JP2001022550A - Print system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time needed for print data generation and the time needed for print data transfer and to provide efficient print environment for a user by resetting a power-saving state in advance before print data are generated. SOLUTION: This system comprises a print client device 1 and printer devices 2A, 2B, and 2C which are connected to a network. When the start of printing is indicated first, a command for resetting the power-saving mode by using a power-saving state setting function of a printer device 2 is sent to the group- controlled printer devices 2A, 2B, and 2C. The printer device 2 receives it by a power-saving state setting request processing function and resets the power- saving state of a printer 3. Then the user selects the printer device 2C as the printer device 2, sets its print conditions, and gives a print instruction. On the print client device 1 generates print data and transfers the data to the selected printer device 2C, so that the data are printed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer or
The present invention relates to a printing system in which a digital copying machine is connected to a plurality of networks and prints on these devices efficiently.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, networking has been performed as a matter of course, and many printers have been connected to a network and commonly used as one of network resources. Many of these printer devices have a function of reducing the power of a fixing heater or the like so as not to waste power during a long standby time. When a user on the network attempts to perform printing, if the printer device is in a power saving state, printing is not output until the fixing heater is completely heated. Therefore, there is a problem that it takes time to complete printing. In the prior art, for example, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-235970.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-235970, a host computer having a printer driver is provided.
In a print system connected to a printer having a power saving mode, when a printer driver is started on a host computer, a preset print code which does not affect printing is transmitted to the printer, and a print instruction is issued. A print system capable of printing as soon as print data is transmitted to a printer device is disclosed.

[0004]

However, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-235970 only deals with a printer device that has performed printing, and cannot expect an effect under an environment where a plurality of printers can be used. Further, as described above, when printing is performed on the printer device in the power saving state, the power saving is canceled, and it takes time until the printing can be performed. For this reason, there is a problem in that the user who has performed the printing has not yet output yet when he / she goes to the printer device, even though it appears that the printing has been completed on the screen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an environment with high printing efficiency when a printer device on standby is used in a power saving state on a network. .

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print system in which a print client device and a plurality of printer devices are connected. When a print data is created and transmitted to the printer device, a command to release the power save state of the printer device registered in the group on the print client device is transmitted before the transfer to the printer device, and the power save state is released. It is characterized by having a state releasing means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the power saving state canceling means gradually cancels the power saving state of the printer by the power saving state canceling means when there is a print request. It is characterized by doing.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the power saving state canceling means cancels the power saving state of the printers registered in the group by 50% when there is a print request, When a printer for executing printing is selected, the power saving state of the printer is released by 100%.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, when a print request is issued, the print client device saves power to a frequently used printer device. It is characterized in that the power saving state of the printer is released by the state releasing means.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, the print client device includes a print history information management unit that accumulates and manages print history information of printer devices that have been registered one or more times in the past. The printer device with the highest frequency of use is extracted from the print history information management means, and the power saving state of the printer device with the highest frequency of use is released 100% by the power saving state release means. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the print client device is configured to release the selected printer device from the power saving state by the power saving state releasing unit. When a long time is required, a switching unit for switching to another printer is provided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the sixth aspect, the print client device determines whether or not the selected printer device is in a power saving state, and a determination by the determination device. As a result, when the selected printer is in the power saving state, the time required to release the power saving state of the printer with the next highest use priority is compared with the time required to release the power saving of the selected printer. And a switching unit that switches when the printer device with the next highest use priority takes a shorter time to release as a result of the comparison by the comparing unit.

[0013]

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the overall system configuration includes a print client device 1, a printer device 2A, a printer device 2B, and a printer device 2C connected to a network. Each printer device 2 has a printer 3 and a front-end PC 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the print client device 1. The group management function of the target printer device 2 is a function for managing information such as the address and use priority of each printer device 2 in the group. The power saving state collation function of the printer device 2 stores information on the power saving state of the printer device 2 in the printer device 2.
It is a function to get from. The power saving state setting function of the printer device 2 is a function of transmitting a command for canceling the power saving mode. The print transfer function to the substitute printer device 2 is a printer device 2 that transfers print data and performs printing.
It is a function to transfer. The power saving support mode inquiry function of the printer device 2 is a function for inquiring about the support mode (for example, 50%, 100%, etc.) of each printer device 2. The print history accumulation function is a function of managing print history information of each printer device 2 in the group. The print data creation function is a function for creating print data to be transferred to the printer device 2 that performs printing. The print data transfer function is a function of transferring the created print data to the printer device 2 that performs printing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the printer device 2. The power saving state inquiry response function is a function that responds to the print client apparatus 1 with information on the power saving state of the printer 3 corresponding to the power saving state collation function of the printer apparatus 2 included in the print client apparatus 1. The power saving state setting request processing function is performed by the print client device 1.
This function cancels the power saving state of the printer 3 in response to a command requesting cancellation of the printer 3. The power saving support mode inquiry response function is a function of responding to the print client device 1 the power saving state supported by the printer 3 in response to the power saving support mode inquiry function from the print client device 1. The print data receiving function is a function of receiving print data transferred from the print client device 1. The print data storage function is a function of storing received print data. The printer power saving state acquisition / setting function is a function of acquiring information on the power saving state from the printer 3 and setting the power saving state.

The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4, 8, 9, and 13. The print client device executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 4, and the printer device 2 executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG. The target printer device 2 is managed by the group management function of the target printer device 2 in a format as shown in FIG.

According to FIG. 4, first, when the start of printing is instructed (step S100), the saving of the printer device 2 is performed for the printer devices 2A, 2B, and 2C managed by the group. A command for canceling the power saving mode is transmitted using the power state setting function (step S101). The printer device 2 receives this by the power saving state setting request processing function and releases the power saving state to the printer 3. Next, the user selects the printer device 2C as the printer device 2 for printing, sets the printing conditions, and issues a print instruction (step S102). The print client device 1 creates print data (step S103), transfers the data to the selected printer device 2C, and performs printing (step S104).

Referring to FIG. 8, when the printer apparatus 2 receives the power saving state setting request from the print client apparatus 1 (step S530), it releases the power saving state of the printer 3 (step S531). Upon receiving the print request from the print client device 1 (step S510), the printer device 2 receives and accumulates print data (step S511), and executes printing (step S512).

According to the operation sequence example of FIG. 9, the print client device 1 transmits a command for canceling the power saving state to the printer devices 2 registered in the group when the start of printing is instructed. In this operation sequence example, a command is transmitted to the printer 2A, the printer 2B, and the printer 2C. When the user selects the printer device 2, sets printing conditions, and executes printing, print data is created, and the print data is transferred to the selected printer device 2 (printer device 2 C in the present operation sequence example).

The second embodiment is shown in FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The print client device 1 executes processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 5, and the printer device 2 executes processing according to the flowchart of FIG. The target printer device 2 is managed by the group management function of the target printer device 2 in a format as shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, when the start of printing is instructed (step S200), the printer device 2A, the printer device 2B, and the printer device 2C managed by the group are saved. The support mode of each printer device 2 is inquired using the power support mode inquiry function. The printer device 2 uses the power saving support mode inquiry response function to return the supported power saving status to the client device 1 (step S2).
01). Here, each printer device 2 is 50%, 10%
Supports 0% mode.

Next, a command to cancel the power saving mode by 50% is transmitted using the power saving state setting function of the printer device 2 (step S202). Printer device 2
Is received by the power saving state setting request processing function, and the power saving state of the printer 3 is canceled by 50%. Next, the user selects the printer device 2C as the printer 3 to print, sets the printing conditions, and gives a print instruction (step S203). A command for canceling the power saving state by 100% is transmitted to the selected printer 2C (step S204), print data is created (step S205), and the data is stored in the selected printer 2C. And performs printing (step S206).

Referring to FIG. 8, when the printer device 2 receives the power saving support mode inquiry request from the print client device 1 (step S520), the printer device 2 obtains a supported state from the printer 3 and transmits the obtained information. The data is transferred to the print client device 1 (step S521). Upon receiving the power saving state setting request from the print client apparatus 1 (step S530), the printer apparatus 2 releases the power saving state of the printer 3 (step S531).
Upon receiving the print request from the print client device 1 (step S510), the printer device 2 receives and accumulates print data (step S511), and executes printing (step S512).

According to the operation sequence example shown in FIG. 10, when print start is instructed, the print client device 1 inquires of the printer devices 2 registered in the group about the state of power saving support. In this operation sequence example, the printer device 2A, the printer device 2B,
The printer 2C supports 50% and 100%. The print client device 1 transmits a command for canceling the power saving state by 50% to the printer device 2 (the printer device 2A, the printer device 2B, and the printer device 2C in this operation sequence example) registered in the group. When the user selects the printer device 2 (printer device 2C in this operation sequence example), sets printing conditions, and executes printing, the power saving state becomes 100.
After the command for canceling the% is transferred to the printer device 2 (the printer device 2C in this operation sequence example), print data is created, and the print data is transferred to the printer device 2.
(In this operation sequence example, the printer device 2C)
Transfer to

FIGS. 6, 8, 11, and
This will be described with reference to FIG. The print client device 1 executes processing according to the flowchart of FIG. 6, and the printer device 2 executes processing according to the flowchart of FIG. The print history information is managed in a format as shown in FIG.

According to FIG. 6, first, when printing start is instructed (step S300), print history information managed by the print history accumulation function is acquired. The printer device 2 used in the last ten printings is extracted (step S
301). The number of times of use of each extracted printer device 2 is calculated (step S302). Here, the printer device 2
A once, printer 2B three times, printer 2C
Has been used six times. A command for canceling the power saving state by 100% is transmitted to the printer device 2C that has been used the most times (step S303), and the power saving state is canceled 70% for the printer device 2B that is the second most used. A command is transmitted (step S304), and a command to release the power saving state to 40% is transmitted to the third largest printer 2A (step S305). Is performed step by step.

Next, the user selects the printer device 2C as the printer device 2 for printing, sets the printing conditions, and instructs printing (step S306). After transmitting a command to cancel the power saving state by 100% to the selected printer device 2C (step S
307), create print data (step S308),
The data is transferred to the selected printer device 2C and printed (step S309).

Referring to FIG. 8, when the printer apparatus 2 receives the power saving state setting request from the print client apparatus 1 (step S530), the printer apparatus 2 releases the power saving state of the printer 3 (step S531). Upon receiving the print request from the print client device 1 (step S510), the printer device 2 receives and accumulates print data (step S511), and executes printing (step S512).

According to the operation sequence example of FIG. 11, when print start is instructed, the print client device 1 prints the past N times (10 times in the present operation sequence example) from the history information of print execution. Printer device 2 used
Is extracted. The number of times of use of each of the extracted printer devices 2 is calculated. A command for canceling the power saving state by 40% is transmitted to the printer device 2 (the printer device 2A in the present operation sequence example) having the third use frequency. A command to release the power saving state by 70% is transmitted to the second most frequently used printer device 2 (printer device 2B in the present operation sequence example). A command for canceling the power saving state by 100% is transmitted to the printer device 2 having the first use frequency (the printer device 2C in this operation sequence example). When the user selects the printer device 2 (the printer device 2C in the present operation sequence example), sets printing conditions, and executes printing, a command for canceling the power saving state by 100% is issued to the printer device 2 (this operation sequence example). , The print data is created after the transfer to the printer device 2C), and the print data is transferred to the printer device 2 (printer device 2C in this operation sequence example).

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, and 12. The print client device 1 is shown in FIG.
The printer device 2 executes the processing according to the flowchart of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 7, first, the start of printing is instructed (step S400), and the user selects the printer 2A as the printer 2 to print, sets the printing conditions, and instructs printing. (Step S4)
01). Next, the power saving state of the printer 2A is acquired using the power saving state inquiry function of the printer 2 (step S402). It is determined whether or not the acquired state of the printer 2A is the power saving state (step S40).
3) If the printer 2A is not in the power saving state (step S403 / NO), print data is created (step S407), and the data is transferred to the printer 2A.
Is transferred and printed (step S408).

When the printer 2A is in the power saving state (step S403 / YES), the printer 2B having the next highest use priority is inquired of the power saving state to acquire the state of the printer 2B (step S403). S40
4). The speed of releasing the power saving state between the printer device 2A and the next candidate printer device 2B is compared (step S40).
5) If the next candidate printer device 2B is earlier (step S405 / YES), the target printer device 2 is switched to the next candidate printer device 2B using the print transfer function to the substitute printer device 2. From (Step S4
06), and print data is created (step S40).
7) The data is transferred to the printer device 2B and printed (step S408). If the printer 2A is earlier (step S405 / NO), print data is created (step S407), and the data is transferred to the printer 2A and printed (step S4).
08).

Referring to FIG. 8, when the printer apparatus 2 receives the power saving state inquiry request from the print client apparatus 1 (step S500), the printer apparatus 2 acquires the state of the printer 3 from the printer 3 and transmits the acquired information to the print client. The data is transferred to the device 1 (step S501). Printer device 2
Receives a print request from the print client device 1 (step S510), receives and accumulates print data (step S511), and executes printing (step S5).
12).

According to the operation sequence example of FIG. 12, when print start is instructed, the print client device 1 selects the printer device 2 (the printer device 2A in the present operation sequence example), and Is set and printing is performed, the power saving state of the printer device 2 (printer device 2A in the present operation sequence example) for printing is acquired. If it is not in the power saving state, the print data is created as it is, and the print data is transferred to the target printer device 2 (printer device 2A in this operation sequence example). In the power saving state, the power saving state is acquired from the next candidate printer device 2 (printer device 2B in the present operation sequence example). Next candidate printer device 2 (in this operation sequence example, printer device 2
If printing is completed earlier in B), the next candidate printer device 2 (in the present operation sequence example, the printer device 2)
Transfer the print data to B).

In the present invention, a front-end PC and a printer are described as the printer device 2 in FIG. 1. However, even if the printer 3 is provided with the function of the front-end PC 4 and a printer alone is used, there is no problem. Absent.

[0037]

As is apparent from the above invention, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by canceling the power saving state before creating print data, the time required for print data creation and the time required for print data creation can be reduced. The time required to transfer the print data is reduced, and an efficient printing environment can be provided to the user.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the power saving mode is not canceled for the printers registered in the group, but is canceled stepwise so as to be canceled. It is possible to reduce unnecessary power consumption of the printer device.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the printers used for the past N times of printing are extracted from the print history information, and the power-saving mode is released in order from the most frequently used printers. By changing the ratio, it is possible to reduce power consumption of the printer device that does not need to be released.

According to the sixth and seventh aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a user with an efficient printing environment by performing printing on a printer device that requires less time for canceling power saving.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a print client device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a printer device 2 showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a third embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the printer device.

FIG. 9 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an operation sequence diagram for explaining a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a group information management format.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print history information format.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 print client device 2A to 2C printer device 3 printer 4 front-end PC

Claims (7)

[Claims] In a printing system in which a print client device and a plurality of printer devices are connected, the print client device creates print data when a print request is made, and transmits the print data before transferring the print data to the printer device. A print system, comprising: a power saving state canceling unit that cancels the power saving state by transmitting a command to cancel the power saving state of the printer devices registered in the group on the print client device. 2. The power saving state canceling means according to claim 1, wherein the power saving state canceling means cancels the power saving state of the printer step by step when the printing request is issued. Print system. 3. The power saving state canceling means cancels the power saving state of the printers registered in the group by 50% when the printing request is issued, and selects a printer to execute printing. 3. The printing system according to claim 2, wherein the power saving state of the printer device is released by 100%. 4. The print client device according to claim 1, wherein when the print request is issued, the power saving state of the printer device is canceled by the power saving state canceling unit for the frequently used printer device. Claim 1
The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein 5. The print client device has print history information management means for accumulating and managing print history information of printer devices registered in the group one or more times in the past. Is extracted by the power saving state canceling means, and the power saving state of the most frequently used printer apparatus is set to 100% by the power saving state canceling means.
The print system according to claim 4, wherein the print system is released. 6. The print client device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches to another printer device when the selected printer device takes time to release the power saving state by the power saving state releasing unit. The print system according to claim 1. 7. The print client device includes: a determination unit configured to determine whether the selected printer device is in a power saving state; and as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the selected printer device saves power. A comparison unit that compares a time required to release the power saving state of the printer device having the next highest use priority and a time required to release the power saving state of the selected printer device, 7. The print system according to claim 6, wherein, as a result of the comparison by the means, when the printer having the next highest use priority takes a shorter time to release, the switching by the switching means is performed.