JP2002171379A - Image output system, image input device, management device and job management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simply and accurately delete unnecessary jobs in an image output system provided with a plurality of image output devices. SOLUTION: When designating a scrapping time and the storing destination and the storing period of a job for re-outputting and transmitting image data and an output form from a scanner to a server, the server registers these as a job, copies the image data and stores it as the job for re-outputting in the designated storing destination. Then, when a designated printer is able to perform the printing, the server transmits the registered job to the printer to perform printing. When it becomes the scrapping time designated before, the registered job is erased automatically by job management processing which is carried out by a back ground process (steps 194 and 196) and processing concerning the job is stopped. When a storing period expires, a re-output job being stored automatically is erased (steps 200 and 202).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image output system, an image input device, a management device, and a job management method. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image output system having a plurality of printers connected to a network, The present invention relates to an image input device applicable to an output system, a management device applicable to the image output system, and a job management method applicable to the image output system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional copying machine reads an image of a document placed on a platen by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and records a latent image on a photosensitive drum using a semiconductor laser.
An image is output by developing a latent image on a photosensitive drum using an electrophotographic process and transferring the developed image onto paper. This copier is provided with a small display panel having a configuration in which a touch panel is superimposed on a display panel formed of a liquid crystal display panel as a user interface.

[0003]

In recent years, networking has progressed in offices and the like, and scanners for inputting image data, a plurality of printers for outputting paper and the like on which images are recorded based on the image data, and these devices are managed. There is a demand for the construction of a print system configured by connecting a server to be connected to a network and capable of multi-output.

In such a printing system, image data is transmitted from a scanner to a server by specifying an image output destination and its output format, and this information is registered as a job in the server. It is conceivable that the image data is transmitted to one or more printers designated as an output destination, and the printer is operated based on the image data and the output format to output an image. It is also conceivable to store a job of image data whose output has been completed as a job for re-outputting, and to provide a function that enables an image based on the image data to be output again.

At this time, if the job is deleted when the output of the image is completed, even if the job does not need to be output by the predetermined time, the job is not output even if it becomes unnecessary after the predetermined time. If there is, the job remains registered, so that there is a problem that an image is output after a predetermined time has passed. In order to prevent the output by the unnecessary job, the operator has to search for the unnecessary job from the registered jobs and delete it, which is troublesome and also deletes the necessary job by mistake. There were things.

When a re-output function is provided, since memory resources are limited, it is necessary to delete old and unnecessary re-output jobs from the memory. Because of the difference, the operator has to search for and delete unnecessary jobs from the jobs stored for re-outputting, which is not only time-consuming, but also sometimes results in erroneous deletion of necessary re-outputting jobs. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an image output system, an image input device, a management device, and a job management method capable of easily and accurately deleting unnecessary jobs. The purpose is to do.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a management apparatus including a plurality of image output apparatuses for outputting an image based on image data, the plurality of image output apparatuses being connected to a network. A management device used in an image output system, which is connected to the network, registers a job based on image data transmitted through the network, and registers the registered job in a designated image output device. Transmitting and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has passed;
It is characterized by:

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the management device, a job based on image data is received and registered via a network, and the registered job is transmitted to an image output device to perform image output. The apparatus outputs an image based on the job, that is, the image data, and deletes the registered job after the expiration date.

A job management method according to a third aspect of the present invention is a job management method in an image output system configured by connecting a plurality of image output devices that output images based on image data to a network. Registering a job based on the image data transmitted through, and transmitting the job to a designated image output device, and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has passed, It is characterized by:

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a job based on image data is received and registered via a network, and the registered job is transmitted to an image output device, and the job is transmitted to the image output device. That is, an image is output based on the image data, and when the validity period has passed, the registered job is deleted.

That is, in the first and third aspects of the present invention,
For image data that does not need to be output by the specified time, if the image data is not required to be output by the specified time, the job is automatically deleted if the output is not completed by the specified time. It is possible to prevent output of a proper image. Similarly, if image data that may be re-output is set as a job validity period during which the image data is to be stored for re-output, the image data can be re-outputted during the validity period. Since the job remains, the job can be output any number of times. After the expiration of the validity period, the job is automatically deleted from the memory, so that useless use of memory resources can be prevented.

That is, since the job is automatically deleted after the expiration date, the operator can search for the unnecessary job from the registered job or the stored re-output job without deleting the unnecessary job, and delete the job. The unnecessary job can be deleted by a simple operation of simply inputting the "?", And there is no fear that a necessary job is erroneously deleted due to an operation error of the operator.

It is preferable that, when the job in the designated image output apparatus is completed, the registered job is deleted.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output system, wherein each of the plurality of image output devices is connected to a network, and outputs an image based on image data transmitted through the network. Image data input means for inputting; information for specifying an image output device for outputting the image; and information for inputting information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means. Input means; an image input apparatus connected to the network and having a transmission means for transmitting the image data input from the image data input means and the information input from the information input means via the network. Connected to the network and based on the image data transmitted through the network. Registering the registered job, transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device, and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has passed. And

An image input device according to a seventh aspect is connected to a network, and further includes a plurality of image output devices for outputting an image based on image data transmitted through the network, and an image output device connected to the network. And registering a job based on the image data transmitted via the network, and transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device. An image data input device for inputting the image data, and an image output device for outputting the image. Information, and information for indicating the validity period of the job based on the image data input from the image data input means. Information input means, and transmission means connected to the network and transmitting image data input from the image data input means and information input from the information input means via the network. It is characterized by:

A management device according to claim 8 is connected to a network and outputs a plurality of images based on image data transmitted through the network. Data input means for inputting information for designating an image output device for outputting the image, and information for inputting information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means. Means: an image input device connected to the network and having a transmission means for transmitting the image data input from the image data input means and the information input from the information input means via the network; A management device used in an image output system comprising: a network connected to the network; Registering a job based on the image data transmitted via the work, transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device, and when the registered job expires, the registered job Is erased.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a job management method, comprising: a plurality of image output devices for outputting an image based on image data; a management device for managing the plurality of image output devices; and a device for inputting the image data. Image data input means, information specifying an image output device for outputting the image, and information input means for inputting information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means And a job management method in an image output system, each of which is connected to a network, wherein the image data input from the image data input means and the information input from the information input means are provided. From the image input device to the management device, in the management device, the image data transmitted from the input device Register the job Zui, and transmitted to the image output apparatus designated job registered, when past the lifetime of jobs registered, erases the job the registration, it is characterized by.

Next, an image output system according to claim 5 and a job management method according to claim 10 will be described together with an image input device according to claim 7 and a management device according to claim 8.

The image input device includes image data input means and information input means. The image data input from the image input means, and information and job for specifying an image output apparatus for outputting an image input from the information input means. Is transmitted to the management device via the network. Upon receiving these, the management device registers a job based on the image data, transmits the registered job to the image output device, and causes the image output device to output an image based on the job, that is, the image data. After the period has expired, the registered job is deleted.

With this, for image data that does not need to be output by the predetermined time, if the operator inputs the period up to the predetermined time from the information input device as the valid period of the job, the output will be completed by the predetermined time. If the job is not completed in time, the job is automatically deleted, so that unnecessary image output can be prevented. Similarly, for image data that may be re-output, if the operator inputs a period to be saved for re-output from the information input device as a valid period of the job, and if the valid period is during the valid period, the operator re-enters. Since the image data remains as an output job, it can be output any number of times, and after the expiration date, the job is automatically deleted from the memory, thus preventing unnecessary use of memory resources. it can.

That is, since the job is automatically deleted after the expiration date, the operator does not need to search for and delete an unnecessary job from registered jobs or stored re-output jobs, and delete the job. The unnecessary job can be deleted by a simple operation of simply inputting the "?", And there is no fear that a necessary job is erroneously deleted due to an operation error of the operator.

As described in claims 6, 9 and 11, when a job in the designated image output apparatus is completed before the expiration of the validity period, the registered job is deleted. Good to do.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a print system according to the present embodiment includes a scanner 12 as an image input device for inputting image data and a server 1 as a management device on a network 10 constituted by the Internet or a LAN.
4. Printers 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ , which are a plurality of image output devices,
... 16 _n , and a plurality of clients 18 ₁ , 18 ₂ ,
.. _18n are connected. This image data is, for example, TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
Expressed in format. Further, the MFP 10 is connected to the network 10 and has a print function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 12 has a scanner section 12A having a CCD for reading an image recorded on an original, a touch panel overlaid on a liquid crystal display panel, and has a plurality of icons. A display panel 12B that functions as a user interface that displays a print operation screen and inputs data such as a print format (output format) of the printer by touching the displayed icon, a controller 12C that controls the entire scanner, and a scanner unit 12
A memory 12 for storing image data and the like read by A
D and an input / output port 12E for inputting and outputting data
The scanner unit 12A, the display panel 12B, the controller 12C, the memory 12D, and the input / output port 12E are interconnected via a bus. The input / output port 12E is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 12F that communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.

A user interface for inputting data from a print operation screen having a plurality of icons includes a user interface component which is an element of screen information such as an icon, a button, a scroll bar, and a frame, and a printer 16 represented by text data. The user interface components are stored in the memory 12D of the scanner, and the attribute information of the printer 16 is stored in the server 14 as described later. The screen information is, for example, H
It can be created in TML (Hypertext Makeup Language).

As described above, the user interface is divided into the user interface parts and the attribute information, and the data constituting the user interface is transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 by being separately stored in the scanner 12 and the server 14. In this case, the amount of data transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 can be reduced, thereby promptly displaying the user interface on the display panel 1.
2B. Note that the memory 12D also stores a program for a processing routine described later.

It should be noted that the user interface for displaying the printing operation screen may generate all information in the server 14 and transmit it to the controller 12 C of the scanner 12 without separately storing the information.

Further, instead of the scanner 12, FDD,
The computer may read and input digitized image data recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may input image data from a facsimile or a database using a personal computer. Image data may be input using installed mail software.

The printers 16 ₁ , 16 ₂ ,... 16 _n are:
Since they have substantially the same configuration and differ only in the attributes, one printer will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and the description of the other printers will be omitted. In the following, in the case where each printer is described without particular distinction, the suffix at the end of the reference numeral is omitted, and the printer is referred to as a printer 16.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 16 records an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor, develops the electrostatic latent image using monochrome toner or color toner, and records the developed image on a recording medium. A printer unit 16A for transferring and outputting to paper;
A display panel 16B for displaying the operation screen and operating the printer 16 by touching an icon on the displayed operation screen, a controller 16C for controlling the entire printer 16, and storing received image data and output format data. A printer 16A, a display panel 16B, a controller 16A, a memory 16D in which programs for processing routines to be described later are stored in advance, and an input / output port 16E for inputting and outputting data.
C, the memory 16D, and the input / output port 16E are interconnected via a bus. The input / output port 16E is
It is connected to the network 10 via a communication control unit 16F that communicates with devices connected to the network via the network.

The server 14 has an FD which is an external storage device.
A driver 2 that can also write and read data recorded on a D, CD-ROM, CD-RW, or the like
0, a facsimile machine 22, and a database 24 storing attribute information and the like of all printers 16 connected to the network.

As shown in FIG. 4, the server 14 includes a controller 14A that controls the entire server, a mailer that stores received data, a mailer that transmits and receives mail, a program that controls transmission and reception of a facsimile machine, and a program to be described later. A memory 14B preliminarily storing a processing routine program and the like, a driver 2 composed of a CD-ROM writer, etc.
0, an interface 14C, a drive 14D for driving the facsimile machine 22, a file system 14E connected to the database 24, and an input / output port 14F for inputting / outputting data. The memory 14B, the interface 14C, the driving device 14D, the file system 14E, and the input / output port 14F are interconnected. The input / output port 14E is provided with a communication control unit 14G that communicates with a device connected to the network via the network.
Is connected to the network 10 via the.

The database 24 may be provided with a database server connected to a network separately from the server 14, and connected to this database server.

The clients 18 ₁ , 18 ₂ ,... 18 _n
Are composed of personal computers each having a communication control unit for communicating with devices connected to the network via the network.

A processing routine executed by each controller of the scanner, server, and printer according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. This processing routine is divided into respective routines of attribute information registration processing, operation screen display processing, print instruction processing, printing processing, re-output processing, and job management processing.

[Attribute Information Registration Process] The attribute information registration process is a process of registering the attribute information of the printer 16 connected to the network in the database connected to the server 14.

When a printer 16 is connected to the network 10, the server 14 is provided from either an operation panel (not shown) provided on the server 14 or a client 18 connected to the server 14 via the network. By operating the management tool software, attribute information registration processing for registering the printer in the server is performed. That is,
In the server 14, if it is determined in step 108 shown in FIG. 6 that the request is for attribute information registration processing in response to the instruction to the management tool software, in step 109, the server 14 requests the printer 16 to register the printer attribute information. Is transmitted.

In the printer 16, in step 100 of FIG.
It is determined whether or not the registration processing request signal has been received. When the registration processing request signal is received, the attribute information of the printer 16 is transmitted from the printer 16 to the server 14 in step 102.

The server 14 determines whether or not the attribute information transmitted from the printer 16 has been received in step 110, and when the attribute information has been received, in step 112,
The attribute of the printer 16 is registered in the database 24 by controlling the file system 14E.

When the printer 16 is connected to the network 10, the attribute information may be automatically transmitted from the printer 16 to the server 14, and the attribute information may be automatically registered in the database 24. 14, the attribute information of the printer 16 may be detected, and the detected attribute information may be registered in the database. Also,
By operating the display panel 16 </ b> B provided on the printer 16, the attribute information of the printer 16 can be registered in the server 14. Thus, the attribute information of all the printers 16 connected to the network 10 is registered in the database 24 connected to the server 14.

The attribute information of the printer 16 includes information indicating whether the printer 16 is for black-and-white printing or color printing, information indicating whether or not there is a double-sided printing function, and a finisher (such as a stapling function and a punching function). Information indicating whether or not there is, information indicating whether the resolution is high or low, information indicating the size of paper that can be printed, information on the type of fonts provided in each printer, and color maps and color adjustment information specific to color printers Information on output formats such as color characteristic information, information on the installation location of each printer (floor, department, etc. installed in one building, offices installed in different buildings, etc.), IP There is information for identifying the printer, such as network setting information such as an address, and printer name information. There is registered in the database as the attribute information.

[Operation Screen Display Processing] When a copy service is selected from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12 by an operator, an operation screen for designating an output method / storage destination is selected. (Not shown) is displayed. The output method options are 1
“No split output”, in which one job is output without being divided by one printer, and “Equal output (equally output), in which the number of input copies is divided so that the number of output copies of each printer is equal and output to a plurality of printers Output), the same number of copies as the number of input copies are output from each printer, "broadcast output (broadcast output)", multiple printers are specified, and the number of copies is specified for each printer. (Specifying the number of individual copies) "and" best fit (best fit) "for specifying the output condition and selecting and outputting the printer most suitable for the condition.

When the output method is selected from the operation screen by the operator and one of the groups of the printer 16 is selected, it is determined in step 154 in FIG. 7 that a print operation screen display instruction has been given, and in step 156 the scanner 12 sends the server 14 , An operation screen generation request signal for generating a print operation screen is transmitted. Further, the operator operates the display panel 12B to select, for example, one of the groups of the printers 16 registered in advance as an output destination, and transmits only the information indicating that the group of the printers 16 is selected from the scanner 12 to the scanner 12. You may make it transmit to the server 14.

In the server 14, step 11 in FIG.
If it is determined in step 4 that the operation screen generation request signal transmitted from the scanner 12 has been received, the status of the printer 16 connected to the network 10 is checked in step 116, and the operation screen generation request signal and the registered operation screen generation request signal are registered. Based on the attribute information of the printer 16, attribute information for generating the designated print operation screen of the printer 16 is generated, and the generated attribute information is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 118.

As the operation screen generation request signal, all the attribute information of the printer 16 connected to the network 10 are displayed, only the attribute information of the printer 16 having the color printing function is displayed, A signal for displaying the attribute information of only the printer 16 can be transmitted.

At this time, when the status of the designated printer 16 is confirmed, if there is a printer 16 which is down due to an error such as power-off, paper jam, no paper stored in the tray, or the like, Server 14
Generates attribute information for generating a printing operation screen so that the attribute information of the down printer 16 is not displayed. At this time, the down printer 1
With respect to No. 6, information for displaying a print operation screen for displaying error information indicating that the printer is down may be generated.

When the attribute information is transmitted from the server 14 to the scanner 12 and it is determined in step 158 in FIG. 7 that the attribute information has been received from the server 14, the scanner 1
2 combines the attribute information represented by the text data for generating the received print operation screen with the user interface component indicating the image information such as the button stored in the memory 12D to create the print operation screen. Generate, step 160
Is displayed on the display panel 12B as a user interface.

When the operator operates the displayed print operation screen and gives a screen change instruction of the print operation screen, FIG.
The process proceeds from step 162 to step 164, and from step 114 in FIG. 6 to steps 120 and 122 to perform the screen change process. In this screen change process, steps 156 to 160 in FIG.
As described at 118, the display panel 1 of the scanner 12
In response to the operation of 2B, a new operation screen generation request signal is transmitted to the server 14, and the server 14 generates attribute information for generating a new print operation screen, and transmits the generated attribute information. Therefore, the display of the printing operation screen is changed according to the operation using the printing operation screen on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12.

The screen changing process will be described in more detail. A group of the printers 16 is selected by operating the printing operation screen on the display panel 12B of the scanner 12, a printer 16 belonging to the group is designated, and the designated group is assigned to the designated group. When an operation screen generation request signal for setting an output instruction to the belonging printer is transmitted, the logical product of the attribute information of the printers 16 belonging to the group is calculated in the server 14, and the attribute information common to each group is selected and shared. The attribute information is transmitted to the scanner 12. As a result, a printing operation screen for displaying the group of the printers 16 and the attribute information common to this group is newly generated and displayed.

When registering a plurality of printers 16 as one group, an operator selects attribute information indicating a function to be grouped, and generates an operation screen generation request signal for displaying the printer 16 having the attribute information. Is transmitted to the server 14, all the printers 16 having the selected attribute are displayed, and the operator selects the printers 16 to be grouped from the screen, and
By giving a grouping instruction to 4, grouping can be performed.

An operation screen (not shown) for designating an output method / storage destination by the operator selects “do not output divided” to output one job without dividing it as an output method. One of the group
When one is selected, a list (not shown) of the printers 16 belonging to the selected group is displayed. Alternatively, a list (not shown) of the single printers 16 that are not grouped may be displayed on the group display unit 202. When an individual printer 16 is selected from the printer list, the attribute information of the selected printer 16 is selected in the server 14 and transmitted to the scanner 12, and a printing operation screen for displaying the attribute information of the selected printer 16 is displayed. Touch panel 12 of generated scanner 12
B is displayed.

As the output method, when the attribute information of the printer 16 to be output, that is, the output condition is designated and the display (best fit) of the printer 16 which is most suitable for the condition is selected, the server 14 selects the output destination as the output destination. The logical sum of the attribute information of the printers 16 belonging to the selected group is calculated, the attribute information of the printer 16 based on the calculation result is transmitted to the scanner 12, and the scanner 12 generates a printing operation screen and displays it on the display panel 12B. I do. This screen allows the operator to list all attribute information that can be selected.

When “specify the number of copies” is selected as the output method and one of the groups of the printers 16 is selected, the number of copies is displayed for each of the printers 16 belonging to the selected group. The specified screen is displayed. The operator can set the number of output copies for each printer from the individual copy number designation screen. Then, a printing operation screen is displayed for each printer 16 to output.

[Print instruction process] After confirming the attribute information of the printer on such a print operation screen, the operator sets output parameters indicating the image data output format such as paper size and enlargement / reduction ratio from the print operation screen. Then, a print instruction is issued.

At this time, if it is selected to save the job for re-output, the process proceeds from step 168 to step 170, and prompts the operator to specify the save destination and the save period of the re-output job.

For example, an operation screen as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display panel 12B, and the operator is prompted to select a desired folder from the icons 300 indicating selectable folders provided at the lower left on the operation screen. Icon 30
0, and information on the folder corresponding to the selected icon 300 (re-copying folder name, related PI
N) is displayed at the lower right, and when the operator confirms this information and selects the OK button 302, the folder is designated as the storage destination of the re-output job.

Next, an operation screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the display panel 12B, and the operator sets radio buttons 3 indicating morning and afternoon provided on the operation screen.
04A, 304B, and a pull-down menu 306 that can select from 1 to 12:00 are operated to select the deletion time of the re-output job (image data), and the OK button 30
When 8 is selected, the period up to the deletion time is designated as the storage period.

At this time, if it is selected to make a job discard reservation, the process proceeds from step 172 to step 174 to prompt the operator to specify a discard time.

For example, an operation screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the display panel 12B, and the operator selects a desired time from icons 310 provided on the operation screen and indicating selectable discard time (day). Icon 310
Is selected and the OK button 312 is selected, the time corresponding to the selected icon 310 is designated as the discard time.

As the designation of the printer 16, one printer 16 can be designated and output, or one group can be designated and output simultaneously from each of the printers 16 belonging to the designated group. . When a group is designated, it is possible to designate broadcast output and equal output, and to designate the number of output copies individually for each of the printers 16 belonging to the group. That is, the output method is specified together with the printer.

For example, a plurality of printers 16 having different functions as attributes are set in advance so as to belong to the same group, and based on the same image data, a printer 16 having a color output function and a monochrome output function are provided. May be output from each of the printers 16. In this case, by specifying output such as one copy output from the printer 16 having the color output function and the remaining copy output from the printer 16 having the black-and-white output function, it is possible to compare the output in the case of outputting all colors. Cost can be reduced.

The number of output copies may be specified according to the size (for example, one copy for A4 and the remaining number for B4), or the number of output copies may be specified according to the recording surface (for example, for both sides). The number of output copies may be specified according to the presence or absence of a finisher (for example, 1 copy, the number of copies remaining on one side) (for example, 1 copy with a stapler, and the remaining copy without a stapler).

As described above, when the job is stored for re-output, the storage destination and the storage period for re-output are designated by the operator, and when the job is to be discarded, the discard time is designated and output. Printer 16 is specified,
When an output parameter indicating an image data output format is set and a start button is selected from the print operation screen and a print instruction is issued, a print instruction is determined in step 176 of FIG. A printable confirmation signal for confirming whether or not printing is possible is transmitted to the server.

When a printable confirmation signal is transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14 and it is determined in step 124 in FIG. 6 that the printable confirmation signal has been received (a print instruction has been issued),
In step 126, the status of the designated printer 16 is confirmed. If it is determined in step 128 that printing is possible, a print enable signal is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 132. On the other hand, when it is determined in step 128 that printing is not possible, a printing disable signal is transmitted to the scanner 12 in step 130.

In the scanner 12, step 180 in FIG.
In, it is determined whether a print enable signal has been received,
If a print enable signal is received, the next step 18
In step 4, it is determined whether or not an image reading (scan start) has been instructed by, for example, pressing a start button by the operator. If it is determined in step 184 that an image reading instruction has been issued, in step 186, the scanner unit 12A is controlled to read an image recorded on the set original by one operation, that is, a series of image data is converted into common image data. And stored in the memory 12D of the scanner as digitized image data. In step 188, the output format input from the operation screen and the image data read from the scanner unit 12A are transmitted to the server 14.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 180 that a print disable signal has been input,
Instructs the operator to re-designate the printer 16 and returns to step 162, and when the operator operates the display panel 12B to re-designate the printer 16 to be output, the steps 176 to 17 are performed in the same manner as described above.
Proceeding to step 8, send a printability confirmation signal to the server 14 to confirm whether or not printing is possible. If the printability signal is received in step 180 and it is determined in step 184 that image reading has been instructed, At step 186, the image data recorded on the document is read, and at step 188, the output format and the image data are transmitted to the server 14.

When instructing a single job to be executed by a plurality of printers 16, the jobs for each printer 16 are independently located below one job, and the operations (start, stop, stop, Restart, change, delete, etc.), the job in the upper layer and all the jobs in the lower layer can be similarly executed. The lower-layer jobs may be operated independently to be executed independently.

[Printing Process] If it is determined in step 134 in FIG. 6 that the output format and the image data from the scanner 12 have been received by the server 14, the process proceeds to step 1
At 36, the job is registered as a job of the designated image output device. At step 138, the status of the printer 16 designated to execute the job is confirmed.
It is determined whether or not printing is possible based on the status confirmed at 0.

If it is determined that printing cannot be performed due to an error occurring in the printer 16 for which printing has been specified, a print disable signal is sent to the scanner 1 in step 130.
Send to 2. As a result, the scanner 12 determines in step 190 that the print disable signal has been received after transmitting the output format and image data, and operates the operator to re-designate the printer 16 in step 182 as described above. When an instruction is given on the screen, and the operator operates the display panel 12B to re-designate the printer 16 to output, a print enable signal is received, and when the start of scanning is instructed, the image is read, and the output format and image The data is transmitted to the server 14 again. Until it is determined in step 192 that the predetermined time has elapsed, the process returns to step 190 to repeatedly determine whether or not a print disable signal has been received.

Even if the printer 16 is re-designated after the output format and the image data are transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14, the output format and the image data are usually not changed because the output format and the image data are not changed. The output format and the image data already transmitted to the server 14 may be used without being transmitted to the server 14. If the output format has to be changed due to re-designation of the printer 16, only the output format may be transmitted and changed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 140 that printing is possible, the process proceeds to step 14 if the storage destination specified in step 170 is printed.
Then, the process proceeds from Step 2 to Step 144 to save the copy file of the image data as a re-output job in the designated folder, and then proceeds to Step 146. An image output format signal indicating image data and the like and image data input from the scanner 12 are transmitted via the network 10. The storage location of the re-output job may be the memory 14B in the server 14, or the server 14 and the driver 20.
An external storage device connected via the network 10 or a storage device connected via the network 10 may be used.

If the storage destination is not specified, the process directly proceeds from step 142 to step 146, and similarly transmits the image format signal and the image data to the specified printer 16.

When the printer 16 determines in step 104 of FIG. 5 that the output format and the image data transmitted from the server 14 have been received, the printer 16 outputs the image based on the image data in the output format designated in step 106. Is formed on the recording paper, and the recording paper on which the image is formed is output.

The server 14 monitors the status of the printing process by the printer 16, and when the printing process is completed, the process proceeds from step 148 to step 149 to delete the registered job information of the corresponding job.

[Re-output processing] The operator
In the case of re-outputting an image which has already been output from, a re-print service is selected from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the display panel 12B, and a file stored as a re-output job is selected. In addition to specifying the file to be re-output, the printer 16 for outputting the image is specified and the output format is set in the same manner as in the above-described print instruction processing. Accordingly, the server 12 determines that the re-output instruction has been input, and proceeds from step 154 in FIG. 7 to steps 151 and 153, and transmits the re-output instruction to the server 14.

When the server 14 receives the reprint instruction, the server 14 proceeds to step 12 in FIG.
After proceeding from Step 4 to Steps 126, 128, and 132, the routine proceeds from Step 133 to Step 135, where the designated file is read from the files stored as the re-output job, and the job is registered at Step 136. Thereafter, the same processing as the processing described in the above-mentioned [print processing] is performed, and an image is formed again on the recording paper from the printer 16 and output.

That is, by storing the copy file of the image data as the re-output job, the operator can print the image based on the image data from the printer 16 even after the printer 16 prints the image. By using (image data), an image based on the same image data can be printed again.

[Job Management Process] The job management process is a process that is always executed in the server 14 as a background process. The background process will be described with reference to FIG. While the server 14 is running, the process shown in FIG. 8 is repeatedly executed by the controller 14A with time interruption at predetermined time intervals.

First, in step 200, the information of the registered job (see step 136 in FIG. 6) is confirmed. If there is a job for which a cancel reservation is set, the process advances from step 202 to step 204 to check whether or not the specified cancel time has passed (it has passed). If the discard time has come, it is determined that the job is an unnecessary job, and the process proceeds to step 206, where the job is deleted and the processing related to the job is stopped.

Next, in step 208, for each folder that can be specified as a storage destination of the re-output job (image data), the re-output job stored in the folder is confirmed. If any of the specified storage periods has passed, it is determined that the job is unnecessary and step 21
From 0, the process proceeds to step 212 to delete the re-output job.

As described above, the image data and the output format can be transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14 by specifying the storage destination and the storage period of the re-output job.
In step 4, these are registered as jobs and printed by the printer 16, and this image data is copied and stored in a designated storage destination as a re-output job, and is automatically deleted after the storage period has elapsed. As a result, even after printing once and outputting the image, during the storage period, since the copied image data remains, the same image is output again, or the output is changed by changing the printer 16 or the output format. be able to.

Therefore, when instructing the printing of the image data that may be re-outputted, the operator simply specifies the storage destination and the storage period of the re-output job. Output can be performed any number of times, and after the storage period has elapsed, the re-output job is automatically deleted from the memory, so that useless use of memory resources can be prevented.

Further, the image data and the output format can be transmitted from the scanner 12 to the server 14 by designating the discarding time. The server 14 registers these as a job, and the designated printer 16 can print. Then, the job is transmitted to the printer 16 to execute printing, and then the job is deleted. However, when the discard time specified earlier is reached, the job is automatically deleted and the job related to the job is deleted. Cancel processing.

Therefore, for image data that does not need to be output by the predetermined time, when the operator instructs printing, the output time is specified by the specified time only by designating the predetermined time as the discard time. If not, the job is automatically deleted, so that unnecessary image output can be prevented.

As described above, the job is automatically deleted after the designated deletion time or storage period has passed, so that the operator searches the registered job or the stored re-output job for an unnecessary job and deletes it. Without doing so, unnecessary jobs can be deleted by a simple operation of simply inputting a deletion time and a storage period when a print instruction is issued, and there is no fear that a necessary job is erroneously deleted due to an operation error of the operator.

In this embodiment, in the case of re-outputting, in consideration of the fact that the operator designates the re-outputting job, the operator can store and manage the re-outputting job in an arbitrary place. In addition, apart from the abandonment reservation, the storage destination is set together with the storage period for re-output, but the present invention is not limited to this. The storage destination does not have to be specified, and the validity period may be set in common without being divided into the discard time and the storage period.

When the discarding time and the storage period are set separately, when a job registered as the discarding time is deleted, if the job is during the storage period, the storage designated as the re-output job is performed. You may make it save first. For example, if the output is not made before 3 o'clock of the present day, the output may be made by the day after tomorrow. Then, the registered job is deleted and the image output is temporarily canceled. However, since the re-output job is stored, when the operation rate of the printer 16 is low, for example,
It can be output again.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the scanner generates an operation screen based on the transmitted text data and the like and displays the generated operation screen on the display panel as a user interface.
Providing a user interface on the client or MFP,
It can also be operated from a client or MFP.

For example, when a multifunction peripheral is connected to the print system of the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral normally operates as a single multifunction peripheral. It may be configured to operate as an image input device or an image output device.

Normally, the multifunction peripheral operates as a multifunction peripheral that operates independently by displaying a user interface screen unique to the multifunction peripheral on the display panel. However, when an instruction to shift to the “network copy mode” is issued, Issues a request to the server connected via the network to obtain information for generating a user interface screen, and connects to the display panel of the multifunction device via the network based on the information transmitted from the server. Display a user interface screen that allows the user to specify settings and output formats for other devices. From this screen, select the output destination printer,
After setting the output format and instructing to start network copy, if the document is read by the image reading unit of the multifunction device, the read image and information on the output printer and output format are sent to the server and printed. Processing is also possible.

In this embodiment, the process from reading the original to printing is automatically performed only by pressing the start button after first setting the output parameters so as to operate a normal copying machine. Although the configuration is made as described above, the stored image can be printed out by reading and storing the image from the scanner with the scan service as described below and then issuing a reprint instruction.

When storing an image recorded on a document, a scan service is selected from a menu screen (not shown) displayed on the touch panel 12B of the scanner 12, the document is set on the scanner section 12A, and a start button is pressed. push. As a result, it is determined that there is an image reading instruction, and the scanner unit 12A is controlled to read the image recorded on the document. As for the read image data, the digitized image data is stored in the memory 12D of the scanner. In this case, for example, a printer having a color output function (color printer) and a printer having a monochrome output function (black and white printer) are connected so that image data to be used by a printer having a higher function can be obtained. In this case, the image is read so that image data for a color printer is obtained, and if a high-resolution printer and a low-resolution printer are connected, image data for a high-resolution printer is obtained. Is preferred.

When the image data is input from an external storage device in which the image data is stored in advance, the above-described image reading processing is unnecessary, and the image data read from the external storage device using a reading device (not shown) is used. May be stored in the memory 12D as common image data by one operation.

Next, when printing an image stored by the scan service, a reprint service is selected on a menu screen (not shown). In the reprint service, a desired image can be re-output from the image stored in the memory 12D of the scanner by performing a process similar to the process described in the above [Print instruction process].

In this embodiment, the image read by the scanner is temporarily stored in the memory 1 of the scanner 12.
The image data is stored in 2D, transmitted from the memory 12D to the server 14 when output to the printer 16, and transmitted to each printer 16. 14 and may be configured to be transmitted to each printer 16 when outputting to the printer 16. Further, the image read by the scanner may be temporarily stored in the memory 12D of the scanner 12, and may be directly transmitted from the memory 12D to the printer at the time of printing without passing through the server 14.

The image read by the scan service is temporarily stored in the memory 12D of the scanner 12, information indicating the storage location of the image is transmitted to the server or the printer, and the image is stored at the time of output to the printer 16. Server 14 or printer 16 based on the location information
May read the image.

In the above description, an example in which an image is output to a printer has been described. However, an image can be output to a multifunction peripheral or a facsimile apparatus other than the printer. Alternatively, the information may be output as e-mail to another device (for example, a mobile phone) connected via a network.

[0100]

As described above, the present invention has an excellent effect that unnecessary jobs can be deleted simply and accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a scanner.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a printer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a server.

FIG. 5 is a processing routine executed by a controller of the printer.

FIG. 6 is a processing routine executed by a controller of the server.

FIG. 7 is a processing routine executed by a scanner controller.

FIG. 8 is a job monitoring process routine executed by a server controller by a time interruption.

FIG. 9 is an example of an operation screen displayed to specify a save destination.

FIG. 10 is an example of an operation screen displayed to specify a storage period.

FIG. 11 is an example of an operation screen displayed to specify a discard time.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Network 12 Scanner 12B Display panel 14 Server 16 ₁ ... 16 _n Printer 18 ₁ ... 18 _n Client 30 MFP

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP07 AQ06 AR01 HK19 HL01 HN16 HN23 HQ12 HQ17 HR07 5B021 AA01 AA05 AA19 BB02 EE02 5C062 AA02 AA05 AA13 AA35 AB17 AB21 AB38 AB42 AC22 AC58

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A management device for use in an image output system configured by connecting a plurality of image output devices based on image data to a network, wherein the management device is connected to the network and the network Register a job based on the image data transmitted via the MFP, transmit the registered job to a designated image output device, and delete the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has passed. A management device, characterized in that: 2. The management device according to claim 1, wherein when the job in the designated image output device ends, the registered job is deleted. 3. A job management method in an image output system configured by connecting a plurality of image output devices based on image data to a network, wherein the image data is transmitted to the image data via a network. Registering a job based on the registered job, and transmitting the job to a designated image output device, and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has expired. . 4. The job management method according to claim 3, wherein when the job in the designated image output device ends, the job registered in the management device is deleted. 5. Each is connected to a network,
A plurality of image output devices for outputting an image based on the image data transmitted via the network; and image data input means for inputting the image data;
Information input means for inputting information for specifying an image output device for outputting the image, and information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means; connected to the network And an image input device comprising: a transmission unit that transmits image data input from the image data input unit and information input from the information input unit via the network; and Registering a job based on the image data transmitted through the network, transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device, and registering the registered job when its validity period has passed. An image output system comprising: a management device that deletes a completed job; 6. The management device according to claim 5, wherein the management device deletes the registered job when the job in the designated image output device ends before the validity period elapses. Image output system. 7. Each is connected to a network,
A plurality of image output devices that output an image based on the image data transmitted through the network, and, while being connected to the network, register a job based on the image data transmitted through the network; And a management device for transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the job has passed, and an image input device used for an image output system comprising: Image data input means for inputting the image data; information designating an image output device for outputting the image; and a validity period of the job based on the image data input from the image data input means. Information input means for inputting information indicating the following, connected to the network and via the network An image input device and a transmission means for transmitting said image data input means is input from the image data, and the information input from the information input unit. 8. Each is connected to a network,
A plurality of image output devices for outputting an image based on the image data transmitted via the network; and image data input means for inputting the image data;
Information input means for inputting information for specifying an image output device for outputting the image, and information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means; connected to the network And an image input device including a transmission unit that transmits the image data input from the image data input unit and the information input from the information input unit via the network. A management device that is connected to the network, registers a job based on the image data transmitted through the network, and transmits the registered job to a designated image output device; When the validity period of the registered job has expired, the registered job is deleted. . 9. The management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, when the job in the designated image output apparatus ends before the valid period elapses, the registered job is deleted. 10. A plurality of image output devices for outputting an image based on image data, a management device for managing the plurality of image output devices, and image data input means for inputting the image data.
And information specifying an image output device that outputs the image,
And an image input device comprising information input means for inputting information indicating a validity period of a job based on the image data input from the image data input means, and an image output apparatus comprising: A job management method in a system, comprising: transmitting image data input from the image data input unit and information input from the information input unit from the image input device to the management device; Registering a job based on the image data transmitted from the device, transmitting the registered job to a designated image output device, and deleting the registered job when the validity period of the registered job has passed. And a job management method. 11. The job according to claim 10, wherein when the job in the designated image output device is completed before the expiration of the validity period, the job registered in the management device is deleted. Management method.