JPH09146731A - Printing instruction device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To switch and use one of plural printing output devices connected to a communication network by simple operation. SOLUTION: A device information managing part 101 manages respective device information of plural printing output devices connected to the communication network. The device information of a printing output device selected by an output destination selecting part 102 is acquired from the managing part 101 and the display information of a printing instruction operation panel corresponding to the selected printing output device is generated by a display information generating part 104 to 106. A printer driver 121 is switched based upon the selection of the output destination selecting part and printing data are covered into printing data for the selected printing output device. A job issuing part 123 issues a printing job including printing instruction information set up through the operation panel and the printing data to the selected printing output device based upon a user's printing request.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a plurality of print output devices (in this specification, printing includes copying and printing output devices include printers and copying machines) connected to a communication network. In a distributed network printing system, the present invention relates to a print instruction device used when switching and using the plurality of print output devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a distributed network printing system, for example, a print instruction device such as one computer selects a print output device such as a copying machine or a printer, and is set for a print request to the print output device. Connect to the network by setting the possible print instruction setting items (for example, paper size setting, enlargement ratio / reduction ratio setting, single-sided / double-sided specification, number of prints setting, use / non-use of optional functions) When a print output device is selected from a plurality of the above-mentioned print output devices and switched and used, some methods have been conventionally used.

In the first conventional example, when one of a plurality of printers connected to a network is selected and a print instruction is given to the selected printer, the printer driver provided for each printer is switched. is there.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG.
(N is a natural number of 2 or more) printers P1 and P
2, ..., Printer drivers D1, printer drivers D2, ..., Printer drivers Dn are provided corresponding to the respective printers Pn, and print instruction setting information and printer information such as document information to be printed are sent from each printer driver. Printers P1 to P through communication units C1 to Cn, respectively
It is configured to be sent to n. In this case, each of the printer drivers D1 to Dn displays the print instruction setting item as a display window for the print instruction setting, and the display processing units W1 to Wn that receive the setting of the print instruction setting item from the user. And print data processing units F1 to Fn for processing printer information to be sent to each printer.

When the user selects and uses one of the printers P1 to Pn, the user identifies and selects the printer driver corresponding to the desired printer. Then, the selected printer driver uses the display processing unit W to display the setting operation panel screen of the print instruction setting item, and the user sets the print instruction setting item on the setting operation panel screen. After that, the execution of the print job is instructed. The print job includes print instruction information including the setting information of the print instruction setting items and print data. In the following description, the term “job” simply means a print job.

Upon receiving this print job execution instruction, the printer driver uses the print data processing unit F to print the printer information to be printed, which is compatible with the printer format corresponding to this printer driver. , And the printer P1, through the corresponding one of the communication means C1, the communication means C2, ..., And the communication means Cn together with the information of the print instruction setting items.
It is sent to the corresponding one of the printers P2, ..., Printer Pn (Microsoft Windows Ver.3.1 Operating Syst
(See Chapter 5 of em function guide).

In the second conventional example, a button icon is set for each of a plurality of printers connected to the network, and when selecting one printer, the corresponding button icon is designated. Then, a printer option window for the printer is opened, various print instruction setting items are set, and print output instructions are given.

Further, as a third conventional example, when an output instruction is given to a copying machine which is connected to a network and is remote, interactive guidance is exchanged with the user, each copying function is set, and finally output is performed. There is also a method of giving an instruction (see Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-34498).

Conventionally, in a copying machine, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 1-246572 and 2-33310.
59, JP 3-151292 A, JP 5
As described in JP-A-323703 and JP-A-6-89055, so-called finishing processing such as stapling can be performed as post-processing of copying.

[0010]

In the case of the above-described first conventional example, the printer driver fixedly holds the equipment function of the corresponding printer, and when changing the print output destination. For this purpose, it is necessary to confirm whether the printer to be selected is actually equipped with the equipment function that the user wants to use, and the user must identify and switch the printer driver corresponding to the printer.

In order to use the printer connected to the network, the printer driver software of all the printers to be used is installed in the computer in advance, and the printer to be used is designated from the window screen for use. Since it is necessary to switch the printer driver by using a single personal computer, it is extremely inconvenient to switch and use a plurality of printers from one personal computer.

Further, it is impossible to simultaneously output to different printers. This is because switching the printer driver is not always easy because it is always related to the notification of the switching to the application that uses the printer driver, the network driver, and the network queue (spool). Further, because of this, it has been impossible to execute a plurality of printer drivers at the same time.

Further, if the print output destination is changed,
It is necessary to close the window for changing the output destination. Therefore, all the information that has been set up to that point is reset, and the same information must be re-input after changing the output destination, which is difficult to use.

Further, in the case of the second conventional example, the information such as the equipment function of the printer is only acquired once when the window of the printer option is opened, and the equipment function of the printer is opened from the state where the printer option is opened. Information cannot be obtained. Also, once the print output destination is specified, the output destination cannot be changed, and the print instruction procedure must be canceled once, and the print instruction procedure for the changed printer must be re-input and reset from the beginning. Becomes

Further, in the case of the third conventional example, since the copying function setting is performed by interactively exchanging guidance with the user, it is not possible to list the functions of the copying machine which is a remote output destination. However, it is difficult to know how to print out until the end of setting, and it is very inconvenient to select a copying machine having a required function.

Further, conventionally, when a user performs a finishing process on a printed matter, in the method disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the printed original is once taken to a copying machine, and the original is set on the copying machine. I had to specify the finishing process and copy it.

In view of the above points, the present invention makes it possible to use a plurality of print output devices connected to a communication network by a simple switching operation, and each print output device has, for example, finishing processing or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print instruction device in which the equipment functions can be effectively used from a remote location.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a print instructing device capable of issuing a print instruction to a plurality of print output devices connected to a network with the simplest possible setting operation. .

[0019]

A print instruction apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is connected to a communication network (10) when the reference numerals of the functional blocks of the embodiment of FIG. A print instruction device for giving a print instruction to a print output device selected from the plurality of print output devices (301 to 303) through a display screen, each of the plurality of print output devices on the communication network. A device information management means (101) for managing device information of the device, an output destination selection means (102) for selecting one of the print output devices on the communication network as a print output destination, and the output destination selection means. Based on the selection, the device information of the print output device selected as the output destination is acquired from the device information management unit, and a print instruction for the print output device is obtained. Display information generation means for generating display information of the print instruction operation panel for setting a distribution (10
4, 105, 106), display means (109) having the display screen, and the print instruction operation panel generated by the display information generation means based on the selection by the output destination selection means. Display control means (108) for displaying on the display screen of and accepting the setting of the print instruction information
And a print data processing unit that processes print data so as to correspond to each of a plurality of print output devices on the communication network, and the selected print output device based on the selection by the output destination selection means. To the print data processing unit (printer driver 121 in FIG. 1) that processes the print data in the print data processing unit corresponding to, the print data from the print data processing unit, and the selected selected print output device. Job issuing means (123) for issuing a print job including print instruction information to the selected print output device is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print instruction apparatus, the print data processing means of the first aspect includes a print data processing section corresponding to a plurality of different types of print output apparatuses, and the output destination is selected. Based on the selection by the means, the print data processing unit corresponding to the selected print output device is switched to process the print data.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the invention of claim 3, the display information generating means of claim 1 or 2 is based on the selection by the output destination selecting means (102) An analysis unit (105) for analyzing the function of the device information of the print output device selected as the output destination acquired from the management unit (101) is included, and the selected based on the analysis result of the analysis unit. With respect to the item of the function that cannot be used in the print output device, display information of the print instruction operation panel including a display indicating that the function cannot be used is generated.

Further, in the print instruction apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus information management means (101) according to the first or second aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of units on the communication network via the communication network. An identifier of each print output device is acquired and managed, and the output destination selecting means (102) selects the print output device as the print output destination based on the identifier.

Further, in the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention as defined in claim 5, the device information management means (101) according to claim 1 or 2 has a plurality of units on the communication network via the communication network. The device information of the print output device is acquired.

The print instruction apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the invention is a setting information storage means for storing the print instruction information set through the display control means, in addition to the constituent features of the first or second aspect. (110), and sets the print instruction information for the print output device selected by the output destination selection means (102) based on the print instruction information stored in the setting information storage means (110). It is characterized by

Further, in the print instruction apparatus according to the invention described in claim 7, in addition to the constituent features of claim 1 or 2, the setting information storage means for storing the print instruction information set through the display control means. (110) and standard information storage means (default value storage means 111 in FIG. 1) for storing standard information of setting items constituting each of the print instruction information, and the print instruction information is stored in the setting information storage means (110). It is characterized in that the setting item is set based on the standard information stored in the standard information storage means.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the print instruction apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the device information is a function of pre-processing and / or post-processing of the print process of the print output device. The display information generating means includes a display for enabling the function when the print output device selected by the output destination selecting means has the function of the pre-processing and / or the post-processing. It is characterized in that display information of the print instruction operation panel is generated which includes a display that disables the function when the function does not have the pre-processing and / or the post-processing.

Further, the print instruction apparatus according to the invention of claim 9 prints to the print output apparatus selected from the plurality of print output apparatuses capable of outputting the information of the own apparatus, through the operation screen of the display apparatus. A print instruction device for giving an instruction, wherein the print output device is connected, and device information acquisition means for acquiring device information of the connected print output device, and the selected print output from the device information acquisition means The device information of the device is acquired, and based on the acquired device information, the selected print output device is not provided among the plurality of display items for the print instruction on the standard operation screen prepared in advance. The display mode of the display items related to the function is changed from the display mode of the display items related to the function, and means for generating an operation screen is provided. To allow operation using the screen.

Further, the print instruction apparatus according to the invention of claim 10 is the same as the requirement of the invention of claim 9,
A means for generating the standard operation screen having display items necessary for a print instruction of the connected print output device based on the device information of the connected print output device acquired by the device information acquisition means. Is characterized by.

[0029]

In the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention, when the print destination is selected from the plurality of print output devices by the output destination selecting means, the display information generating means, based on the selection,
The device information of the selected print output device is acquired from the device information management unit, the equipment function is analyzed, the display information of the print instruction operation panel is generated, and the print instruction operation is displayed on the display screen of the display unit through the display control unit. Displays the panel and waits for input of print instruction setting items. The user inputs settings for print instruction setting items on the print instruction operation panel.

Then, based on the user's selection in the output destination selection means, the print data is processed in the print data processing means so as to correspond to the selected print output device. When the user issues a print request instruction, a print job including the print instruction information set through the print instruction operation panel and the print data from the print data processing means is selected from the job issuing means. It is issued to the print output device.

That is, the user selects the desired print output device from the plurality of print output devices on the network with the output destination selecting means, and performs the predetermined setting input and print instruction request operation through the print instruction operation panel. By simply performing this, a plurality of print output devices on the network can be easily switched and used.

The print instruction apparatus according to claim 2 considers a case where a plurality of print output apparatuses of different types are connected to the network. That is, the print data processing means switches from the plurality of print data processing units corresponding to the plurality of different types of print output devices to the print data processing unit corresponding to the print output device selected by the user, and print data Is processed. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of different types of print output devices on the network, it is possible to easily switch and use the plurality of print output devices.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the third aspect, the display information generating means analyzes the equipment function of the selected print output apparatus by the analysis means, and the selected print output apparatus is installed according to the analysis result. The display information of the print instruction setting item is generated based on the function. At this time, the display information generating means generates the display information that disables the print instruction setting item related to the function that the selected print output device does not have. As the display information indicating that the print instruction setting item cannot be used, for example, the print instruction setting item is not displayed, or the print instruction setting item is displayed as a shade (lightly displayed) and the shade item cannot be selected. It is done so that the function which is not equipped is not set.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention, when the output destination selecting means indicates an identifier of a print output apparatus desired to be used from among a plurality of print output apparatuses on the network, the print output apparatus is selected. The print instruction operation panel is generated and displayed, and the print instruction can be performed in the same manner as described above. That is, by designating the identifier of the print output device as the print output destination, it becomes possible to select and use the desired print output device from the plurality of print output devices on the network.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the apparatus information management unit collects the apparatus information necessary for the print instruction via the communication network. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to detect the equipment function of the print output device on the network and register it in the device information management means.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the initial setting of each setting item of the print instruction information for the selected print output apparatus is performed by the setting information stored in the setting information storage means. Done. That is,
For example, since the previous setting information is effectively used and the print instruction setting item is set, the user's setting operation is simplified.

In the print instruction apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the standard information stored in the standard information storage unit is the standard information stored in the setting information storage unit as the setting item information not stored as the setting information. Initially set to simplify user setting operations.

According to the invention described in claim 8, on the display screen of the print instruction device used by the user, whether the print output device on the selected network is capable of finishing processing as post-processing of printing, for example. If it can be confirmed, and if it has a finishing processing function, the finishing processing function can be used from a remote position.

In the invention according to claim 9, among the display items of the standard operation screen prepared in advance, the display mode of the display item relating to the function not provided in the selected print output device is provided. Since it is different from the display item related to the function being performed, the user can give an operation instruction to each print output device by using basically the common operation screen.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the device information of each print output device connected to the print instruction device is acquired, and the standard operation screen in the invention of claim 9 is displayed based on the acquired device information. Since it is generated, it is not necessary to set the reference operation screen in advance based on the equipment function of the print output device connected to the print instruction device.

[0041]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First, a general outline of an information processing system to which a print instruction apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described together with an outline of an embodiment of the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the overall configuration of the information processing system of this example, in which LA as a communication network is used.
A plurality of print output devices are distributed and connected on the N10. As described above, the print output device can be configured not only by the printer but also by a copying machine or a facsimile machine with a copying function.

In the example of FIG. 2, on the LAN 10,
A plurality of end systems A to D are distributed and arranged.
The end system A includes a computer 11A and two printers 12a and 12b as print output devices. The end system A includes a display 16 and a mouse 17 as an example of a pointing device that gives an input instruction through the display screen. The end system A also has a function as a print processing execution unit and a function as a print instruction device.

The end system B is the computer 1
1B and a copying machine 1 that constitutes a print output device, respectively.
3 or a copying machine 14. This end system B also has a display 16 and a mouse 1.
7, and the computer 11B also has a function as a print instruction device. Also, this end system B is
It also has a function as a print processing execution unit, and a function as an input unit for a paper original as print processing data and an input unit for an electronic original.

The end system C is composed of a computer 11C, has a display 16 and a mouse 17, and has a function as a print instruction device and a function as an input section for an electronic manuscript.

The end system D is composed of a computer 11D and a scanner 15, and has a display 16 and a mouse 17. The end system D has a function as a print instruction device and also functions as an input unit for a paper document by the scanner 15.

In FIG. 2, in any of the end systems, the computer is the printer 12a, 12
b, the copying machines 13 and 14, and the scanner 15 are separated from each other, but it is also possible to form each of these devices 12 to 15 into a computer.

In the case of this example, the computer 11A of the end system A in particular has all the print output devices (computer 11A) distributed and arranged on the LAN 10.
(Including printers 12a and 12b connected to the network LAN 10 via the), a function as a print management device (hereinafter referred to as a print management device function unit) that comprehensively manages the device information and other information. Then, the identifier information, the device information, and the like are acquired from all the print output devices, and the acquired information is transferred to the LAN 1 of the network.
0 to all print instruction devices.

In the case of this example, the device information is job information including the number of jobs and job processing status in each print output device, information on the equipment function (capacity of the print output device) of the print output device, and failure of the print output device. It also includes information on the device status such as running out of toner and toner. The print management device function unit manages this device information in a state where it can be associated with each print output device. In some cases, the device information may also include the identifier of the print output device.

The end system having the print output device has a function of notifying the print management device function section of the identifier of the print output device, the equipment function information, the status information, and the job information.

In this case, the two printers 12a,
Since 12b is connected to the computer 11A, the above various information can be easily obtained from the printers 12a and 12b. However, the copiers 13 and 14 that are other print output devices that are not directly connected to the computer 11A can handle only the information determined by the communication protocol corresponding to these devices. The end system A is provided with a communication interface for communicating with these devices as required.

All the print requests accompanied by the print data from the functional unit of the print instruction device are once received by the print management device functional unit so that the difference in the communication protocol between the print instruction device and the print output device can be absorbed. I have to. In other words, from the print instruction device to the print management device function unit, communication is performed using the same communication protocol, and print requests to other print output devices with different communication protocols are judged by the print management device function unit and are matched. It is converted into a communication protocol for use and passed to the target print output device. Therefore, the user can make print instruction settings and print requests without being aware of the difference in communication protocol.

The print output device identifier information is an identifier for identifying each print output device from the others. The print management device function unit corresponds to this identifier and is the LA of each print output device.
It knows the network address and location on N10. The identifier of the print output device may be a model name of the print output device or a specific name given by the user. In addition, LAN10
A number or the like given to the print output device may be used as long as it can identify a plurality of print output devices dispersedly arranged above. In this example, a print output device name such as a printer name is used as the print output device identifier.

The information of the identifier of the print output device is notified to the computer 11A of the end system A when it is connected to the LAN 10 and registered in the print management device function section. Alternatively, the print management apparatus function unit of the computer 11A of the end system A may inquire of the end system including each print output apparatus to obtain the identifier of each print output apparatus.

In this example, the job information includes a job identifier, an identifier of print data, an identifier of a print output device which is an output destination of the job, and a processing state. The job identifier is, for example, a number given to the job, and the print data identifier is a file name or the like.

In the case of this example, the processing state of the job is
“Normal end”, “abnormal end”, “printing”, “waiting for print”, “print cancel (cancel)”, and the like.

Among the job information, the job identifier, the print data identifier, and the print output device identifier are information given to the job when the print instruction device issues the job. Each print output device receives its own job with these identifiers, manages the processing status of each job, and executes each job, for example, in the order of reception. The initial processing state of the job is, for example, “waiting for printing”.

When any one of the job processing states changes, the print output apparatus notifies the print management apparatus function unit of job information of all the jobs, for example. Upon receiving this notification, the print management device function unit updates the job information of the corresponding print output device to new information, and transfers the updated information to all print instruction devices. The print instruction device recognizes the number of unprocessed jobs from the job information as the load of the print output device.

The information sent from the print output device to the print management device function unit when the processing state of the job changes is only the information about the changed job, and the print management device function unit itself prints the corresponding print output. The job information about the corresponding job of the device may be updated. Information regarding the job transferred from the print management apparatus function unit to the print instruction apparatus is similarly set only for the changed job, and the print instruction apparatus identifies the acquired new information and updates only the information portion. You may do it.

The information on the equipment function of the print output device is information regarding the surface designation function for single-sided printing / double-sided printing, enlargement / reduction function, paper size selection function, sorter, stack, and finishing processing type which can be optionally installed. Is.

The status information of the print output device includes status related to equipment functions such as paper jam, paper out, paper out warning, door open, toner out, toner out warning, hardware failure, and usage status of the print output device. In other words, it also includes an operational state, printing, waiting, and printing completion.

Initially, the device information of the print output device is similar to the identifier information of each print output device, and when each print output device is connected to the LAN 10, each print output device is connected to the computer 11A. Notify the print management apparatus function section. Further, as described above, the print output device has an optional function that can be added later. When the optional function is added, when the optional function is added, the additional function is printed by the computer 11A. Notify the management device function section.

Similarly, as the status information of the print output device, the latest status information is printed each time when the above-mentioned paper jam or the like occurs or the usage status changes from each print output device. Notify the management device function section.

Of course, the print management device function unit may make an inquiry to each print output device through the LAN 10 at regular intervals as appropriate to obtain device information including these additional functions. In order to use the functions immediately and effectively, and to grasp the changes in the device status and the job processing status without delay and to make effective use of the print output devices, the It is possible to surely notify the print management apparatus function unit of the apparatus information without giving a timing error when the notification is given.

Then, the print management device function unit of the computer 11A also uses the acquired identifier information, device information, and status information of each print output device as the function unit of the print instruction device of the end system (hereinafter, the print instruction device function). Department)).

That is, the print instruction device function unit of each end system issues a request to acquire the above-mentioned identifier information and device information to the print management device function unit at regular intervals or at an appropriate timing. In response to this request, the print management device function unit sends the identifier information and device information of all print output devices to the requested print instruction device function unit through the LAN 10.

The print management apparatus function unit also receives information about the latest status from each print output apparatus when the above-mentioned status such as a paper jam occurs or when the usage status changes. At the same time, the state information is transferred and notified to all the print instruction device functional units. That is, the print management apparatus functional unit promptly notifies the print instruction apparatus of a notification of a warning or a change in apparatus state.

Therefore, the print instruction device function unit of each end system itself has the same management information as the print management device function unit, that is, the identifier information of all the print output devices distributedly arranged on the communication network LAN 10. , Holds and manages device information.

In each print instruction device function section, the user selects a print output device to be used from a plurality of print output devices distributed on the LAN 10, and the selected print output device is selected. The various print instruction setting items are set and the print instruction is given.

At the time of this print instruction, in order to easily switch the print output device and set the print instruction setting item, the print instruction device function section prints the print output device selected. The operation instruction panel for setting the instruction setting items is created and displayed from the print management information of the print instruction apparatus functional unit itself, the user's setting instruction is received, and the printer corresponding to the selected print output apparatus is displayed. Automatically select the driver and switch.

When the print output device is switched,
Automatically perform the initial setting using the previous setting information. That is, among the print instruction setting items for the selected print output device, the setting information for the equipment that has the setting information for the print instruction setting items for the print output device that was previously selected is the previous setting. Is used as it is.In addition, if the setting information about the equipment that does not exist in the previous setting information that cannot be input and set is changed to the unset or appropriate setting state, and the equipment function that was not available in the previous time, For those that can be set and input, a default standard value prepared in advance is automatically set.

Further, the print instructing device also displays the status information of a plurality of print output devices on the LAN 10, and from the display of this status information, the user can select the print output device and perform appropriate instruction and processing. I am able to do it.

The printer driver (software) installed in the print instruction device function section of this example does not require display processing for setting print instruction setting items, unlike the one shown in FIG. Need only be provided with a print data processing function for converting the print data for the selected print output device. That is, each print instruction device function unit has a plurality of print data processing functions in order to convert the print data into print data suitable for all print output devices existing on the network LAN 10. Is automatically switched according to the user's selection of the print output device.

However, if the print data of a plurality of print output devices on the network may be of the same data format, the print data processing function (software)
Since the software can be used in common, the software that must be prepared as a print data processing function may be less than or equal to the number of print output devices existing on the network, which corresponds to the number of different types of print output devices.

An outline of the print output destination switching processing by the print instruction device function unit in this case will be described in comparison with the conventional example of FIG. 40, as shown in FIG.
That is, as shown in FIG.
Are printers P1 to P as examples of a plurality of print output devices.
A common user interface unit 21 that can switch and display all of the n print instruction operation panels is provided, and the print data processing unit 22a for each of the printers P1 to Pn and the items other than the items displayed by the common user interface unit 21 are necessary. A printer driver unit 22 having a partial display processing unit 22b is provided.

The common user interface section 21 is
The identifiers, device information, and status information of the printers P1 to Pn are acquired via the communication unit 23, and the operation panel for one of the printers is displayed according to the identifier list or the user's instruction.

Then, in the print instruction device function section 20, the identifier list is displayed, and when the user selects the printer to be used, for example, by the identifier, the common user interface 21 displays the operation instruction panel for the selected printer. To display. Further, in this case, the printer driver unit 2 as the print data processing means.
2 is a print data processing unit 2 adapted to the selected printer according to the user's printer selection operation.
2a is switched.

After that, when the user issues a print output request, the print instruction information set through the common user interface unit 21 and the print data for the printer selected from the printer driver unit 22 communicate as a print job. It is transmitted to the printer selected from the printers P1 to Pn through the means 23. The selected printer receives the print job including the print data and the print instruction information by the print data receiving unit conforming to its own format, and executes the job.

That is, the user may select the print output device to be used, set the instruction setting items for the print request, and issue the print request by issuing the print job. It is not necessary for the user to identify the printer driver suitable for the output device and switch between the print instruction operation panel and the print data processing unit.

An embodiment of the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention is applied as the print processing apparatus function section in the information processing system described above. Next, an embodiment in which the print instruction apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the print instruction apparatus functional section of the above-described information processing system will be described in more detail.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the above-mentioned information processing system configuration part centering on the print instruction device in this case. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the print instruction apparatus will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a print instruction device, 2
Reference numeral 00 denotes a print management apparatus, which are connected to the LAN 10 of the communication network as described above. In this example, the print output devices 301 and 302 are connected to the print management device 200, and the print output device 303 is directly connected to the LAN 10. Here, being directly connected includes the case where the print output device is connected via a computer.

The print instruction apparatus 100 corresponds to the print instruction apparatus function unit of each end system of FIG. 2, and the print management apparatus 200 corresponds to the print management apparatus function unit of the computer 11A of the end system A of FIG. . The print output devices 301 and 302 correspond to the two printers 12a and 12b in FIG. 2, and the print output device 303 corresponds to the end system including the copying machine 13 or 14.

The print management apparatus 200 includes a network information providing unit 201, a device information providing unit 202, and a print processing unit 203. As described above, the print management apparatus 200 is connected to the print output apparatus 3 directly connected thereto.
01, 302 and the print output device 303 connected to the LAN 10 collect their respective identifier information, device information and the latest status information, and instruct them to print those information in response to a request from the print instruction device 100. Device 100
To provide.

Further, regarding urgent information such as trouble information such as toner out, paper out, and failure occurrence,
The print management apparatus 200 has a configuration that can directly notify the print instruction apparatus. Further, the print management apparatus 200 is
It also has a role of receiving a print job from the print instruction device 100 and delivering it to the print output device.

The network information providing unit 201 and the device information providing unit 202 are the print output devices 301 to 30 described above.
3 collects information from the printer 3 and provides information to the print instruction apparatus 100. That is, the network information providing unit 2
01 collects and holds information on identifiers such as names of devices connected to the LAN 10 and model names.

In the case of the example of FIG. 1, the print management apparatus 200
And the information on the print output devices 301, 302, 303 is registered in the network information providing unit 201, and the network information providing unit 201, in response to a request from the print instruction device 100, identifies the identifiers of these devices and The network address of each print output device is provided to the requested print instruction device 100. In this example, the device name (model name) is used as the identifier.
Is used.

As described above, the device information providing unit 202 receives option information (sorter, HCS (high capacity stack = large capacity stack)), offset stack (printed to be ejected from the print output devices 301, 302 and 303. Information about equipment functions and paper size, including the function of ejecting paper by shifting a specified amount in the specified front-back direction or left-right direction by a fixed amount) and the type of finishing process (such as bookbinding and stapling) (For example, A3, A4, B4, B5, Letter, Legal, MS
I (multi-sheet inserter), etc., equipment function information such as the above-described paper jam, paper-out, paper-out warning, toner-out, failure, and the like, job information,
Device information including other print output devices and information about print jobs is acquired, and the device information including these information is requested by the print instruction device 100.
To provide.

The print processing unit 203 includes the print instruction device 100.
Request (print job) including print data from the printer and print instruction information consisting of setting information such as print format and used functions
Has a function of receiving, converting into a format corresponding to the printing method of the printing output device of the output destination, and outputting. The print processing unit 203 also plays a role of transferring the received print job to a print output device having a different communication protocol.

Next, the configuration of the print instruction device 100 will be described.

The print instruction device 100 includes the device information management unit 1
01, output destination selection unit 102, output switching unit 103, device information acquisition unit 104, equipment function / state analysis unit 105, display information configuration unit 106, display information storage unit 107, display control unit 108, display (display unit) 109 A setting information storage unit 110, a default value storage unit 111, an instruction setting operation unit 112, a printer driver 121, a print data storage unit 122, and a job issuing unit 123.

As described above, the device information management unit 101 has the network information providing unit 20 of the print management device 200.
1 and the device information providing unit 202, the identifier information and the device information are acquired and managed through the communication unit 130.
Therefore, the device information management unit 101 holds substantially the same information as the network information providing unit 201 and the device information providing unit 202 of the print management device 200 with respect to the above-mentioned information.

The trigger for issuing a request from the print instruction apparatus 100 to the print management apparatus 200 in order to obtain the information is at the start of execution of the print instruction apparatus 100, at the time of a user instruction, or at regular time intervals. is there. The trigger for sending this request can be set according to the usage status of the system.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing operation in which the device information management unit 101 acquires the device information and the like.

That is, first, a timer is set (step S101). Next, it is determined whether or not there is an acquisition request at the start of execution of the print instruction apparatus 100 or an acquisition request according to a user's instruction (step S102).

If there is no such acquisition request, it is judged whether or not the timer time has reached a predetermined time T (step S103). If the timer time is within the predetermined time T, the process returns to step S102. Timer time is a fixed time T
When it becomes, the process of acquiring the device information and the like is executed (step S104).

If it is determined in step S102 that there is the acquisition request, the process immediately jumps to step S104 to execute a process of acquiring device information and the like. Step S1
After 04, the process returns to step S101, the timer is reset, and the above process is repeated.

The output destination selection unit 102 operates when the user designates or changes the print output destination. That is,
When the user specifies / changes the print output destination,
The output destination selection unit 102 issues an instruction to the device information management unit 101 to acquire the identifier information and the device information, and also instructs the output destination switching unit 103 to output the device name and the device information by the device information acquisition unit 104. A list of identifiers of all print output devices on the LAN 10 obtained by the extraction / equipment function / state analysis unit 105 and the display information configuration unit 106, or a print output device selected in advance from a plurality of print output devices on the LAN 10. Of the list of identifiers of the device name, in the case of this example, the generation of the device name list and the display data of the list are instructed, and the device name list is displayed based on the display control unit 108 described later.
08 to display on the screen of the display 109.

By deleting or adding a print output device in the window of the device name list, the user can select in advance a desired one of the plurality of print output devices on the LAN 10.

Then, in the list list of this window,
When the user gives an instruction to select one print output device, the display control unit 108 sends information on the device name of the print output device selected by the user's selection operation to the output destination selection unit 102. The unit 102 notifies the output destination switching unit 103 of the information on the selected device name and the switching instruction.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the above-mentioned processing operation centered on the output destination selection unit 102. That is, first, the output destination selecting unit 102 determines the device information management unit 1 according to the user's print output destination designation or change input.
An instruction to acquire the identifier information and the device information is issued to 01 (step S111).

Next, the output destination switching unit 103 is instructed by the output destination selecting unit 102, and the device information acquiring unit 10
4, equipment function / state analysis unit 105, display information configuration unit 10
6, the identifier list is passed to the display information configuration unit 106 (step S112),
In this display information configuration unit 106, an identifier list, that is,
A list of device names is generated, and a window for this device name list is displayed on the display 109 (step S113).

Next, the display control unit 108 determines whether or not the mouse button is operated to select the specific device name in the list (step S114), and it is determined that the specific device name is selected. At this time, the designated device name is highlighted to inform the user (step S115). Then, it is determined whether or not the cancel button is operated (step S118), and if the cancel button is not operated, the process returns to step S114.

In step S114, the display control unit 108
If it is determined that the mouse button has not been operated, it is determined whether or not the selection button has been operated (step S
116). When it is determined that the selection button has been operated, the display control unit 108 determines that the device switching selection has been confirmed, and outputs the selected device name information to the output destination selection unit 102.
Then, the output destination selection unit 102 outputs the selected device name information and the switching instruction to the output destination switching unit 103 (step S117). Then, the selection operation is ended. When it is determined in step S116 that the selection button is not operated, the process proceeds to step S118. If it is determined in step S118 that the cancel button has been pressed, this selection operation ends.

The output destination switching unit 103 receives the selected print output device name as an identifier according to the switching instruction from the output destination selecting unit 102, and the device information acquisition unit 104.
Is instructed to acquire the device information corresponding to the print output device name. Further, the output destination switching unit 103 includes the display control unit 1
08 is instructed to switch the display screen of the print instruction operation panel for a print request. Further, the output destination switching unit 10
3 instructs the printer driver 121 (corresponding to the printer driver 22 in FIG. 3) to switch the print output device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the output destination switching unit 103. That is, when receiving an instruction from the output destination selection unit 102 (step S121),
It is determined whether or not the instruction is an instruction to create a list (step S122), and if so, the processing performed by the output destination switching unit 103 is executed when creating the device name list as described above. (Step S12
3).

The output destination switching unit 103 operates in step S1.
If it is determined in step 22 that the instruction from the output destination selection unit 102 is not the list list creation instruction, it is determined whether the instruction is a print output device switching instruction (step S124). Device information acquisition unit 104, equipment function / state analysis unit 1
05, the display control unit 108, and the printer driver 121 are given the above-mentioned instructions (step S12).
5).

Upon receiving the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103, the device information acquisition unit 104 acquires the device information of the print output device name from the device information management unit 101 and transfers it to the equipment function / state analysis unit 105. . At this time, the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 104 includes, for example, the following information.

Output resolution (eg 400 dpi) Model name of print output device Type of paper size currently set (eg tray 1 = B4, tray 2 = A3, tray 3 = A4, manual feed = postcard) ) -Enlargement / reduction rate range (for example, 25% to 400%)-Double-sided printing availability, short-side binding / long-side binding availability if possible-Nup function configurable number (for example, None / 2up / 4up /
9up) ・ Type of paper discharge tray (for example, upper surface / sorter / HCS) ・ Whether finishing processing is possible, if yes, type of bookbinding / stapling, if type is binding, binding position (for example,
Left-stitching / right-stitching), if the type is stapled, the stop position (for example, one place on the upper left, two places on the left, one place on the lower left, one place on the right, two places on the right, one place on the lower right) Etc.) etc. The Nup function is sometimes called the Nin1 function, but it is a function of displaying and printing a plurality of (N) pages on one sheet.

The equipment function / state analysis unit 105 analyzes the information about the equipment function and performance of the selected print output device from the passed information, and performs the function (for example, double-sided printing / copying is possible, usable paper size, Decrease / enlarge, sorter can be used, finishing can be performed, etc.) and performance related thereto (for example, reduction / enlargement of numerical input or paper designation) can be determined. Further, the status information of the selected printout device is analyzed to determine the device status. And
The determination result is sent to the display information configuration unit 106.

The display information construction unit 106 receives the above-mentioned analysis result information from the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 based on the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103.
Then, when the analysis result of the status information indicates that the selected print output device cannot be used due to a failure or the like, the display information configuration unit 106 configures the display information of the error message and displays it. Display information storage unit 10 as a display buffer used for displaying in unit 108
Send to 7 and display on the display.

Then, when the selected print output device is available, the display information construction unit 106 generates the display information according to the analysis result of the equipment function and the state of the device, and the newly selected print output device. Is reconfigured and displayed on the display through the display control unit 108. The print instruction operation panel is generated in advance from a reference operation screen commonly prepared for a plurality of print output devices connected to the network.

This standard operation screen displays the equipment functions and status information of a plurality of print output devices connected to the network.
Since the device information management unit 101 acquires information related to the print instruction operation, the display information configuration unit 106 is configured and stored in advance so as to cover all the print instruction operation items based on the acquired information. Has been done.

The information of the standard operation screen may not be automatically created in advance based on the equipment function and the status information acquired from the print output device connected to the network as in this embodiment. Instead, it is possible to consider all the equipment functions and status information of the plurality of print output devices connected to the network in advance, and prepare a product prepared to cover all of them.

In this case, since the print instruction operation panel is common to a plurality of print output devices, a plurality of print instruction operation panels are used so as to maintain a certain size regardless of the number of functions of the print output device. The display is divided into a number of sheets.
In this example, each of the print instruction operation panels divided into a plurality of sheets is classified into categories such as “basic”, “others”, “list”, and “finishing”.

That is, in this example, the print instruction operation panel is an operation panel for the basic function group, an operation panel for the other function groups, and a list operation for displaying all the functions of the basic function group and the other function groups on one surface. Divide into panels and. Further, in this example, regarding other options such as pre-processing and post-processing of print processing, such as finishing processing as post-processing, which are not included in the basic function group and other function groups, Prepare the operation panel separately. As another option, there is a document reading function by a scanner or an image reader as a pre-process of the printing process, but in this embodiment,
Only the function of the finishing process will be described.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the operation panel of the basic function group, FIG. 8 shows an example of the operation panel of the other function group, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the list operation panel. FIG. 10 shows an example of an operation panel for finishing processing as an example of other options.

In these FIGS. 7 to 10, 31 is a category display column. In this example, as described above, category buttons for selecting categories of “basic”, “others”, “list”, and “finishing” are displayed in the category display field 31. Display information configuration unit 1
06 has the display information of the category buttons of "basic", "others", and "list", and displays the display information of the category buttons for the optional functions such as finishing processing which are not included in the other function groups. Prepared in advance.

However, in the case of this example, there are three category buttons that can be displayed in the category display field 31 due to the display space, and can be selected by operating the scroll operation section 31a to scroll up and down. It is possible to display a category button that calls up a different operation panel in this category display field 31.

Then, when one button in the category display field 31 is designated by a mouse or the like, as shown by hatching in FIGS. The display control unit 107 displays the print instruction operation panel of the category in a window.

The category buttons "basic", "others", and "list" are always displayed in the category display field 31, but as will be described later, the category button for selecting the finishing process has a finishing process function. The category output field 31 is displayed only when the print output device in use is selected by the user. Therefore, when the user selects, for example, a print output device that does not have the finishing processing function, the category button of “Finishing” does not appear in the category display field 31, and thus the operation panel of the finishing processing of FIG. 10 is also displayed. Therefore, the user cannot set the finishing process.

The display column 32 of each operation panel displays the setting item contents of each function in each category. The display column 33 is a column for displaying the file name of the print instruction target, and the display column 34 is a column for displaying the current status of the print job issued from the print instruction device. Furthermore, the display column 35 is a display column for various button icons, and the display column 36 displays a message indicating the current state of the print output device to which the operation panel corresponds.

As shown in FIG. 7, the functions displayed on the operation panel of the basic function group are, in this example ,: number of copies designation; double-sided / single-sided designation; binding direction designation; binding margin position designation; binding margin amount designation・ Specify paper size ・
Enlargement / reduction ratio designation-Collect / Do not collate-Ejection tray designation-Offset stack designation and designated unit.

Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8, the functions displayed on the operation panel of the other functions are: Nup (Nin1) designation, sorting paper designation, security print designation and its password.

Here, the security print function is a function of issuing a job by attaching a password to print data. When the security print function is set, the printer does not normally output even when the job is in the printing order, and remains in the standby state. In order to print this job, it is necessary to specify the job on the printer and enter a password that matches the password set on the print instruction operation panel after the printing order has been reached.

As shown in FIG. 9, the list operation panel displays a function in which the above-mentioned basic functions and other functions are combined, in a layout design that emphasizes that the list can be viewed rather than the ease of setting.

In the display section 32 of the operation panel for the finishing process in the example of FIG. 10, "bookbinding" and "stapling" are displayed as the types of the finishing process described above.
And the setting items for each are displayed.

The display information construction unit 106 does not reconfigure the print instruction operation panel for the selected print output device in a state where the user can set all the functions of the standard operation screen shown in FIG. From the analysis result from the equipped function / state analysis unit 105, the function installed in the selected print output device is determined, and the function that is not installed is disabled and the user cannot input the setting. Reconfigure the display information of the print instruction operation panel in the state.

For example, as a method of displaying such that the setting is not possible because it is not an equipment function, a method of not displaying the print instruction setting item relating to the equipment function that cannot be used on the print instruction operation panel, or a mark indicating that it is unusable is added. To display or disabling the setting input, shade display (displayed with a lower density than the display of other print instruction setting items), and setting of this shade display to the print instruction setting items There is a method of disabling or invalidating.

In the display examples of FIGS. 7 to 10, among the plurality of setting items on the standard operation screen, the print instruction setting items of the functions that are not equipped are displayed in shade to disable the setting by the user, and the print instruction is set. The operation panel is being reconfigured.
Further, for example, when the function items such as "bookbinding" and "stapling", which are types of finishing process on the operation panel of the finishing process in FIG. 10, have lower items, the function item is selected. When not,
All the subordinate items are displayed in shade, and when the upper functional item is selected, only the selectable items in the subordinate are changed from shade display to actual display.

In FIGS. 7 to 10, a circle mark indicates a setting button of each print instruction setting item. When the setting button is designated by the mouse and the print instruction setting item is set, this setting is set. The button display changes to ◎, and the user is informed that the settings have been made.

Further, when displaying the print instruction operation panel on the display screen of the display 109, the display information construction unit 106 sets the setting information about the previous print output device and the preset standard as described later. The display information of the initial setting of the setting item is generated by using the value (default value).

Next, the display control unit 108 receives the display information from the display information configuration unit 106 in the display information storage unit 107 in accordance with the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103, and sends an error message to the print instruction operation panel. Display in another window, or switch the window of the print instruction operation panel to the display screen of the reconfigured print instruction operation panel.

The display control unit 108 also displays the print output device name list as another window in accordance with an instruction from the output destination selection unit 102, and is selected in response to the user's selection operation by the instruction setting operation unit 112. The print output device name is sent to the output destination selection unit 102.

Then, the display control unit 108 displays the display information stored in the display information storage unit 107 on the display 109.
To be displayed. Furthermore, the display control unit 108 accepts a setting operation from the instruction setting operation unit 112, which is, for example, a mouse, on the display screen of the print instruction operation panel, and changes the display information of the display information storage unit 107 to that according to the setting. Then, the setting state is reflected on the screen of the display 109, and the set print instruction information is stored in the setting information storage unit 110.

When receiving the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103, the setting information storage unit 110 passes the stored previous setting information to the display information configuration unit 106 and then clears it.

The default value storage unit 111 stores standard values (default values) for the setting items of all print output devices arranged on the network.
In this case, the default values of the default value storage unit 111 are classified into those commonly used for all print output devices, those used for each type of print output device, and those used for each individual print output device. , It can be set and changed by the user.

The display information configuration unit 106 acquires the previous setting information from the setting information storage unit 110, and if the previous setting value is valid even after the switching, the previous setting value is set to the current setting value. The setting information in the print instruction operation panel reconfigured as follows. If the previous setting is not valid,
Change the setting value. For example, in the previous print output device,
If the sorter is attached and the sorter is in the selected setting state, but the print output device this time does not have the sorter, the set value of the sorter is set to “not used”.

Further, when the reconfigured print instruction operation panel has setting items that have not been set, such as setting items that the previous print instruction operation panel does not have, the display information configuration unit 106 outputs the default value storage unit 111. Include the default value in the display information as the setting information for that setting item.

Then, the determined initial setting information is sent to the setting information storage section 110 to store the initial setting information.

Here, as described above, the display information displayed on the print instruction operation panel is the information corresponding to the equipment function and the state of the selected print output device, and thus is stored in the setting information storage unit 110. Not all the setting information that is set is displayed as the display information that is displayed on the print instruction operation panel. For example, the options such as the sorter mentioned above,
If the selected print output device does not exist, these selection button displays do not exist or are shaded on the operation panel, and as described above, the setting is disabled. In this way, by not displaying the functions that are not provided on the operation panel, it is possible to prevent the user from making an erroneous setting input.

In this way, when the print instruction operation panel for the newly selected print output device is reconfigured, the setting information of the previous time can be used as it is for the same print instruction setting item as the previous time, which is very convenient. . Further, with respect to the print instruction setting items that have not existed before, a default value (standard value) prepared in advance is automatically set as the setting information.

When changing the setting information on the print instruction operation panel, the setting information can be changed by the setting operation by the instruction setting operation unit 112. Regarding the changed setting information, the corresponding information in the setting information storage unit 110 is rewritten with the changed setting information.

The print instruction setting information set through the display control unit 108 as described above is stored in the setting information storage unit 11
0 is stored. When the instruction setting operation unit 112 inputs a print job issuance request operation, the setting information storage unit 110 receives the issuance request instruction from the display control unit 108 and prints a print instruction from the stored setting information. The information is generated and passed to the job issuing unit 123.

The printer driver 121 issues a print output device switching notification message to the operating application program 120 according to a switching instruction accompanied by the selected print output device name from the output destination switching unit 103. Further, the printer driver 121 receives print processing data from the application program 120 based on an instruction from the application program 120, and generates print data (for example, a page description language such as Postscript) corresponding to the selected print output device. Then, the print data is stored in the print data storage unit 122. Further, the printer driver 121 acquires information necessary for generating print data, such as output resolution, from the equipment function / state analysis unit 105.

The application program 120 is composed of one or a plurality of application programs for issuing a print instruction to the print instruction apparatus 100.

The print data storage unit 122 receives the print data from the printer driver 121 and stores it, and also passes the print data to the job issuing unit 123. The print data is stored in the print data storage unit 122 until the transmission of the print request from the job issuing unit 123 is completed.

The job issuing unit 123 has a display control unit 108.
Based on the print job issuance request instruction from the setting information storage unit 110, print data from the print data storage unit 122, and include these print instruction information and print data in the print request. Then, it is transmitted to the print output device designated as the output destination through the communication unit 130.

In FIG. 1, the print management apparatus 200 is
Network information providing unit 201 and device information providing unit 20
2 and the print processing unit 203 are all provided, the network information providing unit 201 and the print processing unit 203
It may be incorporated in another device connected to the LAN 10 or may be incorporated in the print instruction apparatus 100. Further, in the case of the end system A of FIG. 2, the computer 11A includes both functions of the print management apparatus 200 and the print instruction apparatus 100.

Next, the operation of the print instruction device 200 having the above-described structure will be described with reference to a concrete example. In the following description, the instruction setting operation means 1
In 12, an operation using a mouse is performed.

[Display of Operation Panel] FIG. 11A and FIG.
FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a screen of the display 109 of the print instruction apparatus 100, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a screen input processing table 71 including input processing for a coordinate point designated by a mouse and its execution control flag information. Print instruction device 10
Operations at 0 are performed through this screen.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the operation of the display control unit 108. That is, the display control unit 108
Initialized the control variables (step S131)
After that, the contents written in the display bitmap memory are
It is displayed on the screen 61 shown in FIG. 11A (step S13).
2).

Here, when the user double-clicks the printer group icon 62 with the mouse or selects the print command 65 from the pull-down menu of the file column 64 of the menu bar 63 (step S13).
4) Based on the cursor coordinate point at this time, the instruction input is determined from the screen input processing table 71 (step S1).
34), the corresponding open processing is performed (step S).
135). As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the screen 61
A window 66 of the operation panel for printing instructions is opened on the above.

The display control unit 108 performs processing other than screen operation (steps S133, S136, S13).
7), if the flag information in the input processing table is 0 in step S136, the instruction input at that time is ignored, and the window 6 of the operation panel of the screen 61 is ignored.
When the area outside 6 is operated, the user is required to perform the processing of another application program and the GUI
Print instruction operation can be performed using (graphical user interface).

Next, FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the print instruction device 100 when the window 66 of the operation panel is opened.

First, after resetting window control variables and the like (step S141), the window 66 of the operation panel is opened (step S142). Next, the file which records the print output device name set at the time of the previous end is accessed, and the print output device name at the time of the previous end is obtained from the file (step S143) and the setting contents thereof are taken out (step S144). ) To bring up the print output device as the first choice.

During this startup, the device information acquisition unit 104
The status information of the selected print output device is acquired from the device information management unit 101 (step S145) and analyzed by the equipment function / status analysis unit 105 (step S146), and the print output device is activated and used. It is determined whether or not it is possible (step S147).

If it is in a usable state, the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 passes this state information to the display information configuration unit 106 for temporary use for later display, and temporarily stores it. 104 acquires the device information of the print output device from the device information management unit 101. And
The acquired device information is analyzed by the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 and passed to the display information configuration unit 106. Then, based on the device information and the stored state information, as described above, the display information configuration unit 106 and the display control unit 1
08, the display information storage unit 107, and the setting information storage unit 110 reconstruct the same print instruction operation panel as the one at the end of the previous time and displays it on the display 109 (step S14).
8).

According to the state analysis at the time of starting the print instruction operation panel, when the first selected print output device is not started and cannot be used, the flag information indicating that it cannot be used is reset. After that (step S149), the list of print output device names described above is displayed (step S150), and the user can select the print output device in the same manner as the above-described switching procedure (steps S151, S152, S153). ).
Then, after that, the processes in and after step S145 are performed, so that the print instruction operation panel for the selected print output device is displayed on the display 1 as described above.
09 is displayed.

In this case, as the operation panel for selecting / switching the output destination from the list of print output device names, the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 uses the status information of all the print output devices in the list and the specific information. It is advisable to use an output destination selection / switching panel as shown in FIG. 15, which analyzes device information (for example, paper size information) and reflects the analysis result.

On the switching operation panel of FIG. 15, the paper size is displayed on the right side of the status column, and the number of print jobs issued to each print output device is displayed. When the switching operation panel shown in FIG. 15 is used, the output destination can be selected while confirming whether or not the print output device is usable and the function and load of the print output device.

The device identification name and device information of each print output device are stored in the device information management unit 101, and these information are stored in the device information table 72 of the same format. FIG. 16 shows an example of this format, and the contents shown in the device information index table 73 on the left side of FIG. 16, that is, the type, magnification, paper size, operating state, number of jobs, number of paper sheets, etc. of the print output device. However, as shown on the right side of FIG.
2 is stored.

The device information management unit 101 also stores a print output device registration table 74 as shown in FIG. The print output device registration table 74 includes a storage address of the device information table 72 for each device identification name of each print output device, a registration code indicating whether or not the device is used, the number of times of use,
It is also for storing information on the last use date and time.

FIG. 18A shows an example of a list of the identifiers of the acquired print output devices, and FIG.
Shows an example of the acquired device information.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation for acquiring the device identification name and the device information performed in the device information management unit 101. That is, the device information management unit 1
01 first requests the print management apparatus 200 to obtain a list of identifiers of print output apparatuses connected to the network and apparatus information from the network information providing unit 201 (step S161).

Then, the printout device identifiers are sequentially taken out from the obtained list (step S162), and the printout device registration table 74 is searched to confirm whether or not the identifiers are already registered (step S16).
3). If it is already registered, the registration code is checked (step S164), and if the registration code is 0, the device information acquisition operation is not performed and step S16 is performed.
Returning to 2, the next identifier is taken out.

When the registration code is 1, after clearing the contents of the device information table 72 of the print output device of that identifier (step S165), each data of the acquired device information is stored in the corresponding column of the device information table 72. The flag information or the acquired data is written in (step S16).
6). Then, if the processing has not been completed for all the identifiers in the identifier list, the process returns to step S162,
If the processing has been completed for all the identifiers, this acquisition processing operation ends.

When it is recognized as a new device in step S163, it is newly registered in the device information table 72 (step S168), the registration code is set to 1 and the newly registered device is displayed in the list. (Step S169). And after that, it progresses to step S165 or subsequent ones.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing of writing each piece of data of the device information in the device information table 72 in step S166 of FIG.

That is, each data is taken out (step S171), it is checked whether or not it is a new data item (step S172), and if there is already an item in the device information table 72, the data is written in the corresponding column (step S172). S174). If it is a new data item, that item is temporarily set as the item in the special item column (step S173).
Then, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all data, and if not completed, the processing returns to step S171 and the above processing is repeated, and if completed, the processing for writing data to this device information table 72. To finish.

If it is a new data item, a warning may be issued and the column to be written may be designated in step S173.

The setting information storage unit 110 stores the setting function table 75 (see FIG. 21A) in which the currently set functions are registered, and the setting functions that represent the previously set setting functions and store the setting functions of the issued job. Function storage table 7
6 (see FIG. 21B). In the setting function storage table 76, the setting function of the previous job is set when the operation panel is opened (step S144 in FIG. 14), and when a new job is issued, the setting function for the job is set. The function set in the table 75 is set.

The default value storage unit 111 stores a default value storage table 77 for storing the default values of the setting function.
(See FIG. 22).

The display information construction unit 106 stores an image information table 78 (FIG. 2) for storing image data of display graphics.
3A), an image information index table 79 (see FIG. 23B) for storing the storage address of the image information table corresponding to the display figure, the display figure displayed for each operation panel, and the flag information for controlling the display item. And a display item control table 80 (see FIG. 24) that stores
0 is used to generate display information of each operation panel on a bitmap memory (not shown). The display shape of each item is
It consists of a fixed display figure and a variable display figure consisting of symbols such as radio buttons and character information.

The display information constructing unit 106, based on the information of the equipment function / state analyzing unit 105, the setting function table 75 and the default value saving table 77, displays variable display figures and displays of the display item control table 80 in accordance with the operation state. A process of appropriately rewriting the flag information for controlling the aspect is performed.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the display information construction unit 106. That is, in the display information configuration unit 106, first, display items corresponding to the type of screen to be displayed, such as list display and each operation panel, are sequentially taken out (steps S181 and S182). Then, the flag information of the item is determined (step S18).
3) According to the determination result, the display graphic of the display mode registered for each item is taken out (steps S184, S
185, S186) and writes it in the bitmap memory (step S187).

A plurality of display figures can be registered as the figures of the display modes 1 and 2. If, for example, the figure in display mode 1 with a shade applied is prepared as the figure in display mode 2, it is possible to easily notify the operator of the inoperable state. Further, it is possible to easily set the number of display modes to four or more.

FIG. 26 is an example of a list display order table 81 in which print output devices for displaying a list are sequentially stored. Also,
FIG. 27 is a function analysis program index table 82 showing processing programs registered in advance for each group of data. Further, FIG. 28 shows a table of items of variable display figures set for each function, in which FIG. 28A shows a related display item index table 83, FIG. 28B shows a related display item table 84, respectively. Shows.

FIG. 29 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the equipment function / state analysis unit 105. First, it is determined whether or not the display is a list display (step S201), and when the operation panel is displayed, the contents of the device information table 72 of the print output device designated by the device information management unit 101 are extracted (step S202). ). Next, using the processing program registered in advance in the function analysis program index table 82 for each group of data, the data of each group is sequentially taken out and processed, and the fixed display figure display mode of the display item control table 80 is displayed. The flag information of each item is determined and set (step S203).

Next, the display mode of each variable display figure is determined based on the setting function table 75, the setting function storage table 76, and the default value storage table 77, and FIG.
The flag information of each item registered in No. 8 is set (step S204).

At this time, if the item to be set conflicts with the contents of the setting function table, an error flag is set. When this error flag is detected (step S205), it is determined that the device is unusable,
The list display operation is performed as follows. Also, step S2
This list display operation is also performed when it is determined that the list display is 01.

That is, first, the list display order table 81 of FIG. 26 is taken out (step S207), the device names are sequentially taken out from the list display order table 81 (step S208), and the corresponding device information is obtained from the device information management unit 101. Is taken out, the item corresponding to the item designated as the display item is determined, and the item is written in the list display field (step S209). Next, it is determined whether or not the processes of steps S207 to S209 have been completed for all the devices in the list display order table 81 (step S210), and if it is determined that all devices have been completed, this processing routine is terminated.

Note that, in the list display order table 81, when the print output devices are registered in the print output device registration table 74, the print output devices are registered in the order of display according to the designation of the filter or the sort order. It

If no error flag is detected in step S205, the above processing is repeated until the processing for the data of all groups is completed (step S2).
06).

FIG. 30 is a flow chart showing the operation of the processing program for determining the display mode of the fixed display figure relating to the paper size, as an example of the process of determining the display mode of the fixed display figure in step S203.

That is, the data of each paper size is sequentially taken out (step S211), and then the flag information stored in the function information and the flag information stored in the status information of the device information table 72 are read (step S21).
2, S213). Then, both flag information is calculated (step S214), and the calculation result is set to the corresponding flag information of the paper size display (step 215). The above process is performed for all items of the paper size, and when all items are finished (step S216), this processing operation is finished.

FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing an operation example of the process for determining the display mode of the variable display graphic in step S204.

First, a space is first written in the setting function table 75 to clear it (step S221), and the contents of each item of the setting function storage table 76 are sequentially read out (step S222).

If a value has already been set for the item (step S223), referring to the related display item index table 83 of FIG. 28, the flag information of the related item for the item whose value is to be set is read and the item is set. It is determined whether the value of can be set (step S22
4) If possible, write a value in the corresponding item of the setting function table 85 (step S225). Then, it is determined whether or not a device information acquisition request has been received (step S226), and if not, the process returns to step S222 to repeat the processing of this step and subsequent steps.

If it is determined in step S224 that the value of the item cannot be set, an error flag is set (step S230), and then step S2.
Proceed to 26.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S223 that a value has not been set for the item, and if a value has been set for the item in the default value storage table 77, then the value of that item is set, as in step S224. Is set (step S228), and if it is possible, a value is written in the corresponding item of the setting function table 75 (step S229). If the value of the item cannot be set, the process proceeds to step S230 and the error flag is set.

[Display of Output Destination Selection Panel] When the user changes the print output destination to another print output device from the state where the print instruction operation panel for a certain print output device is activated, first, the display is changed. On the screen 109, the mouse 112 is used to change the print output destination. Then, the output destination selection unit 102 acquires a list of all or a plurality of preselected print output device names on the network from the device information management unit 101, and the display control unit 1
08 to the screen of the display 109, for example, as shown in FIG.
The window display of the output destination selection / switching panel including the print output device name list as shown in 2 is performed.

The user operates the mouse 112 on the output destination selection / switching panel to indicate the name of the print output device to be selected. Then, for example, the selected print output device name is highlighted and confirmed. After this confirmation, the user clicks the "select button" with mouse 1
When the user clicks 12 or double-clicks the print output device name to instruct the confirmation of the print output device name to be selected, the selection information including the print output device name is sent from the display control unit 108 to the output destination selection unit 102. The output destination selection unit 102 outputs the print output device name selected based on the selection instruction together with the switching instruction, and outputs the output destination switching unit 10 as well.
Pass to 3. As a result, switching of the output destination is started, and the processing procedure as shown in FIG. 33 is executed.

That is, based on the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103 and the print output device name, the device information acquisition unit 104 first acquires the status information of the selected print output device from the device information management unit 101. And passes it to the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 (step S1). The equipment function / state analysis unit 105 analyzes the state of the selected print output device and determines whether it is usable (step S).
2).

When the selected print output device is in a state in which it cannot be used because it is out of order, has not been activated, or the like, it notifies the display information forming unit 106 of it.
Then, the display information configuration unit 106 generates display information of a message such as "unavailable output destination cannot be selected", and displays the message on the screen of the display 109 through the display control unit 108 (step S
11) The processing routine for switching the output destination is ended.

If the selected print output device is usable, the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 notifies the device information acquisition unit 104 of that fact, and displays this state information for later use for display. It is passed to the information structure unit 106 and temporarily stored. Then, the device information acquisition unit 104
The device information of the selected print output device is stored in the device information management unit 1
It is acquired from 01 (step S3).

The equipment function / state analysis unit 105 receives and analyzes the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 104,
For a function item that cannot be used, a mark indicating that it cannot be used (for example, a flag) is added and the function item is delivered to the display information configuration unit 106 (step S4). The display information configuration unit 106 reconfigures the display items of the print instruction operation panel of the selected print output device as described above (step S5).

When reconfiguring the print instruction operation panel,
As for the print instruction setting items of the functions that cannot be used in the basic function group and the other function groups, the shade display is performed in this example so that the user cannot selectively set the print instruction setting items, as described above.

If the selected print output device has a finishing process function that is not included in the basic function group and the other function groups, the category display column 3
The category button of “Finishing” is displayed on the screen No. 1 and the operation panel for the finishing process shown in FIG. 10 is formed. If the selected print output device is
If you do not have the finishing function,
The category button of “Finishing” is not displayed in the category display field 31, and the operation panel for the finishing process is not formed.

[0200] Next, as described above, the setting information storage unit 1
The setting information of the print instruction setting item of the usable function is determined using the previous setting information of 10 (step S6). Next, it is judged whether or not there is an unset item among the print instruction setting items of the usable functions (step S7), and if there is an unset item, the default value information of the default value storage unit 111 is used. To determine the setting information (step S
8).

The display control unit 108 displays the display information of the print instruction operation panel on the display 109, but recognizes that the print instruction setting item of the shaded function cannot be set, and then inputs the setting by the user. Is set to (6) (step S9).

Next, the printer driver 121 is changed to the one suitable for the selected print output device by the switching instruction from the output destination switching unit 103 (step S1).
0), the processing routine at the time of switching the output destination is ended.

Next, FIGS. 34 and 35 are other display examples of the print instruction operation panel of the basic function group.
34 is an example of a print instruction operation panel display before switching the output destination, and FIG. 35 is an example of a print instruction operation panel display after switching from FIG. In the display examples of FIGS. 34 and 35, the print instruction setting item of the unusable function is deleted from the display item, not the shade display,
The print instruction setting items of the disabled functions are not displayed on the display.

In the case of this example, the print output device name and its operating state are described in the uppermost display position 41 of the print instruction operation panel, and the print instruction operation panel of FIG. 34 is "Polo-PS", The print instruction operation panel 35 has a printer name “Paris-PS”, which indicates that both printers are “in operation”.

The table of FIG. 36 shows an outline of the states and equipment functions of both printers, and the respective print instruction operation panels have display contents according to this table. FIG. 35 is a display of an initial state in which the setting using the setting information on the print instruction operation panel of FIG. 34 is performed, and the Nup function, the paper discharge tray, the surface designation, the enlargement / reduction, and the paper are The previous setting information is used as is.

The state of the corresponding print output device is displayed at the upper display position 42 of the print instruction operation panel. As shown in FIG. 35, in the selected print output device after the switching, it is known from the analysis result of the state information that the number of remaining sheets of the sheet size A4 is very small. Therefore, based on the information on this state, the user can perform maintenance work such as paper replenishment, an appropriate print instruction, or reselection of the print output device at an appropriate timing.

When the user prints the application data file, the corresponding file is designated. That is, the user clicks the "electronic document selection button" 44 (displayed as file (F)) at the display position 43 with the mouse to open the electronic document selection window. This window is used for listing, searching, and selecting electronic document files. Get the file you want to print from this window. This can be done, for example, by placing the cursor at the position of the electronic manuscript file name to be printed, pressing the button of the mouse 112, and moving the cursor directly onto the "electronic manuscript selection button" 44 of the print instruction operation panel and moving the mouse 112. Release the button of "."

The method of importing a file to be printed is not limited to the above method. For example, it is a method of directly dragging and dropping files from the file management manager that manages all files to the print instruction operation panel. Here, drag and drop is to place the cursor on the file name you want to print in the file list display of the file management manager, press the left mouse button to select the file, hold down the left mouse button, Move the cursor to the print command operation panel, and then release the left mouse button.

As a method of importing a file to be printed, there is also a method of selecting the printer driver 121 in the print menu of the application and executing the print instruction of the application.

This file acquisition operation means to activate the printer driver and request the conversion in order to convert the print data of the acquired file into the printer format corresponding to the selected print output device. .
Therefore, the print data of this file is converted into the print data suitable for the print output device by the printer driver 121 as described above, and the print data saving unit 122 is used.
Is stored in

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the printer driver 121 notifies the display control unit 108 of the file name after converting the print data. The display control unit 108
By displaying the file name in the file area 50 of the print instruction operation panel, the user is notified that the format conversion of the print data is completed.

In the example of FIG. 34, even after the print output destination is switched, the files acquired at the previous print output destination remain, and the print data of those files corresponds to the print output device after the switching. I am trying to convert it to the specified format automatically. However, it is of course possible to clear the previous file when the print output destination is switched, instead of leaving the previous file.

In this print instruction operation panel, the display control unit 108 receives a setting change of the print instruction content from the user using the mouse which is the designated setting operation unit 112. Save the setting change in the display information storage unit 107,
While reflecting on the displayed print instruction operation panel,
The setting information is stored in the setting information storage unit 110.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart showing the processing when the paper selection button is pressed. That is, first, the display mode (flag information) corresponding to the input paper size.
Is read from the display item control table 80 (step S301) and determined (step S302).

As a result of the discrimination, the display mode is 1
If not, an error message indicating that the setting is impossible is displayed (step S306), and the process ends. Also, the display mode is 0
If so, the display mode is changed for the related display item (in this case, for the paper size other than the input and set paper size) by referring to the related display item table 84 (step S303). Next, the display mode corresponding to the input paper size is rewritten to display the active state (step S304), and the paper size setting information in the setting function table 75 is rewritten (step S305). This is the end of the paper button input process.

Upon receiving a job issuing instruction from the user, the display control unit 108 sends a print request instruction to the job issuing unit 123. As a method of instructing the user to issue a job, for example, a method of clicking the “start button” 46 at the lower right of the print instruction operation panel with the mouse 112, or selecting the “job button” 45 of the print instruction operation panel, There is a method of displaying the job menu and instructing with the job menu.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing the job issuing process when the start button 46 is pressed.

It is checked whether the contents of the function setting table 75 are executable (steps S311 and S312),
If the settings are inconsistent, an error message is displayed (step S316) and the process ends. If there is no contradiction in the setting contents, the printer driver 121 processes the print data and issues the job (step S31).
3), the contents of the setting function table 75 are written in the setting function storage table 76 (step S314), and the contents of the print output device registration table 74 are updated (step S314).
315) and the process ends.

The job issuing unit 123 acquires the print data from the print data storage unit 122 and the print instruction information from the setting information storage unit 110 to form a print request, and prints the desired print through the communication unit 130. Send to the output device.

At the time of issuing this job, the status information of the selected printout device may be acquired again to inquire whether it is available or not. By doing so, it is possible to confirm the state change of the print output device after selecting the print output device and confirm whether or not the print output device is disabled.

The above is the description of the output destination switching from the state where the print instruction operation panel is activated, but in reality, the user must first activate the print instruction operation panel. The user activates the print instruction operation panel according to an operation instruction on the screen of the display 109 of the print instruction device 200. At that time, the user accesses the file that records the print output device name set at the time of the previous end. Then, after obtaining the print output device name at the time of the previous end from the file, it starts up as the first selection of the print output device.

In the above example, the setting information storage unit 11
Although the initial setting of the setting items on the print instruction operation panel was performed using the previous saved information of 0, the setting information that the user wants to save is given an identification file name and saved. The user selects a desired one from the saved past setting information files stored in the section 110, and the initial setting of each setting item of the print instruction operation panel is performed according to the selected setting information. It's even better if you do. In this case, it is convenient to let the user know the contents of past setting information by displaying them in a window.

According to the print instruction device described above, the user can switch the print output device to be used by simply selecting the print output device name, specify it as the print output destination, and give a print instruction. Then, the print instruction can be given after surely grasping the equipment function of the printer to be used at that time.

If the print output device to be used does not have a desired function, it can be easily switched to another print output device. Further, even when a failure occurs during use, it is possible to switch to another print output device at that time. Further, when it is desired to confirm the permanent placement of the printer in advance before issuing the print instruction, the confirmation can be easily performed.

Further, it is possible to surely detect whether or not the print output device has the function of the finishing process of the post processing of the print process, and when the print output device has the function of the finishing process. , The finishing processing function can be specified and used from a remote location. Further, when the print output device does not have the finishing processing function, the setting of the finishing processing by the user cannot be performed, so that the erroneous setting can be reliably prevented.

As described above, the present invention is not the post-processing such as the finishing processing but the instruction regarding the input function of the original to be printed or copied, for example, the pre-processing function of the print processing such as the scanner or the image reader. It goes without saying that the settings can also be applied. Further, it is possible to handle other functions not included in the basic function group and the other function groups in the same manner as the finishing processing function of the above-described example.

As described above, the print instruction device 100
The device information is acquired from the print management device 200 at the start of its execution, at the time of the user's instruction, or at fixed time intervals. The device information can be inquired to the user to obtain such information in a timely manner so that the user can know the latest state.

As for the inquiry method, in addition to the method in which the apparatus information management unit 101 periodically issues an information acquisition request at a fixed time interval, an “update button” is provided on the print instruction operation panel, and the user clicks this “update button”. For example, there is a method of issuing a device information update request by clicking with a mouse.

An example of the flow of processing in the case where the "update button" is provided to update the status information of the print output device being used by the user will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this case, the device information management unit 101
It is assumed that the print management apparatus 200 is inquired of at least the status information relatively frequently and that the latest status information is always acquired.

When the user clicks the "update button" on the print instruction operation panel (step S21), the display control unit 108 requests the device information acquisition unit 104 to acquire the status information (step S22). The device information acquisition unit 104
From the device information management unit 101, obtain the latest status information of the print output device corresponding to the print instruction operation panel at that time,
It is passed to the equipment function / state analysis unit 105 (step S2).
3).

The equipment function / state analysis unit 105 determines from the obtained state information whether or not the print output device is still in a usable state at that time (step S2).
4). If it is disabled due to a failure or the like, the analysis result is sent to the display information configuration unit 106. The display information configuration unit 106 generates a display message indicating “not available” for the status of the selected print output device, and displays the display message through the display control unit 108.
The screen No. 09 is displayed in the above-mentioned status display field 42 of the print instruction operation panel (step S25). Then, this information updating routine ends.

[0232] If the status of the print output device is available,
The equipment function / state analysis unit 105 passes this state information to the display information configuration unit 106 for display. Display information configuration unit 1
06 generates state display information based on the newly acquired state information, and displays it in the above-mentioned state display section 42 of the print instruction operation panel of the screen of the display 109 through the display control unit 108 (step S26). Then, this information updating routine ends.

In this case, as a result of the update, if, for example, the amount of A4 paper is low, the display message as shown in the status display column 42 of FIG. 35 described above appears. In this case, in addition to the above warning information about the remaining amount of paper, it is better to reflect the latest status of the print output device using the "Update button" .- Paper jam-Paper tray not set-Print Turn off the power to the output device-Open the door-Replace the toner cartridge-Replace the toner cartridge-Replace the drum cartridge-Replace the drum cartridge-Discharge tray bin becomes full and ejects to another bin The destination has changed.

As described above, by activating the print instruction operation panel to issue a print instruction to the print output device and updating the state information, the change of the state of the print output device can be performed automatically or by the user. It can be acquired at the required timing. It should be noted that by updating the equipment function information of the device information, it becomes possible to obtain information on changes such as addition and deletion of equipment functions.

In the above example, the print instruction device 100 is used.
The device information management unit 101 of the
Although the identifier information and the device information of each print output device are acquired through the network LAN 10, the operator instructs the device information management unit of the print instruction device function unit about the plurality of print output devices on these networks. The above information may be input and registered.

[0236]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of printers arranged on a network,
A print output device such as a copying machine can be switched and used by a simple operation.

Also, by simply selecting the identifier of the print output device, it is possible to switch the print output device of the print output destination and call the operation panel for the print instruction of the print output device. In addition, the switching operation becomes much easier than the case where the user identifies and switches the printer driver according to the print output device.

Since the setting information of the print setting items on the operation panel is configured by using the setting information of the previous time, the setting of the setting for the previous print output device need not be changed to the setting of the previous time. There is an advantage that the information can be used as it is and no resetting is necessary. In addition, since the standard value is automatically set for the setting information not previously present, it is very convenient for standard use.

When switching between a plurality of print output devices on the network and using them, it is possible to appropriately grasp the states of the plurality of print output devices. It becomes possible to make a selection and to perform paper supply at an appropriate timing.

Further, it is possible to surely grasp the functions of the plurality of print output devices on the network, and
As for the function that the print output device does not have, the user is not allowed to instruct the selective setting, so that the incorrect setting can be surely prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall functional block diagram of an information processing system including an embodiment of a print instruction apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an overall configuration of an information processing system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the device information management unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the output destination selection unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the output destination switching unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a display according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an input processing table of an instruction setting operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the display control unit in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the print instruction device when the operation panel is opened in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an output destination selection / switching panel for selecting a print output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of device information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a registration table of the print output device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a list of identification names of print output devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of device information acquisition processing according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an example of a writing process to the device information table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a table regarding setting functions in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a table for storing default values in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a table relating to data of display graphics according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a display item control table in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for setting fixed display information in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a table for registering the display order of the printout device according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 27 is a table showing a device function analysis processing program registered for each group of data in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a table in which display items related to function setting are registered in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a device function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows an example of processing of a state analysis part.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of a paper size display mode processing program in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in setting variable display information in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of an output destination selection / switching panel for selecting a print output device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a print output destination switching process according to the embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of a print instruction operation panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a table for comparing FIGS. 34 and 35 with each other.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an example of paper selection button input processing in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of job issuing processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a process for updating status information at the request of a user according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an outline of a conventional print instruction apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 print instruction device 101 device information management unit 102 output destination selection unit 103 output destination switching unit 104 device information acquisition unit 105 equipment function / state analysis unit 106 display information configuration unit 107 display information storage unit 108 display control unit 109 display (display unit ) 110 setting information storage unit 111 default value storage unit 112 instruction setting operation unit 121 printer driver 122 print data storage unit 123 job issuing unit

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 25, 1996

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0019

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0019]

A print instruction apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is connected to a communication network (10) when the reference numerals of the functional blocks of the embodiment of FIG. A print instruction device for giving a print instruction to a print output device selected from the plurality of print output devices (301 to 303) through a display screen, each of the plurality of print output devices on the communication network. A device information management means (101) for managing device information of the device, an output destination selection means (102) for selecting one of the print output devices on the communication network as a print output destination, and the output destination selection means. Based on the selection, the device information of the print output device selected as the output destination is acquired from the device information management unit, and a print instruction for the print output device is obtained. Display information generation means for generating display information of the print instruction operation panel for setting a distribution (10
4, 105, 106), display means (109) having the display screen, and the print instruction operation panel generated by the display information generation means based on the selection by the output destination selection means. Display control means (108) for displaying on the display screen of and accepting the setting of the print instruction information
And a print data processing unit that processes print data so as to correspond to each of a plurality of print output devices on the communication network, and the selected print output device based on the selection by the output destination selection means. To the print data processing unit (printer driver 121 in FIG. 1) that processes the print data in the print data processing unit corresponding to, the print data from the print data processing unit, and the selected selected print output device. Job issuing means (123) for issuing a print job including print instruction information to the selected print output device, and the device information
Is a pre-processing and / or
Or information about post-processing functions,
The generating means is the print output device selected by the output destination selecting means.
Has a function of the pretreatment and / or the posttreatment.
Sometimes the display that enables the function is displayed as
And / or has no post-processing function
Print instruction operation that includes a display that disables each function
The display information of the panel is generated .

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0021

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content] In the print instruction apparatus according to the invention described in claim 3,
From multiple print output devices that can output information of own device
Display the operation screen of the display device for the selected print output device.
A print instruction device that gives a print instruction through
An output device is connected, and the device of the connected print output device is connected.
Device information acquisition means (104) for acquiring the device information, and
From the device information acquisition means (104), the selected print
Acquires the device information of the output device, and adds it to the acquired device information.
Based on the standard operation screen prepared in advance,
The selected one of a plurality of display items for printing instructions
Of the display items related to the functions that the printed output device does not have
Display mode, display mode of display items related to functions
Is a means (106) for generating the changed operation screen.
Equipped with a common operation screen for each printout device
Enable operation.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Further, in the print instruction apparatus according to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the requirements of the invention described in claim 3,
The connection information acquired by the device information acquisition means (104).
Based on the device information of the connected print output device, the connection is made.
Display items required for printing instructions of the specified print output device
And a means (106) for generating the standard operation screen .

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0023

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 7]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0025

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 8]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0026

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 9]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0027

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 10]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0028

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 11]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0031

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

That is, the user selects the desired print output device from the plurality of print output devices on the network with the output destination selecting means, and performs the predetermined setting input and print instruction request operation through the print instruction operation panel. By simply performing this, a plurality of print output devices on the network can be easily switched and used. And the user uses
On the display screen of the print instruction device that is
A print output device on the network, for example,
You can check if the finishing
If it has a finishing processing function,
The processing function can be used from a remote location.

[Procedure amendment 12]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0033

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0033] In the print instruction apparatus of claim 3, previously
Selected from the display items on the prepared standard operation screen.
Displayed items related to functions that the print output device does not have
As for the display mode, a table of the functions
Since it is different from the item shown, the user can
Of the operating device using basically the same operating screen.
You can give an indication.

[Procedure amendment 13]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0034

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0034] In the print instruction apparatus of claim 4, the
The device information of each print output device connected to the print instruction device is displayed.
The invention according to claim 3, which is acquired, and based on the acquired device information.
The standard operation screen in
Based on the installed function of the print output device connected to the device.
It is not necessary to set the semi-operation screen.

[Procedure Amendment 14]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0035

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure Amendment 15]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0036

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure Amendment 16]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0037

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 17]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0038

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 18]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0039

[Correction method] Deleted

[Procedure amendment 19]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0040

[Correction method] Deleted

Continued Front Page (72) Koji Sato, Koji Sato, 3-2-1 Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture KSP R & D Business Park Building Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor, Toru Uchiyama 6-1-1, Tabata, Kita-ku, Tokyo No. Tabata Asuka Tawa 15th floor Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Eigo Inaba Ebisu Inaba, 3-2-1, Sakado, Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa KSP R & D Business Park Building Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In-house

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A print instructing device connected to a communication network, which gives a print instruction to a print output device selected from a plurality of print output means on the communication network through a display screen. Device information management means for managing device information of each of the plurality of print output devices, output destination selection means for selecting a print output device as a print output destination from the print output devices on the communication network, A print instruction operation for acquiring the device information of the print output device selected as the output destination from the device information management unit based on the selection by the output destination selection unit and setting the print instruction information for the print output device. Display information generating means for generating display information of the panel; display means having the display screen; A display control unit for displaying the print instruction operation panel generated by the display information generation unit on the display screen of the display unit and receiving the setting of the print instruction information; A print data processing unit for processing corresponding to each of the print output devices, based on the selection by the output destination selection unit,
Print data processing means for processing print data by a print data processing part corresponding to the selected print output device; print data from the print data processing means; and printing for the set selected print output device. A print instruction device, comprising: a job issuing unit that issues a print job including instruction information to the selected print output device. 2. The print data processing means comprises a print data processing part corresponding to a plurality of different types of print output devices, and corresponds to the selected print output device based on the selection made by the output destination selecting means. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print instruction processing unit switches to the print data processing unit and processes the print data. 3. The display information generation means displays the function of the device information of the print output device selected as the output destination acquired from the device information management means based on the selection by the output destination selection means. Analysis means for analyzing, based on the analysis result of the analysis means, for the item of the function that is not available in the selected print output device, display information of the print instruction operation panel including a display indicating that it is unavailable. It produces | generates, The claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The print instruction device described in 1. 4. The device information management means acquires and manages identifiers of a plurality of print output devices on the communication network via the communication network, and the output destination selection means includes the identifiers. 3. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print output apparatus is selected as the print output destination according to. 5. The device information management means acquires device information of a plurality of print output devices on the communication network via the communication network, according to claim 1. Print instruction device. 6. A setting information storage means for storing the print instruction information set by the display control means is provided, and the setting of the print instruction information for the print output device selected by the output destination selecting means is performed by the setting information. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the print instruction information is stored based on the print instruction information stored in the storage unit. 7. A setting information storage means for storing print instruction information set through the display control means, and a standard information storage means for storing standard information of setting items constituting each of the print instruction information, The printing according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting information storing unit does not have the print instruction information, the setting item is set based on the standard information of the standard information storing unit. Pointing device. 8. The device information includes information on a function of pre-processing and / or post-processing of a print process of the print output device, and the display information generating means is a print selected by the output destination selecting means. When the output device has the pre-processing and / or post-processing function, a display that enables the function is displayed, and when the output device does not have the pre-processing and / or post-processing function, a display that disables the function is displayed. 3. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein display information of a print instruction operation panel including the respective items is generated. 9. A print instructing device for issuing a print instruction to a print output device selected from a plurality of print output devices capable of outputting information of its own device through an operation screen of a display device. A device information acquisition unit that acquires device information of the print output device, and device information of the selected print output device from the device information acquisition unit, and a standard prepared in advance based on the acquired device information. Of the plurality of display items for the print instruction on the operation screen, the display mode of the display item relating to the function not provided in the selected print output device is changed from the display mode of the display item relating to the function provided. And a means for generating the operation screen described above. 10. The print instruction apparatus according to claim 9, wherein display items necessary for a print instruction of the print output apparatus are displayed based on the apparatus information of the plurality of print output apparatuses acquired by the apparatus information acquisition unit. A print instruction apparatus comprising a unit for generating the standard operation screen.