JP4549927B2 - Printing system and printing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system including an image processing apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network, and a printing apparatus.

  In recent years, printing apparatuses have been improved in resolution, gradation, or color, and the amount of print data necessary for printing is constantly increasing. Along with the increase in print data, the printing mechanism using an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system has been accelerated so that printing can be performed in a short time.

  Such a printing apparatus is directly connected to a network and is increasingly shared by a plurality of users. In this case, each user performs printing by sending print data from a terminal device such as a personal computer to a printing device connected to the network. However, compared with the above-described increase in the speed of the printing mechanism, the transfer speed of print data is limited by a transmission medium such as a cable forming a network, a transfer protocol, or a communication amount (traffic) on the transmission medium. . In the printing environment as described above, a printing result may not be obtained if a problem such as running out of paper or a paper jam occurs in the printing apparatus to which the print data is transmitted. In such a case, after resolving the problem of the printing apparatus, the print data is retransmitted, or the same data is retransmitted to another printer connected to the network.

  On the other hand, there is a printer that receives print data once by a print server device directly connected to a network, and selects and prints one of a plurality of printers connected to the print server device (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-56751 (page 4-5, FIG. 2)

  However, even when a plurality of printing apparatuses are provided as described above, if a problem occurs in the first selected printing apparatus, print data must be transmitted again to another printing apparatus, which is limited. In combination with the transfer speed, there is a problem that it takes time until a print result is obtained.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and even if the printing apparatus designated for printing initially cannot execute the designated printing to the end due to some inconvenience, it is immediately performed by another printing apparatus. A printing device that can immediately execute printing by another printing device without any extra time even if there is any trouble with the designated printing device by executing the printing of the period, and To provide a printing system.

A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system including an image processing apparatus connected to a network and a plurality of printing apparatuses.
The image processing apparatus selects an identification information storage unit that preliminarily stores identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing apparatuses and a plurality of identification information stored in the identification information storage unit Means and a transmission means for transmitting print data to a printing apparatus corresponding to the identification information selected by the selection means, and when executing printing by any one of the plurality of printing apparatuses, Transmitting the same print data to the printing apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of identification information stored in the identification information storage means;
The printing apparatus includes: a determination unit that determines whether or not the printing apparatus is printable; a print data storage unit that stores the print data transmitted by the image processing apparatus; and the print data stored in the print data storage unit. and printing means for printing data, if the own apparatus determines whether the printing apparatus der Luke not specified printed, it is determined that the Ru printing apparatus der the apparatus itself is specified printed, said determining means based on the determination, it instructs the printing of the print data to said printing means, and / or based on the determination of the determination means, and notifies the substitute request for requesting the substitute printing on other printing apparatus, the own device Control means for holding the print data in the print data storage means and holding the print instruction to the print means when it is determined that is not a printing apparatus designated for printing .

Another printing system according to the present invention is a printing system including an image processing apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network.
The image processing apparatus associates identification information for identifying each of a plurality of predetermined printing apparatuses among the printing apparatuses connected to the network and a plurality of designations stored in advance in association with a plurality of designation identification information common to the identification information. An identification information storage means; a selection means for selecting multiple designation identification information related to the identification information from the multiple designation identification information storage means based on the identification information of the printing device to be printed; and the selection means selected by the selection means Transmission means for transmitting, together with print data, the identification information of the printing device designated for printing to a printing device corresponding to the plurality of designated identification information,
The printing apparatus includes a judging means for judging printability state of the printing apparatus, and the target identification information storage means for storing each identification information of a plurality designated identification information included identification information of own apparatus, wherein the target identification information Based on the determination results by the identification information determination means for comparing each identification information stored in the storage means with the identification information as the transmission destination address of the received print data, and the determination result by the identification information determination means Receiving means for receiving the printing data and identification information of the printing apparatus designated for printing; and printing data storage means for storing the printing data received by the receiving means and identification information of the printing apparatus designated for printing; and printing means for printing the print data stored in the print data storage unit, identification information of the own device in the printing designated by the printing device When match is based on the determination of the determination means instructs the printing of the print data to said printing means, and / or based on the determination of the determination means, the substitute printing to the other printing device And a control means for notifying the request for substitution and holding the print data in the print data storage means and holding the print instruction to the print means when the identification information matches with the identification information of the other device. It is characterized by.

A printing apparatus according to the present invention is a printing apparatus connected to a network.
Determination means for determining whether or not the printing apparatus is printable; and printing apparatus identification storage means for preliminarily storing identification information for identifying each of a plurality of predetermined printing apparatuses among the printing apparatuses connected to the network. The identification information stored in the printing apparatus identification storage means and the identification information determination means for comparing the identification information as the transmission destination address of the received print data, and the print data based on the determination result by the identification information determination means Receiving means, print data storage means for storing the print data received by the receiving means, printing means for printing the print data stored in the print data storage means, and the received print data the identification information of the own device determines whether to agree, if they match, based on the determination of the determination means, prior to said printing means It instructs printing of the print data, and / or based on the determination of the determination means, and notifies the substitute request for requesting the substitute printing on other printing apparatus, if they do not match, the print data storage means And a control unit that holds the print data and holds a print instruction to the printing unit.

  According to the present invention, when there is some trouble in the printing apparatus designated for printing first and printing cannot be executed or printing cannot be completed, printing is immediately performed by the alternative printing apparatus without transmitting the print data again. Can be executed.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the block diagram, the printing system 1 includes a network 2 and an image processing device 3 as a host device and two printers 4 and 5 as printing devices that are connected to the network 2 and connected to each other. Have

  The image processing apparatus 3 includes a host communication unit 11 and a printer driver 12 corresponding to a transmission unit, a selector 13 corresponding to a selection unit, an input device 14, an address list storage unit 15 corresponding to an identification information storage unit, and a print data storage unit. 16 and a display device 17.

  As will be described later, the address list storage unit 15 stores the network addresses (identification information) of the two printers 4 and 5 in an alternative relationship as an address list ASP, and transmits the stored contents to the selector 13 and the printer driver 12. Each time the selector 13 receives an address request DSA from the printer driver 12, the selector 13 sequentially selects a network address of each printer from the address list stored in the address list storage unit 15 in a predetermined order, and selects the printer driver 12 as selection address data SDA. Output to. The input device 14 generates a print command IDA according to the input and outputs it to the printer driver 12. The print data stored in the print data storage unit 16 is transmitted to the printer driver 12 as data to be printed by the printer 4 or 5.

As will be described later, the printer driver 12 transmits a print data string PPB (not shown) to be described later for each network address of the address list ASP transmitted from the address list storage unit 15 in one printing operation. The transmission data DHA is output to the host communication unit 11 . For this reason, the printer driver 12 first ranks the network addresses in the address list ASP, and prints the print data string PPB in which the ranked address list (print order information) is added to the print data PPA input from the print data storage unit 16. (Print data PPA + ordered address list) is generated. Then, the address request DSA is output to the selector 13 by the number of network addresses in the address list ASP, and the network address selected in a predetermined order is input as selection address data SDA each time it is output. Each time the selected network address is input, the transmission data DHA given to the print data string PPB is sequentially output to the host communication unit 11 using the input network address as transmission destination data.

  On the other hand, as will be described later, the printer driver 12 outputs a message obtained from input data input from the host communication unit 11 to the display device 17 as necessary, and the display device 17 displays the input message.

  The host communication unit 11 receives the transmission data DHA from the printer driver 12, processes it according to the communication protocol of the network 2 and outputs it to the network 2 in order to transmit the print data string PPB to the designated network address. On the other hand, the host communication unit 11 takes in data of a specific address addressed to or including the address from the network 2 and outputs, for example, the above-described message included in the data to the printer driver 12 according to the data content.

  The printers 4 and 5 each have an internal bus 21, a printer communication unit 22 and a CPU 25 as control means connected to the internal bus 21 and exchange data with each other, a RAM 23 as print data storage means, and a determination means. , An internal state determination unit 24, a ROM 26, an image forming processing unit 27 as a printing unit, and a printing mechanism unit 28.

  The printers 4 and 5 have the same configuration. Therefore, although the internal configuration of the printer 4 will be described below as an example here, the configuration described here also applies to the printer 5. The CPU 25 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 26 or the RAM 23, and controls the overall operation of the printer 4 as will be described later. The printer communication unit 22 processes the transmission data of the printer 4 according to the communication protocol of the network 2 and outputs the processed data to the network 2. On the other hand, the printer communication unit 23 takes in data of a specific address addressed to the self address or includes the self from the network 2 and stores it in the RAM 23 according to the data content.

  The internal state determination unit 24 sequentially determines whether or not the printer itself can print, temporarily stores the determined determination result in its storage unit (not shown), and sequentially determines it according to a request from the CPU 25 as will be described later. Send the result. The image formation processing unit 27 reads the print data from the RAM 23, forms an image, and outputs the result to the printing mechanism 28. The printing mechanism 28 executes printing according to the image formation result from the image formation processing unit 27.

  With the above configuration, the operation of the printing system 1 will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image processing apparatus 3. First, the operation of the image processing apparatus 3 will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

  The print start operation by the image processing device 3 is performed according to a print command IDA output from the input device 14 when the operator operates an input panel (not shown) of the input device 14, for example.

  Upon receiving the print command IDA, the printer driver 12 first takes in the print data PPA from the print data storage unit 16, orders the list of network addresses of the printers 4 and 5 in the address list ASP, and lists the ordered network addresses. Are assigned to the print data PPA as an ordered address list (step ST101), and a print data string PPB is generated.

Next, the printer driver 12 issues an address request DSA to the selector 13. The selector 13 selects one network address from the address list ASP as a response to the address request DSA, and sends it to the printer driver 12 as selected address data SDA. Output (step ST102). Here, the network address of the printer 4 is selected as the selection address data SDA. Next, the printer driver 12 sends to the host communication unit 11 the transmission data DHA given to the print data string PPB using the network address of the printer 4 obtained as the selection address data SDA from the selector 13 as the transmission destination data. In order to transmit the print data string PPB to the designated network address, it is processed according to the communication protocol of the network 2 and output to the network 2 (step ST103).
Here, it is transmitted to the network address of the printer 4 selected previously.

  Next, the printer driver 12 determines whether or not the print data string PPB has been transmitted to all the printers (step ST104), but since it has not yet been transmitted to the printer 5, the printer 5 is again selected as the selected address data SDA. The process returns to step ST102 to obtain the next network address to be designated. Then, the printer driver 12 issues an address request DSA to the selector 13 in the same manner as when the print data string PPB is transmitted to the printer 4, and obtains the network address of the printer 5 from the selector 13 as selected address data SDA (step ST102). Similarly, after that, the printer driver 12 sends the transmission data DHA added to the print data string PPB to the host communication unit 11 using the network address of the printer 5 obtained as the selection address data SDA from the selector 13 as transmission destination data. The communication unit 11 processes the print data string PPB to the designated network address according to the communication protocol of the network 2 and outputs it to the network 2 (step ST103). Here, it is transmitted to the network address of the printer 5 selected previously.

  The printer driver 12 determines again whether or not the print data string PPB has been transmitted to all the printers (step ST104). In the example of the present embodiment, since only the network addresses of the printer 4 and the printer 5 exist in the address list ASP, it is determined here that the print data string PPB has been transmitted to all of them.

  In this example, the selector 13 selects the next printer after the transmission of the print data string PPB to the preceding printer is completed. However, the transmission of the print data string PPB to the previous printer is performed. It may be configured to start and select the next printer during its transmission.

  Up to this point, the image processing apparatus 3 completes the transmission of the print data string PPB (print data PPA + ordered address list) to each printer, and thereafter, the print data PPA by the printers 4 and 5 as described later is transmitted. It corresponds to the action that occurs with the printing process.

  That is, the printer driver 12 subsequently acquires data received from the network 2 from the host communication unit 11 (step ST105), and determines whether there is a notification from the printer 4 or 5 in the acquired data (step ST105). ST106) If not, the process returns to step S105 where the data received from the network 2 is obtained again from the host communication unit 11, and these steps are repeated until notification from the printers 4 and 5 is received. To monitor.

  If there is a notification from the printer 4 or 5, the printer driver 12 determines whether or not the notification from the printer 4 or 5 is a print completion notification (step ST 107). Is completed and printing is terminated. If the notification is other than that, the notification content from the printer 4 or the printer 5 is interpreted. For example, if the content is a message displayed on the display device 17, a message is output to the display device 17 (step ST108), and again. Returning to step ST105, the above-described steps ST105 to ST108 are repeated, and notifications from the printers 4 and 5 are monitored until printing is completed.

  Through the above operation, the same print data string PPB is transmitted to the printers 4 and 5, and printing is terminated when a notification of printing completion is received from either the printer 4 or the printer 5.

  3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations of the printers 4 and 5 in the printing system of the present embodiment, and printing transmitted by the image processing apparatus 3 in step ST103 of the flowchart shown in FIG. This is implemented by receiving a data string PPB (print data PPA + ordered address list). Here, the flow will be described below with a focus on the operation of the printer 4 assuming that the printer 4 is first ranked as the first printer to try printing and can be printed without any trouble. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  First, the print data string PPB received by the printer communication unit 22 of the printer 4 is stored in the RAM 23 (FIG. 3, step ST201). At this time, it is possible to wait until all the print data strings are received, or to proceed to the next while receiving the continuation of the print data strings.

  Next, the CPU 25 obtains an ordered address list given by the printer driver 12 of the image processing apparatus 3 from the print data string PPB stored in the RAM 23, and compares its own print order with its own network address. Is obtained (step S202 in FIG. 3). Here, since the printer 4 is ranked as the first printer to try printing, the order obtained here is the top priority. Here, for the sake of convenience, the highest priority order is defined as number 1, but other methods may be used as long as the same order is not assigned to two or more printers at the same time. Further, although the CPU 25 obtains its own rank from the ordered address list, other methods may be used as long as the own rank can be obtained.

  Next, it determines the order of its own previously obtained, and determines whether or not to try printing first (FIG. 3, step ST203). If the order is No. 1, it is determined that printing is attempted first, otherwise printing is suspended. Here, since the printer 4 has obtained the highest priority order, it determines that printing is attempted first.

  When it is determined that printing is attempted first, the CPU 25 reads out the determination result of the printer's own print availability state stored in the internal state determination unit 24 (FIG. 4, step ST204), and whether or not printing is possible. (Step ST205 in FIG. 4). If printing is possible, the print data PPA in the RAM 23 is sent to the image forming processing unit 27. The image formation processing unit 27 forms image formation data based on the print data, and sequentially sends it to the printing mechanism 28 to execute printing (FIG. 4, step ST206).

  Here, a case where no trouble has occurred in the printer 4 will be described first. Next, the CPU 25 reads out the determination result of the printability state of the printer itself, which is stored again in the internal state determination unit 24 (FIG. 4, step ST207), and determines whether printing is possible (FIG. 4). Step ST208). The printability state here is based on a state in the middle of printing after printing is started. If it is determined in this determination that there is a problem during printing, for example, the occurrence of out of paper, an alternative request described later is started. Here, a description will be given assuming that no trouble has occurred in the printer 4 during printing.

  In this case, it is determined whether or not printing by the image forming processing unit 27 and the printing mechanism 28 is completed (FIG. 4, step ST219). If not completed, the process returns to step ST207, and steps ST207, 208, and 219 are performed. repeat. As a result, while printing is being executed, the print availability state and the print completion are always monitored. For example, if it is determined that a printing failure has occurred and printing is not possible before printing is completed (step ST208 in FIG. 4), an alternative request described later is started at that point.

  Eventually, when the completion of printing is confirmed (FIG. 4, step ST219), the CPU 25 of the printer 4 notifies the image processing apparatus 3 and the printer 5 of the completion of printing (FIG. 4, step ST220). As a result, the image processing apparatus 3 determines the completion of printing (step ST107 in FIG. 2 described above). On the other hand, in the printer 5, an operation based on the same flowchart as that of the printer 4 is in progress. For this reason, the printer 5 confirms the end of printing by the printer 4 in step ST223 shown in FIG. The printer 4 finally discards all the print data PPB in the RAM 23 (FIG. 4, step ST221) and completes the printing operation.

  Next, a case where a problem occurs in the printer 4 during printing will be described. As described above, the steps ST207, 208, and 219 are repeated until the printing is completed after the printing is started. With this, while printing is being executed, the printable / unprintable state and the print completion are constantly monitored. . If it is determined that a printing failure has occurred and printing is not possible before printing is complete (FIG. 4, step ST208), the operation of the printing mechanism 28 is stopped (FIG. 4, step ST209), and printing as the printer 4 is performed. Is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next step ST210. Before starting printing, the determination result of the printability state of the printer itself stored in the internal state determination unit 24 is read (FIG. 4, step ST204), and when it is determined that printing is impossible (FIG. 4, Step ST205) also proceeds to step ST210.

  As described above, when printing by the printer 4 is impossible, or when the printing is interrupted after the execution of printing, the CPU 25 of the printer 4 uses the ordered address list given to the print data PPA in the RAM 23 as a printing alternative candidate. The next printer 5 is selected (FIG. 4, step ST210). Here, as a method of selecting an alternative candidate, the selection is made in accordance with the order defined in the ordering address list for convenience. However, print data is sent from the image processing apparatus 3 other than the printer 4 in which the problem has occurred. If one of the printers is selected, it may be selected by other methods.

  Next, a substitute request notification is transmitted to the network address of the printer 5 selected from the ordered address list given to the print data PPA in the RAM 23 (FIG. 4, step ST211), and the response is received (FIG. 4). 4, step ST212). It is determined whether or not the response to the received substitute request is accepted (FIG. 4, step ST213). If accepted, the image processing apparatus 3 is notified that substitute printing has occurred (FIG. 4, step ST229). At this time, the image processing device 3 interprets the notification content from the printer 4 as described above and outputs a message to the display device 17 (step ST108 in FIG. 2). Thereafter, the printer 5 tries printing. On the other hand, if the received response to the substitution request is rejected, it is determined whether or not all printers in the ordered address list assigned to the print data PPA in the RAM 23 have been rejected (FIG. 4, step ST214).

  Here, since there are two printers 4 and 5, there is one alternative candidate, but when there are three or more printers, the printer 4 is assigned to the print data PPA in the RAM 23. The next-order printer is selected again from the ordered address list (FIG. 4, step ST210), and a request for alternative printing is made to another printer capable of performing alternative printing.

  Here, since it is determined that the printer 4 cannot print, and the printer 5 rejects the replacement request, it is determined that all of the replacement-related printers cannot be printed. A defect improvement request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 3 (FIG. 4, step ST215). The image processing device 3 interprets the notification content from the printer 4 and outputs a message corresponding to the defect improvement request to the display device 28 (step ST108 in FIG. 2).

  Next, in response to the transmission of the defect improvement request to the image processing apparatus 3 (FIG. 4, step ST215), for example, the operator confirms whether or not the problem of the printer (printer 4) has been resolved. The CPU 25 reads the internal state determination unit 24, acquires the current print availability state of the printer 4 (FIG. 4, step ST216), and determines whether or not printing is possible (FIG. 4, step ST217).

  Here, if it is determined that printing is possible, it determines whether or not it is in a state where printing has started (FIG. 4, step ST218). If it is determined that printing has not started, the process returns to step ST206. Then, the print data PPA in the RAM 23 is sent to the image formation processing unit 27, and the image formation processing unit 27 performs image formation based on the print data PPA, and the image formation data is sequentially sent to the printing mechanism 28. Printing is started. On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST218 that the printing has been interrupted in a state where printing has already started, the process returns to step ST207 until the printing mechanism 28 resumes printing and determines that printing is complete. The determination of the occurrence of a problem during printing (FIG. 4, step ST207) and the determination of completion of printing (FIG. 4, step ST208) are repeated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step ST217 that the current printer 4 is still unprintable, the process returns to step ST210 to check whether other printers are ready for printing, and other printers can print. In this case, the processing from step ST210 to step ST217 for executing printing with the alternative printer is repeated. Therefore, when all the printers having alternative relations cannot be printed, the check of all the printers is repeated until one of the printers can print and printing is executed.

next,
(1) When the print data string PPB is received and determined in step ST203 (FIG. 3), it is determined that the printer is not the printer that performs printing with the highest priority, and the execution of printing is suspended. Or (2) an operation after the substitution is accepted in the determination of step ST213 (FIG. 4),
Will be described.
The operation based on the same flowchart as that of the printer 4 is also advancing in the printer 5. Here, the printer 5 corresponds to the case (1) and the printer 4 corresponds to the case (2).

  First, data received from the network 2 is acquired from the printer communication unit 22 (FIG. 3, step ST222). It is determined whether or not the acquired data includes a print completion notification from another printer (FIG. 3, step ST223). If there is a print completion notification, it is determined that printing has been completed, and the print data in the RAM 23 is determined. All the columns PPB are discarded (step ST221 in FIG. 4), and the printer operation is completed.

  On the other hand, if there is no notification of printing completion in the acquired data, it is determined whether there is a notification of an alternative request from another printer for the same data (FIG. 4, step ST224). If there is no notification of the replacement request, the process returns to step ST222 again, and the above-described steps ST222 to ST224 are repeated to constantly monitor whether the print completion notification or the replacement request notification is received. Here, when the notification of the substitution request from another printer is received, the CPU 25 reads out the determination result of the printable state of the printer itself stored in the internal state determination unit 24 (FIG. 3, step ST225), and prints. It is determined whether or not it is possible (FIG. 3, step ST226).

  If it is determined that printing is possible, a response to accept the substitution request is sent to the printer that sent the substitution request notification (step ST227 in FIG. 3), and the print data PPA in the RAM 23 is sent to the image forming processing unit 27. Then, image formation based on the print data is performed in the image formation processing unit 27, and the image formation data is sequentially sent to the printing mechanism 28 and printing is started (FIG. 4, step ST206).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that printing is not possible, a response to deny the substitution request is sent to the printer that sent the substitution request notification (FIG. 3, step ST228), and the process returns to step ST222 again. Steps ST226 and ST227 are repeated, and the above-described confirmation of received data and processing according to the contents are executed.

  According to the above operation, when a problem occurs in the printers 4 and 5, the replacement request is made with each other as a replacement candidate, and the printer that accepts the replacement request performs the printing to complete the printing.

  As described above, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, the print data is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the alternative candidate printer in advance, so that a problem occurs in the printer designated by the image processing apparatus. Even in this case, it is possible to immediately execute printing in the alternative printer by simply exchanging the notification of the substitution request and the acceptance of the substitution request. For this reason, even in the case of alternative printing, the time from the printing instruction in the image processing apparatus to the completion of printing can be shortened.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the block diagram, the printing system 31 includes a network 32 and an image processing device 33 serving as a host device connected to the network 32, and two printers 34 and 35 serving as printing devices. Have

  The image processing apparatus 33 is a partial function of the image forming apparatus 3 (FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, and is a function provided in a normal image processing apparatus, that is, according to an instruction from an operator, for example. A function of processing the print data PPA according to the communication protocol of the network 32 and outputting the print data PPA to the network 32 in order to transmit the print data PPA to a designated network address (an apparatus connected to the network, for example, an address unique to the printer). To do.

  Each of the printers 34 and 35 corresponds to an internal bus 41, an alternative candidate list storage unit 42 corresponding to a printing apparatus identification storage unit, and an identification information determination unit that are connected to the internal bus 41 and exchange data with each other. A destination determination unit 43, a printer reception unit 44 corresponding to a reception unit, a RAM 46 corresponding to a print data storage unit, an internal state determination unit 24, a CPU 47 and a printer transmission unit 45 corresponding to a control unit, a ROM 48, an image formation processing unit 27, And a printing mechanism 28. Of these, those having the same functions as those of the printer described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The printers 34 and 35 have the same configuration. Accordingly, the internal configuration of the printer 34 will be described below as an example, but the configuration described here also applies to the printer 35. The CPU 47 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 48 or the RAM 46, and controls the overall operation of the printing apparatus 34, as will be described later. The printer transmission unit 45 processes transmission data to be transmitted from the printer 34 according to the communication protocol of the network 32 and outputs the processed data to the network 32.

  The alternative candidate list storage unit 42 stores in advance the network addresses of printers that are connected to the network 32 and have an alternative relationship, and transmits the alternative candidate list DAA to the destination determination unit 43. For example, 34 and 35 are printers in an alternative relationship in the present embodiment. Accordingly, the alternative candidate list storage unit 42 stores two network addresses of the printer 34 and the printer 35 as an alternative candidate list.

  The printer receiving unit 44 receives data from the network 32 and transmits a network address indicating a transmission destination of the received data to the destination determining unit 43 as a destination address PAA. The destination determination unit 43 compares the destination address PAA and the network address of the alternative candidate list DAA, and if either of the destination address PAA and the network address of the alternative candidate list DAA match, the “match signal” indicating the match as the determination result APB Is output, and if it does not match, a “mismatch signal” indicating a mismatch is output. The printer receiving unit 44 receives all of the input data when the reception determination APB matches, and discards the data when they do not match.

  The internal state determination unit 24 sequentially determines whether or not the printer itself can print, temporarily stores the determined determination result in its storage unit (not shown), and sequentially determines it according to a request from the CPU 47 as will be described later. Send the result. The image formation processing unit 27 reads the print data from the RAM 46, performs image formation, and outputs the result to the printing mechanism 28. The printing mechanism 28 executes printing according to the image formation result from the image formation processing unit 27.

  In the above configuration, the operation of the printing system 31 will be described below. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations of the printers 34 and 35 in the printing system of the present embodiment, and are implemented by receiving print data PPA from the image processing apparatus 34. FIG. Here, the flow will be described below focusing on the operation of the printer 34 assuming that the printer 34 is designated as the destination of the print data and printing can be performed without any trouble. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  First, a network address indicating a transmission destination of print data received by the printer reception unit 44 of the printer 34 is acquired as a destination address PAA (FIG. 6, step ST301), and is output to the destination determination unit 43. Next, the destination determination unit 43 determines whether each network address in the alternative candidate list DAA stored in the alternative candidate list storage unit 42 matches the destination address PAA (FIG. 6, step ST302). If it is determined, the determination result APB indicating inconsistency is output to the printer receiving unit 44 and reception is not permitted, and the operation is terminated. At this time, the receiving unit 44 receives the determination result APB indicating inconsistency and discards the input print data.

  On the other hand, when the destination determination unit 43 determines that there is a match in step ST302 and outputs a determination result APB indicating the match to the printer reception unit 44, the print data PPA received by the printer reception unit 44 is stored in the RAM 46 (FIG. 6, step ST303). At this time, it is possible to wait until all the print data is received, or to proceed to the next while receiving the continuation of the print data.

  In the alternative candidate list storage unit 43 of the printer 34 and the printer 35, the network addresses of the printer 34 and the printer 35 are stored as an alternative candidate list DAA, and the print data sent to the printer 34 and the printer 35 is described above. As described above, both are permitted to receive and are stored in the respective RAMs 46. At this time, the printer 35 saves the print data PPA in the RAM 46. However, since the print data PPA is not the destination of the print data PPA as will be described later, for example, when a reception error occurs, a part of the data is separately retransmitted to the transmission source. Or a part of the data is transferred from another printer having correct print data.

  Next, the CPU 47 determines whether the print data stored in the RAM 46 is addressed to its own printer depending on whether the destination of the print data stored in the RAM 46, that is, the network address indicating the transmission destination matches the network address of its own. (Step ST304 in FIG. 6). If the print data is destined for its own printer, printing is attempted as will be described later, otherwise printing is suspended. Here, since the destination of the print data matches the network address of the printer 34, the printer 34 tries to print first. On the other hand, the printer 35 performs the printing because the destination address PAA of the print data does not match the network address of the printer. Hold on.

  Thereafter, substantially the same operation as the operation after step ST204 in the operation flowchart (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the printers 4 and 5 (FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment is executed. Therefore, the detailed description here at each step where the operation description overlaps is omitted, and the main points of the operation flow will be described below.

  Here, a case where the printer 34 can perform printing without problems will be described first. When it is determined in step ST304 (FIG. 6) that the printing is attempted, the CPU 47 reads out the determination result of the printable state of the printer itself stored in the internal state determination unit 24 before starting printing (FIG. 7, step ST305). ), It is determined whether printing is possible (FIG. 7, step ST306). If printing is possible, the print data PPA in the RAM 46 is sent to the image formation processing unit 27. The image forming processing unit 27 forms image forming data based on the print data, and sequentially sends it to the printing mechanism 28 to execute printing (FIG. 7, step ST307).

  Even after printing is started, as in the case of the printer 4 in the first embodiment described above, determination of occurrence of a problem during printing (FIG. 7, steps ST308 and 309) and completion of printing are performed by repeating steps ST308, 309, and 320. The determination (FIG. 7, step ST320) is sequentially performed, and while printing is being performed, the print availability state and the print completion are always monitored. Further, after printing is completed, similarly to the printer 4 in the first embodiment, a print completion notification is transmitted (FIG. 7, step ST321), and the print data is discarded (FIG. 7, step ST322). Is completed.

  Next, a case where a problem occurs in the printer 34 during printing will be described. As described above, the steps ST308, 309, and 320 are repeated until the printing is completed after the printing is started. As a result, while printing is being performed, the printable / unprintable state and the printing completion are always monitored. . If a printing failure occurs before printing is completed and it is determined that printing is not possible (FIG. 7, step ST309), the operation of the printing mechanism 28 is stopped (FIG. 7, step ST310), and printing as the printer 34 is performed. Is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next step ST311. Before starting printing, the determination result of the printability state of the printer itself stored in the internal state determination unit 24 is read (FIG. 7, step ST305), and it is determined that printing is impossible (FIG. 7, Step ST306) also proceeds to step ST311.

  When printing by the printer 34 cannot be started, or when a failure occurs after printing is executed and the processing is interrupted, the CPU 47 of the printer 34 replaces the replacement candidate list DAA stored in the replacement candidate list storage unit 42 with a replacement relationship. The network address is acquired and a printer as a candidate for substitution is selected (FIG. 7, step ST311). In this case, since there is only the network address of the printer 35 in addition to the network address of the printer 34 which is itself, the network address of the printer 35 is selected.

  Next, a notification of an alternative request is transmitted to the network address of the selected printer 35 (FIG. 7, step ST312), and a response is received (FIG. 7, step ST313). It is determined whether or not the response to the received substitute request is accepted (FIG. 7, step ST314). If accepted, the image processing apparatus 33 is notified that substitute printing has occurred (FIG. 7, step ST330). Thereafter, as will be described later, the printer 35 attempts printing. On the other hand, if the received response to the replacement request is rejected, it is determined whether or not all printers corresponding to the network addresses in the replacement candidate list DAA have rejected (FIG. 7, step ST315).

  Here, since it is determined that the printer 34 is not printable and the printer 35 rejects the replacement request, it is determined that all of the replacement-related printers are not printable. A defect improvement request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 33 (FIG. 7, step ST316), and thereafter, as with the printer 4 in the first embodiment, printing can be performed with confidence until one of the printers can perform printing. The determination of the availability state (FIG. 7, steps ST317 and 318) and the replacement request to other printers (FIG. 7, steps ST311, 312, 313 and 314) are repeated.

next,
(1) Operation when the print data PPA is received and it is determined in step ST304 (FIG. 6) that the print data is not addressed to its own printer and printing is suspended, or (2) Operation after the substitution is accepted in the determination of step ST314 (FIG. 7) described above,
Will be described.
The printer 35 is also operated based on the same flowchart as the printer 34. Here, the printer 35 corresponds to the case (1) and the printer 34 corresponds to the case (2).

  Similar to the operation of the printer 4 or 5 from the step ST222 to the step ST228 in the flowchart (FIG. 3) of the first embodiment, the received data is first acquired (FIG. 6, step ST323), and thereafter, other printers. Whether or not there is a print completion notification from (FIG. 6, step ST324) and alternative notification determination (FIG. 6, steps STS325, 326, 327, 328, and 329) are performed. Note that these series of operations are the same as the operations of the printer 4 or 5 in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here. Through the above operation, when a malfunction occurs, the printers 34 and 35 make a replacement request with each other as a replacement candidate, and the printer that has accepted the replacement request performs the printing to complete the printing.

  As described above, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, when the printer has a transmission destination address of print data to be sent as an alternative candidate list to be stored in advance, for example, the print sent to itself Save this even if it's not data. Therefore, even if the first printer that tries to print has a problem before and after the start of printing, the replacement candidate printer has received the print data at the same time as the first printer that tries to print. Even in the situation, alternative printing by another printer can be performed immediately, and the time until printing is completed can be shortened.

  Since the printer stores the alternative candidate list and receives print data destined for other printers in the alternative candidate list, it is necessary to add a special function to the image processing apparatus as the host. Therefore, even if the image processing apparatus is a general-purpose apparatus, the expected function can be obtained.

  Furthermore, when the communication cost is high due to a print instruction or the like to a remote place, the alternative candidate printer receives the print data by only transmitting a minimum amount of data, so there is no need to retransmit. In addition, when printing confidential data, it is possible to reliably print while minimizing the risk of leakage of confidential information because retransmission of print data does not occur on the network.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the printing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the block diagram, the printing system 61 includes a network 62 and an image processing device 63 serving as a host device and two printers 64 and 65 serving as printing devices that are connected to the network 62 and connected to each other. Have

  The image processing apparatus 63 includes a host communication unit 71 and a printer driver 72 corresponding to a transmission unit, a selector 73 corresponding to a selection unit, an input device 74, a broadcast address list storage unit 75 corresponding to a plurality of designated identification information storage units, A print data storage unit 76 and a display device 77 are included.

  The broadcast address list storage unit 75 associates a network address of each of the two printers 64 and 65 having an alternative relationship with each other and a broadcast network address common to the printer 64 and the printer 65 as described later. The information address list is stored, and the stored contents are transmitted to the selector 73. When the selector 73 receives a broadcast address request DSB as a network address from the printer driver 72, the broadcast address list information stored in the broadcast address list storage unit 75 indicates the broadcast network address associated with this network address. And is transmitted to the printer driver 72 as a broadcast address SDB. If there is no broadcast network address corresponding to the network address of the broadcast address request DSB, the network address obtained as the broadcast address request DSB is directly transmitted to the printer driver 73 as the broadcast address SDB.

  The input device 74 generates a print command IDB according to the input and outputs it to the printer driver 72. The print data PPC stored in the print data storage unit 76 is transmitted to the printer driver 72 as data to be printed by the printer 64 or 65.

  As will be described later, the printer driver 72 outputs a broadcast address request DSB to the selector 73 based on the network address of the designated printer, and the broadcast network address corresponding to this network address is sent from the selector 73 to the broadcast address SDB. Get as. The printer driver 72 generates a print data string PPD in which the network address of the printer designated as the first printer to be printed is added to the print data PPC, and a broadcast network as a transmission destination address is generated in the print data string PPD. The transmission data DHB to which the address is assigned is input to the host communication unit 71. On the other hand, as will be described later, the printer driver 72 outputs a message obtained from input data input from the host communication unit 71 to the display device 77 as necessary, and the display device 77 displays the input message.

  The host communication unit 71 receives the transmission data DHB from the printer driver 72, processes it according to the communication protocol of the network 72 and outputs it to the network 72 in order to transmit the print data PPC to the designated network address. On the other hand, the host communication unit 71 fetches data of a specific address addressed to or including its own address from the network 72 and outputs, for example, the aforementioned message included in the data to the printer driver 72 according to the data content.

  The printers 64 and 65 are respectively connected to an internal bus 81, a target address storage unit 82 corresponding to a plurality of designated identification information storage means connected to the internal bus 81, and a destination corresponding to identification information determination means. A determination unit 83, a printer reception unit 84 corresponding to a reception unit, a RAM 86 corresponding to a print data storage unit, an internal state determination unit 24, a CPU 87 and a printer transmission unit 85 corresponding to a control unit, a ROM 88, an image formation processing unit 27, and A printing mechanism 28 is included. Of these, those having the same functions as those of the printer described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  The printers 64 and 65 have the same configuration. Accordingly, the internal configuration of the printer 64 will be described below as an example, but the configuration described here also applies to the printer 65. The CPU 86 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 88 or the RAM 86, and controls the operation of the entire printer 64 as will be described later.

  The printer transmission unit 85 processes transmission data to be transmitted from the printer 64 according to the communication protocol of the network 62 and outputs the processed data to the network 62. In the case of the printer 64, the target address list storage unit 82 stores in advance a target address list in which a network address unique to the printer 64 and a broadcast network address including the network address of the printer 64 are associated in a hierarchical relationship. If there is, a target address list in which a network address unique to the printer 65 and a broadcast network address including the network address of the printer 65 are associated in a hierarchical relationship is stored in advance, and the target address list TAA is stored in the destination determination unit 83 as necessary. To tell.

  The printer receiving unit 84 receives data from the network 62 and transmits a network address indicating a transmission destination of the received data to the destination determining unit 83 as a destination address PAB. The destination determination unit 83 compares the destination address PAB and the network address of the target address list TAA, and when either of the destination address PAB and the network address of the target address list match, the “match signal” indicating the match as the determination result APC If there is no match, a “mismatch signal” indicating a mismatch is output. The printer receiving unit 84 receives all input data when the reception determination APC matches, and discards the data when they do not match.

  The internal state determination unit 24 sequentially determines whether or not the printer itself can print, temporarily stores the determined determination result in its storage unit (not shown), and sequentially determines it according to a request from the CPU 87 as described later. Send the result. The image formation processing unit 27 reads the print data from the RAM 86, performs image formation, and outputs the result to the printing mechanism 28. The printing mechanism 28 executes printing according to the image formation result from the image formation processing unit 27.

  In the above configuration, the operation of the printing system 61 will be described below. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the image processing apparatus 63. First, the operation of the image processing apparatus 63 will be described below with reference to this flowchart.

  The print start operation by the image processing device 63 is performed according to a print command IDB output from the input device 74 when the operator operates an input panel (not shown) of the input device 74, for example.

  Upon receiving the print command IDB, the printer driver 72 first takes in the print data PPC from the print data storage unit 76, and sets the printer designated by the print command as the first printer to try printing, and sets the printer network address as the print data PPC. (Step ST401) to generate a print data string PPD. Next, the printer driver 72 outputs to the selector 73 a broadcast address request DSB based on the network address of the printer that first tries to print, and from the selector 73 the broadcast network corresponding to the network address of the printer that tries to print first. An address is obtained as a broadcast address SDB (step ST402). The broadcast network address is a network address common to the printer 64 and the printer 65.

  Next, the printer driver 72 sends the transmission data DHB added to the print data string PPD with the broadcast network address as the destination data to the host communication unit 71, and the host communication unit 71 prints to the designated broadcast network address. In order to transmit the data string PPD, it is processed according to the communication protocol of the network 62 and output to the network 62 (step ST403). As a result, the print data string PPD (print data PPC + network address of the printer that performs printing first) is transmitted to both the printers 64 and 65.

  Up to this point, the image processing apparatus 63 has completed transmission of the print data string PPD (print data PPC + the network address of the first printer that performs printing) to each printer, and thereafter, printers 64 and 65 as will be described later. This corresponds to an action that occurs in association with the print processing of the print data PPC by.

  That is, the printer driver 72 subsequently acquires data received from the network 62 from the host communication unit 71 (step ST404). Next, the printer driver 72 determines whether or not there is a notification from the printer 64 or 65 in the acquired data (step ST405). If there is no data, the data received from the network 62 is received again from the host communication unit 71. The notification from the printers 64 and 65 is monitored repeatedly until notification is obtained (S404).

  If there is a notification from the printer 64 or 65, the printer driver 72 determines whether the notification from the printer 64 or the printer 65 is a print completion notification (step ST406). Is completed and printing is terminated. If the notification is other than that, the notification content from the printer 64 or the printer 65 is interpreted. For example, if the content is a message displayed on the display device 77, a message is output to the display device 77 (step ST407), and again. Returning to step ST404, the above-described steps ST404 to ST407 are repeated, and messages from the printers 64 and 65 are monitored until printing is completed.

  With the above operation, the same print data string PPD is transmitted to the printers 64 and 65, and the printing is completed when a notification of printing completion is received from either the printer 64 or the printer 65.

  FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts showing the flow of operations of the printers 64 and 65 in the printing system of the present embodiment, and printing transmitted by the image processing apparatus 63 in step ST403 in the flowchart shown in FIG. This is implemented by receiving a data string PPD (print data PPC + network address of a printer that performs printing first). Here, the flow will be described below focusing on the operation of the printer 64, assuming that the printer 64 is designated as the first printer to attempt printing and printing can be performed without any trouble. In the flowcharts of FIGS. 10 and 11, when the step destination is indicated by a circled alphabet or number, the process proceeds to a step designated by the same symbol.

  First, the network address indicating the transmission destination of the print data received by the printer receiving unit 84 of the printer 64 is acquired as the destination address PAB (FIG. 10, step ST501) and output to the destination determining unit 83. Next, the destination determination unit 83 determines whether or not the network address obtained as the destination address PAB is included in the target address list stored in the target address list storage unit 82 (whether there is a match). (FIG. 10, step ST502) When it is determined that there is a mismatch, the determination result APC indicating the mismatch is output to the printer reception unit 84, and the operation is terminated with reception not permitted. At this time, the receiving unit 84 receives the determination result APC indicating the mismatch and discards the input print data.

  On the other hand, when the destination determination unit 83 determines that they match in step ST502 and outputs a determination result APC indicating matching to the printer reception unit 84, the print data string PPD (print data PPC + first print received) received by the printer reception unit 84 is displayed. Is stored in the RAM 86 (FIG. 10, step ST503). At this time, it is possible to wait until all the print data is received, or to proceed to the next while receiving the continuation of the print data. Here, in the target address list storage unit 82 of the printer 64 and the printer 65, the target address list in which the network addresses of the printer 64 and the printer 65 and the broadcast network addresses common to these are associated in a hierarchical relationship. The TAA is stored, and the print data string PPD sent to the printer 64 and the printer 65 is both permitted to be received and stored in each RAM 86 as described above.

  Next, the CPU 87 uses the print data string PPD (print data PPC + the network address of the printer that performs printing first) stored in the RAM 86 to obtain the network address of the printer that performs printing first (hereinafter referred to as a print priority address). It is acquired (FIG. 10, step ST504) and compared with its own network address (FIG. 10, step S505).

  As a result of the comparison, if it is determined that they match, the process proceeds to a flow for executing printing as described later, and if it is determined that they do not match, the process proceeds to a flow for holding printing. Here, in the case of the printer 64, since the acquired print priority address matches its own network address, the process proceeds to a flow for executing printing.

  Thereafter, substantially the same operation as the operation after step ST204 in the operation flowchart (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the printers 4 and 5 (FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment is executed. Therefore, here, the detailed description here at each step where the description of the operation overlaps is omitted, and the main points of the operation flow will be described below.

  Here, a case where the printer 64 can perform printing without problems will be described first. If it is determined in step ST505 (FIG. 10) that the printing is attempted, the CPU 87 reads out the determination result of the printable state of the printer itself, which is stored in the internal state determination unit 24 before starting printing (FIG. 11, step ST506). ), It is determined whether printing is possible (FIG. 11, step ST507). If printing is possible, the print data PPC in the RAM 86 is sent to the image formation processing unit 27. The image formation processing unit 27 forms image formation data based on this print data, and sequentially sends it to the printing mechanism 28 to execute printing (FIG. 11, step ST508).

  Even after printing is started, as in the case of the printer 4 in the first embodiment described above, by repeating steps ST509, 510, and 522, determination of occurrence of a problem during printing (FIG. 11, steps ST509 and 510) and completion of printing are performed. The determination (FIG. 11, step ST522) is sequentially executed, and while printing is being executed, the printable / unprintable state and the print completion are always monitored. Further, after the printing is completed, similarly to the printer 4 in the first embodiment, the printing completion notification is transmitted (FIG. 11, step ST523) and the print data is discarded (FIG. 11, step ST524), so that the printer 64 Is completed.

  When notifying the completion of printing, for example, in order to notify the other printer 65 of the completion of printing, it is transmitted to the broadcast network address in the target address list stored in the target address list storage unit 82. Thus, it can be easily notified to other printers by one transmission.

  Next, a case where a problem occurs in the printer 64 during printing will be described. As described above, after printing is started, until the printing is completed, steps ST509, 510, and 522 are repeated. Thus, while printing is being performed, the printability state and the completion of printing are always monitored. . If it is determined that a printing failure has occurred and printing is not possible before printing is completed (FIG. 11, step ST510), the operation of the printing mechanism 28 is stopped (FIG. 11, step ST511), and printing as the printer 64 is performed. Is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next step ST512. Before starting printing, the determination result of the printer's own printability state stored in the internal state determination unit 24 is read (FIG. 11, step ST506), and it is determined that printing is impossible (FIG. 11, Step ST507) also proceeds to step ST512.

  As described above, when printing by the printer 64 is impossible or when the printing is interrupted after execution, the CPU 87 of the printer 64 uses the broadcast network address in the target address list stored in the target address list storage unit 82. Obtained (FIG. 11, step ST512), sends a substitute request notification to the printer of the broadcast network address (FIG. 11, step ST513), and receives the response (FIG. 11, step ST514). Since an alternative request notification is transmitted to the broadcast network address, responses are returned from all printers having the same broadcast network address.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the received response is accepted (FIG. 11, step ST515). If accepted, the printer requesting replacement is selected from the accepted ones (FIG. 11, step ST520). In this case, since only the printer 65 is the alternative candidate, there is no selection and only the printer 65 is targeted. Here, the substitution request to which the network address of the printer 65 requesting substitution is assigned is notified to the printer having the broadcast network address (step ST521 in FIG. 11), and further, the image processing apparatus 63 is notified that substitution printing has occurred. (FIG. 11, step ST533). Thereafter, the printer 65 tries printing.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that all the substitute request responses received in step ST515 are rejected, the printer 64 transmits a defect improvement request to the image processing apparatus 63 (FIG. 11, step ST516). The image processing device 63 interprets the notification content from the printer 64 and outputs a message corresponding to the defect improvement request to the display device 28 (step ST407 in FIG. 9). Thereafter, like the printer 4 in the first embodiment described above, the printer 64 determines whether or not it can print with confidence until it can print with any printer (FIG. 11, steps ST517 and 518). The substitution request to other printers (FIG. 11, steps ST512, 513, 514, 515) is repeated.

next,
(1) The case where it is determined in step ST505 (FIG. 10) after receiving the print data string PPD that the network address is not the above-described print priority address, and printing is suspended. Operation, or (2) operation after the substitution is accepted in the determination of step ST515 (FIG. 11),
Will be described.
The printer 65 is also operated based on the same flowchart as the printer 64. Here, the printer 65 corresponds to the case (1) and the printer 64 corresponds to the case (2).

  First, data received from the network 62 is acquired from the printer receiving unit 84 (FIG. 10, step ST525). It is determined whether or not the acquired data includes a print completion notification from another printer (FIG. 10, step ST526). If there is a print completion notification, it is determined that printing has been completed, and the print data in the RAM 86 is determined. All the columns PPD are discarded (FIG. 11, step ST524), and the operation of the printer is completed.

  If the acquired data has not been printed from another printer, it is determined whether there is an alternative request for the same data (FIG. 10, step ST527). If it is determined that there is an alternative request to itself, the print data PPC in the RAM 86 is sent to the image formation processing unit 27, and image formation based on the print data is performed in the image formation processing unit 27. Sequentially, it is sent to the printing mechanism 28 to start printing (FIG. 11, step ST508). On the other hand, if there is no replacement request, it is further determined whether there is a replacement request notification from another printer for the same data (FIG. 11, step ST528). If there is no notification of the replacement request, the process returns to step ST525 again, and the above-described steps ST525 to ST528 are repeated to receive the notification of the completion of printing, the notification of the replacement request to itself, and the notification of the replacement request. Monitor.

  Here, when a notification of an alternative request from another printer is received, the CPU 87 reads out the determination result of the printer's own print propriety state stored in the internal state determination unit 24 (FIG. 10, step ST529), and prints. It is determined whether or not it is possible (FIG. 10, step ST530).

  If it is determined that printing is possible, a response is received to accept the substitution request to the printer that has transmitted the substitution request notification (S531). If it is determined that printing is not possible, a substitution request notification is transmitted. A response for rejecting the substitution request is sent to the printer (S532), the process returns to step ST525 again, and the above-described steps ST525 to ST532 are repeated. In step ST527, the transmission is transmitted from another printer in step ST521. Monitor the receipt of notification of substitution request to itself.

  Here, for convenience, the determination of the substitution request to itself (FIG. 10, step ST527) is performed before the determination of the substitution request notification (FIG. 10, step ST528). Since transmission of acceptance ((FIG. 10, step ST531) is performed and an alternative request may be received from an alternative request destination first, whichever order of these determinations may be used.

  Through the above operation, when a problem occurs, the printers 64 and 65 make a replacement request with each other as a replacement candidate, and the printer that has accepted the replacement request performs printing to complete the printing.

  As described above, according to the printing system of the present embodiment, the same print data is transmitted to the printer having the broadcast network address of the printer instructed to print by the image processing device 61, and the alternative printing at the time of printing failure Since it is performed between printers having the same broadcast network address, the system configuration is clear and easy to manage. Further, even if the alternative candidate printers are separated from each other, the print data can be easily transmitted to all the printers by one transmission.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a printer is used as a printing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various forms such as a facsimile apparatus and an MFP (multifunction printer) can be used. To get.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the printing system of Embodiment 1 by this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of the image processing apparatus of the printing system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation of each printer in the printing system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operation of each printer in the printing system according to the first embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the printing system of Embodiment 2 by this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of each printer in the printing system according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of each printer in the printing system according to the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the printing system of Embodiment 1 by this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of operations of the image processing apparatus of the printing system according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of each printer in the printing system according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation flow of each printer in the printing system according to the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1, 31, 61 Printing system 2, 32, 62 Network 3, 33, 63 Image processing device 4, 5, 34, 35, 64, 65 Printer 11, 71 Host communication unit 12, 72 Printer driver 13, 73 Selector 14, 74 Input device 15 Address list storage unit 16, 76 Print data storage unit 17, 77 Display device 21, 41, 81 Internal bus 22 Printer communication unit 23, 46, 86 RAM
24 Internal state determination unit 25, 47, 87 CPU
26, 48, 88 ROM
27 Image formation processing unit 28 Printing mechanism unit 42 Alternative candidate list storage unit 43, 83 Destination determination unit 44, 84 Printer reception unit 45, 85 Printer transmission unit 75 Broadcast address list storage unit 82 Target address storage unit

Claims (19)

In a printing system including an image processing apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Identification information storage means for storing in advance identification information for identifying each of the plurality of printing devices;
Selecting means for selecting one of a plurality of identification information stored in the identification information storage means;
Transmitting means for transmitting print data to a printing apparatus corresponding to the identification information selected by the selection means, and when the printing is executed by any one of the plurality of printing apparatuses, the identification information storage Transmitting the same print data to the printing apparatus corresponding to each of the plurality of identification information stored in the means,
The printing apparatus includes:
Determining means for determining whether or not the printing device is capable of printing;
Print data storage means for storing the print data transmitted by the image processing apparatus;
Printing means for printing the print data stored in the print data storage means;
It is determined whether or not the own device is a printing device designated for printing, and if it is determined that the own device is a printing device designated for printing, the printing unit is configured to determine whether or not the printing device An instruction to print the print data and / or notification of an alternative request for requesting alternative printing to another printing apparatus based on the determination of the determination unit, and determination that the own apparatus is not the printing apparatus designated for printing And a control unit that holds the print data in the print data storage unit and holds a print instruction to the print unit.   The control unit of the printing apparatus, when receiving the notification of the substitution request, instructs the printing unit to print the print data held in the print data storage unit. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the printing apparatus notifies the other printing apparatus of the completion of printing when the printing unit completes printing of the print data.   The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the control unit of the printing apparatus discards the print data held in the print data storage unit when receiving the notification of the completion of printing.   The image processing apparatus transmits, together with the print data, print order information indicating a print order by the printing apparatus connected to the network, and the control unit of the printing apparatus designates printing based on the print order information. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the printing apparatus is a printed printing apparatus.   The selection unit selects second identification information different from the first identification information after transmission of the print data to the printing apparatus corresponding to the first identification information is started by the transmission unit. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:   The selection unit selects second identification information different from the first identification information after the transmission unit completes transmission of the print data to the printing apparatus corresponding to the first identification information. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: In a printing system including an image processing apparatus and a plurality of printing apparatuses connected to a network,
The image processing apparatus includes:
A plurality of designation identification information storage means for preliminarily storing the identification information for identifying each of a plurality of predetermined printing apparatuses among the printing apparatuses connected to the network and the plurality of designation identification information common to the identification information;
Selecting means for selecting plural designation identification information related to the identification information from the plural designation identification information storage means on the basis of identification information of a printing apparatus designated for printing;
Transmission means for transmitting, together with print data, identification information of the printing apparatus designated for printing to a printing apparatus corresponding to the plurality of identification information selected by the selection means,
The printing apparatus includes:
Determining means for determining whether or not the printing device is capable of printing;
Object identification information storage means for storing identification information of each of the plurality of designated identification information including identification information of the own device;
Identification information determination means for comparing each identification information of the plurality of designated identification information stored in the target identification information storage means with identification information as a transmission destination address of the received print data;
Receiving means for receiving the print data and the identification information of the printing device designated for printing based on the determination result by the identification information determining means;
Print data storage means for storing the print data received by the reception means and the identification information of the printing apparatus designated for printing;
Printing means for printing the print data stored in the print data storage means;
When the identification information of the printing device designated for printing and the identification information of the own device match, based on the determination of the determination unit, the printing unit is instructed to print the print data and / or the determination Based on the determination of the means, notifies the alternative request for requesting the alternative printing to the other printing device, and if it matches the identification information of the other machine, holds the print data in the print data storage means, And a control unit for holding a print instruction to the printing unit.   The control unit of the printing apparatus instructs the printing unit to print the print data held in the print data storage unit based on reception of the notification of the substitution request. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit of the printing apparatus notifies the other printing apparatus of the completion of printing when the printing unit completes printing of the print data.   The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit of the printing apparatus discards the print data held in the print data storage unit when receiving the notification of the completion of printing.   12. The control unit according to claim 8, wherein the control unit notifies the substitution request to a printing apparatus identified by each identification information stored in the target identification information storage unit. Printing system.   9. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected to a network capable of one-to-one communication. In a printing device connected to the network,
Determining means for determining whether or not the printing device is capable of printing;
Printing apparatus identification storage means for preliminarily storing identification information for identifying each of a plurality of predetermined printing apparatuses among the printing apparatuses connected to the network;
Identification information determination means for comparing and comparing the identification information stored in the printing apparatus identification storage means and the identification information as the transmission destination address of the received print data;
Receiving means for receiving the print data based on a determination result by the identification information determining means;
Print data storage means for storing the print data received by the receiving means;
Printing means for printing the print data stored in the print data storage means;
It is determined whether or not the received identification information of the print data and the identification information of the own device match. If they match, the printing unit is instructed to print the print data based on the determination of the determination unit. And / or, based on the determination by the determination means, notifies an alternative request for requesting alternative printing to another printing apparatus, and if the two do not match, holds the print data in the print data storage means. And a control means for holding a print instruction to the printing means. The control unit of the printing apparatus instructs the printing unit to print the print data held in the print data storage unit when receiving the notification of the substitution request. Printing device . 16. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit of the printing apparatus notifies the other printing apparatus of the completion of printing when the printing unit completes printing of the print data . It said control means of the printing apparatus, wherein, when having received a print completion notification, the printing apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the discarding the print data stored in the print data storage unit. The printing apparatus further includes selection means for selecting one of the identification information stored in the printing apparatus identification storage means,
18. The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit notifies the substitution request to the printing apparatus selected by the selection unit. An image processing device for transmitting the print data is further connected to the network,
The printing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the image processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are connected to a network capable of one-to-one communication.

Images