JP2004005665A - Print server and network printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print server and network printer system which facilitates setting operation and working, even if a plurality of users use an image forming apparatus, such as one printer. <P>SOLUTION: In this system,when a users performs print processing, a CM (Client Manager)4 detects user information, that is, printed data are made by the the user, from print data transmitted, and checks present setting condition of a printer 3; a PS (Printer Server)1 receives the user information and the information concerning the present setting condition of the printer 3, checks the received information against the internal processing circumstance reproduction data stored in EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Memory) and sets to the printer 3 the checked internal processing circumstance reproduction data, when the printer 3 is processable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a host computer, and a print server and a network printer device applied to a printer, a scanner, a network facsimile, and the like controlled by the host computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a printer, which is a type of computer peripheral device, items that can be set include a paper feed tray, a paper output tray, a paper size, a font, selection of double-sided printing or single-sided printing, and the like. It is stored in the non-volatile memory of the printer.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even when trying to use the above-mentioned conventional printer shared by a plurality of users, the settings for each user could not be made, so when sending a control command, the user first initializes the printer, Then, the control command for the job is transferred, and thereafter, the control command for the job is transferred. Therefore, it is necessary to initialize the printer and send the personal setting control command for each job.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a print server and a network printer that facilitate setting operation and work even when an image forming apparatus such as one printer is used by a plurality of users.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is a print server which is connected to a printer which can be used by a plurality of clients and performs host control of the printer. A nonvolatile memory for storing internal processing environment reproduction data that is past processing environment data, and when a specific client performs print processing, detects user information that created print data from the transferred print data, and Means for receiving the user information and information about the current setting status of the printer from the client management device that examines the current setting status of the printer; and the received information and the internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the nonvolatile memory. And if the printer can process it, The section processing environment reproducing data, comprising the means for setting the printer.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the print server according to the first aspect, before the printer starts processing, the internal processing environment reproduction data is set in the printer.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the print server according to the first aspect, if the collation is not possible as a result of the collation, the printer is reset and the processing environment data is used as the internal processing environment reproduction data. Is stored.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 4 is connected to a client management device for checking the current setting status of a network printer and information about a print environment previously set by a user, and receives print data transferred from a plurality of clients, and A network printer device including a print server that controls a printer, a nonvolatile memory that stores internal processing environment reproduction data that is past processing environment data in the network printer for each user, and information from the client management device. Receiving means, and collating information received from the client management device with internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the non-volatile memory, and if processing is possible, the internal processing environment reproduction stored in the non-volatile memory. Transfer data to the network Set in the printer, the in the network printer to reproduce the printer processing environment suitable for a particular client, characterized by comprising a means which performs print processing.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the network printer according to the fourth aspect, before the network printer starts processing, the internal processing environment reproduction data is set in the network printer.
[0010]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the network printer according to the fourth aspect, if the collation fails as a result of the collation, the network printer is reset and the processing environment data is used as the internal processing environment reproduction data. It is stored in a volatile memory.
[0011]
According to the invention, the internal processing environment can be reproduced by storing various operation mode items set in the printer for each user as internal processing environment reproduction data.
[0012]
Further, when the printer is used, by receiving the internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the non-volatile memory, it becomes possible to operate in a mode (internal processing environment) previously set by the user.
[0013]
When the printer is used, appropriate internal processing environment reproduction data corresponding to the current internal processing environment can be automatically selected.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and relates to a control unit for a print server and a printer of a network print system, and more particularly to a resource management control unit of the print server.
[0016]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a print server (PS = Print Server), which is a host machine, and extracts and stores a print file transferred from each client to the file server 2. The stored print file is transferred and printed out to the network printer 3 in the print environment of the client that requested the print.
[0017]
Reference numeral 4 denotes a client manager (CM = Client Manager), which is resident software of each workstation, is used together with application software, communicates with the PS1, sets a print environment of a user, and sets a requested print. , Or when there is a problem with the printer 3, to interface with the user about the status of the print job.
[0018]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an administrator manager (AM), which is a type of application software that can be set on an arbitrary workstation, and manages the PS1, the network printer 3, and each client. Specifically, it performs system configuration setting, initial setting, self-diagnosis, and the like.
[0019]
The network printer (NP = Network Printer) 3 is connected to the PS 1 and prints out a print file of each client in a print environment designated by the PS 1. The printer 3 is connected to the PS 1 by two-way communication as described later, and the printer 3 sequentially reports the printer status and, if requested, the print environment.
[0020]
The CM 4 is composed of two parts, and is connected with an application program 6 and a network interface (Network Driver API (API = Application Program interface)) 7. A CM user interface 8 communicates with the PS1, It sets the print environment desired by the user, inquires about the printer status, inquires about the status of the user's print request, and controls the print request. In practice, it is implemented interactively in the form of a menu using the display and keyboard of the workstation. The print environment is provided as a parameter list, and can be changed / updated freely.
[0021]
Reference numeral 9 denotes an API processor between PS and CM, which transmits parameters to be requested to PS1 as data packets to PS1 through a network. Further, the message transmitted from PS1 is displayed on the display of the workstation as appropriate. That is, communication control between the CM user interface 8 and the network interface 7 is performed.
[0022]
The main control items of the CM 4 include designation of a printer to be output, storage of current setting values, display of a print job status, correspondence to errors and changes, setting of key functions, and setting of parameters. Change (priority order, print direction, print time, etc.).
[0023]
The AM5 is composed of two parts and is connected to the network interface 10. The AM user interface 11 communicates with the PS1, sets print control parameters for each network user, monitors the current set values, and monitors the entire PS1. Monitoring and change of the general situation. In practice, it is carried out in a menu-type interactive manner using a display and a keyboard of a workstation at an arbitrary position.
[0024]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a PS-AM API processor which transmits parameters to be requested to the PS1 as data packets to the PS1 via the network. Further, the message transmitted from PS1 is displayed on the display of the workstation as appropriate. That is, communication control between the AM user interface 11 and the network interface 10 is performed.
[0025]
The main control functions of AM5 include resource control, that is, definition and change of password, definition and change of printer server name, definition and change of print environment, specification of form, initial setting, definition of print queue buffer, and the like. , Print job management, that is, control of interruption / continuation of printing, deletion of print files, designation of priority, and monitoring of the printing environment, ie, management of printer status, print job status, and system messages, ie, management of jobs Management of messages such as recording and errors.
[0026]
One workstation is assigned as the PS1 and is composed of six parts. The PS1 functions as a PS1 connected to the network printer 3. The PS1 controls and manages all prints, and the PS1 inquires the file server 2 of the print data file for which a print request has been issued, and extracts the file.
[0027]
In PS1, reference numeral 13 denotes a PS resource execution unit, which is a core part of PS1, manages all resources of the system, and allocates resources to each print job. Reference numeral 14 denotes an AM-PS API processor which controls transmission and reception of a file message with the AM 5. Reference numeral 15 denotes a CM-PS API processor, which controls transmission and reception of file messages with the CM 4. Reference numeral 16 denotes a job manager which manages all print jobs, pulls out print request files from a plurality of file servers 2, and passes them to a print manager 17, which will be described later, to request printing. It also recovers from errors and reports job completion.
[0028]
A print manager 17 sets up the network printer 3, manages the printer status, requests printing, and manages the network printer 3 itself. A printer I / O driver 18 transmits and receives data to and from the network printer 3 having the network / controller unit 3a via the bidirectional interface 19. 20 is a network interface.
[0029]
The main functions of the PS1 include the management of printer resources, that is, the management of fixed forms, the management of fonts, and the management of printers (management of each user profile). Management of the paper feed tray and printing direction, control of the file server 2, ie, management of print job history, monitoring of PS1 itself, communication between CM4 and AM5, and print job management, ie, management / output of user job list , Management and output of set values of each user, deletion of jobs, change of priority, management of the printer 3, and functions as storage means for storing these pieces of information.
[0030]
The network printer 3 is connected to the PS 1 via the interface 19 capable of bidirectional communication, executes printing in accordance with the instruction of the PS 1, and can send back a status if requested. There is a need for a printer that can withstand large print demands.
[0031]
Hereinafter, the operation and operation of the above embodiment will be described.
[0032]
The user creates the original data to be printed on the workstation using software such as a word processor or a spreadsheet, and selects a printer to be printed. This selection method differs depending on the type of network software. Here, a case where the network printer (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) 3 is selected will be described. When the printer 3 is selected, the user sets necessary settings for printing using the CM 4.
[0033]
CM4 is software of a kind called a memory resident. Generally, once activated, it resides in the memory of a computer and receives an event in which a predetermined key combination is pressed or a specific interrupt occurs. Then, the software running at that time is temporarily stopped, the operation is resumed, and when the user terminates the software, the suspended software is resumed and the software waits for the next event.
[0034]
The user presses the determined key combination to activate CM4. The CM 4 checks the printer 3 currently selected by a different means depending on the network software used, and changes the settings of the printer 3 previously set by the user to a disk (not shown) when the CM 4 last finished. Check from the file stored in the non-volatile memory. Next, the CM 4 requests a status report from the current printer 3 to the PS 1 via the network interfaces 7 and 20 according to a predetermined format and protocol.
[0035]
In response to the printer status report request from the CM 4, the PS 1 uses the bidirectional interface 19 to the printer 3 and may change over time, such as the status of the paper supply / discharge tray of the printer 3, whether printing is in progress, and the status of the print engine. Investigate a situation. The information (printer name, interface, printer installation location, etc.) which is already stored in PS1 and is not changed by the operation of the printer 3 is added, and the information is returned to the CM 4 according to a predetermined format and protocol.
[0036]
The CM 4 compares the information checked by the CM 4 with the information sent from the AM 5 to check whether or not the previous user's settings are still usable. If there is a problem that cannot be processed by the CM / PS, the CM / The processing is performed by AM, and the printer 3 is reset so that the previous user setting can be used. For example, if the font previously downloaded by the user has been erased from the memory of the printer 3, the font is sent to the printer 3 before the print data of the user is transferred to the print 3. If there is a problem that cannot be processed by CM / AM, ask the user to input what to do. For example, if there is no paper of the paper size used by the user last time, the user is requested to supply paper or select another paper.
[0037]
The user checks the settings of the previous printer, and if necessary, adds necessary settings to the data to be printed. The CM 4 works to reproduce the user's settings, and sends to the PS 1 settings that must be made immediately before transfer of the print data to the printer 3, such as selection of the paper supply / discharge tray and selection of double-sided printing, and then to this user. The PS 1 is set so that the print data is sent to the printer 3 immediately before the PS 1 transfers the print data to the printer 3. Also, in order to download the download font selected by the user or the download font which was used at the time of use, but is now lost, these files are also transferred to the PS1 and to the printer 3 before the print data. Set PS1. Then, the CM 4 waits until the next determined key combination is pressed.
[0038]
After setting the printer 3 using the CM 4, the user sends print data to the printer 3 by a different method using network software. In some network software, the print data is temporarily stored on the disk of the file server 2 from the workstation, and the file server 2 notifies the PS 1 that the print data has been stored on the disk. Is read out and transferred to the printer 3.
[0039]
The PS 1 checks the received print data, detects the user who created the data, checks whether the current user of the printer 3 is the user, and if the user is different, the internal of the current printer 3 The processing environment reproduction data is read from the printer 3 and the environment is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a disk as a user environment. Then, the PS 1 transfers the internal processing environment reproduction data stored as the environment of the user to the printer 3, reads the setting of the user set by the CM 4, transfers the necessary data to the printer 3, The print data brought from the server 2 is sent to the printer 3.
[0040]
When the printing by the printer 3 is completed, depending on the settings, the PS 1 notifies the CM 4 via the network interface 20 that the printing has been completed. Upon receiving the print end, the CM 4 displays a message to that effect on the screen to notify the user. Also, when the paper runs out or the print engine becomes jammed during printing, a message can be displayed on the screen of the user's workstation in the same manner.
[0041]
The AM 5 is software for communicating with the PS 1 and managing the PS 1 and the printer 3. The AM 5 manages the user who uses the printer 3, sets and installs the download font automatically downloaded to the printer 3, and installs the user. , Default setting of paper discharge trays, online / offline management of the printer 3, registration of paper type, and the like. When the AM 5 is started, the AM 5 searches the network interface 10 for the PS 1 to establish communication, checks the current setting status of the PS 1, and displays it on the screen. The user can check or change various settings of the PS1 by viewing the displayed settings or displaying a more detailed status of each setting.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the print server and the network printer of the present invention, various operation mode item data, which are internal processing environment reproduction data set in the printer, can be stored in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, the same operation mode can be automatically set later, and it is not necessary to perform the same setting operation every time the printer is used, and it is not necessary to delete other operation mode items that have already been set. Even if a single printer is used by multiple users at the same time, the problem of erasing each other's settings is eliminated, making it possible to use multiple printers as if they were occupying the same printer. , Operability and workability can be improved.
[0043]
Reproduction of the previously set operating mode for the printer can be facilitated automatically by sending the data.
[0044]
Since the matching between the current state of the printer and the stored internal processing environment reproduction data can be determined and appropriate internal processing environment reproduction data can be selected, a favorable operation mode can always be automatically set.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a print server and a network printer device according to the present invention.
1 PS (print server: host machine)
3 Network Printer 4 CM (Client Manager)
5 AM (Administrator Manager)
7, 10, 20 Network interface 19 Bidirectional interface

Claims (6)

A print server connected to a printer that can be used by a plurality of clients and performing host control of the printer,
A non-volatile memory that stores internal processing environment reproduction data that is past processing environment data in the printer for each user;
When a specific client performs print processing, the client management device that detects the user information that created the print data from the transferred print data and checks the current setting status of the printer receives the user information and the printer information. A means for receiving information about the current configuration,
Means for comparing the received information with internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the non-volatile memory, and setting the collated internal processing environment reproduction data in the printer if the printer can process the data,
A print server comprising: 2. The print server according to claim 1, wherein the internal processing environment reproduction data is set in the printer before the printer starts processing. 2. The printing method according to claim 1, wherein if the result of the comparison indicates that processing is not possible, the printer is reset and the processing environment data is stored in the nonvolatile memory as internal processing environment reproduction data. server. A print server that is connected to a client management device that checks the current setting status of the network printer and information about the print environment set by the user before, receives print data transferred from a plurality of clients, and controls the network printer; Network printer device,
A non-volatile memory that stores internal processing environment reproduction data that is past processing environment data in the network printer for each user;
Means for receiving information from the client management device;
The information received from the client management device is compared with the internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the non-volatile memory, and if processing is possible, the internal processing environment reproduction data stored in the non-volatile memory is compared to the network. Means for setting a printer, reproducing a printer processing environment suitable for a specific client in the network printer, and executing print processing;
A network printer device comprising: 5. The network printer according to claim 4, wherein the internal processing environment reproduction data is set in the network printer before the network printer starts processing. The method according to claim 4, wherein, if the result of the comparison indicates that processing is not possible, the setting of the network printer is reset, and the processing environment data is stored in the nonvolatile memory as internal processing environment reproduction data. Network printer device.

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