JP5428644B2 - PRINT MANAGEMENT DEVICE, PRINT OUTPUT SYSTEM, TERMINAL DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a print management device, a print output system, a terminal device, and a program.

  For a print output system in which a terminal device that is a distribution source of data to be printed and a printing device that prints the data are installed at positions separated from each other, for example, a normal print output result is obtained for some reason. If the data cannot be obtained, a request for reprint output can be made not from the data distribution source terminal device side but from the data output destination printing device side (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

JP 2007-15225 A

  Processing that accompanies print output when performing print output with processing accompanying double-sided output processing, stapling processing, and other print output, and performing reprint output for a part of a page of the document that has undergone this print output The state of could not be reproduced.

The invention according to claim 1 is a print request receiving means for receiving a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a process request accompanying the print output, and a process performed on each page of the document and each page. Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing the relationship with the contents of the document, reprint request accepting means for accepting a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages, and based on the related page information Recognizing pages to be processed in association with some pages included in the request for reprint output, and selecting some pages included in the request for reprint output and pages processed in connection with the pages to be processed as described above. A print management apparatus comprising: a reprint output unit that performs printing based on related page information.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the print management apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising reprint request setting means for setting a condition for requesting reprint output for a document.
The invention according to claim 3 further comprises processing selection receiving means for receiving a selection instruction for processing to be performed accompanying the reprint output at the time of the reprint output. A print management apparatus.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the reprint output means includes reprint information notification means for notifying the requester of the reprint output of information relating to a page to be reprinted output. The print management apparatus according to 2 or 3.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a printout of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a first terminal device for requesting processing associated with the printout, and a reprint output request for a part of the plurality of pages are made. A second terminal device, a print output requested from the first terminal device and a process associated with the print output, and a reprint output requested from the second terminal device and the reprint output associated with the print output. A printing apparatus that executes the process performed in step S3, and a print management apparatus that receives a request from the first terminal apparatus and the second terminal apparatus and performs a process necessary for executing the received request. An apparatus includes a related page that holds related page information that describes a relationship between a print request receiving unit that receives a request from the first terminal device, and each page of the document and the content of processing performed on each page. Information holding means, reprint request accepting means for accepting a request from the second terminal device, and pages processed in association with some pages included in the reprint output request based on the related page information And reprint output means for printing a part of pages included in the reprint output request and pages processed in association with the page based on the related page information. Print output system.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print request receiving means for receiving a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages, a process request accompanying the print output, and a process performed on each page of the document and each page. Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing the relationship with the contents of the document, reprint request accepting means for accepting a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages, and based on the related page information Recognizing pages to be processed in association with some pages included in the request for reprint output, and selecting some pages included in the request for reprint output and pages processed in connection with the pages to be processed as described above. Connection means connected to a print management apparatus comprising a reprint output means for performing printing based on related page information; and the print management request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages through the connection means To the device Reprint request means for causing the print management apparatus to print a part of pages included in the reprint output request and pages processed in association with the request based on the related page information, Is a terminal device.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print request receiving means for receiving a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a request for processing accompanying the print output, and each page of the document and each page. Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing the relationship with the contents of processing to be performed, reprint request receiving means for receiving a reprint output request for a part of the plurality of pages, and the related page information Recognizing a page to be processed in association with a part of the page included in the request for reprint output, and a part of the page included in the request for reprint output and the page to be processed in relation thereto Is functioned as reprint output means for performing printing based on the related page information.

According to the first, fifth, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, when reprint output is performed for a part of a page of a document, a part of the document and a page related thereto are attached to the print output. The processing status can be reproduced and printed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, by limiting the authority to request reprint output of document print output, it is possible to improve the security of reprint output compared to the case without this configuration.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the result selected by the request source of the reprint output is reflected in the result of the reprint output, and the processing selected by the request source is performed along with the reprint output. Therefore, the convenience for the requester of the reprint output can be improved as compared with the case where this configuration is not provided.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the document is reprinted, the requester of the reprint output can recognize the reproduction state.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a print output system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of a print management apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a computer device that constitutes a print management apparatus according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of a related page information table. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the concept of the production | generation method of related page information. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation in the entire print output system according to the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first process control operation executed by the print server device in the print output system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the 2nd process control operation example which the print server apparatus in the print output system which concerns on this invention performs. It is explanatory drawing which shows one specific example of reprint authority provision. It is explanatory drawing which shows a specific example of the setting screen in the case of requesting reprint output. It is a flowchart which shows the 3rd process control operation example which the print server apparatus in the print output system which concerns on this invention performs.

[Configuration example of print output system]
First, a configuration example of the print output system will be described.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a print output system according to the present invention.
As shown in the figure, the print output system includes a printer device 1, a distribution source client device 2, a distribution destination client device 3, a print server device 4, a repository server device 5, a print application server device 6, and the like. And a network line 7 for connecting the two. In order to handle distributed drawing work, for example, the printer apparatus 1 and the distribution destination client apparatus 3 exist overseas in relation to the distribution source client apparatus 2 in Japan, and these are installed at positions separated from each other. Has been.

  The printer apparatus 1 executes a print output of a document composed of a plurality of pages and a process associated with the print output, and performs a reprint output and a process associated with the reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages. Run. That is, the printer device 1 corresponds to a specific example of a printing device. Examples of processing accompanying print output include image processing and finishing processing performed by the printer apparatus 1. Specifically, this includes double-sided output processing, processing for outputting a plurality of images as a single image, stapling processing, punching hole processing, image output position shift processing, and other accompanying processing.

  The distribution source client device 2 is composed of a computer device installed at the distribution source in the distributed drawing service, and requests printing output in the printer device 1 and processing accompanying the printing output. That is, the distribution source client device 2 corresponds to a specific example of the first terminal device.

  The distribution destination client device 3 is composed of a computer device installed at a distribution destination in the distributed drawing service. The distribution destination client device 3 instructs the printer device 1 to execute print output in response to a request from the distribution source client device 2. A request for reprint output and processing to be performed accompanying the reprint output is made. In other words, the distribution destination client device 3 corresponds to a specific example of a second terminal device (or terminal device) that requests reprint output. Further, in order to make a request for reprint output, a function as a connection means for connecting to the print server device 4 or the like through the network line 7 and reprint to make a request for reprint output to the print server device 4 or the like It has a function as a request means. The distribution destination client device 3 may be configured integrally with the printer device 1 using a user interface (UI) function or the like in the printer device 1.

  The print server device 4 includes a computer device that performs management control of the print output operation in the distributed drawing job, and receives requests from the distribution source client device 2 and the distribution destination client device 3, and is necessary for executing the received request. Perform the following process. That is, the print server device 4 corresponds to a specific example of a print management device. As processing necessary for execution of the request, data processing processing for print data, generation of related page information whose details will be described later, and the like may be mentioned.

  The repository server device 5 includes a computer device that stores print data to be printed out in the distributed drawing service, and functions as a file server that stores and stores the print data. However, it is not always necessary to have a function as a file server. For example, when print data is transmitted from the distribution source client apparatus 2 together with a print output request, the print data is temporarily stored. You may implement | achieve the function to perform. The repository server device 5 does not necessarily have to be configured independently in the system, and may be configured integrally with the print server device 4, for example.

  The print application server device 6 provides GUI (Graphical User Interface) application software when making a print output request to the distribution source client device 2 and the distribution destination client device 3. However, for example, if the distribution source client device 2 and the distribution destination client device 3 have the printer driver of the printer device 1, the print application server device 6 may not be provided.

[Example of functional configuration of print management device]
Next, the functional configuration of the print server device 4 which is a specific example of the print management device will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the print management apparatus according to the present invention.
As described above, the print server device 4 performs processing necessary for executing a request received from the distribution source client device 2 and the distribution destination client device 3. For this purpose, the print server apparatus 4 includes a print request receiving unit 41, a data acquiring unit 42, a data processing unit 43, a related page information holding unit 44, a reprint request receiving unit 45, a reprint request setting unit 46, and a process selection receiving unit. 47, functions as reprint information notifying means 48 and reprint output means 49 are provided.

  The print request accepting unit 41 has a function of accepting a print output of a document composed of a plurality of pages and a request for processing accompanying the print output from the distribution source client device 2.

  The data acquisition means 42 acquires from the repository server device 5 print data of a document to be processed in response to a print output request from the distribution source client device 2 or a reprint output request from the distribution destination client device 3. It is.

  The data processing unit 43 has a function of performing data processing processing on the print data acquired by the data acquisition unit 42 into a data format corresponding to the printer device 1.

  The related page information holding unit 44 is a function that generates and holds related page information when a document printout is issued from the distribution source client device 2 and a finishing process is performed in association with the printout. Here, the related page information is information that specifies the relationship between each page of the document to be processed and the contents of the processing performed on each page. As for the related page information, as will be described in detail later, it is conceivable to hold the related page information, for example, in a table format.

  The reprint request accepting unit 45 accepts a request for reprint output from the distribution destination client device 3 for a part of the document printed out by the printer apparatus 1, that is, a part of a plurality of pages constituting the document. It is a function.

  The reprint request setting means 46 is a function for setting a condition for requesting reprint output for a document. In more detail, based on the execution information when the print output of the document and the finishing process associated with the print output are performed, the authority to request the reprint output for the document is limited, and whether or not the request can be accepted is determined. It is a function to decide. Specifically, for example, a process of granting a reprint output request authority to a person who performs print output of a document, and allowing a request for reprint output within a certain period from the time of execution of the document print output, for example. Is realized.

  The process selection accepting unit 47 accepts a request for reprint output from the distribution source client apparatus 2 and, when accepting the request, discards the process to be performed accompanying the reprint output, as will be described in detail later. This function accepts selections.

  The reprint information notifying unit 48 is a function for notifying information relating to a page to be reprinted output to the distribution source client device 2 that is a requester of the reprint output. Details of the information contents notified by the reprint information notification means 48 will be described later.

  When the reprint output unit 49 receives a request for reprint output from the distribution destination client apparatus 3 for a part of the document that has been printed out by the printer apparatus 1, that is, a part of a plurality of pages constituting the document. Based on the related page information held by the related page information holding means 44, the page to be finished in relation to the partial page is recognized, and the page for which the reprint output is requested and This is a function that makes a page to be subjected to finishing processing a reprint output and a process to be performed accompanying the reprint output. That is, a part of pages included in the reprint output request and pages processed in association with the request are printed based on the related page information.

  Each of these means 41 to 49 is realized by the print server device 4 executing a preset operation program using a function as a computer device. In other words, each of these means 41 to 49 is realized by an operation program installed in the print server device 4 or a storage location accessed by the print server device 4. In this case, the operation program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium prior to installation, or may be distributed from the outside via a communication line.

  In addition, the print server apparatus 4 has an information input function, an information processing function, an information storage function, an information output function, and other computer functions in order to realize the units 41 to 49 by executing the operation program. Yes. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4a, ROM (Read Only Memory) 4b, RAM (Random Access Memory) 4c, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 4d, interface (I / F) A connector 4e and the like are provided, and these hardware resources are used to implement each function described above.

[Specific examples of related page information]
Here, the related page information generated and held by the related page information holding unit 44 will be described with a specific example.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the related page information table.
The related page information generated by the reprint request setting unit 46 is held and managed by a related page information table as shown in the figure. The figure shows an example of a related page information table when a print output request including a document A consisting of 3 pages and a document B consisting of 5 pages is processed.
The related page information table is a table that holds, for each page of a document requested to be printed, a print setting including a finishing process designated at the time of the request and related page information in association with each other. Yes, when the print server apparatus 4 receives a print output request, the print server apparatus 4 stores the request in association with a document ID for identifying the document related to the request.
In the related page information table, the related page refers to a page that is subjected to finishing processing in association with each page constituting the document. More specifically, when print output is executed for a certain page in response to a request from the distribution source client device 2, a page that needs to be processed together with the certain page when it is physically output on paper. That means. For example, when a two-page document is output on both sides, if attention is paid to the second page, the second page needs to be processed together with the first page, so the first page is a related page. .
In the related page information table, related pages are held for each type of finishing process. This is because only the pages related to the specific finishing process among the finishing processes can be selectively recognized.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a concept of a related page information generation method.
It is conceivable that the related page information is generated when the data processing unit 43 performs the data processing on the print data of the document requested to be printed.
Specifically, the related page information holding unit 44 “print size”, “finishing instruction”, “page number” for print data of a document requested to be printed for each page constituting the document. Etc. are recognized and related pages are extracted.
In extracting related pages, extraction conditions are prepared in advance for each type of finishing process. Then, related pages are grouped in an order determined for each type of finishing process, and after the grouping, related pages are extracted based on the number of pages in each group. However, here, the following description will be given by taking as an example a case where finishing (double-sided printing or the like) across documents is not performed.
For example, if attention is paid to the finishing process for double-sided output, grouping is performed as shown in FIG.
For example, if attention is paid to the finishing process of staples, grouping is performed as shown in FIG.
Then, if finishing processing for both duplex output and stapling is designated, as shown in FIG. 5C, the respective grouping results are combined.
The related page information holding unit 44 generates related page information by the above-described method, and holds and manages the generated related page information using a related page information table. The related page information generation method described here is only a specific example, and other methods may be used for generation.

[Processing example of the entire system]
Next, an example of processing operation of the entire print output system configured as described above will be described.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing operation in the entire print output system according to the present invention.

In the print output system, when a distributed drawing job is performed, a GUI application provided from the print application server device 6 while the distributed drawing request source user (that is, the distribution source user) operates the distribution source client device 2. Using software, a distributed print request is input (step 101; hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”). At this time, a plurality of documents may be targeted for print output per print request. The “document” here refers to an information transmission medium handled as one group (specifically, one file), and particularly includes a medium composed of a plurality of pages. However, the content may be any text document, graphic image, natural image, or the like.
The input request content is sent to the print server apparatus 4 as a print instruction (S102). The print instruction sent to the print server device 4 at this time includes, for example, information indicating the storage location in the repository server device 5 of the print data for the document to be printed, the contents of the print output (size, number of copies, etc.) In addition, information about the content of the finishing process and necessity thereof, and information for specifying the print request source (distribution source user) are included.

When receiving the print instruction, in the print server device 4, the data acquisition means 42 requests the repository server device 5 for the print data designated by the print instruction (S103), and acquires the print data from the repository server device 5 (S104). ). When the print data is acquired, the data processing means 43 performs a data processing process to convert the data format of the print data (S105). Further, the related page information holding unit 44 generates related page information for the print data (S106), and holds the related page information in the related page information table.
The related page information may be generated after data processing (S118) at the time of reprinting, which will be described later. If it is generated at the time of reprinting, the printing process at the time of initial printing is the same as in the previous case (that is, in the case of a configuration not generating related page information), and the resource consumption is the same as in the previous case. However, as described above, if the related page information is generated at the time of initial printing, the related page can be known when the distribution destination user requests reprinting. Can be done.
In this way, the related page information holding unit 44 generates the related page information at the time of initial printing or reprinting, at that time, the “print instruction” and “ This is because “print data” is prepared.

Thereafter, the print server apparatus 4 transfers the acquired print data to the printer apparatus 1 together with information included in the print instruction (S107). As a result, the printer apparatus 1 holds and manages the transferred print data as an accumulated distributed print request. That is, the printer device 1 is in a state where it can perform print output for the print data.
In this state, there is an operation of the distribution destination client apparatus 3 or a direct operation to the printer apparatus 1 by a distributed drawing request destination user (that is, a distribution destination user), and a print output instruction specifying a distributed print request in an accumulated state is input. Then (S108), the printer apparatus 1 performs print output processing including finishing processing on the print data of the distributed print request in the instructed accumulation state.

  By the way, regarding the result of the print output process in the printer apparatus 1, it is conceivable that a normal print output result cannot be obtained for some reason, for example, for a part of the document to be printed. In such a case, the print server device 4 accepts a reprint output request from the distribution destination user for a part of the document, not the whole document.

  The reprint output is performed according to the procedure described below.

  In the print server device 4, when there is a notification that the print output process has been performed from the printer device 1, or the reprint request setting unit 46 makes an inquiry to the printer device 1 at a preset periodic timing. In step S109, information for specifying a distribution destination user who has instructed the print output process (that is, a person who executes the print output process) and information for specifying the print output process itself are acquired. Then, the reprint request setting unit 46 instructs the repository server device 5 to give the authority to perform reprinting for the distribution destination user specified by the acquired information (S111). Accordingly, the repository server device 5 performs setting so as to provide print data to be reprinted in response to a request from the distribution destination user. Further, the reprint request setting unit 46 instructs the print application server apparatus 6 to accept a reprint request for the distribution destination user specified by the acquired information (S112). Thereby, the print application server apparatus 6 provides GUI application software for requesting reprinting in response to a request from the distribution destination user.

  The GUI application software provided by the print application server device 6 is provided to the distribution source client device 2 when a print output is requested, and is provided to the distribution destination client device 3 when a reprint output is requested. The point is different. That is, what is provided at the time of requesting reprint output includes operation setting items for two points, which page is reprinted and which finishing process is considered as a related page. However, regarding which finishing process is considered, only the finishing process that affects the addition of the related page is selected as a selection candidate while referring to the related page information table. For example, if double-sided printing is not instructed at the time of the first print output request, double-sided printing is not included in the selection candidates. Even if double-sided printing is instructed at the time of the first print output request, double-sided printing is not included in the selection candidates for a one-page document.

  Thereafter, in the distribution destination client device 3 operated by the distribution destination user, the reprint output request is input using the GUI application software provided from the print application server device 6 (S113). Then, the input request content is sent to the print server apparatus 4 as a reprint instruction (S114). The reprint instruction sent to the print server device 4 at this time includes, for example, information specifying the page of the document to be reprinted and the contents of the finishing process to be considered (the finishing process selected by the distribution destination user). Information specifying the reprint request source (distribution destination user), information indicating the storage location of the print data in the repository server device 5 for the document to be reprinted, and the document to be reprinted Alternatively, ID information for identifying a print request (that is, information for clarifying which part of the related page information table should be referred to) is included.

  When receiving the reprint instruction, in the print server apparatus 4, the data acquisition means 42 requests the repository server apparatus 5 for the print data designated by the reprint instruction (S115), and acquires the print data from the repository server apparatus 5. (S116). Acquisition of print data at this time is performed in document units. In other words, the necessary files are acquired and not only the necessary pages. Therefore, data is also acquired for a page of a document that is not a target for reprint output. Specifically, for example, if a job including three files is requested for printing at the first printing, and only the first two pages of the first file need to include related pages at the time of reprinting, the first file is unnecessary. Each file is also acquired, including simple pages, and the second and third files are not acquired. This is to avoid acquiring unnecessary files so as not to waste network resources. Although only necessary pages may be acquired, the repository server apparatus 5 normally does not perform data processing such as dividing the file into pages, so that each file is acquired.

  When the print data is acquired, in the print server device 4, the reprint output unit 49 refers to the related page information in the related page information table, and the page is subjected to the finishing process in association with the page of the document to be reprinted. Is recognized (S117). The page recognized at this time is a page that is processed in association with a part of pages to be reprinted when performing the finishing process selected by the distribution destination user. Then, the page for which the reprint output is requested and the page recognized as being subjected to the finishing process are set as the targets of the reprint output and the finishing process performed in association with the reprint output.

  Thereafter, in the print server device 4, the data processing means 43 performs data processing to convert the data format of the print data (S118). At this time, the data processing performed by the data processing means 43 includes processing for dividing the file into pages.

  Then, the print server device 4 transfers the print data after the data processing for the page to be processed to the printer device 1 (S119). As a result, the printer apparatus 1 is in a state where it can perform reprint output for the print data. In this state, when there is an operation of the distribution destination client device 3 by the distribution destination user or a direct operation to the printer device 1 and a reprint output instruction is input (S120), the printer device 1 displays the instructed print data. The reprint output process including the finishing process is performed.

  When a normal processing result is obtained as a result of the reprint output process of such a procedure, the distributed output requested by the printer apparatus 1 or the distribution destination client apparatus 3 is made in response to the transfer completion operation by the distribution destination user. Information indicating that the drawing has been normally completed is notified to the print server apparatus 4 (S121). In response to this notification, in the print server device 4, the reprint request setting means 46 instructs the print application server device 6 to delete the processed reprint print settings (S122). Then, the repository server apparatus 5 is instructed to delete the print authority setting for the distribution destination user that has been processed (S123). Then, the print server device 4 notifies the distribution source client device 2 which is the request source of the distributed drawing, to the information that the distributed drawing has been normally completed (S124), and relates to the distributed drawing. A series of processing operations are terminated.

[Example of processing operation in print server device]
Next, in particular, the processing control operation executed by the print server device 4 in the series of processing operation examples as described above will be described in more detail.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first processing control operation example executed by the print server device in the print output system according to the present invention. The figure shows an example of processing operation when a request for distributed drawing is received.

  As shown in the figure, when a print instruction is received from the distribution source client apparatus 2 (S201), the print server apparatus 4 prints each document (file) included in the print instruction individually. Is generated (S202). The print setting information group generated at this time includes related page information stored in the related page information table in addition to information on finishing processing to be performed at the time of print output. Hereinafter, the generated result is referred to as “print setting A”.

Thereafter, the print server device 4 generates a notification mail to the distribution destination client device 3 operated by the distribution destination user. At this time, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for accessing the print setting A is described in the notification mail to be generated (S203). The notification mail may be generated using a known technique.
The print server device 4 generates a print processing request (corresponding to a job processing execution request including print data) according to the received print instruction, and transfers the print processing request to the printer device 1 that executes the print processing (S204).
Then, the print server device 4 transmits the generated notification mail to the distribution destination client device 3 operated by the distribution destination user (S205). Thereby, the distribution destination user grasps that the printer apparatus 1 is in a state where the print data can be printed out.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a second processing control operation example executed by the print server device in the print output system according to the present invention. In the example shown in the drawing, an example of processing operation from when print output of print data is executed until a request for reprint output is received is shown.

  As shown in the figure, in the print server device 4, the operation content by the distribution destination user who has logged in to the printer device 1 is triggered by a notification from the printer device 1 or a preset periodic timing. Monitoring is performed (S301). Then, in the printer apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not print output processing for the stored job has been executed, that is, whether or not an output operation for the stored job has been performed by the distribution destination user (S302).

  As a result, when there is an output operation by the distribution destination user, the print server apparatus 4 gives the distribution destination user who has logged in to the printer apparatus 1 the access right to the print setting A group. The distribution destination user is given the authority to reprint the print setting group A (S303). Specifically, the repository server apparatus 5 and the print application server apparatus 6 are instructed to perform settings for giving reprint authority.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of granting reprint authority. The figure shows a specific example of a reprint authority management table. It is assumed that such a management table is stored in the print server device 4 or a storage device that can be accessed by the print server device 4.
For example, consider a case in which users A, B, and C are designated as distribution destination users in a print instruction from the distribution source client device 2. Even in this case, if the distribution destination user who has caused the printer apparatus 1 to execute the print output process according to the print instruction, that is, the distribution destination user who has logged in to the printer apparatus 1 is the user A, The reprint authority is given to the user A.

In FIG. 8, after giving the reprint authority of the print setting A group to the distribution destination user who has logged in to the printer device 1 (S303), the print server device 4 distributes the distribution destination user to operate. The reprint output request from the destination client device 3 is monitored, and it is determined whether or not there is a reprint output request for the print setting A group (S304).
As a result, if there is a request for reprint output, the print server device 4 includes the page to be processed in relation to the page requested for reprint output, and sends the print data to the printer device 1. Transfer (S305). As a result, the printer apparatus 1 is in a state where it can perform reprint output for the print data.
After the print data for reprint output is transferred to the printer apparatus 1 (S305) or after the reprint authority is given to the distribution destination user, the reprint output is output even if a preset time has elapsed. If there is no request (S304), the print server device 4 deletes the information about the print setting A group (S306), and cancels the state in which the print setting A group can be reprinted. Therefore, after that, even if there is a request for reprint output for the print setting group A, execution of reprint output by the request is restricted.

As described above, the print server apparatus 4 requests the reprint output of the document based on the print information of the document requested to be distributed and the execution information when the finishing process associated with the print output is performed. Restrict the authority to perform Here, the execution information specifically refers to information specifying the distribution destination user (login user) who executed the print output, or information specifying the print output execution timing (elapsed time since the reprint authority was granted). Etc. In addition, the restriction of authority is specifically set in advance by granting a reprint request authority to the distribution destination user who executed the print output and not granting it to other users, or granting the reprint authority. It corresponds to accepting a reprint request until the time has passed but not accepting it thereafter.
That is, the print server device 4 determines whether or not the request can be accepted after limiting the authority to request the reprint output. Accordingly, a reprint request is accepted only for a limited user or period.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific example of the setting screen when requesting reprint output.
The figure shows a specific example of an operation screen displayed and output by the distribution destination client device 3 while using the GUI application software provided from the print application server device 6 when requesting reprint output. More specifically, an example of an operation screen in which a setting tab for reprinting is added to the print request screen is shown.
The other tabs on the operation screen, that is, the tabs of “print setting” and “print target data” can be referred to when reprint output is requested, but the settings cannot be changed. That is, the print setting for the finishing process at the time of the first print instruction and the print data to be printed are held so that they cannot be changed by the distribution destination user. The items that can be changed by the distribution-destination user when requesting reprint output are which pages of the document to be printed are to be reprinted and which finishing process is taken into account when adding related pages. There are two specified items.
Specifically, in the illustrated example, each document of “drawing AAA”, “drawing BBB”, “description 01”, and “description 02” is distributed to the distribution destination user who operates the distribution destination client device 3. This shows a case where the authority to request reprint output is given. Among these, for “drawing AAA”, the number “1” is entered in the designation field, and the first page is designated to be reprinted. For “drawing BBB”, the number “2-5” is entered in the designation column, and the second, third, fourth, and fifth pages are designated to be reprinted. For “instruction 01”, the designation column is blank, and it is designated not to request reprinting. For “Description 02”, the number “3, 5” is entered in the designation field, and the third page and the fifth page are designated to be reprinted.
Also, regarding the finishing process to be considered, “staple” is grayed out. According to the related page information table generated at the time of initial printing that is the target of reprint output, stapling is a finishing process that does not affect the addition of related pages, and therefore cannot be input on the print application server device 6 side. An example of the case is shown.
Furthermore, “double-sided printing” has a check mark in an example in which it is designated to add a related page in consideration of double-sided printing.

  As described above, when requesting reprint output, the selection of the finishing process accompanying the reprint output is designated on the distribution destination client device 3 operated by the distribution destination user. That is, of the finishing processes corresponding to the initial printing, which finishing process should be considered at the time of reprint output or which finishing process should not be performed at the time of reprint output is designated by the distribution destination user. Then, when the selection is specified, in the print server device 4, the process selection receiving unit 47 receives the specification result of the selection. Therefore, when the reprint output is performed, the selection specification result is reflected, and the finishing process required by the distribution destination user is performed along with the reprint output.

By the way, when specifying the sorting for the finishing process, in the print server device 4, the reprint information notifying unit 48 notifies the distribution destination client device 3 that is the request source of the reprint output of the following information. Can be considered. That is, the reprint information notifying unit 48 notifies information specifying a page recognized as a related page based on the related page information as information related to a page to be reprinted. The information specifying the page may be information on the total number of related pages.
If such information notification is performed, the distribution destination client device 3 to which the information is notified provides the distribution destination user with a judgment material for selecting the finishing process. In other words, when the initial state of the print output is reproduced including the finishing process that accompanies the reprint output when the document is reprinted, the user who is the requester of the reprint output and the distribution destination user reproduces it. It becomes possible to recognize the state. Specifically, for example, it is possible to know how many pages are additionally output as related pages in addition to the selected page.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a third processing control operation example executed by the print server device in the print output system according to the present invention. The illustrated example shows a processing operation example from when a reprint output request is made until the reprint output and a page to be subjected to the finishing process performed in association with the reprint output are specified.

  As shown in the figure, when the print server device 4 receives a request for reprint output (S401), the print server device 4 recognizes the page of the document designated to perform the reprint output as the print target page. (S402). When a plurality of pages are designated, the plurality of pages are recognized as print target pages.

When the print target page is recognized, in the print server device 4, the reprint output unit 49 pays attention to one of the print target pages. Then, the reprint output unit 49 refers to the related page information in the related page information table for one noticed page and extracts information of all pages related to the one page (S403).
In addition, the reprint output unit 49 pays attention to one of the finishing processes selected as the finishing process to be considered in the reprint output, and extracts related page information regarding the one finishing process that has been focused (S404). Then, out of all the pages taken out as the pages related to the one page of interest, the pages that are related in performing the one finishing process are extracted.
For the page extracted in this way, the reprint output means 49 determines that the reprint output and the finishing process are to be performed as a page that needs to be subjected to the finishing process when reprinting one noticed page. It adds to object (S405).

  Subsequently, the reprint output unit 49 determines whether there are any other finishing processes selected (S406). If there are other finishing processes to be considered, one of the finishing processes is determined. Paying attention to the above, the above-described processing is repeated again (S404 to S405).

  If there is no other finishing process to be considered (S406), the reprint output unit 49 determines whether there is any remaining print target page (S407). If there are remaining pages, paying attention to one of them, the above-described processing is repeated again (S403 to S406). That is, the above-described processing is repeated until all the print target pages are completed.

  Through the processing as described above, the print server apparatus 4 sets the page for which the reprint output is requested and the page to be subjected to the finishing process as the targets of the reprint output and the finishing process. It is.

Here, as a specific example of processing, for example, a case where the distribution destination user requests reprint output for the third page of document ID: AAA in consideration of all finishing processes. It is assumed that the fourth page of document ID: AAA is related to the third page in order to perform the finishing process of double-sided output.
In such a case, the print server device 4 recognizes only the third page of the AAA designated by the distribution destination user as the print target page (S402). Thereafter, the print server apparatus 4 acquires information relating to the third page of AAA from the related information table (S403), and recognizes that the fourth page of AAA is related for duplex output (S404). Based on this, the print server device 4 adds the fourth page of AAA to the print target page of the reprint output (S405). Since there is no related page in the other finishing process indications (S406), the process proceeds to the process for the next print target page. At this time, since the fourth page of AAA is added as a print target page, the print server apparatus 4 repeats the above-described processing for the fourth page of AAA (S403 to S407).
As a result, the print server device 4 transfers data for reprint output to the printer device 1 for the third and fourth pages of AAA together with the finishing process for duplex output. .

As described above, the print server device 4 generates the related page information for each processing page in consideration of the finishing process when the distribution source user requests the distributed drawing, and stores the related page information table. The related page information is retained and managed by using it. Then, when a page to be reprinted is specified by the distribution destination user, a page related to the specified page is extracted based on the management contents in the related page information table, and the extracted page is printed. In addition, a set of print instructions is generated, and data is transferred to the printer apparatus 1 that executes the reprint output.
Therefore, in the print output system including the print server device 4 having such a functional configuration, when a reprint output is performed on a part of a document, the requester of the reprint output relates to the part of the page. Thus, there is no need to consider the page to be processed in this way, the processing to be performed accompanying the reprint output, and the like.

For example, let us consider a case where a double-sided output finishing process is performed on a document consisting of 10 pages, and only the second and eighth pages are reprinted.
At this time, in a system that does not have the configuration described in the present embodiment, if the second and eighth pages are simply selected and designated for reprint output, the output result with the second and eighth pages turned upside down is displayed. Will get. That is, in order to obtain the same result as the initial print output, it is necessary to select and specify the first, second, seventh, and eighth pages.
However, in the print output system including the print server device 4 having the configuration described in the present embodiment, if the second and eighth pages are selected and specified, the first and seventh pages are extracted as related pages. Therefore, the same result as the initial print output is obtained. In other words, there is no need for the reprint output requester to consider the pages processed in connection with some pages, the processing associated with the reprint output, and the like. You can do it.

In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the suitable Example of this invention, this invention is not limited to the content.
That is, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the present embodiment, and may be changed without departing from the gist thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer apparatus, 2 ... Distribution origin client apparatus, 3 ... Distribution destination client apparatus, 4 ... Print server apparatus, 5 ... Repository server apparatus, 6 ... Print application server apparatus, 7 ... Network line, 41 ... Print request reception means, 42 ... Data acquisition means, 43 ... Data processing means, 44 ... Related page information holding means, 45 ... Reprint request accepting means, 46 ... Reprint request setting means, 47 ... Process selection accepting means, 48 ... Reprint information notifying means 49. Reprint output means

Claims (7)

Print request accepting means for accepting a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a request for processing accompanying the print output;
Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing each page of the document, the content of processing performed on each page, and the relationship between the pages related to each of the pages ;
Reprint request accepting means for accepting a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages;
A process selection accepting unit that accepts a selection for the content of a part of related page information of the plurality of pages for which the request for reprint output is accepted;
The associated page a page to be processed in connection with the part of the page, respectively included in the request of the reprinting output recognized based on the information, the part that is included in the request for re-printout pages, respectively, and this page And a reprint output means for printing a page processed in association with the related page information on which the content is selected . The print management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reprint request setting unit configured to set conditions for requesting reprint output for a document. The print management apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a process selection receiving unit that receives a selection instruction for a process to be performed accompanying the reprint output at the time of the reprint output. The print management according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising: reprint information notifying means for notifying the reprint output requester of information relating to a page to be reprinted by the reprint output means. apparatus. A first terminal device for requesting a printout of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a process to be performed in association with the printout;
A second terminal device that requests reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages;
A print output requested from the first terminal device and a process associated with the print output are executed, and a reprint output requested from the second terminal device and a process associated with the reprint output are executed. A printing device;
A print management device that accepts requests from the first terminal device and the second terminal device and performs processing necessary to execute the accepted request;
The print management apparatus includes:
Print request accepting means for accepting a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a request for processing accompanying the print output;
Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing each page of the document, the content of processing performed on each page, and the relationship between the pages related to each of the pages ;
Reprint request accepting means for accepting a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages;
A process selection accepting unit that accepts a selection for the content of a part of related page information of the plurality of pages for which the request for reprint output is accepted;
The associated page a page to be processed in connection with the part of the page, respectively included in the request of the reprinting output recognized based on the information, the part that is included in the request for re-printout pages, respectively, and this page printout system characterized by having a reprint output means a page to be processed in connection with, performing printing based on the relevant page information which the content has been selected. A print request receiving means for receiving a request for processing to be performed in association with the print output and the print output of the document consisting of a plurality of pages, the contents of processing to be performed on each page and the respective pages of the document, to each of the page Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing relations with related pages, reprint request receiving means for receiving a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages, and request for the reprint output A process selection accepting unit that accepts selection for the contents of some related page information of the plurality of pages received, and each of some pages included in the reprint output request based on the related page information. The pages to be processed are recognized, and each of the pages included in the reprint output request and the pages processed in relation to this page are printed based on the related page information on which the contents are selected . Re-mark to do Connection means for connecting to a print management device comprising a printing output means;
A request for reprint output is made to a part of the plurality of pages through the connection means to the print management apparatus, and a part of the pages included in the request for reprint output are related to the print management apparatus. Reprint requesting means for causing the page to be processed to be printed based on the related page information for which the content has been selected . Computer
Print request accepting means for accepting a print output of a document consisting of a plurality of pages and a request for processing accompanying the print output;
Related page information holding means for holding related page information describing each page of the document, the content of processing performed on each page, and the relationship between the pages related to each of the pages ;
Reprint request accepting means for accepting a request for reprint output for a part of the plurality of pages;
A process selection accepting unit that accepts a selection for the content of a part of related page information of the plurality of pages for which the request for reprint output is accepted;
The associated page a page to be processed in connection with the part of the page, respectively included in the request of the reprinting output recognized based on the information, the part that is included in the request for re-printout pages, respectively, and this page related pages to be processed, a program for causing to function as a re-print output unit configured to perform printing based on the relevant page information which the content has been selected.

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