JP3125997B2 - Print information output device and print system - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print information output device and a print system capable of outputting print information to a plurality of printers.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in a printing system to which this type of print information output device can be applied, when there is data to be output by an operator, it is determined whether or not the data requires a two-sided printer, and a wireless printer to be output is determined in advance. The output process must be recognized and specified.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, if the data to be output is double-sided printing, the operator must check which printer is capable of double-sided printing when instructing output,
When the number of printers increases, a considerable search time is required until the printing process is started, and there is a problem that the printing process efficiency is significantly reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and has been made in response to a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, which is output to each of a plurality of printers by a print information output unit. Receives information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible returned from each of the plurality of printers, and, based on the received information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, determines a printer to output print information. Since the selection is made, even if there is a change in the printer resources constituting the printing system, it is possible to automatically select the most suitable printer for processing various print information accompanied by a double-sided printing request and to perform the printing process efficiently. It is an object to provide a print information output device and a print system.

[Means for solving the problem]

A print information output device according to the present invention is a print information output device capable of outputting print information to a plurality of printers, wherein the request signal causes each of the plurality of printers to output information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible. Output means for outputting information indicating whether or not the double-sided printing is possible, which is output from each of the plurality of printers in response to the request signal, and the two-sided face received by the receiving means Selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information based on information indicating whether printing is possible or not.

Further, a printing system according to the present invention is a printing system including a plurality of printers and one or more printing information output devices capable of outputting print information to each of the plurality of printers, wherein the printing information output device includes: Output means for outputting a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible to each of the plurality of printers; and the double-sided output from each of the plurality of printers in response to the request signal Receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not printing is possible; and selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information based on the information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, received by the receiving means. Each of the plurality of printers includes a response unit that transmits information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible in response to a request signal from each of the print information output devices. Is shall.

[Action]

According to the present invention, the double-sided printing capable of being output from each of the plurality of printers in response to a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible output from the output unit to each of the plurality of printers is provided. Receiving means for receiving information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible received by the receiving means, selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information, Even if the resources are changed, it is possible to automatically select the most suitable printer for processing various print information accompanied by a double-sided print request, and to perform the print processing efficiently.

Further, in a printing system including a plurality of printers and one or a plurality of print information output devices capable of outputting print information to each of the plurality of printers, the print information output device, for each of the plurality of printers Output means for outputting a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, and information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, which is output from each of the plurality of printers in response to the request signal Receiving means for receiving print data, and selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information based on information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, received by the receiving means. Each of the printers comprises a response unit for transmitting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible in response to a request signal from each of the print information output devices. Even if there is a change in the printer resource, the optimum printer to handle a variety of print information with duplex printing request is automatically selected, making it possible to efficiently print process.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an environment configuration of a printing system to which a printing information output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Reference numerals 1,2-1 to 2-N denote host computers, which are wireless communication type. Printer (wireless printer) 5-1 to 5
-N and the like and wireless communication with each other via the communication devices 3 and 4 to perform print information processing. In particular, (a) shows one host computer 1
Shows a case where a printing system is configured by a plurality of wireless printers 5-1 to 5-N, and (b) shows a case where a plurality of host computers 2-1 to 2-N include a plurality of wireless printers 5-1. 1 to 5 -N form a printing system.

In the print information output device (host computer 1, 2-1 to 2-N) according to the present invention, the receiving means (in this embodiment, the communication control device 25 (see FIG. 2))
-1 to 5-N, which indicates whether or not double-sided printing is possible, is selected, and the selection means (in this embodiment, the CPU 22 (second
Based on the information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, which is received by the communication control device 25, a printer to which print information is to be output is selected, and printing processing is started.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the configuration of the host computer 1 shown in FIG.
, And controls each device connected to the system bus based on the control program stored in the system.

A RAM 24 has a communication control program 24a, an output control program 24b, an output job control table 24c, and a printer management table 24d.

The communication control device 25 is connected to each of the wireless printers 5-1 to 5
-N is a device that controls transmission and reception with the communication control program
Controlled by 24a. Reference numeral 28 denotes a magnetic disk device for temporarily storing output jobs arranged in a predetermined output format. The CRT display 26 displays an error status and the like, and the keyboard 27 allows the operator to input commands such as output instructions.

FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the configuration of the wireless printer shown in FIG. 1, and shows, for example, the case of the wireless printer 5-1.

In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes a CPU, which comprehensively controls each device connected to a system bus based on a control program stored in a ROM 33. A RAM 34 has a communication control program 34a, a data analysis and development program 34b, and a print control program 34c.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a communication control device, each of which is a host computer 1,2-1.
And a device that controls transmission and reception to / from 2-N, and is controlled by the communication control program 34a. 36 is an output unit, 37 is an output expansion memory, and 38 is an input unit.

FIG. 4 shows the output job control table 24 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of c, which is composed of a job name, double-sided / single-sided information, and a printer ID.

FIG. 5 shows the printer management table 24d shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printer, and is composed of a printer ID, a printer status, and the like.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a message transmitted from the host computer shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of a printer ID, a command, a host ID, data, and the like.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a response message from the printer shown in FIG. 1, and is composed of a host ID, a printer ID, a response content, additional information, and the like.

Hereinafter, the data processing operation of the host computer will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of a host computer in a printing system to which the print information output device according to the present invention can be applied. (1)
(11) shows each step.

When the operator issues an output instruction from the keyboard 27 (1), the command (printer management table 24d (see FIG. 5) is checked, a printer in a FREE (unused) state is searched, and the data formation shown in FIG. 6 is performed. A message is created and transmitted to the printer via the communication control program 24a. At this time, a command indicating a print request is set in the command field.) (2), and a certain time elapses In the meantime, it is determined whether a response from the printer has been obtained (3). If NO, the printer status in the printer management table 24d is set to Not Ready, and a print request command is returned to the next printer ID.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (3) is YES, it is determined whether printing is possible (4). If YES (affirmative response), double-sided printing information set in the additional information of the response message is analyzed to perform double-sided printing. It is determined whether or not the output job control table 24c is available.
Then, a process of registering an output job name and a printer ID to the effect of double-sided printing (see FIG. 4) is performed (5).

On the other hand, if NO in steps (3) and (4), the process proceeds to step (10) to execute predetermined error processing.

Next, it is determined whether there is any output data to be transmitted (6). If NO, an end process for transmitting a print end command to the printer is executed (11). If YES, transfer of the print data is started (7). ), It is determined from the printer response status whether the next block is requested (8). If YES, the process returns to step (6). If NO, it is determined that an error has occurred, and a predetermined error handling process is executed (9). .

Next, the printer management table 24d (see FIG. 5) is checked, a printer in a FREE (unused) state is searched, a message for data formation shown in FIG. 6 is created, and the message is sent to the printer via the communication control program 24a. Send. At this time, a command meaning a print request is set in the command column.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of a printer in a printing system to which a print information output device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. (1)
(12) shows each step.

It waits for a command from the host computer (1), and determines whether the printer ID in the message matches its own ID. If they match, the item of the request command of the message is checked (2). If the command is invalid, an error response is made (3).
Return to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that a print data transmission command has been received, it is determined whether an error (jam, no paper, etc.) has occurred in the printer (4), and if YES, an error response is returned. (5) Return to step (1).

On the other hand, if the determination in step (4) is NO, data analysis, image development, and transfer to the output unit (6), a next block request response is performed (7), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the request command is a print request command, it is determined whether or not print is acceptable (8). If NO, a negative response is returned (9). Return to 1), if YES, 7th
An acknowledgment (message indicating whether or not the printer can perform double-sided printing is set in the additional information of the message at this time) is returned to the host computer with a message of the format shown in FIG. Return to).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the request command is the end of the print data, the process waits for discharge (1).
1), responds the end to the host computer (12), and returns to step (1).

In the above embodiment, when a print request is transmitted to all printers registered in the printer management table 24d, and no suitable printer is found,
Although the case where the retry is performed many times has been described, an operator call may be made.

Also, a printer with the desired print speed happens to
In the BUSY state, that is, when the output job is used by another host computer, the output job is spooled in the magnetic disk device 28 of the host computer or the magnetic disk device 28 of the printer, and the status of the printer is changed to FR.
If printing is performed at the time of EE, further improvement in print processing efficiency can be expected.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, each of the plurality of printers responds to the request signal for outputting the information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, which is output by the output unit, to each of the plurality of printers. Receiving means receives the output information indicating whether double-sided printing is possible or not, and the selecting means should output print information based on the information received by the receiving means indicating whether double-sided printing is possible. Since a printer is selected, even if there is a change in printer resources, it is possible to automatically select an optimal printer for processing various types of print information accompanied by a double-sided printing request, and perform print processing efficiently.

Further, in a printing system including a plurality of printers and one or a plurality of print information output devices capable of outputting print information to each of the plurality of printers, the print information output device, for each of the plurality of printers Output means for outputting a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, and information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, which is output from each of the plurality of printers in response to the request signal Receiving means for receiving print data, and selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information based on information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, received by the receiving means. Each includes a response unit that transmits information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible in response to a request signal from each of the print information output devices, so that a printing system is configured. Even if there is a change in the printer resource can best printer to handle a variety of print information with duplex printing request is automatically selected, efficiently printing process.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an environment configuration of a printing system to which a printing information output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied;
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the configuration of the host computer shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a circuit block diagram for explaining the configuration of the wireless printer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the output job control table shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the printer management table shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is the host computer shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a message transmitted from a printer, FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of a response message from the printer shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is a print information output apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure of a host computer according to a possible printing system. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing data of a printer according to a printing system to which a printing information output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. Is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure. In the figure, 1,2-1 to 2-N are a host computer and 5-1.
５−5-N are printers.

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-99377 (JP, A) JP-A-2-16626 (JP, A) JP-A-63-163627 (JP, A) JP-A-1-230122 (JP) JP-A-63-84954 (JP, A) JP-A-2-181219 (JP, A) JP-A-2-110625 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A print information output apparatus capable of outputting print information to a plurality of printers, wherein said output means outputs a request signal to each of said plurality of printers to output information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible. Receiving means for receiving, from each of the plurality of printers, the information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, in response to the request signal; and whether or not the double-sided printing received by the receiving means is possible. And a selection unit for selecting a printer to output print information based on the information indicating the print information. 2. A printing system comprising: a plurality of printers; and one or more print information output devices capable of outputting print information to each of the plurality of printers. Output means for outputting a request signal for outputting information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, and whether or not the double-sided printing is output from each of the plurality of printers in response to the request signal Receiving means for receiving information indicating the printer, and selecting means for selecting a printer to output print information based on the information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible, received by the receiving means. Each of the printers includes a response unit that transmits information indicating whether or not double-sided printing is possible in response to a request signal from each of the print information output devices. System.