JP2001154961A - Document output device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily print or distribute a document. SOLUTION: The address of a distributing destination is described in a distributing destination list 20223. When the document is distributed, a core driver 2022 refers to the list, generates an electronic document or printing data by an electronic document generating driver 20225 in the case of the electronic mail and by a printer driver 20224 in the case of a printer. The data is printed via a system spooler 203 or distributed by a distributor 204 in accordance with the destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document output apparatus and method for distributing or printing document data created by, for example, a host computer to a desired destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art <Print Control Processing in Conventional Printing System> Generally, a host computer and a printing apparatus are connected to each other via a parallel communication means such as a Centronics interface or a network communication means to constitute a printing system. .

On the host computer side, application shiftware (hereinafter abbreviated as an application) such as a word processor or a spreadsheet is implemented on UNIX or Windows (US Microsoft).
It operates on so-called basic software such as a registered trademark of the company. When printing is performed by this application, the printing is performed by using the function of the graphic subsystem among several subsystems provided by the basic software from within the program. For example, in Windows, this graphic subsystem is a GDI (Graphic Device Inter
face) and is responsible for processing image information for display cards and printers. The GDI dynamically links a module called a device driver to absorb the dependence of each device such as a display card and a printer, and performs output processing for each device. This module for a printer is called a printer driver. In this printer driver, a DDI (Devic) that is pre-installed in a device driver according to its capabilities and functions is determined.
It is necessary to prepare a basic function group called e Driver Interface). Application API (Application Programming)
An interface call is performed by the GDI to perform data conversion for the device driver, and the DDI function group is appropriately called from the GDI to execute a predetermined print process. In GDI, print requests from an application are sequentially processed via a printer driver as described above.

The processing system of the printer driver can be roughly classified into two types according to the type of the corresponding printing device. If the printing device has a controller capable of processing a control command called PDL (Printer Description Language), the printer driver sends drawing information with a high level of abstraction to the PD.
The process of replacing with L is central. For example, when drawing a circle, a process of generating (converting) the information passed to the DDI by adding parameters such as a center coordinate and a radius together with a command of drawing a circle in a predetermined PDL format. Such printer drivers are generally PD
It is called an L driver, a PDL printer driver, or the like. On the other hand, a printer driver for a relatively inexpensive printer without PDL performs all the development (rendering) of an image to be printed on the host side, and sends only image data to the printer.
Such a printer driver is called an image driver or a raster image driver.

<Electronic Document> In generating an electronic document that has been frequently used in recent years,
A technique similar to the printer driver is applied. In particular, the information passed to the DDI is stored in an electronic document viewer (Vie
wer) is converted into a format that can be processed, and processing equivalent to that of the printer driver is performed. The most obvious difference is that the printer driver sends the generated data to a predetermined printing device via a local port or a network port, and when the data reaches the printing device, the data is printed on a medium called paper, and the printing process is performed. Electronic data is lost, but in the case of an electronic document, it is generated in the form of a file and stored as a file, that is, electronic data unless an explicit deletion process is performed.

Until now, application data has often been distributed when distributing an electronic document. However, there are inconveniences such as the inability to print if the other party does not have the same application. As a common electronic document format, Adobe's PDF (Por
A format called table Document File) is frequently used. Although the PDF data itself cannot be sent directly to the printer, the document data generated by the printer driver is sent directly to the printer to obtain the result as paper. Since print data cannot be generated without passing through application software called Adobe Acrobat, PDF can be understood as being positioned as application data.

<Distribution / Distribution of Document> A document printed using a printer driver is output once on paper or stored as a file. When distributing and distributing, they can be distributed by distributing by paper, directly outputting to a destination network printer, or outputting to a predetermined discharge tray in a printer with a sorter or a printer with a mail box. For files,
It is common to attach an e-mail and send it.
The same applies to electronic documents. In the case of files, it is common to use e-mail software to attach and distribute to e-mail, or to output and distribute to paper once. is there.

[0008]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems.

A problem with the uniformity of the document generation process.

The difference between a printed document and an electronic document is that, from the viewpoint of a method of visually confirming them, a printed document is viewed on paper and an electronic document is viewed on a PC screen. That is the difference. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of the generation processing, the electronic document and the print data are generated by different drivers, respectively, and the user interfaces are not unified, and the user may appropriately select the user interface according to the application. There were problems such as the need to switch.

The problem of specifying an immediate value when specifying a plurality of copies.

When a printer driver prints a document with a plurality of copies, the number of copies to be printed is directly input by a numerical value, so that it is necessary to count the required number of copies each time.

[0013] The problem of the process of designating a plurality of copies in the electronic document generation driver.

In the electronic document generation driver, the setting of generating a plurality of copies of a document has little meaning in itself, and there are some products in which the setting value is always interpreted as one copy even if the setting exists depending on the product. . That is, in the electronic document generation driver, designating a plurality of copies means distributing to a plurality of persons. However, there is no electronic document generation driver that supports the distribution function.

The problem of document generation processing depending on the environment.

If printing is performed in an environment where the printing apparatus is not connected, a write error to a port occurs and the processing is interrupted. In particular, when a work is performed in a notebook PC in a place different from a normal work environment, the above-described situation occurs when a printing process is mistakenly performed. When you want to print a document in your notebook PC and present it to people around you when you are away from home, there is a means to present the result after layout of the document as a paper if a printer is connected, otherwise as an electronic document. There is nothing that works,
The user had to switch according to the situation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a document output apparatus and method which have solved the conventional problems and achieved the following objects.

A first object of the present invention is to unify operations of a process of generating a document for distribution and a process of generating print data, and realize consistency of the operations.

A second object of the present invention is to improve operability when printing or distributing a plurality of documents.

A third object of the present invention is to automatically attach a header sheet specifying a destination address when printing or distributing a plurality of copies of a document.

A fourth object of the present invention is to automatically switch the document generation means in a PC environment where a printing device is not always connected, such as a notebook PC, regardless of the presence or absence of a printing device connection. Thus, an error that occurs when the printing apparatus is not connected is eliminated.

[0022]

The above-mentioned conventional problems are solved by the following various means.

First, in order to solve the problem, at least a print document generating unit and a distribution electronic document generating unit are provided, and the document generating unit specifies various setting items to be referred to when generating a document. Document generation purpose setting means for setting the purpose of use of the document as one item of the setting item designating means, and driver switching means for switching various drivers according to the purpose setting; This can be achieved by a configuration in which the target driver is easily switched by a switching instruction from. Specifically, U of the electronic document generation driver for distribution and the print driver
I is shared, and the electronic document generation driver for distribution and the print driver are switched according to the setting of the UI.

To solve the problem, a distribution destination setting means and a distribution destination selection means are provided which tabulate various attributes of the distribution destination, and the distribution destination information set by the distribution destination setting means is set as a target distribution destination. Is explicitly selected by the user by the distribution destination selection means, and the number of copies is automatically set by the number of copies calculation means for obtaining the required number of copies. Specifically, a distribution list is provided in the driver's UI so as to select to whom the distribution is to be made, and the required number of copies is automatically determined according to the selected destination.

In order to solve the problem, as the distribution destination setting means, an e-mail address or a person's mail BO is used.
Address information for specifying an individual, such as X or a network printer or a FAX number unique to that person, is registered in advance, and when distributing an electronic document, a document distribution means for distributing the electronic document to the address is provided at the latter stage of the driver. To respond.

Further, by providing a header adding means in addition to various means for solving the above-mentioned problems, when printing or distributing a plurality of copies, a header page in which an address or the like is written on a page at the beginning of the document is provided. Is automatically added based on the information of the distribution list.

Finally, in order to solve the problem, a printing apparatus detecting means is provided, and a switching instruction is given to the driver switching means in accordance with the detection result. More specifically, when printing is attempted in a state where the printing apparatus is not connected to the PC, the electronic document generation driver is selected instead of operating the print driver. .

In the present invention, with the above configuration, the UI of the electronic document driver and the printing driver are shared, UI setting items for discriminating between distribution and printing are provided, and the driver is switched according to the value. .
In addition, the distribution list is managed by the driver UI, and the number of copies is automatically determined from the selected address. When distributing the electronic document, the e-mail address and the person registered in the distribution list are registered in advance. The operation is such that the mail is automatically delivered to an address that specifies an individual such as a mail box, a network printer unique to that person, or a fax number.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

Output destination holding means for holding an output destination list of document data, and output data generating means for generating output data corresponding to the output destination held in the output destination holding means based on the document data. .

Preferably, the output data generating means has print data generating means for generating print data for printing, and if the output destination of the document data is a printer, the print data generating means generates the print data. Generate.

Preferably, the output data generating means has an electronic document generating means for generating an electronic document to be displayed, and if the output destination of the document data is an electronic document distribution destination address, An electronic document is generated by the means.

Preferably, the output data generating means has facsimile data generating means for generating facsimile data for facsimile transmission, and if the output destination of the document data is a telephone number, the facsimile data generating means Generate facsimile data.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting a desired output destination from the output destination list held by the output destination holding means.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a maintenance means for maintaining the output destination list held by the output destination holding means.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises selection means for selecting a desired output destination from the output destination list held by the output destination holding means, and counting means for counting the number of output destinations selected by the selection means. The print data generated by the print data generating means is printed by the number counted by the counting means.

[0037] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a judging means for judging that the document output apparatus is not connected to the printing apparatus, and when the printing of the document data is designated, the printing apparatus is connected by the judging means. If it is determined that there is no print data, the output data generating means generates output data other than the print data.

[0038] Preferably, the apparatus further comprises means for inserting a header page for each part of the output data or for each destination.

Alternatively, another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

Output destination holding means for holding an output destination list of document data, print data generating means for generating print data for printing based on the document data, and output destination held by the output destination holding means Selecting means for selecting a desired output destination from a list; counting means for counting the number of output destinations selected by the selecting means; and the print data generating means generating the print data by the number counted by the counting means. Print control means for causing the print means to print the print data.

Alternatively, another aspect of the present invention has the following configuration.

A document output device to which a printing device can be connected, wherein a print data generating means for generating print data for printing based on the document data, and an electronic document for displaying based on the document data. Electronic document generation means for generating, and determination means for determining that the printing device is not connected,
When printing of the document data is specified, a control unit is provided for causing the electronic document generation unit to generate an electronic document when the determination unit determines that the printing apparatus is not connected. A document output device, characterized in that:

[0043]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the most basic configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

First, each component will be described.

The upper half of the figure schematically shows the overall configuration of a system in a network environment to which the present invention can be applied, and is assumed to be composed of devices A to D. The lower half shows the detailed correspondence of the components corresponding to the device A. In the detailed configuration diagram of the device A, reference numeral 200 denotes a host computer which is a data processing device in the printing system, which outputs print information including print data and control codes to the printing device 100. The host computer 200
It is configured as one computer system including a keyboard 210 as an input device, a mouse 211 as a pointing device, and a display monitor 220 as a display device.
It is assumed that the host computer 200 operates on a basic OS such as UNIX or Windows.

On the host computer side, focusing only on the functional parts related to the present invention, the functions on the basic OS can be roughly classified into an application 201, a graphic subsystem 202 which is image information processing means, A spool subsystem 203 includes a print data storage control unit and a communication unit with a printing apparatus, and a communication subsystem 204 that communicates with the outside via a communication path such as a network.

The application software 201 is
For example, it refers to application software that operates on basic software such as a word processor or a spreadsheet. The graphic subsystem 202 includes a Graphic Device Interface (hereinafter referred to as GDI) 2021 which is a part of the function of the basic OS, and a printer driver 202 which is a device driver dynamically linked from the GDI.
2.

The part called the printer driver is the print information generating means in the present invention. The spool subsystem 203 is a graphic subsystem 2
02 is a subsystem specific to the printer device located at the subsequent stage, and is composed of a spool file (actually, a hard disk) 2031 serving as data storage means. Communication Sub
The system 204 is a subsystem that controls information exchange with a network environment connected via a network interface card (NIC).

Depending on the type of the basic OS, the above-mentioned names and functional frameworks may be slightly different. However, as long as the modules that can implement the technical means referred to in the present invention, the names and frameworks are different from those of the basic OS. It is not a big problem for the invention. For example, what is called a spooler or a spool file can be realized by incorporating a process into a module called a print queue in another OS. Generally, the host computer 200 including these functional modules includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM),
Under hardware such as a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), and various input / output control units (I / O), software called basic software controls the control, and under the basic software, Each application software and subsystem process operate as a functional module.

Next, the positioning of the devices A, B, C and D in FIG. 1 will be described.

The device A is a personal computer system having the print data and electronic document processing device of the present invention, and performs document generation processing.
The device B is a network-compatible multifunction digital copier with a 20-bin sorter. In addition to the normal copying function, it has a printer function, and by specifying a printer control command or print job control command,
It has a mail box function for allocating and using each of the discharge bins for a specific individual. Device C is device A
Is a set of a personal computer system and a local printer having exactly the same configuration as the above, except that the device A functions as a client while the device C functions as a server. Specifically, the OS of the device C is, for example, Windows NT 4.0 Server
The OS of device A is Windows NT4.0 Workstation
(Client).

However, in the present invention, the type of the OS is not limited as long as it provides a basic environment such as distribution of an electronic document via a network or output of a document to a printer connected to a network or a local connection. Absent. If these environments are not provided by the OS, it is of course possible to implement them with applications. Therefore, OS and Se
Since the presence or absence of the rver-Client relationship does not affect the essence of the invention, there is no problem even if it is something else.

The device D is a personal computer in a mobile environment, and accesses a network from a public line via a modem or the like.

Next, the flow of data relating to the print data and electronic document processing apparatus of the present invention in such a device configuration will be described.

First, in the device A, print data or electronic document data is generated. In the figure, print data is described as “print data”, and electronic document data is described as “E-Doc” (Electronic Documents).

For example, a mail BO addressed to Mr. B of device B
When a document is to be distributed to X, the flow is as follows. First, the target document file is opened from the application, and the properties of the printer driver are set before performing the printing operation of the file. Usually, in this operation, a screen called a property sheet appears, where various settings are made. In this embodiment, the screen is as shown in FIG. Here, when "Use distribution function" is selected and the group name to which Mr. B belongs is selected, a list of a list of persons belonging to the group is displayed on the UI, and Mr. B is selected from the list. I do. Now that the printer driver settings are complete, when you execute printing from the application, the printer driver
It is determined from the address information of the distribution list whether the document is to be generated as print data or an electronic document, and the document is generated by either of the document generating means. In the case of this example, since the address of Mr. B is the address of the network digital copying machine, the data for printing is sent to the address. At that time, one print operation from the application is bundled as one print job, and at that time, in the print job start process,
By explicitly declaring that it is Mr. B's data,
The printing apparatus selects a discharge bin position of Mr. B registered in advance, and outputs print data to the bin.

The distribution destination list shown in FIG. 2 includes groups, and each group includes its members, and can be realized as, for example, tabular data. In this data, each constituent member has its affiliation, name,
The record is registered as one record including the distribution destination address information as a field, and the record is further classified into groups to which the members corresponding to the record belong.

The components and the data flow have been described above with reference to FIG. 1. Next, a more detailed operation of the host computer will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a portion centering on a driver module on the host computer side, which is a document generating means of the present invention.

The application software 201 indicates application software that operates on basic software such as a word processor or a spreadsheet.

For example, a description will be given by taking general word processor software as an example of the application 201. The application 201 mainly performs text editing work, and when printing the document, selects a print menu with the mouse 211 or the like and executes printing. Next, the application 201 calls the GDI 202 which is a part of the basic OS. The GDI is a basic function group that controls display devices such as screen display and print output and a printing device. Application software of various companies uses the basic function group (generally called an API). By using, it is possible to operate application software without being conscious of a part that depends on a model (hardware). For example, an API for printing characters at a designated position is prepared, and predetermined character printing is realized using the API.

Next, the GDI 202 fetches information such as the drawing capability and printing resolution of the printing device from the printer driver 2022 which manages information depending on the model of each printing device, and acquires the application software 20.
A printer driver that functions as a GDI library is called according to the API called from step 1. G
There are predetermined calling rules and interfaces between the DI and the printer driver. This interface is compatible with DDI (Device Driver I
nterface). For example, at the time of character printing, a function called DrvTextOut is called with a print position, font information, a character string to be printed, and the like as arguments.

In the printer driver, this DDI
In this embodiment, the printer driver 2022 separates a common processing part independent of the type and model of the printer and a printer-dependent processing part dependent on the printer. It can be configured as a module. In the present embodiment, the common processing part that does not depend on the printer is the core driver 20221, and the printer-dependent processing part that depends on the type and model of the printer includes the printer driver 20224 and the electronic document generation driver 20225.
It has two. Core driver 2022
Reference numeral 1 denotes a configuration capable of managing a plurality of printer-dependent processing units as modules. Also, the user interface (UI) is managed by the core driver unit, and the device-dependent UI reads the device-dependent information prepared in advance in the driver module as the printer-dependent processing unit by the core driver, and reads the read value. Is configured to perform processing in accordance with.

Next, the system spooler unit 203 will be described.

After the printer driver 20224, which is a printer-dependent processing unit, generates a command string and a data string (print data) conforming to the command system of the printing apparatus, the generated command string and the data string are directly sent to the printer. It is sent to a printer after being stored by a data storage means called a system spooler or a print spooler. This system spooler has the function of accelerating the release of the processing of the print data generation process. In other words, if print data is directly sent to the printing device, if the receiving buffer on the printing device becomes full, or if the communication unit goes offline for some reason (for example, a paper jam), printing from the host computer is performed. This is because the data cannot be sent and the printing process is interrupted, but such a problem can be avoided if there is a means for temporarily storing the data.

Next, the distributor 204 for controlling the data output destination will be described.

The distributor unit 204 is responsible for processing of distributing data to a predetermined output destination or distribution destination based on the information of the distribution list set on the UI. 2
In 04, it is not conscious whether the data is print data or E-Doc. That is, both the data generated by the printer driver and the data generated by the electronic document generation driver are recognized as one document data, and no further distinction is made. The distributor unit 204
The document data is output or distributed according to the distribution list. The output destinations are a local port 2041, an electronic mail 2042 in the form of distribution as attached data, an output 2043 to a network printer, and a modem. There is a form such as 2044 for outputting to FAX.

The configuration of the host computer 200 shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 and the printer locally connected thereto are as shown in FIG. In FIG.
By executing programs such as an OS and a driver by the CPU 1, the functional modules shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3 are realized.

In FIG. 7, the host computer 200
The CPU 1 executes a program such as an OS or a driver stored in a program ROM of the ROM 3.
And each device connected to the system bus 4 is
U1 has overall control. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key input from a keyboard 210 or a pointing device (not shown). C
An RT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display 220. Disk controller (D
KC) 7 is a hard disk (HD) for storing a boot program, a system program including a driver module of a procedure shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 described later, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like, a floppy disk ( Access to the external memory 11 such as FD) is controlled. The printer controller (PRTC) 8 is connected to the printer 100 via a predetermined bidirectional interface (bidirectional I / F) 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 100. The CPU 1 executes, for example, a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, and performs WYSIWYG processing on the CRT 220.
(A function of matching display contents and print contents) is possible. Further, the CPU 1 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 220 and executes various data processing.

In the printer 100, the printer CPU
A printing unit I / F 16 controls access to various devices connected to a system bus 15 based on a control program stored in a control program stored in a program ROM of a ROM 13 and the like. An image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the. The CPU 12 has a bidirectional I /
Communication processing with the host computer can be performed via F21, and information and the like in the printer can be notified to the host computer 200. RAM 19 is C
R functioning as the main memory, work area, etc. of PU 21
AM. The input unit 18 controls communication of status information such as print state information with the host computer 200 via the bidirectional interface 21, and is capable of notifying the host computer 200 of information in the printer and the like. The memory controller (MC) 20 includes a boot program, various applications, font data,
It controls access to an external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy disk (FD) for storing user files, edited files, and the like. The operation unit 1012 is
It includes a display panel and a keyboard, and provides information to the operator and inputs instructions from the operator.

<Processing Procedure by Driver Module> Next, the flow of processing of the driver module will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. First, in step S401, it is determined whether or not “use distribution function” of the UI setting item has been selected.

Next, in step S 402, information on the target distribution member group and distribution member is obtained from the “group name” item of the UI. The relationship between the group name and the members is similar to the relationship between directories and files. Addition / deletion of a member can be performed by using “add” and “delete” buttons below the destination list of the UI. When the operator selects a group name, a table of the group of the selected name is read, and fields corresponding to each member of the distribution list included therein are also read and displayed as shown in FIG.

Next, in step S403, the distribution list is sequentially referred to from the head according to the group name index. The distribution list can be internally managed, for example, by an array variable of a structure in C language. The contents of the distribution list can be easily identified by an index number for each element (in this case, a flag for selection / non-selection,
(Affiliation, name, delivery destination address).

At step S404, it is determined whether or not the record being referred to is the last record.
Go to 5. If it is the last record, the process ends and returns to the caller. It is assumed that the last record contains a terminator code indicating that it is the last record.

In step S405, it is determined whether the current record is the record selected by the operator as the distribution destination. The operator selects a desired member from the list of group members in FIG. 2 using a pointing device or the like before the print / electronic document creation processing in FIG. 4 is executed. A selection flag is set in the record of the selected member. Note that, without making a selection, the process may proceed assuming that all members have been selected. If the record is selected, that is, if the selection flag is set, step S4
Proceed to 06. If the current record is not selected,
The process advances to step S412 to refer to the next record.

In step S406, a header page generation process is performed. The header page is executed when the item “print header” in the UI is selected. The header is used to indicate, on the first page of the print document, who output the page, to whom the print is directed, and the like. The header includes a member name or the like included in the current record as a destination. In the header, several kinds of pre-registered designs can be selected according to the item of “print style” of the UI.

Next, in step S407, the distribution destination address is referred to from the array variable of the above-mentioned destination list structure, that is, the distribution destination address information described in the record of each member is referred to, and according to the contents thereof, The process branches from step S408 to step S411. For example, if the address is NULL, that is, nothing is set,
Interpreted as an output to the local port, and step S40
In step 8, print data generation processing is performed. If the address is 2
A format like 55.255.255.255
The print data is recognized as an IP address of a network printer or a multi-function printer (MFP) connected to the network, and print data generation processing is executed in step S409. If the address is in a format such as xxx@yyy.com, it is recognized as an E-mail address, and an electronic document generation process is performed in step S410. If the address is composed of only a numerical value and a hyphen such as 070-5241-1725, the address is recognized as a facsimile number, and facsimile data generation processing is performed in step S411.

The generated print data, electronic document data, or facsimile data is added with address information at the head thereof, and
04, where the address information is referred to again to perform a predetermined process. For example, if the address is E-m
In the case of the aile format, the distributor unit 20
In step 4, the same processing as the mail software is performed, the document data is subjected to encoding processing such as base64, uuencode, BinHex4.0, etc., and mail is transmitted to the attached address. If the address is an IP address or N
If it is UL, the print data is transmitted to a network or a local printer port. In the case of a facsimile, the data is transmitted to a destination facsimile using a facsimile server or the like provided in the host computer. In this way, the document is distributed or printed to the distribution destinations described in the distribution list.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S401 that the distribution function is not used, the flow advances to step S413 in FIG. 5A to determine whether the automatic copy number function is selected. When using this function, the operator must
"Automatic copy number" of the setting item of I is selected. If it is determined that this item is selected, the driver
In step S414, the total of the number of persons selected on the destination list is calculated, the value is set as the number of copies in step S415, and print data generation processing is performed in step S416. In this case, the address information and the like are not referred to. If header printing is specified, a header is generated and automatically inserted when printing is performed in copies. In the past, it was necessary to directly enter a numerical value for the number of copies on the main screen.However, in this method, simply imagine who and who should distribute the copy, and simply select it from the destination list Therefore, it is not necessary to count how many copies are needed as a whole. In addition, mistakes such as too many or too few copies can be prevented. In addition, since there is no need to print useless copies, the present invention also has an excellent effect of eliminating wasteful use of paper resources.

If it is determined in step S413 that the setting is not automatic copy number setting, in step S417, print data generation processing is executed using the designated set value as the number of copies.

Next, the contents of the print data generation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. Conventionally, as shown in the conventional example of FIG. 6A, a distribution document file is printed from an application after selecting a dedicated driver, and for printing on a printer, a printer driver is selected and then from an application. I needed to print. In other words, it was necessary to switch the driver for each purpose. For this reason, for example, when working in an environment where a printer is not always connected, such as a notebook PC, if printing is performed from the application by mistake, print data is accumulated in the spooler, and the A port write error occurred because data was not ejected from the printer port.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, FIG.
As described above, the connection status of the printer is confirmed by means for detecting the connection status of the printer, and when the printer is not connected, the distribution document generation process is performed unconditionally. In this way, it is possible to prevent a port write error from occurring because the printer is not connected. The connection status of the printer is detected by a module called a port monitor periodically calling a printer port status acquisition function prepared in advance by the BIOS or the like. With the above-described configuration, document generation of print data or an electronic document is automatically switched according to the detection result of the printing apparatus, thereby improving user operability and preventing erroneous operation.

FIG. 5B shows the procedure of the print data generation process. First, in step S501, the state of the printer port is determined.
To create print data. On the other hand, if a printer is not connected, the flow advances to step S502 to generate an electronic document. In this case, the generated electronic document is not passed to the distributor, but is stored in the generated host computer.

The switching between the print data and the electronic document according to the connection state of the printer may be made so that the operator can specify whether or not to perform the switching. In this case, if the operator has not designated the switching, the conventional processing is performed.

Further, when the switching is performed, a configuration may be provided to notify the operator of the switching.

In this embodiment, one printer driver and one electronic document generation driver are switched. However, it is possible to switch between a plurality of printer drivers and a plurality of electronic document generation drivers. Is also possible. In this case, a table is formed in advance in which the association information that defines the printer port or network port and the type of the printer driver is referred to, and when printing, the table is referred to and the common driver loads the corresponding driver. This is feasible.

With the above configuration, according to the system of the present embodiment, according to the output destination of data registered in advance,
Data suitable for the output destination can be generated and output. For example, if the output destination is a printer, print data is generated, if the output destination is an e-mail, an electronic document is generated, and if the output destination is a facsimile, facsimile data is generated and output to each destination.

Further, since the output destinations are collectively managed for each desired group, it is easy to manage the output destinations registered in advance.

Further, by designating the output destination and the number of copies, it is possible to output the number of copies corresponding to the specified number of output destinations without counting the number of copies, thereby facilitating the operation.

Further, a header including an operator and an output destination can be easily attached to the head of a printed matter or an electronic document, so that the management of the document is facilitated.

Further, when a print is designated when a printer is not connected, an electronic document is generated instead of printing to prevent a printing error, and
There is no need to create an electronic document again after an error, and operation can be simplified.

Further, even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus including one device (for example, a copier, a facsimile, etc.) Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) recording the program codes of the procedures shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or an apparatus, This is also achieved by a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. By executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes the case where the CPU provided in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0095]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to unify the operations of the generation process of the distribution document and the generation process of the print data, and to realize consistency with the operations.

Further, the operability when printing or distributing a plurality of documents can be improved.

Further, when printing or distributing a plurality of copies of a document, it is possible to automatically attach a header sheet specifying the destination address.

Further, by automatically switching the output destination according to the presence or absence of the connection of the printing apparatus, it is possible to eliminate the error that occurs when the printing apparatus is not connected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a user interface of the driver module according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a portion centering on a driver module according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a driver module according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a driver module according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a state of switching output destinations.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a system to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 printing device (LBP) 200 host computer 201 application software 202 graphic subsystem 2021 GDI 2022 driver module 20221 core driver 20222 user interface 20223 distribution list 20224 printer driver 20225 electronic document generation driver 203 spool sub System (system spooler) 204 Distributor 2041 Local port 2042 E-mail port 2043 Network printer port 2044 Modem port 205 Electronic document (E-Doc) 210 Keyboard 211 Mouse 220 Display monitor

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. An output destination holding unit that holds an output destination list of document data, and an output data generation unit that generates, based on the document data, output data corresponding to an output destination held by the output destination holding unit. A document output device comprising: 2. The output data generation unit includes a print data generation unit that generates print data for printing.
2. The document output device according to claim 1, wherein if the output destination of the document data is a printer, the print data generation unit generates print data. 3. The output data generating means includes an electronic document generating means for generating an electronic document to be displayed. If the output destination of the document data is a distribution address of the electronic document, the output data generating means outputs the electronic document. 3. The document output device according to claim 1, wherein the document output device generates an electronic document. 4. The facsimile data generating means includes facsimile data generating means for generating facsimile data for facsimile transmission. If the output destination of the document data is a telephone number, the facsimile data generating means outputs the facsimile data. The document output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The document output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects a desired output destination from the output destination list held by the output destination holding unit. 6. The document output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising maintenance means for maintaining an output destination list held by said output destination holding means. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit for selecting a desired output destination from the output destination list held by said output destination holding unit, and a counting unit for counting the number of output destinations selected by said selection unit. 3. The document output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print data generated by the print data generating unit is printed by the number counted by the unit. 8. A printing apparatus further comprising: a determination unit configured to determine that the document output apparatus is not connected to a printing apparatus. If printing of the document data is designated, the determination unit determines that the printing apparatus is not connected. 4. The document output device according to claim 1, wherein the output data generation unit generates output data other than print data if the determination is made. 9. The document output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for inserting a header page for each part of the output data or for each distribution destination. 10. An output destination holding unit that holds an output destination list of document data; a print data generation unit that generates print data for printing based on the document data; Selecting means for selecting a desired output destination from an output destination list; counting means for counting the number of output destinations selected by the selecting means; and generating by the print data generating means the number counted by the counting means. And a print control unit for causing the printing unit to print the generated print data. 11. A document output device to which a printing device can be connected, a print data generating means for generating print data for printing based on the document data, and an electronic device for displaying based on the document data. An electronic document generation unit for generating a document, a determination unit for determining that the printing device is not connected, and a determination that the printing device is not connected by the determination unit when printing of the document data is specified. And a control unit for generating an electronic document by the electronic document generation unit. 12. A document output method comprising: generating output data based on document data according to an output destination included in an output destination list of document data held by an output destination holding unit. 13. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein print data is generated when the output destination of the document data is a printer. 14. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein the electronic document is generated if the output destination of the document data is the distribution destination address of the electronic document. 15. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein the facsimile data is generated when the output destination of the document data is a telephone number. 16. An output destination list held by the output destination holding means, prior to generation of the output data,
13. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein a desired output destination is selected. 17. A desired output destination is selected from an output destination list held by the output destination holding means, the number of the selected output destinations is counted, and the generated print data is printed by the counted number. 13. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein: 18. When printing of document data is designated, it is determined that the printing apparatus is not connected, and if it is determined that the printing apparatus is not connected, output data other than the printing data is generated. The document output method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: 19. The document output method according to claim 12, wherein a header page is inserted for each part of the output data or for each distribution destination. 20. A print data generating step of generating print data for printing based on document data, a selecting step of selecting a desired output destination from an output destination list held by an output destination holding unit, A counting step of counting the number of output destinations selected in the selecting step; and a printing control step of causing the printing means to print the print data generated by the print data generating means by the number counted in the counting step. A document output method characterized in that: 21. A print data generating step of generating print data for printing based on document data, an electronic document generating step of generating an electronic document for display based on the document data, A determination step of determining that the printer is not connected; and when printing of the document data is specified, if the determination step determines that the printing apparatus is not connected, an electronic document is generated by the electronic document generation step. A document output method. 22. An output destination holding means for holding an output destination list of document data by a computer, and output data for generating output data corresponding to the output destination held in the output destination holding means based on the document data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for realizing the generating means. 23. An output destination holding unit for holding an output destination list of document data by a computer; a print data generation unit for generating print data for printing based on the document data; Selecting means for selecting a desired output destination from the held output destination list; counting means for counting the number of output destinations selected by the selecting means; and generating the print data by the number counted by the counting means. And a print control means for causing the print means to print the print data generated by the means. 24. A print data generating means for generating print data for printing based on the document data by a computer, an electronic document generating means for generating an electronic document for display based on the document data, Determining means for determining that the printing device is not connected; and, when printing of the document data is designated, if the determining device determines that the printing device is not connected, the electronic document generating means determines whether the printing device is not connected. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for realizing control means for generating a document.