JP2007087065A - Print controller, print control method, and print control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print controller, a print control method and a print control program, in which an appropriate output destination can be selected, considering the purpose of a document to be printed or the characteristic of an output destination. <P>SOLUTION: The print controller for making print requests to a plurality of output devices connected through a network comprises a first output destination setting means for setting a first output destination permitted as an output destination for each document; a second output destination setting means for setting a second output destination of the document in printing the document; and a determination means for determining the propriety of output to the second output destination based on comparison between the characteristic of the first output destination and the characteristic of the second output destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program, and more particularly, to a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program that make a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network.

  In recent years, not only printers that print on ordinary printing paper but also printers (rewritable printers) that print on special rewritable paper (rewritable paper) have been provided. Therefore, by using a rewritable printer as an output destination in the case of trial printing or temporary printing, consumption of printing paper can be suppressed.

  There is also provided an electronic blackboard (rewritable paper electronic blackboard) using rewritable paper as a display (printing) medium. According to the rewritable paper electronic blackboard, the contents of the output document can be quickly viewed by many or unspecified ones.

Thus, each output device has different characteristics. Therefore, in an environment where these various output devices can output, the user needs to select an output destination suitable for the application and give a print instruction.
JP 2005-22343 A

  However, an inappropriate output destination may be selected by mistake due to insufficient recognition by the user or an operation error. For example, when trying to print a document that has not yet been completed, a normal printer may be mistakenly used even though it is requested to use a rewritable printer as the output destination from the viewpoint of reducing print paper consumption. It may end up as an output destination. In addition, if a rewritable paper electronic blackboard is erroneously selected as an output destination of a document that can only be viewed by a specific user, such as a confidential document, there is a risk that confidential information may be leaked.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control apparatus capable of selecting an appropriate output destination in consideration of the purpose of the document to be printed and the characteristics of the output destination. The purpose is to provide a print control program.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a print control apparatus that issues a print request to a plurality of output apparatuses connected via a network, and sets a first output destination that is permitted as an output destination for each document. First output destination setting means for setting, second output destination setting means for setting a second output destination of the document at the time of printing the document, characteristics of the first output destination, and the second output And determining means for determining appropriateness of output to the second output destination based on comparison with the previous characteristic.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a print control apparatus that issues a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network, and selects an output destination from the plurality of output devices. Output destination selection for selecting an output device as an output destination by collating the output destination selection condition set by the condition setting means and the information related to the print instruction And a print request is made to the output device selected by the output destination selection means.

  In such a print control apparatus, an appropriate output destination can be selected in consideration of the purpose of the document to be printed and the characteristics of the output destination.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention may be a print control method in the print control apparatus and a print control program for causing the print control apparatus to execute the print control method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a print control apparatus, a print control method, and a print control program capable of selecting an appropriate output destination in consideration of the purpose of the document to be printed and the characteristics of the output destination.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, an output device 1, a rewritable paper (RP) output device 2, a wide rewritable paper (RP) electronic blackboard 3, and a print server 6 are connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) (whether wired or wireless). Is not connected to the personal computer 5.

  The output device 1 indicates a FAX, a printer, a multifunction peripheral, or the like, and all of them are common by printing a document on printing paper. Note that there is a wide output device as a kind of the output device 1. The size of the printing paper used by the wide output device is wide such as A0 and A1. The printing paper is not only cut paper, but the more frequently the printing paper is used, the more difficult it is to carry and install on the paper feed tray in terms of space and weight. ing.

  The rewritable paper output device 2 is a device that performs printing on a sheet (rewritable paper) on which the contents once printed can be rewritten. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the rewritable paper output device.

  In FIG. 2, a printing unit thermal head 201, an erasing unit thermal roller 202, a paper feed roller 203, a paper discharge tray 204, and a paper feed tray 205 are displayed as elements constituting the internal structure of the rewritable paper output device 2. .

  The rewritable paper output device 2 includes a plurality of heat generating devices such as a printing unit thermal head 201 and an erasing unit heat roller 202 inside, and generates heat at different temperatures, causing a chemical change in the material of the rewritable paper 7 itself, and white Alternatively, the print contents can be rewritten by promoting the color development to black. Therefore, no toner is required. Therefore, the rewritable paper 7 itself can be rewritten any number of times, and it is a powerful alternative means of reducing paper consumption by printing test prints or temporary memos.

  As the name suggests, the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 has the rewritable paper output device 2 in the structure of an electronic blackboard. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard.

  In FIG. 3, a printing unit thermal head 301, an erasing unit heating roller 302, a sheet feeding roller 303, and a rotating shaft 304 are displayed as elements constituting the internal structure of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3. FIG. 3 shows the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise when the rewritable paper 7 is scrolled up and down and viewed from the side. When the rewritable paper 7 is scrolled left and right, the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is The figure seen from the top is shown.

  In the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, the rewritable paper 7 is widened and both ends are joined to form a looped roll paper. Similar to the rewritable paper output device 2 described above, it can be written on a looped roll paper, so that a minimum width and weight are sufficient.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard.

  The wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 in FIG. 4 is of a type in which the image content is rewritten when the rewritable paper 7 is scrolled up and down.

  Returning to FIG. In FIG. 1, as components provided in any of the apparatuses, a control program (121, 221, 321, 521, 621), a CPU (110, 210, 310, 510, 610), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (111) , 211, 311, 511, 611) and memory (112, 212, 312, 512, 612).

  The control program is a program that describes the procedure of each processing for data processing and data transfer. The CPU issues a command to each device under the control of the control program.

  The use of the memory and the HDD is different for each apparatus.

  The personal computer 5 stores temporary information according to a printing condition 550 and a printing instruction in the memory 512, and an original document image, a printer driver 522, a printing condition screen format, and the like in the HDD 511.

  The print server 6 stores temporary information of each print management information in the memory 612, and stores the format of each print management information display screen in the HDD 611.

  The output device 1 and the rewritable paper output device 2 use the memory 112 or 212 as a temporary storage area for the operation state information of the control program. Further, when there is no HDD, the memory 112 or 212 also serves as a usage application of the HDD. The output device 1 and the rewritable paper output device 2 also use the HDD 111 or 211 as a storage area for a control program and a message screen. Depending on the model, it is also used as an image storage area.

  The wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 uses the memory 312 as a temporary storage area for information on the operating state of the control program 321 and also as a storage area for redisplay date and image information. The wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 also uses the HDD 311 as a storage area for message information and redisplayed image information. Note that “re-display” on the wide white rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 means that when the emergency information display or non-display time is reached, the rewritable paper is scrolled to erase the image displayed so far, After that, when the display of emergency information is canceled or the display time is reached, the image once erased or saved inside is displayed again.

  In FIG. 1, the personal computer 5 further includes document information 531, a printer driver 522, a print program 523, an image buffer 513, a print buffer 514, a print condition 550, a print management utility program 520, and the like. However, in implementing the present invention, it is not necessary to add a special function or device to the personal computer 5 in terms of hardware.

  The printer driver 522 is software that serves as an interface with the user for setting the printing conditions 550. The print program 523 is software that draws the image 540 based on the print condition 550 set by the printer driver 522. The printing condition 550 defines the redrawing method and conditions for various output devices 1 to 3 when the displayed image 540 is edited by the personal computer 5 and the content is updated.

  The print management utility program 520 normally collects logs such as print tasks and user-specific usage statuses of the output devices 1 to 3 when normal or abnormal, and manages print processing in the print system. In the present embodiment, the output destination attributes and posting conditions based on the model type or model group of each of the output devices 1 to 3 are managed. The model group will be described later.

  The print management utility program 520 is stored in the personal computer 5 when the number of output devices 1 to 3 is small, but may be stored in the print server 6 when the number of output devices 1 to 3 is large (printing). Management utility program 620).

The image buffer 513 is used as a work place for a print image, and is an area for combining a standard format with an original image (for example, a document existing in the personal computer 5) according to a print condition 550, and performing processing such as enlargement / reduction. Used as However, the original image may be used as it is as a print image without being processed.
The print buffer 514 is an area for storing the created print image, and the contents of the print image are sent from the print buffer 514 to various output devices 1 to 3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a basic data flow in the personal computer according to the first embodiment.

  First, the printer driver 522 is installed from the external installation server 15 (S1).

  The output device 1 has become more multifunctional and has an extended function. The printer driver 522 must display the contents of the setting items reflecting not only the basic functions of the output device but also the multi-function and extended functions. Accordingly, the specification information such as the model of the output device is previously incorporated in the printer driver 522. In the present invention, the value of the model group of the output device is included in the specification information.

  Here, the model group will be described. The model group is used to classify output devices roughly according to general types such as normal output devices, rewritable paper output devices, or wide rewritable paper electronic blackboards, not PU models, PU (Pulp Paper Printer), RP The value of (Rewrite Paper Printer) or RB (Rewrite Paper Board) is taken.

  That is, even in various output devices, there are a large number of models, and variations of the models change with time. Based on the models of the output devices that request output from the output devices, the output devices are the three output devices. It is complicated to perform the maintenance work of the determination function to determine which one belongs to. Therefore, the printer driver 522 includes not only the model type of the output device corresponding to the printer driver 522 but also the value of the model group. However, it may be determined based on the model.

  Here, PU indicates a normal output device, and the output device 1 corresponds to the present embodiment. RP indicates a rewritable paper output device, and the rewritable paper output device 2 corresponds to this embodiment. RB indicates a wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard, and the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 corresponds to the present embodiment.

  When the print server 22 or the print management utility program 520 or 620 has the output device information database of FIG. 6, the value of the model group is also registered as attribute information of each output device.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the output device information database. In the output device information database 60 of FIG. 6, a printer name, an IP address, a model (model) name, a keyword, and a model group are registered for each output device. The keyword is a character string for easily identifying the model.

  Returning to FIG. Subsequently, the user creates a document including the image 540 using the document editing application 526 in the personal computer 5 and registers the document information 531 in the HDD 511. When creating a document, the document editing application 526 displays a document printing condition setting screen on the display monitor of the personal computer 5.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first display example of the document printing condition setting screen of the document editing application. In the area 5261a of the document print condition setting screen 5261 in FIG. 7, a check button having the same granularity as the model group, that is, “output device using paper”, “rewritable paper output device”, and “rewritable paper electronic blackboard” is selected. You can check more than one model by. Therefore, the user checks the check button in consideration of the characteristics of the document. Printing is allowed for the checked destination model. The setting value is stored in the HDD 511 as one piece of document information 531 (S2). In this way, an output destination can be set for each document.

  Subsequently, when printing a document, the user displays a print dialog 527 shown in FIG. 8 on the display monitor and opens a printer name list 5271. A list 5271 contains printer names of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, the rewritable paper output device 2, and the output device 1. The user selects a printer name to be the output destination 51 from the list and stores it in the HDD 511. Note that part of the screen of the print dialog 527 is omitted for convenience. The print dialog 527 has a “property” button (not shown). When the button is pressed, the properties of the printer driver 522 corresponding to the selected printer name are displayed.

  Incidentally, if there is a change in the detailed printing condition 550 of the output devices 1 to 3 corresponding to the printer name, the user presses the property button of the print dialog 527 to change the properties of the printer driver of the output devices 1 to 3. The value of the printing condition 550 to be displayed and changed is set on the screen. After setting, the printer driver property screen of the output devices 1 to 3 is closed. Note that the set value is in a provisional registration state (S3).

  When executing printing, the “OK” button of the print dialog 527 is pressed. Normally, document information 531, image 540, print condition 550, and the like are output to the print program 523 at this timing, but in this embodiment, the printer driver 522 corresponds to the printer name selected in the print dialog 527 before that. The output device type to be checked is compared with the output destination type selected on the document print condition setting screen 5261 and stored in the document information 531 for analysis.

  That is, as described above, the values of the model groups of the output devices 1 to 3 are embedded in the printer driver 522. Therefore, the printer driver 522 determines the model group of the output device corresponding to the printer name based on the printer name selected in the print dialog 527, and whether the result matches the output destination model of the document information 531. It is determined whether printing is appropriate for checking (S4).

  If the two match or not match, the document information 531, the image 540, the print condition 550, and the like are output to the print program 523, and normal print processing is executed by the print program 523.

  At this time, if the document editing application 526 is open, the image 540 (document) being displayed on the display monitor is in the image buffer 513, but only by copying the original image 541, the image May be processed. In other words, the contents of the image buffer 513 are copied to the print buffer 514, and further image processing is performed depending on the print conditions 550 to form a print image 542 (S6, S7, S8).

  Subsequently, the content of the print image 542 is output to the output device indicated by the output destination 51 together with the print condition 550, and the control program (121, 221 or 321) in the output device prints the print image 542 based on the print condition 550. (S9).

On the other hand, if they do not match in S4 or if the relationship between them is inappropriate, a warning message notifying that is displayed on the display monitor, and the printer driver 522 is forcibly terminated. Accordingly, the temporary registration value set by the printer driver 522 is discarded as when the cancel button of the print dialog 527 is pressed. (S5)
Here, the case where the relationship between the two is inappropriate is, for example, a case where the output destination is set to the rewritable paper output device 2 or the output device 1 as the document information 531 in the document editing application 526 and printing is performed. A case where the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is selected in the printer driver 522 may be mentioned. The reason is as follows.

  The size of a document printed on the rewritable paper output device 2 or the output device 1 is generally an A4 size, and such a wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard originally intended for printing and displaying a wide size such as A0 and A1. The reason for printing to 3 is that the efficiency in space is poor. In addition, since the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is large and expensive, the number of installations is small, so there are many cases where there is no alternative means, and the use opportunity of other users who need the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is hindered. This is because it interferes with the progress of other users' work. Furthermore, if the document to be printed is a confidential document, if the document is erroneously output to the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, there is a risk that the document will be viewed by an unrelated and unspecified person.

  In this case, a warning message may prompt the user to select the printer name related to the rewritable paper output device 2 or the output device 1 in the print dialog 527.

  As a second case in which the relationship between the two is inappropriate, the document editing application 526 sets the output destination of the document as the document information 531 to the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, and the printer driver 522 performs the rewritable paper at the time of printing. The case where the output device 2 or the output device 1 is selected is mentioned. The reason is as follows.

  The size of a document printed on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is generally wide such as A0 and A1. On the other hand, since the size of the document printed on the output device 1 is generally A4 size, if the A0 or A1 size document is printed at the same magnification as it is, it will be out of the A4 size, resulting in a waste of resources instead of the desired printing result. Because it ends up. Further, when the output device 1 is a wide output device, even if the same size printing is performed, if there is no necessity to print on the printing paper, the wastefulness of resources becomes large only for the wide paper size. Even if the reduced printing is performed from the A0 or A1 size to the A4 size, the reduction rate is large, so that it is highly likely that it is difficult to recognize and discriminate the image contents, and the reduced printing is unrealistic.

  In this case, a warning message may prompt the user to select the printer name related to the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 in the print dialog 527.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, it is possible to prevent the printing paper from being consumed wastefully and lead to a great deal of damage such as a confidential document being viewed by an irrelevant and unspecified viewer. Further, since the suitability of printing is determined not by each output device but by the model group, even when a new model appears, it can be dealt with by simple maintenance work.

  By the way, although the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 and the rewritable paper output device 2 have been commercialized, they are not yet widespread. The printer driver 522 of the output device 1 to which the present invention is not applied has no model group value embedded therein, and a function for checking the suitability of the output destination as described above (hereinafter simply referred to as “check function”). Is not implemented.

  Accordingly, a printer driver 522 having a model group value and a check function is prepared, and output when at least one of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 and the rewritable paper output device 2 is installed and connected to the network. It is considered that the printer driver 522 of the device 1 may be updated so as to be compatible with all model groups. However, some printer drivers 522 of the output device 1 cannot be supported by the model group for the convenience of the manufacturer, for example, the support for the model group is out of specification or the output device 1 is old and the maintenance period has expired. The case where it comes out is considered. If it does so, it will become difficult to implement | achieve the said check function.

  Therefore, an example considering such a case will be described below. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flow of control based on the value of the model group.

  A print management utility program 520 is stationed in the personal computer 5 or the print server 6 and has a function of checking whether the printer driver 522 has a model group value as information.

  When the printer driver 522 of the new output devices 1 to 3 is installed, the print management utility program 520 is activated to read information on the printer driver 522 to be installed, and the print management utility program 520 reads the printer driver 522 in advance. Is checked whether it has the value of the model group (S11 to S12).

If the printer driver 522 has no model group value, the utility program 520 notifies the user of the message shown in FIG. 10 and forcibly terminates the installation process (S13).
On the other hand, if the printer driver 522 has a model group value, any value of PU, RP, or RB is registered in the model group column in the output device information database 60 shown in FIG. The printer name, IP address, and model name are also registered at the same time (S14).

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, each time the printer driver 522 of the new output device 1 to 3 is installed, the print management utility program 520 determines whether the printer driver 522 has the value of the model group as information. Since it is checked and the presence / absence of the value of the model group is recorded, the user can take measures to obtain the effect of the check function.

  In addition, since the model group values are centrally registered in the output device information database 60, for example, when proxy printing occurs, the model group values in the output device information database 60 can be set without inquiring each output device. The output devices 1 to 3 having the same model group value can be searched quickly, which leads to smooth business progress.

  By the way, when checking the presence / absence of the model group value of the printer driver 522 of the already installed output devices 1 to 3, the print management utility program 520 first refers to the output device information database 60 of FIG. 9 S15).

  Subsequently, the print management utility program 520 acquires the printer name of the printer driver 522 installed in the personal computer 5 and checks whether the printer name is registered in the output device information database 60. When the printer name is registered, the value of the model group in the line of the printer name in the output device information database 60 is referred to (S16).

  On the other hand, when the printer name of the printer driver 522 is not registered in the output device information database 60, the print management utility program 520 reads the information of the printer driver 522 related to the printer name (S17).

  When the information of the printer driver 522 is read and there is no model group value, a value or symbol indicating that there is no model group is registered in the model group column in the output device information database 60 of FIG. 6 (S17). Although “None” is shown in FIG. 6, any symbol such as “×” or “NONE” can be used as long as it can identify that there is no model group value. This process is also performed in S13.

  Further, when there is no model group value, the print management utility program 520 once records the printer name in the memory 512 and when all the printer drivers 522 have been checked, there is no model group value. A warning message shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the screen with the printer name recorded in the memory 512 added to the message to that effect (S18 to S19).

  The print management utility program 520 performs the above processing every time it is first started. However, since the output device information database 60 is initially blank, all the printer drivers 522 installed in the personal computer 5 are used. Will be checked.

  The print management utility program 520 performs the process of S17 when the printer name is changed. When the printer driver 522 is deleted, the print management utility program 520 deletes the value of the model group in the printer name line related to the deleted printer driver 522 from the output device information database 60.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, it is checked whether the printer driver 522 of the output devices 1 to 3 already installed has the model group value as information, and the presence / absence of the model group value is recorded. The user can take measures to obtain the effect of the check function.

  In addition, since the check result of the presence / absence of information on the model group value is stored in the output device information database 60, it is not necessary to perform the same process again for the printer driver 522 that has been checked once. Can be improved.

  Next, a case where a print instruction is issued from the printer driver 522 having no model group value to the print program 523 will be described with reference to FIG. Assuming such a case, a function for confirming the presence / absence of a value in the model group is installed in the print program 523. Hereinafter, the flow of processing will be described.

  Assume that a print instruction is issued from the printer driver 522 that does not have the model group value as information to the print program 523 (S20).

  Upon receiving the print condition 550 from the printer driver 522, the print program 523 that has received the print instruction checks whether the model group value is included.

   If there is a value of the model group, the print program 523 receives the print image 542 and starts the printing process. On the other hand, if there is no value for the model group, the print program 523 notifies the print management utility program 520 of information to that effect together with the printer name of the printer driver 522, and forcibly ends the print processing (S21).

  Upon receiving the notification from the print program 523, the print management utility program 520 displays a warning message as shown in FIG. 12 on the display monitor together with the printer name of the printer driver 522. Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing from the output devices 1 to 3 having no model group value, and the user who has received the notification takes measures (S22).

  Next, a case where the document editing application 526 does not have a document output destination type as the document information 531 will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the printer driver 522 displays a warning message as shown in FIG. 13 together with the document name (S23). Thereby, it is possible to prevent printing from the output devices 1 to 3 having no model group value, and the user who receives the notification takes measures.

  By the way, when the content of a document is emergency information such as a disaster or an accident, serious information, special price information, etc., it is necessary to notify the content of the document not only to a specific person but also to many unspecified persons. In other words, it may be necessary to print the document on all the output devices 1 to 3 regardless of the model group.

  If the size of the document is, for example, A4 size, it may be printed as it is for the output device 1 or the rewritable paper output device 2 as it is. However, if the document is printed on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 as well, Since the contents and characters are too small to be seen, if the distance is more than 1 m, the viewer may not be aware of the transmission, which may hinder business and may cause damage.

  In that case, it is better to set the enlarged print of the print image for only the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, but it is necessary to set the print instruction for standard size and wide size. One of the printing instructions may be missed due to a mistake, and the transmission may not be carried out, resulting in trouble with operations and risk of damage. An example for solving such a problem will be described below.

  At present, the output device 1 has a difference in specifications and performance, and when performing parallel printing or proxy printing, the printer driver 522 of the output device of an approximate model can only be used. This is the same for output devices from different manufacturers, because the difference in I / F specifications is large. In order to solve this problem, BMLinkS (Business Machine Linkage Service) was formulated by the Japan Business Machine and Information System Industries Association (JBMIA), and predetermined functions can be used in common. Here, a printer driver corresponding to such a common I / F (hereinafter referred to as “common printer driver”) is used.

  The document print condition setting screen 5261 in FIG. 7 is referred to again. If the content of the document is emergency information such as disaster or accident, serious information, special price information, etc., and it is necessary to print on all the output devices 1 to 3 regardless of the model group, the document print condition setting screen 5261 In the emergency response setting field, a check button 5261b of “Perform parallel printing for all specified output destinations” is checked.

  When the check button 5261b is checked and the print dialog 527 is opened from the document, the personal computer 5 causes the print dialog 527 to display an emergency button.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print dialog on which an emergency button is displayed. In the print dialog 527 shown in FIG. 14, an emergency button 5272 is displayed on the left side of the OK button.

  If any printer name is selected from the list 5271 while the emergency button 5272 is displayed in the print dialog 527, the personal computer 5 changes the emergency button 5272 to a clear button and displays it.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print dialog in which a clear button is displayed. In the print dialog 527 shown in FIG. 15, one printer name is selected in the list 5271. Further, the emergency button 5272 is replaced with a clear button 5273 according to the selection of the printer name.

  When the OK button of the print dialog 527 is pressed in the state shown in FIG. 15, the personal computer 5 executes the same processing as when the OK button is pressed in the print dialog 527 shown in FIG. In other words, normal print processing is executed based on the print condition 550 of the printer driver 522 of the output device related to the selected printer name.

  On the other hand, when the clear button 5273 is pressed, the personal computer 5 cancels the selected state of the printer name and replaces the clear button 5273 with the emergency button 5272 for display. That is, the display of the print dialog 527 returns from the state of FIG. 15 to the state of FIG. If a property button (not shown) is pressed while the emergency button 5272 is displayed, the personal computer 5 displays the properties of the common printer driver. Here, although the property screen of the common printer driver is not shown, a predetermined standard printing condition should be provided for any output device on the property screen.

  When the emergency button 5272 is pressed in the print dialog 527 of FIG. 14, the personal computer 5 applies to all output destinations selected in the area 5261a of the document print condition setting screen 5261 based on the print conditions of the common printer driver. Perform parallel printing.

  By the way, the following problems occur when parallel printing is performed based on the same printing conditions.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of emergency information described in an A4 portrait document.

  When parallel printing is executed when an output destination is selected as shown in FIG. 7, the print program 523 designates the output destination as the output device 1 to perform equal-size printing, and then sets the output destination as a wide rewritable paper. Change to the electronic blackboard 3 and print. At this time, when displayed on the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 while maintaining the same magnification, the state becomes as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example in which an A4 portrait document is displayed on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard at the same magnification.

  The A4 portrait size is 148 mm in the horizontal direction and 210 mm in the vertical direction. The A0 landscape size, which is the screen size of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, is 1189 mm in the horizontal direction and 841 mm in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in practice, the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is slightly larger than the A0 landscape size. Therefore, when an A4 portrait document is displayed on the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, the document is only about 1/8 in the horizontal direction and about 1/4 in the vertical direction. Moreover, the area is only about 1/32.

  Therefore, even if the viewer looks at the screen of FIG. 17 at a distance of 1 m or more, the contents and characters of the document are too small to be seen, and thus cannot be recognized, and the contents of the document are urgent information, critical information, special price information, etc. Even if it is, it will be missed. Furthermore, if an A4 portrait image is displayed at the corner of the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, it will be difficult to see.

  Therefore, the personal computer 5 of the present embodiment enlarges the original image 541 so that either the horizontal direction or the vertical direction fills the frame of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 and forms the print image 542. For example, in the case of the above-mentioned A4 portrait size, when the image is enlarged four times in the vertical direction, the frame is full. Therefore, in this case, the original image 541 is enlarged four times in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which an A4 portrait document is displayed in accordance with the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard. Thus, the viewer can recognize the contents of the document even when viewing the screen at a distance of 1 m or more.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, the user can cause the plurality of output devices 1 to 3 to perform printing in an appropriate manner only by giving an instruction for parallel printing once. Therefore, emergency information, critical information, special price information, etc. can be quickly transmitted to a large number of unspecified viewers.

  By the way, the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 has versatility that can be used as a posting port. Depending on the situation of use, for example, there is a possibility of moving to a conference room where only a specific person can stop or a place where an unspecified person stops. Therefore, when printing on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, it is difficult for the user to grasp the arrangement location unless the system can acquire the arrangement location of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3. When printing is set from a remote personal computer 5, it is particularly difficult to grasp the arrangement location. Accordingly, there is a problem that a confidential document or the like may be output to the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 where the unspecified person stops by mistake. An example for solving such a problem will be described below.

  The document editing application 526 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 19 as a document printing condition setting screen.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a second display example of the document printing condition setting screen of the document editing application.

  In the document printing condition setting screen 5262 shown in FIG. 19, items of “specific posting” and “unspecified posting” are prepared as posting conditions on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3. When the document to be printed is a document that can be viewed only by a specific person as a document characteristic, such as a confidential document, check “Specified notice”. On the other hand, if the document to be printed is a document that can be viewed by an unspecified person, that is, anyone can check, “unspecified posting” is checked. The setting contents on the document printing condition setting screen 5262 are included in the document information 531 and stored.

  Further, the printer driver 522 of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 20 as its property screen.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of the property screen of the printer driver of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard.

  In the area 5221a of the property screen 5221 in FIG. 20, items of “specific posting” and “non-specific posting” are displayed as usages of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3. Therefore, the user checks any item in advance in consideration of the installation location of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3.

  In other words, if the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is installed in a place such as a conference room where the security to the outside is perfect and only a specific person gathers, the “special notice” is checked.

  On the other hand, the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 puts a check mark on “unspecified posting” when a large number of unspecified persons come and go, such as public places, and the security to the outside is not reached.

  By making such a setting in advance for the printer driver 522 of each wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, each wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is distributed in advance for specific posting and non-specific posting.

  When the execution of printing is instructed, the printer driver 522 collates the contents set in the document information 531 with the contents set on the property screen 5221, and determines whether printing is appropriate as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating criteria for determining whether printing is appropriate. As shown in FIG. 21, when “specific posting” is set in the document information 531 and “unspecified posting” is set in the printer driver 522, the printer driver 522 determines that printing is inappropriate. A warning message as shown in FIG. 22 is displayed on the screen, and the printing process is stopped.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent a document such as a confidential document that requires security from being browsed by an unspecified person due to carelessness of the user.

  By the way, it takes time to open the property screen 5221 of each printer driver 522 and set whether or not it is for specific posting. Therefore, it is preferable to include identification information as to whether or not each printer name is for specific posting. For example, “_SN” (Specific Notice) is added to the end of the printer name for specific posting, and “_UN” (Unspecified Notice) is added to the end of the printer name for non-specific posting.

  In this case, the printer driver 522 determines whether printing is appropriate by comparing the contents set in the document information 531 with the printer name.

  Therefore, the user does not need to set whether or not the printer driver 522 is for specific posting.

  Next, the content described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. In the above, the solving means has been described for each problem, but in the following, the processing procedure will be described from the viewpoint of function.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining printer driver installation processing.

  First, the personal computer 5 acquires the value of the model group of the printer driver 522 of the designated output device (S1001). If the value of the model group can be acquired (Yes in S1002), the printer driver 522 of the designated output device is installed (S1003), and the value of the model group is set to the model group in the output device information database 60 of FIG. Register in the field (S1005). On the other hand, if the value of the model group cannot be acquired (No in S1002), a message for forcibly terminating the installation is displayed (S1004), and this process is terminated.

  Next, a process (print instruction process) executed by the personal computer 5 in response to a print instruction will be described. FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the print instruction process.

  When the print instruction is received, the print condition 550 is acquired (S1011). Subsequently, the property screen of the printer driver 522 is displayed (S1012), and processing corresponding to the event on the property screen is executed (S1013). When a model group value is specified on the property screen, it is checked whether the model group value has already been registered in the output device information database 60 (FIG. 6) (S1016). The model group is checked (S1018). If the printer driver 522 is compatible with the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, the specific posting or the unspecified posting is set (S1015).

  When the “OK” button is pressed, the property screen is closed (S1019), printing conditions are registered (S1020), and printing processing is executed (S1021). Subsequently, the print program 523 determines whether a model group value has been input from the printer driver 522 (S1022). If the value of the model group is input, this process is terminated as it is. If no model group value is input, a message notifying that there is no model group value is displayed (S1023).

  If the “Cancel” button is pressed, the property screen is closed (S1024), and this process is terminated.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining specific or non-specific posting check processing. That is, the process in FIG. 25 is a detailed description of the process in step S1015 in FIG.

  First, the personal computer 5 confirms whether or not specific or non-specific posting is set for the document information 531 by the document editing application 526 (S1031). If not set (No in S1031), a message indicating that there is no posting condition by the document editing application 526 is displayed (S1032).

  If unspecified bulletin is set in the document information 531 (Yes in S1031, “Unspecified bulletin” in S1033), this process is finished as it is. When the specific posting is set in the document information 531 (Yes in S1031, “Specific posting” in S1033), the posting conditions set in the property screen 5221 (FIG. 20) of the printer driver 522 are confirmed (S1034).

  If the specific notice is set in the printer driver 522, the process is ended as it is, and if the unspecified notice is set, a notification that the output is not possible and the use of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 for the specific notice are encouraged. Display a message.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining a process for checking whether there is a model group. That is, the process in FIG. 26 is a detailed description of the process in step S1016 in FIG.

  First, information on the designated output device is obtained from the output device information database 60 (FIG. 6) (S1041), and the value of the model group is obtained from the information (S1042). If the value of the model group has already been registered (Yes in S1043), this process is terminated as it is.

  If the model group value is not registered in the designated output device even after referring to all the data in the output device information database 60 (Yes in S1044), the model group value is acquired from the printer driver 522 of the output device. (S1045). When the value of the model group can be acquired (Yes in S1046), the value of the model group is registered in the output device information database 60 (S1047). If the model group value could not be acquired (No in S1046), that fact is registered in the output device information database 60 (S1048), and a message that there is no model group value is displayed (S1049).

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining model group check processing. That is, the process in FIG. 27 is a detailed description of the process in step S1018 in FIG.

  First, the personal computer 5 confirms whether or not there is a value of the model group of the output destination designated in the document editing application 526 (S1051). If there is no value of the model group (Yes in S1051), a message indicating that is displayed (S1052), and this process is terminated. When there is a value of the model group (No in S1051), it is determined whether the value of the model group is the group of the output device 1 or the group of the rewritable paper output device 2 (S1053).

  When the model group is one of the groups (Yes in S1053), it is determined whether the model group specified by the printer driver 522 is the group of the output device 1 or the group of the rewritable paper output device 2 (S1054). ). If the model group specified by the printer driver 522 is one of the model groups (Yes in S1054), this process is terminated, and if it is not any of the model groups (No in S1054), the output destination model group A message indicating that the value is invalid is displayed (S1055).

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S1053 is “No”, it is determined whether the value of the model group designated by the document editing application 526 is a group of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 (S1056). If this determination is “Yes”, if the output destination model group specified by the printer driver 522 is the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, this process is terminated. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1056 or step S1057 is “No”, a message indicating that the value of the model group of the output destination is invalid is displayed (S1058).

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining printing processing by a printing program or the like. That is, the process in FIG. 28 is a detailed description of the process in step S1021 in FIG.

  The print program 523 acquires the value of the model group from the printer driver 522 (S1061). If the model group value cannot be acquired (No in S1062), the fact that there is no model group value is transmitted to the print management utility program 520 (S1063). Subsequently, the print management utility program 520 registers that there is no model group value in the output device information database 60 (FIG. 6) (S1064).

  On the other hand, when the value of the model group can be acquired (Yes in S1062), the image size of the print image is determined (S1065). When the image size is A1 or more, the process proceeds to step S1069 described later. If the image size is A3 or smaller, the output destination model group is determined (S1066). If the output destination model group is the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3, it is determined whether the output wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 is for unspecified posting and whether the document is designated as the specific posting (S1067). ). When this determination is “Yes”, a message indicating that output is impossible and a message prompting the user to designate the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard 3 as an output destination are displayed (S1068).

  If the determination in step S1067 is “No”, the contents of the image buffer 513 are copied to the print buffer 514 (S1069). Subsequently, the contents of the print buffer 514 are output to the output destination, and printing is executed (S1070).

  Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the second embodiment. 29, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In FIG. 29, the output device 1 and the rewritable paper (RP) output device 2 are connected to the personal computer 5 via a network (regardless of wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The control program 521 of the personal computer 5 in FIG. 29 is a program that describes the procedure of each processing for data processing and data transfer, and also has a function of calling the printer driver 522 of the output destination based on the output destination selection condition 5100. Do. The output destination selection condition 5100 will be described later.

  The memory 512 stores temporary information based on an instruction for printing, such as an output destination selection condition 5100, output destination information, and a printing condition 550. The memory 512 also stores the format of each setting screen for the output destination and the output destination selection condition 5100.

  The HDD 511 mainly stores the image 40 and the document information 531. The document information 531 may include output destination selection conditions 5100 and output destination information.

  The personal computer 5 further includes a selection condition setting program 525, a printer driver 522, a selection determination program 524, a list table editing application 528, an output destination selection condition 5100, a printing condition 550, and the like.

  The selection condition setting program 525 is a kind of utility program that plays a central role in the invention according to the second embodiment, and displays the output destination selection condition setting screen to set the output destination selection condition 5100 or the output destination selection condition. It plays a role of checking the validity of 5100.

  The printer driver 522 is software that serves as an interface with the user for setting the printing conditions 550. Normally, this is called when a print instruction is given in the list editing application 528, but in the second embodiment, it is called based on the result of the output destination selection process.

  The selection determination program 524 is a kind of utility program that plays a central role in the invention according to the second embodiment together with the selection condition setting program 525, and information related to a print instruction when printing a list created by the list editing application 528. Based on the above, it plays a role of determining what output destination selection conditions the list corresponds to.

  The list editing application 528 is a spreadsheet application such as Excel or Lotus 1-2-3.

  The print log 5113 normally records processes related to the printing process such as printing conditions, printing contents, and printing results, and is used to investigate the cause when there is a failure or abnormality. In the second embodiment, the output destination selection condition 5100 is further recorded, and when the plurality of output destination selection conditions 5100 are satisfied, the output destinations selected by the respective output destinations are different from each other. Used for investigation.

  The log check program 529 is a program for examining the output destination selection condition 5100 recorded in the print log 5113.

  Although not shown, the personal computer 5 is also equipped with a print spooler and an image conversion program. The print spooler stores the print task. If the output device 1 or the rewritable paper output device 2 gives a print standby instruction from the viewer, or if printing cannot be performed at the start of printing such as a predetermined printing date, the printing task is printed. Wait at the spooler and wait for the upcoming print date.

  The image conversion program is software that plays a role of drawing a print image that can be drawn by the output device 1 or the rewritable paper output device 2 based on the print condition 550 set in the printer driver 522. The image conversion program is started after an instruction to start printing in the personal computer 5, internally, an instruction to create a print image is issued.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a basic data flow in the personal computer according to the second embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the user has already created the list 5281 using the list editing application 528 on the personal computer 5 and stored it in the HDD 511.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list in which data is not filled in all columns. FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a list in which data is filled in all columns.

  Subsequently, the user sets the output destination selection condition 5100 using the setting screen. Here, the setting of the output destination selection condition 5100 refers to a condition setting for selecting whether the output destination is the output device 1 or the rewritable paper output device 2. The output destination selection condition 5100 of this embodiment has a plurality of setting patterns.

  When the setting of the output destination selection condition 5100 is instructed from the list editing application 528, the selection condition setting program 525 is activated. The selection condition setting program 525 displays a main menu screen for setting an output destination selection condition.

  FIG. 33 is a display example of a main menu screen for setting output destination selection conditions. A main menu screen 5201 shown in FIG. 33 includes an output destination selection condition setting button 5201a, a standard output destination setting button 5201b, a print log check setting button 5201c, and the like.

  When the output destination selection condition setting button 5201a is pressed, the selection condition setting program 525 displays a screen for setting the output destination selection conditions (hereinafter referred to as “output destination selection condition setting screen”).

  FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a state where the “row or column” tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen. That is, there are three tabs at the top of the output destination selection condition setting screen, and FIG. 34 shows a state in which the “row or column” tab 52 is selected. The case where the “print date / time” tab 53 and the “print rectangle” tab 56 are selected will be described later.

  The “row or column” tab 52 in FIG. 34 is a screen for setting the output destination selection condition 5100 regarding the contents of the document. Here, all the columns (cells) in any row or any column in the list table 5281 are displayed. ) To select the output destination depending on whether the data is filled. Here, all the columns are not the maximum number of rows or the maximum number of columns in the specification of the list table editing application 528, but the number of rows and columns surrounded by the outer frame of the list table 5281, or the print effective range. The number of rows and columns enclosed in Which one to take depends on the specifications at that time. The print effective range will be described later. Here, the number of rows and the number of columns surrounded by the outer frame of the list table 5281 will be described.

  In the example of FIG. 34, a column is selected as a target for checking whether data is filled in all the columns (52a), and the ninth column is specified (52b). In addition, the title “increase / decrease” (see FIG. 31 or FIG. 32) in the list 5281 of the designated column (9th column) is input in order to prevent setting errors (52c).

  In addition, the rewritable paper output device 2 is recommended as an output destination when data is not filled in all columns, and the output device 1 is recommended as an output destination when data is filled in all columns. Are displayed (52d, 52e). Here, it is assumed that both output destinations are set as recommended.

  The setting contents in the “row or column” tab 52 are included in the document information 531 as the output destination selection condition 5100 and stored in the HDD 511 or the memory 512 (S101 to S102).

Note that the list editing application 528 has a plurality of worksheets, and a list 5281 is placed on each worksheet. However, what is to be printed is a worksheet in the input focus. Accordingly, the output destination selection condition 5100 to be stored is for the worksheet in the input focus, similarly to the printing conditions in the conventional spreadsheet software.
Subsequently, when a print instruction is input in the list table editing application 528, the personal computer 5 activates the selection determination program 524. The selection determination program 524 checks whether data is filled in all the columns or rows of the list 5281 in the target document as set in the stored output destination selection condition 5100 (S103).

  Some list editing applications 528 can check whether data is filled in all fields using a macro instruction. In that case, the selection determination program 524 is activated as a macro instruction in the list editing application 528.

  Here, for example, when a print instruction is given for the list 5281 shown in FIG. 31, the selection determination program 524 determines that all the columns in the ninth column are not filled with data. On the other hand, when a print instruction is given for the list 5281 shown in FIG. 32, the selection determination program 524 determines that all the columns in the ninth column are filled with data (S104).

The selection determination program 524 notifies the control program 521 of the check result. The control program 521 activates the output destination printer driver 522 set in the output destination selection condition 5100 in response to the check result.
Therefore, if the output destination is set as recommended in FIG. 34, the printer driver 522 of the rewritable paper output device 2 is activated when the list 5281 is in the state of FIG. 31 (S107-2). On the other hand, when the list 5281 is in the state of FIG. 32, the printer driver 522 of the output device 1 is activated (S107-1).

  The user sets printing conditions 550 for the activated printer driver 522 as necessary, and issues a print instruction (S108). The printing condition 550 set by the rewritable paper output device 2 or the printer driver 522 of the output device 1 is output to the printing program 523 (S109). On the other hand, the original image 541 of the list table 5281 is temporarily stored in the image buffer 513 (S110).

  Next, the printing program 523 is. Based on the print condition 550, a print image 542 is formed from the original image 541 stored in the image buffer 513, and the print image 542 is stored in the print buffer 514 (S111).

  When the output destination is the output device 1, the print image 542 stored in the print buffer 514 is transmitted to the output device 1 together with the print condition 550, and finally the content of FIG. 32 is printed on the paper 8 (S112-1). ~ S113-1).

  On the other hand, when the output destination is the rewritable paper output device 2, the print image 542 stored in the print buffer 514 is transmitted to the rewritable paper output device 2 together with the print condition 550, and finally the contents of FIG. Printing is performed (S112-2 to S113-2).

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, the output destination is selected according to the state of an arbitrary column or row in the list 5281, so that an appropriate output destination can be automatically selected. Therefore, the user's work load is reduced, and the smooth execution of business can be maintained while suppressing the consumption of printing paper.

  That is, if the data is not filled in all the columns in a certain row or certain column, it is considered that the date has not reached the weekend, the end of the month, or the date of reporting or submission, and the document is automatically stored in the rewritable paper 7. Print. Therefore, the consumption of the paper 8 can be suppressed.

  Also, if all the fields are filled in a certain row or column, it is considered that it has reached the weekend, the end of the month, or the date of report or submission date, and the document is automatically printed on the paper 8. . Accordingly, an output destination error can be prevented, and consumption of the paper 8 can be suppressed.

  By the way, according to the above, it is necessary to set a column or a row as an output destination selection criterion for each document, but such work may be complicated. For example, in an environment where the image characteristics of many documents are the same and only one output device 1 and one rewritable paper output device 2 are arranged, it is extremely efficient to repeat the same setting for each document. It is bad and places a burden on the user unnecessarily.

  Therefore, the setting of the output destination is collectively performed on a predetermined screen (hereinafter referred to as “standard output destination setting screen”). FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the standard output destination setting screen.

  When the output destination selection condition is set for each document by the “row or column” tab 52 of the output destination selection condition setting screen shown in FIG. 34, the check button 52f (set by setting the standard output destination) is checked. For example, the contents set on the standard output destination setting screen 51 are taken over and displayed. As will be described later, there are similar check buttons on the other tabs of the output destination selection condition setting screen (the “print date / time” tab 53 and the “print rectangle” tab 56), but if any tab is checked, The settings are also reflected in the check buttons on the other tabs.

  On the other hand, when an image of a document is a monochrome image, a full color image, or content that requires security, there are cases where it is desired to individually set an output destination that matches the attribute of the document. In such a case, the check button 52f is unchecked, and the output destination is set individually. The effective range of the output destination set individually is only one document.

  Incidentally, the information set on the standard output destination setting screen 51 of FIG. 35 is handled as a part of the print option information of the list editing application 528. Further, the output destination selection condition 5100 set in the “row or column” tab 52 in FIG. 34 is handled as a part of the document information 531. That is, the former is information set in common across a plurality of documents, while the latter is information set for each document.

  When the OK button is pressed on the standard output destination setting screen 51 or the output destination selection condition setting screen (such as the “row or column” tab 52), the setting information is stored in the HDD 511 or the memory 512 (S101 to S102, S105).

  When the same document as the document with the above setting is called again by the list editing application 528 and the display of the “row or column” tab 52 in FIG. 34 is instructed, the selection condition setting program 525 stores the HDD 511 or The document information 531 is acquired from the memory 512, and the previous setting information included in the document information 531 is displayed on the “row or column” tab 52.

  Similarly, when a re-display is instructed on the standard output destination setting screen 51 of FIG. 35, the selection condition setting program 525 acquires print option information from the HDD 511 or the memory 512, and the previous setting included in the print option information. Information is displayed on the standard output destination setting screen 51.

  Thus, according to the personal computer 5, the output destination selection condition 5100 is stored as a part of the document information 531, and therefore the output destination selection condition 5100 according to the characteristics of the document is stored for each document. Therefore, it is not necessary to set the output destination selection condition 5100 every time printing is performed, and smooth execution of business can be maintained.

  Further, since the standard output destination is stored as part of the print option information (33) of the list editing application 528, if the standard output destination is set before the first printing operation, the output device remains unchanged. The set value becomes semi-permanent. That is, it is not necessary to set the output destination selection condition 5100 for each document, and smooth execution of business can be maintained.

  By the way, when browsing or checking the list 5281 temporarily, it is preferable to print on the rewritable paper 7 which can be rewritten. However, if the output destination is designated as the rewritable paver output device 2 and used every day in normal business, the list 5281 is printed on the paper 8 for submission etc. before or after the weekend or the end of the month, and sent to the boss or administrator. When it becomes necessary to report, it may forget to switch the output destination to the output device 1.

  Similarly, after switching the output destination to the output device 1 at the weekend or the end of the month, the output destination may be forgotten to be returned to the rewritable paver output device 2 even after the weekend or the end of the month. In that case, it will be mistakenly printed on form 8 or rewritable paper 7, making it difficult to distinguish between documents for viewing or checking and documents for submission or reporting, which may cause misdelivery and hinder business operations. There are cases.

  Hereinafter, an example considering such a case will be described with reference to FIG.

  If the “print date” tab 53 is selected when the output destination selection condition setting screen is displayed, the selection condition setting program 520 changes the display content of the output destination selection condition setting screen to the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the “print date” tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen.

In the “print date” tab 53 shown in FIG. 36, the temporary print date is set. Here, the temporary printing date and time means a date and time that is provisionally determined as the date and time when the document is printed regardless of the state of the document. In the “print date / time” tab 53, the temporary print date / time is set by a combination of a due date and a time zone. For the due date, “Daily”, “Monday-Friday”, “Day of week setting”, “Date setting” in the date selection field 53a
Check one of them. If “Day setting” is checked, any day of the week from Monday to Sunday can be selected in the day selection column 53a-1 (53a-1).

  In FIG. 36, “day setting” is selected, and Tuesday and Friday are selected as the day of the week. Although it is an effective range for setting the day of the week, considering that there are monthly submissions and reports, it is preferable to make it valid as long as it is checked.

  On the other hand, when “date setting” is selected in the due date selection field 53a, the display of the day of the week selection field 53a-1 is switched to a field (date setting field) for setting the date.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the date setting field. As shown in FIG. 38, in the date setting field 53a-2, it is possible to set the start date and end date of the temporary printing date range. When the “reference” button is pressed, a calendar for inputting the date is displayed. However, since the input by the calendar is well known, the description thereof is omitted.

  36 or 38, a time zone selection field 53b is provided below the due date selection field 53a. In the time zone selection field 53b, a plurality of arbitrary time zones can be checked from “morning”, “daytime”, “evening”, and “night”. However, the selection of the time zone is not essential. If no time zone is selected, the due date setting is valid throughout the day. In FIG. 36, the morning time zone is selected.

  When the setting button 53b-1 is pressed in the time zone selection field 53b, a screen for setting the start time of each time zone (hereinafter referred to as “disclosure time setting screen”) is displayed. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the start time setting screen.

  As shown in FIG. 37, on the start time setting screen 75, the start time of the time zone can be set for each time zone. The end time of each time zone is the start time of the next time zone. However, the “end of business” time is adopted as the end time of the “night” time zone. When the OK button 751 is pressed on the start time setting screen 75, the setting contents on the start time setting screen 75 are reflected in the time zone selection field 53b of the print date tab 53 (FIG. 36).

  In FIG. 36 or FIG. 38, regarding the setting of the output destination, it is recommended to specify the rewritable paper output device 2 as the output destination whose printing date / time is outside the range of the temporary printing date / time (53c), and within the range of the temporary printing date / time. It is recommended to specify the output device 1 as the output destination (53d).

  The setting contents in the “print date” tab 53 are included in the document information 531 as the output destination selection condition 5100 and stored in the HDD 511 or the memory 512 (S101 to S102).

  Subsequently, when a print instruction is input in the list table editing application 528, the personal computer 5 activates the selection determination program 524. The selection determination program 524 acquires the system date and time of the personal computer 5 or a print server (not shown), and the system date and time is set in FIG. 36 or 38 and within the range of the temporary printing date and time stored as the output destination selection condition 5100. Is checked (S103).

  Some list editing applications 528 can acquire the system date and time using a macro instruction. In that case, the selection determination program 524 is activated as a macro instruction in the list editing application 528.

  For example, when the temporary printing date and time is set as shown in FIG. 36, the selection determination program 524 checks whether the system date and time (printing date and time) corresponds to the morning time zone on Tuesday or Friday. On the other hand, when the provisional printing date and time is set as shown in FIG. 38, the selection determination program 524 sets the system date and time (printing date and time) between June 27 and 30, 2005, in the evening and night time zones. It is checked whether or not this is the case (S104 to S105).

The selection determination program 524 notifies the control program 521 of the check result. The control program 521 activates the output destination printer driver 522 set in the output destination selection condition 5100 in response to the check result.
Accordingly, when the provisional printing date and time is set as shown in FIG. 36, when the printing date and time falls within the morning time zone on Tuesday or Friday, the printer driver 522 of the output device 1 is activated (S107-1). . On the other hand, if not applicable, the printer driver 522 of the rewritable paper output device 2 is activated (S107-2).
If the temporary printing date / time is set as shown in FIG. 38 and the printing date / time is between 27th and 30th June 2005 and corresponds to the evening and evening time zones, the output device 1 The printer driver 522 is activated (S107-1). On the other hand, if not applicable, the printer driver 522 of the rewritable paper output device 2 is activated (S107-2).

  The user sets printing conditions 550 for the activated printer driver 522 as necessary, and issues a print instruction (S108). The printing condition 550 set by the rewritable paper output device 2 or the printer driver 522 of the output device 1 is output to the printing program 523 (S109). On the other hand, the original image 541 of the list table 5281 is temporarily stored in the image buffer 513 (S110).

  Subsequently, the print program 523 forms a print image 542 from the original image 541 stored in the image buffer 513 based on the print condition 550, and stores the print image 542 in the print buffer 514 (S111).

  When the output destination is the output device 1, the print image 542 stored in the print buffer 514 is transmitted to the output device 1 together with the print condition 550, and finally the contents of the list table 5281 are printed on the paper 8 (S112- 1-S113-1).

  On the other hand, when the output destination is the rewritable paper output device 2, the print image 542 stored in the print buffer 514 is transmitted to the rewritable paper output device 2 together with the printing condition 550, and finally the contents of the list 5281 are stored in the rewritable paper 7. (S112-2 to S113-2).

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, the output destination is automatically selected depending on whether or not the printing date and time is within a predetermined date and time (temporary printing date and time). Therefore, the user does not need to change the setting of the output destination every weekend, the end of the month, etc., and the smooth execution of business can be maintained. In addition, since the output destinations of the viewing or checking document and the submission or reporting document are clearly distinguished, the possibility of misdistribution can be prevented.

  Incidentally, the list editing application 528 can normally arbitrarily select a print range in the list. Hereinafter, an example of selecting an output destination based on the selected printing range will be described.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a list in which dates of the second week of June of the civic center are entered. A list 5282 of FIG. 39 is a schedule of citizen centers for the second week of June.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram showing a print image when a predetermined column of the schedule table of the civic center is selected and printed. FIG. 40 shows an example in which the June 9th column is selected as the print range. For example, such range-designated printing is printed as a daily schedule on June 9 and pasted in a place that is easily visible to citizen center users and related parties, such as reception desks or bulletin boards. It is effective in such cases.

  FIG. 41 is a diagram for explaining an effective print range of a sheet. As shown in FIG. 41, margins 109 (upper margin 109U, lower margin 109D, left margin 109L, and right margin 109R) are taken when printing on paper 8. An area obtained by removing the margin 109 from the area of the paper 8 is an effective print range 110. In FIG. 41, a tabular rectangle indicated by 108 indicates a print area to be printed on the paper 8, here a rectangular range of a list (hereinafter referred to as “print target rectangular range 108”).

  Here, when the printing target rectangular area 108 is extremely smaller than the effective printing area 110, more than half of the area of the paper 8 may be blank. For example, as shown in FIG. 40, when the schedule for the current day is printed every day, the degree of waste of paper increases.

  However, since the users of the civic center are unspecified, and not all of them have information terminals such as personal computers and mobile phones, it is indispensable to transmit information using paper 8 that anyone can easily recognize.

  Further, when printing a schedule for one week on a single sheet of paper 8, if it is A4 size, it will not fit unless the character size is considerably reduced, but the character cannot be recognized from a distance and lacks consideration. On the other hand, if the character size is to be increased, printing on paper 8 of A3 size or larger is unavoidable. However, an output device corresponding to a wide size is expensive, and if the number of output times and the output amount of a large size are small, the output device is not suitable. Cost is expensive.

  Furthermore, schedules for a week are often canceled or the contents and time are changed, and even if the information is written by hand, it can be transmitted 100% if the writing and space conditions are bad. There is no guarantee. In addition, there is a risk of causing damage and causing damage due to mistakes with other dates.

  Therefore, here, an example will be described in which the waste of the paper 8 is avoided by restricting the consumption of the paper 8 when the print target rectangular area 108 with respect to the effective print range 110 of the paper 8 is small.

  When the “print rectangle” tab 56 is selected when the output destination selection condition setting screen is displayed, the selection condition setting program 520 changes the display content of the output destination selection condition setting screen to the state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a state where the “print rectangle” tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen.

  In the “print rectangle” tab 56 shown in FIG. 42, the output destination selection criterion is set by the area ratio of the rectangle (print target rectangle range 108) designated as the print range with respect to the effective print range 110 of the paper 8 (56a). The area ratio set as the output destination selection standard is hereinafter referred to as “output destination selection standard area ratio”. The output destination selection standard area ratio is set in units of percentage.

  Regarding the setting of the output destination, it is recommended to specify the output device 1 when the output destination selection reference area ratio is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (56b), and when the output destination selection reference area ratio is less than the predetermined value, rewritable paper output is performed. It is recommended to specify the device 2 (56c).

  When a print instruction specifying a print range is input in the list editing application 528, the personal computer 5 activates the selection determination program 524. Here, the case where the first to second columns and the fifth column from the left in the list 5282 of FIG. 39 are set as print targets and the print result of FIG. 40 is requested is taken as an example.

  The selection determination program 524 first calculates the area of the printing target rectangular area 108 and the area of the effective printing area 110 of the paper 8. Further, the selection determination program 524 obtains a value obtained by dividing the area of the print target rectangular range 108 by the area of the effective print range 110 of the paper 8 (hereinafter referred to as “print target area ratio”) and the output destination selection reference area ratio. Compare.

  As a result of the comparison, if the printing target area ratio ≧ the output destination selection reference area ratio, the area of the printing target rectangular range 108 is the same or larger than the area of the paper 8, so that if the output destination is set as recommended, the output is performed The destination is the output device 1, and the rectangular range to be printed is printed on the paper 8.

  On the other hand, if the printing target area ratio <the output destination selection reference area ratio, the area of the printing target rectangular area 108 is smaller than the area of the paper 8, so that if the output destination is set as recommended, the output destination is the rewritable pager. The output device 2 is used, and the rectangular area to be printed is printed on the rewritable paper 7.

  Here, a method for calculating the area of the rectangular area to be printed will be described in detail. FIG. 43 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the area of the rectangular range to be printed.

If the rectangular area to be printed is composed of one rectangular area,
Area 108A of rectangular range to be printed = rectangular width 108W × rectangular height 108L
It becomes.

  When a plurality of rectangular areas are designated, the total value of the areas 108A of the rectangular areas is calculated.

  Here, three rectangular areas are designated. When the rectangular region in the first column from the left is the rectangular region α, the rectangular region in the second column is the rectangular region β, and the rectangular region in the fifth column is the rectangular region Σ, the total value of the area 108A is calculated by the following equation. The

Total value = (area 108A−α of rectangular region α) + (area 108A−β of rectangular β) + (area 108A−Σ of rectangular Σ)
Since the height of each rectangular area is the same, the same total value can be obtained even if it is calculated by the following equation.

Total value = (width of rectangular area α (108W-α) + width of rectangle B (108W-β) + width of rectangle C (108W-Σ)) × height of rectangle 108L ”
In the case of predetermined spreadsheet software, the width and length of columns (cells) are not expressed in units of cm or mm. In such a case, it is necessary to convert them by the following formula. One point is considered to be about 0.35 mm.

  A value representing the width 108W of the rectangle is indicated by the number of half-width characters that can be displayed in the frame of the column (cell). Further, since the unit of the character font size is a point unit, “mm unit of rectangle width 108W =“ 0.35 mm × half-width font size × half-width character number ”.

  However, in the initialization of the rectangular width 108W, a half-width character has a width of about 8.3 characters. Therefore, when 9 or more half-width characters are described in other lines, the width 108W of the rectangle is automatically extended to secure the maximum number of description characters. Double-byte character code doubles the number of characters.

The value representing the height 108L of the rectangle is indicated in points, and the default value is 13.5. When this is multiplied by 0.35 mm, it becomes about 4.725 mm, but it is handled as about 4.7 mm. That is,
Rectangle height 108L mm = 4.7mm
However, if there is a wrapping due to the insertion of a line feed code in another column or a character font size larger than the standard size is set, the height 108L of the rectangle is automatically secured to the height corresponding to it. It extends for. Therefore, in an extreme case, since all the width and height values are different from each other, when calculating the width of the entire rectangle, it is necessary to acquire and add each width value one by one. Similarly, when calculating the height of the entire rectangle, it is necessary to acquire and add each height value one by one.

  In addition, the macro instruction has an instruction to set and get the width of all the columns in the specified target cell range and an instruction to get and set the height of all the rows in the target cell range. May be used.

In the case of FIG. 43, the width 108W of the rectangle is obtained by multiplying the width of the three rectangles first and multiplied by the font size.
(4.5 characters + 6.5 characters + 8.5 characters) x 11 size = 214.5mm
Further, the height 108L of the rectangle is 4.7 mm +... +4.7 mm = 75.6 mm per line (for 16 lines), and therefore the area 108A is 214.5 × 75.6 = 16216.2 mm ² .

  Next, a method for calculating the effective print range 110 of the paper 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

41. Effective print range width 110W = (paper width 8W− (left margin 109L + right margin 109R))
Effective print range length 110L = (paper length 8L− (upper margin 109U + lower margin 109D))
Effective printing range area = effective printing range width 110 W × effective printing range length 110 L
In FIG. 41, the paper 8 is A4 size vertically long. In the case of MS Excel, which is a unit of margin 109, Windows (registered trademark) has a unit. If there is a unit setting column in the area option of the control panel and “Metric” is set, Excel sets the margin 109 in centimeters according to the set value. Here, it is expressed in units of millimeters (mm).

The default margin 109 values are 25 mm vertically and 20 mm horizontally. In addition, the width (110 W) of the effective printing range is 210 mm− (20 mm + 20 mm) = 170 mm. Further, the length (110L) of the effective printing range is 294 mm− (25 mm + 25 mm) = 244 mm. Therefore, the area of the effective printing range is 170 mm × 244 mm = 41480 mm ² .

Since the print target area ratio = the area 108A of the print target rectangular range ÷ the area of the effective print range of the paper, based on the above numerical values in the case of FIG.
16216.2 mm ² ÷ 41480 mm ² = 0.39, that is, 39%.

  Since the output destination selection reference ratio set in FIG. 42 is 80%, in this case, when the print target area ratio is compared with the output destination selection reference area ratio, the print target area ratio is small. Therefore, the output destination is the rewritable paver output device 2 according to the setting of FIG.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, the output destination is automatically selected based on the print target area ratio so as not to waste the paper 8. Therefore, the user does not need to determine the output destination each time printing is performed, and the work is simplified and the smooth execution of business can be maintained.

  By the way, in the above, the “row or column” tab 52, the “print date” tab 53, and the “print rectangle” tab 56 cannot be displayed at the same time. Therefore, the user cannot confirm the setting contents in each tab at a glance. Hereinafter, inconveniences due to this point and solutions for the problems will be described.

  The output destination selection condition 5100 may be set in at least two tabs of the “row or column” tab 52 (FIGS. 34 and 36), the “print date / time” tab 53 (FIG. 38), and the “print rectangle” tab 56. .

  When the setting of the set output destination selection condition 5100 is stored in the HDD 511 or the memory 512, it can be seen that at least two output destination selection conditions 5100 have been set, so the selection condition setting program 525 selects these output destinations. Check the consistency of the condition 5100. That is, when a print instruction is issued, it is checked whether a situation occurs in which the output destinations recommended by the respective output destination selection conditions 5100 are different.

  For example, consider a case where the output destination selection condition 5100 is set simultaneously on the “row or column” tab 52 and the “print date” tab 53.

  In the “row or column” tab 52, it is assumed that the output destination is set to the rewritable paver output device 2 when data is not filled in all the columns in a certain row or certain column.

  It would be common to fill in the data for 5 days a week from Monday to Friday in the list, and print it out on paper 8 after the work end time on Friday or the following Monday. However, if the data to be input is a specific numerical value, the data may not be filled in the Friday field due to a counting error or a delay in the counting process. Even if it is printed, it is not possible to input 0 or a numerical value without a track record, and it may be preferable to submit it blank. In addition, when the schedule is a schedule, it is possible to leave it blank because it is handwritten.

  On the other hand, in the “print date / time” tab 53, it is assumed that the output destination is set to the output device 1 when the print date / time is within the temporary print date / time. In this case, if the provisional printing date and time of the list table 5281 is set to Friday of the submission date, even if all the columns of the list table 5281 are blank, printing is performed on the paper 8 of the output device 1 on the day of Friday. .

  Thus, the output destinations determined by the two output destination selection conditions 5100 may be inconsistent with one of the rewritable paver output device 2 and the other with the output device 1. Such a situation can also occur with other combinations of conditions. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45. FIG.

  FIG. 44 is a table summarizing output destination selection conditions set in each tab. In FIG. 44, each output destination selection condition in each tab is classified into condition A-1, condition A-2, condition B-1, condition B-2, condition C-1, and condition C-2.

  FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating combinations of output destination selection conditions in which output destinations are inconsistent. That is, FIG. 45 shows combinations in which output destinations contradict each other in the combinations of output destination selection conditions classified in FIG.

  As described above, when it is detected that the output destinations selected by the respective output destination selection conditions 5100 may be inconsistent, the selection condition setting program 525 displays a screen (“output” "First mismatch condition confirmation screen") is displayed.

  FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen. In the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57 in FIG. 46, combinations of conditions that cause the output destinations to be mismatched are shown in the region 571, so that the user can recognize that fact at a glance.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, when there is a possibility that the output destinations do not match in the plurality of output destination selection conditions 5100, the user can confirm in advance. Therefore, the user can take appropriate measures in advance, such as resetting the output destination selection conditions, and can smoothly perform the subsequent work.

  In the above description, an example in which there is a possibility that a mismatch may occur in the output destination has been described. However, when a mismatch actually occurs during printing, this may be notified.

  That is, when a print instruction for the list table 5281 is issued from the list table editing application 528, the selection determination program 524 is activated. The selection determination program 524 acquires the set output destination selection condition 5100, further acquires the status of the contents of the list 5281 at that time, the printing date and time, and the like, and the output destination selection condition 5100 to which the print instruction corresponds. Determine.

When the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “row or column” tab 52, the output destination is determined depending on whether data is filled in a certain row or certain column of the list table 5281.
When the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “print date / time” tab 53, the output destination is determined based on whether the print date / time is within the range of the temporary print date / time.

  When the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “print rectangle” tab 56, the output destination is determined based on the print target area ratio.

  When the output destinations determined according to the respective output destination selection conditions 5100 are different, the selection determination program 524 displays a screen to that effect (hereinafter referred to as “printing destination mismatch notification screen”).

  FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the output destination mismatch notification screen during printing. In the output destination mismatch notification screen 58 in FIG. 47, a message indicating that the output destination cannot be uniquely determined by a plurality of corresponding output destination selection conditions is displayed (58a), and the condition causing the mismatch is displayed. (58b). Furthermore, the output destination can be specified to any one (58c). Therefore, when the user specifies an output destination and presses the OK button 58d, a print job is requested from the output destination specified by the user.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, when a mismatch occurs in the output destination during printing, the user can recognize that fact and can take an appropriate action.

  By the way, if there is frequent mismatching of output destinations selected by multiple output destination selection conditions, the printing work is paused each time, and if the output destination is not specified by the user, the printing work is not resumed and the work progress It becomes an obstacle. A means for solving such a problem will be described.

  The standard output destination setting screen 51 in FIG. 35 is referred to again. If the output destinations selected by a plurality of output destination selection conditions 5100 are different under the output destination setting column 51a for setting the output devices of the output destination A and the output destination B on the standard output destination setting screen 51, forced There is a check button 51b for selecting whether to print from an output destination that has priority. When printing from an output destination forcibly giving priority, the check button 51b is checked.

  Furthermore, there is a priority output destination selection column 51c for selecting an output destination having priority when the check button 51b is checked. The priority output destination selection column 51c is valid only when the check button 51b is checked. It is assumed that the output destination A is set to the rewritable paver output device 2 and the output destination B is set to the output device 1.

  When the output destination selected by the plurality of output destination selection conditions 5100 does not match, the personal computer 5 automatically determines the output destination with reference to the setting contents on the standard output destination setting screen 51. Therefore, the printing operation is not stopped, and the smooth business progress is achieved.

  By the way, according to the above, when a mismatch (mismatch) occurs in the output destination selected by each output destination selection condition 5100, the fact is notified each time. Therefore, the user corrects the inconsistency by responding each time, but a more efficient coping method will be described below.

  FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a print log check setting screen. In the print log inspection setting screen 59 of FIG. 48, the start condition of the log inspection program 529 is set. Basically, the inspection date and the inspection time are set in the inspection date and time setting field 59a, but when the check button 59b is checked, the activation condition is set according to either the number of printings or the number of printed sheets (59c).

  When the activation condition is set according to either the number of prints or the number of prints, the personal computer 5 activates the inspection program 529 when either the number of prints or the number of prints reaches the set value 59d. When the inspection program 529 is activated, the number of prints or the number of prints is reset to an initial value.

  In FIG. 48, the log check program 529 is set to be activated every Tuesday and Friday morning (59a). However, when the number of printed sheets reaches 500, the log inspection program 529 is set to be activated with priority on those conditions (59b, 59c, 59d).

  FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print log. In the print log 5113 of FIG. 49, a print date (Date), a print time (Time), an output destination (Printer), a document name (Document), and an output destination selection condition are recorded for each print job.

  The output destination selection conditions described in the print log 5113 will be described. If the output destinations selected by the plurality of output destination selection conditions match, “OK” is recorded, and if they do not match, “NG” is recorded. In addition, a code for identifying the corresponding output destination selection condition is recorded in the right column of the column in which “OK” or “NG” is recorded. In FIG. 49, “01” is a condition set in the “row or column” tab 52 (hereinafter referred to as “row or column condition”), and “02” is a condition set in the “print date” tab 53 (hereinafter referred to as “line or column condition”). "Print date and time conditions") and "03" indicate the conditions set in the "print rectangle" tab 56 (hereinafter referred to as "print rectangle conditions").

  According to the print log 5113 in FIG. 49, it can be seen that the output destinations match when the combination of “01” and “03”, that is, the row or column condition and the print rectangle condition are simultaneously met.

  On the other hand, when the combination of “01” and “02”, that is, when the row or column condition and the print date condition are satisfied at the same time, it is understood that a mismatch has occurred in the output destination.

  Further, even when the combination of “02” and “03”, that is, the print date condition and the print rectangle condition are simultaneously met, the output destinations do not match.

  The log inspection program 529 automatically performs such inspection and displays the inspection result on the display monitor.

  FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a display example of inspection results by the log inspection program. In the log inspection result display screen 591 of FIG. 50, there are combinations of output destination selection conditions that cause the output destinations to be inconsistent, and the corresponding output destination selection conditions are displayed together with a message that recommends review (591b).

  The timing for displaying the log inspection result display screen 591 in FIG. 50 includes a condition that “the data is filled in the ninth line” in the row or column condition, and “the print date is Tuesday or Friday in the print date condition”. When the condition “A certain” is satisfied at the same time, there are 10 cases where the output destinations selected by the respective output destination selection conditions do not coincide with each other.

  However, the timing for displaying the log inspection result display screen 591 may be appropriately determined according to the operation, and does not necessarily have to occur when 10 events occur per week. It should be noted that it is easy to understand if the predetermined period such as one week is determined by the interval from the previous inspection date and time, the number of printings or the number of printed sheets. Further, it is considered that the reliability increases when the predetermined number such as 10 is determined by the number of times of printing or the ratio of the number of printed sheets.

  As described above, according to the personal computer 5, the log inspection program 529 automatically and collectively detects inconsistencies in the output destination selection condition 5100 based on the print log 5113. Review can be done in a lump, leading to smooth operation of business.

  Next, the content described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. In the above, the solving means has been described for each problem, but in the following, the processing procedure will be described from the viewpoint of function.

  FIG. 51 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the main processing of the selection condition setting program.

  When called from the list editing application 528, the selection condition setting program 525 displays the main menu screen 5201 (FIG. 33) (S2001). When the output destination selection condition setting button 5201a is pressed on the main menu screen 5201, an output destination selection condition setting process is executed (S2003). When the standard output destination setting button 5201b is pressed, standard output destination setting processing is executed (S2004). When the print log check setting button 5201c is pressed, a print log check setting process is executed (S2005). When the “Close” button is pressed, the selection condition setting program 525 ends.

  FIG. 52 is a flowchart for explaining output destination selection condition setting processing by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 52 describes step S2003 in FIG. 51 in detail.

  First, the selection condition setting program 525 determines the setting destination of the output destination selection condition 5100 (S2011). When the document information 531 is set, the output destination selection condition 5100 is acquired from the document information 531 (S2012). On the other hand, when the print option information is set in the list editing application 528, the output destination selection condition 5100 is acquired from the print option information.

  Subsequently, an output destination selection condition setting screen is displayed (S2014). First, the “row or column” tab 52 is displayed, and the output destination selection condition 5100 acquired in the previous step is displayed.

  When a tab different from the currently displayed tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen (S2105, S2016), the setting values in the tabs that have been displayed so far are temporarily stored (S2017). The display is switched (S2018).

  When the “OK” button is pressed on the output destination selection condition setting screen, the output destination mismatch confirmation process is performed (S2020), and the setting values in all tabs are included in part of the document information 531 or the print option information. Is stored as the output destination selection condition 5100 (S2022, S2023).

  When the “Cancel” button is pressed on the output destination selection condition setting screen, the output destination selection condition setting screen is closed. If any other event occurs, a process corresponding to the generated event (hereinafter referred to as “other event process”) is executed (S2019).

  FIG. 53 is a flowchart for explaining other event processing by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 53 describes step S2019 in FIG. 52 in detail.

  The processing differs depending on the tab displayed on the output destination selection condition setting screen (S2031). If the “row or column” tab 52 is displayed, the process corresponding to the event in the “row or column” tab 52 is executed (S2032). If the “print date” tab 53 is displayed, processing corresponding to the event in the “print date” tab 53 is executed (S2033). If the print rectangle tab 56 is displayed, processing corresponding to the event in the “print rectangle” tab 56 is executed (S2034).

  FIG. 54 is a flowchart for explaining standard output destination setting processing by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 54 describes step S2004 in FIG. 51 in detail.

  When the standard output destination setting information is already set, the existing standard output destination setting information is acquired, the acquired information is arranged (S2041), and the standard output destination setting screen 51 (FIG. 35) is displayed. (S2042).

  In the standard output destination setting screen 51, the output destination A or B is selected from the list in the output destination setting column 51a (S2044). In addition, the check button 51b is used to select whether or not to print from the output destination that is forcibly prioritized (S2045). Further, a priority output destination is set in the priority output destination selection column 51c (S2046).

  When the “OK” button is pressed on the standard output destination setting screen 51, the set value is registered (S2047), and the standard output destination setting screen 51 is closed (S2048). On the other hand, if the “Cancel” button is pressed, the standard output destination setting screen 51 is closed without registering the setting value (S2048).

  FIG. 55 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the “row or column” tab by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 55 describes step S2032 in FIG. 53 in detail.

  In the “row or column” tab 52 (FIG. 34), a row or column to be checked whether data is filled (S2052) and the number of rows or columns are set (S2053). If the check button 52f is checked, the standard output destination setting information is acquired and the content is arranged on the screen (S2054). Also, an output destination is set for each of the cases where there is no data in all the columns, and when the “property” button is pressed for each output destination, the property screen of the printer driver 522 is displayed. If the check button 52g is checked, the setting here is excluded (S2057).

  FIG. 56 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the “print date” tab by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 56 describes step S2033 in FIG. 53 in detail.

  When “Daily”, “Monday-Friday”, or “Day of week setting” is checked in the due date selection field 53a of the print date tab 53 (FIG. 36), the day of the week selection field 53a-1 is displayed and the day of the week is selected. (S2062). On the other hand, if “date setting” is checked, the date setting field 53a-2 (FIG. 38) is displayed to set the start date and end date of the temporary printing date range (S2065). When the “reference” button is pressed in the date setting field 53a-2, a calendar is displayed, and the start date and end date of the temporary printing date range are set by the calendar (S2064).

  When the setting button 53b-1 is pressed in the time zone setting field 53b, the start time of each time zone of “morning”, “daytime”, “evening”, and “night” is set (hereinafter referred to as “time zone”). This is referred to as “start time setting process”) (S2063).

  If the check button 53e is checked, the standard output destination setting information is acquired and the content is arranged on the screen (S2066).

  Note that S2067, S2068, and S2069 are the same as S2055, S2056, or S2057 in FIG. 55, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 57 is a flowchart for explaining processing in the “print rectangle” tab by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 57 describes step S2034 in FIG. 53 in detail.

  In the “print rectangle” tab 56 (FIG. 42), the output destination selection reference area ratio is set (S2072).

  Note that S2073, S2074, S2075, and S2076 are the same as S2066, S2067, S2068, or S2069 in FIG. 56, and thus description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 58 is a flowchart for explaining output destination mismatch confirmation processing by the selection condition setting program. That is, FIG. 58 describes step S2020 in FIG. 52 in detail.

  First, the number of output destination selection conditions 5100 (application conditions) to be applied is checked (S2081). If there are not a plurality of application conditions (No in S2082), the processing ends because there is no output destination mismatch.

  If there are a plurality of application conditions (Yes in S2082), a condition that causes a mismatch in the output destination is checked (S2083). If there is no such establishment condition, the process ends. If there is such an established condition, preparation processing for displaying the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57 (FIG. 46) is performed (S2085), and the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57 is displayed (S2086). When the “OK” button is pressed on the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57, the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57 is closed (S2088).

  FIG. 59 is a flowchart for explaining the check process of the number of applied conditions. That is, FIG. 59 describes step S2081 in FIG. 58 in detail.

  The number of all output destination selection conditions 5100 set on the destination selection condition setting screen is acquired (S2091). Hereinafter, steps S2092 to S2096 are loop processing for each output destination selection condition 5100 (S2097). The output destination selection condition 5100 that is the processing target in the loop processing is hereinafter referred to as “current condition”.

  First, the setting content of the current condition is acquired (S2092), and it is checked whether or not the current condition is an application target (S2093). The check button 52g is checked for the "row or column" tab 52, the check button 53f is checked for the "print date" tab 53, and the check button 56c is checked for the "print rectangle" tab 56. It depends on. If the current condition is not an applicable condition (No in S2093), loop processing is performed using the next output destination selection condition 5100 as the current condition (S2096).

  If the current condition is an applicable condition (Yes in S2093), whether or not the output device 1 is set as one output destination of the current condition and the rewritable paper output device 2 is set as the other output destination (that is, output) Whether the two output destinations selected by the destination selection conditions are different) is checked (S2094). If the two output destinations are different (Yes in S2094), the number of applicable conditions is incremented and the contents of the current conditions are temporarily stored (S2095). If the two output destinations are the same (No in S2094), a loop process is performed using the next output destination selection condition 5100 as the current condition (S2096).

  When the above loop processing is performed for all output destination selection conditions 5100, the processing ends (S2097).

  FIG. 60 is a flowchart for explaining an output destination mismatch condition check process. That is, FIG. 60 describes step S2083 in FIG. 58 in detail.

  First, the counter X is initialized to 1 and the counter Y is initialized to 2 (S2101). Subsequently, among the application conditions temporarily stored in step S2095 of FIG. 59, the application conditions in the order indicated by the counter X and the conditions for which the output device 1 is the output destination are acquired (S2102). Subsequently, the application condition in the order indicated by the counter Y and the condition that the rewritable paper output device 2 is the output destination are acquired (S2103).

  Subsequently, the two acquired conditions are temporarily stored as a set of conditions for satisfying the output destination mismatch (S2104). If the value of the counter Y has not reached the total number of application conditions (No in S2105), the counter Y is incremented (S2106) and the above processing is repeated.

  When the value of the counter Y reaches the total number of application conditions (Yes in S2105), it is checked whether the counter X has reached (total number of application conditions-1) (S2107). If it has reached, the process is terminated. If not reached, the counter X is incremented (S2108), and a value obtained by adding 1 to the counter X is substituted into the counter Y, and the processing after step S2102 is repeated.

  FIG. 61 is a flowchart for explaining a display preparation process for an output destination mismatch condition confirmation screen. That is, FIG. 61 describes step S2085 in FIG. 58 in detail.

  First, the counter X and the counter Y are initialized (S2111). Subsequently, a character string indicating the content of the application conditions in the order indicated by the counter X is developed at a predetermined position (area 572) on the output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen 57 (FIG. 46) (S2112). This process is repeated for all application conditions (S2113, S2114).

  Subsequently, the stored conditions for the output destination mismatch are acquired one by one, and the value of the condition that the output device 1 or the rewritable paper output device 2 in the set becomes the output destination is acquired (S2115). Subsequently, a mark (♦) indicating the output device 1 (or paper 8) is attached to the side of the character string indicating the condition that the output device 1 is an output destination (S2116). Similarly, a mark (●) indicating the rewritable paper output device 2 (or rewritable paper 7) is attached to the side of the character string indicating the condition that the rewritable paper output device 2 is the output destination (S2117). Subsequently, a line is drawn between the two marks (S2118).

  When steps S2115 to S2118 are performed for all the sets, the processing ends (S2119, S2120).

  FIG. 62 is a flowchart for explaining acquisition and arrangement processing of standard output destination setting information. That is, FIG. 62 describes step S2054, S2066, or S2073 in FIG. 55, FIG. 56, or FIG. 57 in detail.

  First, it is determined whether or not the set for setting the standard output destination is set (whether or not the check button 52f or the like in FIG. 34 is checked) (S2121). When set, the data of the output destination A and the output destination B set on the standard output setting screen 51 are acquired (S2122). If the data can be acquired normally (Yes in S2123), the acquired data is displayed in the setting fields for the two output destinations of the currently displayed tab (S2124, S2125). On the other hand, if the data could not be acquired (No in S2123), a message indicating that the standard output destination is not set is displayed (S2126).

  FIG. 63 is a flowchart for explaining the time zone start time setting process. That is, FIG. 63 describes step S2063 in FIG. 56 in detail.

  First, if there is a value that has already been set, the value is placed on the start time setting screen 75 (FIG. 37) (S2131). Subsequently, the start time setting screen 75 is displayed (S2132).

  On the displayed start time setting screen 75, the start time for each time zone is input (S2134). When the OK button 751 is pressed, the set start time is registered (S2135), and the start time setting screen 75 is closed (S2136).

  Next, the printing process will be described. FIG. 64 is a flowchart for explaining the processing procedure of the printing process.

  First, the selection determination program 524 selects an output destination (S2141). If the output destination is selected and printing is possible (Yes in S2142), image formation and printing processing is executed by the print program 523 or the like (S2143). On the other hand, if no output destination is selected and printing is not possible, the printing process is stopped.

  FIG. 65 is a flowchart for explaining output destination selection processing by the selection determination program. That is, FIG. 65 describes step S2141 in FIG. 64 in detail.

  First, whether or not the output destination setting condition 5100 is set in the “print date and time” tab 53, the “print rectangle” tab 56, and the “row or column” tab 52, and the output destination selection condition 5100 set in each tab. The output destination based on the selection is performed (S2151 to S2153). When the output destination selection condition 5100 is set for each tab, a print flag is set for each tab.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not there are a plurality of set print flags (that is, whether or not the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in a plurality of tabs) (S2154). If there are not a plurality of raised print flags (No in S2154), the flow proceeds to step S2164 described later.

  When there are a plurality of set printing flags (Yes in S2154), the number of output destination selection conditions 5100 in which the output destination is the output device 1 and the number of output destination selection conditions 5100 in which the output destination is the rewritable paper output device 2 (Selection check process) is performed (S2155). In the selection check process, the number of output destination selection conditions 5100 in which the output destination is the output device 1 is counted by the paper counter, and the number of output destination selection conditions 5100 in which the output destination is the rewritable paper output device 2 is calculated by the RP counter. Be counted.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not both the RP counter and the paper counter are 1 or more (S2156). When both are not 1 or more, it progresses to step S2164 mentioned later. When both are 1 or more, it is determined whether the priority output destination is set (S2157). When the priority output destination is not set (No in S2157), the print output destination mismatch notification screen 58 is prepared (S2158), and the print output destination mismatch notification screen 58 is displayed (S2159). Subsequently, processing corresponding to the event on the print output destination mismatch notification screen 58 is executed (S2160), and if the “OK” button is pressed, the process returns to step S2155. On the other hand, if the “Cancel” button is pressed, a print cancellation flag is set (S2162), and this process ends.

  On the other hand, if a priority output destination is set (Yes in S2157), the priority output destination is set as the output destination (S2163), a printing execution flag is set (S2164), and the process is terminated.

  FIG. 66 is a flowchart for explaining the print date check process. That is, FIG. 66 describes step S2151 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, it is determined whether or not the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “print date” tab 53 (S2171). If it is not set (No in S2171), this process ends.

  If it is set (Yes in S2171), the system date and time in the personal computer 5 is acquired (S2172), and the provisional printing date and time set as the output destination selection condition 5100 is acquired (S2173). Subsequently, it is determined whether the setting of the printing date is a date setting or a day setting in the temporary printing date and time (S2174).

  If the day of the week is set, it is determined whether the system date / time corresponds to the day of the week set as the temporary printing date / time (S2175). If not applicable (No in S2175), the process proceeds to step S2179 described later. If applicable (Yes in S2175), it is determined whether the system date / time corresponds to the time set as the temporary printing date / time (S2176). If not applicable (No in S2176), the process proceeds to step S2179 described later. If applicable (Yes in S2176), the data of the output destination set as the output destination when the printing date / time is within the range of the temporary printing date / time in the “printing date / time” tab 53 is temporarily stored (S2177).

  Subsequently, a text portion indicating that the print date and time conditions are satisfied is formed (S2180), and the print flag A which is one of the print flags described above is set (S2181).

  On the other hand, when the setting of the printing date in the temporary printing date / time is date setting (“date setting” in S2174), it is determined whether the system date / time corresponds to the date set in the temporary printing date / time (S2178). If applicable (Yes in S2178), the process of step S2176 described above is executed. If not applicable (No in S2178), the data of the output destination set as the output destination when the print date is not within the range of the temporary print date in the “print date” tab 53 is temporarily stored (S2179). The processing after step S2180 is executed.

  FIG. 67 is a flowchart for explaining the printing rectangle range check process. That is, FIG. 67 describes step S2152 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, it is determined whether or not the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “print rectangle” tab 56 (S2191). If it is not set (No in S2191), this process ends.

  If it is set (Yes in S2191), the printing target rectangular range is acquired (S2192), and the area of the printing target rectangular range is calculated (S2193). Subsequently, the area of the effective print range of the paper is calculated (S2194), and the area of the rectangular area to be printed is divided by the area of the effective print range of the paper to calculate the print target area ratio (S2195). Subsequently, the output destination selection reference area ratio set as the output destination selection condition 5100 is acquired (S2196), and the print target area ratio is compared with the output destination selection reference area ratio (S2197).

  When the print target area ratio is equal to or greater than the output destination selection reference area ratio, the output destination data set as the output destination when the condition is met in the “print rectangle” tab 56 is temporarily stored (S2198). Subsequently, a text sentence indicating that the condition is satisfied is formed (S2200), and the print flag B, which is one of the print flags described above, is set (S2201).

  On the other hand, when the print target area ratio is smaller than the output destination selection reference area ratio, the data of the output destination set as the output destination when the condition is met in the “print rectangle” tab 56 is temporarily stored (S2199). The process after step S2200 is executed.

  FIG. 68 is a flowchart for explaining row or column check processing. That is, FIG. 68 describes step S2153 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, it is determined whether or not the output destination selection condition 5100 is set in the “row or column” tab 52 (S2211). If it is not set (No in S2211), this process ends.

  If it is set (Yes in S2211), information on the row or column to be printed is acquired (S2212), and further, the print effective range is acquired (S2213). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not data is filled in all the columns (cells) within the print effective range (S2214). If all the columns are filled with data, the data of the output destination set as the output destination when the condition is met in the “row or column” tab 52 is temporarily stored (S2215). Subsequently, a text sentence indicating that the condition is satisfied is formed (S2217), and a print flag C which is one of the print flags described above is set (S2218).

  On the other hand, when data is not filled in all the columns (when there is a column without data), the output destination data set as the output destination when the condition is met in the “row or column” tab 52 is temporarily stored. The process is stored (S2216), and the processes after step S2217 are executed.

  FIG. 69 is a flowchart for explaining the selection check process. That is, FIG. 69 describes step S2155 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, the value of each counter used below in this flowchart is initialized (S2221). Subsequently, the output destination model selected by each output destination selection condition 5100 is determined (S2222). Subsequently, in steps S2151 to S2153 in FIG. 65, the loop processing is performed for each output destination selection condition 5100 with a print flag set (S2222 to S2227).

  First, one output destination selection condition 5100 is set as a processing target (hereinafter referred to as “current condition”), and the output destination model selected by the current condition is determined (S2222). When the model selected according to the current condition is the rewritable paper output device 2, the counter (RP counter) for the rewritable paper output device 2 is incremented (S2223), and the current condition is included in the selection condition list of the rewritable paper output device 2 ( S2224).

  On the other hand, if the model selected according to the current condition is the output device 1, the counter (paper counter) for the output device 1 is incremented (S2225), and the current condition is included in the selection condition list of the output device 1 (S2226).

  Progressing to step S2227 following step S2224 or S2226, it is determined whether or not the processing has been performed for all output destination selection conditions 5100 with the print flag set. If the processing is not completed, the next output destination selection condition 5100 is set as a processing target, and the loop processing is repeated.

  FIG. 70 is a flowchart for explaining a preparation process for an output destination mismatch notification screen during printing. That is, FIG. 70 describes step S2158 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, a combination of output destination selection conditions in which the output destinations do not match is formed (S2231). Subsequently, a character string of a combination of conditions for which the output destinations do not match is drawn in an area 58b of the output destination mismatch notification screen 58 (FIG. 47) (S2232). Subsequently, standard output destination setting information is acquired, and the information is arranged in the area 53c (S2233).

  FIG. 71 is a flowchart for explaining a process of forming a combination of output destination mismatch conditions. That is, FIG. 71 describes step S2231 in FIG. 70 in detail.

  First, each counter is initialized (S2241). Subsequently, the number of the output destination selection condition 5100 that is the output destination of the output device 1 is put into X of the secondary array in the order indicated by the counter X (S2242). Subsequently, the number of the output destination selection condition 5100 that is the output destination of the rewritable paper output device 2 is put in Y of the secondary array in the order indicated by the counter Y (S2243). Subsequently, the counter Y is incremented (S2244), and it is determined whether or not the counter Y has reached the aforementioned RP counter (S2245). If the counter Y has not reached the RP counter, steps S2242 to S2244 are performed again.

  On the other hand, if the counter Y has reached the RP counter, the counter X is incremented (S2246), and it is determined whether or not the counter X has reached the aforementioned paper counter (S2247). If the counter X has not reached the paper counter, the counter Y is reset (S2248), and the processes after step S2242 are repeated. If the counter X has reached the paper counter, this process ends.

  FIG. 72 is a flowchart for explaining a drawing process of a combination character string under an output destination mismatch condition. That is, FIG. 72 explains step S2232 in FIG. 70 in detail.

  First, the value of each counter (counter X, counter Y) is initialized (S2251). Subsequently, there is an output destination selection condition 5100 (hereinafter referred to as “satisfaction condition X”) pointed to by the counter X in the secondary array X described above, and an output destination selection pointed by the counter Y in the secondary array Y. It is determined whether there is a number of condition 5100 (hereinafter referred to as “establishment condition Y”) (S2252).

  When the determination result is “No” (No in S2252), the process proceeds to Step S2255 described later. On the other hand, when the determination result is “Yes” (Yes in S2252), the text content of the satisfaction condition X is drawn in the screen formation in the display buffer, and the text content of the satisfaction condition Y is drawn on the next line ( S2253).

  Subsequently, the code and text content of the output destination selection condition 5100 that caused the mismatch are output to the print log 5113 (S2254), and the counter Y is incremented (S2255). If the counter Y has not reached the RP counter, the process returns to step S2252. If the counter Y has reached the PR counter, the counter X is incremented (S2257). If the counter X has not reached the paper counter, the counter Y is reset (S2259), and the process returns to step S2252. If the counter X has reached the paper counter, this process ends.

  FIG. 73 is a flowchart for explaining the event processing of the output destination mismatch notification screen during printing. That is, FIG. 73 describes step S2160 in FIG. 65 in detail.

  First, the output destination mismatch notification screen 58 (FIG. 47) is displayed (S2261). When the check button 58e is checked on the output destination mismatch notification screen 58 during printing, the standard output destination setting information acquisition and arrangement processing described in FIG. 62 is executed (S2264). On the other hand, if the check button 58e is unchecked, the standard output destination setting information is not applicable (S2263). Further, when an output destination is selected in the drop-down list, the selected one is set as the output destination (S2265). When the property button is pressed, the property screen of the printer driver 522 is displayed (S2266).

  When the “OK” button 58d is pressed, each condition value is registered (S2267), the print output destination mismatch notification screen 58 is closed (S2268), and the event is returned to the upper screen (S2269).

  Next, image formation and printing processing will be described. FIG. 74 is a flowchart for explaining image formation and printing processing by a printing program or the like. That is, FIG. 74 describes step S2143 in FIG. 64 in detail.

  First, an image of the first document and printing conditions are acquired based on the document number to be printed (S2271), and the image is developed in the image buffer 513 (S2272). Subsequently, the selected output device (output device 1 or rewritable paper output device 2) is set as an output destination (S2273, S2274, S2275).

  Subsequently, the contents of the image buffer 513 are copied to the print buffer 514 (S2276), and when the contents of the print buffer 514 are transmitted to the output destination (S2277), the output device at the output destination prints the contents of the print buffer (S2278). . Subsequently, the print image, the print condition, the print destination, the print result, and the like are written in the print log 5113 (S2279), and this process ends.

  Next, an inspection setting process for the print log 5113 will be described. FIG. 75 is a flowchart for explaining print log check setting processing by the log check program.

  If the print log inspection setting information has already been saved, it is acquired and placed on the print log inspection setting screen 59 (FIG. 48) (S2281). Subsequently, the print log inspection setting screen 59 is displayed (S2282), and processing corresponding to the input event is performed (S2283). That is, when an inspection date and time and other inspection conditions are input, those values are set as set values (S2284, S2285). When the “OK” button is pressed, each set value is registered, and the print log inspection setting screen 59 is closed (S2287).

  Next, an inspection process for the print log 5113 will be described. FIG. 76 is a flowchart for explaining print log check processing by the log check program.

  First, the print log 5113 is acquired (S2291). Subsequently, one item (one line) is read from the print log 5113, and it is determined whether or not a mismatch of output destinations has occurred (S2292, S2293). If no mismatch has occurred, the process proceeds to step S2296 described later. If a mismatch has occurred, the text content of the one line is copied, and the mismatch factor-specific counter and the check counter are incremented (S2295, S2296).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the inspection counter has reached the total number described in the print log 5113 (S2297), and if not, the process returns to step S2292. If it has been reached, it is determined whether or not the mismatch factor counter is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S2298). If the mismatch factor counter is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, a message notifying that the output destination selection condition is abnormal is formed and displayed (S2299). If the mismatch factor-specific counter is less than the predetermined value, the process ends.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation * It can be changed.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a rewritable paper output device. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of a wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard. It is the figure which looked at the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard from the front. It is a figure which shows the basic data flow in the personal computer of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of an output device information database. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a display of the document printing condition setting screen of a document editing application. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a print dialog. It is a figure which shows the flow of control by the value of a model group. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning message when a printer driver to be installed does not have a model group value. FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a warning message when an installed printer driver does not have a model group value. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning message when a print instruction is issued from a printer driver that does not have a model group value. It is a figure which shows the example of a warning message when document information does not have the information of an output destination. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the print dialog in which the emergency button was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the print dialog in which the clear button was displayed. It is a figure which shows the example of the emergency information described in the document of A4 portrait size. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the A4 portrait size document on the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard at the same magnification. It is a figure which shows the example which displayed the document of A4 portrait size according to the screen of the wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display of the document printing condition setting screen of a document edit application. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the property screen of the printer driver of a wide rewritable paper electronic blackboard. It is a figure which shows the judgment criteria of the suitability of printing. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning message when an output device designated as a print destination is inappropriate as an output destination of a document with a specific posting. 6 is a flowchart for explaining printer driver installation processing; 6 is a flowchart for explaining print instruction processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the check process of specific or non-specific posting. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the check process of the presence or absence of a model group. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a model group check process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the printing process by a printing program etc. FIG. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the basic data flow in the personal computer of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the table | surface which data is not buried in all the columns. It is a figure which shows the example of the table | surface which has data buried in all the columns. It is a display example of a main menu screen for setting output destination selection conditions. It is a figure which shows the state in which the "row or column" tab is selected in the output destination selection condition setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a standard output destination setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a “print date” tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a start time setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a date setting column. It is a figure which shows the list in which the schedule of the 2nd week of June of a civic center was filled in. It is a figure which shows the printing image at the time of selecting and printing the predetermined | prescribed row | line | column of the schedule of a civic center. It is a figure for demonstrating the effective printing range of a paper. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where a “print rectangle” tab is selected on the output destination selection condition setting screen. It is a figure for demonstrating the calculation method of the area of the rectangular range for printing. It is the table | surface which put together the output destination selection conditions set in each tab. It is a figure which shows the combination of the output destination selection conditions in which an output destination contradicts. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of an output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the output destination mismatch notification screen at the time of printing. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a print log inspection setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a printing log. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the inspection result by a log inspection program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the main process of a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the output destination selection condition setting process by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other event processing by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the standard output destination setting process by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the "row or column" tab by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the "print date" tab by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process in the "print rectangle" tab by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the output destination mismatch confirmation process by a selection condition setting program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the application number check process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the establishment conditions check process of output destination mismatch. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the preparation process of a display of an output destination mismatch establishment condition confirmation screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating acquisition and arrangement | positioning processing of standard output destination setting information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the start time setting process of a time slot | zone. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of printing processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the output destination selection process by a selection determination program. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a print date check process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the check process of a printing rectangle range. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the check process of a row or a column. It is a flowchart for demonstrating selection check processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the preparation process of the output destination mismatch notification screen at the time of printing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the formation process of the combination of conditions of an output destination mismatch. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the drawing process of the combination character string of the conditions of an output destination mismatch. 10 is a flowchart for explaining event processing of an output destination mismatch notification screen during printing. 6 is a flowchart for explaining image formation and print processing by a print program or the like. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the printing log check setting process by a log check program. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the printing log check process by a log check program.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Output device 2 Rewritable paper (RP) output device 3 Wide width rewritable paper (RP) electronic blackboard 5 Personal computer 6 Print server 7 Rewritable paper 8 Paper 110, 210, 310, 510, 610 CPU
111, 211, 311, 511, 611 HDD
112, 212, 312, 512, 612 Memory 121, 221, 321, 521, 621 Control program 201, 301 Print unit thermal head 202, 302 Erase unit heat roller 203, 303 Paper feed roller 204 Paper discharge tray 205 Paper feed tray 513 Image buffer 514 Print buffer 520, 620 Print management utility program 522 Printer driver 523 Print program 524 Selection determination program 525 Selection condition setting program 526 Document editing application 528 List editing application 529 Log check program 531 Document information 540 Image 550, 650 Printing condition 5100 Output destination selection condition 5103 Output device information 5113 Print log

Claims (18)

A print control device that issues a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
First output destination setting means for setting a first output destination permitted as an output destination for each document;
Second output destination setting means for setting a second output destination of the document when the document is printed;
Print control, comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not output to the second output destination is appropriate based on a comparison between the characteristics of the first output destination and the characteristics of the second output destination. apparatus. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices is an output device that outputs to rewritable paper. The printing control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices is an electronic blackboard using rewritable paper. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second output destination setting means sets the output destination according to a group classified based on characteristics of the output device. 5. The printing control apparatus according to one item. A printer driver installed in the print control apparatus has group value confirmation means for confirming whether or not the printer driver has a value for identifying the group;
The print control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the printer driver does not have a value for identifying the group, installation of the printer driver is stopped. The print request is made at a size corresponding to the size of the output medium of each output destination when a plurality of output destinations are set as the first output destination. The printing control apparatus described. First posting condition setting means for setting whether or not each document is for specific posting;
Second posting condition setting means for setting whether or not the output device is for specific posting, and
The determination unit determines whether printing is appropriate based on whether the document is for specific posting and whether the output device as an output destination is for specific posting. The print control apparatus according to claim 6. A print control method in a print control apparatus that issues a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
A first output destination setting procedure for setting a first output destination permitted as an output destination for each document;
A second output destination setting procedure for setting a second output destination of the document when the document is printed;
And a determination procedure for determining suitability of output to the second output destination based on a comparison between the characteristics of the first output destination and the characteristics of the second output destination. Method. A print control program for causing a computer to execute print control for a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
A first output destination setting procedure for setting a first output destination permitted as an output destination for each document;
A second output destination setting procedure for setting a second output destination of the document when the document is printed;
And a determination procedure for determining suitability of output to the second output destination based on a comparison between the characteristics of the first output destination and the characteristics of the second output destination. program. A print control device that issues a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
Condition setting means for setting an output destination selection condition for selecting an output destination from the plurality of output devices;
Output destination selection means for selecting an output device as an output destination by collating the output destination selection conditions set by the condition setting means with information relating to a print instruction;
A print control apparatus that issues a print request to the output apparatus selected by the output destination selection means. The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of output devices is an output device that outputs to rewritable paper. The output destination selection condition includes a condition regarding the content of the document,
12. The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the output destination selection unit collates the output destination selection condition with the content of the document that is the target of the print instruction. The output destination selection condition includes a condition related to printing date and time,
The print control apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the output destination selection unit collates the output destination selection condition with a print date and time based on the print instruction. The output destination selection condition includes a condition relating to an area ratio of the print area to a predetermined area on the print paper,
The output destination selecting unit collates a value obtained by dividing an area of a print area based on the print instruction by the predetermined area of the print paper according to the print instruction with the output destination selection condition. Item 14. The print control apparatus according to any one of Items 10 to 13. 15. The apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a condition confirmation unit configured to confirm consistency of an output destination selected by each output destination selection condition when a plurality of the output destination selection conditions are set. The printing control apparatus described. Priority device selection means for selecting a preferential output destination from the plurality of output devices,
The print control apparatus according to claim 15, wherein when the output destination mismatch is detected by the condition confirmation unit, a print request is made to the output device selected by the priority device selection unit. A print control method in a print control apparatus that issues a print request to a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
A condition setting procedure for setting an output destination selection condition for selecting an output destination from the plurality of output devices;
An output destination selection procedure for selecting an output device as an output destination by collating the output destination selection conditions set in the condition setting procedure with information relating to a print instruction;
A print control method, wherein a print request is made to the output device selected in the output destination selection procedure. A print control program for causing a computer to execute print control for a plurality of output devices connected via a network,
A condition setting procedure for setting an output destination selection condition for selecting an output destination from the plurality of output devices;
An output destination selection procedure for selecting an output device as an output destination by collating the output destination selection conditions set in the condition setting procedure with information relating to a print instruction;
A print control program that issues a print request to an output device selected in the output destination selection procedure.

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