JP2011108174A - Data processing device, method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily operate data output to an external device. <P>SOLUTION: A host computer 100 generates command data for operating transmitted data, in accordance with transmission, when transmitting predetermined data to a local connection output device 111 or a network connection output device 112. A job ID or data ID for identifying the transmitted data, an ID for identifying an output device, or the like are added to the generated command data. When the host computer 100 designates the command data, the command data is transmitted to the output device. The output device executes an operation corresponding to the command data, on data specified by the command data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, method, and program for causing a data processing apparatus connected to an external apparatus to execute predetermined processing by the external apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a data processing apparatus connected to an external device such as a printer is known that can output print data to a printer and then can instruct to delete print data or change print settings (see Patent Document 1). ).

JP-A-11-327832

  However, conventionally, when performing some operation on the data once output to the external device, the user searches for the device output by himself / herself from various external devices, and also from among the various data held by the external device It was necessary to find the desired data. Therefore, it is not easy to manipulate data once output to an external device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data processing device, method, and program capable of easily operating data output to an external device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a transmission unit that transmits data to an external device, a specification unit that specifies data transmitted by the transmission unit and a destination external device, and the transmission unit. Generating means for generating command data for operating the specified data, including the data specified by the specifying means and information indicating the external device, in response to the transmission of data, and generated by the generating means Instructing means for causing the external device specified by the command data to execute the operation specified by the command data based on the command data.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily execute the operation of data transmitted using command data generated in response to the transmission of data to an external device for performing the operation of the data.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the data processing system in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of command data. It is a figure which shows the example of a command list. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process in this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a data processing system according to the present embodiment.

  The system includes a host computer 100 that is an example of a data processing device and at least one output device that is an example of an external device.

  The host computer 100 outputs data to be processed to an external device and causes the external device to process output data. The host computer 100 can be realized by installing software including a program for performing processing as in this embodiment on a general-purpose PC. However, the host computer 100 may be a data processing apparatus dedicated to processing as in this embodiment. All of the following processes are not limited to those performed by software control using a program, but can be realized in various forms such as a part or all of which is a dedicated circuit.

  The CPU 101 controls the operation of the entire host computer 100. The hard disk 102 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 101, data to be processed by the output device, and the like. The programs stored in the hard disk 102 include an operating system (OS), application software for generating data to be processed by the output device, a driver for controlling the output device, and the like. The display 103 displays various information to be provided to the user. The local I / F 104 is an interface such as a USB for local connection with an external device (output device).

  The ROM 105 stores a boot program, various setting values, and the like. The RAM 106 is used as a work area when the CPU 101 executes a program. The RAM 106 stores various setting values designated by the user. The input device 107 inputs details of operations performed by the user. The input device 107 includes, for example, a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting characters and numbers. The network I / F 108 is an interface for connecting the host computer 100 to the network and controlling communication using a predetermined protocol via the network 110. The network I / F 108 connects the host computer 100 to an external device (output device) via the network 110. The network 110 can be realized by a known LAN, the Internet, or the like, and various devices can be connected. A plurality of devices connected to the network 110 can communicate with each other via the network 110.

  Here, the local I / F 104 and the network I / F 108 are shown as interfaces for connecting the host computer 100 and an external device, but either one may be used. The above components are connected via the bus 109 and can communicate with each other via the bus 109.

  The local connection output device 111 is connected to the host computer 100 via the local I / F 104, receives data output from the host computer 100, and processes the received data according to instructions from the host computer 100. The contents of the process include, for example, printing an image based on the received data on a printing paper, saving in a memory, and the like.

  The network connection output device 112 is connected to the host computer 100 via the network 110 and executes processing based on the received data in the same manner as the local connection output device 111. Although only one network connection output device 112 is shown here, a plurality of network connection output devices 112 can be connected on the network 110. The host computer 100 can output data to a plurality of network connection output devices 112 to execute processing.

  In the present embodiment, the local connection output device 111 and the network connection output device 112 are collectively referred to simply as an output device. Unless otherwise specified, the output device may be locally connected to the host computer or connected to the network.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when data generated by the host computer 100 is output to the output device and stored in the storage device included in the output device. This flowchart shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 101 develops and executes a program stored in the ROM 105 or the hard disk 102 in the RAM 106.

  The output device in the process of FIG. 2 has at least a storage device such as a hard disk, and can store data received from the host computer 100 in this storage device. The storage device is distinguished by a plurality of Boxes, and can store received data in a Box designated by the host computer 100 (for example, by a Box number). The stored data can be arbitrarily read and output by specifying a box and specifying a file name that can specify received data. A name can be arbitrarily set by the user in the box.

  In the following, an example in which the host computer 100 stores data in a box of the output device via a printer driver installed in the host computer 100 will be described. However, the data may be stored without going through the printer driver. In this case, the file generated by the application software is stored in the box in the same format.

  First, the CPU 101 selects an output device as a data storage destination in step 201. This selection is performed based on a user's selection of a print menu of application software using the input device 107 and designation of a desired output device from an output device group in which a driver is installed in the host computer 100. Note that the output device may be selected based on another operation.

  When an output device is selected, the CPU 101 activates (loads to the RAM 106) a printer driver for the selected output device, and causes the display 103 to display a screen on which the user can specify a data storage destination. When one of a plurality of Boxes (Box number) is designated by the user via the input device 107 for this screen, the CPU 101 selects the designated Box as a data storage destination in Step 202.

  Next, in step 203, transfer processing of data to be stored to the output device is started. Here, if it is determined that the user has instructed the storage via the input device 107 in a state where the data to be stored, the output device of the storage destination (transmission destination), and the box of the storage destination are specified, the storage target The data transfer process is started. In the case of the save instruction here, if the output device also has a print function, the print device is instructed to perform printing together with the save, and the output device saves the data in a box and prints an image based on the data. It may be.

  In step 204, the data to be saved is transferred to the GDI of the OS via the application software, and drawing data is generated by GDI. Then, the OS spooler is called through the GDI, and drawing data of the data to be saved generated by the GDI is temporarily stored in the spooler. In step 205, the spooler despools the temporarily stored data. In step 206, the spooler calls the printer driver of the output device selected in step 201 via GDI, and converts the data temporarily stored by the printer driver into a format that can be handled by the output device.

  In step 207, the CPU 101 executes a command generation process to be described later. In this command generation process, at least an output device that is the output destination of processing target (storage target) data and a command including information for specifying processing target data are generated. Operation is possible.

  In step 208, the data to be stored converted in step 206 is transferred to the output device selected in step 201 via the local I / F 104 or the network I / F 108. At this time, together with the data to be stored, information (Box number) for specifying the Box to be stored, and other information necessary for processing the data on the output device side are also transferred. Information necessary for processing includes information indicating whether or not printing is performed, information on print settings when printing is performed, and the like.

  The application software, GDI, spooler, and printer driver may be programs that exist separately, or may be a program that combines all or some of them.

  Further, when the transfer process of the data to be stored is started in step 203, the process of steps 204 and 205 may not be performed and the process may proceed to step 206 (branch 311).

  Next, details of the command generation processing in step 207 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of command generation processing.

  In step 301, it is determined whether or not the data transfer process in step 203 is performed via a printer driver. That is, it is determined whether or not the process of saving the data to be saved in the box is performed via the printer driver. If an affirmative determination is made here, the process proceeds to step 302. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 306.

  In step 302, the CPU 101 temporarily stores information passed from the printer driver in the RAM 106. Here, the information passed from the printer driver includes the following. (1) Information such as the name of the output device that identifies the output device selected by the user. (2) When the data to be stored is spooled by the spooler, the spooler ID assigned to the spooled data. (3) Information such as a box number for specifying the storage destination box selected by the user. (4) Information such as the name of the host computer 100 that identifies itself (the host computer 100 that transfers the data to be saved). (5) Information such as a job ID for specifying data to be saved. (6) Information for specifying the processing content (storage period, password for reading stored data, print setting, etc.) of data that can be set (instructed by the user or predetermined) by the printer driver. As mentioned above, the information of (1)-(6) may be one part instead of all, and may contain information other than these. Further, instead of the printer driver, a device driver (for example, a scanner driver) for other types of peripheral devices may be used.

  Next, in step 303, based on the information specifying the output device stored in step 302, the CPU 101 controls to access the corresponding output device via the local I / F 104 or the network I / F 108. Then, the information received from the printer driver in step 302 is transmitted to the accessed output device, such as the data to be saved, the box number of the save destination, and the data processing contents. At the same time, the unique information of the output device is acquired from the output device and stored in the RAM 106. The unique information is, for example, a serial number assigned to the product, which is uniquely assigned to the accessed output device.

  In step 304, the CPU 101 starts monitoring the state of the data to be stored, which is stored in the output device accessed in step 303 and transmitted by itself. The data monitoring here is performed based on the job ID passed from the printer driver in step 302 or the data ID generated by the output device based on the job ID (received from the output device in response to the data transmission in step 303). Is called. In any case, this is information that can specify data stored on the output device side. Then, the CPU 101 designates the job ID or the data ID and inquires the processing status of the data to the output device. The output device identifies this and responds to the CPU 101 with the result. In step 305, information (job ID or data ID) that can specify the data to be stored is stored in the RAM 106.

  Next, in step 306, command data for operating the data stored in the output device automatically in response to transmission of the data to be stored to the output device is generated. The command data is, for example, an executable binary file including information as shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b). However, in this case, the text format may be used for easy identification by the user, and the data may be converted into a binary file format before being transmitted to the output device. FIG. 4A shows command data for instructing printing of data stored in the output device. In FIG. 4A, 401 is a command for instructing printing. Reference numeral 402 denotes output device unique information (serial number) acquired in step 303. Reference numeral 403 denotes the job ID or data ID specified in step 302 or step 303. Reference numeral 404 denotes a box number of a storage destination box which is instructed to store data in step 303. Reference numeral 405 denotes information for specifying an interface through which data is transmitted in step 303. FIG. 4B shows command data for changing the setting contents of the data transmitted to the output device. In FIG. 4B, reference numeral 406 denotes a command for instructing a setting change. 407 to 410 are the same as 402 to 405. Reference numeral 411 denotes the file name of the data stored in the output device (the file name given by the application software that generated the data). Reference numeral 412 indicates the setting contents to be changed. Here, the number of copies when the data is printed is shown as the setting content. That is, when printing is instructed for the data, only one copy is printed. The setting content is not limited to the number of copies, but can be various. Note that the command data listed here is merely an example. For example, data for performing various other instructions such as data for instructing deletion of data may be generated. In addition, it may be set in advance in the RAM 106 or the like as to which command data for performing the instruction is generated, and the data in accordance with the command data may be generated.

  In step 307, a shortcut for calling the command data generated in step 306 is created and stored in a predetermined storage area of the hard disk 102. This storage area is an area for storing files to be displayed on the desktop of the host computer 100, for example. Also, the shortcut created here is print_aaa. doc, change_aaa. doc, delete_aaa. It is assumed that the operation content and the file name (aaa.doc) of the operation target data can be known, such as doc. Then, the file name of this shortcut is displayed on the display 103 together with icons that can be selected by the user. The user can execute desired command data by selecting any shortcut using the input device 107 and instructing execution.

  Note that the shortcuts created in step 307 are not limited to those displayed individually as icons. A list format may be used as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a list of command data generated in step 306 (shortcuts created in step 307). A window 501 is displayed on the display 103 when the user instructs display of a command list using the input device 107. Reference numeral 502 denotes a command list indicating a list of command data generated in step 306. Each time the CPU 101 generates command data in step 306, information (shortcut) indicating the generated command is added to the command list. Reference numeral 503 denotes a command button for the user to specify command data. A command button is generated for each command data included in the command list, and the user can designate and execute any of the command data. Reference numeral 504 denotes a change button for changing the contents of the command data. When the change button 504 is pressed, a window for changing command data is displayed, and the contents of command data already generated can be changed. The command data can be changed by changing only the command data by a change button assigned to each command data, or for each specific group. When it is performed for each group, the data corresponding to the command data is changed in units of boxes in which the command data is saved by pressing the change button. The groups can be various groups other than each box, for example, for each output device and each job owner. A command management button 505 is used to delete or combine command data included in the command list 502 when pressed. When the command data is combined, it is re-saved as one command data reflecting the processing contents included in each command data to be combined. By combining command data, it is possible to process a plurality of processes with a single instruction, for example, command data that causes a plurality of output devices to execute a process with a single instruction. Reference numeral 506 denotes an upper limit setting for specifying the upper limit of command data. This upper limit can be arbitrarily set by the user, and command data can be added to the command list 502 up to the upper limit number set here. When the command data added to the command list 502 exceeds the number set in the upper limit setting 506, the oldest data is deleted sequentially or a warning is displayed to prohibit new addition. Reference numeral 507 denotes a printer information detail button. When this button is pressed, information about the output device included in the corresponding command data is acquired and displayed on the display 103. Information related to the output device includes the following. (1) Name of the output device. (2) Installation location of the output device. (3) The administrator name of the output device. (4) Status of the output device (printing, error, sleeping, etc.). This is always displayed without pressing the printer information detail button. (Left side printer information) (5) Information on consumables of the output device (for example, the remaining amount of ink of each color if the output device is an inkjet printer, the remaining amount of toner of each color if the output device is an electrophotographic printer). (6) Job name and job owner name of the job being executed on the output device. (7) The total memory capacity and remaining memory capacity of the output device (if the output device is an HDD-equipped machine including a PC, the total capacity and remaining capacity of the hard disk, etc.). In addition, the information of an output device is not restricted to these, It may contain things other than this, and it is not necessary to include all of these. These pieces of information are acquired from the corresponding output device via the local I / F 104 or the network I / F 108 when the button 507 is pressed by the user. A delete button 508 deletes corresponding command data.

  When the shortcut (icon or list in FIG. 5) created in step 307 is executed (the command data may be directly executed without using the shortcut), the corresponding command data is executed, and the data output to the output device in the past Can be operated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when command data is executed (processing in which the host computer instructs the output device to execute command data). This flowchart shows a flow of processing in which the CPU 101 develops and executes a program stored in the ROM 105 or the hard disk 102 in the RAM 106.

  When execution of command data is instructed, an output device included in the command data instructed to execute in step 601 is searched. The search here is performed using information specifying the interface described in the command data (for example, ports 405 and 410 in FIG. 4) and information specifying the output device (for example, serial_number 402 and 407 in FIG. 4). That is, search data is transmitted through the specified interface, and it is determined whether there is a match by referring to the serial number of the output device that responded to the search data.

  If it is determined in step 602 that the serial numbers match, it is determined that a correct output device has been found, and the process proceeds to step 603. If no serial number matches, the process proceeds to step 608 and the search is performed again. Do. In step 608, for example, when the search is performed via the network I / F 108, the search range is expanded (for example, the value of TTL (Time To Live) is increased). Note that other information may be used to determine whether the output device is correct. If it is determined in step 609 that the correct output device has not been found (or the correct output device has not been accessed), a message indicating that is displayed on the display 103 and the processing is terminated. The display in this case may be a message such as “The output device storing the specified data cannot be found (cannot be accessed)”.

  If it is determined in step 602 or step 609 that the correct output device has been found (the correct output device has been accessed), the process proceeds to step 603 to check the status of the accessed output device. In this check, it is checked whether or not the output device is ready to execute processing corresponding to the command data. For example, if the command data instructs printing, it is checked whether the output device is ready for printing. The printable state indicates the following state. (1) The output device is operating normally (not in an error state). (2) A type of paper to be used for printing by command data is set in the output device. And there is still enough paper for printing. In addition, it is good also as what satisfy | fills conditions other than these, and it is not necessary to satisfy | fill all of these.

  If it is determined in step 604 that the processing of the specified command data can be normally performed as a result of the check in step 603, and if it is determined that it can be normally performed, the process proceeds to step 605. Goes to step 607. In step 607, in response to the determination that the processing cannot be normally performed in step 604, the display 103 indicates that the processing cannot be normally performed (including the error content) and whether or not to cancel the processing. Display to request the specification of. If the user gives an instruction to cancel the display via the input device 107, or if there is no instruction even after a predetermined time has elapsed for the display, the process ends. On the other hand, if there is an instruction not to stop the process (instruction to continue the process), the process proceeds to step 605. Here, even when processing cannot be performed normally, the case where processing is not stopped is, for example, a temporary error such as no paper, and may be recovered if the user loads paper into the output device. In this case, the command execution instruction is sent first.

  In step 605, the designated command data is converted into a format that can be interpreted by the corresponding output device. If the command data is already in a format that can be interpreted by the output device, the processing here is omitted.

  In step 606, the command data is transmitted to the corresponding output device via the local I / F 104 or the network I / F 108, and the target data is processed according to the content specified by the command data. That is, the output device (the local connection output device 111 or the network connection output device 112) reads the data specified by the command data from the HDD in accordance with the instruction based on the received command data, and processes based on the content specified by the command data To do. That is, if the content of the process is printing, printing is performed by the printer unit of the output device, and if it is deleted, deletion from the HDD is performed. In step 607, if the user instructs the continuation of processing even though the output device cannot be processed normally, an instruction to execute data processing is given to the display unit in the output device. Displays error details and error recovery work required. Then, when the error is recovered, the output device executes processing according to the received command data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by performing an operation of transmitting data desired by the user from the host computer 100 to the output device, the data automatically transmitted to the output device according to this operation and stored. Command data for manipulating data can be generated. Since a shortcut for designating the generated command data is created on the host computer, the user can easily designate and execute the command data from the host computer. Therefore, desired processing can be easily performed on the data to be processed, the output device of the storage destination, and the like.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed. Further, the program may be executed by a single computer or may be executed in conjunction with a plurality of computers. Moreover, it is not necessary to implement all of the above-described processing by software, and part or all of the processing may be implemented by hardware.

Claims (6)

A transmission means for transmitting data to an external device;
Specifying means for specifying the data transmitted by the transmitting means and the external device of the transmission destination;
Generating means for generating command data for operating the specified data, including data indicating the data specified by the specifying means and information indicating an external device, in response to transmission of data by the transmitting means;
A data processing apparatus comprising: instruction means for causing an external device specified by the command data to execute an operation specified by the command data based on the command data generated by the generating means. And a means for creating a shortcut for calling the command data generated by the generating means.
The instruction means causes the external device to execute an operation specified by the command data by transmitting the command data called by specifying the created shortcut to the external device. The data processing apparatus described in 1.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit generates a plurality of command data for performing different operations.   4. The data transmitted by the transmission means is data generated by a predetermined device driver, and the generation means generates command data including information acquired from the device driver. The data processing device according to any one of the above. A data processing method in a data processing device connectable to an external device,
A transmission step of transmitting data to the external device;
A specifying step of specifying the transmitted data and a destination external device;
In accordance with the transmission of data in the transmission step, a generation step that includes information indicating the specified data and an external device, and generates command data for operating the specified data;
A data processing method comprising: an instruction step of causing an external device specified by the command data to execute an operation specified by the command data based on the generated command data.   A program for realizing each means of the data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 by a computer.

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