JP2000163228A - Network printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network printer system which suppresses data transmis sion and reception when printing is performed, reduces the traffic quantity of the whole of network and improves the operation efficiency. SOLUTION: A terminal device 3 is provided with an identifier attaching part 202, and a unique identifier is attached to print data. In a network printer 1, an identifier receiving part 205 receives the identifier through the identifier transmitting part 204 of the device 3. A print data storing part 207 receives the identifier from the part 206 and outputs print data corresponding to the identifier from a print data outputting part 209. When the print data are not stored, the print data are received from a print data receiving part 205 through a print data transmitting part 203 according to a command from a print data controlling part 208 and is outputted from the part 209. When the total amount of the stored print data that are received exceeds the allowable range of storage capacity, the oldest print data are eliminated in turn.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a network printer system in which a terminal device and a printer are connected via a network such as a local area network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional network printer system, for example, there is JP-A-7-64740. In this printing method in a network printer system, common format data such as document creation and spreadsheets are registered in the printer in advance, and only additional information from the user is transmitted / received, thereby reducing network load and reducing printing time. Is shortened.

However, in a conventional network printer system, print data is transmitted from a terminal device to a printer every time a print request is issued. For this reason, when a large number of print requests are generated, the amount of print data transmitted and received increases by that much, and the traffic of the entire network increases. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the operation efficiency of the entire devices connected to the network is reduced. Was.

In the conventional network printer system, when the storage area of the print data is insufficient,
Old print data is deleted in order. In this case, even if the data is old data but is frequently reprinted, it is deleted when other print data is stored, so that transmission and reception must be performed again.

[0005] Further, in the conventional network printer system, in the case of print data obtained by correcting a part of the stored print data, there is a disadvantage that the print data must be transmitted and received again.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. By suppressing data transmission and reception during printing, the traffic volume of the entire network can be reduced, and the overall equipment can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide a network printer system capable of improving operation efficiency.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printer system in which a terminal device and a printer are connected via a network. Identifier providing means for providing a unique identifier to the generated print data, identifier transmitting means for transmitting the identifier from the terminal device to the network printer, and identifier for receiving the identifier transmitted from the terminal device at the network printer A receiving unit, a print data storage unit that stores the print data received by the network printer in the order in which the print data is stored, and a case where the print data corresponding to the received identifier is stored in the print data storage unit. , Without receiving the print data and storing the print data in the print data storage unit. It is characterized by having a print data control means for controlling so as to print using the print data that is 憶.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the network printer system, when the print data storage unit stores the print data, the print data storage unit assigns a storage number to the print data in the order of storage together with the identifier. It is characterized by having a numbering stage.

Further, in the network printer system according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the print data storage means stores the print data, the stored storage number includes the order of reuse of the stored print data. It is characterized by having print data replacement means for replacing in the order of use.

The network printer system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a network printer system, wherein when the stored print data exceeds the allowable limit of the storage capacity, the old data sequential deletion means for sequentially deleting the oldest stored print data. It is characterized by having.

A network printer system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the network printer system further comprises print data dividing means for dividing print data before transmission into blocks each having a fixed size.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network printer system which can select to store both print data divided by the print data dividing means and print data before division. It is characterized by having data storage selection means.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a network printer 1, a terminal device 3, and a terminal device 4 are connected via a network 5. In the network printer 1,
A LAN I / F 1a, which is an interface with a local area network LAN, is mounted, and is connected to the network 5 via the LAN I / F 1a. Similarly, the terminal device 3 has a LAN I / F unit 3
a and is connected to the network 5 via the LAN I / F unit 3a. Terminal device 4 has L
An AN I / F unit 4a is mounted, and this LAN I / F
It is connected to the network 5 via the / F section 4a.

In this embodiment, two terminal devices will be described. However, the number of the terminal devices is not limited to two, and the required number is connected to the network printer 1 via the network 5 as necessary. Shall be performed.

A hard disk device 2 is connected to the network printer 1, and print data and the like are stored in the hard disk device 2 and transferred to the network printer 1 as needed for printing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the network printer 1 and the terminal device 3 showing the first embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention. In this embodiment, one terminal device will be described, but the number of terminal devices can be increased as needed. The first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a print data generation unit 201 generates print data, and is software such as word processing software and spreadsheet software operating on a terminal. The identifier providing unit 202 receives the print data from the print data generation unit 201 and generates a unique identifier for the print data. If the data is the same as the data received so far, the same identifier is output.

The print data transmission unit 203 receives print data from the print data generation unit 201 and outputs the data via the network 5 in accordance with an instruction from the print data transmission control unit 210. The identifier transmitting unit 204 includes the identifier assigning unit 20
2 and receives the identifier via the network 5. The print data receiving unit 205 receives the print data from the print data generating unit 201 via the network 5 via the print data transmitting unit 203.

The identifier receiving unit 206 receives the identifier assigned by the identifier assigning unit 202 from the identifier transmitting unit 204 via the network 5. Print data storage unit 207
Receives the identifier from the identifier receiving unit 206. Thereafter, in accordance with a command from the print data control unit 208, the print data is received from the print data receiving unit 205 and output from the print data output unit 209.

The print data has already been stored in the print data storage unit 20.
7, the print data stored in the print data storage unit 207 itself is output to the print data output unit 20.
9 to output. The received print data is stored together with a storage number, which is a value indicating the order in which the print data was received, and when the total amount of stored print data exceeds the allowable storage capacity, the oldest print data is deleted in order. . The print data storage unit 207 is a hard disk, a memory, or the like connected to or mounted on a network printer.

The print data control unit 208 receives the identifier from the identifier reception unit 206, checks whether data corresponding to the identifier is stored in the print data storage unit 207, and determines whether the data is not stored in the print data storage unit 207. Sends a print data transmission request signal to the print data transmission control unit 210 via the network 5. The print data output unit 209 receives print data from the print data storage unit 207 and executes printing. The print data output unit 209 includes:
For example, a print engine on a printer.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the identifier and the storage number, showing an example of the assignment of the print data identifier and the storage number. Since the print data may be issued from a plurality of users, a method of combining the value indicating the user with the date and time for the identifier is conceivable. It is also conceivable to add the name of the print data to this identifier.
Further, a method is conceivable in which the storage number is a value obtained by combining a value indicating the order stored in the print data storage unit 207 with the date and time.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the print data control unit 208 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The operation flow of the print data control unit 208 will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 4, first, it is checked whether or not there is an identifier notification from the identifier receiving unit 206 (S301). When there is an identifier reception notification from the identifier receiving unit 206 (S3
01 (yes), it is checked whether the existing print data of the received identifier exists in the print data storage unit 207 (S302).

If there is existing print data of the received identifier in the print data storage unit 207 (yes in S302)
s) The print data storage unit 207 is instructed to output the existing print data corresponding to the identifier (S303). If the print data corresponding to the identifier does not exist (S
(No at 302), the print data transmission control unit 210 is instructed to transmit print data via the network 5 (S30).
4). In either case, after the end, the process returns to S301 to perform the next printing. If there is no identifier reception notification from the identifier receiving unit 206 (No in S301), the process returns to S301 in the reception waiting state to perform the next printing.
The process ends when all print jobs have been completed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network printer 1 and a terminal device 3 showing a second embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention. In this embodiment, one terminal device will be described, but the number of terminal devices can be increased as needed. The second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The difference between the second embodiment of FIG. 5 and the first embodiment of FIG. 2 is that the print data control unit 208 of FIG.
5 is replaced with a print data control unit 408 in FIG. 5, and the print data control unit 408 is the same as the configuration in FIG. 2 except that the arrangement of the print data stored in the print data storage unit 207 is changed. is there.

The print data control unit 408 receives the identifier from the identifier receiving unit 206, checks whether the print data corresponding to the identifier is stored in the print data storage unit 207, and stores the data corresponding to the identifier in the print data storage unit 207. If the print data transmission request signal is not stored in the print data transmission control unit 2 via the network 5,
Call 10 When data corresponding to the identifier is stored in the print data storage unit 207, an existing print data request signal is transmitted to the print data storage unit 207. When an existing print data request signal is transmitted, the storage number of the print data corresponding to the identifier is rewritten to a storage number indicating the newest.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the print data control unit 408 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. The operation flow of the print data control unit 408 will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, first, it is checked whether or not there is an identifier notification from the identifier receiving unit 206 (S501). When an identifier reception notification is received from the identifier receiving unit 206 (S
In step S501, it is determined whether the print data of the received identifier exists in the print data storage unit 207.
502).

If the print data of the received identifier exists in the print data storage unit 207 (Yes in S502),
The print data storage unit 207 is instructed to output the existing print data corresponding to the identifier (S503). After the output of the existing print data, the storage number of the print data corresponding to the received identifier stored in the print data storage unit 207 is rewritten to be the newest (S505).
If the print data of the identifier does not exist (S50)
2), the print data transmission control unit 210 is instructed to transmit the print data via the network 5 (S50).
4).

The print data that has received the transmission command is sent from the print data transmission unit 203 to the print data storage unit 207 via the print data reception unit 205, is given a storage number, is stored, and is stored in the print data output unit. 209. In either case, after completion, the process returns to S501 to perform the next printing. If there is no identifier reception notification from the identifier receiving unit 206 (No in S501), the process returns to S502 in a print waiting state to perform the next printing.
The process ends when all print jobs have been completed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network printer 1 and a terminal device 3 showing a third embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention. In this embodiment, one terminal device will be described, but the number of terminal devices can be increased as needed. The third embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The difference between the third embodiment of FIG. 7 and the second embodiment of FIG. 5 is that the identifier assigning unit 202 of FIG.
In FIG. 7, the print data transmitting unit 203 of FIG. 5 is replaced by the print data transmitting unit 603, and the print data dividing unit 610 is newly added. This print data division unit 610
5, except that print data is received from the print data generation unit 201, divided into data of a fixed size, and the divided print data is sent to the identifier assignment unit 602 and the print data transmission unit 603. The configuration is the same.

The identifier assigning unit 602 receives the print data from the print data dividing unit 610 and generates a unique identifier. If the data is the same as the data received so far, the same identifier is output. When the print data is divided, a unique identifier is generated for each divided data. When the print data before division is also left as it is, the identifier of the print data before division can be left together with the print data.

The print data transmitting section 603 receives the print data from the print data dividing section 610 and outputs the data via the network 5 in accordance with a command from the print data transmission control section 210. The print data division unit 610 receives print data from the print data generation unit 201 and divides the print data into data of a certain size. This operation differs from the operation shown in the second embodiment only in that the print data divided by the print data division unit 610 is used instead of the data generated by the print data generation unit 201. Is the same as

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, when print data that has been printed in the past is to be printed again, only the transmission and reception of the identifier are performed and the transmission and reception of the print data are not performed.
Since the print data stored in the network printer is printed as it is, the traffic on the entire network can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, when the data existing in the print data storage means is reprinted, the storage number to be stored is changed to the latest position, so that the frequently used print data is stored longer. Since it is stored in the area, it is possible to suppress an opportunity to perform transmission and reception.

Further, according to the present invention, print data exceeding the allowable limit of the storage capacity is deleted in order from the oldest used print data, so that the possibility of deleting frequently used print data is low. Thus, the traffic load can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the print data can be divided, even when the partially corrected print data is reprinted, only the divided print data blocks in which the corrected portion exists are used. By sending and receiving
Opportunities for transmission and reception can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a network printer system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network printer and a terminal device showing a first embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an identifier and a storage number, showing an example of giving a print data identifier and a storage number in the network printer system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a print data control unit of the network printer system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer and a terminal device according to a second embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention.

6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of a print data control unit of the network printer system shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network printer and a terminal device according to a third embodiment of the network printer system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 network printer 2 hard disk device 3 terminal device 4 terminal device 5 network 201 print data generating unit 202 identifier assigning unit 203 print data transmitting unit 204 identifier transmitting unit 205 print data receiving unit 206 identifier receiving unit 207 print data storage unit 208 print data control Unit 209 print data output unit 210 print data transmission control unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A network printer system in which a terminal device and a printer are connected via a network, an identifier assigning means for assigning a unique identifier to print data generated by the terminal device; Identifier transmitting means for transmitting to the printer, identifier receiving means for receiving the identifier transmitted from the terminal device at the network printer, print data storage for storing the print data received by the network printer in the order of storage Means, when the print data corresponding to the received identifier is stored in the print data storage means, does not receive the print data, and uses the print data stored in the print data storage means. Print data control means for controlling printing to be performed by Network printer system to butterflies. 2. A print data storage number assigning step for assigning a save number to print data in the order of storage together with the identifier when the print data storage means stores the print data. 2. The network printer system according to 1. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print data storage unit includes a print data replacement unit that replaces the stored storage number with a use order including a reuse order of the stored print data when the print data is stored. 3. The network printer system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an old data sequential deletion unit for sequentially deleting the stored print data from the oldest stored print data when the stored print data exceeds an allowable limit of the storage capacity. Network printer system. 5. The network printer system according to claim 1, further comprising print data dividing means for dividing print data before transmission into blocks each having a fixed size. 6. A divided print data storage selecting unit which can select to store both print data divided by the print data dividing unit and print data before division. Item 6. The network printer system according to Item 5.