JP2000181653A - Network system, alternate processing controlling method and server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To continue printing processing by dynamically selecting an alternate server even when a failure takes place in a server. SOLUTION: A server 14 decides an alternate server to a server 24 based on an alternate server selection condition of a device information table 290. An alternate request is performed to the server 24 by transmitting management information (device information table 290 and performance information table 292) stored in the server 14, stored reference D2 (printing request) and printing data D1 to the server 24. The server 24 updates the management information of the server 24 based on the management information transmitted from the server 14. It also stores the reference D2 and the printing data D1 transmitted from the server 14 in a spool. Next, the server 24 notifies a workstation 12W1 that the transmission destination server of the data D1 and the reference D2 is changed by the server 24 and notifies a printer 16P1 that the acquisition destination server of the data D1 is changed by the server 24.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a network system, an alternative processing control method, and a server. More specifically, the present invention relates to a terminal device that generates print data, a printer that executes print processing based on print data, and a printer. A network system including a server for managing a printer, and an alternative processing control for replacing a print processing request received from a terminal device by another server which forms a network together when a failure occurs in the server in the network system. The present invention relates to a method and a server constituting the network system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a plurality of workstations,
A network system configured by a plurality of printers and a print server that manages the printers has been constructed. During a printing process in such a network system, a large amount of print data is transmitted from a workstation to a print server via a network, and is temporarily stored in a memory in the print server. Next, the print server transmits the print data to at least one printer connected to the network via the network, and the print data is printed by the printer.

As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 9-62467, a print server stores in advance a function of each printer connected to a network such as a LAN (local network) in a table or the like. There is known a technique for selecting a printer suitable for printing from a plurality of printers having different functions based on print data from a station. For example, the print server determines the description language of the document to be printed, the presence or absence of color printing, the paper size, and the like from the print data, and selects a printer that satisfies these various printing conditions obtained by the determination.

[0004] In the above technique, a print request is made by transmitting a large amount of print data from a workstation to a print server. On the print server,
Print data from a plurality of workstations connected to a network has been received at once. Therefore, when requests for print processing are concentrated, the capacity of the memory of the print server that stores print data becomes full, which may cause a problem that print data cannot be received from the workstation. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable that the memory area for storing print data of the print server may be expanded by adding a disk or the like. However, adding a disk requires another cost. Problems arise.

Further, a large amount of print data is transmitted from a workstation to a print server via a network, and then a large amount of print data is transmitted from the print server to a printer via the network. For this reason, the data transmission amount (communication traffic amount) on the network may increase, and the data transmission processing efficiency of the entire network system may be reduced.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
According to the invention described in Japanese Patent No. 57132, instead of transferring print data from a workstation to a print server,
Reference information having a much smaller data amount than the print data (print resource information indicating the location of the print data, job attribute information specifying print service information, etc.,
And print attribute information indicating the paper size and paper orientation of the print data) to the print server. The print server receiving the reference information selects a printer that satisfies the print attribute information. Further, the route of the print data flowing between the workstation, the print server, and the printer is defined as a route that does not pass through two types of print servers (routes 1 and 2) and a route that passes through four types of print servers (routes 3, 4, and 4). 5) and 6). At this time, routes 1 and 2 that do not pass through the print server are determined with priority, and print data is transmitted and received along the determined route. Therefore, the print data is transferred to the printer as much as possible without passing through the print server, and the printing process is performed. As a result, an excellent effect of reducing the number of times print data flows on the network, preventing an increase in data transmission amount (communication traffic amount) on the network, and improving the throughput of the entire network system can be provided. it can. Another feature is that print services such as load distribution (load balance), divided output, and bypass output are efficiently performed.

[0007]

However, in the above, since no mechanism for substituting the print processing is provided, if any trouble occurs in the printer server,
The print processing could not be executed until the failed print server was restored or the setting of the substitute server was completed.

At this time, the administrator has to stop the failed print server and prepare an alternative server. In setting the substitute server, the management information of the substitute server must be updated based on the management information (device information table and performance information table) of the failed print server. Also, confirm the processing status of each user's print request to all users, and if necessary, make a print request again. Printing cannot be performed until an alternative server is set. The request must be made known to the substitute server.

[0009] Further, the user checks his or her print processing status, and if printing is not completed, the user has to make a print request again to the alternative server prepared by the administrator. However, when the print data requested to be printed has a failure in the print server, a route (routes 3, 4) for transferring the print data to the printer via the print server in the route selection described in Japanese Patent Application No. 9-257132. ,
In the case where (5) and (6) are selected and being transferred, the print data may be lost. Further, at this time, a part of the print data may have already been printed by the selected printer, and a problem of wasteful use of resources (paper, toner, power, etc.) has occurred.

A route for transferring print data to the printer via the print server (routes 3, 4, 5, and 6)
When the print server is selected and processed, a large amount of print data is accumulated in the spool of the printer server, or the print server processing may be delayed due to transmission and reception of a large amount of print data. For this reason, the throughput of the entire network system is reduced, and the effect of using the reference may not be sufficiently obtained.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a network system capable of dynamically selecting an alternative server and continuing printing even if a server failure occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative processing control method and a server.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print processing apparatus which generates print data, expresses the contents of the print processing, and has a smaller data amount than the print data. A network system that includes a terminal device that generates content information, a printer that executes print processing based on print data, and a server that manages the printer, wherein the server is Determining means for determining a printer to execute the print processing and a transfer path of print data to the printer based on the print processing content information sent as a print processing request for the print data; Transfer control means for controlling print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transferred transfer path, and a print processing request from the terminal device. Selecting means for selecting an alternative server which substitutes the processing of the above, requesting means for requesting the server selected as the alternative server by the selecting means to substitute the print processing request received from the terminal device, And an alternative processing control unit for performing control so as to execute processing instead of the print processing request from the terminal device when selected by the server.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a network system includes a terminal device, a printer, and a server. The terminal device generates print data, generates print processing content information that indicates the content of the print processing and has a smaller data amount than the print data, and transmits the print processing content information to the server to print the print data. Processing request is being made. That is, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is reduced, and an increase in the amount of traffic on the network system is prevented.

[0014] The server includes: a determination unit; a transfer control unit;
The apparatus includes a selection unit, a request unit, and an alternative processing control unit.

The determining means determines a printer suitable for the print processing of the print data and a transfer route of the print data to the printer based on the print processing content information received from the terminal device. The transfer control means controls the print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transfer path determined by the determination means. That is, the server operates as a print server that processes a print processing request received from a terminal device and transfers print data to a printer.

[0016] In the selection means, when some trouble occurs in the server and the function as the printer server cannot be normally performed, the alternative server which substitutes for the processing of the server constitutes a network. Select from other servers. The requesting unit requests the server selected by the selecting unit as the substitute server to substitute for the print processing request from the terminal device.

In the alternative processing control means, when another server selects the alternative server and receives a processing alternative request,
The server controls so as to process the print processing request from the terminal device instead of the server requesting the substitution.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a failure occurs in the server and the function as the printer server cannot be performed normally, the alternative server is automatically selected, and the selected alternative server is automatically selected. In place of the server, the server determines a printer suitable for executing the printing process, determines a transfer path of the print data to the printer, and controls the transfer of the print data to the printer. In the alternative server, the print request is processed in place of the failed server regardless of the print request being processed at the time of the failure, the unprocessed print request, and the print request made after the failure has occurred. . As a result, even if the server cannot normally perform its function as a printer server, the user of the network system can continue printing without any consideration.

The selection means may be configured to store the alternative server selection information including the location information of another server and the alternative server starting condition for starting as an alternative server. It is preferable to have a selection information storage unit for storing, and to select an alternative server based on the alternative server selection information.

Also, as described in claim 3,
The server is used by a determination unit to determine a printer suitable for executing a printing process, and stores management information including the terminal device managed by the server and management information including location information and performance information for each printer. A storage unit, wherein the request unit determines the print processing content information received from the terminal device, the management information, and a transfer route to be transferred via the server; An alternative request may be made by transmitting at least one of the stored print data to an alternative server.

In the network system according to the third aspect, when print processing content information is received as an alternative request from another server, as described in the fourth aspect,
The alternative processing control means may control the determination by the determination means based on the received print processing content information.

Further, when the management information is received as a substitution request from another server, the substitution processing control means requests the substitution based on the received management information. The management information of the server may be updated so that all the terminal devices and printers managed by the other server are under the management of the server.

In the case where print data stored in a server which has requested a substitute during transfer from the terminal device to the printer is received as a substitute request from another server, the present invention is described in claim 6. The substitution control means notifies at least one of the terminal device and the printer of a change in the transfer path via the server in place of the server requesting the substitution, and the transfer of the print data is performed via the server. It is preferable to perform control so as to be performed continuously.

In the network system according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, when the processing of the server is stagnant, the requesting means transmits the unprocessed data received from the terminal device as described in the seventh aspect. By transmitting the print processing content information to the alternative server, an alternative to the unprocessed print processing request received from the terminal device may be requested.

In the network system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, when the function of the server is stopped, as described in claim 8, the requesting means sends the terminal device irrespective of whether it is being processed or not. All the print processing content information, management information received from the server, and a transfer route to be transferred via the server are determined by the determination means, and the print data stored in the server during transfer from the terminal device to the printer is substituted. By transmitting the print request to the server, an alternative to all print processing requests received from the terminal device may be requested.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device for generating print data and generating print processing content information which represents the content of the print process and has a smaller data amount than the print data. A printer that executes print processing based on the print processing content information transmitted as a print processing request for the print data from the terminal device, and a printer suitable for executing print processing and print data to the printer. A server that determines a transfer path and controls the print data to be transferred to the printer in a network system configured to include: a print processing request received from the terminal device when a failure occurs in the server. Is replaced with another server that constitutes the network together, wherein the server is configured to Based on the alternative server selection information that has been selected, from among other servers that also constitute the network system, select an alternative server to replace the print processing request from the terminal device, received from the terminal device Print processing content information, pre-stored terminal device and printer management information managed by the server, and a transfer route to be transferred via the server are determined and stored in the server during transfer from the terminal device to the printer. And performing a substitution request by transmitting at least one of the print data being processed to a server selected by the substitute server, wherein the server selected by the substitute server receives the substitution request, The present invention is characterized in that control is performed so that a print processing request from an apparatus is processed instead.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when a failure occurs in a server, an alternative server that substitutes a print processing request from a terminal device is selected from other servers that also form a network system. Is done. This choice is
This is performed based on the alternative server selection information stored in advance.

Next, an alternative request is made to the server selected as the alternative server. The substitute request includes the print processing content information received from the terminal device, the terminal device and printer management information managed by the server stored in advance, and the transfer route to be transferred via the server. This is performed by transmitting at least one of the print data stored in the server which is being transferred from the printer to the printer to the server selected as the substitute server.

In response to the substitution request, the server selected as the substitution server is controlled to substitute and process the print processing request from the terminal device, and the print data is transferred to a printer suitable for executing the print processing. Is controlled to be

That is, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, similarly to the first aspect, a failure occurs in the server,
When the function as the printer server cannot be normally performed, the alternative server is automatically selected, and the selected alternative server replaces the server with a printer suitable for performing the printing process and a printer to the printer. A transfer path for the print data is determined, and control for transferring the print data to the printer is performed. In the alternative server, the print request is processed in place of the failed server regardless of the print request being processed at the time of the failure, the unprocessed print request, and the print request made after the failure has occurred. . As a result, even if the server cannot normally perform its function as a printer server, the user of the network system can continue printing without any consideration. Since the request is made using the print processing content information having a small data amount, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is small, and an increase in the traffic amount on the network system is prevented. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminal device for generating print data and representing print processing contents and generating print processing content information having a smaller data amount than the print data, and a terminal device based on the print data. A server that configures a network together with the printer that executes the print processing, and that executes the print processing based on the print processing content information sent from the terminal device as a print processing request for the print data. Determining means for determining a transfer path of the print data to the printer, transfer control means for controlling print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transfer path determined by the determining means, and printing received from the terminal device A substitute server that substitutes for processing of a processing request is replaced by another server that also constitutes the network system. And selection means for selecting from among,
Requesting means for requesting the substitute server selected by the selecting means to substitute for a print processing request received from the terminal device, and receiving a substitute request from another server constituting the network, And an alternative processing control means for controlling so as to process the print processing request from the terminal device in place of the server requesting the print processing.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the server includes the determining unit, the transfer controlling unit, the selecting unit, the requesting unit, and the alternative processing unit, and at least one of the servers via the network. Connected to one other server.

The determining means determines a printer suitable for the print processing of the print data and a transfer path of the print data to the printer based on the print processing content information received from the terminal device. The transfer control means controls the print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transfer path determined by the determination means. That is, the server operates as a print server that processes a print processing request received from a terminal device and transfers print data to a printer.

[0034] In the selection means, when some trouble occurs in the server and it becomes impossible to normally perform the function as the printer server, a substitute server which substitutes for the processing of the server constitutes a network. Select from other servers. The requesting unit requests the server selected by the selecting unit as the substitute server to substitute for the print processing request from the terminal device.

In the alternative processing control means, when another server selects the alternative server and receives a processing alternative request,
The server controls so as to process the print processing request from the terminal device instead of the server requesting the substitution.

That is, in the invention according to claim 10,
Similar to the first aspect of the invention, when a failure occurs in the server and the function as the printer server cannot be normally performed, the alternative server is automatically selected, and the selected alternative server is selected. In place of the server, a printer suitable for executing the printing process and a transfer path of the print data to the printer are determined, and control for transferring the print data to the printer is performed. In the alternative server, the print request is processed in place of the failed server regardless of the print request being processed at the time of the failure, the unprocessed print request, and the print request made after the failure has occurred. . As a result, even if the server cannot normally perform its function as a printer server, the user of the network system can continue printing without any consideration.

Since the print processing request from the terminal device is made using the print processing content information having a small data amount, the amount of data transferred from the terminal device to the server at the time of the request is small, and the traffic amount on the network system is small. Is prevented from increasing.

[0038]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration of Network System] FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a network system according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 100 includes a first network N1 and a second network N2.

In the first network N1, a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of terminal devices (hereinafter referred to as workstations) 12W1, 12W2, 12W3, 1
2W4, one server (hereinafter simply referred to as a server) 14, and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of printers 16P1, 16P2, 16P3, 16P4 are interconnected via a local area network (LAN) 10. Have been. The printers 16P1, 16P2, 16P
3, 16P4 are managed by the server 14.

In the second network N2, a plurality of (four in this embodiment) workstations 22W
1, 22W2, 22W3, 22W4, one server 2
4, and a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of printers 26P
1, 26P2, 26P3, 26P4 are interconnected via a LAN 20. The printers 26P1, 2P2
6P2, 26P3, and 26P4 are managed by the server 24.

Note that the first network N1 is the router 1
8, the second network N2 is connected to the LAN (FDDI / ISDN / X.2) via the router 28, respectively.
5) Connected to 30.

As shown in FIG.
2W1, a spool 16 for storing print data is provided.
0, a print data generation unit 112 for generating print data, and a reference generation unit 111 for generating a reference representing print contents to be described later.
A data generation unit 110 that accumulates data, a print management unit 120 that manages processing related to a print processing request, and an input / output interface unit (hereinafter referred to as an input / output I / F) that controls input and output of data with the outside
150), a status control unit 130 for grasping and managing print processing status (status) information input via the input / output I / F 150, and print data stored in the spool 160. A data output unit 140 for outputting to an external device via F150 is provided.

The print management section 120 transmits the reference generated by the reference generation section 111 to the data output section 140.
Requesting the server 14 to print the print data. When transferring the print data to an external device such as the server 14 or the printer 16P1, the print management unit 120 causes the data output unit 140 to retrieve the print data stored in the spool 160, and sets the input / output I / F 150 Output (transfer) to an external device via the

The other workstations 12W2,
12W3, 12W4, 22W1, 22W2, 22W3,
22W4 has the same configuration as above.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server 14 includes a print management unit 240 for managing print processing. The print management unit 240 includes a data input unit 211 for inputting data from an external device, and an external device. A data output unit 212 for outputting data to the device; a status control unit 230 for grasping and managing the print processing status (status); a device information management unit 220 for managing information such as the performance of the printer under management; A reference interpreting unit 250 for interpreting a reference from a workstation, a printer selecting unit 260 for selecting a printer to output print data, a data transfer path setting unit 270 for setting a data transfer path, and storing received print data and a reference. Spool 280, and alternative requests to be made when a failure occurs and alternative requests from other servers Receiving alternative processing control unit 300 for controlling the alternate process performed is connected.

The server 14 has an input / output I / F 210 for inputting / outputting data to / from the outside. The input / output I / F 210 has a printing process input via the input / output I / F 210. An apparatus monitoring unit 213 that monitors the printer based on information on the status and the status of the printer, the data input unit 211, and the data output unit 212 are connected. The device information management unit 220 includes a device information table 290 including various types of information regarding a managed printer described below and a condition for selecting another print server as an alternative server, and a performance including a performance information described below of the managed printer. The memory 221 in which the information table 292 is stored is connected, and the device information management unit 220
3 is stored and managed in the device information table 290 and the performance information table 292.

The alternative processing control unit 300 also has a memory 2
21 are connected. When a failure occurs, the alternative processing control unit 300 selects an alternative server based on the alternative server selection conditions in the device information table 290, and stores the device information table 290, the performance information table 292, the print request (reference), and the print data. Transfer to an alternative server if necessary. If a failure occurs in another print server and the server is selected as an alternative server, the server 14 is determined based on the transferred device information table 290, performance information table 292, print request (reference), and print data.
Update the management information managed by.

The spool 280 has a data input section 21
1. The data output unit 212 and the print management unit 240 are connected to each other, and the data (print data and the like) received by the data input unit 211 is stored. The server 24 has the same configuration as described above.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 16P1 has a print processing unit 34 for executing print processing of print data.
0, an input / output I / F 31 for inputting and outputting data to and from the outside
0, receives print data and a reference input from an external device via the input / output I / F 310, and
Input unit 320 for inputting to the input / output I / F 31
A status control unit 330 is provided for transmitting and receiving information about the print processing status (status) to and from an external device via the external device 0. The other printers 16P2, 16P
3, 16P4, 26P1, 26P2, 26P3, 26P
4 has the same configuration as above.

[Overview of Device Information Table and Performance Information Table] FIG.
1 shows an example of a device information table for managing a device connected to No. 1. The device information table 290 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. Also, device information table 2
The information at 90 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 5, the device information table 29
In 0, information such as a device name, a network address, a device type, a communication function (client function / server function), a performance information table number, a device state, and alternative server selection information (function, alternative server selection condition) are set. I have. Note that the client function is a communication function for transmitting data to another device and acquiring data from another device, and the server function is for receiving data from another device and other functions. A communication function for providing data in response to a data acquisition request from a device.

The device name includes the network N1
A unique device name is set for each device for identifying a device (printer, server, client) connected via the, and a network address assigned to each device is set for the network address. Type information (type of client (C), printer (P), server (S)) for each device is set in the device type, and all connected devices (workstation 12W1 in FIG. 1) are set in the communication function. , 12W2, 12W3, 12W4, 22W
1, 22W2, 22W3, 22W4, server 24, printers 16P1, 16P2, 16P3, 16P4, 26P
1, 26P2, 26P3, 26P4) are set as communication function information (client function / server function).
Only when the device is a printer, index information to a performance information table 292 described later is set in the performance information table number, and information (online or offline) regarding the status of each device is set in the device status. .

In the function of the alternative server selection information, whether or not there is an alternative function (Y / N) is set. For a device set to have the substitute function, a substitute server selection condition is set. The alternative server selection conditions include conditions that can be selected as an alternative server and a range of alternative functions at the time of occurrence of a failure, stagnation of processing (spool full, transmission / reception of a large amount of print data, etc.), specified date and time. Is set.

For example, when a failure occurs in the server 14, the device having the device name AS1N1 shown in FIG.
All functions can be replaced. Also, 18: 0
Since all functions can be substituted for AS1N1 even to 0, maintenance of the server 14 can also be performed. In addition, the device with the device name AS1N2 includes a server 14
When the remaining capacity of the spool becomes 20% or less, some functions of the server 14 can be substituted. Thus, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the throughput of the network system due to the spool full of the server 14.

As shown in FIG. 6, the performance information table 29
2 includes PDL (print language) of each printer, print resolution, print speed, corresponding paper size, print side (single-sided printing /
All information on the performance and functions of the printer, such as double-sided printing, scale (enlargement / reduction / designation of dividing one sheet area into N and recording N pages (N-up) /% scale), color information, etc. Is set. The performance information table 292 is automatically set or updated by the device monitoring unit 213 and the device information management unit 220 shown in FIG. The information in the performance information table 292 can be set or updated by a user using a keyboard (not shown).

The server 24 also manages device information of all connected devices by using the same device information table 290 and performance information table 292 as described above.

[Outline of Reference] Next, a reference used for making a print request from a workstation in this embodiment and for requesting an alternative process in an alternative request process described later will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the structure of the reference D2, and FIG. 8 shows items of information included in the reference. The reference D2 is data different from the print data, and is a set of control information used for making a print request from the workstation to the server.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the reference D2
Is composed of print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, and print attribute information 93. In the print resource information 91, information on the location of the print data to be actually printed, information on various resources used or necessary in the printing process, and the like are set.

The job attribute information 92 includes, as operation information of the print job, schedule information such as priority order and execution time designation, designation information of a specific printer, and a printer which is automatically optimal for print data print processing. Compatible printer designation information for detecting and performing print processing by the optimum printer, designation of load distribution (load balance) for instructing to distribute the load of print processing, division output for instructing to divide and output print data ( Print service information including information such as designation of (high-speed output), and designation of a bypass output for instructing to switch to another printer and continue print processing without interrupting print processing when a printer error occurs;
Information on a data transfer path described later is set.

The print attribute information 93 includes information on the paper size (A3, A3
4, B4...), Number of copies, paper orientation (vertical or horizontal), extended information (for example, information on enlargement / reduction / N-up designation, information on coloring for designation of single-sided printing or double-sided printing, etc.), etc. Is set.

[Overview of Print Processing Procedure and Print Data Transfer Procedure] FIG. 9 shows the flow of normal (normal server) print processing in this embodiment. In the following, a print request is sent from the workstation 12W1 (corresponding to the device indicated by the device name W1N1 in the device information table 290 in FIG. 5) to the server 14 (corresponding to the device indicated in the device name S1N1 in the device information table 290 in FIG. 5). An example in which the printout is performed by the printer 16P1 (corresponding to the device indicated by the device name P1N1 in the device information table 290 in FIG. 5) will be described. These devices are also network-connected to the server 24 (corresponding to the device name AS1N1 in the device information table 290 in FIG. 5) as shown in FIG.

The workstation 12W1 stores print data D1 of application software such as a word processor.
In parallel with the generation of the print data D1, a reference D2 including various kinds of information on the print processing content of the print data D1 is generated and stored in the spool 160 in the workstation 12W1.
Then, the workstation 12W1 stores the print data D1.
And sending the reference D2 to the server 14 with the end of storage of the reference D2 as a trigger.
Request for print processing.

The server 14 analyzes various information (print resource information 91, job attribute information 92, print attribute information 93) defined in the received reference D2 and shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, and the workstation 12W1 stores the information. The printer which prints out the print data D1 and a data transfer path pattern (see routes 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 11) to be described later are determined. Then, the server 14 notifies the workstation 12W1 or the printer 16P1 of the determined data transfer path pattern.

The notified workstation 12W1
Alternatively, the printer 16P1 follows the data transfer path from the server 14, and the workstation 12W1
1 directly to the printer 16P1 or the printer 1P1.
6P1 transmits the print data D1 to the workstation 12W1.
Or the server 14 receives or acquires the print data D1 of the workstation 12W1 and
6P1 or not, and print out by the printer 16P1.

Next, various data transfer path patterns shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described.

Route 1 (the route in FIG. 10) is a data transfer route in which the printer 16P1 directly acquires the accumulated print data D1 from the workstation 12W1 in accordance with an instruction from the server 14, and route 2 (the route in FIG. 10). Is a data transfer path for the workstation 12W1 to directly transmit the print data D1 to the printer 16P1 in accordance with an instruction from the server 14.

In the route 3 (the route in FIG. 10), the server 14 acquires the accumulated print data D1 from the workstation 12W1, and transfers the print data D1 to the printer 1
6P1 is a data transfer path obtained from the server 14, and route 4 (route in FIG. 10) is a data transfer path in which the server 14 obtains the print data D1 from the workstation 12W1 and transfers it to the printer 16P1.

In the route 5 (the route in FIG. 10), the workstation 12W1 transmits the print data D1 to the server 14 according to the instruction from the server 14, and the printer 16P1
Is a data transfer path for acquiring the print data D1 from the server 14 in accordance with the instruction from the server 14, and the route 6 (the route in FIG. 10) is such that the workstation 12W1 transfers the print data D1 to the server 14 in accordance with the instruction from the server 14.
This is a route similar to the conventional route for transmitting the print data D1 received by the server 14 to the printer 16P1.

Next, the characteristics of each route described above will be described.

In route 1 (workstation ← printer), data flows on the network only once.
Since the print data is acquired by the printer, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early.

In route 2 (workstation → printer), data flows on the network only once.
Although the workstation itself transmits the print data, the user who makes a print request at the workstation is unaware of the output destination.

Route 3 (workstation ← server ←
Printer), data flows twice over the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early. In the server, since the print data is obtained by the printer, there is no need to control the output of the print data to the printer.

Route 4 (workstation ← server →
Printer), data flows twice over the network. Since the print data is acquired by the server, the workstation is unaware of the output destination, and the workstation has the advantage that the print job is released early.

Route 5 (workstation → server ←
Printer), data flows twice over the network. In the server, since the print data is acquired by the printer, it is not necessary to control the output of the print data to the printer.

Route 6 (Workstation → Server →
Printer), data flows twice over the network (prior art).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, priorities are set in advance to the data transfer path patterns in accordance with the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2 shown in FIGS. . In addition, WS described in FIG. 12 is a workstation, PRT is a printer,
SV indicates a server, respectively.
However, the same abbreviations are used.

As shown in FIG. 12, for example, when the job attribute information 92 does not specifically specify (when there is no print service) and when the load distribution (load balance) is specified, the route 1 in FIG. 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, the priorities 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are set in advance.

When the division output is designated by the job attribute information 92, the routes 1 and 2 in FIG. 11 are not adopted, and therefore the priorities 1, 2, and 5 are set in advance in the order of the routes 3, 4, 5, and 6. When the detour output is designated by the job attribute information 92, only the route 6 in FIG. 11 is adopted, and the priority 6 is set to the route 6 in advance.

As described above, the default priority order (1 to 6) of the route pattern is determined by the system, but can be changed to an arbitrary priority order by the user.

[Selection of Data Transfer Path According to Combination of Device Type and Communication Function] Next, selection of a data transfer path according to the combination of apparatus type and communication function in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 13 shows combinations of device types and communication functions managed in the device information table 290, and FIG. 14 shows data transfer paths that can be realized for each combination in FIG. I have.

The communication function includes a client function (a communication function for transmitting data to another device and acquiring data from another device) and a server function (for receiving data from another device and other devices). (A communication function for executing data provision in response to a data acquisition request from the Internet).
The server 14 in the present embodiment has both a client function and a server function.

M01 shown in FIG. 13 is a combination when the workstation and the printer both have a client function and a server function. As shown in FIG. 14, all the routes 1 in the data transfer path pattern shown in FIG. 6 can be performed.

M02 is a combination when the workstation has both the client function and the server function and the printer has only the server function. As shown in FIG. 14, route 2 of the data transfer path pattern in FIG. ,
Communication of print data on Route 4 and Route 6 can be performed.

M03 is a combination when the workstation has both the client function and the server function and the printer has only the client function.
As shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to perform communication of print data on route 1, route 3 and route 5 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG.

M04, M08, M12, and M16 are combinations in the case where the printer has neither the client function nor the server function, and cannot perform communication of print data. (Described as NONE in FIG. 14).

M05, M06, M07 and M08 are provided because the workstation has only the server function and not the client function regardless of the function of the printer.
The reference cannot be sent from the workstation. Therefore, the combination is out of the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 14).

M09 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function and the printer has both the server function and the client function. As shown in FIG. 14, route M2 of the data transfer path pattern in FIG. Communication of print data on routes 5 and 6 can be performed.

M10 is a combination in which the workstation has only the client function and the printer has only the server function. As shown in FIG. 14, printing is performed on routes 2 and 6 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG. Data communication can be performed.

M11 is a combination in which the workstation owns only the client function and the printer owns only the client function. As shown in FIG. 14, communication of print data on route 5 in the data transfer path pattern of FIG. Can be performed.

M13, M14, and M15 cannot transmit a reference from the workstation because the workstation does not have the client function.
Therefore, the combination is out of the scope of the present embodiment (described as NONE in FIG. 14).

[Combination of Feasible Devices for Reference Transmission / Reception, Print Data Transmission / Reception, and Acquisition / Provision of Print Data] First, referring to FIG. Will be described. FIG. 15 shows a combination of a transmitting device for the reference D2 created by the workstation and a device for receiving the reference.

M20 shown in FIG. 15 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2 to the server, and M21 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the reference D2.
2 is a combination for transmitting to the printer.

M22 is a combination in which the server receiving the reference D2 in M20 transfers the reference D2 to another server connected via the network. M23 is a combination for transferring the reference D2 to a printer managed and output by the server that has received the reference D2 in M20 described above.

Next, with reference to FIG. 16, a description will be given of a combination of a transmitting device and a receiving device that can be realized in the transmission / reception operation of print data. FIG. 16 shows a combination of a transmitting device for the print data D1 created by the workstation and a receiving device for receiving the print data D1.

M30 shown in FIG. 16 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1 to the server, and M31 is a combination in which the workstation transmits the print data D1 to the printer.

M32 is the print data D in M30 described above.
1 is a combination in which the server that receives 1 transfers print data to another server connected via the network. M33 is a combination in which the server that has received the print data D1 in M30 transfers the print data D1 to a printer that is to be managed and output.

Next, with reference to FIG. 17, a description will be given of a combination of an acquiring device and a providing device that can be realized in the operation of acquiring and providing print data. FIG. 17 shows a combination of an acquisition device that acquires the print data D1 created by the workstation and a providing device that provides the print data D1.

M40 shown in FIG. 17 is a combination in which the server acquires the print data D1 stored by the workstation, and M41 transmits the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 to the server through the network. This is a combination acquired by another server connected via the server.

M42 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 accumulated by the workstation. M43 is a combination in which the printer acquires the print data D1 acquired by the server in M40 described above from the server.

[Overview of Alternative Request Processing Procedure] FIG.
7 shows a flow of setting an alternative server when a failure occurs in the embodiment. In the following, an example in which the server 24 is determined as an alternative server that replaces all functions of the server 14 in which a failure has occurred, and a print request from the workstation 12W1 to the server 14 is substituted by the server 24 and printed out by the printer 16P1. Will be described.

If a failure occurs in the server 14 and the server 14 cannot function as a print server at all,
The server 14 determines an alternative server as the server 24 based on the alternative server selection condition in the device information table 290. Then, the management information (apparatus information table 290, performance information table 292) stored in the server 14, all the in-process and unprocessed print requests (reference D2) stored therein, and the print data D1 are transmitted to the server 24. By doing so, an alternative request is made to the server 24.

The server 24 updates the original management information stored in the server 24 based on the management information (device information table 290, performance information table 292) transmitted from the server 14. Further, the print request (reference D2) and print data D1 transmitted from the server 14 are stored in the spool.

Next, the server 24 notifies the workstation 12W1 that the server to which the print data D1 and the reference D2 are transmitted has been changed to the server 24. In addition, the server 24 notifies the printer 16P1 that the server to which the print data D1 has been obtained by the server 24 has been changed to the server 24.

As a result, the print server from which the print data D1 is transmitted or obtained is switched from the server 14 to the server 24, and the printing process of the print data D1 in the middle of printing or unprocessed is continued. This notification is sent to the server 14
This is performed for all workstations and printers having the client function managed by.

FIG. 19 shows the flow of the printing process after the setting of the substitute server is completed.

In the workstation 12W1, print data D1 and a reference D2 corresponding to the print data D1 are newly generated and stored in the spool 160 in the workstation 12W1. And workstation 1
2W1 transmits the newly created reference D2 to the server 24, which is determined as the substitute server of the server 14 which has become inoperable as a print server due to the occurrence of a failure, triggered by the end of storage of the print data D1 and the reference D2. I do. As a result, a request for print processing is made to the server 24 which is an alternative server.

The server 24 analyzes the received reference D2 and determines a printer and a data transfer path pattern (see routes 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 11) for printing out the print data D1 stored in the workstation 12W1. Then, the server 24 notifies the workstation 12W1 or the printer 16P1 of the determined data transfer path pattern.

The workstation 12W1 that has received the notification
Alternatively, the printer 16P1 follows the data transfer path from the server 24, and the workstation 12W1
1 directly to the printer 16P1 or the printer 1P1.
6P1 transmits the print data D1 to the workstation 12W1.
Or the server 24 receives or acquires the print data D1 of the workstation 12W1 and
6P1 or not, and print out by the printer 16P1.

FIG. 20 shows a flow of the printing process when the processing of the server is stalled in this embodiment. In the following, an example will be described in which the print processing by the server 14 is stagnated due to spool full or transmission / reception of a large amount of print data, and the print processing is temporarily substituted (bypassed) by the server 24.

At the workstation 12W1, the print data D1 and the reference D2 corresponding to the print data D1 are read.
And the spool 1 in the workstation 12W1
Store at 60. And the workstation 12W1
Sends a reference D2 to the server 14 with the end of storage of the print data D1 and the reference D2 as a trigger, thereby requesting the server 14 for a printing process.

At this time, the spool 280 of the server 14 is in a full state, or the server 14 is transmitting and receiving a large amount of print data, and the server 14 cannot immediately execute the print processing requested from the workstation 12W1. The server 14 determines the server 24 as the substitute server at the time of the processing stagnation based on the substitute server selection condition in the device information table 290. The server 14 is a workstation 1
The print request (reference D2) received from 2W1 and not yet processed is transferred to the server 24 determined as the substitute server at the time of the processing stagnation.

The server 24 analyzes the received reference D2 and determines a printer and a data transfer path pattern (see routes 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 11) for printing out the print data D1 stored in the workstation 12W1. Then, the server 24 notifies the workstation 12W1 or the printer 16P1 of the determined data transfer path pattern.

The workstation 12W1 that has received the notification
Alternatively, the printer 16P1 follows the data transfer path from the server 24, and the workstation 12W1
1 directly to the printer 16P1 or the printer 1P1.
6P1 transmits the print data D1 to the workstation 12W1.
Or the server 24 receives or acquires the print data D1 of the workstation 12W1 and
6P1 or not, and print out by the printer 16P1.

As a result, the print request (reference D2), which has not been delayed due to the function of the server 14, is processed by the server 24 instead of the server, so that the print processing is promptly performed.

[Operation of this Embodiment] Hereinafter, as an operation of this embodiment, when print processing of print data D1 generated by a workstation is performed, a communication control processing routine executed by each of the workstation, the server, and the printer. Will be described. In the following, as an example, a description will be given on the assumption that print data D1 is generated by the workstation 12W1 and a print processing request for the print data D1 is made to the server 14.

At the workstation 12W1,
The control routine of FIG. 21 described below is executed. The workstation 12W1 monitors the presence or absence of a print processing request from application software such as a word processor (S100 in FIG. 21).

When a print processing request is received, the document data from the application software is converted into print data D1, and a reference D2 relating to the converted print data D1 is generated (S101). The print data D1 generated here is stored in the spool 160 in the workstation 12W1. Then, the print data D1
When the conversion to the reference and the generation of the reference D2 are completed, L
By transmitting the reference D2 to the server 14 via the AN 10, a print request using the reference D2 is made to the server 14 (S102). Since the reference D2 has a smaller data amount than the print data D1, there is an advantage that the data transmission amount (communication traffic amount) on the network at the time of a print request is reduced.

After making a print request using such a reference D2, it waits for an instruction from the server 14 (S10).
3). When the instruction is notified from the server 14, the contents of the instruction are analyzed (S104). As a result of the analysis, when the instruction content is transmission of the print data D1 (route 2 in FIG. 11,
In the case of (5) and (6), information on the transmission destination to which the print data D1 is to be transmitted is obtained from the above-mentioned instruction contents (S106), and the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 is transmitted to the obtained transmission destination (S107). ).

On the other hand, as a result of analyzing the instruction content, if the instruction content is not transmission of the print data D1 (for example, if the server 14 or the printer 16P1 acquires the print data D1 stored in the spool 160 (= route 1 in FIG. 11). ,
(3, 4)), the workstation 12W1 releases the print job at that time, returns to S100, and waits for a new print processing request.

When a failure occurs in the server 14, the workstation receives a server change notification described later from the server selected as the substitute server (for example, the server 24), and substitutes the above processing from the server 14. Change to the server.

Next, in the server 14, a control routine shown in FIG. 22 described below is executed.

In step S200 of FIG. 22, the server 14 monitors whether data has been received from a device (workstations 12W1, 12W2, 12W3, 12W4 or printers 16P1, 16P2, 16P3, 16P4) connected via the network N1. are doing. If the data reception is detected in S200, the process proceeds to the next S201, where the data is received, and the received data (received data) is stored in the spool 280 in FIG.

When the storage of the received data in the spool 280 is completed in S201, it is checked in next S220 whether or not the server 14 has selected a substitute server. If the server 14 functions normally, the process advances to step S202. If any failure occurs in the server 14 and the server 14 cannot function as a print server, or the spool 280 is full, If the print data is being transmitted and received and the function of the print server is stagnant, the process proceeds to S221. Step 2
At 21, a subroutine of an alternative request process, which will be described in detail later, is executed.

In S202, the received data is the reference D
Check if it is 2. If the received data is not the reference D2 but the print data D1, the process proceeds to S208 described below. If the received data is the reference D2, the process proceeds to S203 to execute a subroutine of the output printer extraction process of FIG.

Here, the output printer extraction processing of FIG. 23 will be described. In S400 of FIG. 23, an extraction printer table for storing information on the extracted printers, an extraction printer counter C1 for counting the number of extracted printers, and a search counter C2 for counting the number of searched devices are initialized. In the next step S401, the job attribute information 92 and the print attribute information 9 included in the reference D2
Read 3

In the next step S402, whether the search / comparison (to be described later) for extracting a printer from the device group managed by the server 14 has been completed or not is determined by the search counter C2 equal to the total number of devices NT. 23, when the search / comparison for all the devices is completed, FIG.
And returns to the main routine of FIG.

If the search / comparison has not been completed for all the apparatuses, the flow advances to step S403 to check whether the printer to be output is specified in the print service item of the job attribute information 92 of the reference D2. Here, if the printer to be output is not specified, the process proceeds to S406 described later.

On the other hand, if the printer to be output is specified, the performance information table number of the specified printer is searched from the device information table 290 in S404, and the performance information of the printer corresponding to the performance information table number is retrieved. From the performance information table 292. And the next S
At 405, the search counter C2 is set to (total number of devices NT-1). Thus, the search ends in the next search loop.

In the next step S406, the device information table 29
The device information of one device is read from 0. Of course, when a printer is specified, the device information of the specified printer is read. In the next step S407, it is determined whether or not the read device information is printer information. here,
If the read device information is information other than that of the printer, the process proceeds to S413 described later.

On the other hand, if the read device information is printer information, the process advances to step S408, and printer performance information corresponding to the performance information table number of the read device information is
It reads from the performance information table 292 and executes the print condition check subroutine of FIG. 24 in the next S409.

In the print condition check processing in S409, first, a flag F indicating whether or not the target printer is a suitable printer is initialized (OFF) in S410 in FIG. 23 (S500 in FIG. 24). When the flag F is on, it indicates that the target printer is a compatible printer, and when the flag F is off, it indicates that the target printer is not a compatible printer.

Next, in steps S501 to S507, it is determined whether or not the target printer is a printer that satisfies the various attributes specified by the print attribute information 93 of the reference D2. Perform on a unit basis. If the attribute is not satisfied in each determination, the subroutine of FIG. 24 is terminated, and the process returns to the routine of FIG.

That is, in S501, it is determined whether or not the extracted printer is operable. If the printer is operable, the process proceeds to the next S502. S502
Then, it is determined whether or not the print language (PDL) condition is satisfied. If the PDL condition is satisfied, the next S
Go to 503.

In S503, it is determined whether or not the print resolution condition is satisfied. If the print resolution condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S504. In S504, it is determined whether the paper condition is satisfied. If the paper condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next S505.

In S505, it is determined whether or not the printing surface condition (single-sided printing or double-sided printing) is satisfied. If the printing surface condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next S506. S506
Then, it is determined whether or not the scale condition is satisfied. If the scale condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to the next step S507.

In step S507, it is determined whether or not the color condition is satisfied. If the color condition is satisfied, the flow advances to the next step S508. In S508, S501 to S507
Since all of the conditions determined in (1) are satisfied, the flag F is turned on, the processing is terminated, and the routine returns to the routine of FIG.

As described above, if the target printer is a suitable printer, the flag F is set to ON. If the target printer is not a suitable printer, the flag F is set.
Remains off.

In FIG. 23, in the next step S410, the retrieved printer performance is the print attribute information 93 of the reference D2.
Is determined based on the on / off state of the flag F. If the searched printer performance does not meet the printing conditions,
The process proceeds to S413 described below.

On the other hand, if the retrieved printer performance matches the printing conditions, the flow advances to S 411 to increment the extracted printer counter C 1 by one.
The extracted communication function of the printer and the communication function of the workstation that has issued the print request are set in the extracted printer table.

In the next S413, the search counter C2 is set to 1
The process returns to S402 and the process is repeated.

Thereafter, for each device information, S402 to S402
413 is executed. Then, the processing is completed for all the device information, and the search counter C2 indicates that the total number of devices is NT.
When it is equal to the above, an affirmative determination is made in S402, and the subroutine of FIG. 23 ends.

After the output printer extraction processing in S203 of FIG. 22 is completed as described above, in the next S204,
The subroutine of the data transfer path pattern and printer selection processing of FIG. 25 described below is executed.

First, in S600 of FIG. 25, in the output printer extraction processing, a printer extraction table in which communication functions of the extracted printers are set is read, and in the next S601, the number of extracted printers is read from the extracted printer counter C1. Then, in the next step S602, the job attribute information 92 included in the reference D2 is read, and in the next step S603, it is determined whether the bypass output is designated by the designated job attribute information 92. If the bypass output has been designated here, the data transfer path of the print data D1 is set to the pattern 6 in FIG. 11 in S604, and the process ends, and the process returns to the main routine in FIG.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination of the job attribute information 92 in S602, if the bypass output is not specified, it is determined in the next S605 whether or not the divided output is specified in the job attribute information 92. If it is determined that the divided output has been specified, the process proceeds to S606, and a printer capable of combining the data transfer path pattern 4 or pattern 6 is searched from the printer extraction table read in S600. In the next step S607, it is determined whether or not there is a printer that can be searched in step S605.
The process proceeds to S613 described below. If there is no printer that could be found, error information indicating that the printer could not be found is displayed on a display (not shown) in step S608, and the process ends, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in S 605 is that there is no split output, the flow advances to S 609 to change the job attribute information 92.
To determine whether the load balance is specified.
If the result of determination is that load balance has been specified, S
At 610, the printer with the lowest operation rate is selected from the printers in the printer extraction table read at S600, and the process proceeds to S613. If the result of determination in S609 is that load balancing has not been specified,
The process proceeds to 611, where it is determined whether a compatible printer is specified in the job attribute information 92. If the result of the determination is that a compatible printer has been designated, then in S612 the above S6
From the printer extraction table read in 00, a printer having the most advanced communication function combination (function pattern) is selected, and the flow advances to S613.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S611 that a compatible printer has not been designated, it is assumed that the designated printer has been designated, and the flow advances to step S613 without selecting a printer.

Then, in S613, S606, S61
12 from the printer selected in S612 or the printer designated by the designated printer of the job attribute information 92.
According to the priority table of the data transfer path shown in (1), a data transfer path having a higher priority is selected, the processing is terminated, and the process returns to the main routine of FIG.

The data transfer path and the printer of the print data D1 are determined by the data transfer path pattern and the printer selection processing in S204 of FIG. 22 as described above.

Next, in S205 in FIG. 22, the workstation 12W1 requesting the print processing and the S12
204 (for example, the printer 16P
Inform 1) of the determined data transfer pattern.

In the next step S206, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for obtaining print data by the server (ie, route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11). If the data transfer path is not a pattern for obtaining print data by the server, the process returns to S200 and waits for the next received data.

On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for acquiring print data by the server (= route 3 and route 4 in FIG. 11), in S207, the print data location information of the print resource information 91 included in the reference D2 is changed. The print data is obtained from the workstation 12W1 by referring to
The acquired print data is stored in the spool 280 in FIG. Then, in the next S208, it is determined whether or not the determined data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 4 in FIG. 11).
Here, the data transfer path is not a pattern for transferring print data from the server (that is, route 3 in FIG. 11).
If it is, return to S200 and wait for the next received data.

On the other hand, if the data transfer path is a pattern for transferring print data from the server, the process proceeds to S209, and
The scheduling for outputting the print data D1 from the printer determined in 204 is performed, and the print data D1 is transmitted to the printer determined in next S210. Thereafter, the flow returns to S200 to wait for the next received data.

Next, a case where some trouble occurs in the server 14 and normal print processing cannot be performed will be described.

When a failure occurs in the server 14, the aforementioned S
The determination at 200 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to S221 to perform the substitute request process. In S221, the alternative processing control unit 3
At 00, the subroutine of the substitution request process shown in FIG. 26 is executed. Here, the substitution request processing of FIG. 26 will be described.

In S700 of FIG. 26, the device information table 290 (see FIG. 5) stored in the memory 221 is read. Next, in step S701, information on the devices managed by the server 14 is acquired one by one from the devices at the top of the device information table 290. In step S702, the function column of the alternative server selection information is referred to from the acquired information. Check whether the server has the function of the substitute server. If the server 14 does not have the function of the substitute server, the process proceeds to S703, and it is determined whether or not all the devices managed by the server 14 have been checked.
Return to 701.

When a device having the function of the substitute server is searched, the condition for selecting the substitute server of the device set in the device information table 290 indicates the state of the server 14 (the substitute server must be selected). Event) is checked. If they do not match, the aforementioned S703 is performed.
Proceed to. That is, the devices managed by the server 14 are sequentially checked one by one until a device having an alternative server function that matches the state of the server 14 is selected.

When the alternative server is not selected even after all the devices have been checked (Yes in S703)
Returns to the main routine of the print server process in FIG. In this case, although the server 14 is in a state of selecting an alternative server, there is no alternative server that can perform processing. Therefore, when a failure has occurred in the server 14, it is difficult to continuously execute the printing process, and an appropriate error process is performed. Also,
If the function of the print server is stagnant, it is possible to continue the printing process, so the process is continued.

On the other hand, a device having a substitute server function that matches the state of the server 14 (hereinafter, referred to as “substitute server”)
Is selected (Yes in S704), the process proceeds to S705, and the range of the function to be replaced is checked.

In the case where a failure has occurred in the server 14 and all functions are to be replaced by the alternative server (Yes in S705)
Transmits the performance information table 292 in S706 and the device information table 290 in S707 from the server 14 to the alternative server. In step S708, the print data D1 stored in the server 14 is transmitted. In step S709, all print requests that are being processed and not yet processed (reference D2) are transmitted to the substitute server. By transmitting these pieces of information, the server 14 requests the replacement server to replace all functions. Thus, a route (routes 3 and 5) for the printer to obtain the print data D1 from the print server and a route for the print server to transmit the print data D1 to the printer are selected. The print processing of the print data D1 or the unprocessed print data D1 can be performed by an alternative server.

On the other hand, the function of the server 14 is stagnant,
If some of the functions are to be substituted (bypassed) by the substitute server (negative determination in S705), the process proceeds to S709, and only the unprocessed print request (reference D2) newly sent from the workstation 12W1 is replaced with the substitute server. Transfer to As a result, a route (routes 3 and 5) for the printer to obtain the print data D1 from the print server and a route for the print server to transmit the print data D1 to the printer are selected. When the processing of the server 14 is delayed due to the transfer of a large amount of data, the alternative server can substitute a part of the processing of the server 14 (processing of an unprocessed print request). That is, at any time, the advantage (prevention of a decrease in the throughput of the entire network system) obtained by using the reference D2 can be enjoyed.

Next, in the substitute server selected as the substitute server by the failed server 14 (substitute request server), the control routine of FIG. 27 described below is executed. In addition, even if the alternative server is operating as a print server of another printer group that is not managed by the server 14,
The server may be on standby as a dedicated substitute print server. Hereinafter, an example in which the server 24 is selected as the substitute server of the server 14 will be described. Note that the server 24 is operating as a printer server of another printer group that is not managed by the server 14 and performs the same processing as that of the server 14 described above. In FIG. 27, the server 14
The same processes as in FIG. 22 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 22, and description thereof is omitted here.

In S200, the server 24 connects the device (workstation 22) connected via the network N2.
W1, 22W2, 22W3, 22W4 or printer 26
P1, 26P2, 26P3, 26P4) and the presence or absence of reception of data from another print server (server 14). If the data reception is detected in S200, the process proceeds to the next S201, where the data is received, and the received data (received data) is stored in the spool 280 in FIG.

When the storage of the received data in the spool 280 is completed in S201, the flow advances to S202 to check whether the received data is the reference D2. here,
If the received data is the reference D2, the processes of S203 to S210 are performed in the same manner as the print routine of the server 14. As a result, the processing of the server 14 stagnates, and the unprocessed reference D2 sent to the server 24 also becomes
Processing is performed in the same manner as the reference D2 from the workstation. That is, the processing of the server 14 is substituted (bypassed) by the server 24.

On the other hand, if the received data is not the reference D2, the process proceeds to S230. In S230, it is checked whether the received data is a substitute request from another print server (server 14). That is, it is checked whether the received data includes the device information table 290 and the performance information table 292. Device information table 290
And the performance information table 292 is included, it is determined that the request is a substitute request for all functions from another print server (server 14), and S231 is performed to process the substitute request.
Proceed to. If the request is not a substitute request from another print server (the received data is only the print data D1), the server 14
The process proceeds to S208 in the same manner as in the print routine.

In S231, the performance information table updating subroutine shown in FIG. 28 is executed, and the performance information table 292 of the server 24 is updated based on the performance information table 292 of the server 14 sent by the substitution request.

Here, the performance information table updating process of FIG. 28 will be described. In S901, the substitution process control unit 300 acquires the performance information table 292 of the server 14 sent by the substitution request, and then in S902, the server 2
4 is read.

The following processing (S903 to S905)
The processing is performed one by one for each device registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 14 sent by the substitution request.

In S903, the device (printer) registered in the performance information table 292 of the acquired server 14
With all the devices registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 24.

If the same device has already been registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 24 (Yes in S903), the next device registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 14 is checked.

When there is no identical device among the devices registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 24 (S90
3 is negative), the process proceeds to S904, and the device is connected to the server 2
4 is newly registered in the performance information table 292, and the server 24
The performance information table 292 is updated.

When all the devices registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 14 are compared with the devices registered in the performance information table 292 of the server 24, and when the process of updating the performance information table 292 of the server 24 is completed. Then, the process returns to the main routine of FIG. 27 (S905).

Returning to the main routine of FIG. 27, the next S23
In step 2, a subroutine for updating the device information table shown in FIG.
The server information table 290 of the server 24 is updated based on the device information table 290 of FIG.

Here, the apparatus information table update processing of FIG. 29 will be described. In SA01, the substitution process control unit 300 acquires the device information table 290 of the server 14 sent by the substitution request, and then reads the device information table 290 of the server 24 in SA02.

The subsequent processing (SA03 to SA06)
The processes are sequentially performed one by one for the devices registered in the device information table 290 of the server 14 sent by the substitution request.

At SA03, it is determined whether or not the device registered in the device information table 290 of the acquired server 14 is a printer device. If it is not a printer (negative determination), the device information table 290 of the server 14
Is determined for the next device registered in. If it is a printer device (positive determination), the flow proceeds to SA04.

In SA04, the device (printer) registered in the device information table 290 of the acquired server 14
With all devices registered in the device information table 290 of the server 24.

If the same device is already registered in the device information table 290 of the server 24 (YES in SA04), the process returns to SA03, and the next device registered in the device information table 290 of the server 14 is the printer. Is determined.

When there is no identical device among the devices registered in the device information table 290 of the server 24 (SA0
(No in 4) The process proceeds to SA05, where the device (printer) is newly registered in the device information table 290 of the server 24, and the device information table 290 of the server 24 is updated.

It should be noted that whether or not the devices are the same is determined by
This is performed based on the device name or network address in the device information table 290 shown in FIG.

All the devices registered in the device information table 290 of the server 14 are compared with the devices registered in the device information table 290 of the server 24, and when the process of updating the device information table 290 of the server 24 is completed. , And returns to the main routine of FIG. 27 (SA06).

The performance information table updating process (FIG. 27)
By executing the main routine S231) and the apparatus information table update processing (S232), all terminal devices and printers managed by the server 14 can be brought under the management of the server 24.

In the next step S233, the print data D1 and the print request (reference D2) from the server 14 sent by the substitute request are stored in the spool 280 of the server 24. That is, a route (routes 3 and 5) by which the printer obtains the print data D1 from the printer server and a route by which the print server transmits the print data D1 to the printer are selected, and the printing stored in the spool 280 of the server 14 is performed. The print data D1 in the middle or unprocessed is stored in the spool 280 of the server 24. An unprocessed print request (reference D2) of the server 14 is also stored in the spool 280. When the storage is completed, the process proceeds to S234.

In S234, the data transfer path is changed. That is, the server 14 sends the route information (routes 3 and 5) to the printer server to acquire the print data D1 and the location information (network address, etc.) of the route server from which the print server sends the print data D1 to the printer. Change to 24. Further, it notifies the work station and the printer which are the target of the data transfer path change. As a result, the print data D1 that is being printed after the print request (reference D2) has been processed by the server
1 can be continuously printed.

When the server 24 is operating as a printer server of a printer group different from the printer group managed by the server 14, similarly to the server 14, the above-mentioned S209 is executed.
Is performed, and the scheduling for transmitting the print data D1 to the printer group originally managed by the server 24 has already been performed. In the next step S235, rescheduling is performed so that the print request that has already been scheduled and the print request sent from the server 14 as a substitute request are all properly printed.

As described above, when a state occurs in which the server 14 selects an alternative server, the processing requested by the server 14 to be substituted can be substituted (bypassed) by the server 24 and processed. Note that, for convenience, the control of the substitute request server and the control of the substitute server have been described separately, but these are performed by the same server. For example, if a failure occurs in the server 24 operating as a printer server of a printer group different from the printer group managed by the server 14, the server 24 becomes a substitute request server and the server 1
4 can be made to request the server 14 to substitute the processing of the server 24.

Next, in the printer, a control routine shown in FIG. 30 described below is executed. The printer (here, as an example, the printer 16P1) is a printer in S300 of FIG.
Then, it is checked whether or not the print data D1 has been received from the workstations 12W1, 12W2, 12W3, 12W4 or the server 14 connected via the network N1. When the print data D1 is not received,
In S302, it is checked whether a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received. If the data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has not been received in S302, the process returns to S300, and the reception check of the print data D1 is performed again.

If it is determined in step S302 that a data acquisition instruction from the server 14 has been received, the flow advances to step S303.
Information on the print data acquisition destination (workstation or server) is obtained from the content of the data acquisition instruction. In the next step S304, the print data D1 is obtained from the print data obtaining destination, and the obtained print data D1 is stored in a spool (not shown) provided in the print processing unit 340 in FIG. When this storage is completed, the process proceeds to S305,
The print output of the stored print data D1 is performed.

On the other hand, if the reception of the print data D1 is detected in S300, the flow advances to S301 to store the received print data D1 in a spool (not shown) provided in the print processing unit 340 in FIG. When this storage is completed, S
Proceeding to 305, printout of the stored print data D1 is performed. Thus, in the printer, the print data D
1 is printed out.

When a failure occurs in the server 14, the printer selects the server 24 selected as the substitute server.
Receiving the change notification in S234 from above, the above processing is changed from the server 14 to the server 24 and performed.

In the present embodiment described above, the workstation requests the server to print the print data D1 using the reference D2 having a smaller data amount than the print data D1, so that the workstation transfers the print data D1 to the server at the time of the request. The amount of data to be transmitted decreases, and the amount of data transmission (communication traffic) on the network can be reduced. Further, since the amount of data to be stored in the server at the time of a print processing request is also reduced, the server does not require an additional magnetic disk device or the like, and cost can be reduced.

The server receives a print processing request from a workstation using the reference D2,
Determine an appropriate printer and print data transfer path.
The print processing of the print data based on the appropriate transfer path can be realized by the control processing routine in each of the workstation, the server, and the printer described above.

[0200] If a server fails and normal processing cannot be performed, an alternative server is automatically selected from the device information table 290. Further, the device information table 290 and the performance information table 292 are transmitted to the selected alternative server, and the setting on the alternative server side is automatically performed. Further, the processing of the failed server is taken over by the substitute server and performed. As a result, it is possible to greatly reduce the operation load applied when a failure occurs in the network system such as the setting of the substitute server and the notification to the user.

Also, the processing that has been performed or is to be performed on the failed server is performed by the selected alternative server. Thus, even if a failure occurs, the print processing is continued by the alternative server without interrupting the print processing, so that a highly reliable network system can be constructed.

Further, the processing of the print data D1 during printing which has been processed by the failed server is also taken over by the selected alternative server. As a result, it is not necessary to print the print data D1 that has been printed halfway again from the beginning, so that waste of resources (paper, toner, power, etc.) can be reduced.

Further, even when the processing of the server is stalled due to spool full or transmission / reception of a large amount of print data (the throughput of the entire network system is reduced), an alternative server is automatically selected from the apparatus information table 290.
An alternative request by the server whose processing has been delayed and an alternative process by the alternative server are performed. Since these processes are performed using the reference D2 having a smaller data amount than the print data D1, the throughput of the entire network system is improved while preventing an increase in the data transmission amount (communication traffic amount) on the network. be able to.

The operation of the above embodiment has been described on the assumption that the print data D1 is generated by the workstation 12W1 and a print processing request for the print data D1 is made to the server 14. The same communication control processing as described above can be realized between all workstations, servers, and printers connected via a network.

Further, the description has been made on the assumption that a failure occurs in the server 14 and the processing is replaced by the server 24 which manages a group of printers not managed by the server 14 on another network. However, the present invention is not limited to this. . The same alternative processing request and alternative processing as described above can be realized between all servers connected via the network, and the same communication control processing can be realized between the workstation, server, and printer. Alternatively, an alternative print server connected via a network may be installed to wait for an alternative request from another server.

[0201]

As described above, according to the present invention, even when a failure occurs in a server, a network system capable of dynamically selecting an alternative server and continuing print processing, an alternative processing control method, and an alternative processing control method. A server can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a workstation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a server.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer.

FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of a device information table managed by a server.

FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of a printer performance information table managed by a server.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of a reference.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of reference detailed information.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of printing.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a data communication route.

FIG. 11 is a list of data transfer path patterns.

FIG. 12 is a table showing priorities regarding data transfer paths;

FIG. 13 is a communication function matrix table of a workstation and a printer.

14 is a table showing a data transfer path for each communication function matrix of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a matrix table of reference transmitters and receivers.

FIG. 16 is a matrix table of a print data transmitting device and a print data receiving device;

FIG. 17 is a matrix table of print data acquisition devices and provision devices.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of setting an alternative server when a failure occurs.

FIG. 19 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of printing after the setting of the substitute server is completed.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram showing the flow of printing when processing is stagnated.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the workstation.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in a server (alternative request server).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of an output printer extraction process.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a print condition check process.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a data transfer path pattern and a subroutine of printer selection processing.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a substitution request process executed in the substitution request server.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in a server (alternate server).

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a performance information table update process executed in an alternative server.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of a device information table update process executed in an alternative server.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a communication control processing routine executed in the printer.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20 LAN 12W1, 12W2, 12W3, 12W4 Workstation 14 Server 24 Server 16P1, 16P2, 16P3, 16P4 Printer 22W1, 22W2, 22W3, 22W4 Workstation 26P1, 26P2, 26P3, 26P4 Printer D1 Print Data D2 Reference (Print Processing) Content information 91 Print resource information 92 Job attribute information 93 Print attribute information 100 Network system 110 Data generation unit 120 Print management unit 220 Device information management unit 221 Memory (selection information storage unit, management information storage unit) 240 Print management unit (decision) Means, transfer control means) 260 printer selection unit 270 data transfer path setting unit 280 spool 290 device information table (management information, alternative server selection information) 292 performance information Buru (management information) 300 alternative processing control section (selecting means, requesting means, alternative processing control means) 340 print processing unit

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A terminal device for generating print data and generating print processing content information representing the content of the print process and having a smaller data amount than the print data, and a printer for executing the print process based on the print data. A server that manages the printer, based on the print processing content information sent as a print processing request for the print data from the terminal device. A printer that executes the printing process, a determination unit that determines a transfer path of the print data to the printer, and a transfer control unit that controls the print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transfer path determined by the determination unit. Selecting means for selecting an alternative server that substitutes for processing of a print processing request from the terminal device; The server selected in the alternative server by,
Request means for requesting a substitute for a print processing request received from the terminal device, and a substitute for controlling the print processing request from the terminal device to be substituted and processed when selected as a substitute server by another server. A network system comprising: processing control means. 2. The selection means includes a selection information storage unit configured to store alternative server selection information including location information of another server and an alternative server start condition for starting as an alternative server, The network system according to claim 1, wherein an alternative server is selected based on the alternative server selection information. 3. The server is used for determining a printer suitable for executing a printing process in the determining unit, and stores management information including location information and performance information of the terminal device and the printer managed by the server. A management information storage unit that stores the print processing content information sent as a print request from the terminal device; the management information stored in the management information storage unit; and the server. A substitution path is determined by transmitting at least one of the print data stored in the server, which is being transferred from the terminal device to the printer during transfer to the printer, via a transfer path, to the substitution server. The network system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. When the substitute processing control unit receives the print processing content information as a substitute request from another server, the substitution processing control unit determines by the determining unit based on the received print processing content information. The network system according to claim 3, wherein: 5. When the management information is received as a substitution request from another server, the substitution processing control means performs, based on the received management information, all the information managed by the other server requesting the substitution. 5. The network system according to claim 3, wherein the management information of the server is updated so that the terminal device and the printer are placed under the management of the server. 6. 6. When the print data stored in the server that has requested the substitute being transferred from the terminal device to the printer is received as a substitute request from another server, the substitute control unit is configured to: At least one of the device and the printer is notified that the transfer path is changed through the server in place of the server requesting the replacement, and control is performed so that the transfer of print data is continuously performed through the server. The network system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: 7. When the processing of the server is stagnant,
The request unit requests the substitute of the unprocessed print processing request received from the terminal device by transmitting the unprocessed print processing content information received from the terminal device to the alternative server. The network system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein 8. When the function of the server is stopped, the request unit sends the print processing content information received from the terminal device irrespective of whether it is being processed or not processed, the management information, and the determination unit to the server. All the print processing requests received from the terminal device are transmitted by transmitting the print data stored in the server during transfer from the terminal device to the printer whose transfer route is determined via the determined transfer route to the alternative server. The network system according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the network system requests an alternative. 9. A terminal device for generating print data and generating print processing content information representing the content of the print process and having a smaller data amount than the print data, and a printer for executing the print process based on the print data. Determining, on the basis of the print processing content information transmitted as a print processing request for the print data from the terminal device, a printer suitable for executing print processing and a transfer path of print data to the printer, and In a network system including a server that controls transfer to the printer, a print processing request received from the terminal device when a failure occurs in the server, together forming the network. An alternative process control method for causing another server to substitute for the alternative server selection information, the server comprising Based on the, from among the other servers that constitute the network system together, select an alternative server that substitutes the print processing request from the terminal device, print processing content information received from the terminal device, pre-stored The management information of the terminal device and the printer managed by the server, and the transfer route to be transferred through the server are determined, and the print data stored in the server during the transfer from the terminal device to the printer is determined. A substitution request is made by transmitting at least one of them to the server selected as the substitution server, and the server selected as the substitution server receives the substitution request and receives a print processing request from the terminal device. An alternative processing control method, wherein the processing is controlled so as to be performed instead. 10. A terminal device for generating print data and representing print processing content and generating print processing content information having a smaller data amount than the print data, and a printer for executing print processing based on the print data A server that configures a network together with the printer, based on the print processing content information sent as a print processing request for the print data from the terminal device, a printer that executes the print processing, and a print data to the printer. Determining means for determining a transfer path; transfer control means for controlling print data to be transferred to the printer according to the transfer path determined by the determining means; and substituting processing for a print processing request received from the terminal device. Selection of selecting an alternative server from other servers that together form the network system Means, request means for requesting the substitute server selected by the selecting means to substitute for a print processing request received from the terminal device, and receiving a substitute request from another server which constitutes the network together. And a substitute processing control means for controlling to process a print processing request from the terminal device in place of the server requesting the substitution.