JP2001043037A - Print system, device and method for processing information, print job registering method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print system that make a user utilizable a printer from a portable PC at ease even in a virtual printer system, a print job registering method thereof, a device and a method for processing information and a recording medium. SOLUTION: A client 702 retrieves servers 703 on a network and transmits a print request, the reception request of print data and the print data to the detected server and when the reception request of the print data is received from the client, the server spools the print data and transmits these print data to a printer 701 by itself, and when the request is not received, sends a print start request to the client.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing system, a print job registration method, and a recording medium.
In a system in which a printer connected to a network is used by a plurality of clients connected to the network, a system such as a portable PC (personal computer) may be used.
When using a printer from a client that is only temporarily connected to the network, a print system that realizes highly reliable print processing by enabling print data spooling in the server, and print job registration in the print system The present invention relates to a method, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, personal computers have been remarkably spread in offices, and network technologies for connecting them have been developed. In the past, printers were also used by connecting one printer to one personal computer. Recently, however, more and more printers have been connected to a network and shared between computers connected to the network. ing.

[0003]

In such an environment,
As one of the printing systems for realizing the printing process using the network printer, there is a virtual printing system. In this virtual print system, a client spools print data, and a server only schedules print jobs. In other words, the client
Instead of sending the print data to the server, the print data is sent directly to the printer, and the server performs only the scheduling management of the print job. Therefore, the virtual print system has the advantage of reducing the load on the server.

However, if the client is a portable PC
In this case, the client can be easily connected to or disconnected from the network. Therefore, there is a problem that the client spools the print data for a long time.

[0005] For example, when a user uses a portable PC and print processing in an application is completed and print data is spooled in the portable PC, the portable PC may be inadvertently disconnected from the network cable. .

Then, in the above-described virtual print system, print data is not sent to a printer and is not printed without being spooled to a client. Also, if the client disconnects from the network cable while the client is transmitting print data to the printer, print data halfway remains in the buffer of the printer. Then, when the printer processes the next transmitted print data, there is a possibility that a printing failure such as garbled characters may occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and also in a virtual printer system, a printing system that allows a user to use a printer from a portable PC with ease, and a print job in the printing system An object is to provide a registration method, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printing system according to the present invention has a printing apparatus and a host apparatus for managing the printing apparatus on a network, and an external apparatus is newly connected to a network. A printing system, wherein the external device includes a print request unit that issues a print request to the host device, and a transmission unit that sends print data related to the print request to the host device or the printing device. The high-level device includes a registration unit that registers a print job with the printing device based on the print request.

In the above-mentioned printing system, the external device has a higher-level device input means for inputting designation of the higher-level device.

[0010] In the above printing system, the external device has a detecting means for detecting the higher-level device on a network when the higher-level device is not designated by the higher-level device input means.

In the above-mentioned printing system, when the higher-level device is designated by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting means transmits print data to the printing apparatus.

In the above printing system, when the higher-level device is not specified by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting means transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detecting means. And

[0013] In the above printing system, the higher-level device includes a receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted by the transmitting unit of the external device.

Further, in the above-mentioned printing system, the high-order apparatus has a storage unit for storing the print data received by the receiving unit.

In the above printing system, when the print data related to the print request registered by the registration unit is stored in the storage unit, the host device transfers the print data to the printing device. It has a transfer means.

In the printing system, when the print data related to the print request registered by the registration unit is not stored in the storage unit, the host device transmits the print data to the printing device. Request means for requesting the external device to perform the operation.

Further, in the above-mentioned printing system, the external device is a portable personal computer.

[0018]

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

First, a virtual print server system on which the present invention is based will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a network system to which the virtual server according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

The network system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a server 101, client computers (client PCs) 102, 103, 104, a network printer 105, a name server 107, a portable P
In this configuration, the C 108 is provided on the network 106. A plurality of network printers (not shown) other than the network printer 105
It is assumed that it is connected to In FIG. 2, it is assumed that n client computers (client PCs) are connected (in this example, only three are shown for convenience).

The portable PC is not always connected to the network 106. Therefore, network 1
In 06, an interface for connecting the portable PC 108 as needed is prepared.

The name server has a database in which machine names and information on the machines are registered. For example, in the database of the name server 107, information about the server 101 such as the machine name, the server name, and the network address of the server 101 is registered. The client can retrieve information about the server from this database.

For example, when the portable PC 108 is connected to the network 106, the portable PC 108 makes an inquiry about the server to the name server 107 in order to detect the server on the network. The OS of the portable PC 108
(Operation system) has a function of automatically detecting the name server 107.

The client PCs 102, 103, and 104 are connected to a network 106 via a network cable and can execute various programs such as application programs. A printer driver having a function of converting the language into a printer language to be used. It is assumed that the printer driver supports a plurality of printer languages.

Similarly, the portable PC 108 can execute various programs such as an application program, and has a printer driver having a function of converting print data into a printer language corresponding to the printer.
Hereinafter, a mere client PC is a portable PC.
Shall also be included.

The server 101 is connected to the network 106 by a network cable, and stores files used in the network 106 and monitors the use state of the network 106. Further, the server 101 also manages a plurality of network printers (not shown) connected to the network. The server 101 of the present embodiment further includes client PCs 102, 1
03, 104, when a print request (print job) is issued from the portable PC 108, job information relating to the print job is stored or the IP address of the network printer 105 is stored.
It has a function of notifying the client PC of (Internet Protocol) information and print job information in the network printer 105.

The network printer 105 is connected to the network 106 via a network interface, converts print data transmitted from the client PC into dot images one page at a time, and prints each page. The network 106 is connected to the client P
C102, 103, 104, a portable PC 108, a server 101, a network printer 105, and the like.

As described above, the roles are divided among the server 101, the client PCs 102, 103 and 104, the portable PC 108, and the network printer 105, thereby performing the process of effectively using the client PC and reducing the load on the network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the client PC 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The client PCs 103 and 104, the portable PC 10
8. The server 101 has the same configuration. The client PC 102 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 200, an R
An OM 201, a RAM 202, an FD (floppy (registered trademark) disk) drive 203, an FD 204, an HD (hard disk) 205, a keyboard 206, a display 207, and a system bus 208 are provided.

The construction of each of the above components will be described in detail.
Reference numeral 0 denotes a control for executing an application program, a printer driver program, an OS (operating system), a network printer control program, and the like stored in the HD 205, and temporarily storing information, files, and the like necessary for executing the program in the RAM 202. I do. The ROM 201 stores programs such as a basic I / O program, and various data such as font data and template data used in document processing. RAM2
02 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 200. The FD drive 203 is, as shown in FIG.
A network printer control program and the like, including the print data transmission program stored in the FD 204, can be loaded into the computer system via the FD drive 203 provided in the computer. In addition,
The network printer control program includes all programs necessary for the virtual print system in the present embodiment.

The FD 204 stores a printer driver program and the like, and can be used as storage means like the HD 205 and the like. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the contents stored in the FD 204. In FIG. 5, 400
Is the data content of the FD 204, 401 is volume information indicating the data configuration, 402 is directory information, and 403 is a program code based on the flowchart of the network printer control program described in the present embodiment. . Reference numeral 404 denotes the related data.

The HD 205 stores an application program, a printer driver program, an OS, a network printer control program, related programs, and the like. The keyboard 206 is used when the user
, An instruction of a device control command or the like is input. The display 207 is a keyboard 2
It displays commands input from the printer 06, the status of the printer, and the like. The system bus 208 controls the flow of data in the client PC.

In the present embodiment, the network printer control program and related data are directly
An example in which the M202 is loaded and executed will be described. Alternatively, each time the network control program is operated from the FD 204, the network control program may be loaded from the HD 205 to the RAM 202. The medium for recording the network printer control program is a CD-RO in addition to the FD.
M, an IC memory card, or the like. Further, the present network printer control program may be recorded in the ROM 201, configured to be a part of the memory map, and directly executed by the CPU 200.

FIG. 4 shows a memory map in a state where the network printer control program is loaded into the RAM 202 and becomes executable. 301 is a basic I / O
When the control device is powered on, the OS is read from the HD 205 into the RAM 202,
This is an area in which a program having an IPL (initial program loading) function for starting the operation of the OS is stored. 302, an OS; 303, a network printer control program; 304, related data; and 305, a work area where the CPU 200 executes the network printer control program.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the network printer 105 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Network printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention
05 includes a CPU 601, a ROM / RAM 602, a storage unit 603, a display unit 604, a printer printing unit 605, a network board 606, and a communication line 607. In this embodiment, a laser beam printer (LBP) is used as a network printer, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a printer of another system may be used.

The structure of each of the above components will be described in detail.
1 controls the entire apparatus. ROM / RAM 602 is
A control program or constant data for controlling the CPU 601;
A buffer for temporarily storing transmission / reception data is included. The storage unit 603 is a storage unit such as a hard disk, and stores data to be transmitted and received, a control program to be executed by the CPU 601, and data. The display unit 604 displays R
The data temporarily stored in the OM / RAM 602, the content of the data stored in the storage unit 603, the operation status, and the like are displayed. The printer printing unit 605 has a ROM /
C based on the program stored in RAM 602
The bitmap data generated by the PU 601 is printed out. The network board 606 communicates data information such as print data and job information with external devices such as a client PC and a server via the network board. The communication line 607 connects the network board 606 and the network 106.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a software module configuration of a client PC (including a portable PC) and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. Programs for executing these software modules are supplied, for example, from the FD. The software module 702 of the client PC according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an application module 704 that issues a print instruction to the network print system of the present invention, and a Windows (registered trademark) GDI (G
Rural Device Interface)
705, a printer driver 706 incorporated in Windows, a print spooler 70 in Windows
7, virtual print server print monitor 708, network printer control monitor 709, virtual print manager 710, virtual print server API (Appl
an interface 711 and a virtual print server service 712.

The software module 703 of the server according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a virtual print manager 7.
10, a virtual print server API 711, and a virtual print server service 712. In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a plurality of network printers connected to a network.

In this case, the correspondence between the components in the embodiment of the present invention and the components in the claims is as follows. A network printer corresponds to a printing device, a server corresponds to a host device, a client PC (portable PC) corresponds to an external device, and a virtual print server service (client) 712 corresponds to a host device search unit and a print request unit. The virtual print server service (server) 712 corresponds to a printing device search unit and a registration unit.

The software module of the client PC and the software module of the server constitute the system of the virtual print server according to the present invention, and are supplied from a storage medium, that is, the FD 204 in this embodiment. As described above, the virtual print manager 710, the virtual print server API 711, and the virtual print server service 712
Exists in both the client PC and the server. Hereinafter, a combination of the virtual print server service (client) and the virtual print server service (server) constituting the virtual print server service 712 is called a virtual print server, and this system is called a virtual print server system.

In the above configuration, the client PC 10
2 or the portable PC 108 is the network printer 10
5 will be described. In the present embodiment, description will be made by taking Windows as an example.
FIG. 8 shows a flow of a printing process when the client PC issues a print request to the server, and FIG. 9 shows a flow of a printing process when the client PC obtains printing permission from the server and transmits print data to the network printer. Show. Here, the description of the block diagram already described will be continued by using the same reference numerals. The flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 shows a flow of a printing process when the client PC issues a print request to the server. First, the application 704 starts printing through the GDI 705. GDI705 is Windows Spooler 7
07 and the virtual print server print monitor 708 are notified of the start of printing. Upon receiving the start of printing, the print monitor 708 for the virtual print server stores the print data in the virtual print server service (server) 712 on the server 703 (101) via the virtual print server service (client) 712. Notify the start of. The GDI 705 requests the printer driver 706 to convert the print data into a printer language. The print data converted to the printer language is Windows
The spool is spooled to the ws spooler 707.

On the other hand, the print monitor 708 for the virtual print server converts the print data spooled by the Windows spooler 707 into a Windows spooler 707.
, And transfers the print data to the virtual print server service (client) 712. The virtual print server service (client) 712 temporarily stores the received print data in a temporary file (not shown) in the virtual print spooler 801 (see FIG. 8) in the HD 205 in FIG. When all the print data is saved in the temporary file in the virtual print spooler 801 in the HD 205, the virtual print server service (client) 712 sends the server 703 (1
01) Virtual print server service (server)
The server 712 notifies the storage completion of the print data to the virtual print server service 712 and requests the virtual print server service (server) 712 to print. Here, the virtual print server service 712 is
The same module is used in the client PC and the server, and the setting is switched between the client PC and the server by setting.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation from the printing order of the print jobs registered in the virtual print server service 712 before the print data is actually transmitted to the network printer. The virtual print server service (server) 712 notifies the client PC in the printing order of print permission. Virtual print server service (client) that received the instruction
712, as described above, temporarily reads out the print data stored in the virtual print spooler 801 and passes it to the network printer control monitor 709. The network printer control monitor 709 sends the print data to the network printer 701 through the print communication protocol. Handover, and causes the network printer 701 to print.

Next, the server sets the network printer 7
The operation of notifying the status 01 to the client PC will be described. Here, Windows will be described as an example. FIG. 10 shows the flow of the printer status.

Virtual print server service (server) 7
Reference numeral 12 denotes an SNMP (Simple Network Man) at 5-second intervals (default) in the present embodiment.
(Agement Protocol) Manager 100
2 is requested to collect the status of the network printer 701. The SNMP manager 1002 requests a status collection request from the network printer 701. The network printer 701 returns the current status. The virtual print server service (server) 712
When the status of the network printer 701 changes, the status change is notified to the client PC using the network printer 701.

The printer status change notification issued from the server is received by the virtual print server service (client) 712 in the client PC, and the printer status is stored in the registry 1001 in the RAM in the client PC. Application 704
Can obtain the printer status stored in the registry 1001 via the virtual print server API 711. And the application 704
Displays and notifies the user of the printer status.

In this embodiment, Windows NT (registered trademark) is used. In this embodiment, the print monitor 708 for the virtual print server and the virtual print spooler 80 are used.
1. Virtual print server service (client / server) 712, network printer control monitor 709
Are newly created in the present invention. Otherwise, W
WindowsNT standard module. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other OSs such as OS / 2 can be constructed.

In the network print system according to the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the virtual print server service (client) is usually provided in the network print system shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, printer information is held. This printer information includes a server name, a virtual printer name, and a printer driver name. The server name here is the name of the server on which the virtual print server service (server) is running. The virtual printer name is a virtual printer name of a printer on a network managed by a virtual print server service (server). The printer driver name is the name of a printer driver that generates print data that is actually transmitted to the printer.

Client P connected to the network
By holding this printer information, C can print with a printer on the network. However, a portable PC does not usually hold a server name and a virtual printer name in the network. Therefore, in the portable PC, the server name is "U" indicating that it is unknown.
"NKNOWN" and the virtual printer name are set to "DEFAULT" indicating that the default printer is used, and the printer driver name is set to an arbitrary printer driver name installed in the portable PC.

FIG. 22 shows that the user enters “UNK” in the server name.
"NOWN" and specify "DEFAUL" for the virtual printer name.
T "and specify the printer object" LPRINT "
FIG. 22 shows a screen when creating an “ERA”. In the screen shown in FIG. 22, the user enters the server name “UNKNOW”.
N "and" DEFAULT "in the virtual printer name to create a port.

Here, designating "UNKNOWN" in the server name means that there is no designation of the server. Similarly, designating “DEFAULT” as the virtual printer name means that there is no designation of the virtual printer. Then, on the screen of FIG. 23, this port is selected as the printing destination of the printer object “LPRINTER”. Then, as shown in FIG. 24, a printer object “LPRINTER” is generated.

Although the user designates “DEFAULT” as the virtual printer name here, the virtual printer name on the network managed by the virtual print server service (server) (“LRPINTER-73” in FIG. 23).
0 ") may be specifically specified.

When the user does not specify the server name and the virtual printer name, the server name is automatically changed to "UNK".
"NOWN", and the virtual printer name is set to "DEFAULT".

When the user issues a print instruction using an application, the user selects a printer object on a print screen as shown in FIG. Here, in addition to the printer object "LPRINTER",
“LPRINTER-730”, “LPRINTER-
Printer objects such as 920 "are listed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the virtual print server (client) when the user selects the printer object "LPRINTER" in the application and issues a print instruction. In the printer object “LPRINTER”, “UNKNOWN” is set as the server name, and “DEFAULT” is set as the virtual printer name.

Upon receiving a print instruction from the user, the virtual print server service (client) determines whether the server name in the printer information is "UNKNOWN" (step S1201). If the server name is "UNK
If "NOWN", an inquiry is made to the name server as to whether or not the server name is registered (step S12).
02). It is determined whether the server name has been obtained from the name server (step S1203). If the server name has been acquired, a print request is issued to the virtual print server service (server) having the server name (step S1207).

If the server name cannot be obtained, a search packet is broadcast on the network (step S1204). This search packet is a packet for requesting a response from the virtual print server service (server) on the network. It is determined whether there is a response from the server (step S1205). If there is no response from the server, the print monitor notifies the print monitor that the server cannot be found as an error, and the print monitor notifies the spooler of the error. The spooler performs display for notifying the user to that effect (step S1206).
On the other hand, if it is determined that a response has been received from the server, a print request is made to the virtual print server service (server) that has responded (step S1207).

When a print request is made to the server in step S1207, the virtual printer name in the printer information (here, the virtual printer name is "DEFAULT") and the printer driver name are also transmitted to the server.

After making a print request to the virtual print server service (server) (step S1207),
It is determined whether the print request has been permitted (step S1).
208). If the print request is not permitted, an error is notified to the user as in step S1206 (step S1209).

If the print request is permitted in step S1208, a request to receive print data is made to the virtual pudding server service (server) (step S121).
0), and transmits the print data to the virtual print server service (server) (step S1211). Furthermore,
It is determined whether the transmission of the print data is successful (step S
1212). If the transmission of the print data has not been successful, an error is notified to the user (step S121).
3).

In step S1201, the server name is "UN"
If it is not “KNOWN”, a print request is issued to the virtual print server service (server) having the server name (step S1214).
Similarly, the virtual printer name in the printer information (here, the virtual printer name is “DEFAULT”) and the printer driver name are also transmitted to the server. Then, it is determined whether the print request is permitted by the server (step S).
1215). If not permitted, an error is notified to the user (step S1216).

If the print request is permitted, a spool file is generated (step S1217), and print data is written to the spool file (step S121).
8). And a virtual print server service (server)
The printer enters a standby state of waiting for a print instruction from the printer.

Virtual print server service (server)
Holds virtual printer information as shown in FIG. In the virtual printer information, the virtual printer name of each virtual printer managed by the virtual print server service (server), the name of the printer driver required for printing with the virtual printer, and the virtual printer designated as the default printer Contains a default flag that indicates whether the

The virtual printer information is managed as a virtual printer information list, and the virtual print server service (server) can search the list as needed to extract desired virtual printer information.

The server administrator can designate each virtual printer managed by the virtual print server service (server) as a default printer on a screen as shown in FIG. Here, only one default printer can be selected from virtual printers having the same printer driver name.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show the case where the server administrator selects a virtual printer as a default printer.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing of a virtual print server service (server).

First, the process moves to the top of the virtual printer information list (step S1501), and virtual printer information is extracted from the virtual printer information list (step S150).
2). Then, it is determined whether the virtual printer information has been extracted (step S1503).

If the virtual printer information cannot be taken out, the user is notified that the virtual printer selected by the administrator cannot be found (step S1504). On the other hand, if the virtual printer information has been extracted, the virtual printer name included in the virtual printer information is compared with the virtual printer name selected by the administrator (step S1505). It is determined whether the virtual printer names are the same (step S150)
6) If the virtual printer names are not the same, move to the next virtual printer information in the list (step S1507) and return to step S1502.

On the other hand, if the virtual printer names are the same, the printer driver name included in the virtual printer information is stored (step S1508).

Next, the process moves to the top of the virtual printer information list again (step S1509), and the virtual printer information is extracted from the virtual printer information list (step S1).
510), it is determined whether the virtual printer information has been extracted (step S1511).

If the virtual printer information cannot be taken out, the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if the virtual printer information can be extracted, the printer driver name included in the virtual printer information is compared with the printer driver name stored in step S1508 (step S1512). It is determined whether the printer driver names are the same (step S151).
3) If the printer driver names are not the same, the process moves to the next virtual printer information in the list (step S151).
4) Return to step S1510.

On the other hand, if the printer driver names are the same,
The virtual printer name included in the virtual printer information is compared with the virtual printer name selected by the administrator (Step S15)
16). If the virtual printer names are the same, the default flag included in the virtual printer information is set to 1, and the process returns to step S1510 via step S1514.
On the other hand, if the virtual printer names are not the same, the default flag included in the virtual printer information is set to 0, and the process returns to step S1510 via step S1514.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are flowcharts showing the processing flow when the virtual print server service (server) receives a print request from the virtual print server service (client).

Virtual print server service (server)
When a print request is received from the virtual print server service (client), the virtual printer name specified by the virtual print server service (client) is changed to “DEF”.
AULT "(step S160)
1). If the virtual printer name is not “DEFAULT”, a print job registration process is performed for the specified virtual printer (step S1611).

On the other hand, if the virtual printer name is "DEFAUL
If T ", the process moves to the top of the virtual printer information list (step S1602), and the virtual printer information list is searched for a virtual printer with a default flag of 1.

The virtual printer information is extracted from the virtual printer information list (step S1603), and it is determined whether the virtual printer information has been extracted (step S16).
04). If virtual printer information could not be retrieved,
An error indicating that the default printer is not set is notified to the virtual print server service (client) (step S1605).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the virtual printer information has been extracted, the printer driver name included in the virtual printer information is compared with the printer driver name transmitted from the virtual print server service (client) (step S1606).

It is determined whether or not the printer driver names are the same (step S1607). If the printer driver names are not the same, the process moves to the next virtual printer information in the list (step S1608) and returns to step S1603. On the other hand, if the printer driver names are the same, it is determined whether the default flag included in the virtual printer information is 1 (step S1609). If the default flag is 1, the virtual printer having the virtual printer name included in the virtual printer information is determined. A print job is registered in the printer (step S1610), and the virtual printer performs print processing. On the other hand, if the default flag is not 1, the process returns to step S1603 via step S1608.

If it is determined in step S1601 that the virtual printer name specified by the virtual print server service (client) is not "DEFAULT", the virtual printer information list is moved to the head of the virtual printer information list (step S1611). Search the list for virtual printer information having the virtual printer name.

The virtual printer information is extracted from the virtual printer information list (step S1612), and it is determined whether the virtual printer information has been extracted (step S16).
13). If virtual printer information could not be retrieved,
An error to the effect that the specified virtual printer cannot be found is notified to the virtual print server service (client) (step S1614).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the virtual printer information has been extracted, the printer driver name included in the virtual printer information is compared with the printer driver name transmitted from the virtual print server service (client) (step S1615). It is determined whether the printer driver names are the same (step S1616). If the printer driver names are not the same, the process moves to the next virtual printer information in the list (step S1617), and the above-described step S1 is performed.
Return to 612. On the other hand, if the printer driver names are the same, the virtual printer name specified from the virtual print server service (client) is compared with the virtual printer name in the extracted virtual printer information (step S161).
8). It is determined whether the virtual printer names are the same (step S1619). If the virtual printer names are the same, the print job is registered in the virtual printer having the virtual printer name included in the virtual printer information (step S162).
0). On the other hand, if the virtual printer names are not the same, the process returns to step S1612 via step S1617.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when the virtual print server service (server) receives a print data reception request from the virtual print server service (client). Upon receiving the print data reception request, the virtual print server service (server)
First, a spool file is generated on a local disk (step S2601). Then, print data is received (step S2602), and the received print data is written to a spool file (step S2603).

Virtual print server service (server)
Schedules a print job registered in a virtual printer while registering the print job in the virtual printer. Then, while scheduling a print job, a print permission is sequentially issued to the virtual print server service (client). FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print job scheduling process in the virtual print server service (server).

An event occurs when a print job is registered in the virtual print server service (server) or when a print end notification is received from the virtual print server service (client) or a printer. Therefore, it is determined whether an event has occurred (step S2701).

If an event has occurred, the process exits the event waiting state and searches for a print job waiting for printing (step S2702). It is determined whether a print job waiting for printing is found (step S2703). If not found, the process returns to step S2701. If found, it is determined whether the spool file is on the local disk (step S2704).

If there is a spool file, it means that print data has been received from the virtual printer server service (client), so that the printer starts print processing of the print data (step S270).
6). If there is no spool file, it means that only the print request has been received from the virtual print server service (client), and the print start request is notified to the virtual print server service (client) (step S2705). Then, the virtual print server service (client) receiving the print start request directly transmits the print data written in the spool file in S1218 in FIG. 12 to the network printer.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, and CD.
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

Further, when the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS and the like running on the computer are actually executed based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The client searches for a server on the network and sends a print request, a print data reception request, and print data to the detected server, and the server spools the print data when the print data reception request is received from the client. If the print data is transmitted to the printer by itself and the print data reception request is not received from the client, the user can send a print start request to the client even under the virtual print server service.
When C is temporarily connected to the network to use the printer, the portable PC can be immediately disconnected from the network, and the print data can be spooled on the server and printed by the printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a software module configuration of a client computer and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which a virtual server according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a client computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map when a program is expanded from an FD to a RAM of a client computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing data inside the FD of the client computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a concept in which a program is supplied from an FD to a client computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network printer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of a printing process when a client computer issues a print request to a server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of print processing when transmitting print data to a network printer after giving a printable instruction from a server to a client computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a flow of a printer status in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a printer information table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a client computer issues a print request to a server in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a virtual printer information table according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for setting a server-side default printer of the virtual print server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a process for setting a default printer in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process for setting a default printer in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a process of setting a default printer in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which a server in a virtual server system according to an embodiment of the present invention registers a print job in response to a print request from a client computer.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a process in which the server in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention registers a print job in response to a print request from a client computer.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a process in which the server in the virtual server system according to the embodiment of the present invention registers a print job in response to a print request from a client computer.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process in which a server in a virtual server system according to an embodiment of the present invention registers a print job in response to a print request from a client computer.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for creating a client-side port of the virtual print server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting screen for setting a printer on the client side of the virtual print server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printer object.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a screen for selecting a printer object.

FIG. 26 shows a virtual print server service (server)
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow when a print data reception request is received from a virtual print server service (client).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a print job scheduling process in a virtual print server service (server).

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 server 102 to 104 client computer 105 network printer 702 client PC software module 703 server software module 704 application module 705 GDI 706 printer driver 707 print spooler 708 virtual print server print monitor 709 network printer control monitor 710 virtual print manager 711 virtual Print Server API 712 Virtual Print Server Service

Claims (60)

[Claims] 1. A printing system comprising a printing apparatus and a host apparatus for managing the printing apparatus on a network, wherein an external apparatus is newly connectable to a network, wherein the external apparatus requests a print from the host apparatus. And a transmission unit that transmits print data related to the print request to the higher-level device or the printing device. The higher-level device transmits a print job to the printing device based on the print request. A printing system comprising a registration unit for registering. 2. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the external device has a higher-level device input unit for inputting designation of the higher-level device. 3. The external device according to claim 2, wherein the external device includes a detection unit that detects the host device on a network when the host device is not specified by the host device input unit. Printing system. 4. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein when the higher-level device is specified by the higher-level device input unit, the transmitting unit transmits print data to the printing device. 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the higher-level device is not specified by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting means transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detecting means. A printing system according to claim 1. 6. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the higher-level device includes a receiving unit that receives print data transmitted by a transmitting unit of the external device. 7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the host device has a storage unit that stores the print data received by the receiving unit. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the host device includes a transfer unit that transfers the print data to the printing device when the print data related to the print request registered by the registration unit is stored in the storage unit. 7. The method according to claim 7, wherein
A printing system according to claim 1. 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print device transmits the print data to the printing device when print data related to the print request registered by the registration device is not stored in the storage device. The printing system according to claim 7, further comprising a request unit that requests the apparatus. 10. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the external device is a portable personal computer. 11. A print job registration method applicable to a printing system that has a printing apparatus and a host apparatus that manages the printing apparatus on a network and that can be newly connected to an external apparatus via a network. A print request step for making a print request to the host device; and a transmission step of transmitting print data related to the print request to the host device or the printing device. Registering a print job with the printing apparatus. 12. The print job registration method according to claim 11, wherein the external device has an upper device input step for inputting designation of the upper device. 13. The external device according to claim 12, further comprising a detecting step of detecting the higher-level device on a network when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device inputting step. Print job registration method. 14. The print job registration according to claim 12, wherein when the higher-level device is designated by the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the printing device. Method. 15. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein when the higher-level device is not specified by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting step transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detection means. Print job registration method described in. 16. The print job registration method according to claim 11, wherein the higher-level device has a receiving step of receiving print data transmitted by a transmission unit of the external device. 17. The print job registration method according to claim 16, wherein said higher-level device has a storing step of storing the print data received in said receiving step in a storage unit. 18. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the host device includes a transfer step of transferring the print data to the printing device when the print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is stored in the storage unit. 18. The print job registration method according to claim 17, wherein: 19. The external device, if the print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is not stored in the storage unit, transmits the print data to the printing device. 18. The print job registration method according to claim 17, further comprising a request step for requesting the device. 20. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the external device is a portable personal computer.
The print job registration method according to any one of the above. 21. A printing apparatus which has a printing apparatus and a host apparatus for managing the printing apparatus on a network, and stores a program for executing a print job registration method applicable to a printing system in which an external apparatus can be newly connected to a network. A computer-readable recording medium, wherein the print job registration method includes: a print request step of making a print request to the higher-level device; and transmitting print data related to the print request to the higher-level device or the printing device. A recording medium, comprising: a transmission step; and a registration step of registering a print job in the printing apparatus based on the print request. 22. The recording medium according to claim 21, further comprising a host device input step for inputting designation of the host device. 23. The recording medium according to claim 22, further comprising a detecting step of detecting the higher-level device on a network when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device input step. 24. The recording medium according to claim 22, wherein, when the higher-level device is specified by the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the printing device. 25. The apparatus according to claim 23, wherein, when the higher-level device is not designated by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting step transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detection means. A recording medium according to claim 1. 26. The recording medium according to claim 21, further comprising a receiving step of receiving print data transmitted by a transmitting unit of the external device. 27. The recording medium according to claim 26, further comprising a storage step of storing the print data received in said receiving step in a storage unit. 28. A printing method according to claim 28, further comprising a step of transferring the print data to the printing apparatus when the print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is stored in the storage unit. Item 28. The recording medium according to Item 27. 29. A request for requesting the external device to transmit the print data to the printing device when the print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is not stored in the storage unit. The recording medium according to claim 27, further comprising a step. 30. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the external device is a portable personal computer.
The recording medium according to any one of the above. 31. An information processing apparatus for managing a printing apparatus, comprising: a print request unit for making a print request to the information processing apparatus; and transmitting print data related to the print request to the information processing apparatus or the printing apparatus. An information processing apparatus connected to an external device having a transmitting unit via a network, and having a registration unit for registering a print job with the printing device based on the print request. 32. The information processing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a receiving unit that receives the print data transmitted by the transmitting unit of the external device. 33. An information processing apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising storage means for storing print data received by said reception means. 34. A printing apparatus, comprising: transfer means for transferring print data to the printing apparatus when print data relating to the print request registered by the registration means is stored in the storage means. Item 34. The information processing device according to item 33. 35. A request for requesting the external device to transmit the print data to the printing device when print data related to the print request registered by the registration device is not stored in the storage device. 36. The information processing apparatus according to claim 33, further comprising means. 36. An information processing apparatus connectable to a network having a printing device and a host device managing the printing device, wherein the host device input means for inputting designation of the host device, and the host device An information processing apparatus, comprising: a print request unit for making a print request to the printer; and a transmission unit for transmitting print data related to the print request to the higher-level device or the printing device. 37. The information processing apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising detecting means for detecting said higher-level device on a network when said higher-level device is not designated by said higher-level device input means. 38. The information processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein, when the higher-level device is specified by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting means transmits print data to the printing apparatus. . 39. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein when the higher-level device is not specified by the higher-level device input means, the transmitting means transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detecting means. Alternatively, the information processing device according to 38. 40. The information processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable personal computer. 41. An information processing apparatus for managing a printing apparatus, comprising: a print request unit for making a print request to the information processing apparatus; and transmitting print data related to the print request to the information processing apparatus or the printing apparatus. An information processing method in an information processing device connected via a network to an external device having a transmitting unit, comprising a registration step of registering a print job in the printing device based on the print request. Information processing method. 42. The information processing method according to claim 41, further comprising a receiving step of receiving print data transmitted by a transmitting unit of the external device. 43. The information processing method according to claim 41, further comprising a storage step of storing the print data received by the receiving unit in a storage unit. 44. A printing apparatus according to claim 44, further comprising a transfer step of transferring said print data to said printing apparatus when print data relating to said print request registered in said registration step is stored in said storage means. Item 43. The information processing method according to Item 43. 45. A request for requesting the external device to transmit the print data to the printing device when print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is not stored in the storage unit. The information processing method according to claim 43 or 45, further comprising a step. 46. An information processing method in an information processing apparatus connectable to a network having a printing device and a higher-level device that manages the printing device, comprising: a higher-level device inputting step for inputting designation of the higher-level device; An information processing method, comprising: a print request step of making a print request to the higher-level device; and a transmitting step of transmitting print data related to the print request to the higher-level device or the printing device. 47. The information processing method according to claim 46, further comprising a detecting step of detecting the higher-level device on a network when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device input step. 48. The information processing method according to claim 46, wherein when the higher-level device is specified by the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the printing device. . 49. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein, when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detection unit. Or 4
9. The information processing method according to item 8. 50. The information processing apparatus according to claim 46, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable personal computer.
10. The information processing method according to any one of items 9. 51. An information processing apparatus for managing a printing apparatus, comprising: a print request unit for making a print request to the information processing apparatus; and transmitting print data related to the print request to the information processing apparatus or the printing apparatus. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing an information processing method in an information processing apparatus connected via a network to an external apparatus having a transmitting unit, wherein the information processing method includes: A recording medium having a registration step of registering a print job with the printing apparatus based on a request. 52. The recording medium according to claim 51, wherein said information processing method includes a receiving step of receiving print data transmitted by a transmitting unit of said external device. 53. The information processing method according to claim 51, further comprising a storing step of storing the print data received by the receiving unit in a storing unit.
A recording medium according to claim 1. 54. The information processing method includes a transfer step of transferring the print data to the printing device when print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is stored in the storage unit. 54. The recording medium according to claim 53, wherein: 55. The information processing method, wherein when print data related to the print request registered in the registration step is not stored in the storage unit, the print data is transmitted to the printing apparatus. 56. The recording medium according to claim 53, further comprising a request step for requesting an external device. 56. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for executing an information processing method in an information processing device connectable to a network having a printing device and a host device managing the printing device, The information processing method includes: a higher-level device inputting step for inputting designation of the higher-level device; a print requesting step of making a print request to the higher-level device; Transmitting to the device. 57. The information processing method according to claim 56, further comprising a detecting step of detecting the higher-level device on a network when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device input step. Recording medium. 58. The recording medium according to claim 56, wherein when the higher-level device is specified in the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the printing device. 59. The transmission device according to claim 57, wherein, when the higher-level device is not designated in the higher-level device input step, the transmitting step transmits print data to the higher-level device detected by the detection unit. Or 5
9. The recording medium according to 8. 60. The information processing apparatus is a portable personal computer.
10. The recording medium according to any one of 9.