JP2000122829A - Method and device for selecting printers - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer selecting method and device which perform image display of acquired printer information and allow a user to visually judge the functions and situations of printers to easily select a desired printer. SOLUTION: A priority calculating part 14 calculates the priorities of printers based on the functions, situations, etc., of the printers which are acquired by a printer information detecting part 11, and a display image producing part 16 produces sequenced candidate images 27 utilizing images and displays them on a displaying and inputting means 21.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selecting a printer, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for selecting an optimum printer from a plurality of printers connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a distributed system constructed by networking, a plurality of printers are connected to a network. These printers do not always have the same function and performance, and a plurality of types of printers are often connected.

For this reason, when printing, the user needs to select a printer suitable for the job. For example, when performing color printing, it is necessary to select a color printer, and when performing printing with high image quality, it is necessary to select a high resolution printer.

[0004] However, it is more difficult to grasp all the functions and performances of a plurality of printers as the number of printers increases, and the user uses only printers within a range that the user can know. Therefore, not only is it difficult to select an optimal printer, but also a printer that has the same function is congested while one is congested and the other is vacant. .

[0005] Therefore, as a technique for solving the above-mentioned problem, a "printing apparatus selection method and a data processing network" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-200215 has been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-200215 discloses a "printing device selection method and data processing network" which acquires the performance and status of each printer on the network, the distance to the printer, etc., ranks the printers, and ranks the printers. The ranked printers are displayed as candidates, and the user is allowed to select a desired printer.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-22015, "Printing device selection method and data processing network", information such as the performance and status of a ranked printer is stored in each numerical value. Since the user needs to select a printer with reference to the numerical values or characters, it cannot be said that the user can easily select a desired printer.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a printer selection method and apparatus that displays acquired printer information as an image, allows the user to visually determine the functions and status of the printer, and easily select a desired printer. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer selecting method for selecting a desired printer from a plurality of printers connected to a network. And the operating status are acquired, and the functions and operating statuses of the plurality of printers are displayed as images based on the acquired functions and operating status.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the image display displays images corresponding to each of the plurality of printers side by side according to the order of priority. It is characterized by displaying an image showing a transition from a past ranking.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image display is performed by a user among the parameters based on the priority calculated for each parameter of the acquired function and operation status. An image corresponding to each of the plurality of printers is arranged on a two-dimensional plane based on the designated two parameters.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image display displays a floor plan view of a floor on which the plurality of printers are installed and an image showing the plurality of printers. Are displayed at corresponding positions on the floor plan view.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the priority is calculated by reflecting a request from a user in the acquired function and operation status. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in a printer selection device for selecting a desired printer from a plurality of printers connected to a network, a printer information obtaining means for obtaining functions and operating statuses of the plurality of printers, An image display unit for displaying the function and operation status of the plurality of printers based on the function and operation status acquired by the printer information acquisition unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the image display means displays images corresponding to each of the plurality of printers side by side according to the order of priority, and Is characterized by displaying an image showing a transition from the past ranking of the past.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image display means includes a user among the parameters based on the priority calculated for each parameter of the acquired function and operation status. Are arranged on a two-dimensional plane based on the two parameters designated by each of the plurality of printers.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image display means displays a floor plan view of a floor on which the plurality of printers are installed and indicates the plurality of printers. Each image is displayed at a corresponding position on the floor plan view.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh or eighth aspect, the priority is calculated by reflecting a request from a user in the acquired function and operation status. .

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a printer selection method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the printer selection device. The printer selection device includes a server 1 and a client 2 connected to the server 1 via a network. The server 1 includes a printer information detecting unit 1
1 and an output relationship database 12, a display relationship database 13, a priority calculation unit 14, a candidate list creation unit 15, and a display screen creation unit 16.
Comprises a display / input unit 21.

The printer information detecting section 11 acquires information (performance, status, etc.) of each of a plurality of printers connected to the network, and the output relation database 12 stores information on the printer acquired by the printer information detecting section 11. Store. In addition, the display relation database 13 displays and displays
Information for creating a display screen to be displayed on the input unit 21 is stored, and the priority calculation unit 14
The priority of each printer is determined based on the information about the printer stored in the client 2, the document format information 25 of the document to be printed passed from the client 2, and the request setting 26 input from the display / input unit 21 by the user. calculate. The candidate list creation unit 15 creates and displays a printer candidate list suitable for a document to be printed based on the priority calculated by the priority calculation unit 14 and information on the printer stored in the output relation database 12. The screen creation unit 16 creates a ranking candidate selection screen 27 based on the candidate list created by the candidate list creation unit 15 and information stored in the display relation database 13, and displays it on the display / input unit 21. The display / input unit 21 displays necessary information to the user and inputs an instruction from the user.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a network to which the server 1 and the client 2 are connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the network 10 is connected to a server 1, a plurality of clients 2 (2-1 to 2-n), and a plurality of printers 3 (3-1 to 3-m).
When printing a document created or edited from the client 2, an appropriate printer must be selected from the printers 3-1 to 3-m.
0, the server 1 creates an appropriate printer list based on the performance and status of the printer and the user's request and displays it on the client 2 as described above, so that the user selects a desired printer from the displayed list. Just do it. It should be noted that other servers and scanners can be connected to the network 10 as a matter of course.

Next, the operation of the server 1 will be described.
The server 1 calculates the priority of the printer 3 based on the performance and status of the printer 3 and a request from a user, and creates an appropriate printer list. Hereinafter, the printers 3 connected to the network 10 are referred to as “Picasso”, “P
ollock "," Miro ", and" Materials "(arbitrary printer name), which are described as being user-specific requests and user-wide requests (e.g., company). I do.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing examples of printer information (performance, operation status, etc.) obtained by the printer information detection unit 11 of the server 1. FIG. Printer information detector 11
As shown in the figure, the distance from each printer to the seat A (for example, the position of the client 2-1), the presence or absence of a duplex printing function, the availability of OHP output, the speed of color printing, the speed of monochrome printing, and the resolution , The number of recycled paper in the paper tray, the number of plain paper in the paper tray, the number of high-quality paper in the paper tray, and the spool status of the job.
To 100 and stored in the output relation database 12.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a request of the entire user such as a company. In this case, the request is stored in the output relation database as a limit value of 0 or 1. The limit value is used such that 1 indicates no limit and the priority decreases as the value approaches 0. It should be noted that FIG. 7A shows the limit values for the use of paper and the use of the duplex printing function, and FIG. 9B shows the limit values for the power consumption.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a request individually made by the user. FIG. 7A shows an example of a request when a user prints a document to be printed as a test print for self-confirmation, and requests a high-speed printing on both sides of recycled paper from a printer close to the user's seat. are doing.

FIG. 2B shows an example of a request when the user prints a document to be printed for submission. The user can easily print (in high resolution) in color on plain paper with good appearance. Is demanding.

In addition, the requests individually made by the user include FIG.
Are weighted as shown in (1), and a printer closer to the user's request can be selected with fewer setting items. The weight shown in FIG. 7 may be the same for the entire user or for a plurality of users, or may be different for each user. In addition, the weight may be determined based on the user's usage record, or a questionnaire may be taken in advance, and the weight may be determined from the result.

Here, the operation of the server 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts illustrating the flow of the operation of the server 1. Server 1
Starts operation based on a printer selection request from the client 2 (step 101), and the priority calculation unit 14 acquires printing conditions such as the document format information 25 and the request setting 26 from the client 2 (step 102).

Next, the priority calculation unit 14 creates a list of request items (see FIG. 6) based on the obtained request setting 26, and sets the number of items RN (step 10).
3).

Subsequently, the printer information detecting section 11 detects the printer 3 on the network 10 and acquires the function and status of the printer 3 and stores it in the output relation database 12, which is acquired by the priority calculating section 14. Printer number PN
Is set (step 104). Next, the priority calculation unit 14 initializes a variable i to 1 (step 105), and further initializes variables d and j to 1 (step 106).

Next, the priority calculation unit 14 refers to the information on the printer 3 stored in the output relation database 12 and checks whether or not the printer Pi has a function corresponding to the request Rj (step 107). . If the printer Pi has a function corresponding to the request Rj (step 1
07 (YES), the function value of the printer Pi (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is obtained (step 108), and the printer P
If there is no function corresponding to the request Rj in i (NO in step 107), the function value of the function to substitute for the function is acquired (step 109), and the value of the variable d is incremented (step 110). . After completing the acquisition of the function value, the priority calculation unit 14 acquires the weight for the request Rj (Step 111), and increments the value of the variable j (Step 112).

The processes in steps 107 to 112 are repeated until the value of the variable j exceeds the value of the number of required items RN, that is, until the acquisition of the function values and the weights for all the required items is completed (step 107). NO at 113),
When the value of the variable j exceeds the value of the number of items RN (step 11)
3 (YES), a limit value (see FIG. 5) is obtained (step 114).

Subsequently, the priority calculation unit 14 calculates the priority of the printer Pi from the acquired function values, weights, limit values, and the like (step 115), and uses the value of the variable d indicating the number of function substitutions. The priority is subtracted (step 116), and the variable i
Is incremented (step 117). Note that examples of priority calculation and subtraction will be described later.

Next, if the value of the variable i does not exceed the value of the number of printers PN (NO in step 118), the process returns to step 106 and repeats the same processing. Of the printer 3 is calculated.

If the value of the variable i exceeds the value of the number PN of printers by repeating this process, that is, if the calculation of the priorities for all the printers is completed (YE in step 118).
S), the candidate list creating unit 15 creates a list by sorting the printers 3 in ascending or descending order of priority (step 1).
19), based on this list, the display screen creation unit 16 creates a ranking candidate selection screen 27 by referring to information (including components necessary for screen display such as icons) of the display relation database 13 and displays / inputs it. Is displayed on the section 21 (step 1
20), and terminate the process (step 121).

Next, the calculation of the priority in step 115 and the subtraction of the priority in step 116 will be described. When the user makes a request for performing self-confirmation printing shown in FIG. 6A, the priority calculation unit 14 determines that the function value “distance from the seat A” corresponding to the request item “near me” And the function value "black and white printing speed" and the function value "job status" corresponding to the request item "fast" (In order to print quickly, not only the printer speed but also a printer with few spooled jobs is desirable. Therefore, the function value “double-sided function” corresponding to the requested item “double-sided” and the function value “sheet-feed tray recycled sheet number” corresponding to the requested item “recycled paper” are obtained, and the weight for each function value is obtained. . Expression using the limit value and the number of times of substitution in addition to the acquired function value and weight (distance from seat A × weight + (black and white printing speed−job state))
X weight + double-sided function x weight + number of recycled sheets in paper feed tray x weight) x paper limit value x double-sided limit value x power limit value / substitute number

Therefore, in the case of "Picasso", the distance from the seat A is 0 and its weight is 1.16 (1 + 0.
16, see FIG. 7), the black-and-white printing speed is 80, the job status is 80, their weight is 1.25, the duplex function is 100 and its weight is 1.14, and the number of recycled paper trays is 80 and its weight is 1 (because there is no weight as shown in FIG. 7), the paper limit value is 1 for use of recycled paper, the duplex limit value is 1 for use of the duplex function, and the power limit value is “Picass”.
The unique value of "o" is 0.6, and the substitute number is 1 because the substitute is not performed (see FIG. 8, the value of d is the initial value 1). Therefore, the priority is (0 × 1.16 + (80−80) × 1.25 + 100 ×
1.14 + 80 × 1) × 1 × 1 × 0.6 ÷ 1 = 116

Since “Miro” does not have a double-sided function, the function value “single-sided function” is used instead of the function value “double-sided function” to substitute the single-sided function. Assuming that 0.7 is used for one side and the number of times of substitution is 2, (100 × 1.16 + (100−90) × 1.25 + 0
× 1.14 + 50 × 1) × 1 × 0.7 × 0.5 ÷ 2 = 3
It becomes 1.

The same calculation can be performed for other printers, but a calculation example is omitted here.

When the user makes a request for printing for submission shown in FIG. 6B, the priority calculation unit 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a function value “color print speed” and a function value “job status” corresponding to the request item “fast” and the request item “color”, a function value “resolution” corresponding to the request item “look”, and a request item “ The function value “sheet feed tray normal sheet number” corresponding to “plain paper” is obtained, and the weight for each function value is obtained. Expression using the limit value and the number of substitutes in addition to the acquired function value and weight (resolution × weight + (color printing speed−job state) × weight + paper tray plain paper × weight) × paper limit × double-side limit ×
Calculate the priority by the power limit / substitution number.

Next, a table of the ranking candidate selection screen 27 created by the display screen creation unit 16 based on the priority calculated by the priority calculation unit 14, that is, an output result will be described.

FIGS. 10 to 13 are views showing display examples of the ranking candidate selection screen 27 displayed on the display / input unit 21. FIG. Ranking candidate selection screen 27-1 shown in FIG.
Is a case where the printers are displayed side by side based on the calculated priority order, and images 271-1 to 271-5 indicating the priority order, the icon, the printer name, and the like are displayed. In addition, the image 271 (271-1 to 271)
-5) By pressing the detail display button 272 in the middle with a pointing device such as a mouse, the detailed description of the printer can be confirmed. By pressing the select button 273, the print job is transmitted to the selected printer. can do.

A ranking candidate selection screen 27- shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes an image 274 in which an arrow indicating a transition from the past ranking is added in addition to the priority, the icon, and the printer name, and the priority of the printer is displayed as a ranking. Also, this display may be used to indicate a ranking that has been performed by another factor such as popularity in addition to the priority order.

A ranking candidate selection screen 27- shown in FIG.
3 selects two parameters of the parameters for which the priority order is calculated using the parameter selection buttons 275 and 276 (here, “clean” and “early” are selected), and the corresponding position of the two-dimensional coordinates based on the parameters is selected. 3 is a screen showing a printer icon. This screen allows the user to visually and easily select a desired printer.

A ranking candidate selection screen 27- shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a screen for indicating the position of the printer, on which icons are displayed on the floor plan view of the floor where the printer is installed. This screen allows the user to use the printer and his / her seat without remembering the printer name. It is possible to easily grasp the positional relationship with the user.

In the above-described embodiment, when calculating the priority of the printer, the weight, the limit value, and the like, which are requested by the user, are reflected. However, the priority is calculated only from the function and the operating state of the printer. By displaying the image even in the case,
The user can easily select a desired printer.

[0047]

As described above, according to the present invention, the priorities of the printers are calculated and the priorities are displayed by using the image display. It is possible to easily select a desired printer without knowing the functions, status, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer selection device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a network to which a server 1 and a client 2 are connected.

FIG. 3 is a diagram (1) illustrating an example of printer information (performance, operation status, and the like) acquired by a printer information detection unit 11 of a server 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram (2) illustrating an example of printer information (performance, operation status, and the like) acquired by the printer information detection unit 11 of the server 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a request of the entire user.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a request individually performed by a user.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of weights.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (1) showing the flow of the operation of the server 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (2) showing the flow of the operation of the server 1.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (1) showing a display example of a ranking candidate selection screen 27 displayed on the display / input unit 21;

FIG. 11 is a diagram (2) showing a display example of a ranking candidate selection screen 27 displayed on the display / input unit 21;

FIG. 12 is a diagram (3) showing a display example of a ranking candidate selection screen 27 displayed on the display / input unit 21;

FIG. 13 is a diagram (4) showing a display example of a ranking candidate selection screen 27 displayed on the display / input unit 21;

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 server 2, 2-1 to 2-n client 3, 3-1 to 3-m printer 10 network 11 printer information detection unit 12 output relation database 13 display relation database 14 priority calculation unit 15 candidate list creation unit 16 display screen Creation unit 21 Display / input unit 25 Document format information 26 Request setting 27, 27-1 to 27-4 Ranking candidate selection screen 271, 271-1 to 271-5 Image 272 Detailed display button 273 Selection button 274 Image 275, 276 Parameter selection button

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A printer selection method for selecting a desired printer from a plurality of printers connected to a network, comprising: acquiring functions and operating states of the plurality of printers; and acquiring the plurality of printers based on the acquired functions and operating states. A function of displaying the function and operation status of the printer. 2. The image display includes displaying images corresponding to each of the plurality of printers side by side according to a priority order, and displaying an image indicating a transition of the priority from a past order. 2. The printer selection method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The image display according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of printers are arranged on a two-dimensional plane based on two parameters specified by a user among the parameters based on the priority calculated for each parameter of the acquired function and operation status. 2. The printer selecting method according to claim 1, wherein images corresponding to each of the printers are arranged. 4. The image display displays a floor plan view of a floor on which the plurality of printers are installed, and displays images showing the plurality of printers at corresponding positions on the floor plan view, respectively. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printer is selected. 5. The printer selection method according to claim 2, wherein the priority is calculated by reflecting a request from a user in the acquired function and operation status. 6. A printer selection device for selecting a desired printer from a plurality of printers connected to a network, wherein the printer information obtaining means obtains functions and operation statuses of the plurality of printers, and the printer information obtaining means obtains the functions and operation statuses of the plurality of printers. And an image display means for displaying an image of the function and operation status of the plurality of printers based on the selected function and operation status. 7. The image display means displays images corresponding to each of the plurality of printers side by side according to a priority order, and displays an image indicating a transition of the priority from a past order. The printer selection device according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The image display means, based on the priority calculated for each parameter of the acquired function and operation status, displays the plurality of parameters on a two-dimensional plane based on two parameters specified by a user among the parameters. 7. The printer selection device according to claim 6, wherein images corresponding to the respective printers are arranged. 9. The image display means displays a floor plan view of a floor on which the plurality of printers are installed, and displays images showing the plurality of printers at corresponding positions on the floor plan view, respectively. 7. The printer selection device according to claim 6, wherein 10. The printer selection device according to claim 7, wherein the priority is calculated by reflecting a request from a user in the acquired function and operation status.