JP3717679B2 - Printing control apparatus, printing system using the same, printing control method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a print control apparatus that controls output of printed matter, a printing system using the same, a print control method, and a recording medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a printing system for printing a printed material, a system including a plurality of clients, a server connected to them, a printing machine, a bookbinding machine, and the like is common. Each client submits digital data that is the basis of the obtained printed matter to the server. When the worker knows that the data has been submitted, the job is registered as a print job with the system, and the server executes such a print job and prints it out on a printing press. Bookbinding with a machine.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the system as described above, the worker must constantly monitor the submission of print data to the server, and the worker who knows the submission can identify the type of data, When the printer is provided, for example, the operator must identify the type of the printer that can be output and perform job registration, which places a heavy burden on the operator.
[0004]
The present invention is intended to overcome the above-described problems in the prior art, and can reduce the burden on the operator and reduce the cost of printing, a printing system using the same, and a printing control method using the same. And a recording medium.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a print control apparatus for controlling print output of a printed matter, and is a storage area for storing print data to be printed. Data storage means for storing print data in the hot holder, monitoring means for monitoring print data storage in the hot holder at predetermined intervals, and when the monitoring means detects that the print data is stored in the hot holder Job registration means for registering the print data as a print output job, and attribute setting means for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing the print data in a hot holder, After the holder attribute is set in advance by the attribute setting means, monitoring by the monitoring means is started, The job registration means will set the attributes of the print data stored in the hot holder and Preset The holder attribute is compared, and the job registration of the print data is performed only when both attributes are common to each other.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the printing control apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the data storage unit stores a plurality of print data to be printed as a group of printed materials in a lump. If the holder has a sub holder creation means for creating a holder in the hot holder, and the job registration means has a sub holder in the hot holder, the print data in the sub holder should be registered as one job. Features.
[0008]
Further, the claims of the present invention 3 The system according to claim 1. Or Claim 2 And a print unit that prints out print data. The print control unit controls the print unit to print out the print data, thereby registering the registered job. Job execution means for executing is further provided.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control method for controlling the output of printed matter, wherein the print data is stored in a hot holder which is a storage area for storing print data to be printed. Data storage process, a monitoring process that monitors the storage of print data in the hot holder every predetermined time, and when the monitoring process detects that the print data is stored in the hot holder, the print data is printed out. A job registration step for registering as a job, and an attribute setting step for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing in a hot holder, After the holder attribute is set in advance by the attribute setting process, the monitoring process is started. In the job registration process, the attributes of the print data stored in the hot holder Preset The holder attribute is compared, and the job registration of the print data is performed only when both attributes are common to each other.
[0010]
Furthermore, a recording medium according to claim 5 of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for controlling the output of printed matter by a computer is recorded, and a storage for storing print data as a basis for printing A data storage function that saves print data in a hot holder that is an area, a monitoring function that monitors print data storage in the hot holder at predetermined intervals, and when print data is saved in the hot holder by the monitoring function A job registration function for registering print data as a print output job, and an attribute setting function for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing in a hot holder, After the holder attribute is set in advance using the attribute setting function, monitoring by the monitoring function is started. The job registration function displays the attributes of the print data stored in the hot holder and Preset The holder attribute is compared, and a program for registering a job for the print data is recorded only when both attributes are common to each other.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
<1. Mechanical structure and device arrangement>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a system configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the system configuration of the printing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0013]
As shown in the figure, the printing system 1 has a function as a print control apparatus for automatically registering document data, which is print data such as a document or an image created by each client described later, as a job, and a registered job. Is a device that performs printing and bookbinding automatically. In the printing system 1, the editing clients 10 and 10, the scanner input client 20, the scanner 25, the server 30, and the printing bookbinding machines 40 and 50 are electrically connected to each other via a bus line BL via an interface (not shown). It is a computer system.
[0014]
The editing client 10 is a computer having an internal configuration such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk (not shown), a display 10a as a display means, and peripheral devices such as a mouse 10b and a keyboard 10c as input means, and creates document data. It can be edited and stored in a hard disk 36 (to be described later) in the server 30, or an operation such as specifying a hot holder can be performed in a monitoring program to be described later.
[0015]
The scanner input client 20 is a computer having peripheral devices such as a display 20a, a mouse 20b, and a keyboard 20c and an internal structure similar to those of the editing client 10. Further, the scanner input client 20 can capture an image of a document. The scanner 25 is electrically connected. Therefore, the scanner input client 20 can perform operations such as processing of images captured by the scanner 25, and has the same functions as the editing client 10 except for the above.
[0016]
The server 30 is a computer that can communicate with the editing client 10, the scanner input client 20, and printing machines 41 and 51 described later. The server 30 has the following internal configuration and various functions.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the server 30 and its connection to the outside. However, the function is schematically shown in the CPU 31 and the storage of the program is schematically shown in the RAM 33. In FIG. 2, the editing client 10 or the scanner input client 20 are collectively referred to as clients 10 and 20, and are similarly expressed in the text below.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the server 30 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32 in which basic programs are stored, a print control program and a monitoring program described in detail below, and a RAM 33 that temporarily stores various data such as document data and rules. First, in order to install an image display program, a program file and various data are read from a recording medium RM such as a magnetic disk or a CD-ROM, and input from an operator by an input device such as a mouse 30b or a keyboard 30c. The input unit 35 for receiving the image data, the installed print control program, the hard disk 36 for storing the monitoring program and the basic document data, the display 30a for displaying various setting screens to be described later, etc. It is connected by emissions IB.
[0019]
Further, the internal bus line IB of the server 30 functions as a set of computer systems by being connected to the external bus line BL to which the clients 10 and 20 and the printing bookbinding machine 40 are connected. Among them, the server 30 functions as a printing control apparatus, and the editing client 10, the scanner input client 20, and the printing bookbinding machine 40 are added to form the printing system 1. As will be described later, the CPU 31 in the server 30 has a function as a monitoring unit 31a that monitors each hot holder in the hard disk 36 by executing a print control program and a monitoring program, and is stored in each hot holder. Among the received document data, it has a function as a job registration unit 31b for automatically registering a job for print output with a predetermined attribute specified in a rule to be described later. It also has a function as a job execution unit 31c that controls the machines 41 and 51 to print out print data and execute a job.
[0020]
This computer system can communicate with other devices (not shown) via the bus line BL to exchange image display programs and various data. In that case, an on-line system formed with other devices by the bus line BL functions as a recording medium. The print control program and the monitoring program may be stored in advance in the ROM 32 or the hard disk 36, read out and stored in the RAM 33, and in this case, the ROM 32 or the hard disk 36 functions as a recording medium.
[0021]
The bookbinding machines 40 and 50 each bind the printed matter output by the printers 41 and 51 and the printers 41 and 51 that perform printing of document data, which is digital data to be printed, under the control of the server 30. The bookbinding machines 42 and 52, which are generated as a booklet, are integrally provided. Note that bookbinding by the bookbinding machines 42 and 52 is not automatically performed by the control of the server 30, but is performed manually by the operator using the bookbinding machines 42 and 52. The printing machine 41 and the printing machine 51 have different characteristics. The printing machine 41 can print at a high resolution, but the printing speed is slow. The printing machine 51 can print at a high speed although the resolution is low. It is.
[0022]
With the above configuration, the printing system 1 performs printing and bookbinding under the following printing control.
[0023]
<2. Processing procedure>
In the printing system 1 of this embodiment, when an operator stores document data in a holder called a hot holder, the job is automatically registered in the document data by a monitoring program that monitors the hot holder every predetermined time. In this system, printing and bookbinding are automatically performed when the job is executed. Here, the holder is a storage area for data created on the hard disk in the server 30, and means a similar one to what is generally called a directory.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print output processing procedure in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the print output process according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, each operation is performed by the server 30 in software in the CPU 31.
[0025]
First, the server administrator activates a print control program in the server 30 (FIG. 3: step S1). Here, the print output program is a control program for automatically registering a job for document data created by a client, and further automatically printing and bookbinding.
[0026]
Note that the print output program starts the main monitoring program as it starts. Here, the monitoring program is a program for monitoring the hot holder at predetermined time intervals, and the hot holder is a storage area for the document data created by the client, and the document data is stored in the hot holder. Thus, it is also a command information holding area for the monitoring program, which is automatically registered as a print output job by the monitoring program. The monitoring program also checks which files can be registered and printed as jobs according to the rules described later in each hot holder. As will be described later, the main monitoring program can generate a plurality of sub-monitoring programs corresponding to each hot holder on a one-to-one basis, and when they execute the processing described later in parallel (multitasking), to manage.
[0027]
Next, the server administrator creates a hot holder in the hard disk in the server 30 (FIG. 3: step S2).
[0028]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hot holder operation screen. In the figure, a hot holder information box HB and various buttons are provided. In FIG. 4, three different hot holders are displayed in the hot holder information box HB. Various information shown below is displayed on each hot holder.
[0029]
The “connection state” at the left end of the hot holder information box indicates a distinction between an online state indicating that the hot holder is in operation and an offline state indicating that the hot holder is not in operation. On the right side, the “rule names” (rules R1 to R3) of the rules set for each hot holder are displayed. Here, a rule is a set of information related to the print output of document data such as the data format of the document data stored in the hot holder and the designation of the printing destination printer for each hot holder. The data format (holder attribute) set in the rule is checked by checking the rules (especially the data format) by the monitoring program that is executed later. ) Document data that does not satisfy the job registration is not performed. The rule setting will be described later in detail. In addition, a “Hot holder name” is displayed on the right. In addition, the hot holder name is also displayed as a path name in which the upper holders in which the hot holder is created are hierarchically shown from the root holder so that the location in the hard disk becomes clear. Further, “priority” is shown on the right. Corresponding to the fact that a plurality of rules can be set for one hot holder, which rule is given priority in that hot holder, specifically, which printing machine the document data is assigned to the data format of the document data. Represents the priority order of whether or not to print. This is specified by the server administrator. As a result, for example, it is possible to change which rule the server administrator prioritizes according to the amount of jobs waiting for each printing press, that is, the degree of congestion of the printing press. In the hot holder operation screen, the priority is displayed for each hot holder that is online.
[0030]
In FIG. 4, the rule R1 of the hot holder “\ PDF-DIR” is highlighted. This indicates a selection state in which the rule of the hot holder is selected, and any rule of any hot holder can be arbitrarily selected by an operator's click or the like. Then, the operator selects any one of the offline hot holders and the hot holders to be activated from the rules, and clicks the activation button SB to activate the rules for the hot holders (online). State). On the other hand, any of the offline hot holder rules can be set to the selected state, and can be stopped (set to the offline state) by clicking the stop button EB.
[0031]
Also, a new hot holder can be created by clicking the new creation button NB. A new creation method will be described later.
[0032]
Further, by clicking one of the hot holders in the selected state and clicking the delete button DB, the hot holder can be deleted, and by clicking the end button QB, the monitoring program can be ended.
[0033]
FIG. 5 shows a holder creation screen. You can create hot holders on this screen and set the rules described above.
[0034]
In addition, the holder name of the hot holder to be created is entered in the holder name input box HX of this screen. In addition, when one of the original storage check boxes OX1 and OX2 is clicked, it can be set whether or not to leave the original document data after the job registration. In the extension display box DX in the holder, a data format set on the detailed rule setting screen shown below can be set. In the figure, “*” indicating an arbitrary data format is displayed. Further, when the information setting button IB is clicked, a detailed rule setting screen is activated, and more detailed rules as shown below can be set.
[0035]
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a detailed rule setting screen. In the extension designation box IX in the holder, when document data is submitted to the hot holder, the data format of the document data to be automatically registered by the job can be designated by the extension of the file. The extension designated for each hot holder is hereinafter referred to as a designated extension. In the figure, the PS data format is specified, and other formats such as TXT data and TIFF data can be specified. Conversely, document data other than the data format specified here is not subject to automatic job registration in the hot holder. Further, in the printing press designation box PX, it is possible to designate to which printing press the document data in the hot holder is to be output. In the printing system 1 of this embodiment, the printing presses 41 and 51 are designated as “A” and “B”. "Respectively. Further, as described above, the printing machine “A”, that is, the printing machine 41 has a high resolution but a low speed. Such a printer is suitable for printing document data having a high-definition image. Further, as described above, the printing machine “B”, that is, the printing machine 51 has a low resolution but a high speed. Such a printer is suitable for printing document data in a text format. For this reason, in FIG. 6 in which the printing machine “A” is designated, an extension representing the data format of PS data, “.PS”, which often requires high resolution, is designated. On the other hand, although not shown, in the rule that designates the printing machine “B”, the designated extension is “.TXT” or the like. In this way, efficient job management can be performed by designating different output printers according to the designated extension.
[0036]
In addition, by clicking one of the print status check boxes CX1 and CX2, it is possible to designate either “immediate printing” that prints out immediately or “registration only” that does not perform printing immediately after job registration. Then, after inputting all necessary items, clicking the OK button OB sets the rule.
[0037]
In addition, after setting one rule in this way, when setting another rule, the “Next” button XB is clicked. Then, a detailed rule setting screen similar to that in FIG. 6 is activated, and another rule setting can be performed for the same hot holder. That is, a plurality of different rules can be set for one hot holder.
[0038]
Returning to the description of the holder creation screen in FIG. This printing system 1 can adopt a multi-holder format in which a sub-holder, which is a lower-order holder, can be created in a hot holder, and a group of document data is stored in the sub-holder in a lump. Can be registered as one job. This is because when the target printed matter is a booklet having a plurality of pages, document data for each page is registered as one job rather than registering document data for one page as one job. This is because it is convenient when sorting the printed matter that is output later. Specifically, by clicking one of the multi-holder check boxes MX1 and MX2, it is possible to set whether the multi-holder format is possible or not. In addition, when the multi-holder format is set to be possible, “multiple page handling” is set in which order file names of a plurality of document data files stored in one sub-holder are to be printed. The order in which a plurality of document data is printed out in the multi-page box PLX can be specified by selecting one of an ascending order and a descending order of file names and an ascending order and a descending order of file time stamps.
[0039]
In addition, when it is set that multi-holder is possible in this setting, the operator can arbitrarily create sub-holders in the hot holder from the clients 10 and 20, and a plurality of the holders created in the sub-holders can be created. Save the document data. At that time, in order to print the document data in page order, the file name of each document data is given or the time stamp is changed according to the rules set in the multi-page box PLX.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which file names are assigned according to the setting of the multiple page box PLX. This example shows the case where “name ascending order” is set in the multi-page box PLX. A sub holder named “Scan” is created in the hot holder, and the first and second pages are created in the holder. The file names of the third page of document data DD are given as “1.TIFF”, “3.TIFF”, and “5.TIFF”, respectively. As a result, file “1.TIFF” is page 1 (first), file “3.TIFF” is page 2 (second), file “5.TIFF” is page 3 (third), and so on. "Scan" indicates that the job is registered.
[0041]
When the server administrator selects (selects) an online hot holder on the hot holder operation screen for the hot holder created or set in this way, and clicks the start button SB, a pair of the hot holder is created. The sub-monitoring program corresponding to one is activated and executes processing (FIG. 3: step S3). Hereinafter, processing by the sub-monitoring program will be described in detail.
[0042]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure by the monitoring program, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of processing by the monitoring program. As described above, when the activation button is clicked on the hot holder operation screen, the main monitoring program reads the hot holder information and the rules about the activated hot holder (FIG. 8: step S11), and together with the hot holder. Start the sub-monitoring program corresponding to. As a result, the same number of sub-monitoring programs as the number of activated hot holders are activated and processed in parallel (multitasking).
[0043]
Hereinafter, one sub-monitoring program will be described. First, when the sub-monitoring program is started, the submission check of the document data DD is performed with respect to the corresponding hot holder (FIG. 8: step S12). Wait while watching the holder. When the manuscript is submitted, it proceeds to the next step.
[0044]
Next, the priority is determined (FIG. 8: step S13), the rule is checked (FIG. 8: step S14), and the file or sub-holder of the document data DD that matches the rule of the target hot holder is searched. If none of these are present, the process returns to step S12. Conversely, if there is a file or subfolder that matches the rule, the process proceeds to the next step.
[0045]
Next, the job registration of the file that conforms to the rule in step S14 or the file in the sub-holder is performed (FIG. 8: step S15).
[0046]
The monitoring program always performs such processing in parallel for the number of hot holders.
[0047]
Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the print control program automatically executes the jobs registered by the monitoring program as described above in the order of registration (FIG. 3: step S4). The execution of this job is also processed in parallel with the monitoring program. Thus, the document data is printed by the printer 41 or 51 in accordance with the specified rule information. Thereby, a desired printed matter is obtained. Furthermore, an operator collects the obtained printed matter in a booklet or the like by using a bookbinding apparatus or the like as necessary. And such a process is always continued.
[0048]
As described above, according to this embodiment, when the CPU 31 of the server 30 monitors the storage of document data in the hot holder every predetermined time and detects that the document data is stored in the hot holder. Since the document data is registered as a job, the job can be automatically registered, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced, thereby reducing the labor cost and the printing cost.
[0049]
In addition, a plurality of document data to be printed as a group of printed materials is stored in a sub-holder provided in the hot holder, and the document data in the sub-holder is registered as one job. Sorting can be performed easily.
[0050]
In addition, the extension indicating the data format of the document data stored in the hot holder is compared with the specified extension that is the data format of the document data to be registered in the job by storing in the hot holder. Since the job registration of the document data is performed only when they are common to each other, it is possible to check the data format of the document data for each hot holder, so that the output printer at the time of job registration for each hot holder can be checked. Since distribution can be performed, printing output can be performed by a printing machine according to the data format, and efficient job management can be performed.
[0051]
In addition, since the CPU 31 of the server 30 controls the printing machines 41 and 51 to print out the document data, printing can be automatically performed.
[0052]
<3. Modification>
Although an example of the printing system 1 and printing control using the printing system 1 has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0053]
For example, in the above embodiment, the bookbinding is performed manually by the operator. However, the bookbinding machines 42 and 52 are also connected to the bus line BL, and rules relating to bookbinding (for example, the paper size and the like are set in the hot holder). It may be set and bookbinding automatically performed.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first to third aspects of the invention, the monitoring unit monitors the storage of print data in the hot holder every predetermined time, and the job registration unit stores the print data in the hot holder. When this is detected, the print data is registered as a job, so the job can be registered automatically, reducing the work burden on the worker, thereby reducing the labor cost and printing cost. Can do. In addition, the attributes of the print data stored in the hot holder, Set by the attribute setting means prior to monitoring, The print data for each hot holder is registered because it is compared with the holder attribute that is the attribute of the print data to be registered by storing it in the hot holder, and the print data is registered only when both attributes are common to each other. Can be checked, and output printers can be assigned to each hot holder, so that output can be performed by a printer according to the attribute, and efficient job management can be performed. Also, the invention of claim 5 has the same effect because the above functions can be realized by a computer.
[0055]
In particular, claim 2 and claim 4 According to the invention, a plurality of print data to be printed as a group of printed matter is stored in a sub-holder provided in the hot holder, and the print data in the sub-holder is registered as one job. Subsequent sorting of printed matter can be performed easily.
[0057]
In particular, claims 3 According to the invention of claim 1, Or Claim 2 Since the print control unit including the print control apparatus described in the above controls the print unit to print out the print data, printing can be automatically performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a printing and bookbinding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a server and a connection with the outside.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print output processing procedure in this embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hot holder operation screen.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a holder creation screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a detailed rule setting screen.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which file names are assigned according to the setting of “handle multiple pages”.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a monitoring program.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of processing by a monitoring program.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Printing system
30 servers
30a display
30b mouse
30c keyboard
31 CPU
31a Monitoring unit
31b Job registration section
31c Job execution part
34 Reading unit
35 Input section (attribute setting means)
36 Hard disk (data storage means, recording medium)
41, 51 printing machine
DD Document data
R1-R3 rules
RM recording medium
32 ROM (recording medium)

Claims (5)

A print control device for controlling print output of a printed material,
Data storage means for storing print data in a hot holder which is a storage area for storing print data to be printed;
Monitoring means for monitoring the storage of print data in the hot holder every predetermined time;
A job registration unit that registers the print data as a print output job when the monitoring unit detects that the print data is stored in the hot holder;
Attribute setting means for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing in a hot holder;
With
After the setting of the holder attribute by the attribute setting means is performed in advance, monitoring by the monitoring means is started,
The job registration unit compares the attribute of the print data stored in the hot holder with the preset holder attribute, and performs job registration of the print data only when both attributes are common to each other Print control device. The print control apparatus according to claim 1,
The data storage means has a sub-holder creating means for creating a sub-holder in a hot holder for collectively storing a plurality of print data to be printed as a group of printed matter;
When the job registration unit has a sub-holder in the hot holder, the print control apparatus registers the print data in the sub-holder as one job. A print control unit comprising the print control device according to claim 1;
  A print section for printing out print data;
With
  The printing system further includes a job execution unit that executes a registered job by controlling the printing unit to print out print data. A print control method for controlling the output of printed matter,
A data storage process for storing print data in a hot holder which is a storage area for storing print data to be printed;
A monitoring process for monitoring the storage of print data in the hot holder at predetermined intervals;
A job registration step of registering the print data as a print output job when it is detected that the print data is stored in the hot holder in the monitoring step;
An attribute setting step for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing the job in a hot holder;
With
After the setting of the holder attribute by the attribute setting step is performed in advance, the monitoring step is started,
In the job registration step, the print data attribute stored in the hot holder is compared with the preset holder attribute, and the job registration of the print data is performed only when both attributes are common to each other. A printing control method. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for controlling the output of printed matter by a computer,
A data storage function for storing print data in a hot holder which is a storage area for storing print data to be printed;
A monitoring function for monitoring the storage of print data in the hot holder at predetermined intervals;
A job registration function for registering print data as a print output job when print data is stored in the hot holder by the monitoring function;
An attribute setting function for setting a holder attribute that is an attribute of print data to be registered by storing in a hot holder;
Realized,
After the holder attribute is set in advance by the attribute setting function, monitoring by the monitoring function is started,
The job registration function compares the print data attribute stored in the hot holder with the preset holder attribute, and records a program for registering the print data job only when both attributes are common to each other A recording medium characterized by the above.

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