JPH0950354A - Print data spool device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a print data spool device which can spool the received print data even if the space area becomes short in its own spool memory. SOLUTION: When a printer 131 is unable is store all print data received from a print data generation device 12 in a spool memory of its own device, the print data unable to be stored are transferred to another printer 132 , etc., via a network 11 and virtually spooled in the spool memory of the printer 132 , etc. The printer 131 monitors whether a space area is secured in its own spool memory in accordance with the print progress. When a necessary space area is secured in the spool memory of the printer 131 , the printer 131 calls back the print data which are virtually spooled in the printer 132 , etc., via the network 11. Thus the print data received from the device 12 can be spooled as long as one of printers has a space area in the network 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a print data spooling device for temporarily receiving print data sent via a network, spooling the print data, and delivering the spool to a printing device. The present invention relates to a print data spooling device that avoids the occurrence of errors.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing apparatus is often connected via a network to a host apparatus such as a host computer, which supplies print data, in order to improve the installation space and operating efficiency. In addition, in order to release the host device from the printing process early, the number of cases in which the host device is connected to the network via a print data spool device that stores print data is increasing. Even if the printing on the recording paper is not completed by passing through the print data spool device, the host device can be released from the printing process when the reception to the spool memory is completed. The print data stored in the print data spool device is transferred to the printing device in order from the data stored first, and is sequentially printed.

The host device sends out print data by designating one of the printing devices or the print data spooling device connected to the network as the destination. Therefore, if a large amount of print data is already stored in the spool memory of the destination printing device when printing data is started, it may take a considerable amount of time before printing starts after the sending ends. is there. Further, when the recording paper runs out or some trouble occurs in the printing unit, execution of printing is made to wait for a long time until the recording paper is replenished or the trouble is recovered. In such cases, in order to obtain printed matter early,
It is necessary to send a command to cancel printing in the device to which the print data is sent, and then send the print data again from the host device to another printing device or print data spooling device.

Japanese Patent Application No. 6-59833 discloses a printing apparatus that transfers print data to another printing apparatus connected to a network when the received print data cannot be immediately printed. . In this device, transfer means for transferring the data received from the higher-level device to another printing device, means for checking whether a printing device in a printable state exists on the network, and temporarily storing print data. And storage means. When all printing devices cannot print, the received data is stored in its own memory, and when one of the printing devices connected to the network becomes printable, the stored print data is stored in that device. It is supposed to be transferred. Further, when the printing by the own machine becomes possible, the printing section of the own machine performs the printing.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Japanese Patent Application No. 6-59833
In the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication, when the received print data cannot be printed immediately by itself, the print data is transferred to another printable device via the network. No need to send data. However, in this prior art, it is premised that the printing device designated by the host device as the destination can store the received print data in its own memory. Therefore, when there is not enough free space in the memory in the device that receives the print data from the higher-level device, a reception error occurs, and the print data must be transmitted again from the higher-level device after the free space is created. Further, in this prior art, since printing is performed by the transfer destination device, there is a problem in that printing is performed by a printing device different from the intended device of the host device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a print data spooling device which does not need to send print data again from a host device even when the free space is insufficient.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided print data input means for inputting print data sent through a communication line, and storage of print data input from the print data input means. From the print data input means to another print data storage means and another device capable of storing print data when the print data storage means has no free space for storing print data input from the print data input means. Print data transfer means for transferring input print data, and free area inspection means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data transferred to another device by the print data transfer means has occurred in the print data storage means And the free space checking means has created a free space for storing the print data transferred to another device. There has been so provided in the print data spool unit and a print data recall storing means for storing the print data storage means recalling the print data from the other device when it is detected.

That is, according to the first aspect of the invention, when the print data sent through the communication line cannot be stored in the print data storage means of the machine, it is transferred to another device capable of storing the print data. . Therefore, even if the print data to be received cannot be stored in the memory of the own device, a reception error does not occur, and it is not necessary to transmit the print data again from the transmission source device of the print data. Further, when there is an empty area in the print data storage means of the own device for storing the print data transferred to another device, it is recalled from the transfer destination device and stored in the print data storage means of the own device. As a result, the print data is finally stored in the device originally intended by the host device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, print data input means for inputting print data sent through the communication line, and print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means. , When the print data storage means does not have a free area for storing all the print data input from the print data input means, another device capable of storing print data cannot print the free area. A print data transfer means for transferring data, a free area checking means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data transferred to another device by the print data transfer means is generated in the print data storage means, and the free space check means. It has been detected by the area checking means that there is a free area that can store the print data transferred to another device. Can have the print data recall storing means for storing the print data storage means recalling the print data from another device is provided in the print data spool unit.

That is, according to the second aspect of the invention, when the print data sent through the communication line cannot be stored in the print data storage means of the own machine, the print data which cannot be stored is transferred to another device. Temporarily stored. As a result, only the required minimum amount of print data is transferred.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided print data input means for inputting print data sent through the communication line, and print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means. An external storage device for storing print data input from the print data input means when the print data storage means has no free space, and a print data input from the print data input means in the print data storage means. And a transfer destination selecting means for selecting whether to transfer the print data to the external storage device or another device connected to the communication line and capable of accumulating the print data when there is no free area. Print data transfer means for transferring the print data from the print data input means to the device selected by the destination selection means, and the print data transfer means. A free area checking means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data transferred by the transfer means has occurred in the print data accumulating means, and the print data transferred to the device selected by the free area checking means can be stored. The print data spooling device is provided with a print data recall storage unit that recalls print data from the transfer destination device and stores it in the print data storage unit when it is detected that a free space is generated.

That is, according to the third aspect of the invention, as a transfer destination of the print data when there is no free area in the print data storage means of the self machine, another device connected through the communication line is locally connected to the self machine. And an external storage device. Then, it is selected to which device the print data should be transferred. For example, by preferentially selecting the external storage device, the transfer time can be shortened and the communication line can be effectively used for transferring other data.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided print data input means for inputting print data sent through the communication line, and print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means. A transfer availability identification information storage means for storing transfer availability identification information in advance for identifying whether the print data input from the print data input means is print data transferable to another device, and the print data input means When there is no free area in the print data storage means for storing the print data input from the print data input means, the print data input based on the stored contents of the transfer availability identification information storage means can be transferred to another device. Transfer availability determination means for determining whether or not the print data input from the print data input means by this transfer availability determination means is transferred to another device. When it is determined that the print data cannot be transferred, the transfer determination is performed to search for print data that can be transferred to another device from the print data stored in the print data storage means based on the content stored in the transfer availability identification information storage means. When the print data stored in the print data storage means is searched by the data search means and the transfer data search means for transferable data, it is transferred to another device, and then transferred by the transfer availability determination means. When it is determined that it is possible, print data transfer means for transferring the print data input from the print data input means to another device, and an empty space for storing the print data transferred by this print data transfer means to another device An empty area checking means for checking whether or not an area has occurred in the print data storage means, and print data transferred to another device by this empty area checking means The free space to pay occurs is then provided to the print data spooling device and a print data recall storing means for storing the print data storage means recalling the print data from the other device when it is detected.

That is, according to the invention described in claim 4, whether or not each print data is transferable to another device is stored in advance, and if the print data being input is not transferable, it is already stored. The available print data is searched for for transferable data, and is transferred to another device to create a free area.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided print data input means for inputting print data sent through the communication line, and print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means. Transfer priority identification information for identifying whether or not the print data input from the print data input means is print data that can be transferred to another device, and priority to be transferred for print data that can be transferred to another device. And the transfer permission / inhibition identification information storage means that stores the transfer degree in advance, and the storage content of the transfer permission / inhibition identification information storage means when the print data storage means does not have an empty area for storing the print data input from the print data input means. Transfer possibility determining means for determining whether the print data input based on the print data is print data that can be transferred to another device,
When the transfer availability determination means determines that the print data input from the print data input means cannot be transferred to another device, the print data storage means stores the data based on the storage content of the transfer availability identification information storage means. Transfer data search means for searching print data that can be transferred to another device from the print data being stored in order of high priority to be transferred, and the transfer data search means stores the print data in the print data storage means. When the transferable data is found out from the print data, it is transferred to another device, and when the transferability determination means determines that the transfer is possible, the print data input from the print data input means is transferred to another device. A print data transfer unit for transferring to a device, and one of the print data transferred to another device by this print data transfer unit, which has a lower priority to be transferred. Then, a free area checking means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data is generated in the print data storage means, and a free area for storing the print data transferred to another device by the free area checking means is generated. When it is detected, the print data spooling device is provided with print data recall storing means for recalling print data from another device and storing it in the print data accumulating means.

That is, in the invention described in claim 5, whether or not each print data can be transferred to another device, and the priority to be transferred for the transferable print data are stored in advance. If the print data being input is not transferable, the print data that has already been stored is searched for one that can be transferred to another device and has a high priority to be transferred. Free space is created by transferring it to the device. When an empty area is generated, the print data transferred to another device is recalled to its own memory in descending order of priority to be transferred. As a result, the lower the transfer priority, the easier the data is stored in the memory of the own device.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to Examples.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a printing system in which a print data spooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network. A print data generating device 12 such as a host computer or a workstation that generates print data is connected to the communication cable 11 of the network. Further, the communication cable 11 is connected to the _first to Nth printing devices 13 _{1 to} 13 _N.
Each of these printing apparatuses has a spool memory for accumulating print data. In this example, each printing device has a function as a print data spooling device. The printing units 14 _{1 to} 14 _N that perform printing on recording paper are connected to the first to Nth printing devices 13 _{1 to} 13 _N , respectively.

[0019] When the print data generating apparatus 12 has transmitted the print data through a path 15 ₁ to the first printing apparatus 13 _1, minute print data overflow if there is no enough space for storing it to the destination apparatus It is transferred to the _second printing device 13 ₂ via the path 15 ₂ . Similarly the second
When there is no free space in the printer 13 _2, path 15 ₃
Is further transferred to the third printer 13 ₃ . The print data sent from the print data generating device 12 is sequentially transferred to the next device through the paths 15 ₂ to 15 _N when the transfer destination device has no free area, and the spool memory of the printing device having the free area is provided. It is designed to be stored in. In this way, the transfer of print data, which should be originally stored in the spool memory of the machine itself, to the spool memory of another device and accumulation is called "virtual spool".

Print data virtually spooled to another device
Is the device specified as the transfer destination by the print data generation device 12.
When there is free space in the storage spool memory, the transfer destination
It is recalled from the printing device. For example, the first printing device
13₁To Route 16₂~ 16 _NPrint data is called through
Be pushed back. These transfer paths are used by the print data generation device.
The first transfer destination of the print data from 12 is the first printing device 1
Three₁, The first transfer destination is another mark.
In the case of a printing machine, the virtual
Transfers are made for spooling and recall.

FIG. 2 shows an outline of the configuration of the printing apparatus which functions as the print data spooling apparatus shown in FIG. The printing unit 13 is connected to the printing unit 14 as shown in FIG. 1, and is also connected to a control terminal 21 having a display and a keyboard. The control terminal 21 displays the spool status of print data and the like, and inputs instructions for registration and various settings of another print data spooling device to which the print data is transferred.

The data transmission / reception section 22 is a circuit section for transmitting / receiving print data and various control information, and is connected to the communication cable 11 of the network. Data analysis unit 2
Reference numeral 3 is a portion for analyzing the type of received data. The data analysis unit 23 determines whether the received print data has been sent from the print data generating device 12, or has been transferred because there is no free area in another printing device. In addition, it has a function of extracting the size of the print data, the transfer source address, and the like from the header portion of the transferred data. The data storage unit 24 is a circuit device that stores the received print data in a predetermined area of the spool memory 25 that stores the print data.

The spool management section 26 is a section for managing the storage destination of the received data, such as whether the received data is stored in the spool memory 25 of its own machine or transferred to another device on the network. The spool information management table 27 is a table for registering various information necessary for the spool management unit 26 to manage the storage destination of print data. The print management unit 28 is a circuit unit that manages the progress of printing, selects print data to be printed next, and reads it from the spool memory 25. The print data conversion unit 29 is a part that converts print data composed of code information such as character codes and control codes into image information. The data printing unit 31 is a circuit that sends the data developed into an image to the printing unit 14.

The virtual spool definition section 32 is a section for registering another device on the network which can transfer print data when the free area of the spool memory of the own machine is not sufficient. The transfer destination information management table 33 is a registration table that stores various information about the transfer destination device specified by the virtual spool definition unit. For example, the type of transfer destination device, the address on the network, the connection status, etc. are registered. The data input unit 34 stores data to be sent by another device connected to the network in the spool memory 25.
Alternatively, it is a circuit portion input from the data transmitting / receiving unit 22.

The data transmission / reception unit 22 switches the output destination of the received print data from the data analysis unit 23 to the data input unit 34 after the received data cannot be stored in its own spool memory. . The transfer data generation unit 35 has a function of selecting a transfer destination of print data based on the transfer destination information management table 33. In addition, a header or trailer is added to the print data from the data input unit 34 to convert it into a predetermined frame format. The converted data is virtual spooled to be transferred to another device on the network via the data transmission / reception unit 22.

FIG. 3 shows a circuit configuration of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. This device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 41 that performs the central functions of various controls. The CPU 41 includes various buses 42 such as a data bus.
Various circuit devices are connected via. RO of this
An M (read only memory) 43 is a read-only memory that stores programs and various fixed data.
A RAM (Random Access Memory) 44 is a memory that temporarily stores various data necessary for executing a program. The network communication circuit 45 is L
It is a circuit that transmits and receives various data to and from a network such as an AN (Local Area Network). The magnetic disk device 46 is a storage device for storing print data and various tables, and read / write is controlled by the disk control device 47. The control unit input / output circuit 48 is an input / output circuit that interfaces with the control terminal 21 of FIG. 2 equipped with a display and a keyboard. The printing unit input / output circuit 49 is a circuit unit that interfaces with the printing unit 14 shown in FIG.

Now, the general flow of the operation of the printing apparatus having the function as the print data spooling apparatus thus configured will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the flow of processing performed when the print data spooling device receives print data. When print data arrives via the network, the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 receives the print data (step S101). Information indicating the data size is included in the header added to the print data, and based on this, it is determined whether or not the data can be stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine (step S102). When spooling is possible (step S102; Y), the received data is stored in the spool memory 25 of the own device (step S103). On the other hand, when there is no free area in the spool memory 25 of the own device for storing the received data, or when the spool memory 25 becomes full during reception (step S102;
N), the received print data is transferred to another print data spool device on the network (step S104).

If the print data has not been received yet (step S105; N), the process returns to step S101 to repeat the receiving process. When the print data is received up to the end (step S105; Y), a series of reception processing is ended (END). The reception process shown in FIG. 4 is performed not only when the print data is sent from the print data generation device 12 but also when the print data transferred from another print device for virtual spooling is received. . That is, when the print data requested by the virtual spool from another device cannot be stored in the spool memory 25 of the own device during the reception, the overflow is transferred to another device and the virtual spool is transferred. Done.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing when the print data virtually spooled to another device is called back to the printer when an empty area is generated in the spool memory. First, it is checked whether or not there is print data that is virtually spooled in another device (step S201). When there is no virtual spooled print data (step S201;
N) The processing is finished as it is. If there is print data that has been virtually spooled (step S201; Y), it is checked whether or not a free space required for recalling this from the device of the virtual spool destination has occurred in the spool memory 25 of the machine itself due to the progress of printing ( Step S202).

When the required amount of free area is not generated (step S202; N), the processing is terminated as it is.
When the required amount of free space is created (step S202;
Y), the print data is recalled from the virtual spool destination device and stored in the spool memory 25 of the own device (step S203). When the virtually spooled print data is transferred from the transfer destination device to another device and is virtually spooled, a process for recalling the print data from the other device is performed. The process shown in this figure is repeatedly executed.

FIG. 6 shows the flow of processing performed when the virtual spool destination apparatus receives a transmission request for print data that is virtually spooled. First, the transmission request sent from the device on the recall side is received (step S
301). The print data corresponding to the transmission request is read from the spool memory 25 of the own device, is added with predetermined information indicating the data size to be transferred, is converted into the frame format for transfer, and is transferred to the specified transfer destination. (Step S302). When the device that has sent the transmission request virtually spools print data to another device, the device on the recalling side further sends the transmission request to the other device that is the virtual spool destination. In this example, the printing device has a function as a print data spooling device, but any device other than the printing device may be used as long as it has a function of communicating with a storage device for spooling print data and a network.

FIG. 7 shows the configuration of a printing system when a data storage device having a spool of print data is connected to a network as a print data spool device. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In this system,
The first to Mth data storage devices 61 _{1 to} 61 _M are connected to the network. These data storage devices 61 are
Each of them has a spool memory, and stores print data in response to a virtual spool request from another device. Further, when the transmission request is received, the virtual spooling print data is transferred to the designated destination.

The first data storage device 61 ₁ virtually spools the print data transferred from the Nth printing device 13 _N via the path 62 ₂ . When the storage area of each data storage device 61 is full, print data is sequentially transferred to the next data storage device via the path 62 and is virtually spooled. The first printing device 13 ₁ uses the path 16
_The print data that is virtually spooled through _{1 to} 16 _N and paths 63 _{2 to} 63 _M is recalled. These transfer paths show the case where the first transfer destination from the print data generating device 12 is the first printing device 13 ₁ . If the first transfer destination is another device, virtual spooling and recall are performed in a different order.

FIG. 8 shows an outline of the configuration of the data storage device functioning as the print data spooling device shown in FIG. The same parts as those of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
Since the data storage device 61 does not have a function of printing print data, the print management unit 28,
The print data conversion unit 29 and the data printing unit 31 are not provided. The data control information management unit 71 is a circuit unit that manages various control information regarding data transfer. Other than these, the configuration is the same as that of the printing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of the circuit configuration of the data storage device shown in FIG. This apparatus includes a CPU 81 that performs the central functions of various controls.
Various circuit devices are connected to the CPU 81 via various buses 82 such as a data bus. Of these, the ROM (Read Only Memory) 83 is a read-only memory that stores programs and various fixed data. RAM
The (random access memory) 84 is a memory for temporarily storing various data necessary for executing the program. The network communication circuit 85 is a circuit that transmits and receives various data to and from a network such as a LAN. The magnetic disk device 86 is a storage device for storing print data and various tables, and read / write is controlled by the disk control device 87. The control section input / output circuit 88 is an input / output circuit that interfaces with the control terminal 21 including a display and a keyboard.

In the printing system shown in FIG. 1 or 7, the print data is transferred to another device connected to the network and is virtually spooled. However, as a virtual spool destination, an external device directly connected to each device is used. A storage device can also be used.

FIG. 10 shows an outline of the configuration of a printing system in which an external storage device for a virtual suture is provided in a printing device or a data storage device having a function as a print data spooling device. A print data generation device 92 such as a host computer or a workstation that generates print data is connected to the communication cable 91 of the network. Further, the communication cable 91 is connected with _first and _second printing devices 93 ₁ and 93 ₂ . Each printing device has a spool memory (not shown) for accumulating print data. The printing units 94 _{1 to} 94 _N for printing on the recording paper are connected to the first and second printing devices 93 ₁ and 93 ₂ , respectively. The data storage device 95 and the printing devices 93 _1, 93 a floppy disk apparatus 95 _{1-95 3} as an external storage device for the virtual spools this when you can not print data stored received the spool memory of its own, respectively for ₂ Are connected.

When there is no free area in the spool memory for storing the received print data, the amount of data overflowed to the locally connected floppy disk device 95 or another device connected via the network. The print data is virtually spooled. The dotted line in the drawing represents the data path when the print data is virtually spooled, and the dashed line represents the data path when the virtual spooled data is recalled. These transfer paths represent data transfer paths when print data is transmitted from the print data generating device 92 to the first printing device.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of the configuration of a printing apparatus having an external storage device. The same components as those of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. To the printing device 93, the control terminal 21, the print output unit 14, and the floppy disk device 95 are connected. In order to manage the floppy disk device 95, which is an external storage device,
Five circuit parts are added to the printing apparatus shown in FIG. Of these, the device input / output unit 101 is a circuit unit that manages input / output of print data with the floppy disk device 95. The device input / output unit 101 is
In addition to being connected to the floppy disk device 95, it is connected to the data input unit 34 and the spool memory 25.

The storage device information setting section 102 is a section for registering an external storage device connected to the printing apparatus. In this example, only one floppy disk device is connected, but when a plurality of floppy disk devices or magneto-optical disks are additionally connected, the storage device information setting unit 10 indicates that the external storage devices are connected.
Register from 2. Storage device information management table 103
Is a registration table for registering various information about the connected external storage device. Data transfer destination setting unit 104
Is a part for setting in what priority order the types of devices to be virtual spool destinations should be selected. The data transfer destination management table 105 is a registration table for storing the contents set by the data transfer destination setting unit 104.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of the configuration of a data storage device having an external storage device. The same parts as the circuit parts shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The data storage device 95 is different from the data storage device shown in FIG. 8 in that the device input / output unit 101, the storage device information setting unit 102,
A storage device information management table 103, a data transfer destination setting unit 104, and a data transfer destination management table 105 are added. Each added component has the same function as those shown in FIG. Further, a transfer destination print data printing device information setting unit 111 is provided in place of the virtual spool definition unit 32 of the data storage device 61 of FIG. The transfer print data printing device information setting unit 111
This is a part for setting a device as a virtual spool destination of print data.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the data format of print data when it is transferred on the network. In this data format, data header information 122 storing various kinds of information is added to the beginning of a data string 121 to be transferred such as print data. Further, data end information 123 is added following the end of the data string. The data header information 122 is continuation information 1
24, data size information 125, transfer source address 126
Consists of The continuation information is information indicating whether the data string 122 is the initial data sent from the print data generating device 12 or the data transferred for the virtual spool. The data size information 125 represents the data length in the data string. Transfer source address 12
Reference numeral 6 represents the address of the data transfer source device on the network.

The end information 123 is the data size information 12
7 and transfer destination information 128. The data size information 127 represents the number of pieces of data included in the data string 121, similarly to the data size information 125 added to the header portion. The transfer destination information 128 includes a transfer destination address 129, a transfer destination account 131, and a transfer file name 132. Transfer destination information 12
8 is information used when the virtual spool destination device performs the virtual spool to another device. That is, when the device requested for virtual spool cannot store all the requested print data in its own spool memory and requests another device for virtual spool, information about the request destination is stored.

The transfer destination address 129 indicates the address on the network of the transfer destination device to which the virtual spool destination device further virtual spooled to another device.
When all the data can be stored in the spool memory of the virtual spool destination device, the transfer destination address 129 becomes predetermined null information. Based on this information, the device on the recall side determines whether or not it is necessary to send a transmission request to another device in order to recall all the virtual spool requested data. The transfer destination account is an account for logging in to the device indicated by the transfer destination address. The transfer file name represents the file name used when virtual spooling is performed on the device indicated by the transfer destination address.

The device that recalls the virtual spooled data determines whether the print data to be recalled is also virtual spooled to another device based on the end information 123. When it is determined that there is print data to be recalled, the transfer destination address 1 added to the end of the data string
29 identifies the virtual spool destination device. Also,
With the transfer destination account 131, the transfer file name 132 in which the pass code for logging in to the apparatus, the print data to be recalled, and the file name are included in the termination information
Get from. Based on these, transmission requests for print data are sequentially issued to the device indicated by the transfer destination address.

Next, various tables used in the printing device and the data storage device will be described.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the registered contents of the spool management table for managing the spool status of print data. The data name 141 is a name uniquely set by the spool management unit 26 in the order in which registration of data is accepted. In this example, the data name 141 is “job” in the order of registration of data.
Names such as “1”, “job2”, etc. are assigned. The file name 142 is a name assigned in advance to the received data. The data in the format shown is handled as one file, and the file name 142 is the name given at the time of transfer, and is initially the name given by the print data generation device 12.

The size 143 represents the size of spooled data. The size 143 represents the size of the print data stored in the spool memory of the device itself, and does not represent the total size of the received data. The spool status 145 represents the storage status of print data, and “completion” indicates that spooling has ended.
“In spool” indicates that the print data is being stored. The virtual spool status 145 is a flag indicating whether all the received print data could be stored in the spool memory of the own machine, or whether a part of the print data was virtually spooled to another device. “0” indicates that virtual spooling is not performed, and “1” indicates that virtual spooling is performed on another device.

The virtual spool status 146 indicates whether the process of virtual spooling to another device is in progress or whether the virtual spooling to another device has been completed.
“Virtual spooling” indicates that the virtual spooling is being performed on another device, and “virtual spooling completed” indicates that the virtual spooling process on the other device is completed. The virtual spool destination type 147 indicates the type of the virtual spool destination device. The virtual spool destination device type includes a printing device, a data storage device, and a floppy disk device as an external storage device. In the figure, "P" is a printing device, "S" is a data storage device, and "M". Represent external storage devices. Virtual spool address 1
Reference numeral 48 represents the network address of the virtual spool destination device, or the device address in the case of an external storage device. The total size 149 represents the total size of those spooled in its own spool memory and those virtually spooled in another device, that is, the total amount of received data.

FIG. 15 shows an example of registered contents of the transfer destination information management table. In the column of the device name 151 arranged on the leftmost side of the transfer destination information management table, the names of the devices that can be virtual spool destinations connected to the network are registered. In the account 152, an account as a login name for the device indicated by the device name 151 is registered. The type 153 represents the type of the device. In the figure, "P" is the printing device,
“S” indicates a data storage device. Address 154
Indicates the address of each device on the network.
The status 155 registers whether these devices are in a connected state or a non-connected state. These pieces of information are set by the virtual spool definition unit 32 based on an instruction from the control terminal 21.

FIG. 16 shows an example of registered contents of the storage device information management table. The column of device name 161 arranged on the leftmost side represents the name of a device connected as an external storage device. In the figure, "FDD" represents a floppy disk device, "MO" represents a magneto-optical disk device, and "CDROM" represents a CD-ROM. The address 162 is a device address for accessing each device. The status 163 indicates whether the external storage device is connected and whether the corresponding measure is operable. “On” indicates that the power is turned on and the device is operable, “off” indicates that the device is inoperable due to power-off or the like, and “not connected” indicates that the device is not connected.

FIG. 17 shows an example of registered contents of the data transfer destination management table. The transfer destination 171 column indicates the type of the device that is the transfer destination of the print data as the virtual spool. In the figure, "P" is the printing device,
“S” indicates a data storage device, and “M” indicates an external storage device. The priority 172 represents the priority when the virtual spool destination is selected. The priority is an arbitrary integer between “0” and “9”, and the smaller the numerical value, the higher the priority. The connection state 174 indicates whether or not various types of devices are connected, and "1" indicates the connected state.
"0" represents each unconnected state.

The transfer data generation unit 35 transfers the print data as the virtual spool destination device in order from the device having the highest priority 173 among the devices whose connection state 174 of the data transfer destination management table is "1". It is designed to check whether it is possible. In this example, the priority of the external storage device is "0", which is set to the highest. It is not necessary to give the external storage device the highest priority, but rather than transferring print data to a server etc. via the network,
Virtual spooling to a locally connected external storage device can shorten transfer time and improve network utilization efficiency.

Next, the flow of processing performed by each unit of the print data spooling device will be described in detail.

FIG. 18 shows the flow of processing performed by the data transmitting / receiving section. The data transmission / reception unit 22 receives command data for transmission or reception (step S401). It is determined whether the received command is an instruction to send to the network or an instruction to receive from the network (step S40).
2). When receiving from the network (step S403; Y), a receiving process (step S404) described later in detail is performed. When transmitting to the network (step S403; N), a transmission process (step S405) described later will be performed. This process
It is repeated every time the received command processing is completed.

FIG. 19 shows in detail the flow of the receiving process performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit shown in FIG. First, the data analysis unit 24 is notified of the start of data reception (step S501). The output destination of the data received by the data transmission / reception unit 22 is initially set to the data analysis unit 23. The received data is passed to the data analysis unit 23 one after another, and the processing of the data analysis unit 23 is pipelined in parallel with the reception processing. After notifying the reception start (step S501), data from the network is sequentially input (step S502). Next, it is checked whether or not a notification of switching to the virtual spool has arrived (step S50).
3). When the print data is stored in the spool memory 25 of the machine in parallel with the reception of the print data and the data storage unit 24 detects that the spool memory 25 is full, the spool management unit 26 is operated. Switch notification is sent.

When the notification of switching to the virtual spool is received (step S503; Y), the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 switches the output destination of the data and passes the received print data to the data input unit 34 (step S504). When the data reception is not completed (step S505; N),
The process returns to step S502 to continue the reception process. When the data reception is completed (step S505; Y), the data input unit 34 is notified of the completion of the reception (step S50).
6) Then, the reception process ends (END).

If the switching notification to the virtual spool has not arrived (step S503; N), the received data is passed to the data analysis section 23 (step S507). The data analysis unit 23 determines whether or not data can be received.
Each time the data is passed to 3, it is checked whether or not a notification that reception is impossible has arrived (step S508). When the notification indicating that reception is impossible has arrived (step S508; N),
A notification indicating unreceivability is sent to the source device of the received data (step S509). When the notification that the data cannot be received has not arrived from the data analysis unit 23 (step S
508; Y), and it is determined whether or not the data being received has ended (step S510). When the reception is not completed (step S510; N), the process returns to step S502 to continue the reception process. When the reception is completed (step S510; Y), the data analysis unit 23 is notified of the end of the input (step S511), and the reception process is completed (end).

In this way, the data transmission / reception unit delivers the received data to the data analysis unit 23 when the received data can be stored in the spool memory of the own device, and outputs the data to the output destination when the data cannot be stored in the spool memory of the own device. To the data input unit 23. The data passed to the data input unit 23 is virtually spooled to another device or its own external storage device via the network.

FIG. 20 shows in detail the flow of transmission processing performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit shown in FIG. The transmission process is performed when virtual spooling is performed on another device and when data is transferred to that device upon receiving a transmission request from another device that recalls. First, a message representing a reception request for data to be transmitted is transmitted to a device on the network designated as the transfer destination (step S6).
01), and waits for a response to the message from the transfer destination device (step S602). When the response from the transfer destination device is not the permission of the transfer (step S603), the transfer data generation unit 35 is notified that the response of the transfer disabled is received (step S604). Upon receiving this notification, the transfer data generation unit 35 refers to the transfer destination information management table shown in FIG. 15 or the like to perform processing for searching for another transfer destination device.

When the transfer permission is received from the transfer destination device (step S603; Y), the data input from the transfer data generation unit 35 is transmitted to the transfer destination device through the network (step S605). After repeatedly sending all data (step S60)
6) The transfer data generation unit 35 is notified of the end of the transmission (step S607). Further, the address of the transfer destination device is notified to the spool management unit 26 (step S6).
08).

FIG. 21 shows the flow of processing performed by the data analysis unit. The data analysis unit 23 uses the data header information 1 of the received data in the format shown in FIG.
22 and the data end information 123 are analyzed to identify whether the received data should be virtual spooled or not. First,
The data transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 is accepted (step S701). Next, the continuation information 124 of the data header information 122 shown in FIG. 13 is analyzed to determine whether it is initial print data or virtual spool data (step S702).

The continuation information 12 is stored in the RAM 44 shown in FIG.
A virtual spool status information storage area for registering the contents shown in FIG. When the received data is the initial reception (step S70)
3; Y), initial spool information indicating that the received data is initial print data is set as the virtual spool state information (step S704). When the received data is data by the virtual spool (step S703;
N), virtual spool status information representing this is set (step S705).

After setting the virtual spool status information, the data size information 125 is extracted from the data header information 122 of the received data, and the size of the data string 121 is acquired (step S706). Further, the address of the transfer source device of the received data is acquired from the data header information 122 (step S707). Next, the data analysis unit 23
Notifies the data storage unit 24 of the type of the received data (step S708). As a result, the data storage unit 2
4 determines whether the received data is the virtual spool request or the initial data. Further, it is determined whether the received data can be spooled (step S7).
09). If spooling is not possible (step S710;
N), and notifies the data transmitter / receiver 22 that the data cannot be received (step S711), and ends the process.

When spooling is possible (step S71)
0; Y), input the received data (step S712),
This is passed to the data storage unit 23 (step S713).
This process is continued until the data from the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 is completed (step S714; N), and when the input is completed (step S714; Y), the data storage unit 23 is notified of the completion of the input (step S715). Next, referring to the previously registered virtual spool status information (step S716), when the initial spool information or virtual spool request information is set (step S717;
Y), the processing is ended without analyzing the data end information 123 (end).

When the initial spool information or the virtual spool request information is not set as the virtual spool state information, the data end information 123 is acquired (step S).
718). When the initial spool information or the virtual spool request information is not set as the virtual spool status information, it means that the received data is the data recalled from the virtual spool destination. Therefore, the data end information 123 is acquired, and information such as whether or not the device is virtually spooled to another device and the address of the device that is the virtual spool destination are acquired.

FIG. 22 shows the flow of processing performed by the data storage unit. There are three types of data to be stored in the spool memory 25: initial data, data requested by a virtual spool from another device, and data recalled from a virtual spool in another device. Data storage unit 2
4 determines these, requests the spool management unit 26 to perform processing according to each data, and stores these data in the spool memory 25. First, data is received from the data analysis unit 23 (step S80).
1). Next, based on the notification from the data analysis unit 23,
It is determined which of the above three types of data the received data is (step S802).

When the data is the data recalled from the virtual spool destination (step S803; Y), the virtual spool registration data combination requesting the combination of the recalled data with the data stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine. The request is sent to the spool management unit 26 (step S804).
Next, information indicating which end of which file stored in the spool memory 25 the recalled print data should be linked to is acquired (step S805). Thereafter, the print data recalled from the virtual spool destination device is input via the data analysis unit 23 (step S806) and stored in the corresponding file of the spool memory 25 (step S806).
807). When the data to be stored has not ended (step S808; N), the data sequentially input from the data analysis unit 23 is stored in the spool memory 25.
When the storage of the recalled data is completed (step S8)
08; Y), the spool management unit 26 indicates the end of the spool processing.
(Step S809), and the process ends (end).

When the data from the data analysis unit 23 is initial data (step S803; N and step S810; Y), a spool registration request is made to the spool management unit 26 (step S811). When the print data is stored by a virtual spool request from another device (step S803; N and step S810; N), a virtual spool registration request is issued to the spool management unit 26 (step S812). Upon receipt of these registration requests, the spool management unit 26 checks whether the target data can be registered,
The response is returned to the data storage unit 24.
When the response from the spool management unit 26 can be registered (step S813; Y), the data storage unit 24 inputs the received data (step S814) and stores it in a predetermined file of the spool memory 25 (step S815).

When the spool memory 25 becomes full while data is being stored (step S816; Y), the spool management unit 26 is notified that the spool area is full (step S817). When the spool memory 25 is not full (step S816; N), it is determined whether or not the data to be stored has been completed (step S8).
18). If there is data to be stored (step S818; N), data input and spool memory 2
The storage process in 5 is repeated. When the storage of all data is completed (step S818; Y), a storage completion notification is sent to the spool management unit 26 (step S809).
When a response indicating that registration is impossible is received from the spool management unit 26 (step S813; N), the data analysis unit 23 is notified that data cannot be stored (step S81).
9), the process ends (END).

FIG. 23 shows an outline of the flow of processing performed by the spool management unit. Spool management unit 26
Accepts various requests and notifications from the data storage unit 24 and the like, and correspondingly performs processing such as registration of the spool management table. First, the acceptance status of a request or notification to be processed is checked (step S901). When the received request is a spool registration request (step S902;
Y), and spool registration setting processing (step S903) described later in detail is performed. When the received notification indicates that the spool memory 25 is full (step S90
4; Y), registration of virtual spooling of the received data to another device, and virtual spool switching processing for instructing the data transmitter / receiver 22 to switch the output destination (step S).
905) is performed.

If the received request is a virtual spool transfer request for another device to recall the print data stored as virtual spool in the spool memory 25 of its own machine (step S906; Y), the print data Transfer processing (step S907) for sending back to the request source of the transfer request. If the request is for virtual spooling of print data from another device (step S908;
Y), virtual spool registration setting process (step S909)
I do. In the case of the spool end notification (step S91)
0; Y), the end of storage in the spool is set, and spool end processing (step S911) such as activating the printing unit is performed when necessary.

When the request or the notification has not arrived, the free state of the spool memory 25 of the own machine is checked, and when the free area is made, the call back check is performed to call back the print data virtually spooled to another device. Processing (step S912) is performed. The size of the required empty area is obtained by subtracting the size 143 stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine from the total size 149 shown in FIG. The main process of the spool management unit 26 shown in FIG. 23 is always repeatedly executed. Hereinafter, each process performed by the spool management unit 26 in response to a request or a notification will be described in detail.

FIG. 24 shows the flow of processing in the spool registration setting processing shown in FIG. In the spool registration setting process, it is first checked whether the print data requested to be registered can be registered in the spool memory 25 (step S1001). To determine whether registration is possible, in addition to comparing the data size to be registered with the current free space in the spool memory, if the device is a printing device, refer to the setting status of the connected printer. It If the spooling of print data is prohibited by a predetermined command that prohibits spooling, it is determined that registration is not possible. In addition to these, various criteria may be set for determining whether registration is possible.

When it is determined that registration is impossible (step S
1001; N), and notifies the data storage unit 24 that registration in the spool memory 25 is impossible (step S10).
02), the processing ends (END). When it is determined that spooling is possible (step S1001; Y), predetermined management information is set in the spool management table shown in FIG. 14 (step S1003). The contents to be set are the data name 141, file name 142, size 143, spool status 144 and virtual spool flag 145 of FIG.
It is. The data name is uniquely assigned by the spool management unit 26 according to the spool order. In the example of FIG. 14, “j
A name such as “ob1” is registered. File name 142
Registers the file name that has been given in advance to the received data.

The size 143 is the data size 125 included in the data header information 122 of the received data.
To register. Further, the spool status 144 is set to "spooling". Further, the virtual spool flag 145 is set to "0". After setting the spool management table, the data storage unit 24 is notified of permission to register the received data in the spool memory 25 (step S100).
4) End the processing (END). When the spool registration setting request is performed as the combining request process, a new data name is not acquired or a file name is not set. The data storage unit 24 manages to which file the print data recalled from another device should be combined. How the data storage unit 24 recognizes which file the recalled data should be combined with will be described later.

FIG. 25 shows the flow of virtual spool switching processing performed when the spool full notification is received. When the spool memory 25 of the device itself becomes full, it is necessary to transfer the data being received to another device or an external storage device, and various setting processes for that purpose are performed here. First, the virtual spool target data management information is set (step S1101). Specifically, the virtual spool flag 145 of the spool management table is changed from "0" to "1" to register that part of the received data is virtually spooled. Next, the virtual spool status 146 is set to "virtual spooling", and the fact that the virtual spool is being executed is registered in another device. Virtual spool destination type 147 and virtual spool address 14
8 is not set at this stage, but is set when a virtual spool end notification is received to another device.

After changing the setting of the spool management table, the data input unit 34 is notified of the start of data reception from the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1102). Following this, the data transmission / reception unit 22 is notified of an instruction to switch the output destination of the received data to the data input unit 34 (step S1103), and the processing ends (END). When transferring print data to the virtual spool destination device,
The data name 141 shown in FIG. 4 is used as the file name of the print data to be transferred. For example, in FIG. 14, the data name "j
When the print data of "ob3" is transferred to the device of the virtual spool destination, "job3" is used as its file name. The device of the virtual spool destination which receives this prints the file name "job3" of the received data as it is in spool management. It is registered in the file name 142 of the table.Of course, the data name in the virtual spool destination device is given separately.

On the contrary, when recalling the print data having the data name "job3" virtually spooled to another device, "job3" is designated as the file name of the data to be recalled,
The transmission request is sent to the device indicated by the corresponding virtual spool address 148. In response to this, the print data is transferred from the virtual spool destination device. When the virtual spool destination device is virtual spooled to another device, the address of the transfer destination device and the file name used when transferring to the transfer destination device are the data end information shown in FIG. 1
It is stored in 23. Based on this information, the transfer file name 132 is designated as a file name to the device indicated by the transfer destination address 129, a transmission request is sent, and the virtual spooled data is recalled to the other device.

FIG. 26 shows a flow of transfer setting processing performed when a virtual spool transfer request is received. As described above, the file name of the data to be transferred is specified in the transmission request command. The spool management unit 26 finds a spool file having the same file name as the designated file name, and acquires information about the file registered in the spool management table (step S1201). The spool management unit 26 sets this information as virtual spool target data management information (step S1202). That is, the transfer data generation unit 35 causes the data header information 122 and the data end information 12 to be transmitted.
Information necessary for setting 3 is extracted from the spool management table and set in a predetermined area.

Thereafter, the data input unit 34 is sent a notification instructing the start of data input (step S1203). In addition, various information indicating that the print data to be transferred is data for recalling is delivered to the data input unit 34 (step S1204). Based on this, the transfer data generation unit 35 converts the print data into the format shown in FIG. 13, and transfers the print data virtually spooled in the spool memory 25 of its own to the request source of the transmission request. To do.

FIG. 27 shows the flow of the virtual spool registration setting process performed by the spool management unit when a virtual spool registration request is received. Even when print data is spooled as a virtual spool, it is checked whether spooling is possible (step S1301). If it can be registered as a virtual spool (step S1301; Y),
The relevant part of the spool information management table shown in FIG. 14 is set. Here, data name 141, file name 1
42, spool status 144, and virtual spool flag 145 are registered. The data name 141 is uniquely assigned by the spool management unit 26 according to the spool order. As the file name 142, the file name previously given to the received data is registered as it is. Further, the spool status 144 is set to "spooling" and the virtual spool flag 145 is set to "0".

After setting these, the data storage unit 24 is notified of permission of registration as a virtual spool (step S
1303). When it is determined that the virtual spool cannot be registered (step S1302), the data storage unit 24 is notified that it cannot be registered (step S1304).
If it is not possible to register, it is necessary to request a virtual spool from another device, so the data input unit 34 is notified of a data reception start instruction (step S1305). In addition, an instruction to switch the output destination of the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 to the data input unit 34 is notified (step S1306), and the process ends (END).

FIG. 28 shows a flow of spool end processing performed by the spool management unit when the end notification is received. First, spool completion is set in the spool management table (step S1401). Spool management unit 26
When the end notification is for the spool registration request or the virtual spool registration request, the spool status 144 shown in FIG. 14 is changed from "spooling" to "spool completed". If the process of virtual spooling to another device is completed, the virtual spool status 146 is displayed.
Is changed to “virtual spool completed”. Further, the virtual spool destination type and the virtual spool address acquired from the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 are registered. When the spool of print data recalled from another device is completed, the virtual spool flag is reset from "1" to "0" only when the termination information 123 of the recalled data is "null information". Size 14
3 registers the size of the spool file at the time when the end notification is received. Further, when the data virtually spooled in the spool memory 25 of the own device is transferred to another device, the corresponding registered contents of the spool information management table are deleted.

After changing the spool information management table, it is checked whether the virtual spool flag has changed to "0" (step S1402). When the virtual spool flag is "1" (step S1402; N), the process is ended, and when it is "0" and the apparatus has a printing unit, a print request is made (step S1402). S14
03). Then, the print status of the print output unit 14 is acquired (step S1404), and it is checked whether the printing is completed (step S1405). When printing is finished (step S1405; Y), the process is finished (END). If the device is a data storage device, step S140 is executed even if the virtual spool flag is "0".
Without performing steps 3 to S1405, the processing ends.

FIG. 29 shows a flow of a call back check process performed when the spool management unit has not received a notification or a request. Spool management unit 26
Refers to the spool information management table to check whether there is print data virtually spooled in another device (step S1501). If there is no print data that is virtually spooled (step S1501;
N)), and the process ends (end). If there is virtually spooled data (step S1501; Y),
The free area of the spool memory 25 of its own machine is checked (step S1502). When there is a sufficient spool area for recalling the virtual spooled data to another device (step S1503; Y), the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 is notified of a request for recalling the virtual spool data (step S1504). . If there is not enough free area, the process is terminated (end).

Next, the flow of processing performed by the data input section will be described.

FIG. 30 shows the flow of processing performed by the data input section. This processing is performed when the external storage device is not provided, and a case where the external storage device is provided will be described later. After accepting the data input start instruction (step S160
1), the data input unit 34 instructs the transfer data generation unit 35 to start the transfer process (step S1602). Next, the input destination of the data is determined (step S1603). When the input destination of the data to be transferred is the spool memory 25 (step S1604; Y), the input of the data designated by the spool management unit 26 is set in a predetermined work area (step S1605).

On the other hand, the data input destination is the spool memory 2
If the data transmission / reception unit 22 is not 5, the data input / output unit 22 is set in a predetermined work area (step S1606). Input print data from the designated input destination (step S1607),
This is transferred to the transfer data generation unit 35 (step S1).
608). When data input is not completed (step S1609; N), steps S1607 and S1608 are repeated. When the input of the data to be transferred is completed (step S1609; Y), the transfer data generation unit 35 is notified that the data to be transferred is completed (step S1610), and the process is ended (END).

FIG. 31 shows the flow of processing performed by the transfer data generating section. This drawing is when each device does not include an external storage device. The case of having an external storage device will be described later. First, the activation request from the data input unit 34 is accepted (step S17).
01). Next, the data header information 122 of the format shown in FIG. 13 is set (step S170).
2). Continuation information 124 indicating the type of data to be transferred among data header information 122 and data size 12
5 sets what is received from the spool management unit 26 via the data input unit 34. The transfer source address 126
Reads out a value set uniquely for the device from a predetermined registration area and sets it.

If the data to be transferred is for virtual spooling to another device (step S1703; Y), the transfer destination information management table shown in FIG.
Acquire information about the transfer destination device (step S170)
4). For example, in the case of FIG. 15, first, the registration content of “hst1” registered at the beginning is acquired and passed to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 (step S17).
05). The data transmitter / receiver 22 sends a command for requesting a virtual spool to “hst1” according to this information.
Upon receiving this, the transfer destination device determines whether it can be stored in its own spool memory and returns a response.

The transfer data generation unit 3 determines whether a response comes from "hst1" or the contents of the received response.
5 determines whether or not transfer is possible to the device (step S1706). When no response arrives or when the received response indicates that the response cannot be stored (step S1706; N)), it is checked whether or not the next transfer destination device is registered in the transfer destination information management table (step S1707). When the next transfer destination is registered (step S1707; Y), the process returns to step S1704 to check whether the data to be virtual spooled can be transferred to this device. When the next transfer destination device is not registered in the transfer destination information management table (step S1707;
N), an error notification is sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 (step S1708), and the process ends (END).

When transfer is possible (step S1706;
Y), or when returning the print data whose transfer data is virtually spooled to itself in response to a request from another device (step S1703; N), the previously prepared data header information is sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22. To (step S17
09). Thereafter, the print data to be transferred is input from the data input unit 34 (step S1710), and the print data is sequentially transferred to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 (step S1711).
This process is repeated until all the print data to be transferred is delivered (step S1712; N). When the delivery of all print data is completed (step S1712;
Y), the transfer data generation unit 35 creates the data end information 123 shown in FIG. 13 and passes it to the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1713).

When the transfer data is to return the print data virtually spooled to the own machine in response to a request from another apparatus, the transfer data shown in FIG.
The file name 142 of No. 4 is used as the file name of the data to be transferred. When making a virtual spool request to another device, the data name 141 is used as the file name of the data to be transferred. Further, when returning the print data virtually spooled to the device itself in response to a request from another device, FIG.
The data end information 123 of No. 3 is created as follows. First, as the data size information 127, the size 143 registered in the spool information management table of FIG. 14 is used for the data to be transferred.

When the virtual spool flag 145 corresponding to the print data to be returned is "0", the data end information 12
“Null information” is set in the transfer destination address 129 of No. 3.
This informs the request source device of the transmission request that the device itself is not virtually spooled to another device. When the virtual spool flag is "1", the virtual spool address 148 of the spool information management table is set as the transfer destination address 129. Further, the account corresponding to the set transfer destination address is searched from the transfer destination information management table of FIG.
Set as The transfer file name 132 sets the data name 141 registered in the spool information management table for the data to be returned. When transferring data for a virtual spool request, it is not necessary to set the data end information. In this way, the data transmission / reception unit 22 operates as shown in FIG.
The print data is transmitted to the transfer destination device in the format shown in.

Here, how an apparatus on the side of recalling print data virtually spooled to another apparatus finds a file associated with the recalled print data will be described. When the device on the recall side searches for the virtual spool flag 145 shown in FIG. 14 set to "1" and makes a transmission request to the device of the virtual spool destination, the data name 141 is assigned to the first work. Store in the area. Also, the file name sent to the other party to specify the data to be recalled is stored in the second work area. Since the data name 141 was used as the file name when making a virtual spool request, when making a transmission request for the first time,
A data name 141 is designated as a file name that designates print data to be recalled. Therefore, when the transmission request is made for the first time, the data name 141 is registered in the second work area.

In the data storage unit 24, the file name of the data transferred from the partner device in response to the transmission request is the second
When the name matches the name stored in the work area, the data is combined with the end of the file corresponding to the data name stored in the first work area. When the transfer destination address 129 of the data end information 123 attached to the recalled print data is not “null information”, the transfer destination file name 132 of the data end information is used as the file name in the subsequent transmission request. . Therefore, in the second and subsequent transmission requests, the transfer destination file name 132 is registered in the second work area. Then, it is recognized that the file name of the received data that matches the file name stored in the second work area is the recalled print data.

The data storage unit 24 connects the recalled print data to the end of the file corresponding to the data name stored in the first work area. In this way, the data storage unit 24 combines the recalled print data based on the data name. Since the data name is uniquely assigned to each device, the same data name can be prevented from occurring more than once, but since the file name is initially specified by the print data generating device, the same file name exists more than once. I have something to do. Therefore, if the file name is used, the files to be combined cannot be properly identified. Therefore, data names that do not have the same name more than once are used as identifiers of files to be combined.

Next, the flow of processing performed by the data input unit and the transfer data generation unit when the external storage device is provided will be described.

FIG. 32 shows the flow of processing performed by the data input unit of the print data spooling device having an external storage device. After receiving the data input start instruction (step S1801), the data input unit 34 instructs the transfer data generation unit 35 to start the transfer process (step S1).
802). Next, when the input destination of the data to be transferred is a device such as an external storage device (step S1803;
Y), inputting data from the external storage device via the device input / output unit 101 is set in a predetermined work area (step S1804).

When the data input destination is the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 (step S1803; N, and step S1
805; Y), it is set that the data input destination is the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 in a predetermined work area (step S).
1806). When the data input destination is the spool memory 25 (step S1805; N), the input of the data designated by the spool management unit 26 is registered in the work area (step S1807). Next, the data from these set input destinations are input (step S18).
08), and delivers it to the transfer data generation unit 35 (step S
1809). If the input is not completed (step S
1810; N), step S1808, step S18
09 is repeated. When the input of the data to be transferred is completed (step S1810; Y), the transfer data generation unit 35 is notified of the completion of the data (step S18).
1811), the process ends (END).

FIG. 33 shows the flow of processing performed by the transfer data generation unit of the print data spooling device having an external storage device. First, the activation request from the data input unit 34 is accepted (step S1901). Next, FIG.
Data header information 122 of the format shown in FIG.
Is set (step S1902). Since the setting of the data header information 122 is similar to the case where the external storage device shown in FIG. 31 is not provided, the description thereof will be omitted here.

If the data to be transferred is for requesting a virtual spool to another device (step S1903;
Y), referring to the data transfer destination management table shown in FIG. 17 (step S1904), the device type of the transfer destination having a high priority is acquired (step S1904). As described above, since the priority of the external storage device such as the floppy disk device is set to the highest level in the data transfer destination management table, when the external storage device is connected (step S1905; Y ), FIG. 11 or FIG.
The second device input / output unit 101 is notified of the data input request (step S1906). Device input / output unit 101
Checks whether or not virtual spooling of print data is possible in the connected external storage device, and the transfer data generating unit 35 receives the result (step S1907). When spoolable to the external storage device (step S1908;
Y), the transfer data generation unit 35 sequentially inputs data from the data input unit 34 (step S1909), and transfers this to the data input / output unit 101 (step S1910).

Until all the data are completed (step S
1911; N), the data transfer is repeated, and when all are completed (step S1911; Y), the data end information 123 is transferred to the data input section (step S1).
912) The process ends. Here, the external storage device is 1
Although it is assumed that only one is connected, if two or more are connected, the transfer destination external storage device is selected in order from the beginning of the storage device information management table of FIG. This selection is performed by the device input / output unit 101. The flow of the processing will be described later.

When the external storage device is not connected, or when the device having the higher priority in the data transfer destination management table is not the external storage device (step S190)
5; N), the transfer destination information of the higher priority type is acquired based on the transfer destination information management table of FIG. 15 (step S19).
13). The transfer destination information is acquired in order from the beginning of the transfer destination information management table for the corresponding type of device excluding non-connected devices. The acquired transfer destination information is passed to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22 (step S1914). The data transmission / reception unit 22 sends a command for requesting a virtual spool to the transfer destination device according to this information. Upon receiving this, the transfer destination device determines whether it can be stored in its own spool memory 25 and returns a response.

The transfer data generation unit 35 determines whether a response arrives from the transfer destination device or the content of the response.
Determines whether transfer is possible to this device (step S1915). When no response arrives or when the received response indicates that the response cannot be stored (step S1915; N), it is checked whether or not the next candidate transfer destination device is registered in the transfer destination information management table (step S1916). . If no device of the same type is registered, the presence / absence of connection of the device of the next highest priority type is checked based on the data transfer destination management table. If the next candidate transfer destination is registered (step S1916; Y), the procedure returns to step S1913,
The transfer destination information of the device is acquired and it is checked whether the data to be virtual spooled can be transferred to this device. When the next transfer destination device is not registered in the transfer destination information management table (step S1916; N), an error notification is sent to the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1917), and the process ends (end).

When transfer is possible (step S1915;
Y), or when returning the print data in which the transfer data is virtually spooled to the device in response to a request from another device (step S1903; N), the previously prepared data header information is sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 22. To (step S19
18). After that, the print data to be transferred is input from the data input unit 34 (step S1919), and is sequentially delivered to the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1920).
When all the print data have been delivered (step S1)
921; Y), the transfer data generation unit 35 creates the data end information 123 shown in FIG. 13 and passes it to the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1912). The procedure for creating the data header information and the data end information added when the print data is transferred is the same as that when the external storage device is not connected, and the description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 34 shows the flow of processing performed by the device input / output unit. The device input / output unit 101 is
A data input request or an output request is accepted (step S2001). When the received command is an input request (step S2002; Y), information about each device is acquired in order from the head of the storage device information management table shown in FIG. 16 (step S2003). With reference to the acquired status 163, it is determined whether the device can be used (step S2004). If it is not usable (step S2004; N), it is checked whether or not the next candidate device is registered in the storage device information management table (step S2005). When the next device is registered (step S2006;
Y), check availability of the device. If no other device is registered (step S2006;
N), notifies the requester that the device is unusable (step S2007), and ends the process (END).

When a usable device is found (step S2004; Y), data from the request source is input (step S2008), and this is sent to the selected device (step S2009). The transmission to the device is repeated until the input data is completed (step S2010; N). When all the data has been sent to the external storage device (step S2010; Y), the request source is notified of the end of the process (step S2011).

If the received request is a data output request from the external storage device (step S2002; N),
The output destination is acquired (step S2012). The final output destination of the print data read from the external storage device is
It may be the spool memory 25 of its own device or another device on the network. When the final output destination is the spool memory 25 of the own device (step S2013; Y), the data read from the external storage device is output to the spool memory 25 via the data storage unit 24 (step S20).
14). The output process is repeated until the data virtually spooled in the external storage device is completed (step S20).
15; N), after finishing outputting all (step S201)
5; Y), and sends an end notification to the requester (step S201)
1).

When the output destination is not the spool memory 25 of the own device (step S2013; N), the print data read from the external storage device is passed to the data input unit 34 (step S2016). The output process is repeated until the data virtually spooled in the external storage device is completed (step S2017; N), and after all the output is completed (step S2017; Y), an end notification is sent to the request source (step S2011). ). Information on whether the output destination is the spool memory 25 of the own device or another device on the network is received from the spool management unit 26.

Now, the flow of the entire operation of the print data spooling device will be described according to the contents of the processing, based on the flow of the processing of each unit described above. Since the processing flow is almost the same when the printing device fulfills the function as the print data spooling device and when it is fulfilled by the data storing device, only the printing device will be described here.

First, the case of receiving initial data from the print data generating device 12 will be described. The data analysis unit 23 analyzes the received data header information 122 (FIG. 21, step S702), and passes the print data to the data storage unit 24 (FIG. 21, step S713). If the data storage unit 24 can store all the received data (see FIG. 22,
Step S818; Y) Normal termination. When the received data cannot be stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine (step S816; Y in the figure), the fact is notified to the spool management unit 26 (step S817 in the figure). In response to this (FIG. 23, step S904; Y), the spool management unit 26 registers in the spool information management table that the data currently being received becomes a virtual spool (FIG. 2).
5, step S1101). Further, an input start notification to the data input unit 34 (step S1102 in the figure) and an output destination switching notification to the data transmission / reception unit 22 (step S1 in the figure).
103) is sent.

The data input section 34 is the data transmission / reception section 34.
Data is input (FIG. 30, step S160).
7) and passes it to the transfer data generation unit 35 (step S in the figure).
1608). The transfer data generation unit 35 selects the transfer destination device to be the virtual spool destination based on the transfer destination information management table of FIG. 15 (FIG. 31, step S1704).
Etc.), and converts the print data to be virtual spooled into the format shown in FIG. From the transfer data generation unit 35,
Upon receiving the data transmission request, the data transmission / reception unit 22 transfers the data to the device based on the transfer destination information passed from the transfer data generation unit 35 (FIG. 20).

The spool management unit 26 repeatedly monitors whether or not the data virtually spooled in another device can be recalled to the spool memory 25 of its own machine when the processing such as transmission / reception is not performed ( FIG. 23, step S912). The spool management unit 26 constantly searches whether or not an empty area larger than the difference between the total size 149 and the size 141 of the spool information management table has occurred in the spool memory 25 of its own machine (FIG. 29, step S1503). . Then, when there is a free area in which the virtual spooled data can be recalled, the data transmission / reception unit 22 is notified that the data will be acquired (step S1504 in the same figure).

When data is transferred from another device,
The data analysis unit 23 notifies the data storage unit 24 of the continuation information (FIG. 21, step S708). Based on this notification, the data storage unit 24 recognizes that the received data is the recalled print data (FIG. 22, step S80).
3) Then, the spool management unit 26 is requested to register the recalled print data (step S804 in the figure). The spool management unit 26 passes the combined information such as the file name to be stored to the data storage unit 24 (FIG. 24, step S100).
4, FIG. 22, step S805), the data storage unit 24 combines and stores the recalled print data at the end of the designated file (FIG. 22, step S807). When the storage of the data is completed, the data storage unit 24 sends an end notification to the spool management unit 26 (step S809 in the figure).
Upon receipt of the end notification (FIG. 23, step S910), the spool management unit 26 resets the virtual spool flag 145 of the spool information management table (FIG. 28, step S4).
01), register that all the print data has been recalled and stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine.

Next, the operation of the print data spooling device when a virtual spooling request is received from another device will be described.

The data analysis section 23 acquires the data header information 122 from the received data (see FIG.
1, step S702), the print data is stored in the data storage unit 2
4 (step S713 in the figure). Data storage unit 2
4 determines that the received data has received a virtual spool registration request (FIG. 22, step S81).
0; N), the virtual spool registration request is sent to the spool management unit 26.
(Step S812 in the figure). The spool management unit 26 receiving this (FIG. 23, step S908; Y),
The spool information management table is set to register the received data as a virtual spool (step S911 and FIG. 27). When the print data requested by the virtual spool cannot be stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine (FIG. 22, step S816), the registration of the virtual spool is performed as in the case where the initial data could not be stored. Then, the virtual spool registration request is sent to another device, and the data is transferred.

When the transmission request of the virtual spooled print data is received in the spool memory 25 of its own machine, the contents of the transmission request command received by the data transmission / reception unit 22 is analyzed and the virtual spooled data is analyzed. Send instructions directly,
It is sent to the spool management unit 26. Commands such as transmission requests are
It is performed in a layer lower than the layer of the process of transmitting and receiving the print data and the like shown in FIG. Spool management unit 26
Indicates that the data to be transmitted based on the transmission request and that the data is virtual spool data.
(Fig. 26). The transfer data generation unit 35 receives the data to be transmitted and the information that the data is virtual spool data from the data input unit 34, and
Is processed into the format shown in FIG.
1).

The data transmission / reception unit 22 receives the data from the transfer data generation unit 35, and transmits the print data to the transmission source device of the transmission request (FIG. 20). When the transmission is normally completed, the pool management unit 26 is notified of the transfer destination address and the like (FIG. 20, step S608). Further, the processing of the lower layer of the data transmission / reception unit 22 notifies the spool management unit 26 of the end of transmission. In response to this, the spool management unit 26
Deletes the registered contents of the transferred data (FIG. 28, step S1401).

When an external storage device is provided, the difference is that an external storage device is added as a transfer destination device, but the general flow of processing is the same. Further, the processing of the data input unit 22, the transfer data generation unit 35, and the processing of the device input / output unit 101 when the external storage device is added have already been described in detail, and therefore the overall operation when the external storage device is included. The description of the flow is omitted.

Modification

In the above-described embodiments, when the received print data cannot be stored in the spool memory of the own machine, it is unconditionally transferred to another device or an external storage device for virtual spooling. In the modified example, it is determined whether or not the virtual spool should be performed according to the received data. If the data that can be virtual spooled and its priority are registered in advance and the received data cannot be stored,
If low-priority data has already been spooled, it is virtually spooled to another device to be ejected, and data that cannot be virtual-spooled is preferentially spooled.

FIG. 35 shows a structure of a printing apparatus having a function as a print data spooling apparatus in the modified example. The same components as those of the printing apparatus in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 are designated by the same reference numerals,
The description is omitted as appropriate. Printer 18 in Modification
1, a virtual spool target data management table 182 and a virtual spool target data setting unit 183 are added, as compared with those shown in FIG. The virtual spool target data management table 182 is for registering a file name that can be a target of virtual spool and its priority. Also, the virtual spool target data setting unit 183
This is a part for setting and registering the virtual spool target data management table 182 according to an instruction from the control terminal 21.

FIG. 36 shows a structure of a data storage device having a function as a print data spool device in the modification. The same components as those of the data storage device shown in FIG. 12 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In the data storage device 191, a virtual spool target data management table 182 and a virtual spool target data setting unit 183 are added to the device of FIG. Since these are the same as those shown in FIG. 35, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 37 shows an example of registered contents of the virtual spool target data management table. The device name 201 is the name of the device that is the sender of the print data. For devices on the network, the host name is set,
In the case of a locally connected device, the device name is set. The type 202 represents the type of the transmission source device of the print data. In the figure, "P" is a printer,
"S" represents each server. Priority 20
3 represents a priority that should not be selected as a target of virtual spooling. The larger the numerical value, the easier it is for the virtual spool to be ejected to another device. Further, the smaller the numerical value among the virtual spools, the more preferentially the device is recalled when an empty area is generated. The file name 204 represents a file name that can be a target of virtual spooling. Since both the device name and the file name are registered, files with the same name received from different devices can be identified.

In the modification, the processing performed by the spool management unit 26 is different from that in the embodiment. Other parts are the same as those in the embodiment, and the description of the processing is omitted. Further, among the processes performed by the spool management unit 26 shown in FIG. 23, only the virtual spool switching process (step S905) performed when the spool full notification is received and the recall check process (step S902) performed in the idle state are performed. Different from those in the example. Therefore, the flow of processing will be described below only for these different portions.

FIG. 38 shows a flow of processing performed when the spool management unit in the modified example receives the spool full notification. When the spool full notification is received (Fig. 2
3, step S904; Y), first, referring to the virtual spool target data management table shown in FIG. 37 (FIG. 3).
8, step S2101). Based on this table, it is checked whether the file currently being received is print data that can be virtually spooled to another device (step S210).
2). When the file whose transfer source information of the data being received and the file name both match is registered in the virtual spool target data management table (step S2102;
Y), various settings for virtually spooling the data being received to another device.

First, the virtual spool flag 145 in the virtual spool information management table of FIG. 14 is set to "1" and it is registered that the data currently being received becomes a virtual spool (step S2103). Further, the virtual spool status 146 is set to "virtual spooling". Next, the data input unit 34 is notified that the data reception from the data transmission / reception unit 22 should be started (step S2104). The data transmission / reception unit 22 is notified that the output destination of the print data being received is switched from the data analysis unit 23 to the data input unit 34 (step S2105). Based on these settings and notifications, the transfer data generation unit 35 selects the transfer destination device, and the print data is transferred to the selected device in the format shown in FIG. 13 and virtually spooled.

When the print data being received is not registered in the virtual spool target data management table as virtual spoolable data (step S2102; N), the print data that can be ejected to another device is the spool of its own machine. It is checked whether or not it is stored in the memory 25. That is, it is checked whether the files registered in the virtual spool target data management table are stored in the spool memory 25 of its own device in order from the file with the lowest priority 204 (step S2106). Print data that can be sent to another device is the spool memory 2 of your machine.
When stored in 5, the sum of the size of print data that can be ejected and the size of the current free area is
It is checked whether or not it is larger than the remaining size of the data being received (step S2107).

If a free area equal to or larger than the remaining size of the input data cannot be obtained (step S
2107; N), and the presence or absence of print data that can be ejected next is checked in ascending order of priority 204 (step S210).
6). When printable print data is not stored in the spool memory 25 of the machine itself (step S210)
6; N), error notification is given (step S2108),
The process ends (END).

When a free area having a size capable of storing the rest of the input data is obtained by erasing the existing data (step S2107; Y), the data to be evicted selected by the data input unit 34 is set to the own device. Notify that the spool memory 25 is directly input (step S210).
9). Further, the various information registered in the spool information management table regarding the print data selected as the one to be ejected is transferred to the data input unit 34 (step S
2110). Further, the registration content of the spool information management table for the print data to be ejected is changed (step S2111). Here, the virtual spool flag is set to "0".
Is changed from "1" to "1", and the size 145 is reduced by the amount of eviction. All of the selected files stored in the spool memory 25 of the own machine may be ejected to another device, or as much print data as necessary to store the data being received may be ejected and virtual spooling may be performed. Is also good.

The data input unit 34 which has received the notification of the start of input
Directly inputs the print data of the designated file from the spool memory 25 of its own machine, and transfers it to the transfer data generation unit 3
Pass to 5. The transfer data generation unit 35 selects the transfer destination device and converts the data to be transferred into the format shown in FIG. If an external storage device is connected, this is selected with priority. When the transfer destination is a device on the network, the data transmission / reception unit 21 transfers the data from the transfer data generation unit 35. When the transfer destination is an external storage device connected locally, the data from the transfer data generation unit 35 is virtually spooled to the floppy disk device or the like via the device input / output unit 101.

FIG. 39 shows the flow of the call back check process performed by the spool management unit in the modification. The spool management unit 26 refers to the spool information management table and checks whether or not there is print data that is virtually spooled (step S2201). If there is no print data that is virtually spooled (step S
2201; N), the process ends (END). If there is data that is virtually spooled (step S22)
01; Y), and checks the free area of the spool memory 25 of its own machine (step S2202). Next, the data having the highest priority 204 in the virtual spool target data management table is searched from the data virtually spooled to the other device, and the data size necessary for recalling and spooling is retrieved ( Step S2203). When there is enough free spool area to recall the virtual spooled data (step S2204; Y),
The data transmitting / receiving unit 22 is notified of a request to recall the virtual spooled data (step S2205).
If there is not enough free area (step S220)
4; N), the process is terminated as it is (end).

As described above, in the modified example, the file name of the virtual suppliable print data and the priority not to be virtual spooled are registered in advance, and only the virtual spoolable one is transferred to another device and virtualized. It is spooling. When print data that cannot be virtual spooled cannot be stored in the spool memory of the machine itself, the print spooler that has already been stored can be searched for in the order of low priority, and this can be saved to another device and virtualized. It is spooling.
As a result, even when there is no free area, print data that should not be virtually spooled can be spooled in the printer. When an empty area is created, print data virtually spooled to another device is recalled in order from the highest priority print data. With these, it is possible to select the storage location of the print data according to the priority of the printed matter.

[0137]

As described above, according to the invention described in claim 1, when the print data cannot be stored in the print data storage means of the own machine, the print data is transferred to another device and stored, and an empty area is generated. At this time, this is recalled from the transfer destination and stored in the print data storage means of the own machine. As a result, a reception error does not occur even when there is no free area in the memory of the device itself, and it is not necessary to retransmit the print data from the transmission source device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when all the print data cannot be stored in the print data storage means of the own machine, only the overflow is transferred to another device and stored. In this way, by transferring only the required minimum amount of print data to another device, the transfer time can be shortened. Further, the storage area of the transfer destination device is not eroded more than necessary.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, it is provided with another device connected through a communication line as a transfer destination of the input print data, and an external storage device locally connected to the own device. You have selected whether to transfer to the device. For example, by preferentially selecting the external storage device, the transfer time can be shortened and the communication line can be effectively used for other data transfer.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, whether or not each print data can be transferred to another device is stored in advance, and already stored when the print data being input is not transferable. It searches for printable data among these print data and drives it out to other devices to create an empty area. In particular, if print data that does not need to be printed quickly is registered as transferable, the print data can be appropriately stored according to the priority of printing.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the invention, the print data to be transferred to another device or the print data to be recalled from the transfer destination is selected according to the priority registered in advance. The print data can be stored more appropriately according to the priority.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a printing system in which a print data spooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a printing apparatus that functions as the print data spooling apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the printing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed when the print data spooling device receives print data.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a flow of processing when the print data virtually spooled to another device is called back to itself when an empty area is generated in the spool memory.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed when a virtual spool destination apparatus receives a transmission request for virtual spooled print data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a printing system in the case where a data storage device having a spool of print data is connected to a network as a print data spool device.

8 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a data storage device that functions as the print data spooling device shown in FIG. 7. FIG.

9 is a block diagram showing an outline of a circuit configuration of the data storage device shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a printing system in the case where an external storage device for a virtual suture is provided in a printing device or a data storage device having a function as a print data spooling device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a printing apparatus including an external storage device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a data storage device including an external storage device.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format of print data when being transferred on a network.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered contents of a spool management table for managing the spool status of print data.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered contents of a transfer destination information management table.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered contents of a storage device information management table.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered contents of a data transfer destination management table.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of a reception process performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit shown in FIG.

20 is a flowchart showing in detail a flow of a transmission process performed by the data transmitting / receiving unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data analysis unit.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data storage unit.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an outline of the flow of processing performed by the spool management unit.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the spool registration setting processing shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the flow of virtual spool switching processing performed when a spool full notification is received.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a flow of transfer setting processing performed when a virtual spool transfer request is received.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the flow of virtual spool registration setting processing performed by the spool management unit when a virtual spool registration request is received.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing the flow of spool end processing performed by the spool management unit when the end notification is received.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing the flow of a call back check process performed when the spool management unit has not received a notification or a request.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data input unit.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by a transfer data generation unit.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the data input unit of the print data spooling device having an external storage device.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed by a transfer data generation unit of the print data spooling device having an external storage device.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the device input / output unit.

FIG. 35 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus having a function as a print data spooling apparatus in a modified example.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data storage device having a function as a print data spooling device in a modified example.

FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered contents of a virtual spool target data management table.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed when the spool management unit in the modified example receives a spool full notification.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the flow of a call back check process performed by the spool management unit in the modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... Communication line, 12 ... Print data generating device, 13 ... Printing device, 14 ... Print output unit, 15, 16 ... Transfer path, 2
1 ... Control terminal, 22 ... Data transmitting / receiving unit,
23 ... Data analysis unit, 24 ... Data storage unit, 25 ... Spool memory, 26 ... Spool management unit, 27 ... Spool information management table, 28 ... Print management unit, 29 ... Print data conversion unit, 31 ... Data printing unit, 32 ... virtual spool definition unit, 33 ... transfer destination information management table, 34 ... data input unit, 35 ... transfer data generation unit, 41, 81 ... C
PU, 42, 82 ... Bus, 43, 83 ... ROM, 4
4, 84 ... RAM, 45, 85 ... Network communication circuit, 46, 86 ... Magnetic disk device, 47, 87 ... Disk control device, 61 ... Data storage device, 95 ... Floppy disk device, 101 ... Device input / output unit, 102 ...
Storage device information setting unit 103 ... Storage device information management table 104 ... Data transfer destination setting unit 105 ... Data transfer destination management table 111 ... Transfer destination print data Printing device information setting unit 121 ... Data string 122 ... Data Header information, 123 ... Data end information, 124 ... Continuation information, 125, 127 ... Data size information, 126 ...
Transfer source address, 128 ... Transfer destination information, 129 ... Transfer destination address, 131 ... Transfer destination account, 132 ... Transfer file name, 182 ... Virtual spool target data management table, 183 ... Virtual spool target data setting unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Agency reference number FI Technical display location H04N 1/21 H04N 1/21

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A print data input unit for inputting print data sent through a communication line, a print data storage unit for storing print data input from the print data input unit, and a print data storage unit. Print data transfer for transferring the print data input from the print data input means to another device capable of accumulating the print data when there is no free space for storing the print data input from the print data input means Means, a free area checking means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data transferred to another device by the print data transferring means is generated in the print data accumulating means, and the free area checking means When it is detected that there is a free space enough to store the print data transferred to Print data spooling device, characterized by comprising a print data recall storage means for storing the print data storage means recalling the print data from the device. 2. A print data input means for inputting print data sent through a communication line, a print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means, and the print data storage means. When there is no free space for storing all the print data input from the print data input means, the print data that cannot be stored in the free space is transferred to another device capable of accumulating the print data. Print data transfer means, free space inspection means for checking whether or not a free space for storing print data transferred to another device by the print data transfer means has occurred in the print data storage means, and the free space inspection means When it is detected that there is a free space to store the print data transferred to the other device by Serial other print data spool unit device recalling the print data from characterized by comprising a print data recall storage means for storing the print data storage means. 3. A print data input means for inputting print data sent through a communication line, a print data storage means for storing print data input from the print data input means, and the print data storage means. An external storage device for storing the print data input from the print data input means when there is no free space, and a free space for storing the print data input from the print data input means in the print data storage means Transfer destination selecting means for selecting whether to transfer the print data to the external storage device or another device connected to the communication line capable of accumulating the print data when there is no area, and the transfer destination. Print data transfer means for transferring the print data from the print data input means to the device selected by the selection means; Data transfer means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data transferred by the data transfer means has occurred in the print data storage means, and the print transferred to the selected device by the free area inspection means. Print data recall storage means for recalling print data from a transfer destination device and storing the print data in the print data storage means when it is detected that a vacant area for storing data is detected. Spool device. 4. A print data input unit for inputting print data sent through a communication line, a print data storage unit for storing print data input from the print data input unit, and the print data input unit. Transfer permission / inhibition information storage means for storing beforehand transfer permission / inhibition identification information for identifying whether or not the print data input from the print data is transferable to another device, and is input from the print data input means. When there is no free area for storing print data in the print data storage means, it is determined whether the print data input based on the content stored in the transfer availability identification information storage means can be transferred to another device. The transfer availability determination means for determining, and the transfer availability determination means for transferring the print data input from the print data input means to another device. When it is determined that the print data is transferable, a transfer is performed to search for print data that can be transferred to another device from the print data stored in the print data storage means based on the storage content of the transfer availability identification information storage means. Data search means, and when the transfer data search means searches for printable data from the print data stored in the print data storage means, transfers the print data to another device, and the transfer availability determination means. When it is determined that the print data can be transferred, the print data transfer means for transferring the print data input from the print data input means to another device, and the print data transferred to the other device by the print data transfer means are stored. A free area inspection means for checking whether or not as many free areas as possible have been generated in the print data storage means, and the other area device by the free area inspection means. The print data recall storage means for recalling the print data from the other device and storing the print data in the print data storage means when it is detected that a free space for storing the print data transferred to the print data is detected. Characterizing print data spooling device. 5. A print data input unit for inputting print data sent through a communication line, a print data storage unit for storing print data input from the print data input unit, and the print data input unit. Transferability identification information for identifying whether or not the print data input from the device is print data that can be transferred to another device, and the priority to be transferred for the print data that can be transferred to another device are stored in advance. The transfer permission / inhibition identification information storage means, and when the print data storage means does not have an empty area for storing the print data input from the print data input means, input based on the storage content of the transfer permission / inhibition identification information storage means And a transfer availability determining means for determining whether the print data to be transferred is print data that can be transferred to another device. When it is determined that the print data input from the print data input unit cannot be transferred to another device, the print data storage unit stores the print data based on the stored contents of the transfer availability identification information storage unit. Transfer data retrieval means for retrieving print data that can be transferred to another device from the print data in descending order of priority to be transferred, and print data stored in the print data storage means by the transfer data retrieval means. When a transferable item is searched from among the above, it is transferred to another device, and when it is determined that the transfer is possible by the transfer possibility determining unit, the print data input from the print data input unit is transferred to another device. A print data transfer unit that transfers to a device, and a print data transferred to another device by this print data transfer unit that has a lower priority to be transferred A free area checking means for checking whether or not a free area for storing the print data has been generated in the print data storage means, and a free area for storing the print data transferred to the other device by the free area checking means. And a print data recall storage unit for recalling print data from the other device and storing the print data in the print data accumulating unit when the occurrence is detected.