JP2008037000A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus having a plurality of storage devices for storing form data and the like, which can register form data and the like even using a printer driver or the like for an old model apparatus. I will provide a.
When a printing apparatus receives data storage instruction data (form storage instruction data, etc.) that does not include storage location designation information, data to be stored (form data, etc.) is specified in a plurality of storage devices. The storage device (for example, a storage device having a free area of a size that can store form data) is configured as a device having a function (steps S115, S116; YES, S118).
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus having a plurality of storage devices for storing data.

  Currently available printing devices (printing devices such as printers and multifunction devices) that can register (save) form data and print data on a built-in HDD (for example, Patent Document 1) exists. In recent years, a printing apparatus has been configured so that a storage medium can be mounted in order to directly print an image file on a storage medium (recording medium) such as a memory card (without using a computer). Things are also being done.

  For this reason, it is conceivable that the printing apparatus is configured so that form data or the like can be registered on such a storage medium. However, it is necessary to specify such a storage apparatus when registering data. When configured as a device, the target printing device (hereinafter referred to as an old model device) is a device that has only one storage device that can register data, so it is necessary to specify the data registration location. If a printer driver (or data registration software) for an old model device created so that there is no data is used, a device that cannot register data is obtained.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-175552

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is a printing apparatus having a plurality of storage devices for storing form data and the like, even if a printer driver or the like for an old model apparatus is used. It is to provide a printing apparatus capable of registration.

  In order to solve the above problems, a printing apparatus of the present invention receives a plurality of storage means for storing data used for printing, a printing means for printing on paper, and various data. And when the data receiving instruction data for instructing data storage is received by the data receiving means, the data saving instruction data is data including storage location designation information in a predetermined format. The data instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data is stored in the storage means designated by the storage location designation information among the plurality of storage means, and the data storage instruction data is stored in a predetermined format. If the data does not include the designation information, the data instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data is stored in the specific storage in a plurality of storage means. And data storage means for storing the unit comprises.

  That is, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes data storage instruction data (including storage location designation information of a predetermined format) transmitted by an old model device printer driver or the like to instruct storage of data (form data, print data, etc.) When data is not received, the data to be stored is stored in a specific storage unit among a plurality of storage units. Therefore, if this printing apparatus is installed in an office or the like, even if a printer driver or the like for an old model apparatus is used (without installing a printer driver or the like for this printing apparatus), form data or the like is stored in the printing apparatus. It will be possible to realize an environment that can be registered.

  When realizing the printing apparatus of the present invention, if the data storage instruction data received by the data receiving means is data that does not include storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the data storage instruction data It is possible to employ a means for saving data instructed to be stored in a storage means having a free storage area of a size capable of storing the data among a plurality of storage means.

  Further, the data storage instruction data is set as data including a data name and storage instruction person information (user name or computer name) indicating the person who has instructed the storage, and the data storage means is instructed to store by the data storage instruction data. Is stored in the storage means in association with the data name included in the data storage instruction data and the storage instruction person information, and the data name and the storage instruction included in the received data storage instruction data If there is data stored in any of a plurality of storage means in association with the same data name and storage instructor information as the user information, information indicating that is transmitted in the data storage instruction data After transmitting to the source device, when predetermined information is transmitted from the source device, the data can be stored in the storage device.

  Further, when realizing the printing apparatus of the present invention (claims 1 to 3), when the data specifying data including the data name of the selection target data is received by the data receiving means, the data specifying data is If the data includes storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the data specified by the data name stored in the storage means designated by the storage location designation information in the plurality of storage means , When selected as data to be selected specified in the received data specification data, and the data specification data is data that does not include storage location specification information in a predetermined format, it is stored in a specific storage means. A data selection means for selecting the data specified by the data name as the selection target data specified by the received data specification data is added. Kukoto can be. Further, when realizing the printing apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention, the data storage instruction data is set as data including a data name and attribute information indicating the attribute of the data, and the data storage means is provided with the data storage instruction. The data instructed to be stored by the data is stored in the storage means in a form associated with the data name and attribute information included in the data storage instruction data, and the data name and attribute information of the selection target data are stored. When a plurality of data associated with the same data name as that included in the data designation data is stored in a plurality of storage means when the data designation data to be included is received by the data receiving means Can be added with data selection means for selecting data with matching attribute information as selection target data.

  In addition, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes removable storage means in the plurality of storage means, and the mounting status information indicating the storage means actually mounted in the plurality of storage means is externally provided. In addition, the apparatus includes a mounting status information transmitting means for transmitting to the device, and list information including the data name and the save instructor information regarding each data stored in the designated storage means to the external device. It is also possible to realize the list information transmitting means for transmitting as a device further provided.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, an outline of a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated, a printing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus including an operation panel 11, a controller 12, and a print engine 13 as main components. The printing apparatus 10 is an apparatus that is used by being connected to a network with several user PCs (personal computers) 50 in which the printer driver 30 or the printer driver 40 is installed. The printer driver 30 is a printer driver developed for the printing apparatus 10 (details will be described later), and the printer driver 40 allows the target printing apparatus to register (save) data. Because there is only one storage device, the printer driver for the old model device created so that it is not necessary to specify the data storage location when instructing data storage / use / deletion etc. That is.

  The print engine 13 included in the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a unit that performs printing (image formation) of contents instructed by the controller 12 on a sheet. The operation panel 11 is a unit provided on the casing of the printing apparatus 10 as an interface unit with the user. The operation panel 11 includes an LCD, a plurality of LEDs, a plurality of push button switches, and the like.

  The controller 12 is a unit that performs various processes according to the user's operation contents with respect to the data / operation panel 11 transmitted from the user PC 50 (printer driver 30/40). As shown in the figure, the controller 12 includes a USB host circuit (circuit for reading / writing the USB memory 20), a panel interface circuit, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a network interface circuit, an image processing circuit, and an engine interface circuit. It is a unit composed of etc. The controller 12 is a unit in which a flash ROM 14 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 15 prepared as options can be mounted.

  Based on the above, the functions of the printing apparatus 10 and the printer driver 30 according to the present embodiment will be described below.

  The printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment saves form data (data defining the contents of a form used for form overlay printing) and print data in an attached storage device (USB memory 20, Flash ROM 14, HDD 15). It is a device that can print the print data stored in the installed storage device, and perform form overlay printing using the form data stored in the installed storage device. .

  Specifically, when the controller 12 of the printing apparatus 10 receives a storage device mounting status information request command having a predetermined content, the storage device mounting status information indicating whether or not each storage device is mounted. Information) is a unit configured to return the storage device mounting status information request command to the transmission source device.

  The storage device installation status information request command must be displayed when a dialog box for form registration (a dialog box that must be displayed when registering a form) or a dialog box for registering print data (when registering print data). This is a command transmitted by the printer driver 30 when an operation for instructing display such as a dialog box that does not become necessary is performed.

  More specifically, when an operation for instructing display of a form registration dialog box is performed, the printer driver 30 first sends a storage device mounting status information request command to the storage device mounting from the printing device 10. Get status information. Then, the printer driver 30 performs processing for displaying the form registration dialog box having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 using the acquired storage device mounting status information.

  The form name display field 31 on the form registration dialog box is an item [provided in the user PC 50 that allows the user to select form data to be stored (registered) in the storage device (USB memory 20, Flash ROM 14, HDD 15). The data name of each form data ("test" in the figure) is an item shown therein). The storage location specifying item 32 is a drop-down list box for allowing the user to specify a storage device for storing form data (or “automatically selecting a storage device”). This storage location designation item 32 is an item in which the contents of the drop-down list 32L are set according to the storage device mounting status information (name of each mounted storage device and “automatic”). Yes.

  When the registration button 33 is pressed after selecting the form data to be registered and specifying the storage location, the printer driver 30 selects the selected form data, its data name (form name), and user name (so-called login user name). ), An item that will be sent to the printing apparatus 10 form registration instruction data including storage location designation information indicating the storage location designated by the user (information indicating the setting value of the storage location designation item 32). It is. Note that the form registration instruction data transmitted by the printer driver 30 is different from the form registration instruction data transmitted by the printer driver 40 only in that the storage location designation information is included.

  Although a detailed description is omitted, the print data registration dialog box displayed by the printer driver 30 also includes an item corresponding to the storage location designation item 32. The print data registration instruction data transmitted by the printer driver 30 (data when the printing apparatus 10 registers the print data at the time of reception) is also transmitted by the printer driver 40 only in that the storage location designation information is included. The data is different from the data registration instruction data.

  The controller 12 of the printing apparatus 10 is configured to perform the processing of the procedure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 when the form registration instruction data transmitted by the printer driver 30/40 is received.

  That is, the controller 12 that has received the form registration instruction data first determines whether or not the storage location designation information is included in the received form registration instruction data (step S101). Then, when the storage location designation information is included in the received form registration instruction data (step S101; YES), the controller 12 determines whether or not the storage location designation information is “automatic” (step S101). S102).

  When the storage location designation information is not “automatic” (step S102; NO), the controller 12 adds the received form registration instruction data to the form data stored in any of the attached storage devices. It is determined whether there is data associated with the same data name and user name as those included (hereinafter referred to as data name / user name match data) (step S103).

  If the data name / user name matching data does not exist (step S103; NO), the controller 12 should register this time in the storage device (designated storage device in the figure) indicated by the storage location designation information. It is determined whether or not there is a free area of a size that can store form data (step S107).

  If the storage device indicated by the storage location designation information has a free area of a size that can store the form data to be registered this time (step S107; YES), the controller 12 stores the storage location. Processing for storing the form data in the form registration instruction data in a form associated with the current date and time, the user name and the form name in the form registration instruction data in the storage device indicated by the designation information (step S109) Then, the process of this figure is terminated.

  Further, if there is no empty area of a size that can store the form data to be registered this time in the storage device indicated by the storage location designation information (step S107; NO), the controller 12 Then, the process of discarding the received form registration instruction data and the process of transmitting the specification error information to the transmission source device of the form registration instruction data are performed in step S108, and then the process of FIG. The designation error information is information indicating that there is no free area of a size that can register form data in the designated storage device. The printer driver 30 is a program that displays a dialog box indicating that there is no free area of a size that can register form data in the designated storage device when the designation error information is received.

  If the data name / user name matching data exists (step S103; YES), the controller 12 sends warning information indicating that the data name / user name matching data exists to the transmission source device of the form registration instruction data. (Step S104).

  Upon receiving this warning information, the printer driver 30 in the user PC 50 displays a dialog box for obtaining an instruction from the user as to whether to overwrite the form data or cancel the registration of the form data. When the printer driver 30 is instructed to overwrite the form data, the printer driver 30 transmits continuation instruction information to the printing apparatus 10, and when instructed to cancel the registration of the form data, The stop instruction information is transmitted to the printing apparatus 10.

  The controller 12 waits for instruction information (continuation instruction information / cancellation instruction information) to be received after completion of the process of step S104 (step S105). When the controller 12 receives the cancellation instruction information (step S105; For canceling, the form registration instruction data is discarded (step S110), and the processing in this figure is terminated. On the other hand, when the continuation instruction information is received (step S105; continuation), the controller 12 performs the process of deleting the data name / user name match data (step S106) and the process of step S110, and then the process of FIG. The process ends.

  When the storage form designation information is not included in the received form registration instruction data (step S101; NO), the controller 12 indicates that the storage location designation information included in the received form registration instruction data is “automatic”. In the case (step S102; YES), the process of the procedure shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  That is, the controller 12 determines whether or not the data name / user name matching data exists in the form data stored in any of the storage devices (step S111), and the data name / user name matching data is determined. Is not present (step S111; NO), a process (step S115) is performed to identify a storage device in which a free area of a size that can store form data to be registered this time is present. This process is a process of checking (determining the presence / absence of installation and the presence / absence of a free space) in the order of the HDD 15, the flash ROM 14, and the USB memory 20.

  When the controller 12 succeeds in specifying such a storage device (step S116; YES), the controller 12 associates the specified storage device with the user name and form name in the form registration instruction data and the current date and time. After performing the process of saving the form data in the form registration instruction data (step S118), the process of FIG.

  Further, if the controller 12 fails to specify a storage device having a free area of a size that can store form data to be registered this time (step S116; NO), the controller 12 receives the form registration instruction received this time. The process of discarding the data and the process of transmitting the specification error information to the transmission source device of the form registration instruction data are performed in step S117, and then the process of this figure ends.

  If the data name / user name matching data exists (step S111; YES), the controller 12 transmits warning information to the transmission source device of the form registration instruction data (step S112), and then the instruction information ( The system waits for reception of continuation instruction information / cancellation instruction information (step S113).

  When the controller 12 receives the stop instruction information (step S113; stop), the controller 12 discards the form registration instruction data (step S119), ends the processing of this figure, and receives the continue instruction information. In the case (step S113; continue), the process of deleting the data name / user name matching data (step S114), the current date and time, and the form registration instruction are stored in the storage device storing the data name / user name matching data. After performing the process of saving the form data in the form registration instruction data in a form associated with the data name and user name in the data (step S118), the process of this figure is terminated.

  The controller 12 of the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment also performs the same procedure for print data registration instruction data (when the storage location designation information is not included in the received print data registration instruction data). , A storage device capable of storing print data is specified, and a unit that performs processing for storing the print data in the specified storage device is configured.

  Further, the controller 12 stores the data name (form name), user name, registration date and time (processing in step S109, etc.) regarding each form data stored in the designated location (all storage devices, specific storage device). Information including the current date and time (hereinafter referred to as form list information) to the device that sent the command requesting it, to the specified location (all storage devices, specific storage devices) A function that returns information including the data name, user name, and registration date and time related to each saved print data to the device that sent the command requesting it, and a delete instruction command (data to instruct deletion of form data / print data) The unit also has a function to respond to a command including a user name and a user name.

  The printer driver 30 for the printing apparatus 10 stores the above-mentioned storage device mounting status information request command from the printing apparatus 10 during each process that requires selection of data registered in the printing apparatus 10. The apparatus mounting status information is acquired, and a dialog box for allowing the user to select data based on the acquired storage device mounting status information, for example, a form deletion dialog box having the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Yes.

  It should be noted that the deletion target designation item 35 on the form deletion dialog box is a drop-down in which a list of contents (name of each storage device attached and “all”) corresponding to the storage device installation status information is displayed. It is a list box. When the browse button 36 is pressed, the printer driver 30 transmits a command requesting form list information (including a setting value of the deletion target designation item 35) to the printing apparatus 10, and a response to the command. The contents of the form list information transmitted from the printing apparatus 10 (controller 12) are displayed in the form list area 37. When the delete button 38 is pressed after selecting form data to be deleted from the form list area 37, the printer driver 30 transmits a delete instruction command instructing that the form data should be deleted to the printing apparatus 10. It will be an item.

  When the storage device name (information not “all”) is selected as the storage location (value of the deletion target designation item 35), the deletion instruction command transmitted by the printer driver 30 includes a data name, a user name, and a user name. The deletion instruction command transmitted by the printer driver 30 when the storage location name includes “storage” and “all” is selected as the storage location includes the data name and the user name. Is not included. In addition, other various commands accompanied by data designation (hereinafter referred to as data designation commands) transmitted by the printer driver 30 have the same configuration, and the controller 12 receives the data designation command, If the storage device name is not included, all the storage devices (in the order of HDD 15, Flash ROM 14, USB memory 20 in the same manner as in the process of step S 115), the data name in the received command and the user If the data specification command received by searching the data associated with the name includes the storage device name, the data in the received command is obtained only from the storage device identified by the storage device name. It is a unit that searches for data associated with names and user names.

  As described above, the printing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs data (form registration instruction data / print data registration not including storage location designation information) instructing storage of a form or print data transmitted by the printer driver 40. (Instruction data) is received, it has a function of saving data to be saved in a storage device having a free area of a size capable of storing the data among a plurality of attached storage devices. Yes. Therefore, if the printing apparatus 10 is installed in an office or the like, form data or the like can be registered in the printing apparatus 10 even if the printer driver 40 or the like is used (the printer driver 30 is not installed in each computer). The environment can be realized.

<Deformation>
The above-described printing apparatus 10 can perform various modifications. For example, when the printing apparatus 10 receives registration instruction data that does not include storage location designation information, the printing apparatus 10 is a device that stores data in the storage device with the highest priority (equipped with the highest priority). If there is no free space in the high-ranking storage device, it can be transformed into a device that an error has occurred. In addition, the printing apparatus 10 can be modified into a device that manages form data or the like only by a data name, or a device that manages form data or the like by a data name and a computer name.

  When the data can be specified by only the data name, the printing apparatus 10 can be modified to an apparatus that does not use a user name. Further, the printing apparatus 10 is transformed into an apparatus that can register data having the same data name and user name in two or more types of storage devices (an apparatus that does not perform the processing in step S104 or the like if the storage apparatuses are different). You can also.

  In addition, the printing apparatus 10 can be modified so that the storage device check order can be specified (set) when registration instruction data that does not include storage location designation information is received. In addition, when registration instruction data not including storage location designation information is received, a device that stores data in a preset storage device (a device that causes an error if there is no free space in the storage device) A device that does not check a storage device that has been installed (acquires storage device mounting status information) every time a dialog box is displayed (a device that checks a storage device that has been installed when specified, or activation of a user PC 50) The printing apparatus 10 may be modified to a device that checks the storage device that is mounted when the time / printing apparatus 10 is started.

1 is a configuration diagram of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a form registration dialog box displayed by the printer driver for the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the controller of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment when receiving form registration instruction data. 6 is a flowchart of processing executed by the controller of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment when receiving form registration instruction data. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a form deletion dialog box displayed by the printer driver for the printing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printing apparatus, 11 Operation panel, 12 Controller 13 Print engine, 14 Flash ROM, 15 HDD
20 USB memory, 30, 40 Printer driver, 31 Form name display field 32 Registration location setting item, 33 Registration button 35 Deletion target designation item, 36 Browse button 37 Form list area, 38 Delete button 50 User PC

Claims (7)

A plurality of storage means for storing data used for printing;
Printing means for printing on paper;
Data receiving means for receiving various data;
When data storage instruction data for instructing data storage is received by the data receiving means, if the data storage instruction data is data including storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the data storage instruction data Is stored in the storage means designated by the storage location designation information in the plurality of storage means, and the data save instruction data does not include the storage location designation information in a predetermined format. Data storage means for storing the data instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data in a specific storage means among the plurality of storage means if it is data; Printing device. The data storage means is
If the data storage instruction data received by the data receiving means is data that does not include storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the data instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data is stored in the plurality of storage means. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing apparatus stores the data in a storage unit having a free storage area of a size capable of storing the data. The data storage instruction data is data including a data name and storage instruction person information indicating a person who instructed the storage,
The data storage means is
Data that is instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data is stored in the storage unit in association with the data name included in the data storage instruction data and the storage instructor information, and the received data storage instruction If there is data stored in any of the plurality of storage means in association with the same data name and storage instruction information as the data name and storage instruction information included in the data, that effect After the information indicating the data storage instruction data is transmitted to the transmission source device, the data is stored in the storage device when predetermined information is transmitted from the transmission source device. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When the data designation data including the data name of the data to be selected is received by the data receiving means, and the data designation data is data including storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the plurality of storage means The data specified by the data name stored in the storage means specified by the storage location specification information is selected as the selection target data specified by the received data specification data. If the data designation data is data that does not include storage location designation information in a predetermined format, the data identified by the data name stored in the specific storage means is received data 4. The data selecting means for selecting as selection target data specified by the specified data, further comprising: A printing device according to any of the above. The data storage instruction data is data including a data name and attribute information indicating an attribute of the data;
The data storage means is
Means for storing in the storage means the data instructed to be stored by the data storage instruction data in a form associated with the data name and attribute information included in the data storage instruction data;
When data specifying data including the data name and attribute information of the selection target data is received by the data receiving means, a plurality of data associated with the same data name as that included in the data specifying data is The data selection means for selecting data with matching attribute information as selection target data when stored in the plurality of storage means is further provided. Printing device. The plurality of storage means includes removable storage means,
The mounting status information transmitting means for transmitting the mounting status information indicating the storage means actually mounted in the plurality of storage means to an external device is further provided. The printing apparatus according to claim 5. The list information transmitting means for transmitting to the external device list information including a data name and save instructor information relating to each data stored in the designated storage means, further comprising: The printing apparatus according to claim 1.