JP2005275905A - Network device, network printer, output job transfer control program, print job transfer control program, output job transfer control method and print job transfer control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an output job transfer control program suitable for shortening a print standby time, and for improving the convenience of a user. <P>SOLUTION: At the time of receiving a print job, a network printer 200 predicts a print standby time Tw until the printing of the received print job is started by a self-network printer 200. At the time of deciding that the predicted print standby time Tw is a predetermined time or more, the network printer 200 retrieves an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers 200, and transfers the received print job to the alternative network printer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device, a printer, a program, and a method for controlling transfer of a print job, and in particular, a network device, a network printer, and an output job that are suitable for reducing print standby time and improving user convenience. The present invention relates to a transfer control program, a print job transfer control program, an output job transfer control method, and a print job transfer control method.

  Conventionally, when a print request is made to a network printer, there is a problem in that the print request is not normally completed when the network printer is in use, or is out of paper or jammed. In order to solve this problem, there has been an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, a print processing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, and an image forming system disclosed in Patent Document 3.

The invention described in Patent Document 1 acquires function information such as printers and facsimile functions of other image forming apparatuses, determines whether printing is possible, and determines that printing is not possible. Prompts the user to select a print instruction. Then, the print job is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus.
The invention described in Patent Document 2 generates a print job and stores it in units of jobs. It also issues and manages an ID number for identifying the generated print job. If the print job is not processed normally, another network printer on the network is searched, the stored print information is read based on the ID number related to the print job, and the searched network printer is supported. Generate print information.

The invention described in Patent Document 3 is a system in which a host terminal and a plurality of image forming apparatuses are connected to a network. When a print request is made from the host terminal to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is in use or malfunctions. If it cannot be used, etc., printing is performed with another image forming apparatus.
JP 2003-51925 A JP 11-296330 A JP 2001-352419 A

  In both of the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the network printer that made the print request is in an unprintable or other abnormal state, the print job is transferred to another network printer. . However, if the network printer that issued the print request is normal but the processing of another print job received before the print request has not been completed, the printer waits until the processing of the print job is completed. . For this reason, when the number of previously received print jobs is enormous, there is a problem that the time until printing is started or completed (hereinafter referred to as printing standby time) becomes long.

  In the invention described in Patent Document 3, when a network printer that has made a print request is in use or is in failure, a print job is transferred to another network printer. However, if the network printer that made the print request is busy because the processing of another print job received before the print request is not completed, even if the processing of the print job is completed immediately The print job is transferred to another network printer. Therefore, when the print job transfer time is longer than the remaining processing time of the previously accepted print job, there is a problem that the print standby time becomes long. In addition, since the print job is transferred to another network printer, there is a problem that the convenience of the user may be impaired.

  Therefore, the present invention was made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and is a network device suitable for shortening the printing standby time and improving the convenience of the user, It is an object of the present invention to provide a network printer, an output job transfer control program, a print job transfer control program, an output job transfer control method, and a print job transfer control method.

[Invention 1] In order to achieve the above object, a network device of Invention 1 comprises:
A network device that is communicably connected to one or a plurality of other network devices and that performs output in response to a received output request,
Output job receiving means for receiving an output job including output data, and output waiting time prediction means for predicting an output waiting time until output of the output job received by the output job receiving means is started or completed by the network device And output job transfer means for transferring the output job to the other network device based on the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction means,
The output job transfer unit transfers the output job received by the output job reception unit to the other network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is characterized by becoming.

  With such a configuration, when the network device receives the output job by the output job receiving unit, the output waiting time until the output of the received output job is started or completed by the network device by the output standby time predicting unit. When the time is predicted and the output job transfer means determines that the predicted output standby time is greater than or equal to the predetermined time, the received output job is transferred to another network device.

  As a result, even if the network device is in use because processing of another output job has not been completed, if the output standby time is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the received output job is transferred to another network. Transferred to the device. Therefore, even if the number of output jobs received before is enormous, there is little possibility of waiting until the processing of the output job is completed. Conversely, if the previously received output job is small, the output is performed by the network device that made the output request after waiting for a slight output waiting time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an effect that the output standby time can be relatively shortened and the possibility of impairing the user's convenience can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.

[Invention 2] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a network printer of Invention 2
A network printer that is communicably connected to one or more other network printers and performs printing in response to a received print request,
Print job receiving means for receiving a print job including print data, and print wait time predicting means for predicting a print wait time until printing of the print job received by the print job receiving means is started or completed by the network printer An alternative network printer search means for searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers, and the other network printer based on the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction means. A print job transfer means for transferring the print job to
When the print job transfer unit determines that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alternative network printer search unit searches for the print job received by the print job reception unit. This is characterized in that the data is transferred to the alternative network printer.

  With such a configuration, in the network printer, when the print job is received by the print job receiving unit, the print standby time prediction unit prints the received print job until the network printer starts or completes printing. Time is predicted. Further, the alternative network printer search means searches for an alternative network printer that can process the print job from other network printers. If the print job transfer means determines that the predicted print standby time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the received print job is transferred to the searched alternative network printer.

  As a result, even if the network printer is in use because processing of another print job has not been completed, if the print standby time is predicted to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the received print job is transferred to the other network. Transferred to the printer. For this reason, even if there are a large number of print jobs received before, there is little possibility of waiting until the processing of the print job is completed. Conversely, if the previously received print job is small, printing is performed by the network printer which has made a print request after waiting for a short print waiting time. Therefore, as compared with the conventional case, it is possible to relatively shorten the printing standby time and to reduce the possibility of impairing the user's convenience.

  Here, the alternative network printer search means may have any configuration as long as it can search for an alternative network printer. For example, the alternative network printer search means is periodically or indefinite regardless of whether or not a print job is transferred. The alternative network printer may be periodically searched, or the alternative network is determined when it is determined that the print job is to be transferred (that is, it is determined that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value). The printer may be searched. The same applies to the print job transfer control program of the ninth aspect.

[Invention 3] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 3 is the network printer of Invention 2,
Furthermore, it comprises transfer proposal information transmitting means for transmitting transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the transfer of the print job to the transmission source of the print request,
The print job transfer means transfers the print job to the alternative network printer when receiving a response to approve transfer in response to the print job transfer proposal.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, the transfer proposal information transmission means transmits the transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the print job transfer to the transmission source of the print request.
When the transmission request information is received at the transmission source of the print request, the received transfer proposal information can be referred to, so that the user can grasp the content of the proposal. Here, if there is no problem in the proposal contents, the user transmits a response for approving the transfer to the network printer to the network printer.

When the network printer receives a response to approve the transfer, the print job is transferred to the alternative network printer by the print job transfer unit.
As a result, when transferring a print job, it is performed with the approval of the user, so that it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the convenience of the user is impaired.

[Invention 4] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 4 is the network printer of any one of Inventions 2 and 3,
Further, the other network printer is divided into a plurality of printer groups, and for each printer group, group information relating to the printer group and search priority information indicating the search priority of the printer group are stored. With means,
The alternative network printer search means selects the printer group from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the search priority information of the group information storage means, and the group of the group information storage means The alternative network printer is searched from the selected printer group based on the information.

  With this configuration, in the network printer, the alternative network printer search unit selects the printer group from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the search priority information in the group information storage unit. The alternative network printer is searched from the selected printer group based on the group information in the group information storage means.

  As a result, since the alternative network printer is searched from the preset printer group, it is possible to search for the alternative network printer at a relatively high speed. In addition, if network printers connected to a network with a large transmission capacity belong to a printer group with a high search priority, such network printers are searched preferentially, so that the print standby time can be further reduced. The effect that it can do is also acquired. Furthermore, if network printers that are convenient for the user belong to a printer group with a high search priority, such network printers are searched for preferentially, which may further reduce the convenience for the user. The effect that it can reduce is also acquired.

  Here, the group information storage means stores group information or search priority information at any time and at any time, and may store group information or search priority information in advance. The group information or the search priority information may be stored by an external input or the like during the operation of the system without storing the group information or the search priority information in advance. The same applies to the print job transfer control program of the eleventh aspect.

[Invention 5] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 5 is the network printer of Invention 4,
The alternative network printer search unit searches the printer group as the alternative network printer for a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job reception unit. It is characterized by becoming.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, a network printer capable of handling print data in the same format as the print data included in the received print job by the alternative network printer search means is used as an alternative network printer in the printer group. Searched.
As a result, the print job is transferred to a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job, and printing can be performed at the transfer destination without converting the format of the print job. An effect is obtained. In addition, since the network printer to be searched is not limited to the same type of network printer, there is an effect that many network printers can be used as transfer destinations.

[Invention 6] The network printer of Invention 6 is the network printer of any one of Inventions 4 and 5,
And a print job format conversion means for converting the format of the print job.
The print job format conversion means is a network printer capable of handling print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job receiving means by the alternative network printer searched by the alternative network printer search means. If it is not, the print job format received by the print job receiving means is converted into a print data format that can be handled by the alternative network printer,
The print job transfer means transfers the print job converted by the print job format conversion means to the alternative network printer.

  With this configuration, in the network printer, if it is determined that the searched alternative network printer is not a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job, the print job format The conversion unit converts the format of the received print job into a format of print data that can be handled by the alternative network printer. Then, the print job transfer means transfers the converted print job to the alternative network printer.

  As a result, even if a network printer that cannot handle print data of the same format is searched for as an alternative network printer, the format of the print job is converted and transferred. Therefore, such a network printer is used as the transfer destination. The effect that it can be obtained.

[Invention 7] Furthermore, the network printer of Invention 7 is the network printer of any one of Inventions 2 to 6,
Further, a second print standby time predicting unit that predicts a print standby time until the print job received by the print job receiving unit is started or completed by the alternative network printer, and the second print standby time predicting unit Printing standby guidance information transmitting means for transmitting printing standby guidance information indicating the printing standby time predicted in step 1 to the transmission source of the print request.

With such a configuration, in the network printer, the second print standby time predicting unit predicts the print standby time until the printing of the received print job is started or completed by the alternative network printer, and the print standby guide information The transmission means transmits print standby guide information indicating the predicted print standby time to the transmission source of the print request.
When the printing request transmission source receives the printing standby guidance information, the printing request transmission source can refer to the received printing standby guidance information, so that the user can grasp the printing standby time.
As a result, the user can grasp the print standby time when the print job is transferred, so that the convenience of the user can be improved.

[Invention 8] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, an output job transfer control program according to Invention 8 includes:
A program for causing a computer that operates as a network device to connect to one or a plurality of other network devices so as to be communicable and perform output in response to a received output request,
An output job receiving means for receiving an output job including output data, an output waiting time predicting means for predicting an output waiting time until the output of the output job received by the output job receiving means is started or completed by the network device; And a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as output job transfer means for transferring the output job to the other network device based on the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction means,
The output job transfer unit transfers the output job received by the output job reception unit to the other network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is characterized by becoming.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, operations and effects equivalent to those of the network device of aspect 1 are obtained.

[Invention 9] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a print job transfer control program according to Invention 9 includes:
A program for connecting to one or a plurality of other network printers in a communicable manner and causing a computer operating as a network printer to perform printing in response to a received print request.
A print job receiving means for receiving a print job including print data, a print wait time predicting means for predicting a print wait time until printing of the print job received by the print job receiving means is started or completed by the network printer, An alternative network printer search means for searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers, and the other network printer based on the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction means. Including a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as a print job transfer means for transferring a print job,
When the print job transfer unit determines that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alternative network printer search unit searches for the print job received by the print job reception unit. This is characterized in that the data is transferred to the alternative network printer.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network printer of aspect 2 are obtained.

[Invention 10] Furthermore, the print job transfer control program of the invention 10 is the print job transfer control program of the invention 9,
And a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as transfer proposal information transmission means for transmitting transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the transfer of the print job to the transmission source of the print request,
The print job transfer means transfers the print job to the alternative network printer when receiving a response to approve transfer in response to the print job transfer proposal.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network printer of aspect 3 are obtained.

[Invention 11] Further, the print job transfer control program of the invention 11 is the print job transfer control program of any one of the inventions 9 and 10,
The computer classifies the other network printers into a plurality of printer groups, and stores group information relating to the printer group and search priority information indicating search priority of the printer group for each of the printer groups. Information storage means can be used,
The alternative network printer search means selects the printer group from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the search priority information of the group information storage means, and the group of the group information storage means The alternative network printer is searched from the selected printer group based on the information.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network printer of aspect 4 are obtained.

[Invention 12] Furthermore, the print job transfer control program of the invention 12 is the print job transfer control program of the invention 11,
The alternative network printer search unit searches the printer group as the alternative network printer for a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job reception unit. It is characterized by becoming.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the fifth aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 13] Furthermore, the print job transfer control program of Invention 13 is the print job transfer control program of any one of Inventions 11 and 12,
Furthermore, a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as a print job format conversion unit that converts the format of the print job,
The print job format conversion means is a network printer capable of handling print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job receiving means by the alternative network printer searched by the alternative network printer search means. If it is not, the print job format received by the print job receiving means is converted into a print data format that can be handled by the alternative network printer,
The print job transfer means transfers the print job converted by the print job format conversion means to the alternative network printer.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the network printer of aspect 6 are obtained.

[Invention 14] Furthermore, the print job transfer control program of the invention 14 is the print job transfer control program of any one of the inventions 9 to 13,
Further, second print standby time prediction means for predicting print standby time until printing of the print job received by the print job reception means is started or completed by the alternative network printer, and second print standby time prediction means And a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as print standby guide information transmitting means for transmitting print standby guide information indicating the print standby time predicted in step 1 to the transmission source of the print request.
With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operation and effect as the network printer of the seventh aspect can be obtained.

[Invention 15] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the output job transfer control method of Invention 15 includes:
A method of communicably connecting a plurality of network devices and controlling transfer of an output job given to the network devices,
For the network device:
An output job receiving step for receiving an output job including output data;
An output waiting time prediction step for predicting an output waiting time until the output of the output job received in the output job receiving step is started or completed in the network device;
An output job transfer step of transferring the output job received in the output job reception step to another network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted in the output standby time prediction step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. It is characterized by.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the network device of aspect 1 is obtained.

[Invention 16] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, a print job transfer control method according to Invention 16 includes:
A method of connecting a plurality of network printers in a communicable manner and controlling transfer of a print job given to the network printer,
For the network printer,
A print job receiving step for receiving a print job including print data;
A print standby time prediction step for predicting a print standby time until the printing of the print job received in the print job reception step is started or completed by the network printer;
An alternative network printer search step of searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers;
When it is determined that the print standby time predicted in the print standby time prediction step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the print job received in the print job reception step is transferred to the alternative network printer searched in the alternative network printer search step. And a print job transfer step.

Thereby, the same effect as that of the network printer of aspect 2 can be obtained.
Here, the alternative network printer search step may be any method as long as the alternative network printer is searched. For example, the alternative network printer search is performed regularly or irregularly regardless of whether or not the print job is transferred. Alternatively, an alternative network printer may be searched when it is determined that the print job is to be transferred (that is, when it is determined that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value).

[Invention 17] Furthermore, the print job transfer control method of the invention 17 is the print job transfer control method of the invention 16,
For the network printer,
A transfer proposal information transmission step of transmitting transfer proposal information indicating a proposal content for transfer of the print job to a transmission source of the print request;
The print job transfer step transfers the print job to the alternative network printer when receiving a response to approve the transfer in response to the print job transfer proposal.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the network printer of aspect 3 is obtained.

[Invention 18] Furthermore, the print job transfer control method of Invention 18 is the print job transfer control method of any one of Inventions 16 and 17,
In the alternative network printer search step, the other network printer is divided into a plurality of printer groups, and for each printer group, group information relating to the printer group, and search priority information indicating a search priority of the printer group The search priority information is read from the group information storage means storing the printer information, the printer groups are selected from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the read search priority information, and the selected printer is selected. The group information corresponding to the group is read from the group information storage means, and the alternative network printer is searched from the selected printer group based on the read group information.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the network printer of aspect 4 is obtained.

[Invention 19] Further, the print job transfer control method of the invention 19 is the print job transfer control method of the invention 18,
In the alternative network printer search step, a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received in the print job reception step is searched from the printer group as the alternative network printer. It is characterized by.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the network printer of aspect 5 can be obtained.

[Invention 20] Furthermore, the print job transfer control method of Invention 20 is the print job transfer control method of any one of Inventions 18 and 19,
For the network printer,
A print job format conversion step for converting the format of the print job,
In the print job format conversion step, the alternative network printer searched in the alternative network printer search step can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received in the print job reception step. If it is determined that it is not, the format of the print job received in the print job reception step is converted into a format of print data that can be handled by the alternative network printer,
In the print job transfer step, the print job converted in the print job format conversion step is transferred to the alternative network printer.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the network printer according to the sixth aspect of the invention can be obtained.

[Invention 21] Furthermore, the print job transfer control method of the invention 21 is the print job transfer control method of any one of the inventions 16 to 20,
For the network printer,
A second print standby time prediction step of predicting a print standby time until the print job received in the print job reception step is started or completed by the alternative network printer;
A printing standby guidance information transmitting step of transmitting printing standby guidance information indicating the printing standby time predicted in the second printing standby time prediction step to a transmission source of the print request.
Thereby, the same effect as that of the network printer of aspect 7 can be obtained.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 6 are diagrams showing embodiments of a network device, a network printer, an output job transfer control program and a print job transfer control program, and an output job transfer control method and a print job transfer control method according to the present invention. .
In the present embodiment, a network device, a network printer, an output job transfer control program, a print job transfer control program, an output job transfer control method, and a print job transfer control method according to the present invention are shown in FIG. This is applied to a case where the printer 200 transfers a print job received from the host terminal 100 to another network printer 200.

First, the configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system to which the present invention is applied.
As shown in FIG. 1, the network 199 includes a host terminal 100 that is used by a user, a network printer 200 that performs printing in response to a print request from the host terminal 100, and a printer management server 300 that manages the network printer 200. Are connected to each other.

One printer management server 300 is connected to three network printers 200, and the other printer management server 300 is connected to one network printer 200.
When printing with the network printer 200, the host terminal 100 transmits a print job including print data together with a print request to the network printer 200 designated by the user by a printer driver or the like.

Next, the configuration of the network printer 200 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the network printer 200.
As shown in FIG. 2, the network printer 200 includes a CPU 30 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 32 that stores a control program for the CPU 30 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 32 and the like. And a RAM 34 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 30 and an I / F 38 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device, which are signals for transferring data The buses 39 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 38 includes, as external devices, an operation panel 40 including a touch panel that can input and display data as a human interface, a storage device 42 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, a printing unit, and other printing. A printing mechanism 44 composed of necessary mechanisms and a signal line for connecting to the network 199 are connected.
The storage device 42 stores group information related to the printer group and search priority information indicating the search priority of the printer group.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a case where the network printers 200 are grouped.
In the network configuration of FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, three network printers 200 managed by one printer management server 300 are grouped as a printer group 1 and managed by the other printer management server 300. One network printer 200 is grouped as a printer group 2. Further, two network printers 200 directly connected to the network 199 are grouped as a printer group 3.

  When searching in the order of the printer groups 1 to 3, the storage device 42 stores group information including the address and model information of each network printer 200 belonging to the printer group 1 and the address of the printer management server 300. Search priority information indicating that the search priority is first is associated and stored. Further, the group priority information including the address and model information of each network printer 200 belonging to the printer group 2 and the address of the printer management server 300 is associated with the search priority information indicating that the search priority is second. Is remembered. Further, group information including the address and model information of each network printer 200 belonging to the printer group 3 and search priority information indicating that the search priority is third are stored in association with each other.

The CPU 30 includes a microprocessing unit (MPU) or the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 32, and executes a print control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 according to the program. .
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the print control process.
The print control process is a process of performing printing in response to a print request from the host terminal 100. When the print control process is executed by the CPU 30, as shown in FIG. 4, first, the process proceeds to step S100.

In step S100, it is determined whether or not a print request has been received. When it is determined that a print request has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S102. Until it is received in step S100.
In step S102, a print job is received, and the process proceeds to step S104, where it is determined whether another print job is currently being processed by the self-network printer 200, and it is determined that another print job is being processed. If yes (Yes), the process proceeds to step S106.

In step S106, a printing standby time until printing of the received print job is started by the self-network printer 200 is predicted. The print standby time Tw can be calculated by the following equation (1), for example.

Tw = Tp / Dp × n (1)

In equation (1), n is the number of unprocessed prints included in the print data currently being processed, and Dp is the unprocessed print data included in the print job currently being processed. The data amount per page for the page, and Tp is the printing time per page of the self-network printer 200. The print time may be set as a unique value of the self-network printer 200, may be calculated based on the processed print results of the print data included in the print job currently being processed, You may calculate based on a printing performance.

Next, the process proceeds to step S108, where it is determined whether or not the predicted print standby time Tw is greater than or equal to a predetermined (for example, 10 seconds), and when it is determined that the print standby time Tw is greater than or equal to the predetermined (Yes). In step S110, an alternative printer search process for searching for an alternative network printer is executed, and the process advances to step S112.
In step S112, transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the transfer of the print job is generated. The transfer proposal information is information relating to the alternative network printer, and includes, for example, information relating to the address, name, specification, installation location, and the like of the alternative network printer.

Next, the process proceeds to step S114, and the printing standby time until the printing of the received print job is started by the alternative network printer is predicted. The print standby time Tw ′ can be calculated by the same method as in step S106, for example.
Next, the process proceeds to step S116, and print standby guide information indicating the predicted print standby time Tw ′ is generated. The process proceeds to step S118, and the generated transfer proposal information and print standby guide information are requested to be printed. The data is transmitted to the host terminal 100, and the process proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, it is determined whether or not a response to approve the transfer for the print job transfer proposal has been received. If it is determined that an approval response has been received (Yes), the process proceeds to step S122 to print request. Is transferred to the alternative network printer, the process proceeds to step S124, the received print job is transferred to the alternative network printer, the series of processes is terminated, and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S120 that an approval response is not received (No), the process proceeds to step S126, waits until the processing of the currently processed print job is completed, and proceeds to step S128 to receive. Based on the print job, the print mechanism 44 performs a print process, and a series of processes is terminated to return to the original process.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S108 that the print standby time Tw is less than the predetermined value (No), the process proceeds to step S126.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S104 that no other print job is currently being processed by the self network printer 200 (No), the process proceeds to step S128.
Next, the alternative printer search process in step S110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing alternative printer search processing.

The alternative printer search process is a process for searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job received in step S102 from other network printers 200 on the network 199. When the alternative printer search process is executed in step S110, As shown in FIG. 5, first, the process proceeds to step S200.
In step S200, based on the search priority information in the storage device 42, group information corresponding to the first printer group with the search priority is read from the storage device 42, and the target printer group is searched based on the read group information. Search for an alternative network printer. In this search, the network printer 200 of the same model as the self network printer 200 is preferentially searched as an alternative network printer. This is because the network printer 200 of the same model can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the received print job, and the print job can be transferred as it is. The same applies to the processing in step S226.

Next, the process proceeds to step S202, where it is determined whether an alternative network printer has been searched. If it is determined that an alternative network printer has been searched (Yes), the process proceeds to step S204.
In step S204, it is determined based on the read group information whether the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is a printer group (hereinafter referred to as a management server group) managed by the printer management server 300. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether or not the address of the printer management server 300 is included in the group information. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is not the management server group (No), the process proceeds to step S206.

  In step S <b> 206, it is determined whether the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200 based on the read group information. This determination is made based on, for example, model information included in the group information. The same applies to the processes in steps S214 and S220. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that it is the same model as the self network printer 200 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S208.

In step S208, a first header rewriting process for rewriting the header part of the print job received in step S102 is executed.
FIG. 6 shows the data structure of the header portion 600 of the print job.
As shown in FIG. 6, the print job includes print request date and time information 602 indicating the date and time when the print request is made, address information 604 indicating the address of the printer management server 300, the user name and host of the user who made the print request. Print request source information 606 indicating the name of the terminal 100 and the operating system (OS) used, print request destination information 608 indicating the model name of the network printer 200 to be printed, and print data included in the print job. The header section 600 includes intermediate language information 610 indicating an intermediate language name and print setting information 612 related to print settings.

  In the first header rewriting process, since the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is not the management server group and the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200, the address information 604 is rewritten to the address of the alternative network printer. . When the rewriting of the header part 600 is completed, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S206 that the alternative network printer is not the same model as the self network printer 200 (No), the process proceeds to step S210, and the second header for rewriting the header portion 600 of the print job received in step S102. Rewrite processing is executed.
In the second header rewriting process, since the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is not the management server group and the alternative network printer is not the same model as the self network printer 200, the address information 604 is rewritten to the address of the alternative network printer. The print request destination information 608 is rewritten with the model name of the alternative network printer. When the rewriting of the header part 600 is completed, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S204 that the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is a management server group (Yes), the process proceeds to step S212.
In step S <b> 212, it is determined based on the read group information whether the alternative network printer is the same printer group as the self network printer 200. This determination is performed, for example, by determining whether the addresses of the alternative network printer and the self network printer 200 are included in the same group information. As a result of the determination, if it is determined that the printer group is not the same as the self network printer 200 (No), the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, based on the read group information, it is determined whether the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200. If it is determined that the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200 (Yes), Proceeding to step S216, a third header rewriting process for rewriting the header portion 600 of the print job received at step S102 is executed.

  In the third header rewriting process, since the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is the management server group and the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200 but is not the same printer group, the address information 604 is used as the alternative network. The address is rewritten to the address of the printer management server 300 that manages the printer. When the rewriting of the header part 600 is completed, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S214 that the alternative network printer is not the same model as the self network printer 200 (No), the process proceeds to step S218, and the fourth header for rewriting the header portion 600 of the print job received in step S102. Rewrite processing is executed.
In the fourth header rewriting process, since the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is the management server group and the alternative network printer is not the same printer group and the same model as the self-network printer 200, the address information 604 is used as the alternative network printer. The print request destination information 608 is rewritten with the model name of the alternative network printer. When the rewriting of the header part 600 is completed, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S212 that the alternative network printer is in the same printer group as the self network printer 200 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S220.
In step S220, it is determined whether the alternative network printer is the same model as the self network printer 200 based on the read group information. If it is determined that the alternative network printer is not the same model as the self network printer 200 (No), step S220 is performed. The process proceeds to S222, and a fifth header rewriting process for rewriting the header portion 600 of the print job received in step S102 is executed.

  In the fifth header rewriting process, since the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs is the management server group and the alternative network printer is the same printer group as the self network printer 200 but is not the same model, the print request destination information 608 is displayed. Rewrite the model name of the alternative network printer. When the rewriting of the header part 600 is completed, the series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S220 that the alternative network printer is the same model as the self-network printer 200 (Yes), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that an alternative network printer cannot be found (No), the process proceeds to step S224, where it is determined whether the search has been completed for all printer groups, and for all printer groups. When it is determined that the search is completed (Yes), the series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S224 that the processing is not completed for all the printer groups (No), the process proceeds to step S226, and the search priority is the next highest based on the search priority information in the storage device 42. The group information corresponding to the printer group is read from the storage device 42, an alternative network printer is searched from the target printer group based on the read group information, and the process proceeds to step S202.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
When printing with the network printer 200, the user first designates the network printer 200 to be printed and requests printing on the host terminal 100.
In the host terminal 100, when printing is requested by the user, a print job including print data is transmitted to the designated network printer 200 together with the print request by a printer driver or the like.

  When the network printer 200 receives the print request, the print job is received through steps S102 and S104, and it is determined whether another print job is currently being processed by the network printer 200. As a result, if it is determined that another print job is being processed, the print standby time Tw until the print of the received print job is started by the own network printer 200 is predicted through steps S106 and S108. It is determined whether the print standby time Tw is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

  As a result, if it is determined that the print standby time Tw is equal to or longer than the predetermined time, an alternative network printer capable of processing the received print job is searched through step S110. In this search, printer groups are selected from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority, and alternative network printers are searched from the selected printer groups. When an alternative network printer is found, the header portion 600 of the received print job is rewritten through steps S204 to S222 according to the printer group to which the alternative network printer belongs and the model of the alternative network printer.

  Next, through step S112, transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the print job transfer is generated. Further, through steps S114 and S116, a print standby time Tw 'until the printing of the received print job is started by the alternative network printer is predicted, and print standby guide information indicating the print standby time Tw' is generated. Then, through step S118, the generated transfer proposal information and print standby guidance information are transmitted to the host terminal 100.

  When the host terminal 100 receives the transfer proposal information and the print standby guidance information, the proposal content and the print standby time Tw ′ are displayed on the display device or the like based on the received transfer proposal information and the print standby guide information. Here, if there is no problem in consideration of the proposal content and the print standby time Tw ′, the user transmits a response for approving the transfer to the network printer 200.

When the network printer 200 receives the approval response, the received print job is transmitted to the alternative network printer together with the print request through steps S122 and S124.
In the alternative network printer, when a print request is received, the print job is received through steps S102 and S104, and it is determined whether another print job is currently being processed by the self-network printer 200. As a result, if it is determined that no other print job is being processed, printing is performed by the print mechanism 44 based on the received print job through step S128.

If there is a problem in consideration of the proposal contents and the print standby time Tw ′, the user does not transmit an approval response or transmits a response rejecting the transfer to the network printer 200.
If the network printer 200 does not receive an approval response within a predetermined time or receives a denial response, the network printer 200 waits for the processing of the currently processed print job to be completed through steps S126 and S128, and then receives the received print job. Based on the above, printing is performed by the printing mechanism 44.

If the network printer 200 determines that the print standby time Tw is less than the predetermined time even when another print job is being processed, the processing of the print job currently being processed is completed through steps S126 and S128. After waiting for the printing, the printing mechanism 44 performs printing based on the received print job.
In this way, in this embodiment, the network printer 200 predicts the print standby time Tw until printing of the received print job is started by the self-network printer 200, and the predicted print standby time Tw is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the print job is an alternative network printer 200, an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job is searched from other network printers 200, and the received print job is transferred to the alternative network printer.

  Thus, even if the network printer 200 is in use because processing of another print job has not been completed, if the print standby time is predicted to be a predetermined time or longer, the received print job is transferred to another It is transferred to the network printer 200. For this reason, even if there are a large number of print jobs received before, there is little possibility of waiting until the processing of the print job is completed. Conversely, if the previously received print job is small, printing is performed by the network printer 200 that has made a print request after waiting for a short print waiting time. Therefore, the print standby time can be relatively shortened as compared with the conventional case, and the possibility of impairing the convenience for the user can be reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the network printer 200 transmits transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the print job transfer to the host terminal 100, and receives a response for approving the transfer for the print job transfer proposal. When the print job is transferred to the alternative network printer.
Thereby, when transferring a print job, it is performed with the approval of the user, so that the possibility that the convenience of the user is impaired can be further reduced.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the network printer 200 selects a printer group from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the search priority information in the storage device 42, and the group information in the storage device 42. Based on the above, an alternative network printer is searched from the selected printer group.
As a result, since the alternative network printer is searched from the preset printer group, the search for the alternative network printer can be performed at a relatively high speed. Further, if a network printer 200 connected to a network having a large transmission capacity belongs to a printer group having a high search priority, such a network printer 200 is preferentially searched, so that the print standby time is further reduced. can do. Furthermore, if a network printer 200 that is highly convenient for the user (for example, a network printer 200 installed in the vicinity of the host terminal 100) belongs to a printer group having a high search priority, such a network printer 200 can be used. Since the search is performed preferentially, the possibility that the user's convenience is impaired can be further reduced.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the network printer 200 searches for a network printer 200 of the same model as the self-network printer 200 as an alternative network printer.
As a result, the print job is transferred to the network printer 200 of the same model as the self-network printer 200, so printing can be performed at the transfer destination without converting the format of the print job.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the network printer 200 determines that the alternative network printer is not the same model as the self-network printer 200, the network printer 200 converts the print job format into a print data format that can be handled by the alternative network printer. The converted print job is transferred to an alternative network printer.
As a result, even if a network printer 200 that is not the same model as the self-network printer 200 is searched for as an alternative network printer, the format of the print job is converted and transferred, so that such network printer 200 is used as the transfer destination. be able to.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the network printer 200 predicts the print standby time Tw ′ until printing of the print job is started by the alternative network printer, and displays the print standby guide information indicating the predicted print standby time Tw ′. The data is transmitted to the host terminal 100.
As a result, the user can grasp the print standby time when the print job is transferred, so that the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the network printer 200 corresponds to the network device of the invention 1, 8, or 15, the storage device 42 corresponds to the group information storage means of the invention 4, 11, or 18, and step S102 is the invention 1. Or output job receiving means according to invention 8, print job receiving means according to inventions 2, 5 to 7, 9, 12 to 14, output job receiving step according to invention 15, or print job receiving step according to inventions 16, 19 to 21 Yes. Step S106 corresponds to the output standby time predicting means of the invention 1 or 8, the print standby time predicting means of the invention 2 or 9, the output standby time predicting step of the invention 15, or the print standby time predicting step of the invention 16. Steps S200, S202, S224, and S226 correspond to the alternative network printer search means of inventions 2, 4 to 6, 9, 11 to 13, or the alternative network printer search steps of inventions 16, 18 to 20.

  In the above embodiment, steps S210, S218, and S222 correspond to the print job format conversion means of invention 6 or 13, or the print job format conversion step of invention 20, and step S114 corresponds to the print job format conversion step of invention 7 or 14. This corresponds to the 2 printing standby time prediction means or the second printing standby time prediction step of the invention 21. Step S118 corresponds to the printing standby guide information transmission means of the invention 7 or 14, the transfer proposal information transmission means of the invention 3 or 10, the transfer proposal information transmission step of the invention 17, or the printing standby guidance information transmission step of the invention 21. doing.

  In the above embodiment, step S124 is the output job transfer means of invention 1 or 8, the print job transfer means of invention 2, 3, 6, 9, 10 or 13, the output job transfer step of invention 15, or the invention. This corresponds to the print job transfer step 16, 17, or 20. The print request corresponds to the output request of the invention 1 or 8, the print data corresponds to the output data of the invention 1, 8 or 15, and the print job corresponds to the output job of the invention 1, 8 or 15. ing.

In the above embodiment, the network printer 200 according to the present invention is configured to be used as an alternative network printer. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a normal network printer is configured to be used as an alternative network printer. You can also.
In the above embodiment, the alternative network printer is searched and the print job is transferred to the searched alternative network printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the print job is transferred to the specific network printer 200. It can also be configured as follows.

  In the above embodiment, the network printer 200 of the same model as the self-network printer 200 is searched as an alternative network printer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same format as the print data included in the received print job is used. The network printer 200 that can handle the print data can be searched for as an alternative network printer.

As a result, the network printer 200 to be searched is not limited to the network printer 200 of the same model, and many network printers 200 can be used as transfer destinations.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it comprised so that the process of step S204-S222 might be performed before receiving an approval response, it is not restricted to this, It can also comprise so that it may be performed after receiving an approval response. .

In the above embodiment, the time until the network printer 200 starts printing is predicted as the print standby times Tw and Tw ′. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the network printer 200 completes printing. It can also be configured to predict the time until printing as the print standby times Tw and Tw ′.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the print job is configured so as to correspond to the case where another print job is being processed when the print job is received. A configuration similar to that in the above embodiment can be used. In this case, since the print standby time cannot be predicted, a specified value (for example, 1 hour) is set as the print standby time.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM 32 is executed in the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 has been described. Alternatively, the program may be read from the storage medium storing the program indicating the above procedure into the RAM 34 and executed.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

  In the above embodiment, the network device, network printer, output job transfer control program and print job transfer control program, output job transfer control method and print job transfer control method according to the present invention are as shown in FIG. In addition, the network printer 200 is applied to a case where a print job received from the host terminal 100 is transferred to another network printer 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention. Is possible. For example, instead of the network printer 200, a network compatible projector, audio device, FAX machine, or other network device having an output function can be used.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network system to which this invention is applied. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer 200. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a case where network printers 200 are grouped. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating print control processing. It is a flowchart which shows an alternative printer search process. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a header section 600 of a print job. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Host terminal, 200 ... Network printer, 300 ... Printer management server, 199 ... Network, 30 ... CPU, 32 ... ROM, 34 ... RAM, 38 ... I / F, 39 ... Bus, 40 ... Operation panel, 42 ... Memory Device 44 ... printing mechanism 600 ... header part 602 ... print request date / time information 604 ... address information 606 ... print request source information 608 ... print request destination information 610 ... intermediate language information 612 ... print setting information

Claims (11)

A network device that is communicably connected to one or a plurality of other network devices and that performs output in response to a received output request,
Output job receiving means for receiving an output job including output data, and output waiting time prediction means for predicting an output waiting time until output of the output job received by the output job receiving means is started or completed by the network device And output job transfer means for transferring the output job to the other network device based on the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction means,
The output job transfer unit transfers the output job received by the output job reception unit to the other network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. A network device characterized by A network printer that is communicably connected to one or more other network printers and performs printing in response to a received print request,
Print job receiving means for receiving a print job including print data, and print wait time predicting means for predicting a print wait time until printing of the print job received by the print job receiving means is started or completed by the network printer An alternative network printer search means for searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers, and the other network printer based on the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction means. A print job transfer means for transferring the print job to
When the print job transfer unit determines that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alternative network printer search unit searches for the print job received by the print job reception unit. A network printer characterized by being transferred to an alternative network printer. In claim 2,
Furthermore, it comprises transfer proposal information transmitting means for transmitting transfer proposal information indicating the proposal contents for the transfer of the print job to the transmission source of the print request,
When the print job transfer means receives a response to approve transfer for the print job transfer proposal, the print job transfer means transfers the print job to the alternative network printer. . In any one of Claim 2 and 3,
Further, the other network printer is divided into a plurality of printer groups, and for each printer group, group information relating to the printer group and search priority information indicating the search priority of the printer group are stored. With means,
The alternative network printer search means selects the printer group from the plurality of printer groups in descending order of search priority based on the search priority information of the group information storage means, and the group of the group information storage means A network printer, wherein the alternative network printer is searched from a selected printer group based on the information. In claim 4,
The alternative network printer search unit searches the printer group as the alternative network printer for a network printer that can handle print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job reception unit. A network printer characterized by that. In any one of Claims 4 and 5,
And a print job format conversion means for converting the format of the print job.
The print job format conversion means is a network printer capable of handling print data in the same format as the print data included in the print job received by the print job receiving means by the alternative network printer searched by the alternative network printer search means. If it is not, the print job format received by the print job receiving means is converted into a print data format that can be handled by the alternative network printer,
The network printer, wherein the print job transfer means transfers the print job converted by the print job format conversion means to the alternative network printer. In any one of Claims 2 thru | or 6,
Further, a second print standby time predicting unit that predicts a print standby time until the print job received by the print job receiving unit is started or completed by the alternative network printer, and the second print standby time predicting unit A network printer, comprising: a print standby guide information transmitting unit that transmits print standby guide information indicating the print standby time predicted in step 1 to a transmission source of the print request. A program for causing a computer that operates as a network device to connect to one or a plurality of other network devices so as to be communicable and perform output in response to a received output request,
An output job receiving means for receiving an output job including output data, an output waiting time predicting means for predicting an output waiting time until the output of the output job received by the output job receiving means is started or completed by the network device; And a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as output job transfer means for transferring the output job to the other network device based on the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction means,
The output job transfer unit transfers the output job received by the output job reception unit to the other network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted by the output standby time prediction unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. An output job transfer control program characterized by the above. A program for connecting to one or a plurality of other network printers in a communicable manner and causing a computer operating as a network printer to perform printing in response to a received print request.
A print job receiving means for receiving a print job including print data, a print wait time predicting means for predicting a print wait time until printing of the print job received by the print job receiving means is started or completed by the network printer, An alternative network printer search means for searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers, and the other network printer based on the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction means. Including a program for causing the computer to execute processing realized as a print job transfer means for transferring a print job,
When the print job transfer unit determines that the print standby time predicted by the print standby time prediction unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the alternative network printer search unit searches for the print job received by the print job reception unit. A print job transfer control program that transfers data to an issued alternative network printer. A method of communicably connecting a plurality of network devices and controlling transfer of an output job given to the network devices,
For the network device:
An output job receiving step for receiving an output job including output data;
An output waiting time prediction step for predicting an output waiting time until the output of the output job received in the output job receiving step is started or completed in the network device;
An output job transfer step of transferring the output job received in the output job reception step to another network device when it is determined that the output standby time predicted in the output standby time prediction step is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. An output job transfer control method characterized by the above. A method of connecting a plurality of network printers in a communicable manner and controlling transfer of a print job given to the network printer,
For the network printer,
A print job receiving step for receiving a print job including print data;
A print standby time prediction step for predicting a print standby time until the printing of the print job received in the print job reception step is started or completed by the network printer;
An alternative network printer search step of searching for an alternative network printer capable of processing the print job from among the other network printers;
When it is determined that the print standby time predicted in the print standby time prediction step is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the print job received in the print job reception step is transferred to the alternative network printer searched in the alternative network printer search step. And a print job transfer control step.

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