Information notifyin device and method, computer readable program and storage medium

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to an information notification device for notifying the end of printing, an information notification method, a computer-readable program, and a storage medium.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, an information processing device such as a computer and a plurality of printers (devices) are communicably connected, and the information processing device receives a print end notification from a printer capable of confirming printing, which is a function of confirming the printing status, and performs information processing. There is a print system that displays a print end notification on the display unit of the device. In the print system, it is possible to register a device of a model that can confirm printing and a device of a model that cannot confirm printing in a mixed manner.

【0003】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, the above-mentioned conventional example has the following problems. In the above-mentioned print system in which a device of a model that can confirm printing and a device of a model that cannot confirm printing are mixed and registered, printing ends both at the end of data transmission from the information processing device to the device and at the time of print confirmation. It was not possible to use different settings to display notifications. Also, in relation to the capabilities of the device, it was not possible to preset the default settings that are automatically set when not specified by the user from the range of print end notification display settings that can be used for each device. .. Further, when the print end notification setting is automatically changed due to the influence of other settings, the user cannot know that the print end notification setting has been changed.

【0004】

In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to allow the user to properly use a setting for notifying the end of printing at both the end of job transmission and the end of printing due to the difference in the ability of the print confirmation function of the device and the system. And, even if the user does not judge the ability of the device to be registered, the default print end notification setting is set within the range of the print end notification setting that can be used, and the print end. The purpose is to automatically change the print end notification setting to an available setting when other settings that affect the notification setting are changed, and notify the user that the print end notification setting has been automatically changed.

【0005】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the information notification device of the present invention has an input means for setting the timing of the print end notification at the print end time of the device or the data transmission end time to the device, and the print end notification timing. If it is set at the end of transmission, a print end notification is given at the end of data transmission to the device, and if the timing of the print end notification is set at the end of printing, printing ends at the end of printing of the device. It is characterized by having a notification means for giving a notification.

【0006】

Further, in the information notification method of the present invention, the input step of setting the timing of the print end notification to the print end time of the device or the data transmission end time to the device is set, and the print end notification timing is set to the transmission end time. If set, a notification step of giving a print end notification at the end of data transmission to the device, and giving a print end notification at the end of printing of the device when the timing of the print end notification is set at the print end time. It is characterized by having and.

【0007】

Further, the computer-readable program of the present invention has an input function for setting the timing of the print end notification to the computer at the time when the print end of the device or the time when the data transmission to the device ends, and the timing of the print end notification. If it is set at the end of transmission, a print end notification is given at the end of data transmission to the device, and if the timing of the print end notification is set at the end of printing, printing ends at the end of printing of the device. It is characterized by executing a notification function for notifying.

【0008】

Further, the storage medium of the present invention is characterized in that the program is stored.

【0009】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

【0010】

[First Embodiment]

First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. This information processing system has a configuration in which an information processing device 101 as a server, information processing devices 102, 103, 104 as a plurality of client computers (clients), and a printing device 105 as a plurality of network printers are connected by a network 106. It has become. It is assumed that one or more client computers in this information processing system are connected. Further, in this example, only one network printer is shown for convenience.

【0011】

In FIG. 1, the information processing devices 102, 103, and 104 as client computers (clients) are connected to the network 106 by a network cable such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and can execute various programs such as application programs. Yes, it is equipped with a printer driver that has the function of converting print data into a printer language compatible with the network printer 105. The client supports a plurality of printer drivers as the printer driver. Further, the network printer 105 can be applied to various printing devices such as a laser beam printer adopting an electrophotographic method, an inkjet printer adopting an inkjet method, and a thermal transfer printer using a thermal transfer method. Of course, it is assumed.

【0012】

The information processing device 101 as a server (hereinafter, referred to as a print server) of the first embodiment is connected to the network 106 by a network cable, and stores files used in the network 106, or is connected to the network 106. Monitor usage status. The print server 101 manages a plurality of network printers 106 connected to the network 106. In the configuration of the first embodiment, the client computers 102 to 104 and the print server 101 are general information processing devices, and the client computers 102 to 104 and the print server 101 have print controls that perform different controls. The program is stored executablely.

【0013】

Further, the print server 101 can also have the functions of the client computers 102 to 104 at the same time. Further, the print server 101 stores and prints a print job including print data for which a print request is issued from the client computers 102, 103, 104, or does not include print data from the client computers 102, 103, 104. Receives only job information, manages the print order of client computers 102, 103, 104, notifies the client computer in the print order of permission to send a print job including print data, and the status of network printer 105 and printing. It has a function to acquire various job information and notify the client computers 102, 103, 104.

【0014】

The network printer 105, which is a printing device, is connected to the network 106 via a network interface (not shown), analyzes print jobs including print data transmitted from client computers 102 to 104, and converts them into dot images one page at a time. Convert and print page by page. The network 106 is connected to client computers 102, 103, 104, a print server 101, a network printer 105, and the like.

【0015】

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment. This information processing device includes a CPU 200, ROM 201, RAM 202, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) drive 203, FD204, a hard disk (HD) 205, a keyboard 206, a display 207, a system bus 208, and an interface 209. The client computers 102, 103, and 104, which are information processing devices, have the same hardware configuration as in FIG. 2, and the print server 101, which is an information processing device, also has the same or equivalent hardware configuration as in FIG. Therefore, FIG. 2 will be described as a block diagram illustrating the configurations of the client computers 102 to 104 and the print server 101.

【0016】

In FIG. 2, the CPU 200 is a control means of the information processing device, and executes an application program, a printer driver program, an OS (operating system), a network printer control program of the present invention, etc. stored in the hard disk (HD) 205. , RAM202 controls to temporarily store information, files, etc. necessary for program execution. The ROM 201 is a read-only storage means, and internally stores various data such as programs such as basic I / O programs, font data used during document processing, and template data. The ROM 202 is a temporary storage means, and functions as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the CPU 200.

【0017】

The FD drive 203 is a storage medium reading means, and as shown in FIG. 5 described later, a program or the like stored in the FD 204 as a storage medium can be loaded into the information processing apparatus (computer system) through the FD drive 203. .. The storage medium is not limited to FD, but may be CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, PC card, DVD, IC memory card, MO, memory stick, or the like. The FD204 is a storage medium in which a computer-readable program is stored, and is detachably attached to the FD drive 203.

【0018】

The hard disk (HD) 205 is one of the external storage means and functions as a large-capacity memory, and stores an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, related programs, and the like. Further, a spooler as a spool means is secured in HD205. The spool means is a client spooler in the client computers 102 to 104, and a server spooler in the print server 101. Further, in the print server 101, a table for storing job information received from the client computers 102 to 104 and performing order control is also generated and stored in the HD 205.

【0019】

The keyboard 206 is an instruction input means, in which a user inputs an instruction of a device control command or the like to a client computer 102 to 104, or an operator or an administrator to a print server 101. The display 207 is a display means for displaying commands input from the keyboard 206, the status of the network printer 105, and the like. The system bus 208 controls the flow of data in the information processing devices such as the client computers 102 to 104 and the print server 101. The interface 209 is an input / output means, and the information processing device exchanges data with an external device via the interface 209.

【0020】

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the RAM 202 of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and shows a memory map in a state where the network printer control program loaded from the FD204 is loaded into the RAM 202 and can be executed. It is a figure which shows. The memory map 300 of the RAM 202 is composed of the basic I / O program 301, the OS 302, the network printer control program 303, the related data 304, and the work area 305.

【0021】

In the first embodiment, an example in which the network printer control program and related data are directly loaded from the FD204 into the RAM 202 and executed is shown, but in addition to this, every time the network printer control program is operated from the FD204, the network is already used. You may want to load from HD205, which has the printer control program installed, into RAM202. The medium for storing the network printer control program may be a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a PC card, a DVD, or an IC memory card, in addition to the FD. Further, it is also possible to store this network printer control program in ROM 201, configure it to be a part of the memory map, and execute it directly on the CPU 200. In addition, software that realizes the same functions as each of the above devices can be configured as an alternative to the hardware device.

【0022】

Further, this network printer control program may be simply called a print control program. Print control program has been and instructs the printing destination changing print job, an instruction to change the printing order in the client computers 102-104 includes a program for controlling the order, and in the print server 101, the print job It includes a program for controlling the order of print jobs and for notifying the end of printing of a print job and a request to change the print destination. Further, the print control program of the present invention that performs such control may separately separate the module installed on the client computers 102 to 104 and the module installed on the print server 101, or one print control program. However, depending on the environment in which it is executed, it may function as a client computer or as a print server. Alternatively, it is also possible to install a module having a function for a client computer and a module functioning for a print server on one computer, and to operate them simultaneously or in a time-division manner in a pseudo-parallel manner.

【0023】

In FIG. 3, the basic I / O program 301 has an IPL (initial program loading) function that starts the operation of the OS by reading the OS from the HD205 into the RAM202 when the power of the information processing device is turned on. This is the area that contains the program you have. OS302 is an area for storing the operating system. The network printer control program 303 is stored in the area reserved on the RAM 202. The related data 304 is stored in the area reserved on the RAM 202. In the work area 305, an area where the CPU 200 executes the network printer control program is secured.

【0024】

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the FD204 of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. The memory map of the FD204 is composed of volume information 401, directory information 402, network printer control program 403, related data 404, and the like.

【0025】

In FIG. 4, 400 is the data content of the FD204. Volume information 401 indicates data information. Directory information 402 is information for file management of FD204. The network printer control program 403 is a print control program described in the first embodiment. The related data 404 is the related data of the network printer control program 403. The network printer control program 403 is programmed based on the flowchart described in the first embodiment, and in the first embodiment, both the client computers 102 to 104 and the print server 101 have the same configuration. ing.

【0026】

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the network printer control program and related data are supplied to the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 by the FD drive 203 and the FD 204. The same components as those in FIG. 2 in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals.

【0027】

In FIG. 5, the FD204 stores the network printer control program and related data described in the first embodiment. The network printer control program and related data are supplied to the information processing device via the FD drive 203 and the FD204.

【0028】

Next, in the information processing system of the first embodiment, a plurality of network printers are used to distribute print jobs to a plurality of network printers for printing, and a plurality of copies of print jobs are distributed to a plurality of networks. A print job control system that performs printing processing such as broadcast printing in which one copy is distributed to each printer and printing by the network printer on behalf of another network printer will be described.

【0029】

In the first embodiment, print settings can be centrally instructed to individual printer drivers corresponding to each of a plurality of print devices (network printers), and a despooler (described in detail later). A driver that generates basic data (general-purpose document data) for generating a general-purpose print file for notifying each printer driver of a drawing command is called a group printer driver. Further, each printer driver that depends on the print device is called a member printer driver.

【0030】

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how a print job issued from a general application such as Microsoft Word (registered trademark) is processed in the print job control system in the client-server model of this information processing system. ..

【0031】

In FIG. 6, the client machine 600 is a machine on which the client module of the print job control system operates. Normally, when a print instruction is given, the application program 601 generates a series of drawing instructions via the graphic function of the OS and passes it to the Windows® spooler 604 via the group printer driver 603. The Windows® spooler 604 takes steps to pass print job data to a port monitor selected by the user and send it to a print device (printing device) 650. In the first embodiment, the user specifies in advance the port monitor 621 for the print job control system (hereinafter, abbreviated as the job control port monitor in the first embodiment) and instructs printing.

【0032】

The application program 601 generates drawing instructions via a series of OSs. In the group printer driver 603 that received the drawing command, the print job data is generated in the job control port monitor 621 instead of the port monitor that generates the general-purpose document data for generating the general-purpose print file and sends the print job data to the print device 650. Send as. The job control port monitor 621 does not transmit the print job data to the print device 650, but transmits the print job data to the print service 622 for the print job control system (hereinafter, abbreviated as job control print service in the first embodiment).

【0033】

The job control print service 622 has a function of managing the status of jobs / devices managed by the job control server 630. Furthermore, if the print device 650 and the client machine 600 operate in a peer-to-peer connection environment (a non-hierarchical connection environment), the job control print service 622 will notify the device status and job of the print device 650. It also has a function to manage information such as the status and give a predetermined command to the print device 650. This corresponds to a function of managing device information and job information of a plurality of print devices 650.

【0034】

The print manager 623 for the print job control system (hereinafter abbreviated as job control print manager in the first embodiment) allows the user to check the state of the print job inside the job control print service 622. It is a program that provides a user interface (UI) for operating print jobs. The job control print manager 623 sends and receives information to and from the job control print service 622 via the software interface (API: Application Program Interface) of the job control print service 622, and is mainly managed by the job control print service 622. It has a function to acquire the status information of the external print device 650 as an event.

【0035】

The types of event notifications are warnings that the toner level is low, communication failure between the client machine 600 and the print device 650, insufficient memory, and the output tray is full of paper. Notification of error / warning information such as full discharge tray indicating that the paper has become full, and notification of normal information indicating that the error state has returned to the normal state are assumed.

【0036】

The print job control system server 630 (hereinafter abbreviated as job control server in the first embodiment) determines the timing at which the job control print service 622 on each client machine 600 sends print job data to the print device 650. Centralized control (scheduling). In addition, the job control server 630 monitors the printer status such as the power control status and failure information (paper jam) during printing on each print device (printing device) 650 that can communicate via the network, and the job control print service. It has a function to notify the event to 622. Here, regarding the monitoring of the state change of the printer status, the job control print service 622 can also directly acquire the notification (event) of the state change from the print device 650.

【0037】

The management console 633 for the print job control system (hereinafter abbreviated as the job control management console in the first embodiment) is the job control server 630 and information via the API for access by the software of the job control server 630. By exchanging instructions, the entire print job control system can be monitored. Further, the job control server 630 communicates with each print device 650 by using the device information control module 631 to obtain information on the print job and the operating state in each print device, and to perform an operation. The obtained information can be passed to the job control print service 622 on the client machine 600 side.

【0038】

Next, printing from the group printer driver 603 of the client machine 600 in the first embodiment will be described.

【0039】

The group printer driver 603 generates the general-purpose document data described above based on a series of drawing commands generated by the application program 601. This general-purpose document data is converted by the job-controlled print service 622 into a general-purpose print file, which is an intermediate format file independent of the type of the print device 650. The structure of this general-purpose print file will be described later.

【0040】

As described above, this general-purpose print file is led from the Windows® spooler 604 via the job control port monitor 621 (a) to the job control print service 622 (b). The job control print service 622 generates a drawing command based on the general-purpose print file according to the type of job control performed for this print job (c), and then the PDL (Page Description Language) driver 602 draws the drawing command. Make the command a PDL file that the print device 650 can interpret.

【0041】

Figure 6 shows an example in which the job control print service 622 performs job control that divides the print job into two for the above print job, and an example in which two member jobs are generated is shown by two arrows (c). ). The PDL file generated by the PDL driver 602 is passed to the job control print service 622 again (e) via the Windows® spooler 604, the job control port monitor 621 (d). The job control print service 622 sends the print job data of the PDL to the print device 650 according to the instruction of the job control server 630 (f).

【0042】

The job control print service 622 logically divides one general-purpose print file into a plurality of print jobs and sends them to different print devices according to the instructions in the print instructions in the general-purpose print file, or prints once sent. Resend job data to another print device. (C) (d) (e) (f) in FIG. 6 show the route of the print job data in such a case.

【0043】

On the other hand, when the application software creates a general-purpose print file and the application software directly submits the general-purpose print file as a print job, the general application includes how to pass information to the group printer driver 603 and the group printer driver 603. The processing content in is different. As described above, in the case of a general application, when passing drawing information to the group printer driver 603, the application program 601 calls the GDI (Graphics Device Interface) function of Windows (registered trademark) in the same way as a normal printer driver. The group printer driver 603 generates general-purpose document data accordingly, and the generated general-purpose document data is generated in a general-purpose print file by the job control print service 622.

【0044】

On the other hand, in the case of an application that directly creates a general-purpose print file, the application program 601 already has the general-purpose print file and supplies it to the group printer driver 603. The group printer driver 603 rewrites the print instruction inside the general-purpose print file based on a preset printing method as necessary, and sends it to the Windows (registered trademark) spooler 604.

【0045】

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a general-purpose print file. The general-purpose print file used in the first embodiment includes a print instruction unit 8-a and a document data unit 8-b. The print instruction unit 8-a is a part in which document information and print instructions are described. In addition, the document data section 8-b converts the application data into general-purpose format data, and has a data format that does not depend on the printer language.

【0046】

The print instruction unit 8-a consists of a header unit, a page information unit, a print format instruction unit, an output method specification unit, a group printer driver setting information unit, a number of member printers, a member printer driver name, a member printer driver setting information unit, and the like. Has been done.

【0047】

The header part is a part for storing information such as version identification and file information of this general-purpose print file. The page information section is a section that stores information such as the number of pages of document data and the size of each page in the document data section 8-b. The print format instruction unit is a part that stores information related to output format such as print page range, number of copies to be printed, imposition information of document data (N-UP, bookbinding printing, etc.), staple instruction, punch instruction, and the like. The output method designation unit is a part that stores information such as distributed printing, color / monochrome distributed printing, proxy printing, and broadcast printing as an output method.

【0048】

The group printer driver setting information unit is a part that stores the setting information of the UI of the group printer driver 603, which will be described later. The number of member printers is a part that stores the number of member printers associated with the group printer driver 603. The member printer driver name is a part that stores the printer driver name of the member printer. The member printer driver setting information unit is a part that stores, for example, DEVMODE information as setting information of the driver UI of the member printer. The member printer driver name and the member printer driver setting information unit have as many storage areas as the number stored in the above-mentioned number of member printers.

【0049】

In the group printer driver 603 described with reference to FIG. 6 above, when a general-purpose print file is generated, the settings on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of the group printer driver 603 are recorded in the print instruction unit 8-a. Further, the group printer driver 603 converts the data received by GDI of Windows (registered trademark) into general-purpose data and records it as document data in the document data section 8-b of this general-purpose print file.

【0050】

Next, FIG. 7 describes in more detail the relationship between the print job and the print job control system provided by Windows (registered trademark) and the processing outline.

【0051】

In FIG. 7, the print job control system 700 shows the range of the print job control system across the physical machines on which the server and client control programs run. In addition, the output port (Output Port) 711 managed by the server is associated with the proxy output port (Proxy Output Port) 712 of the client job control print service 622, and the proxy output on each client associated with one port. All ports are managed in a unified manner.

【0052】

In the first embodiment, the actual print job data is held on the proxy output port 712 of each client. The job control server 630 does not transmit the print job data itself, but only instructs the job control print service 622 to send the print job. In response to the instruction, the client job control print service 622 sends the print job data to the print device 650.

【0053】

Next, processing when the print job control system 700 performs value-added printing such as proxy printing, distributed printing, and broadcast printing will be described.

【0054】

When the print job control system 700 performs value-added printing such as proxy printing, distributed printing, and broadcast printing, the user or application program 601 is the print device assigned by the group printer driver 603 as described above. You must submit a print job to. The job control print service 622 receives the job data processed by the group printer driver 603 as a general-purpose print file via the job control port monitor 621. The job control print service 622 receives this job and issues a job (member job) to another print device to which the PDL driver is assigned via the despooler 701 to print.

【0055】

At this time, the Despula 701 interprets the print instruction section 8-a of the general-purpose print file described in FIG. 8 above, processes the document data of the document data section 8-b, and converts it into the GDI of Windows (registered trademark). Converts, gives print instructions to each printer driver, and issues a print job. For example, if a 2-UP instruction is recorded in the print format specification section of the print instruction section 8-a, the document data for two pages is reduced and laid out on one sheet of paper. Further, in the case of distributed printing or broadcast printing, a job is issued to a plurality of member printers described in the print instruction unit 8-a according to those settings. In the case of proxy printing, when the proxy condition is satisfied, a member job is issued according to a preset setting in the automatic proxy and a user operation in the manual proxy. Further, a module different from the Despuller 701 described above is made to extract instruction information corresponding to each member printer driver from the print instruction unit 8-a, and a print instruction to each of the extracted member printer drivers is given to the Despulator 701. A form that makes you interpret is also assumed.

【0056】

Further, when the Despuller 701 issues a job to each member printer, it is necessary to create a DEVMODE of each member printer as a print instruction corresponding to the member printer driver. This DEVMODE is described in the print instruction section 8-a. The contents are reflected in the DEVMODE of each member printer as appropriate and generated.

【0057】

The client-side job control print service 622 receives the PDL data of each member job rendered by the PDL driver 602 via the job control port monitor 621, informs the server side of the information about the received job, and the job data is Temporarily hold it in its own Proxy Output Queue (Proxy Output Port) 712. After that, after receiving the transmission instruction from the job control server 630, it is transmitted to the print device 650.

【0058】

<Port Creation Process> Next, regarding the port creation process associated with the print device according to the first embodiment of the setting method of the present invention, the flowchart of FIG. 9 and FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 13. This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the port creation process. The flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed by the CPU 200 of the information processing apparatus (print server 101 or client computers 102 to 104) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the network printer control program of the present invention stored in the HD 205. The screens of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, and 14 are displayed on the display 207 of the information processing apparatus. On the display 207, RAW or LPR can be selected as the protocol between the information processing device and the printing device (see Fig. 11 etc.).

【0059】

In step S901, in the setting method of the present invention, the user starts creating a port associated with the print device to which the print job is output, for example, a UI for adding a port is opened. In the first embodiment, port creation is described, for example, as the configuration UI requests the job control print service 622 on the same machine through the API and is recorded as configuration information for each port in a storage area such as a registry. However, if it is recorded as setting information for each port and can be read at the time when the print end notification UI for notifying the print end of the print device is displayed on the display of the information processing device, it does not depend on the storage means. Further, the place where the setting information for each port is stored may be on another PC, or may be either the client or the server in the example of the first embodiment, and the UI for printing end notification is displayed. It may be stored anywhere as long as it can be read by.

【0060】

Next, in step S902, it is determined whether to search the network for the print device associated with the port. If the print device is searched in step S902 above, the print device that can be set is searched from the network in step S903, and as a result of the search, a list of the addresses and product names of the print devices that can be used on the network is displayed. To do. As a means of performing this search, for example, it can be realized by transmitting an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) packet by broadcast and analyzing the Reply packet, but it depends on the protocol and the selection method of the print device. However, as long as the print device that can be used by the system of the present invention can be searched, it does not depend on the search means. Also, if the information necessary for the setting such as the address of the print device associated with the user is known, the port can be created by proceeding to step S904 as it is.

【0061】

Next, in step S904, the user specifies the name of the port to be created, the address of the print device associated with the port, and the device model name from the UI as shown in FIG. 11, for example. In the first embodiment, the device model name is information for specifying the type of the print device, and if there is no difference in the control of the device, a plurality of print devices may be treated with the same device model name, and it is not always necessary. Information that can identify the type of print device required for other functions of this system, not the product name, is sufficient.

【0062】

Next, in step S905, the ini file (initialize) determines whether or not the print confirmation function can be executed depending on the presence or absence of the ability to execute the print confirmation function and the setting conditions of other functions for each specified device model. file: A file that records the setting information of the Windows (registered trademark) application). In step S906 above, if the print confirmation function is not a print device that can be executed, in step S907, the timing of displaying the print end notification UI in the detailed settings for each port is set at the end of data transmission to the print device (hereinafter). , At the end of transmission), and on a print device that cannot execute the print confirmation function, the timing of the print end notification cannot be set at the time of print confirmation (hereinafter, at the time of print confirmation). When the user inputs the settings required for adding the port and presses the OK button, the setting information for each port is recorded in the registry in step S908, and the port creation process ends in step S909.

【0063】

Although it is not always necessary for the port addition process, for example, as an example of making it impossible to change the print end notification timing of a print device that cannot execute the print confirmation function at the time of print confirmation, the radio is grayed out as shown in FIG. By making the button unselectable, it is possible to display the current print end notification timing setting and prevent the print end notification timing from being changed at the time of print confirmation.

【0064】

On the other hand, when creating a port of the device model capable of executing the print confirmation function in step S906, it is determined in step S910 whether or not the print confirmation function can be executed without depending on other setting conditions. If you want to create a device model port that can execute the print confirmation function unconditionally in step S910 above, proceed to step S911 and set the print end notification timing to the print end point of the print device (hereinafter, print end time). After setting, the process proceeds to step S908, which is recorded in the registry as information for each port, and in step S909, the port addition process is completed.

【0065】

On the other hand, even if the device model is set as a device model capable of executing the print confirmation function in step S910, the print confirmation function is executed due to other setting conditions that affect the means for confirming the print of the job. If this is not possible, proceed to step S912 and create a port with print-checkable settings as the default values for the setting conditions. For example, a device that can execute the print confirmation function in RAW mode of Port9100 and cannot execute the print confirmation function when sending a job using LPR (Line Printer Remote: remote printing protocol used when sharing printers with TCP / IP). In the model, the default setting is to send the job in RAW mode of Port 9100 as shown in Fig. 13. Next, in step S911, the timing of the print end notification is set at the end of printing. Next, in step S908, the setting information for each port is recorded in the registry, and in step S909, the port creation process is completed.

【0066】

If the device model can execute the print confirmation function, the user can select the timing of the print end notification regardless of whether the print end or the transmission end, so that the print confirmation function can be executed. When creating a port with the device model settings, unlike the case of a device that cannot execute the print confirmation function, for example, as shown in Fig. 14, the print end notification timing can be set arbitrarily at the end of transmission and at the end of printing. Allows the user to select settings.

【0067】

With the above procedure, the port creation process according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be realized.

【0068】

<Print end notification process> Next, the print end notification process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of performing a print end notification (display) based on the settings in the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the flowchart of FIG. 10 described in detail in the second embodiment, and the settings of the screen of FIG. .. The flowchart of FIG. 16 is executed by the CPU 200 of the information processing apparatus (print server 101 or client computers 102 to 104) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the network printer control program of the present invention stored in the HD 205.

【0069】

In step S1601, the print end notification process is started, and in step S1602, data transmission to the print device is started. In step S1603, it is determined whether or not the data transmission to the print device is completed. If it is determined that the data transmission has been completed, the process proceeds to step S1604. In step S1604, it is determined whether or not the transmission end time is set as the print end notification timing in the settings shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and the settings on the screen shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S1604 that the transmission end time is set, the process proceeds to step S1605, the print end is recognized, and the print end notification (display) is sent to the display 207.

【0070】

If it is determined in step S1604 that the transmission is not set at the end, that is, the print end is set, the process proceeds to step S1606 to determine whether or not printing on the printing device is completed. Here, the determination method may determine that printing is complete by receiving a print completion signal from the print device. For example, in the case of a job that prints 20 sheets, the output is output every time one sheet is printed from the print device. When the paper signal is received 20 times, it may be determined that printing is completed. If it is determined in step S1607 that printing is complete, the process proceeds to step S1605, recognizing that printing is complete, and notifying (displaying) printing completion on display 207.

【0071】

Note that the process shown in FIG. 16 is applied to distributed printing in which the print job is distributed to a plurality of print devices for printing, and a print end notification is sent to each print device specified for distributed printing in step S1605 above. It is also possible to perform distributed printing end notification (display) on the display 207 after the print end notification of all the print devices is given.

【0072】

With the above procedure, the print end notification process according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be realized.

【0073】

As described above, according to the first embodiment, due to the difference in the ability of the print confirmation function of the print device and the system, both at the end of transmitting data to the print device and at the end of printing of the print device. There is an effect that the user can properly use the setting for displaying the print end notification. Further, there is an effect that the default print end notification setting can be set within the range of the print end notification setting that can be used without the user determining the ability of the print device registered in the system.

【0074】

[Second Embodiment]

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the information processing system according to the second embodiment (Fig. 1), the configuration of the information processing device in the information processing system (Fig. 2), and the printing issued from a general application in the client-server model of the information processing system. The processing outline (Fig. 6) of the job print job control system, the relationship between the print job and the print job control system and the processing outline (Fig. 7), etc. are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. To do.

【0075】

<Port setting change process> Next, regarding the port setting change process associated with the print device according to the second embodiment of the setting method of the present invention, the flowchart of FIG. 10, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. Will be explained with reference to. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the port setting change process. The flowchart of FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 200 of the information processing apparatus (print server 101 or client computers 102 to 104) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 based on the network printer control program stored in the HD 205. The screens of FIGS. 12, 13, and 15 are displayed on the display 207 of the information processing apparatus.

【0076】

The procedure of the second embodiment can be applied to any setting change as long as the port setting is changed, but the print confirmation function can be executed and the print end notification timing is set by other settings. Will be described from the state where a port with a device model that can be changed is created.

【0077】

Step S1001 is a case where the port setting change that has already been created is started, and any setting change may be made as long as the port setting change. If a setting change that does not affect the execution of the print confirmation function, such as the port name, is made in step S1002, the process proceeds to step S1003. Since the print confirmation function can be executed in step S1003, the changed setting is stored in the registry as setting information for each port in step S1007 without changing the print end notification timing setting, and the port is stored in step S1008. Ends the setting change process of.

【0078】

In step S1002 above, if a setting change that affects the execution of the print confirmation function is made, that is, the print confirmation function can be executed in the RAW mode of Port 9100, but the print confirmation function is executed when a job is sent by LPR. If the port of the device model that cannot be used contains a port setting change that affects the timing setting of the print end notification, such as changing the protocol from the RAW mode of Port9100 to LPR, print in step S1003. Determine if the confirmation function can be executed. If the print confirmation function cannot be executed in step S1003, it is determined in step S1004 whether the current print end notification timing setting is at the end of printing.

【0079】

If the print end notification timing is set at the end of transmission in step S1004 above, it can be used regardless of the presence or absence of the print confirmation function, so the print end notification setting is not changed and the process goes to step S1007. Proceed, record the changed port settings in the registry, and end the port setting change process in step S1008. If the print end notification timing is set at the end of printing in step S1004, the process proceeds to step S1005, and for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the print end notification timing setting is also changed due to the influence of other setting changes. A message is displayed to notify the user, and in step S1006, the timing of the print end notification is automatically changed at the end of transmission, and in step S1007, it is recorded in the registry as information for each port, and in step S1008, the port is recorded. End the setting change process.

【0080】

When the timing setting of the print end notification is displayed after the setting is changed so that the print confirmation function cannot be executed, it is grayed out so that the user cannot change it at the time of print confirmation as shown in FIG. The print end notification setting that was used at the time of confirmation is also changed and displayed at the end of transmission.

【0081】

With the above procedure, the port setting change process according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be realized.

【0082】

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when other settings that affect the print end notification setting are changed, the print end notification setting is automatically changed to a usable setting, and the print end notification is notified. This has the effect of notifying the user that the settings have been changed automatically.

【0083】

[Other embodiments]

In the first and second embodiments, a printer is taken as an example as a printing device connected to a network of an information processing system, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printing device is not limited to a printer. It can also be applied to information processing systems in which copiers, multifunction devices, etc. are connected to a network.

【0084】

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or a device composed of one device. A medium such as a storage medium that stores the program code of the software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or device is stored in the medium such as the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention can be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

【0085】

In this case, the program code itself read from the medium such as the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the medium such as the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. .. Examples of media such as a storage medium for supplying a program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, and a ROM. Alternatively, download via a network or the like can be used.

【0086】

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the function of the above-described embodiment is realized, but also the OS running on the computer or the like is actually processed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing a part or all of the processing.

【0087】

Further, the program code read from a medium such as a storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the present invention also includes a case where the function expansion board, the CPU provided in the function expansion unit, or the like performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing.

【0088】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, according to the present invention, due to the difference in the ability of the print confirmation function of the device and the system, a setting for notifying the end of printing at both the end of transmitting data to the device and the end of printing of the device is set. There is an effect that the user can use it properly.

【0089】

Further, there is an effect that the default print end notification setting can be set within the range of the print end notification setting that can be used without the user determining the ability of the device registered in the system.

【0090】

In addition, when other settings that affect the print end notification settings are changed, the print end notification settings are automatically changed to available settings, and the user is notified that the print end notification settings have been automatically changed. It has the effect of being able to.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a RAM memory map of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a memory map of an FD of an information processing device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a network printer control program and related data are supplied to the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment by an FD drive and an FD.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how a print job issued from a general application in the client-server model of the information processing system according to the first embodiment is processed in the print job control system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between print jobs and a processing outline in the print system and the print job control system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a general-purpose print file according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a port creation process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a port setting change process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a port addition screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing device detail screens according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a port editing screen according to the first and second embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a device detail screen according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a print end notification timing setting change message according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a print end notification process according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Print server (information notification device) 102 to 104 Client computer (information notification device) 105 Network printer (device) 106 Network 200 CPU (notification means, discrimination means, setting means, reference means) 207 Display (input means) 303, 403 Network Printer control program (notification means, discrimination means, setting means, reference means)