JP2010113657A - Electronic business form server, control method of electronic business form server, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To print business form data transferred in an arbitrary order from a host system in order desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 201 of an electronic business form server 102 sorts business form files generated from business form data transferred from a host computer 101 and form data for defining a format of the business form data into a plurality of storage areas and stores them (S303, S304), generates print jobs of the business form files stored in the plurality of storage areas (S306), suspends the generated print jobs by specific status (S307), and sorts the suspended print jobs with a directory ID storing business form data corresponding to the print jobs as a key, and transmits them to a printer (S308, S309). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to control of an electronic form server that stores, stores, browses, and prints form data transferred from a host system.

  Conventionally, electronic form systems have a function to automatically print forms registered in the system, but form data transferred from the host computer is printed in the order registered in the system, not in the order desired by the user. Will be executed. Therefore, the forms are not printed in the order desired by the user.

  For this reason, the user has to manually sort a large amount of printed forms after the printing of the forms is finished, which is very troublesome.

  When printing is performed, a system is proposed in which a user can arbitrarily change the printing order instead of the order registered in the system (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses a system that creates a print table of contents job and performs printing in a specified order. In particular, Patent Document 1 waits until all jobs described in the print table of contents job are printed, and prevents other jobs from being mixed.
JP-A-7-271532

  However, in the print control system described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to guarantee the order of printing, but the user must create a table of contents job. In particular, when the same printing is executed a plurality of times, the user has to generate a table of contents job every time, which is very troublesome.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism capable of printing form data transferred in an arbitrary order from another system in a user's desired order.

  The present invention is an electronic form server that sorts print jobs of form files and sends them to a printing apparatus, and forms generated from form data transferred from a host system and form data defining the form of the form data Sorting means for sorting and storing a file in a plurality of storage areas, print job generation means for generating a print job for a form file stored in the plurality of storage areas, and a print job generated by the print job generation means And a sorting unit that sorts print jobs held by the holding unit into storage areas in which form files corresponding to the print job are stored and transmits them to a printing apparatus. And

  According to the present invention, it is possible to print the form data transferred from the host system in an arbitrary order in the order desired by the user.

  Therefore, it is possible to automatically perform the process from registration of form data to printing and sorting in the printing order, and it is possible to reduce the labor of manually sorting the forms printed by the user after printing, thereby reducing the operation cost.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic form system to which an electronic form server showing an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a host computer or host printer, which generates form data (referred to as actual form data) to be registered in the electronic form server 102.

  An electronic form server 102 records form files (or simply forms) and management information, and provides services such as form browsing and searching to the client PCs 103 and 104 via the network 105.

  The client PCs 103 and 104 are client terminals used by a person who views a form and obtains a calculation result, and can send and receive data to and from the electronic form server 102 via the network 105. Hereinafter, the client PCs 103 and 104 are simply referred to as client PCs. Further, there can be any number of client PCs.

  The printers 106 and 107 are for printing a form managed by the electronic form server 102. Hereinafter, the printers 106 and 107 are simply referred to as printers. Further, there can be any number of printers.

  The network 105 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The configuration of various terminals connected to the network in FIG. 1 is an example, and there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the electronic form server 102 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the electronic form server 102 of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a CPU, which comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus 204. The ROM 203 or the external memory 211 stores an operating system (OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201 and programs for realizing various functions described later of each server or each client.

  The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, work area, temporary save area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The input controller 205 controls input from the input unit 209. Examples of the input unit 209 include pointing devices such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  The display controller 206 controls display on the display unit 210. Examples of the display unit 210 include a CRT and a liquid crystal display (LCD).

  An external memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to an external memory 211 that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, printer drivers, and the like.

  The external memory 211 stores various tables and parameters for realizing various functions of the electronic form server 102. The external memory 211 also stores a program 212 for realizing the function of the electronic form server 102 of the present invention. The program 212 is executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 202 as necessary. Further, a form file 213 used by the program 212 is also stored in the external memory 211, and detailed description thereof will be described later.

  Examples of the external memory 211 include a hard disk (HD), a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD), a compact flash (registered trademark) connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter, and smart media.

  The communication I / F controller 208 executes communication control processing with an external device via the network 105.

  The hardware configuration of the client PC and the electronic form server 102 are the same. However, the program 212 is a client module for outputting a form file, and is different from that of the electronic form server 102. Further, the form file 213 receives only the part necessary for display by communication with the electronic form server 102, and is different in that the client PC does not originally hold it.

  The form file 213 represents data for displaying the form, and is composed of one or a plurality of files and contains one or a plurality of pages. This form file 213 is generated from form data transmitted from the host computer 101 and form data corresponding to the form data (referred to as data defining the form format). Within the electronic form server 102, the same type of a plurality of form files 213 are managed as a group, and each form file 213 is called a generation within the group.

  Next, a basic processing flow of the print job output order re-sorting function will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of basic processing of the print job output order re-sort function in the electronic form server of the present invention. In this flowchart, the process executed by the electronic form server 102 is realized by the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 loading the program 212 stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it. The processing executed by the client PC is realized by the CPU of the client PC executing a program stored in the external memory or a program downloaded from the electronic form server 102. The processing executed by the host computer 101 is realized by the CPU of the host computer executing a program stored in the external memory.

  Note that S301 and S302 correspond to processing executed from the client PC. S303 corresponds to processing executed from the host computer 101.

  The user executes the sorting setting process (S301) from the client PC in advance. As a result, sorting key information 801 (FIG. 8) and sorting position setting information 901 (FIG. 9) are registered in the electronic form server 102. Details of the sorting setting process (S301) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In addition, the user executes an automatic print setting process (S302) from the client PC in advance. As a result, automatic print information 1501 (FIG. 15) is registered in the electronic form server 102. Details of the automatic print setting process (S302) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  When the host computer 101, which is the host device, transmits the form data to the electronic form server 102, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 receives the form data and uses the received form data and the corresponding form data. The file is converted into a form file that can be managed in the electronic form server (data registration process (S303)).

  When the data registration process (S303) is completed, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 sorts the form file according to the contents set at S301 and stores it in a specified directory (storage area) according to the contents set at S301. Stored (distributed) (S304, S305). Details of the data registration processing in S303 and the keyword sorting processing in S304 and S305 will be described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 executes automatic print processing on the sorted form file according to the contents set in the automatic print setting process (S302), and generates a print job (S306).

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 registers the print job of the form generated by the automatic printing process (S306) in the queue for each printer in the order in which the automatic printing process is completed (S307). The queue (print queue) is provided on the RAM 202 or the external memory 211 of the electronic form server 102. That is, in S307, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 suspends the print job generated in S306 with a specific status for each printer.

  Note that the order in which the print jobs are registered in the queue depends on the processing status of the electronic form server 102 (registered in the queue in the order in which the print jobs are generated).

  In the present invention, since the order of print jobs is changed by print job sort processing (S308), which will be described later, printing to the printer (sending of the print job to the printer) is not executed at this time, but the print job is held in the print queue. (Hold).

  In the conventional method, since printing is performed at this time, printing is not performed in the order requested by the user, but printing is performed in the order registered in the electronic form server. In the present invention, by re-sorting the order of the held jobs, printing is performed in the order requested by the user.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 executes print job sort processing based on the sort instruction file 1801 (FIG. 18) (S308). As a result, the order of jobs in the queue for each printer is changed in the order described in the sort instruction file 1801 (FIG. 18), and is sent to the printer in the order shown in S309. Details of the print job sort processing (S308, S309) will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  As a result, the printer that has received the print job executes the print job processing (printing the form on the recording paper) in the order sorted in S308 (S310).

  The sort instruction file 1801 (FIG. 18) may be created once before registering the form. Also, the print job sort (S308, S309) can be automatically executed by the electronic form server 102 periodically (at a printing time designated in advance). Therefore, the user can obtain printed sheets (forms) in the intended order without giving a print instruction.

  Next, the sorting setting process shown in S301 of FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of the sorting setting process shown in S301 of FIG. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the client PC is realized by the CPU of the client PC executing a program stored in the external memory or a program downloaded from the electronic form server 102. The processing executed by the electronic form server 102 is realized by the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 loading the program 212 stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  The sorting setting process is started from the client PC. First, in the client PC, registration of sorting key information and distribution directory registration processing is performed using the screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (S401). This process is a process for determining a distribution destination directory when a registered form includes specific data.

  The registration key information is registered by using the screen shown in FIG. 5 to register the sorting key information 801 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a sorting key registration screen displayed on the client PC.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution destination directory setting screen displayed on the client PC.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of sorting key information according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sorting key information 801 includes a sorting key ID (sorting key ID) to be divided when the key appears in the form file, a plurality of sorting keys, and a word that matches the sorting key. Including a distribution destination directory ID for designating to which directory (storage area) the form file including the file is distributed.

  The sorting key is input by the user in the field indicated by reference numeral 501 in FIG. The input information is stored in the sorting key information 801 shown in FIG. 8, and for example, sorting key 1 to sorting key N are set.

  Before setting the delivery destination directory, “Not set” is displayed in the form delivery destination 502, and when the form delivery destination 502 is designated, the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

  The distribution destination directory is set by selecting from the directory information registered in the electronic form server using the screen shown in FIG. 6, and adding the distribution destination directory ID to the sorting key information in FIG. When the directory ID is added, it is displayed in the form delivery destination 502 of FIG. 5 and can be confirmed together with the sorting key information.

  When the OK button 503 is instructed to be pressed, the client PC transmits sorting key information 801 (FIG. 8) to the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102. The CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 receives the sorting key information 801 (FIG. 8) transmitted from the client PC and stores it in the external memory 211.

  Next, in the client PC, a form selection process is executed on the client PC, and the form ID of the selected form is transmitted to the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102.

  When receiving the form ID transmitted from the client PC, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 transmits the form file of the form ID to the client PC and displays it on the display unit as shown in FIG. 7 (S403).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sorting key position setting screen displayed on the client PC.

  Next, the client PC executes sorting key position setting processing based on the form file (FIG. 7) on the key position setting screen displayed in S403 (S404). For example, while viewing the form as shown in FIG. 7 on the client PC, the user designates where to place the sort key when the sort key performed in S401 is located. Thereby, the sorting position setting information 901 shown in FIG. 9 is set.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of sorting key position information according to the present embodiment.

  When the OK button 701 is pressed, the client PC transmits the set sorting position setting information 901 (FIG. 9) to the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102.

  Then, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 receives the sorting position setting information 901 (FIG. 9) set and transmitted by the client PC and stores it in the external memory 211.

  Note that the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 links the sorting key ID of the sorting key information 801 (FIG. 8) registered in S401 and the sorting position ID of the sorting position setting information 901 (FIG. 9) set in S401. Information to be attached is stored in the external memory 211.

  Next, details of the automatic print setting process shown in S302 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the automatic print setting process shown in S302 of FIG. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the client PC is realized by the CPU of the client PC executing a program stored in the external memory or a program downloaded from the electronic form server 102. The processing executed by the electronic form server 102 is realized by the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 loading the program 212 stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  The automatic print setting process is executed from the client PC. First, in the client PC, assignment is performed in order to determine a printer that performs printing for the directory using the screen shown in FIG. 11 (S1001). This process is a process for determining a printer to be used when performing automatic printing in advance.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer assignment screen displayed on the client PC.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, a printer having a printer name “printer A” is assigned.

  Next, in the client PC, in order to determine a target to be automatically printed using the printer assigned in S1001, the target directory storing the target form is selected using the screen shown in FIG. (S1002).

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a target directory selection screen displayed on the client PC.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, “directory 1”, “directory 2”, and “directory 3” can be selected as target directories, but “directory 1” is selected.

  Next, in the client PC, the target form is selected from the directory selected in S1002 using the screen shown in FIG. 13 (S1003).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a target form selection screen displayed on the client PC.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, “form A” is selected as the target form.

  Next, in the client PC, selection of various setting values in printing when performing automatic printing is performed using the screen shown in FIG. 14 (S1004).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print option setting screen displayed on the client PC.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, “hold” is set as the initial status as indicated by 1401. This is because it is necessary to hold the job once in order to execute the print job sort (S308), and therefore it is necessary to set the job to be held (hold) when setting automatic printing.

  When an OK button 1402 is pressed, the client PC transmits the set automatic print information 1501 (FIG. 15) to the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the automatic print information selected in S1001 to S1004 of FIG.

  When the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 receives the automatic print information 1501 (FIG. 15) set and transmitted by the client PC, stores (registers) it in the external memory 211, and executes the automatic print processing 306 Used for.

  Next, the details of the data registration process shown in S303 of FIG. 3 and the data registration process and keyword sorting process shown in S303 of S304 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the data registration process shown in S303 of FIG. 3 and the keyword sorting process shown in S304. In this flowchart, the processing executed by the host computer 101 is realized by the CPU of the host computer 101 executing a program stored in the external memory. The processing executed by the electronic form server 102 is realized by the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 loading the program 212 stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  The data registration process is executed from the host computer 101. First, when the form data created by the host computer 101 is transferred from the host computer 101 to the electronic form server 102, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 receives the form data (S1601).

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 converts the form data received in S1601 into a form file in a format that can be managed in the electronic form server (S1602).

  When the conversion of the form data (S1602) ends, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 sorts the sorting position setting information 901 (FIG. 9) set in the sorting setting process (FIG. 4) and the device key information 801 (delivery destination directory information). Including) (FIG. 8) is acquired (S1603 to S1605).

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 analyzes each page of the form file, and determines whether or not there is data that matches the sorting key in the sorting position data indicated by the sorting position setting information (S1606).

  If it is determined in S1606 that the sorting position data matches the sorting key, the form file is distributed (stored) to the distribution destination directory corresponding to the distribution destination directory information acquired in S1605 (S1608). ).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1606 that the data at the sorting position does not match the sorting key, the form file is delivered (stored) to the delivery destination set by default (S1607).

  Next, details of the print job sorting process shown in S308 and S309 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing details of the print job sort process shown in S308 and S309 of FIG. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 loading the program 212 stored in the external memory 211 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

  When the print job sort process is started (S1701), the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 first analyzes the sort instruction file 1801 shown in FIG. 18 and determines whether the format is normal (S1702). The purpose of this is to prevent the malfunction of the format of the sort instruction file 1801 in the subsequent processing when it has a different format. Here, the sort instruction file 1801 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the sort instruction file 1801 of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the format of the sort instruction file 1801 includes one section instruction line 1802, followed by one printer designation line 1803, and then one or more directory designation lines 1804. be written. One block is formed in the above format, and a plurality of blocks can be described continuously.

  The section instruction line 1802 is used to indicate that a printer ID (printer designation line 1803) as one command unit is described after this line.

  The printer ID (printer designation line 1803) indicates the ID of a printer that performs print job sorting. The printer ID (printer designation line 1803) needs to be described in the line following the section designation line, and only the line following the section designation line is recognized as the printer ID.

  A plurality of directory IDs (directory designation lines 1804) can be described, and jobs can be sorted in the order described in the sort instruction file and output to the printer.

  It is assumed that the sort instruction file 1801 is created in advance in a text file format or the like and stored in the external memory 211 of the sort instruction file 1801.

  Returning to the description of the steps in FIG.

  In the sort instruction file analysis process (S1702), for example, when there is no section instruction line 1802, the printer ID specified by the printer specification line 1803 and the directory ID specified by the directory specification line 1804 cannot be input by the system. If it is the number of characters, it is determined that the format is invalid. This warns the user that the format is invalid, reduces unnecessary processing of the electronic form server 102, and reduces the load.

  If it is determined in step S1702 that the format is invalid as a result of the analysis of the sort instruction file 1801, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 advances the processing to step S1703.

  In S1703, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 outputs an error log (S1703), leaves information that indicates to the user what the process has ended abnormally, and ends the print job sort (S1704).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1702 that the format is normal as a result of the analysis of the sort instruction file 1801, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 advances the processing to step S1705.

  In S1705, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 reads one line of the sort instruction file 1801 and determines the contents of the line (S1706).

  If it is determined in S1706 that the content of the line is a section instruction line, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 reads the next line (S1708) and stores the content in the RAM 202 as the ID of the target printer (S1708). S1708). Then, the process returns to S1705.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1706 that the content of the line is not a section instruction line, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 determines that the content of the line is a directory ID and adds it to the directory list in the RAM 202. (S1709). Then, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 reads the next line and determines the contents (S1710).

  If it is determined in S1710 that the next line is other than the section instruction line, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 determines that the instruction for the target printer remains, and returns the process to S1705.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1710 that the next line is a section instruction line, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 can determine that the instruction for the target printer is complete, so that the image is stored based on the printer ID stored in S1708. 19 is acquired from the external memory 211 of the electronic form server 102 (S1711). Here, the printer information 1901 will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the printer information 1901.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the printer information 1901 includes information such as a printer ID, a printer status, a print job ID, and a print job status. The print job ID and the print job status are described for each print job stored in the print queue of the printer.

  The printer information 1901 is stored in the external memory 211 for a printer in which a printer driver is installed in the electronic form server 102.

  Returning to the description of the steps in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 acquires one directory ID from the directory list created in S1709 (S1712).

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 acquires a list of print jobs (for example, 2001 in FIG. 20) that the printer has in the printer information 1901 acquired in S1711 (S1713).

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the transition of a print job when the print job sort process of the present invention is executed.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the printer information 1901 includes information such as a printer ID, a printer status, a print job ID, and a print job status. The print job ID and the print job status are stored for the number of print jobs. Has been. In the print job status, the directory ID (directory 1, directory 2, directory 3, directory 4, directory 5, etc.) of the directory in which the form file corresponding to the print job is stored, and the print job are associated. Information on the form ID (form A, form B, form C, form D, etc.) of the form file is included.

  In step S <b> 1713, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 acquires a print job status from the printer information 1901, thereby acquiring a print job list as illustrated in 2001 in FIG. 20, for example.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 narrows down only the jobs related to the directory ID acquired in S1712 from the list of print jobs acquired in S1713 (for example, 2001 in FIG. 20). Perform (S1714). That is, sorting is performed by sorting in the order of the directory ID of the directory in which the form file corresponding to the print job is stored (the directory ID is used as the sort key). This narrowing result is, for example, 2002 in FIG. In the example shown in 2002 of FIG. 20, only jobs related to the directory 1 are narrowed down.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 further sorts the print jobs (for example, 2002 in FIG. 20) narrowed down in S1714 in the order of the form IDs of the forms corresponding to the print jobs (the form ID is changed). Sort as a sort key) (S1715). This sort result is sorted in the order of form A, form B, and form C, for example, as indicated by 2003 in FIG.

  Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 releases the print job (for example, 2002 in FIG. 20) that has been resorted in S1715, and issues a print request to the printer (S1716). As a result, the print job (for example, 2002 in FIG. 20) for each directory for which re-sorting has been completed in S1715 is transmitted to the printer.

  As a result, the re-sorting and release for the directory ID acquired in S1712 is completed. Next, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 has a directory ID that has not yet been processed in the directory list created in S1709. It is determined whether or not (S1717).

  If it is determined in S1717 that a directory ID that has not yet been processed remains in the directory list, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 returns the process to S1712.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1717 that there is no unprocessed directory ID remaining in the directory list, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 advances the process to S1718.

  In step S1718, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 determines whether there is a next line in the sort instruction file. If it is determined that there is still the next line in the sort instruction file, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 returns the process to S1705.

  On the other hand, in S1718, when the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 determines that there is no more line in the sort instruction file, the CPU 201 of the electronic form server 102 ends the print job sorting process of this flowchart.

  Hereinafter, the transition of the print job when the print job sort process (FIG. 17) is executed will be described using a specific example with reference to FIG.

  20, 2001 corresponds to the print job list of the printer information 1712 acquired in S1713 of FIG.

  If the directory ID acquired from the directory list is “directory 1”, only the job of “directory 1” is narrowed down from the job list 2001 in the processing of S1714 in FIG. As shown.

  Further, when sorting by form ID is executed in the processing of S1715 in FIG. 17, the jobs are sorted as indicated by 2003.

  When the state of 2003 is reached, printing is sequentially performed on the printer, so that printing is performed in the order of “form A”, “form B”, “form C”, and “form D” in “directory 1”. .

  If there is another directory ID in the directory list, the sort is performed in the same manner.

  As described above, the print jobs are sorted for each directory and for each form, sent to the printer, and paper (form) is printed from the printer.

  Accordingly, the form registered in the electronic form server 102 is automatically printed, and the printer is printed in an arbitrary printing order (order specified by the sort instruction file 1801) regardless of the registered order. Can do.

  As described above, since the electronic form server 102 according to the present embodiment can automatically perform the process from registration of the form file to printing and sorting in the printing order, the user manually prints the printed paper (form) after printing. Sorting by (sorting) can be reduced and operation costs can be reduced.

  It should be noted that the configuration and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the various data and configurations are configured according to the application and purpose.

  Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or recording medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system including a single device.

  As described above, it is possible to automatically print a form registered in the electronic form server at any time from another system (a host system such as the host computer 101), and any printing can be performed regardless of the registered order. Printing can be performed in order (order specified by the user).

  That is, since it is possible to automatically perform from registration of forms to printing and sorting in the printing order, it is possible to reduce the labor of manually sorting the forms printed by the user after printing, and to reduce the operation cost.

  The configuration of a computer-readable recording medium that records a program for causing a computer to function as the electronic form server of the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a computer-readable recording medium (storage medium) that records a program for causing a computer to function as the electronic form server of the present invention.

  Although not specifically shown, information for managing a program group stored in the recording medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, when a program or data to be installed is compressed, a program to be decompressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 10, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external recording medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a recording medium on which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the recording medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, A silicon disk or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Furthermore, after the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a recording medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  Furthermore, by downloading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a server, database, etc. on a network using a communication program and reading it, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. It becomes.

  In addition, all the structures which combined each embodiment mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electronic form system to which an electronic form server showing an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the electronic form server 102 of FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a basic process of a print job output order re-sort function in the electronic form server of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the classification setting process shown to S301 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the registration screen of the classification key displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the delivery destination directory displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the sorting key position setting screen displayed on a client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the sorting key information of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the sorting key position information of this embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing details of automatic print setting processing shown in S302 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the printer allocation screen displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the target directory selection screen displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the target form selection screen displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows an example of the printing option setting screen displayed on client PC. It is a figure which shows the automatic printing information selected in S1001-S1004 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the data registration process shown to S303 of FIG. 3, and the keyword classification | category process shown to S304. 4 is a flowchart showing details of print job sorting processing shown in S308 and S309 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the sort instruction file 1801 of this embodiment. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of printer information 1901. FIG. It is a figure which shows the transition of the print job at the time of performing the print job sort process of this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the computer-readable recording medium (storage medium) which recorded the program for functioning a computer as an electronic form server of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Host computer 102 Electronic form server 103, 104 Client PC
105 Network 106, 107 Printer

Claims (8)

An electronic form server that sorts print jobs for form files and sends them to a printing device,
Sorting means for sorting and storing a form file generated from form data transferred from a host system and form data defining the format of the form data in a plurality of storage areas;
Print job generation means for generating a print job for the form file stored in the plurality of storage areas;
A holding unit for holding the print job generated by the print job generating unit;
Sorting means for sorting the print jobs held in the holding means for each storage area in which the form file corresponding to the print job is stored, and transmitting the printing job to the printing apparatus;
An electronic form server characterized by comprising:   The sorting means sorts the print jobs held by the holding means for each storage area in which a form file corresponding to the print job is stored, and sets the print jobs for each sorted storage area to the print job. The electronic form server according to claim 1, wherein the electronic form server is sorted for each form file corresponding to. An instruction means for instructing one or a plurality of printing apparatuses and one or a plurality of storage areas in which a form file to be printed for each printing apparatus is stored;
The holding unit holds the print job generated by the print job generating unit for each printing apparatus,
The sorting means sorts the print jobs held for each printing apparatus instructed by the instruction means for each storage area in which a form file corresponding to the print job is stored. 2. The electronic form server described in 2. Sorting setting means for setting a storage area for storing a keyword and a form file including the keyword,
The sorting means sorts the form file generated from the form data transferred from the host system and the form data defining the format of the form data into a plurality of storage areas based on the setting by the sorting setting means. The electronic form server according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Having a designation means for designating the printing time;
5. The electronic form server according to claim 1, wherein the sorting unit performs the sorting and transmits a print job to a printing apparatus at a printing time designated by the designation unit. 6. . A control method in an electronic form server that sorts print jobs of form files and sends them to a printing apparatus,
A sorting step for sorting and storing a form file generated from the form data transferred from the host system and the form data defining the format of the form data in a plurality of storage areas;
A print job generating step for generating a print job for the form file stored in the plurality of storage areas;
A holding unit that holds the print job generated in the print job generation step;
A sorting step in which the sorting unit sorts the print job held in the hold step for each storage area in which the form file corresponding to the print job is stored, and sends the print job to the printing apparatus;
A control method characterized by comprising: A program that can be executed in an electronic form server that sorts print jobs of form files and sends them to a printing apparatus,
Sorting means for sorting and storing a form file generated from form data transferred from a host system and form data defining the format of the form data in a plurality of storage areas;
Print job generation means for generating a print job of the form file stored in the plurality of storage areas;
A holding unit for holding the print job generated by the print job generating unit;
Sort means for sorting the print jobs held in the hold means for each storage area in which the form file corresponding to the print job is stored, and transmitting to the printing apparatus;
A program for causing the electronic form server to function as:   A recording medium in which the program according to claim 7 is recorded in a computer-readable manner.

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