A4>
The control unit causes the first conversion unit to perform a process for a document that may be printed, if the document is not a finished version and there is a possibility of a change in a process related to a color. <A1> to <A3> The image processing apparatus according to any one of <A1> to <A3>, wherein control is performed so that the processing by the conversion unit is not performed.
<A5>
The control means is the case where the document is changed after the processing by the first conversion means or the second conversion means is performed, and the document before the change is When processing by one conversion means or the second conversion means has been performed, control is performed so that processing by the first conversion means or the second conversion means is performed <A1 > To <A4>.
<A6>
The control means, when accepting the print process of the document, causes the second conversion means to perform the process when the process by the first conversion means is being performed, and the second conversion means. The processing result is controlled to be printed on the printing apparatus, and when the processing by the second conversion means is being performed, the processing result by the second conversion means is printed on the printing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to any one of <A1> to <A5>, characterized in that:
<A7>
Computer
First conversion means for converting a document that may be printed into intermediate information for printing;
Second conversion means for converting the intermediate information into information printable by the printing apparatus;
For a document that may be printed, if the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed, and the processing by the second conversion unit is performed. An image processing program for functioning as a control means for controlling the control so as not to be applied.

  According to the image processing apparatus of <A1>, if the document has a possibility of printing and the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the document is converted into intermediate information. Can do.

  According to the image processing apparatus <A2>, when a document that can be printed is a completed version, control is performed so that processing by the first conversion unit is performed and processing by the second conversion unit is performed. can do.

  According to the image processing apparatus <A3>, when a document that may be printed is not a completed version and there is a possibility of imposition or page allocation change, processing by the first conversion unit It is possible to control so that the processing by the second conversion means is not performed.

  According to the image processing apparatus <A4>, for a document that may be printed, if the document is not a completed version and there is a possibility that the processing related to color may be changed, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed. Therefore, it can be controlled not to perform the processing by the second conversion means.

  According to the image processing apparatus of <A5>, the document is changed after the processing by the first conversion unit or the second conversion unit is performed and the document is changed. When the process by the 1st conversion means or the 2nd conversion means is performed, it can control to perform the process by the 1st conversion means or the 2nd conversion means.

  According to the image processing apparatus <A6>, when the document printing process is accepted, when the process by the first conversion unit is performed, the second conversion unit performs the process, and the second The processing result by the conversion means is controlled to be printed by the printing apparatus, and when the processing by the second conversion means has been performed, the processing result by the second conversion means is printed by the printing apparatus. Can be controlled.

  According to the image processing program <A7>, if there is a document that may be printed and the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the document is converted into intermediate information. Can do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Document management apparatus 105 ... Document receiving module 110 ... Document management module 115 ... Storage module 120 ... Document holding module 125 ... Input module 150 ... Image forming apparatus 155 ... Job receiving module 160 ... Job holding module 165 ... Judgment module 170 ... Job Management module 175 ... Intermediate data creation module 180 ... Raster image creation module 185 ... Data storage module 190 ... Return module 195 ... Printing device 210 ... User terminal 290 ... Communication line 1100 ... Management UI terminal 1115 ... Job input module 1120 ... Operation module 1125 ... Display module 1130 ... Management module 1135 ... User information management module 1155 ... Resource status management module 1160 ... Status check Knowledge module 1200 ... Print status presentation screen 1210 ... List display area

Claims (4)

First conversion means for converting a document that may be printed into intermediate information for printing;
Second conversion means for converting the intermediate information into information printable by the printing apparatus;
For a document that may be printed, if the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed, and the processing by the second conversion unit is performed. Control means for controlling so as not to
Notifying means for notifying information relating to the control schedule by the control means and information relating to processing already performed to the administrator or the terminal operated by the operator in accordance with the administrator or the operator who has instructed printing of the document equipped with,
The notification means indicates that, when the first conversion means is processing, a replacement process is possible for a page that has not been processed at that time, and an intermediate process is performed for a processed page. An information processing apparatus characterized by showing that information can be displayed on a display apparatus. When notifying the terminal operated by the operator, the notifying means moves the print job icon as a form indicating that the operator can move, a form indicating that the user cannot move, and another print job. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is in one of the forms indicating that movement is possible . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when notifying a terminal operated by the administrator, the notifying unit notifies a state change prediction result. Computer
First conversion means for converting a document that may be printed into intermediate information for printing;
Second conversion means for converting the intermediate information into information printable by the printing apparatus;
For a document that may be printed, if the document is not a completed version and there is no possibility of changing the contents, the processing by the first conversion unit is performed, and the processing by the second conversion unit is performed. Control means for controlling so as not to
Notifying means for notifying information relating to the control schedule by the control means and information relating to processing already performed to the administrator or the terminal operated by the operator in accordance with the administrator or the operator who has instructed printing of the document to function as,
The notification means indicates that, when the first conversion means is processing, a replacement process is possible for a page that has not been processed at that time, and an intermediate process is performed for a processed page. An information processing program indicating that information can be displayed on a display device .

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