JP2005115568A - Print service system, its method and client device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it unnecessary to newly set order information and printing format information which have been set once by a user in first printing processing in the case of performing similar printing thereafter. <P>SOLUTION: A client computer 400 is constituted of a print service server, a network controller 407, a mouse 431 or the like for inputting an instruction from an operator, a color display 412 for displaying a layout/edition/menu, a print service driver 461 or the like for converting data into print service document data 351 for print service through a graphic manager 413, a hot holder 300 for temporarily storing the data, and a job submitter 420 for managing the data from the hot holder 300 and performing connection processing with the print service server and the uploading of various data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a print service system and method and a client device, and more particularly to a print service system and method and a client device to which a server, a shop system, etc. are connected via a network.

  A conventional print service system includes a client device that takes a user interface and instructs execution of printing, a print service server that manages a print instruction from the client, and a print shop system that performs actual printing. When printing, information such as the print order information and the print format set by the user is transmitted from the client to the print service server and managed on the print service server side, and the print data is sent to the print shop system together with this information. Then, the desired printing is performed.

  However, since the order information for the first printing and the information such as the print format set by the user are managed on the print service server side, the print data from the client is re-executed based on the previously performed information. To do so, it is necessary to log in to the server once and perform selection, input processing, and the like.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the order information and print appearance information once set by the user by the first printing process are newly set when the same printing is performed thereafter. The purpose is to eliminate the need. Another object of the present invention is to switch between the confirmation mode and the direct connection mode when the same printing is performed again with already set information.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes at least one client for creating print data, print data management for print services, print processing, In a print service system including a server that performs input / management and the like, and a shop system that performs print processing of print data, a storage unit that stores print data, and a unit that allocates and manages a storage area to a specific folder Means for holding information for processing print data in a specific folder; means for holding order information for print processing in a specific folder; means for generating an event when print data is input to a specific folder; Depending on the event, means for confirming the contents of the print data in a specific folder and information for processing the print data Means for rewriting the setting information of the print processing to be input based on the print data, characterized by comprising a means for rewriting the setting information of the order to be entered on the basis of the order information of the printing process.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the client device that processes the print data, the transfer unit that transfers the print data stored in the predetermined storage unit to the predetermined area of the predetermined storage unit or another storage unit, and the printing Setting means for setting additional information to be used when printing the print data included in the data, and once the additional information is set by the setting means and the print data is printed, the additional information is acquired, held, and transferred Included in the print data held using the additional information in response to recognizing that the print data is transferred by the monitoring means for monitoring the transfer of other print data by the means And print control means for performing print processing of the print data to be printed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the client device according to the second aspect, the print control means includes storage means for holding other print data and additional information transferred by the transfer means, and other print data. An event is generated when the data is transferred, and a print processing unit that prints the print data included in the print data by the event. The storage unit holds predetermined pre-added additional information before the print processing is performed. Once the additional information is set by the setting means and the printing process is performed, the additional information is acquired from the setting means and held in place of the additional information given in advance.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the client device according to the second aspect, the print control unit includes a storage unit that holds other print data transferred by the transfer unit, a storage unit that holds additional information, and other print data. An event is generated when the data is transferred, and print processing means for performing print processing of the print data included in the print data by the event. Before the print processing is performed, the processing means has predetermined additional information added in advance. Once the additional information is set by the setting means and the printing process is performed, the additional information is acquired from the setting means and held in place of the additional information given in advance.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the client device according to the third or fourth aspect, the additional information includes appearance information of print data or order information of print processing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the client device according to the fifth aspect, print data appearance information or print processing order information is held separately.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the client device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the client device further includes confirmation setting means for setting whether or not to confirm the contents of the print processing, and the print control means includes confirmation setting When the setting is made to confirm the contents of the printing process by means, the contents of the printing process are displayed, and when a further change to the additional information is received, a confirmation changing means for changing is included.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a transfer unit that transfers print data stored in a predetermined storage unit to a predetermined area of the predetermined storage unit or another storage unit, and print data included in the print data is printed. One or a plurality of client devices including a setting unit that sets additional information used in the process and a transmission unit that transmits a print instruction for print data included in the print data via the network, and one or a plurality of clients Once set in a print service system including a server that manages print data based on a print instruction received from the apparatus, and a shop system that prints print data included in the print data managed by the server based on additional information When the additional information is set by the means and the print data is printed, the additional information is acquired and retained, Storage device that holds print data when other print data is transferred by the client device, the client device transmits information indicating the storage device as a print instruction, and the server receives the information indicating the storage device and holds the added data The shop system is requested to perform print processing of print data included in the print data held based on the information.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, one or a plurality of client devices transfer print data stored in a predetermined storage unit by a transfer unit to a predetermined area of a predetermined storage unit or another storage unit, and set Setting additional information to be used when printing the print data included in the print data by the means, and transmitting a print instruction for the print data included in the print data via the network by the transmission means; A print service comprising: managing print data based on print instructions received from a plurality of client devices; and printing the print data included in the print data managed by the server based on the additional information by the shop system In the method, once the additional information is set by the setting means and the print data is printed, A step of acquiring and holding additional information in the storage means, and when other print data is transferred to the storage means by the transfer means, the print data is held in the storage means, and the client device indicates the storage means as a print instruction. A step of transmitting information, and a step of requesting the shop system to perform print processing of print data included in the held print data based on the additional information held when the server receives the information indicating the storage means. It is characterized by having.

  As described above, the print data that was dragged and dropped to the storage means in the second or subsequent printing process is temporarily stored in the storage means, and the contents are confirmed and uploaded to the server. The attribute information on the storage means switches between processing to upload and drag and drop print data directly to the server and batch processing of order information on the storage means and setting of print appearance information. It becomes possible.

  Also, by setting additional information based on previously printed processing on an arbitrary storage unit on the client side, it is possible to switch the order / print format for each storage unit.

  According to the present invention, in the mechanism of uploading print data on the client side, it is possible to simplify the request / setting of the second and subsequent printings by providing a hot folder function.

  At this time, the print data is temporarily stored in the hot folder, the content is confirmed and uploaded to the server, and the content is not confirmed and uploaded to the server. The order information on the hot folder and the print format information Since it is possible to switch the process up to the setting in a batch by the setting on the hot folder, it is possible to simplify the flow of the printing process of the user.

A print service system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the print service system according to the present invention includes a plurality of client computers 400 that create print data connected to the network, the management and order of print data of the print service also connected to the network. One or more print service servers 700 that perform input / management of the image data, and a plurality of shop systems 800 that manage a plurality of printers that perform print processing of print data and perform actual print processing.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a client computer 400 of a client that is a client device.

  The client computer 400 includes a network controller 407 for exchanging various data with a print service server having a Web function, an OS 405 for central control, application data, temporary storage of print service document data as an example of print data, various types Hard disk (not shown) for storing data, hard disk controller (not shown) for controlling it, ROM / RAM memory 406, mouse 431 for inputting instructions from the operator, keyboard 441 and their controllers 430, display 412 for layout / editing / menu display, display memory 411, and display controller 410, graphic manager for performing various image processing, display processing, graphic creation processing, etc. A print service driver 461 that converts data from the application program to print service document data 351 for the print service via the graphic manager 413, and a port monitor / spooler 460 that spools the converted print service document data. , And a job submitter 420 that manages data from the hot folder 300, performs connection processing with the print service server, and uploads various data. .

  Here, the method according to each embodiment of the present invention can be described by various programs, software such as objects, and data related thereto. These various programs, objects, and the like are stored in the ROM / RAM memory 406 and can be called as appropriate to be executed on the OS 405 and / or the CPU (not shown) of the computer. Further, these programs and objects can be stored in various storage devices including the computer 400 other than the ROM / RAM 406 or an external device.

  The hot folder 300 is displayed as a normal folder icon on the client computer, and the user directly drags arbitrary application data 350 onto the hot folder 300 in addition to the print service document data from the print service driver 461 described above. It is possible to drop & drop.

  A plurality of hot folders 300 can be created and managed by the job submitter using the hot folder profile management data 100.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the print service server 700 according to the present invention. The print service server 700 includes a web service manager 770 that performs general web services, a print service manager 701 that mainly manages the entire print service server, and a client manager 702 that performs various settings and management of print services from a plurality of clients. Various managers such as an order management manager 704 that manages print service requests from clients in units of orders or a job management manager 705 that manages a plurality of print data as one print job operate.

  One order may be composed of a plurality of jobs. A job combination manager 706 that merges a plurality of print data uploaded from a client into one print data and performs a combination process, a print data preview process, , A job processing manager 707 that performs thumbnail creation processing, print data 753 uploaded from a client, print data 753 that has been combined, a plurality of registered order information 750, and one or more job information 752, 1 corresponding thereto A manager such as a storage manager 708 that manages storage data 780 linked to one or more print data 753 for one job information operates.

  Further, the storage manager 708 also stores the user name / user ID of the client and the user information 755 of the corresponding password.

  FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a print shop printing system 800 according to the present invention. The shop can be configured with a plurality of bases, and one shop side performs communication with the print service server 700 to perform overall management on the shop side, print information management, and print processing. A process manager 802 for assigning processes to an operator and managing progress, a print manager 803 for performing printing to the printer 820 and managing printing completion / error processing, etc., and managing a delivery process for printed and bound prints From the delivery manager that performs the process to the shop gateway 801 and the like. On the same shop network, there are also connected a plurality of operator PCs 810 that perform printing processing and input processing by each operator assigned to a print job process, and a plurality of printers 820 that perform actual printing.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Hot folder>
There are two types of hot folders in the present embodiment, a default hot folder 305 in which no property indicating additional information such as order information / print format information is set for the hot folder, and printing up to once. There is a hot folder 300 in which properties of order information / print format information set to execute the print service are set.

  There is only one default hot folder in the client computer, and it is possible to create as many general hot folders 300 as there are properties of the order information / print format information set by the user.

  FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the default hot folder 305. The default hot folder is displayed as an icon on the client computer, and any number of existing application data 350 or print service document data 351 is dragged and dropped onto the icon on the default hot folder using the mouse. can do. As a result, the data is copied into the default hot folder, and the data is input (transferred) into the folder.

  As another method, the user selects the print service driver 461 from the application and performs print processing. As a result, as described above, data from the application program is transferred to the print service driver 461 via the graphic manager 413 and converted into print service document data 351 for the print service. The converted print service document data is stored in the default hot folder via the port monitor / spooler 460.

  Further, in the default hot folder 305, when the data input by the above method is successfully uploaded to the print service server, the original folder 301 to which the data is moved, and the target when an error occurs are included. An error folder 302 for moving data, and a log folder 303 for storing log information of the processed print service.

  With these operations, the port monitor / spooler 460 copies the data into the default hot folder 305 and at the same time, the port monitor / spooler 460 calls the job submitter 420. Here, the job submitter 420 displays a window of the default hot folder dialog 600 shown in FIG.

  The name assigned to the hot folder is displayed in the title part 601, the menu part 602 in which menu processing such as general ending is incorporated, the HotFolder property setting button 604 for setting the hot folder property, the default described above A data file list display unit 605 placed in the hot folder, an information table unit 606 for displaying various information, an upload button 607 for starting uploading data in the default hot folder to the print service server, and the like.

  In the list display section 605 of the input data file, the file name of each file, the document name for identifying it, the data size, and the update date and time are displayed. Further, by clicking one file in the data file list display section 605 with the mouse, as shown in FIG. 9, the thumbnail display 611 of the data and the document information 612 of the data file are displayed in the information table section 606. Is displayed.

  FIG. 6 shows a configuration of a general hot folder 300. The configuration is the same as that of the default hot folder 305 described above, and the data input method is also the same. The difference here is that the job submitter 420 shown in FIG. 6 holds and manages the order / print appearance property information 150 corresponding to each hot folder in the hot folder profile management data 421.

  Similarly to the default hot folder, when data is input into the hot folder, a hot folder dialog window shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. The difference from the default hot folder is that there is a button 603 for displaying the order / print format information property set in the hot folder.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when a file in the data file list display unit 605 is clicked with the mouse, the thumbnail and document information of the data file are displayed in the same manner as the processing of the default hot folder described above. When the button 603 for displaying the order / print format information property is pressed, the order / print format property information is displayed in the information display section of the hot folder dialog shown in FIG. The order / print style property information 150 set in the folder can be confirmed.

The operation procedure using the hot folder mechanism in the print service system configured as described above will be described below.
The hot folder creation process will be described with reference to the process flowchart of FIG. 16 and the general flowcharts (FIGS. 18 and 19).

<Data creation by print service document driver>
When the user starts an application program on the client computer 400 as shown in process 1, the document data is converted into print service document data 351 for the print service by the print service driver 461, and the data file is stored in the default hot folder. Created in 305.

<Direct application data input>
When there is already document data of an application, or when uploading without converting to print service document data 351 is desired, the document data is directly dragged and dropped into the default hot folder 305 using a mouse. At this time, the document data can be one or more file data.

<Receiving job submitter data>
The job submitter 420 is called when the job is submitted to the default hot folder described above, and the default hot folder dialog (FIG. 7) described above is displayed. The data file input in the default hot folder is displayed on the list display unit 605 as described above, and by clicking on the file portion regarding the contents of each file, confirmation of thumbnails and confirmation of document information are performed. Can do.
Here, after confirming the contents, the user presses the upload button 607 of the default hot folder dialog.

<Login dialog display and authentication>
When the upload button is pressed, the job submitter 420 displays a login dialog 650 shown in FIG. 11, and the user inputs a user name 651 or a user ID assigned in advance, and further inputs a password 652, Press the OK button (FIG. 13). At this time, by checking the save check box 653 so that the user name / password need not be input again, the job submitter 420 encrypts the information and saves it in the hot folder property management data 421. .

  Thereafter, in the process 2, the job submitter 420 sets the web address for login authentication of the print service, which is uniquely determined in advance, to the address of the web browser application and calls it.

  As a result, the Web service manager 770 of the print service server receives the user name / password from the job submitter 420 using the http protocol, and the client manager 702 manages the contents of the user name / password in the storage manager 708. It is determined whether the user information 755 matches.

  When the user authentication is confirmed by the client manager 702, the Web service manager 770 returns uniquely determined information indicating that the user authentication has been performed to the job submitter 420. Thereby, the job submitter recognizes that it has been authenticated.

<Uploading data>
The job submitter confirms the authentication and uploads the data in the default hot folder to the print service server side. The uploaded data is temporarily held in the storage manager by the client manager 702.

<Print format settings>
When the upload is completed, a window of the web browser application is opened and the process proceeds to web processing of the print service. Here, for the uploaded data, as shown in FIG. 14, a web page for setting the print format is displayed on the web browser. In order to perform printing, the user can print 901, finish paper size 902, duplex / single-side finish classification 903, color / monochrome print mode 904, standard paper / coated paper type 905, one sheet of paper, etc. The number of pages to be laid out in the layout 906 and bookbinding processing 907 such as staple binding, bookbinding binding, and punching ring processing are set in the web page.

  When going to the next process, the button 911 for the next process is pressed. At this time, the client manager creates a job ID uniquely determined in the print service server for the job management manager 705 and creates input property information data for the print format, and stores job data 752 in the storage data 780. As a temporary save.

<Order setting>
After setting the print format, the user sets the order. As shown in FIG. 15, a delivery destination 950 / delivery destination address 951 / delivery destination telephone number 952 and the like necessary for setting as an order are input. After the input, a button 911 for the next process is pressed. At this time, the client manager requests the order management manager 704 to create order property information, generates an order ID code uniquely determined in the print service server, and the user name input by the user The order data 750 is created in the storage data 780 by linking with the previously stored job data as order property information data together with / delivery destination / delivery destination address / delivery destination telephone number.
When the user presses the button for the next process, a web page displaying the created order ID is displayed, and the user stores the ID. Here, a series of order processing of the print service is completed.

<Hot folder creation process>
If it is desired to create these settings as a hot folder on the client when inputting the print style setting or order setting, it is possible to press the HotFolder creation button 913 on the print style setting and order setting screen. At that time, the name 912 of the hot folder is input. Also, when creating a hot folder at the time of order setting, it is possible to specify with the check box 915 whether to include the contents of the print format set before that.

  As the hot folder property information specified by the user, the client manager converts the order property and print format property information data 150 and the hot folder name information into the job submitter on the client in process 6 as shown in FIG. Transfer to 420. At this time, as described above, depending on the timing set by the user, there may be a case where only the print style property is included or the information data 150 is configured only by the order property.

  In process 7 of FIG. 16, the job submitter 420 creates the hot folder 300 on the client from the order / print appearance property information 150 transmitted from the print service server 700 and the hot folder name information. At this time, the job submitter manages the hot folder property management data by linking with the hot folder created by adding the downloaded order / print appearance property information 150 as new hot folder information. As a result, a hot folder icon having contents designated by the user is created on the client.

<First print service processing>
After confirming the order ID issued on the print service server as described above, the shop manager 703 sends the order / print appearance property information 150, the order ID, the job to the shop gateway 801 in process 3 of FIG. Send information such as IDs.

<Print service processing at the shop>
Based on the information transmitted from the print service server, the process manager 802 of the shop gateway 801 allocates a job including designation of a printer for printing to an operator in the shop. The assigned operator designates the designated order ID / job ID on the web page from the operator PC to the shop manager 703 of the print service server 700, and sets the job data including the corresponding print data to the operator on the shop. Download on your PC.

  At this time, the print data is print service document data or application data uploaded by the job submitter to the print service server.

  Each operator performs print processing on the printer 820 specified by the process manager 802 using the printer driver on each operator PC 810 based on the print appearance property information specified by the process manager. At that time, the printer driver prints to the designated printer via the print manager 803, and the print manager always checks and confirms the completion of printing and confirmation processing such as the occurrence of an error. The process manager monitors the progress of printing as needed.

  When the bookbinding process is necessary offline when printing is completed, each operator performs the bookbinding process offline and inputs the progress to the process manager 802 via the operator PC 810. When the bookbinding process is completed and the printed matter is completed, the delivery process is performed. When the booklet process is completed, the operator PC inputs completion to the shop gateway delivery manager as described above.

  As a result, as shown in process 5 in FIG. 16, the process manager returns a delivery completion status to the print service server, and the shop manager 703 updates the status of the order information of the corresponding order ID on the print service server. This completes the user's first print service process.

  Next, a process for using the created hot folder will be described with reference to a hot folder use process flow diagram of FIG. 17 and a general flowchart (FIGS. 20 to 22).

<Data input to the hot folder on the client>
As shown in the process 11, the user activates an application program on the client computer 400 in the same manner as the default hot folder, and the document data is subjected to line conversion processing by the print service driver 461 to the print service document data 351 for the print service. Then, the user selects an arbitrary hot folder 300 on the user interface of the print service driver, and the converted data is created in the hot folder.

  Similarly to the default hot folder, if there is already application document data or if you want to upload without converting to print service document data (351), use the mouse directly to the hot folder (300). Then drag and drop.

<Check thumbnail / document information>
The job submitter 420 is called when the job submitter 420 is input to the above-described hot folder, and the above-described hot folder dialog (FIG. 8) is displayed. As with the default hot folder, the input data file can be checked for thumbnails and document information.

<Confirmation of order / print format information>
When the user presses the button 603 for displaying the order / print appearance information property, the order / print appearance property information set in the designated hot folder is displayed in the information display section of the hot folder dialog shown in FIG. Before uploading to the print service server 700, the order / print style property information 150 set in the hot folder can be confirmed.

  Here, after confirming the contents, the user presses the upload button 607 of the hot folder dialog.

<Login dialog display and authentication>
When the upload button is pressed, the job submitter 420 displays the login dialog 650 shown in FIG. 13 as in the case of the default hot folder flow described above,
The user is requested to input the user name / password and confirm the authentication to the print service server, and check the authentication.

  If the save check box 653 is turned on so that the user name / password need not be input again, the login input process is omitted and the process proceeds to the subsequent authentication process.

<Uploading document data and property information>
After confirming the authentication, the job submitter, as shown in process 12 of FIG. 17, prints the document data 350/351 in the hot folder and the order / print appearance property information 150 set in the hot folder, as a print service. Upload to the server side. The uploaded data is temporarily held in the storage manager by the client manager 702.

<Print format / confirmation of order information on the web>
Using the order / print appearance property information 150 set in the hot folder as a default value, the client manager 702 displays the print appearance / order information on the web (FIG. 14 / FIG. 15) and sets values. Therefore, the user does not need to perform the same setting again. If the user wants to change the value set on the hot folder, the value can be changed on this web page.

  Similar to the flow in the case of the default hot folder, a new order ID is finally issued to the user. Thereafter, as shown in the processes 13 and 14 in FIG. 17, the printing process is performed on the shop side via the shop gateway 801. As shown in process 15, the print service server 700 is notified of the completion of printing. Thereby, the order process and the print process based on the prescribed print setting using the hot folder are completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a hot folder function in the print data upload mechanism on the client side in the print service system using the network, and to simplify the second and subsequent print requests. The order information and printing style information set by the user in the first printing process can be set as property information on an arbitrary hot folder, and the order / print style for each hot folder can be switched.

[Second Embodiment]
Below, 2nd Embodiment is described with reference to drawings. In addition, about the matter which is common in 1st Embodiment, that is described and the detail is abbreviate | omitted.
<Hot folder>
The hot folder of this embodiment is basically the same as that of the first embodiment except for the following points.

  FIG. 12 shows display contents of hot folder property settings when the HotFolder property setting button 604 is pressed in the present embodiment. In the case where the direct connection 670 is selected, the print data dragged and dropped in the hot folder is temporarily stored in the hot folder and the job submitter 420 sets the job submitter 420 at the timing of the drag and drop. The default hot folder dialog (FIG. 7) or hot folder dialog (FIG. 8) is opened, and the processing mode for uploading to the server is entered when the user confirms the contents and the upload button 607 is pressed. On the other hand, in the case of the <Yes> option, a direct connection mode in which the dragged and dropped print data is directly uploaded to the server without opening the default hot folder dialog (FIG. 7) or the hot folder dialog (FIG. 8) is set. As described above, the mode can be switched by the selection setting, and the order information on the hot folder and the print appearance information can be performed as they are in the process up to the setting on the web. This can be switched by this direct connection 670 attribute information on the hot folder.

  In this case, regarding the user name 651 / password 652 input in the login dialog, if the user name / password storage 653 is set to ON, the input on the user dialog is omitted and the authentication is confirmed by the Web service manager. Can also be done.

  In the case of the <No> selection setting of the direct connection 670, the order / print appearance property information 150 set in the hot folder is confirmed before uploading to the print service server 700, and further, the contents of the setting are confirmed in advance by the client. Can be changed in the hot folder on the side.

  The original data storage 671 can select whether the data input to the hot folder is left as it is, moved to the original folder 301, or deleted after uploading. The error log information storage 672 is used when an error occurs. In addition, it is possible to select whether to save the error log information in the log folder 303 and move the data in which the error has occurred to the error folder 302, and the log information storage 673 saves the log information until the normal upload. It is possible to select whether to save to.

  These property setting functions are common to both the default hot folder and the general hot folder.

<Receiving job submitter data>
In the present embodiment, the following processing is performed in addition to the operation of the first embodiment.
In the case of the <Yes> selection setting of the direct connection 670 of the hot folder property setting, the default hot folder dialog window is not opened, and the process can proceed to the next login confirmation process.

<Check thumbnail / document information>
In the present embodiment, the following processing is performed in addition to the operation of the first embodiment.
In the case of the <Yes> selection setting of the direct connection 670 of the hot folder property setting, the hot folder dialog window is not opened, and the process can proceed to the next login confirmation.

<Confirmation / change of order / print format information>
When the user presses the button 603 for displaying / changing the order / print format information property, the order / print format property information is displayed in the information display section of the hot folder dialog shown in FIG. Size 622, double-sided / single-sided finish classification 623, color / monochrome color mode 624, paper type 625 such as standard paper / coated paper, layout 626 of how many pages are laid out in one paper, staple binding In addition, it is possible to confirm and change the bookbinding processing 627 such as bookbinding and hole-drilling processing and the delivery destination 628 / delivery destination address 629 / delivery destination telephone number 630 necessary for setting as an order.

  Before uploading to the print service server 700, the order / print style property information 150 set in the hot folder can be confirmed, and the contents of the setting can be changed in advance on the client side hot folder.

  If the user changes the default order / print appearance property information 150 here, the job submitter 420 treats the information as temporary, does not change the original order / print appearance property information, The temporarily stored order / print style property information is uploaded to the print service server.

  Here, when the contents are confirmed / changed, the user presses the upload button 607 of the hot folder dialog.

  In addition, <Create Data by Print Service Document Driver>, <Direct Input of Application Data>, <Login Dialog Display and Authentication>, <Upload Data>, <Print Format Settings>, <Order Settings>, < <Hot folder creation processing>, <First print service processing>, <Print service processing at the shop>, <Data input to the hot folder on the client>, <Login dialog display and authentication>, <Document data and properties Information upload> and <print format / confirmation of order information on the web> are the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the present embodiment, in the client-side print data upload mechanism using the hot folder, the print data dragged and dropped in the hot folder in the second and subsequent printing processes is temporarily stored in the hot folder. , Process to check the contents and upload to the server, and process to upload the drag and drop print data directly to the server and batch the process from setting the order information on the hot folder and setting the print appearance information It is possible to switch the attribute information on the hot folder, thereby simplifying the flow of print processing by the user.

  For example, in a business that often distributes a catalog such as a car sales company or a travel agency business, a catalog distribution service or a flyer service may be performed on a network. In such a case, it is possible to easily create a catalog having a desired appearance by preliminarily storing a predetermined appearance of the catalog in the hot folder. Specifically, it is conceivable to specify the type of double-sided printing or bookbinding in advance as appearance information for each type of catalog (content of print data), and create a standard catalog according to the content of the print data. I can do it.

It is the schematic which shows the whole print service. It is a block diagram of a client computer. 1 is a configuration diagram of a print service server system. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a print shop printing system. It is a default hot folder block diagram. It is a hot folder block diagram. It is a figure which shows a default hot folder dialog. It is a figure which shows a hot folder dialog. It is a figure which shows a default hot folder dialog (thumbnail / document information display). It is a figure which shows a hot folder dialog (thumbnail / document information display). It is a figure which shows a hot folder dialog (order / print style information change). It is a figure which shows a hot folder dialog (property setting). It is a figure which shows a login dialog. It is a figure which shows a print style setting Web display. It is a figure which shows order setting Web display. It is a figure which shows a hot folder creation process. It is a figure which shows a hot folder utilization process. It is a general flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a general flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a general flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a general flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a general flowchart which shows operation | movement of one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Hot folder profile management data 150 Order / print appearance properties 300 to 303, 305 Hot folder 350 Print service document data 351 Application data 400 Clients 405 to 461 Elements in client 600 Window displays 601 to 673 Elements in window display 700 Print service server 701-755 Print Server Manager or Information 800 Print Shop Printing System 801-820 Element or Printer 900 in Print Shop Printing System Print Service Window Display 901-950 Field or Button in Window Display

Claims (9)

It consists of at least one client that creates data for printing, a server that manages print data for print services, print processing, order entry / management, etc., and a shop system that performs print data print processing. In the print service system
Storage means for storing print data;
Means for assigning and managing the storage area to a specific folder;
Means for holding information for processing the print data in the specific folder;
Means for holding print processing order information in the specific folder;
Means for generating an event when the print data is input to the specific folder;
Means for confirming the contents of the print data in the specific folder according to the event;
Means for rewriting the print processing setting information to be input based on the information to be processed with the print data;
A print service system comprising: means for rewriting the setting data of the order to be inputted based on the order information of the printing process. In a client device that processes print data,
Transfer means for transferring the print data stored in the predetermined storage means to a predetermined area of the predetermined storage means or another storage means;
Setting means for setting additional information used when printing the print data included in the print data;
Once the additional information is set by the setting means and the print data is printed, the additional information is acquired and held, and monitoring means for monitoring the transfer of other print data by the transfer means;
The monitoring means includes a print control means for performing print processing of print data included in the held print data using additional information in response to recognizing that the print data is transferred. A client device. The print control means includes a storage means for holding the other print data transferred by the transfer means and the additional information, and an event is generated when the other print data is transferred. Print processing means for performing print processing of the print data included in
Before the printing process is performed, the storage unit holds predetermined additional information added in advance, and once the additional information is set by the setting unit and the printing process is performed, the additional information is stored in the setting unit. The client apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the client apparatus acquires and stores the information in addition to the pre-added additional information. The print control means holds storage information that holds other print data transferred by the transfer means, holds the additional information, and generates an event when the other print data is transferred. Print processing means for performing print processing of print data included in the print data,
Before the printing process is performed, the processing unit holds predetermined additional information added in advance, and once the additional information is set by the setting unit and the printing process is performed, the additional information is stored in the setting unit. The client apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the client apparatus acquires and stores the information in addition to the pre-added additional information.   5. The client apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the additional information includes appearance information of print data or order information of print processing.   The client apparatus according to claim 5, wherein appearance information of the print data or order information of the print process is held separately. It further comprises confirmation setting means for setting whether or not to confirm the contents of the printing process,
The print control means displays the content of the print process when the confirmation setting means is set to confirm the content of the print process, and when a further change to the additional information is received, confirms the change. 7. The client apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a changing unit. Transfer means for transferring the print data stored in the predetermined storage means to a predetermined area of the predetermined storage means or other storage means, and additional information used when printing the print data included in the print data One or a plurality of client apparatuses including setting means for setting and a transmission means for transmitting a print instruction for print data included in the print data via the network, and a print instruction received from the one or a plurality of client apparatuses A print service system comprising: a server that manages the print data based on the information; and a shop system that prints the print data included in the print data managed by the server based on the additional information.
Once the additional information is set by the setting means and the print data is printed, the additional information is acquired and held, and when other print data is transferred by the transfer means, the print data is held. With means,
The client device transmits information indicating the storage means as the print instruction, and when the server receives the information indicating the storage means, the print included in the held print data based on the held additional information A print service system that requests the shop system to perform data printing processing. One or a plurality of client devices transfer the print data stored in the predetermined storage unit by the transfer unit to a predetermined area of the predetermined storage unit or another storage unit, and are included in the print data by the setting unit A step of setting additional information to be used when printing the print data, and sending a print instruction of the print data included in the print data via the network by the sending means; and the server receiving from the one or more client devices A print service method comprising: managing the print data based on the print instruction; and printing the print data included in the print data managed by the server based on the additional information.
Once the additional information is set by the setting means and the print data is printed, the additional information is acquired and stored in the storage means;
When other print data is transferred to the storage unit by the transfer unit, the print data is held in the storage unit, and the client device transmits information indicating the storage unit as the print instruction;
And a step of requesting the shop system to perform print processing of print data included in the held print data based on the held additional information when the server receives information indicating the storage means. A print service method.

Images