Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a data output apparatus and a data output method for print, display and tabular-outputting data input from external sources, such as a document, an image and a numeric value. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     If, for example, a display and a printer are connected to a computer such as a personal computer and an application software with a word processing function and a drawing function is executed on the personal computer, then document data or image data can be generated by the personal computer, displayed on a display portion and printed on a paper sheet. 
     In addition, if executing an application software with an operational function and a tabular function on the personal computer, a table or a graph can be generated based on numeric data input into the computer, displayed on the display portion and printed on a paper sheet. 
     The document data or image data thus generated by the application software with the word processing function or the drawing function may be created in a data format specific to the application software. In this case, it is required to re-execute the application software, by which the document data or the image data was generated, and to utilize the display function or the print function of the application software in order to display or print the document or image data. 
     There are actually various types of application software with word processing functions or a drawing functions, so are various types of document data or image data formats. Due to this, if document data or image data which has been generated by an application software different in type from that can be executed on a user&#39;s personal computer, it sometimes may not be able to be displayed or printed using the computer, which causes inconvenience to the user involved. 
     Further, it is often necessary to set a paper size and a printing method and the like every time the document data or image data is printed using an application software with a word processing function or a drawing function, which results in complicated print operation. 
     The inconvenience and complicated print operation are also the case with generating and outputting a table or a graph using an application software having an operation function or a tabular function. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a data output apparatus and a data output method capable of comprehensively conducting output process such as display, print and tabular output to data set including, for example, document data and image data, without need of executing the application software corresponding to their individual data formats. 
     The aforementioned object can be achieved by a data output apparatus according to the present invention. The data output apparatus is an apparatus for receiving a data set input from an external source, processing the data set according to an output process, and outputting the processed data set. The data set includes, for example, character data, image data and numeric data. The output process includes, for example, conversion of data formats, conversion of data arrangements, calculation for data processing, and addition of other data. The output process is, for example, a printing process, a displaying process, a transmitting process and a tabular-outputting process. 
     The apparatus of the present invention has: a storage device in which a first storage area is formed in advance; a first receiving device for receiving a parameter set for setting a condition of the output process, and storing the received parameter set into the first storage area; a forming device for forming a second storage area in the storage device, and linking the formed second storage area with the received parameter set; a second receiving device for receiving the data set, and storing the received data set into the second storage area; a processing device for identifying the parameter set linked with the second area in which the received data set is stored, setting the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and processing the received data set according to the output process whose condition is set by the identified parameter set; and an output device for outputting the processed data set. 
     The parameter set includes parameters for setting a condition of the output process. For example, if the output process is a printing process, the parameter set includes parameters representing: printing types, print positions, sheet sizes and the like. If the output process is a displaying process, the parameter set includes parameters representing: display types, display positions, display sizes and the like. If the output process is a transmitting process, the parameter set includes parameters representing: addresses for transmitting data, transmission speeds and the like. If the output process is a tabular-outputting process, the parameter set includes parameters representing: functions for calculation, display positions of tabular-data and the like. 
     In operation, the first receiving device receives a parameter set and stores it into the first storage area of the storage device. When the parameter set is received, the forming device forms the second storage area in the storage device, and links it with the received parameter set. If several different parameter sets are received, the forming device forms the several different second storage areas in the storage device, and links them with the received parameter sets, respectively. That is, the forming device adds the second storage area in the storage device one after another, whenever the different parameter set is received. After the second storage area is formed, the second receiving device can receive the data set. When the data set is sent from an external source to the data output apparatus, the second receiving device receives it, and stores it into the second storage device. Then, the processing device searches the first storage area for the parameter set linked with the second storage area in which the received data set is stored, and identifies the parameter set linked with this second storage area. Then, the processing device sets the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and process the data set according to the output process. Next, the output device outputs the processed data set. For example, if the output process is a printing process, the output device prints out the processed data set. If the output process is a transmitting process, the output device transmits the processed data set. 
     As can be understood from the above, according to the data output apparatus of the present invention, the user firstly inputs the parameter set into the first storage area of the data output apparatus. As a result, the second storage area is formed in the data output apparatus. The user secondly inputs the data set into this second storage area. As a result, the data set is processed according to the output process whose condition is set by the parameter set input by the user. 
     Thus, if the user only input the parameter set and the data set to the data output apparatus, the data set is processed and output automatically. Therefore, an application soft ware for processing the data set is not required. Furthermore, if the user inputs one parameter set and several or a large number of data sets, continuously or simultaneously, the several or a large number of data sets are continuously processed and output by using the same parameter set. Therefore, the several or large number of data sets can be easily and comprehensively processed and output. Moreover, if the data output apparatus has format conversion functions, data sets having various different formats can be processed and output in such a easy operation. 
     The data output apparatus may further include a determining device for determining whether or not the first receiving device receives the parameter set. In this case, when the determining device determines that the first receiving device receives the parameter set, the forming device forms the second storage area and links the formed second storage area with the received parameter set. Therefore, the user feels that the second storage area can be easily formed only by input of the parameter set. 
     Furthermore, the data output apparatus may further include another determining device for determining whether or not the second receiving device receives the data set. In this case, when the determining device determines that the second receiving device receives the data set, the processing device identifies the parameter set, sets the condition of the output process, and processes the received and stored data set, and the output device outputs the processed data set. Therefore, the user feels that the data set can be easily processed and output only by input of the data set. 
     Moreover, the forming device may include a link data generating device for generating link data representing a linkage between the parameter set and the second storage area, and storing the generated link data into the storage device. In this case, the processing device can easily identify the parameter set by referring to the generated link data. 
     Moreover, the data output apparatus may further include a message output device for outputting a message when the parameter set that has been now received by the first receiving device is the same as the parameter set that has been previously received by the first receiving device. The parameter set that is the same as one that has been previously received is not required. Therefore, if such a parameter set is received, the message output device outputs a message to inform the user of this fact. Accordingly, it can be prevented that the second storage area is double formed in the storage device. 
     Moreover, the data output apparatus may further include a text data generating device for generating text data representing the content of the parameter set received by the first receiving device, and storing the generated text data into the storage device. Therefore, the user can easily view the text data by using a text editor, a word processing software or the like, so that user can easily confirm the parameters included in the parameter set. 
     Moreover, the data output apparatus may further include a transferring device for transferring the data set from the second storage area to a third storage area which is formed in advance in the storage device, when the data set has been output by the output device. Therefore, the data set that has not been processed yet and the data set that has been already processed can be easily discriminated. 
     Moreover, the data output apparatus may further include a deleting device for deleting the data set stored in the third storage area, when a predetermined period of time has passed since the data set was transferred to the third storage area. Therefore, it is possible to prevent that the third storage area is filled with useless data set. The deleting device deletes the data set after waiting a predetermined period of time, so that it can be prevented to delete useful data set. 
     The aforementioned object can be also achieved by another data output apparatus in accordance with the preset invention. The data output apparatus includes: a storage device having a storage area; a receiving device for receiving the data set and a parameter set for setting a condition of the output process, and storing the received data set and the received parameter set into the storage area; a managing device for managing the received data set and the receiving parameter set such that the received data set and the receiving parameter set are linked with each other; a processing device for identifying the received parameter set linked with the received data set, setting the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and processing the received data set according to the output process whose condition is set by the identified parameter set; and an output device for outputting the processed data set. 
     In this data output apparatus, the receiving device receives both the data set and a parameter set and stores both the received data set and the received parameter set into the common storage area. The managing device manages the received data set and the receiving parameter set such that the received data set and the receiving parameter set are linked with each other. The processing device identifies the received parameter set linked with the received data set, sets the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and processes the received data set according to the output process. The output device outputs the processed data set. 
     According to this data output apparatus of the present invention, if the user only inputs the parameter set and the data set into the single storage area, the data set is automatically processed according to the output process whose condition is set by the parameter set. Therefore, an application soft ware for processing the data set is not required. 
     In this data output apparatus, the processing device may set the condition of the output process according to a default parameter set which is pre-stored in the storage device, when the processing device fails in identifying the parameter set. Therefore, the receiving device receives only the data set, the data set is processed by using the default parameter. 
     The above-mentioned object can be also achieved by a data output method in accordance with the present invention. The data output method is a method of receiving a data set input from an external source, processing the data set according to an output process, and outputting the processed data set. The data output method has the processes of: receiving a parameter set for setting a condition of the output process, and storing the received parameter set into a first storage area formed in advance in a storage device; forming a second storage area in the storage device, and linking the formed second storage area with the received parameter set; receiving the data set, and storing the received data set into the second storage area; identifying the parameter set linked with the second area in which the received data set is stored, setting the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and processing the received data set according to the output process whose condition is set by the identified parameter set; and outputting the processed data set. Therefore, by using this method, it is possible to comprehensively conduct the output process to the data sets without need of executing the application software corresponding to their individual data formats. 
     The aforementioned object can be further achieved by another data output method in accordance with the present invention. The data output method is a method of receiving a data set input from an external source, processing the data set according to an output process, and outputting the processed data set. The data output method has the processes of: receiving the data set and a parameter set for setting a condition of the output process, and storing the received data set and the received parameter set into a storage area of a storage device; managing the received data set and the receiving parameter set such that the received data set and the receiving parameter set are linked with each other; identifying the received parameter set linked with the received data set, setting the condition of the output process according to the identified parameter set, and processing the received data set according to the output process whose condition is set by the identified parameter set; and outputting the processed data set. Therefore, by using this method, it is possible to comprehensively conduct the output process to the data sets without need of executing the application software corresponding to their individual data formats. 
     The nature, utility, and further feature of this invention will be more clearly apparent from the following detailed description with respect to preferred embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings briefly described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a print system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view for showing print processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing processing through a main program executed by a printer server at the time of print processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing processing through a directory generation program according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing processing through a print processing program according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing processing through a complete file management program according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a view showing an image displayed on a display portion of a client PC when a setting file is generated and transmitted by the client PC according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a view showing a print file directory, a link file, a setting file and the like according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a print system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a view showing print processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing processing through a printing process program according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a set of print parameters according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. First Embodiment 
     The first embodiment according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, description will be given, while taking a case of applying the present invention to a print system as an example. 
     FIG. 1 shows a print system in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a print system  100  has a printer server  10 , a plurality of client personal computers  30  (to be referred to simply as “client PC 30” hereinafter). The printer server  10  is connected to each of the client PCs  30  through a communication network  40 . 
     The printer server  10  is constructed by a computer such as a personal computer and a workstation. The printer server  10  has a CPU  11 , a ROM  12 , a RAM  13 , an input portion  14 , a display portion  15 , a network interface (I/F)  16 , a printer interface (I/F)  17  and a memory portion  20 , which elements are connected to one another through a bus. To the printer server, a plurality of printers  50  are also connected through the printer I/F  17 . 
     The CPU  11  controls the printer server  10 . The CPU  11  also generates a directory (folder) and conducts print processing and manages a complete file by executing a main program, a directory generation program, a printing process program and a complete file management program as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. 
     The ROM  12  stores the main program, the directory generation program, the print processing program and the complete file management program. The ROM  12  also stores other programs and data for controlling the printer server  10 . The RAM  13  is used as a working area while the printer server  10  is controlled by the CPU  11 . 
     The input portion  14  inputs data or a command into the printer server  10  and consists of a keyboard, a mouse, a switch panel and other input devices. The display portion  15  displays characters, numeric values and/or images to confirm the data or the command input into the printer server  10  from the input portion  14 , check the operational status of the printer server  10  or the like. The display portion  15  can be, for example, a CRT display and a liquid crystal display. 
     The network interface  16  serves to connect the printer server  10  to the communication network  40 . The network interface  16  conducts input control of data transmitted from the communication network  40  to the printer server  10  and output control of data transmitted from the printer server  10  to the communication network  40 . The printer interface  17  serves to conduct output control of data transmitted from the printer server  10  to each of the printers  50  and input control of data transmitted from each printer  50  to the printer server  10 . 
     The memory portion  20  consists of a reloadable memory such as a RAM and a hard disk. The memory portion  20  also performs memory management functions which involve generating and setting directories (such as physical or logic memory areas or folders). In the memory portion  20 , there are provided a receiving directory  21 , a setting file directory  22 , a link file directory  23 , a print file directory  24 , and a complete file directory  25 , each of which directories will be later described. 
     The printer  50  functions as a print engine to actually output print data onto paper. In other words, the printer  50  serves as a device to print or output the print data which has been print-processed by the printer server  10  onto a paper sheet or more. Although FIG. 1 shows that two printers  50  are connected to the printer server  10 , the number of printers  50  connected thereto may be one or not less than three. The printer(s)  50  may be not only connected to the printer server  1  through the printer interface  17  but also to the communication network  40 . 
     Each client PC  30  includes a CPU  31 , a ROM  32 , a RAM  33 , a memory portion  34 , an input portion  35 , a display portion  36  and a network interface  37 , which are connected to one another through a bus. 
     The CPU  31  is a central processing unit to control the operation of the client PC  30 . The ROM  32  stores, for example, a program for controlling the operation of the client PC  30 . The RAM  33  is used as a working area while the above-stated program is executed by the CPU  31 . The memory portion  34  consists of, for example, a hard disk. The input portion  35  consists of, for example, a keyboard and a mouse and is used to input data or a command into the client PC  30 . The display portion  36  consists of, for example, a CRT display and a liquid crystal display. The network interface  37  serves to connect the client PC  30  to the communication network  40  and is an interface to control data input/output between the client PC  30  and the communication network  40 . 
     In the ROM  32  or the memory portion  34  of each of the client PC  30 , a program for allowing the client PC  34  to function as an input device for inputting a print file  5  or a setting file  4  into the printer server  10  is stored. If the program is executed by the CPU  31  of the client PC  30 , the client PC  30  functions as an input device for inputting the print file  5  or the setting file  4  into the printer server  10 . The client PC  30  can not only input the print file  5  or the setting file  4  but remotely operate the printer server  10 . 
     Although FIG. 1 shows that four client PCs  30  are connected to the communication network  40 , the number of the client PCs connected may be one, two, three, five or more. If the number of the client PC  30  is one, the client PC  30  may be directly connected to the printer server  10  not by way of the communication network  40 . 
     Next, description will be given to print processing realized by means of the print system  100  according to this embodiment. 
     First, as shown in FIG. 2, the client PC  30  generates a setting file  4 . The setting file  4  means a file in which print parameters are described. The print parameters involve parameters for setting, for example, a printing method, a paper size, a font, the number of printout sheets, a type of ink for printing, color edit, scale of enlargement·scale of reduction (scaling), printer selection and other necessary print requirements. The setting file  4  generated by the client PC  30  is transmitted to the printer server  10  through the communication network  40 . 
     Now, the generation and transmission of a setting file  4  by the client PC  30  will be described in more detail. When a setting file  4  is generated and transmitted by the client PC  30 , a setting file creation image  7  is displayed on the display portion  36  of the client PC  30 , as shown in FIG. 7. A user may input print parameters, including a paper size, scaling, a printing method (whether to use an error diffusion method) and the like, into the client PC  30  using the input portion  35  while observing the setting file creation image  7 . As a result, a setting file  4  is generated within the client PC  30 . If the user presses a switch  8  (by, for example, clicking the switch  8  with a mouse or the like) within the setting file creation image  7  by operating the input portion  35 , then the generated setting file  4  is transmitted to the printer server  10  from the client PC  30 . The transmission of the setting file  4  is stopped if the user presses a switch  9 . 
     The setting file  4  transmitted from the client PC  30  to the printer server  10  is input into the receiving directory  21  generated in the memory portion of the printer server  10  and temporarily stored in directory  21 , as shown in FIG.  2 . At this moment, the CPU  11  of the printer server  10  monitors whether or not the setting file  4  is input into the receiving directory  21  in accordance with the directory generation program  1 . When the setting file is input, the CPU  11  confirms that the same content of setting file has not been input before and generates a print file directory  24  linked to the setting file  4  within the memory portion  20 . The CPU  11  moves the setting file  4  stored in the receiving directory  21  to the setting file directory  22 . The setting file  4  is, thus, stored in the setting file directory  22 . 
     Then, the CPU  11  also generates a link file  6  in accordance with the display generation program  1 . If a link file  6  already exists, the CPU  11  updates the existing file  6 . The link file  6  contains link data and is stored in the link file directory  23 . The link data serves to link (interrelate) the print file directory  24  with the setting file  4 . 
     Now, the link file will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the link file  6  consists of rows of names of print file directories  24  and those of setting files  4 . When a print file directory A is generated by inputting the setting file A into the receiving directory  21 , for example, the name of the print file directory A, i.e., “FOLDER0” and that of the setting file A, i.e., “SETUP0.PRM” are described in a row within the link file  6 , as depicted by FIG.  8 . Thus, it is determined that the print file directory and the setting file which are described in a row within the link file  6  are linked to each other. 
     If the setting files  4  are transmitted from a client PC  30  to the printer server  10  several times, a print file directory  24  linked to a setting file  4  is generated every time the setting file  4  is input into the receiving directory  21  of the printer server  10 . Whenever a print file directory  24  is generated, the link file  6  is updated. Specifically, referring to FIG. 8, whenever a print file directory  24  is generated, a row of the name of the generated print file directory  24  and that of a setting file  4  linked to the directory  24  is added to the link file  6 . More specifically, FIG. 8 shows a state in which setting files A, B, C and D are input into the receiving directory  21  and four print file directories A, B, C and D are thereby created. Within the link file  6  shown in FIG. 8, names of the respective file directories A, B, C and D (FOLDER 0 , FOLDER 1 , FOLDER 2 , FOLDER 3 ) and names of the respective setting files A, B, C and D (SETUP 0 .PRM, SETUP 1 .PRM, SETUP 2 .PRM, SETUP 3 .PRM) are described as follows: 
     (Line 1) 1: FOLDERO SETUP 0 .PRM 
     (Line 2) 2: FOLDER 1  SETUP 1 .PRM 
     (Line 3) 3: FOLDER 2  SETUP 2 .PRM 
     (Line 4) 4: FOLDER 3  SETUP 3 .PRM. 
     In printing an image, a user operates the client PC  30  to transmit the print file  5  from the client PC  30  to the print file directory  24  of the printer server  10 , as shown in FIG.  2 . Since the print file directory  24  of the printer server  10  is shared among the respective client PCs  30  through the network, the user can observe the print file directory  24  of the printer server  10  on the user 3  s own client PC  30 . As a result, the user can transmit the print file  5  to the print file directory  24  of the printer server  10  only by copying or moving the file  5  to a virtual print file directory viewed on the client PC  30 . Here, the print file means a file in which print data sets are described and the print data may be, for example, document data and image data. The print data is described with a page description language (PDL) such as PostScript (a trademark by Adobe Systems Incorporated). 
     The print file  5  transmitted from the client PC  30  to the printer server  10  is input into and stored in the print file directory  24 . At this time, the CPU  11  of the printer server  10  monitors whether or not a print file  5  is input to the print file directory  24  in accordance with the print processing program  2 . When the print file  5  has been input, the CPU  11  refers to the link file  6  stored in the link directory  23  and specifies a setting file  4  linked to the print file director  24  into which the print file  5  has been input. The CPU  11  then sets a printing method, a paper size, a font, the number of printout paper sheets, a type of ink for printing, color edit, scale of enlargement·scale of reduction (scaling), screening, whether or not preview display is available and the like in accordance with the print parameters described in the setting file  4 . With the setting, the CPU  11  processes the print data  5  described in the print file  5  and controls the printer  50  so as to print the print file  5  stored in the print file directory  24 . As a result, the print data described in the print file  5  is printed on paper by the printer  50 . In addition, the print data described with a page description language is converted to, for example, bit-map data by the processing of the print data. 
     When print operation is completed, the print file  5  is automatically transferred to the complete file directory  25 . At this moment, the CPU  11  monitors the print file  5  transferred to the complete file directory  25  in accordance with the complete file management program  3 . The CPU  11  deletes the print file  5  thus transferred to the complete file directory  25  after a predetermined period of time of the transfer of the print file  5  to the directory  25 . 
     Next, the operation of the printer server  10  for the above-stated print processing will be described in accordance with the flow charts shown in FIGS. 3 through 6. 
     In print processing, the main program  3  shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU  11  of the printer server  10 . First, processing through the main program will be described. 
     In step  11  of FIG. 3, the CPU  11  stores 0 in a name counter n and initializes the name counter n. In step  12 , the CPU  11  waits, for example, for 10 seconds. In step  13 , the CPU  11  starts the directory generation program shown in FIG. 4, monitors the setting file  4 , generates a print file directory  24  and updates the link file  6 . Next, in step  14 , the CPU  11  starts the print processing program shown in FIG. 5, monitors the print file  5  and prints out the print file  5 . In step  15 , the CPU  11  starts the complete file management program shown in FIG.  6  and deletes the complete file in the complete file directory  25 . 
     The CPU  1   1  repeatedly executes processing steps  12  to  15 . As a result, a series of processing in accordance with the directory generation program, print processing program and complete file management program are repeatedly executed at 10 seconds&#39; intervals. The stand-by time in the step  12  should not be limited to 10 seconds. It may be arbitrarily set based on frequency with which setting files are input into the receiving directory  21 , that with which print files are input into the print file directory  24  and the like. 
     Now, description will be given to processing through the directory generation program shown in FIG.  4 . 
     In step  21  shown in FIG. 4, the CPU  11  determines whether or not a setting file has been input into the receiving directory  21 . If it is determined that a setting file has been input into the receiving directory  21 , the CPU  11  proceeds with step  22 . If it is determined that a setting file has not been input into the receiving directory  21 , the CPU  11  ends the directory generation program. As a result, processing returns to that through the main program. The directory generation program is executed at 10 seconds&#39; intervals by the main program, so that the determination as to whether a setting file is stored in the receiving directory  21  is at 10 seconds&#39; intervals. 
     In step  22 , the CPU  11  determines whether or not the setting file input into the receiving directory  21  is the same as one of those already stored in the setting file directory  22 . If it is determined that the setting file input into the receiving directory  21  coincides with one of those already stored in the setting file directory  22 , it follows that there already exists a print file directory  24  linked to the setting file with the same content in the memory portion  20  of the printer server  10 . For purposes of informing a user of the fact, the CPU  11  generates a message saying “Do you actually want to generate a print file directory?”. The CPU  11  then returns this message to the client PC  30  from which the setting file is transmitted to the printer server  10  (step  28 ). As a result, the message appears on the display portion  36  of the client PC  30 . When the user sees this message, he or she operates the input portion  35  and inputs a command to either generate or not generate a print file directory  24  into the client PC  30 . The user&#39;s command is transmitted to the printer server  10 . Further, in step  29 , the CPU  11  determines whether or not the print file directory  24  is to be generated based on the command from the user. If it is determined that a print file directory  24  is not to be generated, the CPU  11  deletes the setting file stored in the receiving directory  21  in step  30 . 
     Meanwhile, in case of generating a print file directory  24 , the CPU  11  generates a print file directory  24  in accordance with the setting file stored in the receiving directory  21  in step  23 . At this time, the CPU  11  puts a name on the print file directory  24 . The name of the print file directory  24  is generated using the name counter n. More specifically, a numeric value is stored in the name counter n, which value increments by one every time a print file directory  24  is generated (in step  27 ). Therefore, the numeric value is used as part of the name of the print file directory  24 , thereby making it possible to prevent redundantly putting the same name on different print file directories. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, print file directories A, B, C and D are named “FOLDER0”, “FOLDER1”, “FOLDER2” and “FOLDER3”, respectively and values  0 ,  1 ,  2  and  3  are stored in the name counter n. 
     In step  24 , the CPU  11  transfers the setting file stored in the receiving directory  21  to the setting file directory  22 . Then, a name is allotted to the setting file so as not to repeat the names of the setting files already stored in the setting file directory  22 . The name counter n stated above may be used for naming the setting file. 
     In step  25 , the CPU  11  updates the link file  6  to link the setting file  4  transferred to the setting file directory  22  to the print file directory  24  generated correspondingly with the setting file  4 . Specifically, as stated above, the CPU  11  adds a row of the name of the print file directory  24  and that of the corresponding setting file to the link file  6 . 
     In step  26 , the CPU  11  describes print parameters described in the setting file which has been moved to the setting file directory  22  to another new file using text data. The CPU  11  then stores the file as a text file in the print file directory  24  linked to the setting file  4 . 
     As stated above, the print file directory  24  is shared among client PCs  30 . Due to this, once the text file including print parameters is stored in the print file directory  24 , the user can open the text file on the user&#39;s client PC  30  and see the print parameters described in the text file. Thus, the user can easily recognize the print parameters linked to the print file directory  24 . 
     In step  27 , the CPU  11  increments the value of the name counter n by one and returns its process to the step  21 . 
     Next, processing through the print processing program shown in FIG. 5 will be described. 
     In step  41  shown in FIG. 5, the CPU  11  checks the print file directories  24  within the memory portion  20  and then determines whether or not there exists a print file directory  24  which has not been checked yet. If CPU  11  is determined that a yet-to-be-checked print file directory  24  exists, the CPU  11  executes step  42 . On the other hand, if it is determined that no yet-to-be-checked print file directory  24  exists, the CPU  11  ends the print processing program. Consequently, processing returns to that through the main program. 
     In step  42 , the CPU  11  determines whether or not a print file is stored in the print file directory  24 . If it is determined that a print file is stored in the print file directory  24 , the CPU  11  prints out the print file (step  43 ). Specifically, the CPU  11  first specifies a setting file linked to the print file directory  24  in which the print file is stored by referring to the link file. In accordance with the print parameters described in the setting file, the CPU  11  processes the print data described in the print file, while controlling the printer  50 . 
     In step  44 , the CPU  11  transfers the print file which has been print-processed from the print file directory  24  to the complete file directory  25 . Consequently, the print file which is done with print processing is deleted from the print file directory  24 . 
     The complete file directory  25  as well as the print file directory  24  is shared among the client PCs  30 . Due to this, a user can see the complete file directory  25  on user&#39;s client PC  30 . The user can, therefore, fetch a print file stored in the complete file directory  25  by operating the client PCs  30 . Due to this, it is able to reuse the print file completed yet. 
     In step  44 , while the print file is transferred from the print file directory  24  to the complete file directory  25 , the CPU  11  converts time at the instance of transfer into a character string. Then, the CPU  11  adds the character string to the name of the transferred print file. If, for example, the name of the print file prior to transfer is “filename.ext” and the transfer occurs at two thirty and three seconds on December 21, then the name of the file after transfer is expressed as “filename.ext-12#31 (01h02m03s)”. 
     The purpose to add time to the name of the print file  5  which has been transferred to the complete file directory  25  is to leave sequentially input print files  5  allotted the same name in the complete file directory  25 . If, for example, the color of a printed image is to be checked, the user prints out a single image several times with color parameters slightly changed. In that case, the user sequentially transmits print files  5  from the client PC  30  to the printer server  10  while gradually differentiating the print files  5  from others. As a result, print files having the same name are sequentially input into the print file directory  24  of the printer server  10 . Whenever a print file  5  is input, the printer server  10  conducts print processing (in step  43 ) to the print file  5  and transfers the file  5  to the complete file directory  25 . If print files  5  allotted the same name are transferred to the complete file directory  25  without changing names, the same names of the print files  5  repeatedly exist. To prevent the repeated names, the printer server  10  of the present invention changes names of the print files in step  44 . By so doing, it is possible to prevent overwriting the print files  5  in the complete file directory  25  and to leave all of the print files  5  which have been printed in the complete file directory  25 . Moreover, since time is indicated on the file name, the user can identify a print file based on the described time. 
     Next, processing through the complete file management program shown in FIG. 6 will be described. 
     In step  51  of FIG. 6, the CPU  11  determines whether or not there exists a yet-to-be checked print file  5  in the complete file directory  25 . If it is determined that a yet-to-be-checked print file  5  exists therein, the CPU  11  executes step  52 . If, on the other hand, a yet-to-be-checked print file  5  does not exist, the CPU  11  ends the complete file management program. Consequently, processing returns to that of the main program. 
     In step  52 , the CPU  11  determines whether one hour, for example, has passed since a print file  5  was transferred to the complete file directory  25 . The record of time at which the file was transferred is stored by, for example, the operating system, the file management program or the like in the printer server  10 . Owing to this, it is possible to know what time the print file  5  was transferred to the complete file directory  25 . The CPU  11  can determine whether one hour has passed since the print file  5  was transferred to the complete file directory  25  with reference to time, as well. Based on the determination result, the CPU  11  deletes a print file when one hour has passed since the file was transferred to the complete file directory  25  (in step  53 ). It is noted that timing at which the print file  5  stored in the complete file directory  25  is deleted should not be limited to one hour after the print file  5  was transferred to the complete file directory  25 . The timing may be, for example,  12  hours or one day after the print file  5  was transferred to the complete file directory  25 . The timing, thus, can be set at the user&#39;s discretion. 
     As can be understood from the above, according to the print system  100  in this embodiment, if a setting file  4  is transmitted from a client PC  30  toward the printer server  10 , a print file directory  24  linked to the setting file  4  is automatically generated. Then, a print file  5  can be easily printed in accordance with print parameters described in the setting file  4  only by transmitting the print file  5  from the client PCs  30  to the print file directory  24 . 
     Even if print files  5  consisting of different types of print data sets exist, they can be printed only by transmitting their respective print files  5  to the print file directory  24  as long as the print data described in the print files  5  are described in printable data formats by the print server  10 . 
     Accordingly, the print files  5  can be easily printed without need of executing application software corresponding to respective print files  5  every time a print file  5  is printed. Even if the print files  5  in which different types of print data are described, respectively are printed, there is no need to prepare plural different application software corresponding to the different print files  5 , respectively. Further, once a setting file  4  is transmitted to the printer server  10 , many print files  5  can be easily printed in accordance with certain print parameters without need of setting print parameters every time a print file  5  is output. 
     Moreover, since the print file directory  24  is shared among the respective client PCs  30 , the user has no difficulty in printing a print file  5  which the user intends to print only by copying or moving the print file  5  to the print file directory  24  which the user can see on the user&#39;s client PC  30 . 
     Besides, if setting files  4  are transmitted from the client server PC  30  a plurality of times, a plurality of print file directories  24  linked to a plurality of setting files  4  can be generated within the printer server  10 , as shown in FIG.  8 . Since the plural print file directories  24  are shared among the respective client PCs  30 , users can see a plurality of print file directories  24  through their own client PCs  30 . Therefore, only by selecting a print file directory  24  and copying or transferring a print file to the selected print file directory on the client PC on hand, print data can be easily printed with various types of print parameter setting. 
     II. Second Embodiment 
     Now, the second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the second embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, description will be given, taking a case of applying the present invention to the print system as an example. 
     In the first embodiment stated above, if the receiving directory  21  of the printer server  10  receives a plurality of different setting files  4  from client PCs  30 , the printer server  10  generates a plurality of print file directories  24  linked to the setting files  4 , respectively. In the second embodiment, by contrast, the printer server  210  contains only one common directory, which directory receives both setting files  4  and print files  5 . Even if a plurality of different setting files  4  are transmitted from client PCs  30 , only the single common directory receives the print files  5 . 
     FIG. 9 shows a print system in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the constitution of the print system  200  is the same as that of the print system  100  in the first embodiment except for a memory portion  220  provided in the printer server  210 . 
     The memory portion  220  may consist of a reloadable, high storage capacity memory such as a RAM and a hard disk. The memory portion  20  includes a common directory  221  serving as a memory region for holding print files and setting files transmitted from the respective client PCs  30 . The common directory  221  is shared among all of the client PCs  30 , which can access the common directory  221 . As shown in FIG. 10, the common directory  21  receives and stores both setting files  4  and print files  5 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a print processing program in this embodiment. The print processing program is executed by a CPU  11  of a printer server  210 . 
     While the process shown in FIG. 11 is being executed, the CPU  11  of the printer server  10  monitors that print files  5  and setting files  4  are transmitted from client PCs  30  to the common directory  221 . The CPU  11  examines the content of the common directory  221  at predetermined time intervals (such as at 10 intervals) and determines whether or not these files are input into the common directory  221 . 
     In step  81 , the CPU  11  determines whether or not a print file  5  exists in the common directory  221 . If it is determined that the print file  5  exists, the CPU  11  goes on to step  82 . If it is determined that the print file  5  does. not exist, the CPU  11  executes the step  81  again. 
     In step  82 , the CPU  11  determines whether or not a setting file  4  corresponding to the print file  5  exists in the common directory  221 . If it is determined that the setting file  4  exists, the CPU  11  executes step  83 . If it is determined that the corresponding setting file  4  does not exist, the CPU  11  executes step  87 . 
     The correlation between a print file  5  and a setting file  4  may be defined based on file names. For instance, names of the print files  5  and setting files  4  are created out of their name main bodies and extensions (suffixes), respectively. A common extension is allotted to all of the print files  5  and another common extension is allotted to all of the setting files  4 . If a print file  5  corresponds to a setting file  4 , their name main bodies are the same. Following this rule, it is possible to easily determine whether a print file  5  corresponds to a setting file  4 . Further, if it is assumed that a plurality of setting files  4  do not exist simultaneously in the common directory  221 , a preset file name such as setting.txt can be given to a setting file  4 . 
     In step  83 , the CPU  11  reads the setting file  4  from the common directory  221  and acquires print parameters described in the setting file  4 . 
     Meanwhile, in step  87 , the CPU  11  acquires default print parameters prepared in advance in the printer server  10 . The printer server  10  in this embodiment contains most standard parameters as default print parameters for every setting item. In a case where the user of a client PC  30  wants to print a print file in a default-set standard manner, all the user needs is to transmit the print file  5  to the common directory  221 , whereby the print file  5  can be printed without need of transmitting the setting file  4 . 
     In step  84 , a printing operation is set based on the print parameters acquired in either the step  83  or the step  87 . In case of the print parameters shown in, for example, FIG. 12, a paper size is set at A4, color edit process is conducted to refer to a color profile, scale of enlargement is set at two times (200%), screening is conducted by the error diffusion method and the printing result is displayed as preview prior to print processing. 
     In step  85 , print data contained in the print file  5  is printed. That is, the print data is expanded into a data format compatible with the printer  50  and the resultant data thus acquired is output to the printer  50 . Consequently, a printed image is formed on the print paper sheet. 
     In step  86 , the CPU  11  deletes the print file  5  which data has been printed. One print processing basically corresponds to one transmission of a print file  5 . Due to this, it is not required to leave the print file which data has been printed in the common directory  221 . 
     The CPU  11 , however, does not delete the setting file  4 . This makes it possible to repeat print processing for a plurality of print files  5  using the same setting file  4 . If, therefore, the setting file  4  already transmitted to the common directory  221  is used again, all the user needs is to transmit a print file  5  from the user&#39;s client PC  30 . This can save the user&#39;s time. In addition, the user can transmit a setting file  4  having the same file name as that of the already transmitted setting file  4  and different printer parameters. As a result, the newly transmitted setting file  4  replaces the setting file  4  already stored in the common directory  221 . The content of the printer parameters for the setting file  4  can be thus updated. 
     It is noted that determination as to whether or not print processing is conducted is made after a print file  5  and a setting file  4  are transmitted, the print file  5  is not necessarily deleted in the step  6 . 
     If a plurality of print files  5  are transmitted, the CPU  11  repeatedly executes the above-stated steps  81  to  86 . 
     According to the print system  200  in this embodiment, it is not necessary for a user to perform print setting operation using application software in response to a request to print a print file  1 . The user can print the print file  5  only by transmitting the print file  5  and the setting file  4  to the common directory  221  of the printer server  10 . Since the common directory  221  is shared among the respective client PCs, all the user needs, in practice, is to copy the virtually existing common directly  221  on the user&#39;s client PC  30  to thereby print the print file  5 . In case of using the already transmitted setting file  4  again, if only the print file  5  is copied in the common directory  221 , the file  5  can be printed. Thus, greatly simplified print operation can be realized. 
     The printer server  10  can also manage print processing only by monitoring files input from the client PCs  30  to the common directory  221 . In addition, it is possible to easily determine how a print file  5  corresponds to a setting file  4  using the name main bodies and extensions of the files. Besides, if default print parameters are prepared in advance, far more simplified print processing can be realized. 
     Moreover, according to the present invention, a plurality of client PCs  30  and a printer server  10  are connected to one another through a network  40  and the common directory  221  are accessible from all of the equipment connected through the network  40 . It is, thereby, possible to provide integrated, versatile print processing through the network  40  and to improve the overall efficiency of the print operation. 
     Although the embodiments described above illustrate a case where a setting file  4  is generated in a client PC  30  and then transmitted to the printer server  10 , the present invention should not be limited thereto. As an alternative, print parameters may be transmitted from a client PC  30  to the printer server  10  and a setting file may be generated using the transmitted print parameters in the printer server  10 . Print parameters may be also directly input into the printer server  10  at the input portion  14  of the printer server  10  and then a setting file may be generated in the printer server  10 . 
     The setting file  4  generated in a client PC  30  may be binary data or text data. The setting file  4  may be prepared in the client PC  30  in advance. 
     Furthermore, the printer server  10  and printer  50  are independently provided in the embodiments above; however, the printer server  10  and printer  50  may be integral with each other. 
     Although the above-cited print processing program, directory generation program and complete file management program are stored in the ROM  13  of the printer server  13 , the present invention should not be limited to the case. Those programs can be recorded on computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM and a floppy disk. In the latter case, if the programs are installed from the recording media to a computer, then the above-described print processing can be realized on the computer. 
     Moreover, in the embodiments described so far, description has been given, taking a case where the data output apparatus of the present invention is applied to the print system as an example. The present invention should not be limited to the case and can be also applied to other types of data output apparatuses such as a data display apparatus and a tabular output apparatus. 
     The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 
     The entire disclosures of Japanese Patent Applications No. 10-019763 filed on Jan. 30, 1998 and No. 10-045938 filed on Feb. 26, 1998, each including the specification, claims, drawings and summary, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technology Category: 3