JPH0431922A - Printing control method for electronic filing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the printing working efficiency and the working ratio of an electronic filing system by storing the printing conditions imparted with the time information into an external storage means and starting the printing of the picture data based on the time information. CONSTITUTION:An electronic filing system consists of an electronic filing processor 7, an image scanner 1, an external storage 5, etc. An operator inputs the print conditions like the retrieving conditions, the printing time, the number of print copies, etc., into a print condition file 6 by means of a retrieving item screen and stores the file 6 in an FD 18. A batch printing processing part 9 reads only a single item of the retrieving conditions at the time set to the file 6 and retrieves a document to print this document. Then the part 9 checks the number of input items and repeats the print processing to the next retrieving conditions if the input retrieving conditions remain. Thus the operator is just required to collectively carry out the input jobs only, and an actual printing operation is automatically carried out at the set time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a print control method for a document editing system such as an electronic file system or a word processor. The present invention relates to a print control method for an electronic file system suitable for efficient batch printing.

[Prior Art] Currently, various types of information are being stored in a switch from being stored on paper to being stored in devices using computers.

The advantages of storage using computer-based devices are:
First, there is a difference in storage space.

For example, in an electronic file system, approximately 80,000 original documents can be registered on one 12-inch optical disk.

In this way, the electronic file system stores a large amount of documents, drawings, etc. that have been read as images using an image scanner or the like. Furthermore, electronic file systems enable operations such as quickly searching, printing, organizing, editing, and deleting large amounts of stored documents.

Generally, in an electronic file system, an operator performs editing operations while viewing a document displayed on the screen of the display device, but these operations are processed at high speed because they are processed via a computer. . but,
Printing operations are limited by the performance of the printer and are less efficient than other operations.

Various techniques have been developed to improve the printing operation problems in electronic file systems.

Conventional techniques related to printing methods for electronic file systems include, for example, RIFILE 6000, published by Ricoh Co., Ltd. in 1988.
SYSTEM Operation Manual Reference Edition” p.
As described in pages 297 to 313, there is a method in which each print condition is set on an image print menu screen before printing is performed.

In other words, the image print menu includes a number of print copies to specify the number of copies to print, a date print field to specify to print the date of printing, a document name, page number within the document, and A document name print field where you can specify printing of the document's registration date, etc., and whether the document to be printed is limited to the page currently displayed on the screen, or whether the document includes the page currently displayed on the screen. Or, a print document field for specifying whether the document is selected from the document list, and
Displayed are a print page column that limits arbitrary pages of the document to be printed, a print start type that specifies the page to start printing, etc., and the operator can specify print conditions in each column of this image print menu. settings and perform printing operations.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with conventional printing methods in electronic file systems, when searching for and printing documents with various printing conditions, the search and printing operations must be repeated for the number of documents to be printed. did not become.

In such a method, the operator must be in front of the device during search input processing, searching for relevant documents, printing, etc., which may monopolize the device. become.

Also, like a word processor, for example, in advance,
Set the printing conditions for each of the five documents, and -
Some are printed in bulk. However, currently, printing devices such as laser printers are often shared by multiple document editing devices, and it is necessary to monitor when a specified document is printed and output. .

In this way, the conventional printing method for electronic file systems occupies the device, making it unavailable to other operators, and restricting the operator's time during printing, which is extremely inefficient. It was something.

The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art and to improve system operating efficiency by automatically printing document information consisting of multiple types of items under preset conditions and at preset times. An object of the present invention is to provide a print control method for an electronic file system that improves the performance of electronic file systems.

[Means for Solving the Problems 1] In order to achieve the above object, the print control method for an electronic file system of the present invention provides a method for controlling printing of a plurality of pieces of image data to be printed when printing image data stored on an optical disk. Presetting each printing condition, further adding time information for starting the printing process to the preset printing condition, storing the printing condition with the time information added in an external storage device, and The present invention is characterized in that, based on time information added to the printing conditions stored in the external storage device, printing of image data set under the printing conditions is started.

[Operation] In the present invention, time information for starting printing processing is added to the printing conditions of a plurality of image data to be printed. This allows, for example, FDD (Flexible
Printing conditions can be registered in an external storage device such as an FD (Floppy Disk) of a floppy disk (e.

When printing the image data stored on the optical disk, printing of the image data set under the printing conditions is started based on the time information added to the printing conditions stored in the external storage device.

In this way, by adding time information to the printing conditions, the printing conditions can be stored in an FD or the like. As a result, printing conditions can be registered on another device such as a personal computer, and the operator does not need to manage the system when printing is executed, improving the operability of the system.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of an electronic file system according to the present invention.

The electronic file system includes an image scanner 1 that scans an image and reads image data, and a CRT (Cath) that displays the image data read by the image scanner 1.
a display device 2 such as an OD Ray Tube, a cathode ray tube), a keyboard 3 for inputting operation instructions from an operator, and an optical disk device 4 for storing documents as image information.
, an external storage device 5 consisting of a hard disk, FDD, etc.
It consists of an electronic file processing device 7 having a system control section 10 that controls the entire system.

The electronic file processing device 7 includes a system control unit 10 and a CPU (Central Proc.
essing Unit, central processing unit), RAM
(Random Access Memory,
R/W memory), image memory, image compression/decompression controller, DMA (Direct Memory Ac
cess): It has a controller, etc., and performs processes such as reading, editing, storing, and printing documents. A detailed explanation of the basic configuration and operation of such an electronic file system will be omitted.

Now, the external storage device 5 stores a printing condition file 6 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the external storage device 5 is an FDD using an FD 18. and,
The format of this printing condition file 6 is the one in the FD 18. That is, the print condition file 6 includes a print time column 11 that indicates the time to start printing, an input number type 12 that indicates the number of items that have been input as targets for print processing, a print number tank 13 that indicates the number of copies to be printed, and a print target that indicates the number of copies to be printed. It is composed of printing condition columns 14 to 17 that indicate the printing conditions of each piece of information, for example, the detail number corresponding to each document.

Based on the operator's input from the keyboard 3, the printing condition registration processing section 8 sets the following information in each column of the printing condition file 6.
Register each value.

In this embodiment, the printing condition registration processing unit 8 writes “15:30J” in the printing condition file 6 in the printing time field 11.
"3" is entered in the input number type 12, "2" is entered in the print number tank 13, and r52 is entered in the search condition columns 14 to 16, respectively.
1J, r824J, and r1203J are registered.

Then, the -pattern printing processing section 9 uses this printing condition file 6.
, and control the printing process based on the contents of each column.

In other words, from "15:30", item number r521J
, r824J, r1203J, and outputs a control signal for printing "2" copies of each of "3" documents to the system control unit l○.

In this way, -pattern printing can also be started at any time.

Hereinafter, the processing operation according to the present invention will be explained in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the processing operation of the electronic file system shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

In this process, the printing condition file 6 shown in FIG. 1 is previously recorded in the FD 18 shown in FIG. 1 via the external storage device 5 shown in FIG.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operator inputs printing conditions using the search item screen.

First, a search item selection screen is displayed on the display device 2 of FIG. 1 (step 201). Then, the search item is searched based on the selection and input of the search item number from the operator (step 202). This is to narrow down the items to one in advance and simplify the detailed input later. That is, unlike a search operation, when printing, there is a one-to-one relationship between the title and the document, and it is only necessary to select one of a plurality of items as a search item.

A search detail input screen matching the selected search item is displayed on the display device 2 of FIG. 1 (step 203).

Based on this search details input screen, the search conditions input by the operator, that is, the printing conditions, are registered in the main storage device (step 204). Similarly, the printing time input by the operator is registered (step 205).

If there is a transfer instruction input from the operator (Step 2)
06), to the main memory! Recorded search conditions, printing time,
And, transfer the total number of input search conditions etc. to FD,
That is, the printing condition file 6 in FIG. 1 is stored in the FD 18 in FIG. 1 (step 207), and the process ends.

In this way, the printing condition file 6 as shown in FIG.
If the format is determined, it becomes possible to use an FD for recording, and it is also possible to input search conditions, that is, print conditions, into another device, such as a personal computer.

Next, a processing operation for performing bulk printing using the FDI 8 of FIG. 1 into which the printing conditions have been input will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the processing operation of the electronic file system shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention.

In Fig. 2, the FD 18 shown in Fig. 1, which stores search conditions, printing time, number of copies to be printed, and the total number of input search conditions, that is, the number of input items, is used to perform bulk printing processing. .

First, the printing condition file 6 of the FD 18 shown in FIG. 1 is read to obtain the time set in the printing time field 11 (step 301).

Compare the time obtained here with the actual time (step 30)
2) If the set time has not yet reached,
Repeat the time comparison until the set time is reached.

When the set time comes, only one search condition is read from the printing condition file 6 of the FD 18 shown in FIG. 1 (step 303), and a search is performed (step 304).

Then, the searched document is printed (step 305).

Here, the number of searches, that is, printing, is calculated as the first
It is compared with the value of the input number type 12 in the print condition file 6 of the FD 18 shown in the figure, and it is determined whether all of the input search conditions have been printed (step 3o6).

If the input search conditions remain, the process returns to step 303 and print processing for the next search condition is repeated. Further, if printing is performed for all search conditions, the process ends.

In this way, printing is started at the preset time.

In this embodiment, two copies are printed at a time, but the output method may be either two consecutive copies of the same page or one set at a time.

In this way, through the processing shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, input control and print control are separated, and the operator can -
All you have to do is input the information all at once, and the actual printing will be done automatically at the set time.

Next, the search item selection screen and search details input screen displayed on the display device 2 of FIG. 1 and used in the processes of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be explained based on specific drawings.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the search item selection screen displayed on the display device in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, the search item selection screen 40 includes search item selection 41. which is the name of the screen and represents the function of the screen. A cabinet name 42 for identifying the cabinet already selected by the operator, a search item 43 for displaying an item number (No) 44 selected and inputted by the operator to further narrow down the items from this screen,
Item name 45 that displays a group of items to refer to in order to narrow down the items, item number (NO) 4 corresponding to this item name 45
4. Then, move the mouse cursor over the icon (a symbol on the screen) used when canceling the operation, and click on it, i.e.
When a key is pressed manually, a control signal corresponding to this icon is sent out) 46).

Using the search item selection screen with such a configuration, the operator first sets the items to be printed, and then obtains the search details input screen, which will be described next. In this way,
The operator first narrows down the items to one item and makes later input of details easier.

In this embodiment, "specifications" is displayed as the cabinet name 42, and "2" is displayed as the search item 43. This indicates that the operator has selected the screen having the item number (No) 44 "2", that is, the "title name" of the item name 45, as the next search detail input screen.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the search details input screen displayed on the display device in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment, the search item input screen 50 includes a search item name 51 that is the name of the screen and represents the function of the screen, and a search item name 52 that identifies the item name that has already been selected by the operator in FIG. , and from this screen,
Furthermore, in order to set items to be searched and printed, there are search details 54 in which the operator inputs print conditions in order of 53 numbers (No.), and print time in which the operator inputs the desired print start time. 55, number of copies 56 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, and icons 57 and 58 used to instruct execution or cancellation of an operation.

Using the search detail input screen 50 configured as described above, the operator specifies the document to be printed and sets the desired print start time.

In this embodiment, the search item name 52 is displayed as "title name j," and the operator enters r52 in the numbers (No.) 53 "l" to "3" of the search details 54, respectively.
1J, r824J, r1203", furthermore, rl 5: 30J is entered in the printing time 55, and "2" is entered in the number of copies 56.

This prints two copies of documents corresponding to numbers r521,1, r824J, and r1203J, respectively, to r1.
It is set to start at 5:30 p.m.

Here, if the operator selects the icon 57, the document file system shown in FIG. Start printing.

In this embodiment, if the printing time 54 is not input and the icon 57 is selected, normal search processing is performed instead of printing.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, according to the document file system of this embodiment, the operator can input printing conditions with printing start time information all at once, and When printing, it does not need to be attached to the device, and since an FD is used, other devices such as
Search conditions can also be entered using a personal computer.

This improves the operator's work efficiency.

Furthermore, since the printing start time can be set arbitrarily, setting the time to a time when the system is relatively idle will prevent the device from being occupied and increase operating time.

Further, the present invention can be easily applied to a processing device such as a word processor that manages data and prints out data.

[Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, printing of document information consisting of a plurality of types of items can be automatically performed at a preset time under conditions set in advance by another device, thereby reducing the operator's work. Improved efficiency and system operation efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the configuration of an electronic file system according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the electronic file system according to the present invention in the electronic file system shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific embodiment of the search item selection screen displayed on the display device in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a specific implementation of the search details input screen displayed on the display device in FIG. 1. It is an explanatory diagram showing an example. 1: Image scanner, 2: Display device, 3: Keyboard, 4: Optical disk device, 5: External storage device, 6. Printing condition file, 7: Electronic file processing device, 8. Printing condition registration processing unit, 9 batch printing processing unit, ]O system control unit, 11: Printing time tank, 12. Number of inputs field, 13: Number of copies to be printed, 14 to l7: Printing conditions m, l8:
FD, 40: Search item selection screen, 41・Search item selection, 42: Cabinet name, 43: Search item 244:
Item number (No). 45: Item name, 46: Icon, 50・Search details input screen, 51 Search details six directions, 52: Search item name, 53: Details number (No), 54: Search details. 55: Printing time, 56: Number of copies to be printed, 57-58: Icon. Figure Figure Figure Figure Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An electronic file system that has an optical disk and stores documents as image data on the optical disk, and when printing the image data stored on the optical disk, multiple pieces of image data to be printed. Set the printing conditions for each in advance, and based on the set printing conditions,
In the print control method for an electronic file system that searches and prints multiple pieces of image data to be printed,
Adding time information for starting the printing process to the above preset printing conditions, further storing the printing conditions with the time information added in an external storage means, and adding the printing conditions stored in the external storage means to the printing conditions. A method for controlling printing of an electronic file, characterized in that printing of image data set under the printing conditions is started based on the given time information.