DE102006044870B3 - Print data receiving method for electro-photographic high-performance printer, involves reproducing print data on level-computer system and accessing data on reproduced print data during problems of storing - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves allowing a receiver (2) e.g. printing server, to acknowledge a correct receiving of predetermined data unit at print data to a transmitter (1) according to a predetermined download-protocol. The print datas are copied by the receiver before implementing the respective acknowledgement for the predetermined data unit. The print datas are reproduced on a level-computer system that is separately formed by the printing server. The datas are accessed on the reproduced print datas on the printing server during problems of storing. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a device for receiving of pressure data (2) a computer program product for implementing a method of receiving of pressure data.

Description

The The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for receiving print data by a receiver from a transmitter.

The Invention is for Printing environments provided with electrophotographic high-performance printer. The recipients are usually print servers. Such print servers are in the book digital printing technology and printing technologies of the océ printing systems, 9th edition, February 2005 (ISBN 3-00-001019-X) in chapter 15. These print servers are called océ PRISMAproduction Server designated. Among other things, they interpose communication mainframes (Mainframes) and the pressure equipment ago. Such a print server may be of several different Mainframes Print data streams in different Receive formats and forward them to a variety of other pressure equipment. The transfer the data can be over different networks take place according to different protocols.

From the EP 1 519 262 A1 and the JP 2006252339 A Print servers are known to store the print data temporarily.

Lots Users of high-performance electrophotographic printing systems have theirs mainframe focused on one or a few locations. Often the lead Operator of such mainframe the printing processes not through, but send their data to be printed to so-called Printing centers. These printing centers have one or more electrophotographic High-performance printers that over a local network are interconnected. In this local network is a print server arranged over another network, such as. the Internet, which receives print data from the mainframe.

To transfer the data from a mainframe A print server often uses the IBM Download protocol a separately orderable feature of the IBM Print Services Facility (PSF) for that on mainframe computers used operating system OS / 390. Download automatically transfers print data via TCP / IP network. With the download protocol becomes an automatic Troubleshooting performed. If the transfer the print data could not be executed correctly, the Retransfer print data. For this it is not necessary for an operator to intervene on the mainframe and the data transfer re-executes. The print data are stored in the mainframe until they are Completely and transferred correctly have been. In the mainframe generated print data stream can Brands to be inserted which are referred to as checkpoints. If there is an error in the transmission The print data should have occurred, the data from the last Retransfer checkpoint again. As a result, it is not necessary, always the entire print data to transfer again.

For operators Printing centers create significant problems when due to a computer breakdown lose the print data or the print data as far as damaged become that they are no longer usable. If the correct reception the sender has been acknowledged, then deletes the print data and they do not stand for anymore a retransmission to disposal. To avoid these problems, the log download is with a function provided with which the print data transmitted simultaneously to multiple receivers can be. This is to transfer the print data to a print server and mirror computer systems, on which the print data are held for a certain time, at a later date occurring errors in the processing of the print data by processing from the mirror computer system to be able to fix the print data. however is the mirroring of the print data on mirrored computer systems in Area of responsibility of the mainframe operator and not the printing centers. Even if the operator of the mainframe does such a mirror provides, the print data after the acknowledgment of the successful Received cleared and there is no way retrieve the print data again. On the other hand it is for the operator the printing center on business very detrimental if he has already correctly transmitted from his client Must interrogate print data again.

Around to avoid these problems would have to the mainframe or on whose mirror computer systems the print data are kept for as long as possible, until the complete Expression is complete. For this would have over the entire production chain After completion of the printout, a response to the mainframe done so that the print data can be deleted again. A such feedback means a considerable communication effort. mainframe send their print data to different print servers, which in turn send a Control a large number of different printers. All the different ones Print server and printer would have to for one such feedback be furnished. Since known protocols for transferring print data between mainframes and print servers do not provide such feedback, this is hardly possible.

Software for mirroring entire computer systems is known and could in principle also be used for such a print server receiving the print data. This, however, the print server would be mirrored in itself, which would mean that in the print server erroneously ge stored data would again be stored incorrectly on the mirror computer system. Thus, problems created by the print server at the print server can not be avoided. For example, if a user inadvertently deletes print data from the print server, they will also be automatically deleted from the mirrored computer system because that mirrored computer system is intended to be an exact copy of the print server.

at This known software for mirroring an entire computer system Every single save on a hard drive of the computer system immediately transferred to the mirror computer system and copied there.

at the transmission The print data is another problem that the print data sometimes sent to a wrong print server. The single ones Print servers often have similar ones Name, so that in case of a typo or a wrong selection from a menu list an incorrect print server is entered as destination. Such a misaddressing does not happen frequently however, when it does occur, it causes in high-performance printing a considerable damage, as printed on the wrong printing device Print product is usually not usable. When print data on transmitted a wrong pressure device are, then often are not the correct ones at this pressure device Resources and form definitions exist, so the print data to be printed incorrectly. In high-performance printing can be a faulty printed Print job can mean a significant financial loss. So far is attempted, such a mis-transmission of print data using firewall programs determine based on parameters used in the header of the Network protocol are included, decide if the print data be delivered correctly. The headers of network protocols, like For example, TCP / IP only contain basic parameters such as the address of the Transmitter and the receiver. Is a certain transmitter activated at a certain receiver, so the firewall programs allow the receipt of all data from this Transmitter.

often However, if you want a much more specific association between Sender and receiver, e.g. a sender should send a certain type of print job to you certain recipients and submit another type of print job to another recipient.

at on Linux systems or other Unix derivative-based print servers It is known, incoming print jobs by means of the protocol LP with the Deamon lpd.perms on several for the transmitter and receiver specific Check parameters. For this the print job is accompanied by a separate file, the not only the address data of the sending computer and the receiving computer, but also contain several parameters to the user. It is also a parameter to the printing device listed herein.

adversely In this system is that the parameters to be monitored in one separate file are stored. If a hacker this file intercepts and he can always copy a print job to a print server trigger. It can also inject files into the print server that pose a security risk represent.

Of the The invention is based on the object, a method and a device to provide for receiving print data by a receiver from a transmitter, in a simple way, a safer handling of the print data at the receiver allow.

The The object is achieved by a method having the feature of claim 1 and claim 21 and by a device having the features of Claim 25 solved.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are specified in the respective subclaims.

With the method according to the invention according to claim 1 for receiving print data by a receiver of a transmitter, the print data from the sender to the receiver transmit a predetermined protocol. The correct receipt of a predetermined data unit of print data is acknowledged by the sender. The inventive method is characterized by the fact that the receiver before executing the respective acknowledgment for a particular unit of data copies the print data.

By Immediate copying of the print data before being compared to the Sender will be acknowledged, will ensure that after the Acknowledge at the receiver occurring error does not affect the copied print data may have. Occurs, however, before acknowledging the print data Error at the receiver on, so there is no correct acknowledgment, causing the transmitter assume that the print data does not receive correctly have been. The sender will therefore not delete the print data and they stand for another transmission to disposal. If, however, an error occurs at the receiver after acknowledgment, It may be that the correctly received print data will be damaged. Since a copy of this print data has been created, can on this Copy used and editing the print data without any harm to be continued.

The inventive method allows a variety of options, such as the copied or mirrored Print data to be used in case of error. It is also possible the Copy print data multiple times.

The Print data is often sent from the sender to the receiver in a compressed Transfer form. In a preferred embodiment The invention copies the compressed print data. hereby the memory required to hold the copied data becomes small held. Most of the time, the data is not copied inside a computer system but copied from a computer system to a mirrored computer system. This would require data on a Transfer data line become. The transferring delayed the data line the copy process. By copying the print data into compressed Will this delay kept low.

To another preferred embodiment In the present invention, the copying of the print data is performed preferably near the entrance of the recipient, in particular at an interface module, a directly the Interface module Subordinate copy module or on a the Interface module immediately downstream buffer module.

The solution according to claim Fig. 23 relates to a method of receiving print data by one receiver from a transmitter in which the print data is transmitted according to a predetermined protocol become. The recipient checks if the print data come from a correct transmitter by the receiver with a module for receiving and storing the print data based on a plurality of parameters that are in accordance with the predetermined protocol Print data contained in the header checks the sender's correctness before the print data is stored by the module.

There several parameters can be checked the transmitter are checked very specifically, with a profile with a variety of parameters can be queried. Because the parameters are the header of the transmission protocol can be taken Third parties do not recognize which parameters are relevant for access to the recipient are. Even if a third party on the Internet intercept such a message should not, he can not see that contained in the header Parameters are the access-relevant data and even if he knows he should not know what parameters for access relevant to the recipient are.

If the parameters used to check the Sender, determine the content of the print job, a third party can not send any print jobs to the recipient, even if he should recognize all parameters as access elements. Because if one or more parameters are the contents of the print job be able to co-determine only such print jobs be transmitted to the receiver with this parameter set. Other types of print jobs will be rejected automatically.

Preferably the parameters of several headers are used to check the sender. Are print data, for example by means of the download protocol on the Transferring the Internet from the sender to the recipient, so the print data not only have a header of the download log but also of the Internet Protocol. From both headers can be parameters to check the transmitter be used. The selection and compilation of the parameters is the sole responsibility of the recipient, who can individually determine the criteria for printing data from broadcasters.

The Invention will be explained below by way of example with reference to the drawing. The Drawing shows in:

1 schematically the structure of a printing system with a mainframe, a print server and multiple printers,

2 the print server 1 with the modules for receiving and processing print data,

3 a diagram for illustrating the timing of the transfer and correction of print data of a print job,

4a . 4b one configuration each of multiple mirror computer systems,

5 a table with a parameter list,

6a . 6b one configuration each of the access profile for print data, and

7 another table with parameters.

The method according to the invention serves to transmit print data from a transmitter 1 to a receiver 2 , The transmitter 1 is usually a mainframe computer on which a large amount of data is generated on print data. This print data is mostly on multiple recipients 2 distributed. In 1 is for simplicity of illustration only a single transmitter and a single receiver 2 shown.

The data communication between the transmitter 1 and the receiver 2 can be regulated by different protocols. For mainframe computers from IBM, the download protocol is very common, based on the TCP / IP protocol. On Unix systems, print data is transferred using the LP protocol (Lineprinter). Other suitable protocols are FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and NFS (Network File System) from program modules to the transmitter 1 to automatically transfer the print data. The applicant offers such a program module HotDir, which provides a directory in which incoming print data is automatically collected and forwarded to the recipient.

In the present embodiment, the transmitter 1 a mainframe or mainframe from IBM that uses the OS / 390 operating system and download protocol to transfer the print data. On the transmitter 1 are two printer drivers 3 "Printer 1" and "Printer 2" installed, which prepare the print data for transmission to a printer and forward. A print server can simulate such a printer for the mainframe so that it can receive the print data from the mainframe. The print server or receiver 2 can freely receive the received print data to one of several to the receiver 2 connected printer 4 to distribute.

The term "printer driver" is not used here in the sense of the printer drivers known from personal computers which process the print data in such a way and even rasterize it so that it can process the respective printing device directly. or in the control device of the respective printing device 3 the transmitter 1 Instead, the incoming print data checks whether they are suitable for the printing device on which they are to be printed and prepare the print data for transmission over a network 5 to the recipient 2 in front. This can be done by the printer drivers 3 Print data for transmission to the sender 1 prepare by composing certain files into a print job, compress those files and possibly encrypt them.

The thus prepared print data are received by the receiver 2 receive. The present recipient 2 is a print server, especially a PRISMAproduction print server. This print server 2 has three different interface modules 6 for receiving print data using different protocols. One of the interface modules is for receiving data by means of the download protocol, the other for receiving data is a HotDir directory and the third interface module 6 is designed to receive data using the LP protocol. The interface module 6 for receiving data by means of the download protocol is below as a download interface 6 designated. At this interface module, two port numbers are installed according to the TCP protocol, with which the data streams between the transmitter 1 and the receiver 2 be identified. These port numbers are permanently assigned (assigned numbers). The incoming print data at the interfaces are stored in the print server 2 to a spool module 7 forwarded, which caches the print data and then to the individual printer 4 transfers. The download interface is designed as a program that runs in the background, usually with no direct user intervention taking place. Such programs are called Unix and its derivatives as a daemon (Disc and Execution Monitor). In Microsoft Windows, the corresponding programs are called "Services" or "Services". A daemon can also run when no user is logged in to the computer.

2 shows the relevant for receiving and forwarding using the download interface program modules of the print server 2 in a block diagram a little more detail. In the print server 2 is next to the download interface 6 a buffer module 8th arranged in which the incoming print data is cached. The buffer module 8th follows a decryption and decompression module 9 that the decrypted and decompressed data into another buffer module 10 writes. From the buffer module 10 reads a print data processing unit 11 the print data stored therein and performs the necessary processing steps. The print data processing unit 11 writes the processed print data into another buffer 12 from which they are in the spool module 7 to be written. The buffer modules 8th . 10 . 12 All are inherited from the same class and correspond to those in the German patent application DE 199 57 594 A1 or in the corresponding US patent application US 2003/0041086 A1 described buffer class. These documents are incorporated herein by reference.

At the in 2 the embodiment shown is the buffer module 8th configured to copy the incoming print data and over a data line 13 to a mirror computer system 14 forwards. This mirror computer system 14 In the simplest case, there is only one additional hard disk in the print server 2 , Preferably, the mirror computer system is a computer system that is independent of the print server 2 is trained. In particular, the mirror computer system should 14 away, especially in a building other than the one print server 2 be arranged. This ensures that if the print server is compromised 2 by fire or the like the mirror computer system 14 is not affected and the stored print data is still available.

The buffer module 8th with the copy function of the incoming print data is before the decryption and decompression module 9 arranged so that the print data in the compressed and encrypted state to the mirror computer system 14 to get redirected. This will do this via the data line 13 data volumes to be transmitted are kept low and a fast copying of the print data to the mirror computer system 14 allows.

The buffer module 8th is designed such that after completion of the copying of received print data this is the download interface 6 is confirmed. The download interface 6 performs the acknowledgment that the print data has been received correctly to the sender 1 only when the corresponding confirmation of the buffer module 8th is present. This will ensure that there is an error on the print server 2 , such as a crash, does not cause incoming print data to the sender 1 be properly acknowledged, but not on the print server 2 into the mirror computer system 14 can be copied. This slight delay in acknowledging the correct receipt of the incoming print data ensures that at least the print server 2 or on the mirrored computer system, even if a problem occurs on one of the two computers, the print data is available when facing the sender 1 have been properly acknowledged.

The delay of the acknowledgment of the correct input of the print data is mainly due to the transmission of the copied print data via the data line 13 caused. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous if the print data in the compressed state to the mirror computer system 14 be transmitted. This is also advantageous if a fast data connection is used.

As it is in 2 through the dashed data line 13 is indicated, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the incoming print data in the download interface 6 copied and from there to the mirror computer system 14 to get redirected. Such an embodiment has the advantage that the mirroring and acknowledgment of a single module, the download interface 6 , is controlled. As a result, an acknowledgment synchronized with the mirroring of the print data can easily be realized.

Alternatively, it is also possible to add an additional copy module between the download interface 6 and the buffer module 8th whose sole purpose is to copy the print data and to the mirror computer system 14 forward.

In a development of the present invention, it is also possible, after certain processing operations, in particular at the output of the receiver 2 the print data on the mirror computer system 14 to copy. In 2 is an example of a data connection 15 with a dashed line from the buffer module 12 to the mirror computer system 14 shown. The buffer module is designed such that all with the buffer module 12 stored print data before going to the spool module 7 be forwarded via the data connection 15 on the mirror computer system 14 be copied. The data connection 15 is logically an independent data connection from the data connection 13 , Of course, these two data connections use the same physical data line. Such additional reflection of the print data is particularly expedient if a complex processing of the print data at the receiver 2 he follows. For example, at the receiver 2 The print data are rasterized, which can take a few hours even with the currently available computing power for large print jobs. This rasterized print data can thus be applied to the mirror computer system 14 be copied. Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible at several points in the receiver 2 , especially on all buffer modules 8th . 10 . 12 to provide such a copy function.

The system according to the invention, in which the print data is copied to a mirror computer system, differs fundamentally from conventional mirror methods in that not every random write operation to a storage medium, in particular the hard disk of the receiver 2 , on the mirror computer system 14 is copied, but on the one hand only predetermined data, namely the print data to be copied and on the other hand, these data are copied only to certain process stations. This will provide the necessary data transfer between the receiver 2 and the mirror computer system 14 kept low compared to conventional mirror method.

The selection / specification of the data to be copied or backed up and / or the mirror computer systems 14 In particular, it can be menu-guided by a user. Targeted copying of predetermined data to specific process stations in the process flow of the recipient 2 brings about a further advantage over conventional mirror methods. So can at the receiver 2 and at the mirror computer system 14 different rights are assigned to the user for editing the print data. For example, a user may have the right to the recipient 2 Delete print data. However, this right does not have to be automatic on the mirrored computer system 14 extend. Deletes a user by mistake at the receiver 2 Print data, so they continue on the mirror computer system. Furthermore, it is possible to delete a function on the receiver 2 in such a way that they automatically offset in time on the mirror computer system 14 is performed. The time lag can be between a few hours and a few days. This ensures that after accidental deletion the data on the mirror computer system 14 at least some time left.

The course of the method according to the invention will be described below with reference to FIG 3 illustrated diagram explained.

In this example, a print job comprising two print files (Datafile 1, Datafile 2) is sent from the sender to the receiver. In 3 is the interface of the transmitter 1 to the network 5 with MF (mainframe), the interface between the network 5 and the receiver I-PS (input print server) and the interface of the receiver 2 with the to the mirror computer system 14 (M) leading data line 13 with O-PS (Output Print Server).

The first print file (Datafile 1) is sent to step S1 (see arrow in 3 ) from the transmitter to the receiver. In the receiver, the first print file is copied and transferred to the mirror system with step S2. The mirror computer system acknowledges the correct receipt of the print file 1 in step S3. The correct receipt of the print file is then acknowledged by the receiver to the sender (step S4).

The Same steps S1 to S4 are used to transfer the second print file (Datafile 2) executed. If the print job contains more than two print files, then the steps S1 to S4 for transmission each time a print file repeated often.

are all print files have been transferred correctly, so will be in the receiver with the step S5 the execution started the print job, with the print files to the appropriate Pressure device transmitted become. The recipient receives then after execution the print job from the printing device a corresponding confirmation (Step S6) The method is above based on an embodiment explains in which the data is transmitted from the sender to the receiver by means of the download protocol be received, whereby the receipt of each print file is acknowledged. If checkpoints are used, the acknowledgment is made after the correct reception and the correct copying or mirroring of a Data unit of print data passing through a checkpoint or the End of the print file is limited. The items to be transferred and copied Data unit is thus not always a complete print file, but can also consist of sections of a print file.

Should When saving the print data on the receiver or print server problems This can come from the print server and the mirror computer system existing system be designed such that the mirror computer system automatically used as a print server. This is the mirror computer system with all functions or program modules of the print server, the necessary to forward and process the print data, to provide.

Basically the correct reception of the print data only after the copying of the print data the mirror computer system acknowledged. If copying the print data is not performed correctly can, will the entire transmission the print data is aborted. In an alternative embodiment but it is also possible that the receiver acknowledged to the sender the correct receipt of the print data, itself if the print data is not correct on the mirror computer system could be copied provided the print data was received correctly and on the receiver have been stored correctly. After fixing the error, the was the cause of the incorrect copying, it is possible that not copied print data later on the mirror computer system to copy.

The inventive system may also be provided with multiple mirror computer systems. The Print data can be copied simultaneously to the multiple mirror computer systems. It is but also possible the print data only to a single mirror computer system copy and if there are problems, the Copied print data to another mirror computer system so that their correct storage is ensured.

If Several mirror computer systems are present, it is also possible that on a particular mirror computer system when an error occurs, copying will continue only if at least a predetermined number n copies of the data to be backed up on the multiple mirrored computer systems could be successfully created.

• (1) Abbruch der Datenübertragung vom Sender zum Empfänger, wenn ein Fehler beim Kopieren auf dem konfigurierten Spiegel-Computersystem auftritt.
• (2) Fortsetzen der Datenübertragung vom Sender zum Empfänger, selbst bei einem Fehler auf dem konfigurierten Spiegel-Computersystem.
• (3) Fortsetzen der Datenübertragung vom Sender zum Empfänger nur wenn n Kopien der zu sichernden Daten erfolgreich erstellt worden sind.
• (4) Umschalten des Kopiervorganges auf ein vorbestimmtes anderes Spiegel-Computersystem, wenn ein Fehler an dem konfigurierten Spiegel-Computersystem auftritt.
• (5) Verwenden als Ersatz-Spiegel-Computersystem (Standby Mirror Server), das nur verwendet wird, wenn entweder am Empfänger oder an einem anderen Spiegel-Computersystem ein Fehler auftritt.

Error (error reaction) can thus be reacted according to the rules listed below. These rules for an error case are at the receiver 2 configured. This configuration of a particular rule occurs for a particular mirrored computer system. The rules are:

• (1) Stop data transfer from the sender to the receiver if a copy error occurs on the configured mirrored computer system.
• (2) Resume data transmission from the sender to the receiver, even in the event of an error on the configured mirror computer system.
• (3) Resume data transmission from the sender to the receiver only if n copies of the data to be backed up have been successfully created.
• (4) switching the copy operation to a predetermined other mirror computer system when an error occurs on the configured mirror computer system.
• (5) Use as a standby mirror server system that is used only when an error occurs on either the receiver or another mirrored computer system.

in the Error case there are two ways how to fix a bug on a mirrored computer system (error recovery). On the one hand, you can try all the print data or data units received since the error occurred at the receiver on the mirror computer system to copy. On the other hand, the mirror computer system can also be configured in this way be that the print data received since the error occurred no longer be copied to this mirror computer system.

4a shows a configuration example with three mirror computer systems referred to as Primary-Mirror, Secondary 1-Mirror and Secondary 2-Mirror. If an error occurs while copying to the primary mirror, data transfer from the sender to the receiver is aborted. The print data or the corresponding data unit must be retransmitted.

If on the Secondary 1 mirror an error occurs, the data transfer unchanged continued. After fixing the error, all become interim at the receiver received and stored there on the secondary print data 1-Mirror copied.

At the Secondary 2-Mirror will transfer the data from the sender if there is an error on the receiver continued. After fixing the bug on the Secondary 2 mirror, the However, data received in the meantime is no longer available for this purpose copied.

4b shows a second configuration. This configuration includes 4 mirrored computer systems labeled Mirror 1, Mirror 2, Mirror 3, and Mirror 4. The mirror 4 forms a replacement mirror computer system to the mirror 3. The mirror 1 is configured so that the data transmission from the sender to the receiver is continued even if an error occurs in this mirror computer system. The Mirror 2 is configured to abort data transfer from the sender to the receiver when a failure occurs on that mirrored computer system and at least two copies could not be successfully created. This means that data transfer will be interrupted if an error occurs on the Mirror 2 and the Mirror 1 fails or the Mirror 3 and its replacement mirror computer system (Mirror 4) fails. Furthermore, the data transfer is aborted when the mirror 4 fails.

There the rules for each mirror computer system can be individually configured, can basically a any number of mirror computer systems are provided and interact in many different ways.

at An advantageous development of the receiver is its interface module designed such that it checks the incoming print data first, whether they come from a correct transmitter by the interface module the print data based on several parameters, which according to the protocol with the Transfer print data from sender to receiver are contained in a header. The correctness of the print data will be checked before this stored by the interface module on the receiver. This Aspect of the present invention is an independent inventive idea represents.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the print data are transmitted by means of the download protocol in conjunction with the TCP / IP protocol. In 4 A table with typical parameters for monitoring the correct pressure data is shown. The parameter "remote hosts" is in the header of the TCP / IP protocol, all other parameters from the table in 4 are specified in the header of the download log. The parameters "local ports" and "remote hosts" provide general address data. Such address data is used in firewall programs to monitor the correctness of the corresponding data. The other parameters "remote users", "remote printers", "remote class" and "remote forms" are specific parameters for the print job or the printer or user to be used. Such specific parameters are not used in firewall programs to validate the incoming data. To monitor the print data are the Parameter "remote class" and "remote forms" particularly specific, since these two parameters determine the content of the print data or the print job. For example, the remote forms parameter specifies which forms are used, for example, the remote class parameter describes a specific printer queue in a given recipient. This printer queue is for transferring print data to a particular printer or to a particular group of printers.

6a shows a configuration example in which a "star" is used as a placeholder for which arbitrary values can be inserted into the parameters 5a This means that all users can transfer their print data with arbitrary ports to any print device, provided that their IP address starts with "10.54."

When configuring 6b The user "Natia" can transmit data from the printer "P910" at the transmitter "Testserver.nowhere.com" to the port 5055. The user whose name starts with "Prod" can send his print data from the transmitter "Testserver.anywhere.org" via the port 5056 to the pressure device "P950".

Of the User "admin" can use any printer use that starts with a "P" and his Print data from the sender "Domain Server "on one transmit any port.

Of importance to the invention is that the receiver can freely define the rules according to which the print data are allowed to be received based on the parameters from the headers. The parameters listed in the above example are preferably used. In principle, however, other parameters listed in the headers can also be used. 7 shows a list of other such JCL parameters (JCL: Job Control Language). This table is taken from the IBM Print Services Facility for OS / 390 & z / OS Guide, Download for OS / 390, Version 3, Release 3.0 (S544-5624e-02), 2002.

In the above-explained embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus for receiving print data (receiver 2 ) used as a print server. Such a print server is a computer having a processor unit and a storage unit and a computer program for receiving, processing and forwarding print data. The computer program is designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

The Invention itself can also be realized as a computer program product, which is based on a disk is stored.

The invention can be briefly summarized as follows:
The invention relates to a method for receiving print data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the print data is copied by the receiver and stored on a mirror computer system before receipt of the print data is acknowledged to the corresponding sender. This significantly reduces the risk of loss of print data on the receiver side.

To A second aspect of the present invention will be discussed in detail Print data based on one or more headers Parameter to check if the print data come from a correct transmitter. The corresponding parameter list is from the receiver freely adjustable, which makes it very specific to the sources from which he receives print data, can control. In particular, content-related parameters can also be used the print data are used.

1

transmitter

2

receiver

3

printer driver

4

printing device

5

network

6

Interface module

7

Spool Module

8th

buffer module

9

decryption and decompression module

10

buffer module

11

Print data processing unit

12

buffer module

13

data line

14

Mirror computer system

15

Data Connection

Claims (28)

Method for receiving print data by a receiver ( 2 ) from a transmitter ( 1 ), where the recipient ( 2 ) according to a predetermined protocol acknowledges the correct receipt of a predetermined data unit of print data to the sender, wherein - the receiver ( 2 ) copies the print data for a particular data unit before executing the respective acknowledgment, - the receiver ( 2 ) to receive the print data a print server ( 2 ) and the print data to a print server ( 2 ) separately formed mirror computer system ( 14 ) and where - in case of problems saving the print data on the print server ( 2 ) is used on the copied print data. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mirror computer system ( 14 ) is equipped with print server functions and is used as a print server. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that in case of problems of storing the print data on the receiver print server ( 2 ) automatically the mirror computer system ( 14 ) is used as a print server. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that the acknowledgment of the correct reception only after successful execution copying the corresponding data unit to print data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transfer the print data is aborted when copying a data unit on print data has not been executed correctly. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the correct reception of the print data from the receiver ( 2 ) is acknowledged, even if the data unit could not be correctly copied to print data, if the data unit could be correctly received without copying. Method according to Claim 6, characterized that after fixing the error, the cause of the incorrect Copying is copying the unprinted print data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized that the print data are copied multiple times. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the receiver ( 2 ) a print server, a first mirror computer system ( 14 ) and a second mirror computer system, wherein the print data is copied to the second mirror computer system only when the first mirror computer system ( 14 ) can not save the print data correctly. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiver ( 2 ) the print data by means of an interface module ( 6 ) and the interface module ( 6 ) performs the copying of the print data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiver ( 2 ) the print data by means of an interface module ( 6 ) and the interface module ( 6 ) is directly followed by a copy module that performs the copying of the print data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the receiver ( 2 ) the print data by means of an interface module ( 6 ) and the interface module ( 6 ) the print data into a buffer module ( 8th ), the buffer module ( 8th ) copied the print data. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the print data from the transmitter ( 1 ) to the recipient ( 2 ) are transmitted using the DOWNLOAD protocol. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized that after transferring a complete File executed an acknowledgment becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized the data units are defined by predetermined marks (checkpoints) be limited. Method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized that the transfer of Print data from sender to receiver by means of a secure data connection. Method according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the print data from the sender are compressed and sent by the receiver be copied for decompression. Method according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized that the print data is encrypted by the sender and provided by the receiver decrypting be copied. Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized that the recipient the incoming print data in blocks immediately after receiving a copied to the respective data block. Method according to claim 19, characterized a data block has a predetermined amount of data of e.g. 100 KB to 1 MB. Method according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the receiver ( 2 ) Edit the print data and after processing the print data, the processed print data is copied and preferably transmitted to a separately trained mirror computer system. A method according to claim 21, characterized in that the copying of the processed print data from a buffer module ( 12 ) is performed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver ( 2 ) checks whether the print data from a correct sender ( 1 ) by the receiver with an interface module ( 6 ) for receiving the print data based on a plurality of parameters included in the header according to the predetermined protocol of the print data, checks the sender's correctness before the print data is released for storage by the interface module. Method according to claim 23, characterized that at least one of the parameters (class, form) contains the content of the Determined print job. Method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized that parameter uses multiple headers to check the print data become. Method according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized that the print data according to a Method according to one of claims 1 until 22 are received. Apparatus for receiving print data comprising a Computer, in which a computer program for executing the Method according to one of the claims 1 to 26 stored and executable is. Computer program product used to execute the Method according to one of the claims 1 to 26 is formed.