JP3208963B2 - Print instruction system and method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention specifies a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices, issues a print instruction to a desired output device, and executes a print process in accordance with the print instruction. The present invention relates to a system and a method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network system such as a printing system, a plurality of printers are connected to a network, and a user issues a print instruction to a desired printer from a terminal device such as a workstation connected to the network. To do so, it is necessary to know the functions of the printer, for example, extended functions such as what output size can be output, and create a designated function for specifying the extended functions for each printer. Need to be kept.

In this case, it is troublesome for the user to designate all the functions of the printer, and the designation procedure requires a great deal of time.

If the designated function is not provided in the printer, an error may occur and the print instruction procedure may require more time.

Here, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-29019 discloses an application processing section for inquiring about the functions of a printer device and performing print control within the range of the notified function, and a printer device provided by the system. A printer information control unit that manages printer information related to the maximum function of the printer, and based on the printer information, based on the printer information managed by the printer information control unit, an external device within the range of the maximum function of the printer With the environment setting, select only a certain function and manage it as virtual printer information.
A virtual printer control method including a virtual printer information control unit for notifying the managed virtual printer information in response to an inquiry from the application processing unit is described.

According to this, the functions of the printer that can be used by the user are limited, and a simplified print instruction can be issued.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-240124 discloses that when a new function is added to a printer device, the printer device uses the printer device itself without depending on print operation command information output from a host device. A printing operation control device that can easily perform a corresponding process by designating a new function is described.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-251915 discloses that a print server is provided with at least one type of print data conversion function, so that print data is simply output from its own device without any consideration of a printer model or the like. A print server that can print out from a printer at a desired position only by sending a printer model name corresponding to a printer format before outputting data is described.

[0009]

As described above, a simplification method for designating a function of the printer when giving a print instruction in a network system such as a conventional print system has been considered. Is
It is only realized by limiting the functions of the printer, and the function specification of this printer must be specified for each function as in the past, and the procedure for specifying the function itself is complicated. There was a problem.

Further, in this case, it is necessary to provide each terminal device such as a workstation with a designation function for each printer. When a new extended function is added to the printer, this extended function is applied to all terminal devices. However, since it is necessary to change the designated function, the change process takes time.

In general, it is not possible to inquire about an extended function of each printer. Even if an extended function can be inquired, there is a problem as described above.

Accordingly, the present invention eliminates such a problem and simplifies the function designation of a print instruction for an output device such as a printer or a copying machine in a manner that is easy for a user to understand. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print instruction system and a method thereof in which a change operation for a function addition is simple.

[0013]

According to the present invention, a client device designates a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices, issues a print instruction to a desired output device, and executes print processing in accordance with the print instruction. In the print instruction system, a table for managing an output device name of the output device and a predetermined function name for a predetermined function of the output device for each of the one or a plurality of output devices; In response to the inquiry about the output device, a plurality of function output device names are generated by combining the function names of the functions of the output device for each output device with reference to the table, and the plurality of function output device names are notified to the client device. On the basis of the specified function output device name, the function output device name including the function instruction for the function name constituting the function output device name is selected and specified. Characterized by comprising a management unit for printing instruction to the output device corresponding to the function output device.

[0014]

According to the present invention, when a print instruction is issued from a client device connected to a network to an output device having a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices connected to the network, the one or more output devices are output. Each of the output devices has management means for managing an output device name of the output device and a predetermined function name for a predetermined function of the output device, and manages an output device name that can be output from the client device. In response to the inquiry from the client device, each of the management means generates a plurality of function output device names by combining the function names of the functions of the output devices, and outputs the plurality of function output device names to the client device. The client device selects a desired function output device name from the plurality of notified function output device names, and selects the selected function output device name. Performs print instruction including the function output device name to the output device corresponding to the function output device name, performs printing processing by specifying a function to output device corresponding to the function output device name.

Thus, the user can perform a print instruction including designation of a desired function at a time only by designating a function printer name composed of a combination of function names that are easy to understand.

[0016]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the network system includes an instruction device 1 and job processing execution devices 2 and 3 connected to a network N1. Although one or more instruction devices 1 are connected to the network N1, one instruction device is provided for convenience of explanation. Also, one or more job processing execution devices 2 and 3 are connected to the network N1, but two are provided for convenience of explanation.

The pointing device 1 is a terminal device such as a work station. The pointing device 1 refers to a display screen displayed on a display unit 1a such as a display by referring to a display screen displayed on a display unit 1a such as a mouse or a keyboard. The instruction to print the document or the like is issued by the network
1 to the job processing execution apparatuses 2 and 3. Further, responses from the job processing execution devices 2 and 3 are also displayed on the display unit 1a.

The job processing execution devices 2 and 3 are respectively provided with function management tables 2a and 3a, job management units 2b and 3b,
Job control units 5 and 50 and a plurality of job output units 30
-1 to 30-n and 40-1 to 40-n.

Here, the detailed configuration of the job processing execution device 2 will be described. The job processing execution device 3 has the same configuration as the job processing execution device 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the job processing execution device 2.

In FIG. 2, the job processing execution device 2
It comprises a reception unit 4, a job control unit 5, and a job execution unit 6 connected to the network N1.

The receiving unit 4 includes a plurality of job receiving units 10-1.
, And each job receiving unit 10-1 to 10-n
n has at least one corresponding to a predetermined network protocol used by the pointing device 1 for the network N1. Here, the job receiving unit 10-1 corresponds to the network protocol used by the instruction device 1.
Can receive a processing request such as a print instruction. Each of the job receiving units 10-1 to 10-n has a function of normalizing to a common type that can be controlled by the job control unit.

The job control unit 5 includes a job receiving unit 10-1.
In response to the normalized processing request received from the job execution unit 6, the job execution unit 6 performs a process corresponding to the normalized processing request.

The job executing section 6 can execute various processes or processes. The job execution unit 6 includes a plurality of job processing units 20-1 to 20-n and a plurality of job output units 30-1 to 30-n. Job processing unit 20-1
To 20-n perform various processes. For example, the job processing unit 20-1 is a format converter, and has a function of converting a format of a document or the like requested to be processed into another format. The job processing unit 20-2 is an image processor, and has image processing functions such as enlargement, reduction, and rotation, and functions such as noise removal. The job processing unit 20-3 can transmit and receive files and can perform a retrieve process. The job processing unit 20-n is a notifier, and performs a notifying process. On the other hand, the job output units 30-1 to 30-n
Are provided corresponding to a plurality of storage devices and perform output processing. For example, the job output unit 30-1 is a printer, and the job output unit 30-n is a redirector, which performs output processing via a network N1 to an output device in a remote job execution device 3 (not shown). is there.
In addition, the job output unit may be a copying machine instead of a printer. Here, similarly to the job execution unit 6, the job execution device (not shown) includes
n or a function equivalent to the job execution units 30-1 to 30-n.

The job receiving units 10-1 to 10-
n has a protocol control unit 2c, a job management unit 2b, a job control unit input / output unit 2d, and a function management table 2a.

The protocol control unit 2c can process a predetermined network protocol used by the pointing device 1.

Here, the function management table 2a will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the contents stored in the function management table 2a. Note that the function management table 2a is created for every output device managed by the job processing execution device 2, and FIG. 2 shows the contents of the table for one output device. This one output device is the printer 30-1, and the printer name is "PRINTER-B".

In FIG. 2, a table T1 stores functions of the printer 30-1, parameter IDs (parameter identifiers) of the functions, and availability of the functions. In the usable column, "NULL" is set for a function not used as a system, and for a function to be used, addresses of detailed tables T2 and T3 of the function are specified.

The table T2 is a detailed table relating to the function "number of output planes", and records information relating to the detailed function "function number of output planes". That is, information on “double-sided” and “single-sided” is stored. And for the functions that can be specified in this detailed function,
A character string that identifies and understands the detailed function for the user is stored as a use identifier. For example, in the case of “double-sided” output, it is stored as a use identifier “DUP”. This character string is a character string that is combined as it is and notified to the user. On the other hand, a function that does not need to be specified, that is, a default function is stored as a use identifier “DEFAULT”, and this default function is not used in a combination for notifying the user.

The parameter is a control parameter used when the job control unit 5 performs processing control on the printer, and is instructed to the job control unit 5 by a combination of the parameter ID of the table 1 and the parameter values of the tables T2 and T3. Is done.

The table T3, like the table T2, also shows detailed functions for the function "multi-screen output", such as "1-up" which is a detailed function of "multi-screen output".
Information relating to the “2-up” and “4-up” functions is stored. Also in this case, the “1-up” function is not used as a default for the combination to notify the user.

In the case of the "2-up" function, for example, in the case of the "2-up" function, two "A5 portrait" documents obtained by reducing two "A4 portrait" documents are arranged side by side. A4 side "
Is output.

Next, based on the sequence diagram of the print instruction processing, the print instruction will be described focusing on the operation of the job management section 2b.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of a printer name inquiry in the embodiment.

First, in the print instruction window in the display unit 1a of the pointing device 1, when the user gives a query instruction of the printer name using a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard, the pointing device 1 causes the network N1 via the network N1. A query instruction of a printer name is sent to the job processing execution devices 2 and 3 connected to the printer (100, 101).

On the other hand, the job processing execution devices 2 and 3
Notifies the instruction device 1 of the functional printer name (102-1 to 102-6, 103).

For example, in the job processing execution device 2, when a printer name inquiry instruction is input to the job management unit 2b via the protocol control unit 2c, the job management unit 2b refers to the function management table 2a, The printer in the job processing execution device, for example, the printer name "PRINTER-
Referring to the table relating to the job output unit 30-1 of "B", that is, the tables T1 to T3 shown in FIG. At this time, the function whose use column is "NULL" in the table T1 and the use identifier of the detailed function table T2 or T3 is "DEFAULT" even if the usable column is not "NULL". Does not combine. Then, in the case where all specify the default, the character string "PRINTE
R ". Then, the combined function printer names are sequentially transmitted to the instruction device 1 via the protocol control unit 2c and the network N1 (101-1 to 10-1).
1-6). Of course, functional printer names for all printers in the job processing execution device 2 are also notified, but are omitted for convenience of explanation.

The same processing is performed in the job processing execution device 3 and the function printer name is changed to the instruction device 1.
Here, since all the “usable” columns in the table corresponding to the table T1 are set to “NULL”, the default printer name “PRINTER-A” is notified as the functional printer name. (103). Note that, similarly to the job processing execution device 2, functional printer names for all printer names in the job processing execution device 3 are also notified, but are omitted for convenience of explanation.

When notifying the instruction device 1 of the function printer name, a network address is naturally added.

The character string of the function printer name sent to the pointing device 1 is, as shown in FIG.
Is displayed and output on a print instruction window in the display unit 1a. In this window, six function printer names (E1) for the printer with the printer name "PRINTER-B" in the job processing execution device 2 are displayed and output, and the printer name "PRINTER-A" in the job processing execution device 3 is displayed. The printer name (E2) for the function "" is also displayed. Here, for example, the function printer name "PRINTER-DUP-2U
"P" indicates that the printer has the function "number of output planes" is "double-sided" and the function "multiple plane output" has the function of "2-up".

Thus, the instruction to inquire about the usable printer name is completed.

Next, a process for selecting a functional printer name having a desired function from the functional printer names and instructing printing will be described.

Here, the function printer name is displayed as a combination of character strings of functions that are easy for the user to understand.
Selection of a function printer name having a desired function becomes easy.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence of a print instruction based on an instruction to select a functional printer name.

First, when the user selects and instructs, for example, a function printer name "PRINTER-DUP-2UP" from the seven function printer names displayed and output on the print instruction window shown in FIG. "PRINTER-DUP-2U
"P" is input to the protocol control unit 2c in the job processing execution device 2 via the network N1 based on the network address of the job processing execution device 2 together with the document data as the main body to be printed. The data is input to the job management unit 2b (200). That is,
The information sent from the pointing device 1 includes a print command, a function printer name, and document data (D1).

On the other hand, the job management section 2b of the job receiving section 10-1 decomposes the input function printer name into a character string for each function and manages the parameter ID and parameter value corresponding to the character string. Take it out of table 2a,
A print instruction is issued to the job control unit 5 as common control data (201). The print instruction to the job control unit 5 actually includes a print command that can be interpreted by the job control unit 5, a designation of a print function, document data, and the like, as indicated by D2 in FIG.

When receiving the print instruction, the job control unit 5 executes the job execution unit 6 based on the print instruction.
Printer name "PRINTER-"
Document data is printed on both sides of the "B" printer.
, And instruct "2-up" to be output, and the job output unit 30-1 outputs as instructed.

When the printing process is completed, the job output unit 30-1 notifies the job receiving unit 10-1 of the completion of the printing process via the job control unit 5 (202).

Further, the job management section 2b of the job receiving section 10-1 having received the end notification sends a print processing completion notification to the instruction apparatus 1 via the protocol control section 2c and the network N1 (203).

Thus, a series of print instruction processing is completed.

The instruction device 1 does not directly inquire of the job processing execution devices 2 and 3 about the printer name, but a name server is provided to centrally manage the printer names.
May contact a name server.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system provided with a name server. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience of explanation.

FIG. 7 shows a configuration in which a name server 11 is additionally connected to the network N1. The name server 11 centrally manages the printer names of the job processing execution apparatuses 2 and 3 connected to the network N1.

FIG. 8 shows the pointing device 1, the name server 11,
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a sequence of a printer name inquiry process between the job processing execution device and the printer.

FIG. 8A shows a registration sequence of the printer name to the name server. When the registration of the job processing execution apparatus 2 or the job output unit such as the printer in the apparatus is started, the name server 11 is activated. Inquires of the job processing execution device 2 about available printer names (30
0). On the other hand, the job management unit 2b of the job processing execution device 2 refers to the function management table 2a and notifies the name server 11 of the currently available functional printer name (3.
01-1 to 301-6). The reason why the inquiry from the name server 11 is indicated by a dotted line is that the name of the currently available functional printer may be automatically notified at the time of registration and activation on the job processing execution device 2 side. Also, a similar printer name notification process is performed between the job processing execution device 3 and the name server 11. As a result, the name server 11 manages all currently available printer names connected to the network as functional printer names.

FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a sequence of a printer name inquiry process between the pointing device 1 and the name server. When the printing device issues a print instruction, the pointing device 1 displays an available printer name. An inquiry is made to the name server 11 (302). Here, as shown in FIG.
The name server 11 manages all currently available printer names connected to the network N1. In response to an inquiry from the pointing device 11, the name server 11 replaces all currently available printer names with function printer names. (303-1 to 303-7). Then, these function printer names are displayed and output on the display unit 1a in the pointing device 1.

Thereafter, the name of the function printer designated and instructed as described above is selected, and the print instruction is directly sent to the job processing execution apparatus having the printer corresponding to this function printer name.

As described above, the name server may be connected to the network to manage the currently available printer names, and the indicating device may inquire the name server about the printer name.

It should be noted that the timing of the inquiry about the usable printer name differs depending on the protocol used by the pointing device, the mounting of the pointing device, and the like. For example, when an icon is used, an inquiry about a printer name is performed at a timing when a document icon is selected and the document icon is overlaid.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, all available printer names are represented as a combination of character strings indicating functions according to a user's printer name inquiry instruction. By inquiring of the name, the names of all available functional printers connected to the network are notified, and the printer can be selected and the functional instruction for the printer can be performed at once by selecting only the functional printer name.

Even when the function of each printer is extended, the extended function can be used only by the work of changing the job processing execution device.

In the above embodiment, only the extended function for the printer has been described. However, a similar system can be constructed for other devices, for example, the extended function of a copying machine.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, a print instruction is issued from a client device connected to a network to an output device having a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices connected to the network. When performing, each of the one or more output devices has management means for managing an output device name of the output device and a predetermined function name for a predetermined function of the output device, and outputs from the client device The management unit is queried for possible output device names, and each of the management units generates a plurality of function output device names in which function names of the functions of the output devices are combined in response to the inquiry from the client device. To the plurality of function output device names, and the client device selects a desired function from the plurality of notified function output device names. Select the output device name, issue a print instruction including the selected function output device name to the output device corresponding to the function output device name, and designate the function corresponding to the function output device name to perform printing. Processing is performed.

As a result, the user can issue a print instruction including designation of a desired function at a time only by designating a function printer name composed of a combination of function names that are easy to understand, and realizes a simplified print instruction. It has the advantage of being able to.

Moreover, there is an advantage that many functions can be selected and instructed by one selection instruction.

Even when a new function is added to the output device, the information on the function is not stored in each client device, but the information is stored in the management means of a plurality of output devices. This method has the advantage that it does not take much time and is simple.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a job processing execution device 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing contents stored in a function management table 2a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence of an inquiry about a printer name.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit displaying a query result of a printer name.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence of a print instruction based on a function printer name selection instruction.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network system provided with a name server.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence of a printer name inquiry process between the instruction device 1, the name server 11, and the job processing execution device.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 instruction device 1a display unit 2, 3 job processing execution device 2a, 3a function management table 2b, 3b job management unit 5, 50 job control unit 30-1 to 30-n, 40-1 to 40-n job output unit N1 network

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print instruction system in which a client device designates a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices, issues a print instruction to a desired output device, and executes print processing in accordance with the print instruction. Or a table for managing an output device name of the output device and a predetermined function name for a predetermined function of the output device for each of a plurality of output devices, and inquiring of the output device capable of outputting from the client device, A plurality of function output device names are generated by combining the function names of the functions of the output device for each output device with reference to the table, and the plurality of function output device names are notified to the client device, and the function output device name selected and designated by the client device is also displayed. And the function output device name corresponding to the selected function output device, including the instruction of the function corresponding to the function name constituting the function output device name. Print instruction system characterized by comprising a management unit for performing printing instruction to the force device. 2. A print instruction method for issuing a print instruction from a client device connected to a network to an output device having a desired function from one or a plurality of output devices connected to the network. Each of the plurality of output devices has management means for managing an output device name of the output device and a predetermined function name for a predetermined function of the output device, and outputs the output device name that can be output from the client device. Inquiring management means, each of the management means generates a plurality of function output device names by combining the function names of the functions of the output devices in response to the inquiry from the client device, and outputs the plurality of functions to the client device. Notifying an output device name; and the client device receiving a plurality of the notified function output device names. Selecting the desired function output device name, print instruction method a print instruction including the function output device name the selected and characterized by including a step of performing the output device corresponding to the function output device name from.